A few days had passed when Rachel came into the yard and called out "Buck, Lou"
Buck came running from the stable while Lou came from the corral, they met in the middle on either side of Rachel. She looked at the two riders and said, "I've got a special run for the Army. You'll need to go down to Ft. Kearney. Teaspoon said he wanted the extra gun along cause of everything that's going on these days."
Buck nodded, "I'll go get the packs if you do the horses."
Lou smiled at how simply the work was split between them. "Sounds good." Lou said, and took the package from Rachel as she headed to the barn and watched Buck follow Rachel to the house to get some provisions for their ride.
Back in the kitchen, Rachel turned and looked at Buck, "Don't hurt her." She said softly but sternly as she picked up a long wooden spoon to stir the stew for tonights dinner.
"I don't want to." Buck said as he wrapped up bread and then reached for a tin of beans. "I want Lou to be happy."
Rachel turned with the spoon in her hand gravy dripping down onto Buck's boot. "Good. Keep that in your head while you two are on your run."
Buck smiled, as he leaned forward narrowly missing the spoon and hugged Rachel. "Thank you." He said softly. Then grabbed a few more tins and ran back to the barn where Lou was waiting for him.
Buck double checked his cinches and then mounted. "HA!" the two yelled as they rode hard and fast towards the Fort. "Ride Safe" they heard carried on the wind as they passed the house.
A few hours later, Buck and Lou were stopped by a stream letting the horses rest. Buck turned to look at Lou and smiled, "You have a very fierce protector."
Lou looked around and not seeing or hearing anyone stepped into Buck's arms and said, "I'm aware. What exactly did my fierce protector do now?" She said as she ran her hands up his chest and twined around his neck.
Buck smiled down at Lou, "Not me this time." And then leaned down and stole a kiss.
Leaning back to look into Buck's warm eyes she asked, "Who?"
"Rachel" and proceeded to tell Lou how she threatened him at spoon point.
"Why does everyone think they have a say in our lives?"
"Because they care." Buck ran a hand over her back soothingly, "It's a good thing."
Lou looked up at Buck and shook her head but smiled none the less. "Where are we planning to stop Buck?"
"We're almost to Thompson's Station. If we ride a few more hours we'll be in Oak and that's about ½ way to the Fort." Buck felt his fingers begin to wind into Lou's short hair, "If we're lucky they might even have a hotel there."
"Oak is practically owned by Russells, Major and Waddel. They've got a hotel." Lou smiled as she felt Buck tug gently on her hair and let her head fall back into his hands, "We'll get a room, get dinner, and…" Lou reached up and tugged on Buck's shirt pulling his head down to hers.
"Talk." Buck whispered before kissing Lou deeply his hands sliding around to cup her face as hers slid around his neck.
As the kiss broke Lou smiled at Buck and said, "that too."
Buck laughed as he unhobbled his horse and turned her head. "C'mon, suddenly I'm very interested to get to Oak."
"Good." Lou said and with a sharp kick took of as hard and fast as her mount was able to go.
Buck smiled watching her ride and then kicking his horse chased after her.
