The next morning Jane woke early and walked out to the clearing that she and Buck went to in the mornings for prayer. Jane sat quietly knowing that wherever Buck was he was doing his prayers just then. She looked up at the sky and smiled knowing he was on his way home already and he was looking up at the early morning sky too. Jane began to feel lighter as she walked back to station and couldn't help but laugh when she made Rachel jump when she opened the kitchen door.
"Jane!" Rachel exclaimed "I didn't think you'd have gone for a walk this morning with Buck gone."
"Sorry to startle you." Jane said as she turned on the kettle. "I needed to clear my thoughts and taking that walk helped."
"Made you feel closer to Buck?"
"How'd you know?"
Rachel just laughed and said, "Go get me the eggs."
Smiling Jane grabbed the basket and headed out to the coop.
A few hours later Jane was out behind the house in the bushes picking early berries for a tart for dessert when she heard hoofbeats. She felt her heart race and dropped her basket without even thinking as she ran to the front of the house.
"Rider Comin" Lou yelled "Someone tell…" Lou turned her head and seeing Jane added more quietly, "never mind she's here."
Jane slowed down and walked up to the fence and watched as Buck raced into the yard and tossed a mochila to Lou who took it and began to ride hard and fast to St. Louis. Kid stepped up and grabbed Buck's horse and said, "I'll cool her down for you."
Buck barely looked at Kid as he tossed him the reins, "Thanks." He said and walked directly to Jane who climbed over the fence and walked to Buck.
Meeting in the middle Buck wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, "See." He said softly.
"You're back." Jane said happily, hugging him. She felt Buck rest his head on top of hers and let out a deep breath. "You're ok."
Buck leaned down and kissed her, "I'm home." He whispered against her lips.
Jane smiled and squeezed him tighter, "I missed you." Then stepping back added "You smell awful though." Jane added with a laugh.
Buck leaned down and sniffed, "Kinda like a sheep put away wet for a week." he said teasingly and squeezed Jane harder.
"Ewwww, Buck." Jane said and laughed as she pushed against him.
Buck let go saying, "I'm gonna go clean up and then maybe we can go for a walk?"
Jane nodded and she watched him start walking away and then feeling brave called after him, "Maybe a picnic Buck?" blushing Jane then turned and ran into the house.
Jimmy and Cody were both on the bunkhouse porch and watched Buck try to swallow a smile as he entered.
"Picnic?" Cody asked.
"Shut up." Buck said grabbing his clean clothes and hurrying back outside, glad he didn't blush easily.
The next few months fell into an easy rhythm and pattern and before they knew it Jane's birthday was the next day. Buck woke early and quietly threw his pillow at Lou, who was asleep in her bunk.
Waking with a gasp, Lou grabbed the pillow and looked ready to attack. Buck stood and motioned for her to meet him outside. Lou rubbed her eyes and blinked. She looked out the window and realized it was barely light yet. 'This better be good or he's dead.' Lou thought to herself as she pulled on clothes and boots and headed out the door.
She looked around and saw Buck just inside the barn and shook her head as she walked over. "This better be good Buck." She muttered sleepily as she entered the barn.
Buck looked around nervously. "It's Jane's birthday."
Lou smiled, "What are you going to do?"
"I wanted to ask her to marry me." Buck said and looked around again anxiously
Lou immediately hugged Buck. "I'm so happy for you." Then she stepped back and looked at Buck, "Wait, what's wrong?"
"I don't know…" Buck paused and looked around helplessly
"Is this about Ike?"
"Sorta. Not really though. I don't know how."
"You just ask."
"Aren't I supposed to get her a ring or something?"
Lou's eye's widened and she realized how Ike was involved. She suddenly felt a lot closer to Buck than she had a minute before. "Usually. I, I have a ring. If you want it."
Buck shook his head, "Maybe, it's just. Is there anything special I need to do or get or anything?"
Lou sat down on a nearby haybale and said, "Just be honest with her and tell her how you feel and why you want to marry her. If she says yes, offer her a ring. I can't imagine she'd say no."
Buck nodded and sat down next to Lou. "How do I offer her a ring when anything I can offer her I know she can make something better."
"Good point." Lou sighed and thought for a minute, "I guess whoever made those rules didn't think women could make jewelry."
Buck smiled, "Maybe that's why you two get on so well. 2 rule breakers." Buck teased.
Lou's eyes went wide, "Buck I think that's it!"
"What's it?"
"Rule breaking. I think I know the best gift you can get Jane and include Ike in everything. I need to check on a few things but I bet I'm right."
"What?"
"You'll see!" Lou said and ran out of the barn towards the bunkhouse.
