DEBBIE CHAPTER 3
After having breakfast, in fact, the next day only Ike, Debbie and Rachel left and remained at the station.
Suddenly a gig was coming fast: it was a young woman looking for Rachel: her sister was about to give birth and the doctor was not available. Rachel didn't have it repeated twice, she told Debbie to take care of the house and the chores and went with the girl.
Soon Buck came back, gave the bag to Ike, went to take the horse into the stable, and then went into the bunkhouse.
"Welcome back", Debbie told him.
"But where is everyone?"
"Teaspoon and the boys have gone to buy some horses, while Rachel is helping a friend deliver her baby because the doctor is not in town. It's just you and me "
"Mmm, good!", he said and kissed her.
"Sit down, I'll warm up your breakfast, you'll be hungry"
"Thanks"
As she busied herself heating the food, Buck kept his eyes off her. Debbie noticed this and said: "What is it?"
"Oh nothing, I just like seeing you taking care of me, I like it"
She smiled and said nothing. While he was having breakfast, she went ahead to prepare lunch and when Buck was done, he brought her the plate.
"Forget it, I'll do it"
"I like to help you and share these moments with you"
She took his plate, put it in the sink and kissed him. Buck was about to squeeze her waist but she took his hands.
Buck broke away from the kiss and said: "I'm sorry, I'm going too fast again"
She put a finger on his lips and then whispered in his ear: "Now yes"
He looked at her in amazement but she took his hand again and brought him to her cot. Buck understood what she meant by that "Now yes".
He kissed her passionately and she began to unbutton his shirt.
"Are you sure, we don't have to do it, if you need time I understand"
In response, she took off his vest and completely removed his shirt. He was so cool and strong. Buck took courage even though he was very embarrassed and agitated and began in turn to unbutton her dress.
When he took it off, to break the tension, he said: "Oh, so this is the underwear you didn't want to show to the river?"
Debbie smiled but didn't answer, unbuttoned his pants and slipped them down his legs.
Buck took them off with his boots and then laid her on the cot. When they were without clothes, he began to caress and kiss her and when he realized she was ready, he began to penetrate her gently.
For Debbie it was her first time, so she felt a little pain and let out a light grunt that didn't escape Buck: "I hurt you, sorry, I didn't mean to. Do you want me to stop? "
"No, it's normal for me to feel a little pain, it's my first time"
"For me too and I'm happy it's with you. Are you sure you want me to continue? "
In response she kissed him and drew him to her. Buck was so sweet and Debbie had a wonderful feeling, she really felt like she was in Heaven.
They lay down next to each other and she crouched next to him.
"It was wonderful", she told him, "as I had dreamed".
"Me too. Are you sure you haven't repented? "
"Absolutely not, but I have to tell you something"
"Tell me", Buck said a little worried.
"I want you to know that I'm not one to sleep with the first one I know. I know we just met, but I feel something very strong for you and it felt natural to me. I don't want you to think badly "
"I could never think badly of you. I know that you are a serious girl and I am delighted that you have decided to entrust yourself to me "
They kissed again and remained close and embraced for a while.
Reluctantly they had to get up and get dressed and Debbie told him: "Now you will have to help me to remake your cot if you don't want everyone to understand what happened"
Buck looked at her a little amazed, but she turned to the sheet and he saw some specks of blood and understood.
"Pass me some clean sheets please, so we can replace them and then I'll go wash them immediately"
"Clean sheets? I don't know where they are "
"In the bottom drawer of the dresser. Is it possible that I know that I've been here for less than a week and you have no idea? Men! "
They laughed and Buck handed her the sheets. They then went to Rachel's house and Debbie washed the dirty laundry. As she washed and hung out, Buck watched in delight.
"You're staring at me again", she teased.
"Sorry, but seeing you do chores as before makes me want family" .He blushed as he said these last words and she smiled without saying anything.
"Let me help you hang out"
"It is not necessary, really"
"Well, in a family, if both work they have to help each other"
She smiled and said: "Did you notice what you just said?"
"No, what?"
"One of the two: either you intend to marry a working woman, or ..."
"Or?"
"Or are you thinking of the two of us"
He smiled and said nothing but kissed her passionately.
"So can I consider you my boyfriend?"
"Well, after this morning I'd say yes!" and they kissed again
They agreed not to tell anyone yet and to continue being discreet.
They went back to the bunkhouse and Debbie set about preparing lunch. Rachel returned shortly after and told the two of her adventure: "It was wonderful to bring a child into the world"
Then, casually, she asked Debbie: "Did you do the laundry again?"
"Er, yeah, that's it, Buck has ..."
"I dirty the sheet with my boots and she was kind enough to change and wash it"
"With boots huh…? Agree". Rachel understood everything but didn't want to embarrass them.
The other boys arrived immediately and while they were arranging the horses, helped by Buck, the two women prepared lunch.
As they ate, Rachel asked who should accompany Debbie in the afternoon and Buck offered himself before anyone else. Debbie was extremely happy and the two exchanged a knowing glance.
Cody obviously protested but then turned to Debbie and said: "Well, I hope you'll at least agree to have me take you to the prom on Saturday!"
"I'm actually going with Buck", she said, looking down in embarrassment.
Cody said: "No offense Buck, but wouldn't it be better if she were accompanied by someone who can introduce her to the people that matter in town since she's the new teacher? Don't take it badly, but I don't think it's appropriate for Debbie to make her first public appearance with you. "
"Cody!", they all shouted in unison.
"Maybe you are right, I am not liked in the city and I could damage her image, on the other hand if a member of my family thinks so, let alone the rest of the city!". Buck jumped up, overturned his plate, and went out slamming the door.
"You're an idiot!", Debbie yelled in anger and went out to join Buck.
She found him in the stable caressing Diyami, perhaps thinking back to the moment they had given him that name. She hugged him from behind and for a long moment the two did not speak. Then he turned and said: "Cody is right, I'm not good enough for you. I deluded myself that it could work, but you have to occupy a certain position in the city and I could be in your way "
"Are you kidding me? I don't want to hear you say such nonsense anymore! I will be extremely proud to stand by your side and challenge anyone to say anything bad. Cody is an idiot who just wants to get noticed, not listen to what he says. It burns him that I prefer you to him "
"Hearing those words from those you regard as a brother hurts. Really if he thinks that he should respect me, let alone the others! "
"Please, I don't want to hear anything like this again! You are a wonderful guy, full of qualities and if others have prejudices and don't understand it, then that's the worst for them "
"You shouldn't take my side. Let's stop while we still have time! "
"Buck Cross! I have no intention of giving up on you and then I remind you that we are no longer in time ". She went to his ear and whispered: "What if a baby was conceived this morning?"
Buck looked at her in terror, not at the idea of the baby, but because perhaps they had gone too far without thinking of the consequences. He told her: "I don't disown anything that happened between us, on the contrary, I wish we could enjoy this moment, but I really don't want to harm you"
"Can I decide my life? I want to try to be with you, to be your girlfriend, then if it doesn't work, patience, but it will be our decision, not that of others. Swear to me you won't give up on us so quickly "
"I see that I have no alternatives"
"Exactly" and kissed him passionately.
"In fact, I think we should at least come out with the boys and declare that we intend to date"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, so we will avoid unpleasant episodes"
"Okay, then I'll talk about it tonight at dinner"
They heard the barn door open and Cody entered. Buck turned and Debbie said: "What more do you want?"
"Can you leave us alone, please?"
She looked at Buck who nodded. Debbie went out and went back to the bunkhouse.
Buck didn't turn around, just turned towards Debbie's horse, stroking it.
"Buck, sorry, I was an idiot, I shouldn't have said those things. I don't really think about it. You know how I am! I always want to excel and I can't stand being outdone in something. I like Debbie and I couldn't bear that you were there first "
"This doesn't give you the right to offend people, Cody"
"You are right. I shouldn't have behaved like that. I'm sorry, I'm ready to do anything to show you that I don't really think what I said. I respect you a lot and don't want to lose your friendship. Please forgive me"
Buck, though wounded in pride, felt that Cody was sincere and was so happy with what was happening with Debbie and her showing of affection, that he didn't want to give Cody the satisfaction of ruining everything, so he accepted his apology but he said: "Well, let's see, you could clean the barn for me for a month and never try again, or else you'll taste my punches and a real Indian treatment."
"A month! Won't it be too much? "
Buck looked at him with a raised eyebrow and Cody finally gave in. They shook hands and went back to the hut.
Meanwhile, Debbie had informed the others that she had managed to calm Buck down but had shown all her regret for the situation that had arisen. When the two returned and showed serene faces, everyone was happy. Cody apologized to the others and promised that such an episode would never happen again.
As decided, Buck accompanied Debbie to the school and during the trip she tried to reassure him again that Cody's words were not meant to have any weight, but she realized that they had still deeply affected Buck, even if he did not want to show it.
In the evening, as they were having dinner, Debbie looked at Buck and let him know it was time to tell the boys, Rachel and Teaspoon, about them. Buck took advantage of a moment of silence and began: "Guys, after what happened this morning, to avoid any other reason for conflict, I want to tell you something. It is difficult for me to talk about it, I am not very expansive as you know, but I think I have to do it. I like Debbie and I don't know for what strange miracle, it seems that she reciprocates this feeling, so we would have decided to try to hang out for a while and see what happens. I don't want this to create misunderstandings between us. I know I'm not right for her like Cody said today, but I like her a lot. " As he said these words he blushed.
"Buck, please, I already apologized", Cody interjected.
"Cody, many will think what you said today, I know, but we don't care"
"I really like Buck and I think I'm falling in love with him, he's a wonderful guy and I wouldn't give up on him for anything in the world, even if gossips were to circulate"
Buck blushed and looked down when Debbie said those words, he didn't expect it, but he was happy because maybe he needed them to make him understand that he too was falling in love with her and was beginning to see a future together.
The others were silent for a moment, then Rachel interjected: "Well, that seemed pretty obvious to me. I'm happy for you and it's true, you will run into difficulties, but maybe the fact that Debbie is a foreigner too could work in your favor "
In fact they hadn't thought of it.
"Well, what about, congratulations guys. You know that from now on you will be the target of the jokes of the boys right? ", Teaspoon pointed out. Everyone laughed and Ike made it clear that he was very happy for his friend. Buck and Debbie thanked him.
After setting the table, Debbie said she would go to the porch to read for a while and Buck said he would follow her. He took his book and they went out together between the smiles of the boys.
As they walked, Debbie said to him: "Well, it went, it wasn't that hard, was it?"
"Yeah", he replied.
"Look, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you by saying I think I'm falling in love with you, but I really think so."
"It was great, thank you". He didn't feel like telling her yet that he felt the same and Debbie was actually a little disappointed, but for now she didn't want to think about it. On the porch, Buck sat on the porch swing as Debbie went into the house to get her book.
"Hey, guys, come and see, she left him out, she didn't let him in the house."
"What did you think Cody", Noah said, "they know very well that someone here is spying on them and then if they said they want to read ..."
"Yes sure!"
"But do you stop browsing? Leave them alone and try not to torment them in the next few days, it's not nice and Kid and I know something ", Lou scolded.
Debbie walked out of the house and sat down next to Buck. The two kissed, aware that they were spying on them from the bunkhouse, but it didn't matter. Buck said: "Speaking of before, I too ..."
"Buck is not necessary.". She was happy that he was trying to open his heart to her. They kissed again, then she leaned against him and they both started reading their books.
When they saw Rachel come out of the bunkhouse, they knew it was time to say goodbye.
"Goodnight Buck"
"Good night girl!"
"Girl?"
"Yeah, aren't you officially my girlfriend now?"
They laughed, then exchanged another kiss and broke up.
Rachel greeted Buck and then walked into the house with Debbie.
"You are a beautiful couple, I'm happy for you"
"Thanks Rachel, let's just hope he doesn't get swayed by people's prejudices. Cody hurt him a lot, he didn't expect a friend of his, almost a brother, to treat him like this "
"Cody isn't bad, but when he wants something he doesn't look at anything to get it and in this case he wanted you. He realized he was wrong "
"Let's hope it's as you say. Good night"
"Good night".
The next morning, the two women went to the bunkhouse for breakfast and found Buck outside fixing his horse: he had to go for a day run. Rachel walked in and Debbie stopped with him. The two looked at each other and then kissed shyly.
"Do you believe that in front of the others ..." she asked.
"I was wondering the same thing and in fact I went out to meet you first"
"I think we should be natural"
"Do you know that they will tease us?"
"Let them do it", then kissed him passionately, aware of having many eyes on him.
They returned and luckily no one said anything. Debbie took the opportunity to bring the talk to another topic: "Lou, then, are you ready for today's shopping?"
"Yes, here, I was thinking one thing. You say that if I dressed up as a girl for once, someone would recognize me? I would very much like to feel like a woman in public for once "
"Well, if we use some hair and makeup tricks, I'd say it can be done", Rachel said.
Debbie had an idea: "Rachel, why don't you come with us?" It would be fun all three together ".
"I don't know, I have to prepare dinner, there's a lot to do here"
"But if we carry on before we go, you'll make it in time. Come on, and then if we have dinner for one evening a little later, nothing happens, right guys? "
"But yeah, come on Rachel, you never take any time for yourself", Teaspoon interjected.
"Well, we're okay then", Debbie said.
After breakfast, Debbie led Buck out to greet him. They went out hand in hand and before he got on the horse, they kissed, heedless of the others watching them. As he walked away, she yelled at him: "Ride sure my love!", sure that these last words did not reach him. She was still afraid of actually saying them.
Immediately after, Rachel and Debbie got busy preparing everything needed for dinner, so at the appointed time they left for the city. On the way, the three girls chatted happily and thought about how to deal with Lou. They had a great time and promised to take some time for them every now and then.
"I'm so excited girls for Saturday's prom!" Debbie exclaimed.
"Just for the dance?" Lou teased.
"Well, no! I am also excited because it will be my first outing with Buck and it will also be an official release, in short, a kind of exam! I can not wait! Imagine how beautiful it will be while it accompanies me! ", she exclaimed with dreamy eyes.
Rachel and Lou teased her: "Look, look, she's really cooked!"
"Yes girls, I really like it very much"
"You look beautiful and we've never seen Buck so busy", said Lou.
Debbie smiled. While she was at school, Rachel and Lou began to take a look at the shop windows and when Debbie arrived they shopped while having a lot of fun.
In the evening, after dinner they all stayed in the bunkhouse listening to Teaspoon's tales when he was a ranger and from time to time Debbie and Buck, Lou and Kid, exchanged some cuddles. Debbie was very happy, in a week she had found her balance and a beautiful new family.
The following morning, the usual activities took place during the morning, then, while the women were getting ready, the boys went to rent two more buggies to go to the ball.
When the three girls left, they all gasped. Rachel wore a white blouse with lace on the neckline and a brown skirt; Lou wore a beautiful turquoise dress and wore her hair up and a little makeup to disguise herself, while Debbie had bought a teal dress with lace inserts and had a gathered hairstyle with curls. Kid and Buck gasped when they saw them come out of Rachel's house and everyone envied them. Debbie blushed when Buck told her: "You look beautiful" and he was too: he was wearing a black jacket over a white shirt that brought out the color of his hair and eyes and had his hair tied in a small ponytail.
Rachel was accompanied by Teaspoon and after getting into the gig, they left for the city.
When they arrived, the dance had just begun. Debbie was thrilled and so was Buck. As they entered the hall, many turned to look at them and Debbie had to give Buck a little push. She knew how tense he was but was proud to be by his side. The two immediately started dancing to avoid having to talk to anyone. As soon as the dance was over, as was to be expected, they were joined by many ladies and distinguished gentlemen who wanted to meet the new teacher. Debbie spoke cordially to them, never leaving Buck's side who sometimes intervened in conversations. He wanted to participate in her life and knew that in certain situations he would have to overcome his shyness.
The evening was really enjoyable. Many wondered who was the girl in the turquoise dress who danced with Kid and the boys said she was a distant cousin of Rachel's who would leave the next day. Kid monopolized Lou's dance book, so as to avoid any misunderstanding, alternating only with the other couriers. Debbie danced with many boys, but as soon as she could she went back to Buck. She was so comfortable when she was with him that she never wanted to leave him, but with her work she knew that social relationships were also important. While they danced, they often looked into each other's eyes and that was enough: they understood each other's feelings and were happy with how things were going. Maybe Rachel was right: the fact that she was not a local, but a foreigner, made her relationship with a half-breed less problematic. Moreover, many men had appreciated the interventions he had made in their speeches and had realized that he was not as wild as they thought, but just shy.
The evening passed very pleasantly and as they returned, Debbie leaned tenderly on Buck and said: "Did you see that everything went well? Together we are perfect, no one will ever be able to say the opposite ".
"Yes, I must say that I am very relieved, but do not fool yourself, it will not always be like this".
"I don't want to think about it now, I just want to enjoy this wonderful moment".
"It was nice. With you I feel wonderful sensations, thank you "
"Thanks to you".
"Tomorrow would you like to go for a picnic the two of us alone at the river?"
"It's a great idea, approved"
" Well then".
They kissed and remained silent all the way home. Once they arrived, they all said goodbye, informed them of their schedule for the next day and went to sleep. But Debbie couldn't sleep, she was too excited for the evening. Eventually, however, fatigue prevailed and she collapsed.
The next morning, she first packed up for the picnic, then went to the service with Rachel.
When she got back, she told Buck she wanted to go to the river with Diyami. Buck prepared it and the two mounted their horses after greeting the others who threw malicious jokes at them. Debbie and Buck didn't take it, they were too happy for the day they were going to spend together. Buck led Diyami who was led as if he recognized his second master. Debbie leaned on him tenderly and in no time they reached the river. Debbie packed the blanket and basket, but before eating, Buck suggested that they could take a bath.
"But we don't have any spare clothes!", she remarked.
"And who said we have to keep our clothes?", hye replied, smiling at her. Buck did not want to believe he had said those words. He, so shy and reserved, in front of Debbie saw all defenses fall and said what was going through his head without problems.
"Mr. Cross, what is it, an indecent proposal?"
"Ha ha", Buck replied with that pout she adored so much.
She smiled, walked over to him and began to undress him and he did the same to her. They threw themselves into the water and played for a while, until they got close to each other and were overwhelmed by passion. They made love unconditionally, enjoying every moment together, without problems and without restraints, as if they had known each other forever and had been together for a lifetime. He then looked her straight in the eyes where she was always getting lost and said: "I love you". She was speechless and tears came to her eyes.
"Did I say something wrong?" Buck worried immediately.
"No, it's all so beautiful and right that it makes me move. Anyway, I love you too and I want to be with you forever "
Their eyes stared intensely and they both read all the love that one felt for the other. They kissed and made love again.
"And anyway I heard you the other day, you know?"
"When?"
"When you told me to ride safely, you added my love ".
Debbie blushed. He looked into her eyes again and said: "I felt a great emotion and there I realized that I really love you"
"Oh Buck! But what good have I done in life to deserve you? "
"It is fate that brought us together, it cannot be otherwise. Otherwise how could it have happened that an unknown woman who lived a thousand miles from here stole my heart? "
She laughed and said: "You're right!"
They went out and wrapped themselves in the blankets they had brought in case they got cold. They sat close together and stood there drying in the sun, cuddling and kissing tenderly.
When they were dry, Debbie took out the food she had brought and they ate lunch. They stayed a while longer curled up on the river bank and then set off again so as not to come back late.
On the way back, they saw an Indian chief coming to meet them from afar. Debbie stiffened but Buck told her to stay calm - he recognized his stepbrother Red Bear.
"What brings you here brother?" Buck asked when he got closer.
"I was looking for you, I have something important to tell you"
"What happens?"
"That woman", he said, pointing to me, "you stole her from a Lakota chief"
"I have not stolen her from anyone, she is my woman and was unjustly attacked by five Lakota warriors. However her name is Debbie and she stays with me "
Debbie didn't say a word. Terror was assaulting her and she hugged Buck as tightly as she could. He returned the hold to let her know he was there to protect her.
"It was intended for the chieftain. He was out on a hunting trip and when he returned to the camp they told him what had happened. Now he wants her back. One of the warriors is a friend of the Kiowa. From the description of the man who took it, he understood that it could be you and came to inform me. "
"She is not his, she is not anyone's property. We are together and I will defend her with my own life if necessary "
"Don't be silly brother, it's not worth it"
"Do not allow yourself Red Bear, for you it may not be worth it, but I love her and I will not let her go"
Debbie rejoiced at those words, but she was so scared that she couldn't fully enjoy them.
"Sorry if I offended you and her", he gestured to Debbie who remained impassive, "but then you have to fight for her, you know what our law is and you are always half Kiowa."
"If I have to fight for her I'm ready, tell me what to do".
"No, Buck, you don't have to!", Debbie exclaimed in terror.
"These are our laws, being with me means accepting this too"
"Does it mean accepting that they kill you?"
"They won't kill me, we'll fight fair and everything will be fine. If I don't, we will never have peace "
"What if it doesn't go well?"
"Then I would be dead and you would become the wife of the Lakota chief"
"But I do not want!"
"Don't worry, it won't happen. Red Bear, tell the boss that I'm ready for confrontation "
"Well, in the evening I will send you my man who will tell you where and when. Goodbye brother "
"Goodbye".
Red Bear left. Debbie pleaded with Buck not to: "Buck, please, you can't accept!"
"I have to Debbie, you couldn't live safely otherwise, they would try to kidnap you again and sooner or later you would still end up in his hands. These are Indian laws, so it's best to get over it now. Don't worry, everything will be fine ". Then he kissed her tenderly and said: "I just confessed to you that I love you, I don't want to let you go and see you in the hands of another. Let's enjoy this wonderful day we spent together. You will see that it will be the first of a long series ".
She hugged him and kissed him and began to pray that he was right.
Back at the station, Buck didn't want to say anything about what happened, but Debbie convinced him to reveal it to Teaspoon and the other boys, so that there were witnesses anyway.
"Damn, what a situation you've gotten yourself into", Teaspoon said.
"Would you have left her there in my place?"
"No, you're right, but you Indians have absurd laws"
"Are you really saying this? Do I have to remind you of some laws of the white man? "
"You're right boy, but be careful. We will be with you "
"No, I have to go alone, if they saw you they would break the agreement"
"And we won't show up, but we'll be there"
"Agree. We just have to wait for my brother's informant ".
It was not long before he arrived: he told Buck that the confrontation would be the next morning at dawn halfway between the Lakota camp and the pony express station, under a large oak tree. Buck figured out where the place was and said it was fine.
"Give my regards to my brother"
"He will be there tomorrow", the man said.
Buck went back into the bunkhouse and informed Debbie and the others of the deal. The men worked out the details as Rachel and Lou tried to reassure Debbie.
"I'm sorry I won't be here to support you", said Lou, who would have her run the next day.
"Don't worry, Lou, Buck assured me that everything will be fine.". She said it more to reassure herself.
Buck walked over to Debbie and asked her to go out with him for a moment.
"Agree"
He took her hand and they went to the veranda of the house.
"It will be all right, you will see, but if something should happen, promise me that you will try everything to escape. You are a wonderful person and you deserve true love, not to become the wife of an Indian you don't even know "
"Well, I'd like to become the wife of an Indian I know.". She immediately regretted what she had said, but she hadn't been able to stop in time.
He smiled and replied: "And so it will be, but promise me what I asked you anyway"
"I promise", she replied. They hugged each other strongly and kissed, then they remained like that, in each other's arms for a while.
They returned and behaved as in a normal evening, but it felt like there was a lot of tension.
After a while, they all decided to go to sleep. Rachel went home with Debbie but before going to her room she wanted to be with her for a while.
"Don't worry, Buck knows what he's doing."
"I know, but I'm afraid all the same. Oh Rachel, I love him so much. I know it sounds weird, I've only recently known him, but I know he's the one. Today we spent a wonderful day and he managed to melt and tell me that he loves me and now this ". She burst into tears and Rachel hugged her tightly. She made her an herbal tea and then they went to sleep.
Buck was also tense: he was sure of what he was doing, but there was always a margin of risk and now that he had found true love he didn't want to lose it. Something had snapped in him when Debbie mentioned the wedding. He knew it was early, that it would take some time, but he also knew that this had to be the natural evolution of their love, it was the right time and he was ready to give himself completely to a woman.
The boys tried to stay close to him, especially Jimmy who could understand his state of mind. They all went to sleep. Needless to say, that was a sleepless night for everyone.
The next morning they got up very early, had a quick breakfast and then got ready to go to the meeting place.
Deborah and Buck went with the latter's horse, while the others followed them without being seen.
Arriving under the oak, they saw that the Indians were already there and realized that, as the man had anticipated the previous evening, there was also Red Bear, called as referee and judge of the clash.
"The girl come here to me", said Red Bear.
Buck hugged her in a hug and told her to trust him and his brother. Debbie released his hand and obeyed. She approached the Red Bear and looked at him with her eyes full of tears, convinced that she would find indifference in his eyes, but that was not the case. His gaze was sweet and without the others noticing it he said to her: "Don't worry, my brother loves you and knows what he is doing". Then he turned to the two contenders and said: "Get ready".
Buck took off his jacket and shirt and remained shirtless, like his opponent. Red Bear said: "The duel will take place with the use of a single weapon, of your choice, and will end when one of the two will no longer be able to fight"
Buck chose his knife and the Lakota chief also chose the same weapon. Debbie was terrified.
"Start the fight and may the best man win".
The two men started a very violent fight. At first Buck seemed to have the upper hand because he hit his opponent in the leg almost immediately, but then the other recovered and Buck had to back away a lot. Suddenly, the Lakota struck him in the shoulder that knocked Buck to his knees. The Indian was almost on top of him to hit him again, when he strengthened, he got up and in turn struck a blow in the chest to the opponent who staggered and fell to the ground. He got up immediately and rushed back at Buck who was only smeared in the leg. The lakota thought he had put him on the ground, but Buck managed to stand up and taking advantage of a moment of distraction from the opponent, he took him by surprise and hit him so violently that he not only fell to the ground but also lost the knife. Buck was on top of him in an instant and put his knife to his throat. The Indian begged him to finish it, but Buck said no, he didn't want to stain his hands with blood: "I don't want to kill you, I just want you to leave my woman alone from now on."
The lakota nodded yes. Buck helped him up and the two shook hands. Red Bear declared the fight over and Buck declared the winner.
Debbie ran up to him and flung herself into his arms kissing his face. She was crying from the happiness and pain of seeing him so hurt. The Lakotas left and the Red Bear approached the couple: "I knew you could do it brother and you showed all your honor and good heart". Then he turned to Debbie: "Don't be angry with me, as a boss I have to enforce our laws and I didn't understand how much my brother loved you"
Debbie smiled and said: "I hope there will be a chance to get to know each other better, the people Buck loves are worthy of respect for me", He thanked her and then greeted them.
As soon as he left, the boys and Teaspoon emerged from their hiding place and congratulated Buck who was losing a lot of blood.
"Let's go to the Buck house, we have to go to the doctor", Debbie said.
"I don't need a doctor, it's nothing serious, but I need to be alone with you. Could you please leave us? We will be back for lunch and don't worry about me, I'm fine. I brought with me some Indian bandages and ointments that will help me clean the wounds and recover quickly "
"Are you sure boy?" Teaspoon asked.
"Yes, I need to be with her."
"Agree". They greeted them and left.
Debbie went to Buck's horse to get what he needed to medicate him. "Are you sure you don't need the doctor? Are you OK?"
"Yes, I just need to be with you and talk to you"
Debbie tensed, afraid that Buck might want to break off their relationship for some reason.
"Debbie, this story made me understand something important"
"Buck, please don't give up on us!"
She was desperate, she absolutely did not want to part with him, she loved him deeply and after having known this feeling so strong, she did not want to give it up.
"I don't want to give up on us, far from it! I need to open my heart to you, which I have never done with anyone before, not even with Ike whom I consider a brother. I've never really wanted to get attached to anyone, I've always been afraid of being rejected for my condition and that loving someone would only cause me suffering. Then I met you and I realized what I want from life. I tried to counter this feeling, I tried to find a thousand reasons to distance you and to let you go, to make you have a better destiny, but I couldn't. You entered my life like a storm, you shook my heart and soul and when I had the danger of losing you before my eyes, I felt lost. I don't know what the future holds for us, I don't know what will happen to us, I just know that I want to build something important with you day after day, without hiding anymore and maybe, who knows, in some time, when we will have known each other completely and have shared everything. of each other, we might even think about building a family. I've never had thoughts of this kind, I've never imagined being able to build a family with someone, but now this is what I feel "
Debbie's eyes were full of tears, she had listened in disbelief to every word that came from his lips and she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Every word he spoke mirrored what she felt too, her heart was about to burst.
"Buck, these words make me feel like a privileged woman. I don't know what good I've done in life to deserve your love. Everything you said perfectly reflects how I feel about you. Coming here to America I just wanted to start living again, have an anonymous but independent life and then I met you. God only knows how much I want to be with you and build me a future life together. Thank you for loving me so much, I swear to you that nothing and no one will ever be able to separate us. As you said the other day, we were marked by fate "
They looked into each other's eyes and kissed, then, regardless of the fact that they were in the open prairie, they took refuge behind the trees and made love, assimilating each other's soul.
They got dressed and went back to the station for lunch. When they arrived, Rachel ran to meet them, followed by all the boys and Teaspoon.
"How are you, what happened?"
"No Rachel, we're fine, we just needed to be alone for a while, that's all"
"Your wounds?"
"Nothing serious, they will heal in a few days"
"Don't even think about doing your runs boy", Teaspoon pointed out.
"But Teaspoon ..."
"Nothing but!"
"Okay, but only for a couple of days, then I'll be back in full swing, a few injuries never stopped me."
"We'll see".
"In the meantime, today I'll take Debbie to school"
"We don't even talk about it, the agreement was that this week I would go alone and even more so after what you went through this morning. After lunch, go straight to bed to rest "
"Yes madam!", He replied, waving to a colonel.
"Happy birthday brother, you're getting a good nut to crack, I told you she had a temper", Noah said, laughing.
Everyone laughed and the tension was lifted. They entered the hut and ate lunch with appetite.
After lunch Debbie forced Buck to lie down on the cot for a while and she went inside to prepare her lesson. She went into town alone and everything went well. Before returning, she decided to go into a shop to get Buck a gift to thank him for saving her again and for the words he had said to her. Ike had shown her a few days earlier a bracelet that Buck had given him when he had decided for a moment to abandon the pony express due to a misunderstanding with Jimmy. Debbie decided to give him a similar one with their names engraved inside. She made arrangements with the owner and the bracelet would be ready for the following week.
When she returned, she found Buck waiting for her on the porch. He went to meet her, drew her to him and kissed her.
"How did it go?"
"All right, I'm safe and sound, I've learned the way by now. How are you?".
"Oh I'm fine, don't worry about me. Listen, do you know what we said the other morning? Yes, in short, we were wondering if we should… here… exchange some effusions in front of the others "
"Yup"
"I don't want to hide anymore, everyone knows at this point how I feel about you"
"Okay, I'm happy" and kissed him again. Hand in hand they walked into the bunkhouse where Rachel was making dinner.
"Are you all right?" she asked her.
"Yes, yes, I survived!" and laughed.
They ate dinner in the evening and then Buck and Debbie went away sitting on the porch. They remained embraced looking at the horizon and that wonderful starry sky that stretched out in front of them, aware that they had finally found the person with whom they would spend their life.