The Good Life
Chapter 4
The preparations for the house continued, and the walls of the house had already been erected.
One day, Buck received a letter from an old friend of his, telling him that she would drop by and say hello before moving to St. Joe to get married. From that day Buck changed, he seemed agitated by the arrival of Camille, he was impatient and Deborah obviously noticed his behavior.
She decided to ask Buck for some information about her and learned that Camille had been raised by the Kiowa and they had both grown up together. They had also been promised to marry, but one day while the men were hunting, a group of whites invaded the camp and took away Camille who was a white girl. Buck had never forgiven himself.
Deborah had a bad feeling, but she said nothing.
On the day of Camille's arrival, she was in a state of fibrillation. Deborah had prepared him to wear the white shirt and told him: "Wear it when Camille arrives, you look handsome in white".
He had smiled embarrassedly.
Buck kept looking in the mirror that morning so much that Lou said to him: "Even if you keep looking in the mirror your looks won't improve."
He replied: "It doesn't matter how I look, he's getting married in a month and I'm getting married too."
Cody came in to announce the couple's arrival and commented on Camille's appearance, but Lou told him that she would be getting married in a month and with her eyes she made him understand not to hurt the sensitivity of Deborah who was present.
They all went out and Buck greeted Camille and introduced himself to her fiancé. It seemed like Buck was in a different world.
After the pleasantries, Lou coughed to show their presence, while Deborah felt her heart skip because Buck had completely forgotten about her.
Buck, hearing Lou's cough, was brought back to reality, and introduced all his friends and Deborah, telling the two boyfriends that they would soon get married too.
This did not help to reassure Deborah.
Buck invited Camille and her fiance to dinner.
While Rachel, Deborah, and Lou were preparing, the latter, seeing Deborah's upset, told her: "Don't worry, they are memories of the past that resurface, I've already been there with Doritha, but he loves you."
"I hope you're right, Lou, because I couldn't stand a third disappointment, this time it would be devastating for me."
The two girls hugged, and Rachel also joined in the hug as reassurance.
During dinner, Camille's boyfriend's hostility towards Buck was clear, even if he tried not to show it. At one point she felt ill and passed out and was taken to the doctor. Buck offered to stay with them but Bill, Camille's boyfriend, chased him away until the doctor requested his explicit presence.
Camille was saying some strange words, in the Indian language, but Buck did not know the language and no one could understand what was going on. As Buck was returning home, he met an old Indian who explained to him that Camille was probably possessed by a spirit and would need the advice of White Feather, an Indian sage.
Buck struggled to trust, but when he heard the old man utter the same words they had heard from Camille, he was persuaded to listen.
Buck met Lou on his way back to the station and explained what had happened between him and Camille in the past. Lou understood Buck's attitude but reminded him: "But be careful not to make Deborah suffer."
He looked at her but didn't answer her.
At dinner, Buck was very quiet, but no one told him anything because everyone thought he was worried about Camille's health.
After dinner, Deborah tried to reassure him but he was elusive. She felt like she was dying, but didn't insist and went to sleep. But she couldn't sleep, and went out onto the porch and that was when he saw Buck mounting his horse. She joined him and asked him where he was going.
He didn't want to answer her, but she wasn't about to let him go without an explanation. He was forced to tell her the truth. Deborah begged him not to go but he replied: "I owe it to her, I can't abandon her again."
Deborah understood that she would not stop him and only wished him good luck. He made her promise that she would not tell anyone and she promised.
Deborah returned to the house aware that she had lost it.
The next morning Bill arrived who had noticed Camille's absence and wanted to know where Buck was. When Teaspoon told him he hadn't seen him since the night before, Bill railed at Buck and swore he would kill him if something happened to Camille.
Deborah was then forced to speak and explained what he had told her.
Teaspoon knew the Indian rites because he had been married to one, and said that the enterprise would be successful only on one condition.
Deborah stated: "That condition exists, don't worry, Camille will be saved. Now excuse me, I have work to do work."
Teaspoon looked at her with understanding and compassion but she gestured for silence.
The others asked what that condition was, but Teaspoon replied that it didn't matter if Deborah assured him that everything would be okay. The condition was actually that the man had to love the woman deeply in order to save her and Deborah understood that Buck had never forgotten Camille.
She entered the house and secretly began to prepare her things: she had decided that she would leave that same day. She couldn't take that pain any longer and she wouldn't be able to live with Buck close by after.
Buck and Camille's expedition was dangerous but successful, the demon was cast out thanks to the help of White Feather, who was actually the old Indian he had approached.
When she was healed, Camille told Buck that she did not hold him responsible for what had happened years ago at the camp, and that they were not destined to get married. She told him to think about his marriage and to live peacefully. Buck felt relieved even though he was a little disappointed.
Suddenly, he realized that he had neglected Deborah in those days and that she had suffered in silence.
The two hurried back and found Lou, Kid, and Bill on the street looking for them, and who had learned from Bill that all the fuss had been caused by the involuntary killing of an Indian chief last night during a terrible storm. The wagon had hit the man because the horses were frightened by lightning. They had to go back to burying the body and so they did.
Back at the station, Buck asked where Deborah was, and Rachel replied that she hadn't seen her all day.
Buck greeted Bill and Camille, and wished them good luck, then went to look for the girl but couldn't find her.
Jesse came back from school, and said she didn't show up for class. Buck rushed to their room and saw that her things were gone.
He went back outside to communicate it to the others, and Jimmy threw a punch at him saying: "Hope you find her, otherwise I'll kill you, you swore you wouldn't make her suffer."
Buck stood up and replied: "Don't worry, I'll find her. I know where she may have gone."
Jimmy said: "I'm going with you."
"No, I have to look for it myself." and he set off at a gallop.
He immediately went to their cottage, and in fact found her there, crouching on the bed in tears. "I knew I'd find you here."
"Why did you come, take care of Camille and let me go."
"Camille is safe and has left with Bill, as it should have been. Now we have to think about us."
"There is no more us, Buck, it is clear that your love for her is stronger, otherwise you could not have saved her."
"Do not say that! It's true, I had a moment of bewilderment, many memories, and ghosts of the past surfaced, but the woman I want to marry and with whom I want to be with is you!"
"Buck, I'm tired. I'm tired of being overshadowed. I've seen your eyes, and I've read all the love there was, but it wasn't for me."
"Please give me a second chance, I can see your suffering in your eyes and that your heart is broken, but let me fix it, and show you that I love you to death. I cannot and do not want to lose you. You said you can read my soul, read what is now."
Deborah looked him straight in the eyes and saw that his heart was breaking too. She saw all his suffering because he was losing it and saw that he truly loved her, so she said to him: "I see what you feel and I want to believe you. I only ask you not to make me suffer like this anymore, I won't go through it again."
"It won't happen again, I swear to you. I felt the pain of losing you and I don't want it to happen again. I love you to death and my future is you. Please, let's fix the date of our wedding, now there is no point in waiting."
Deborah hugged him and kissed him and in that kiss, she felt that he really loved her. They set the wedding for June 24th.
They made love passionately in their cottage and then returned to the station where everyone welcomed them with joy.
During dinner, they communicated the date of their wedding and asked Lou and Kid to be their witnesses and Teaspoon to accompany the bride to the altar, since Deborah's parents would not be there.
Everyone said yes, making the two future spouses very happy.
The following days were hectic because everyone, as soon as they had some free time, helped the two boys in the preparations for the wedding.
Deborah was very happy, the only shadow was the absence of her parents.
Buck knew this and in fact had sent a new letter to Italy to communicate the wedding date and ask again for the presence of his fiancée's family. They also went to the reverend to make arrangements and Deborah, without Buck noticing, talked to him about a surprise he wanted to give her boyfriend on his wedding day, he wanted to dedicate a song to him and asked the reverend for help in organizing it.
They were happy to help her.
This frenzy ended up influencing Kid too, who in fact, a few weeks later, during the two days of vacation, he had decided to take with Lou, had asked her to marry him.
Lou was over the moon and the two set the wedding 15 days after Deborah and Buck's date. Now there were 2 weddings to organize!
As soon as the construction of Deborah and Buck's house was finished, the boys dedicated themselves to that of the other 2 spouses, strictly close to the others.
They were a big family and they all wanted to live together.
One day, Deborah asked Lou and Rachel to accompany her to town to buy the wedding dress. The two women were delighted to share this experience with her and Lou then asked that the favor be returned by accompanying her to Seneca to buy her dress too. She preferred not to buy it in Sweetwater, where everyone thought she was a boy.
It was decided, and the trip was scheduled for the following week. Deborah chose a strictly white dress, very tight and low-cut, in Italian style, with a lace bodice to cover the shoulders, a silver buckle under the chest and a long tail, all accompanied by a long veil and white gloves. For the hairstyle, she chose to collect her long blond hair in a very simple way and to weave white flowers at the harvest.
The evening before the wedding, a big party was organized in the boys' shack and everyone gave wedding gifts to the couple, Lou and Kid had given them their honeymoon, 15 days in New York.
Buck and Deborah were stunned and gave their heartfelt thanks. The other boys and Teaspoon gave away photo frames and objects to decorate the house. Rachel decided to give Deborah a pearl necklace and she was very touched.
The party had been wonderful and everyone made a promise, every Friday evening they would get together to be together and chat happily, forgetting problems and anguish. Before going to sleep, Buck and Deborah were alone for a moment and exchanged their gifts. He gave her pearl earrings that matched perfectly with Rachel's necklace and she gave him an Indian pendant symbol of marital happiness to always keep around the neck. The two kissed passionately and then each went to sleep.
On the morning of the wedding, Rachel and Lou helped Deborah get ready, while Buck, after getting dressed, told the boys to wait for him at the church because he had to run an errand. The boys were amazed but agreed.
When Deborah arrived at the church she found a surprise, Buck had cut his hair and removed his Indian earring. He was beautiful as the sun in his elegant black suit, strictly accompanied by a white shirt because Deborah loved him that way.
Buck, for his part, gasped when he saw her appear before the church. Teaspoon was about to offer her his arm to accompany her to church, when all of a sudden, everyone turned around because a couple had appeared that no one knew.
They were Deborah's parents.
Buck's insistence had been rewarded. That's why Buck cut his hair and took off his earring, he wanted to make a good impression on future in-laws.
Deborah's father accompanied her to the altar and after taking her vows with great emotion, Deborah, in agreement with the reverend, dedicated a sweet love song to her new husband, moving everyone.
The ceremony was beautiful, and then everyone moved to the saloon for the wedding banquet.
Deborah's parents thanked Buck and then congratulated the couple.
Everyone ate and danced to exhaustion and never stopped admiring the beautiful couple in love. The couple were delighted. During the dances, Buck said to Deborah: "It doesn't seem true that you are my wife, I've dreamed of it so much and now that it's reality I can hardly believe it. You are beautiful and I cannot ask anything else from life."
She replied: "I love you so much, Buck. You have made me the happiest woman in the world and nothing and no one will be able to separate us."
"I felt the pain of believing you are now lost and I don't want that to happen again. You are my soul and without you I could no longer live."
Then they kissed repeatedly.
All the guys wanted to do a dance with the bride, including Teaspoon of course, and when it came to Jimmy, he congratulated her but didn't fail to remind her how much he still loved her.
When the party was over, everyone returned to their homes and Deborah's parents to the hotel, with the promise that they would meet again the next day to talk a bit.
They couldn't stay longer than two days, because Deborah's sister had to stay home for work reasons. She was a doctor, and they didn't want to leave her alone for too long.
When Buck and Deborah arrived at their house, he, according to tradition, took her in his arms to carry her cross the threshold, then they went to their bedroom and made love all night.
Before falling asleep, Buck wanted to return the surprise that Deborah had given him in the church, and he dedicated a very sweet song to her.
She was amazed by the beautiful voice of her husband and immediately came up with an idea for the wedding of Lou and Kid.
The two of them would sing for them in the church, involving all the boys and then they would also sing in the saloon to entertain the guests. Buck tried to object, but he knew by now that Deborah was not going to give in, so he finally said yes.
The next morning the couple obviously got up very late, and Buck brought breakfast in bed to Deborah who thanked him with a long and passionate kiss and after eating they made love again.
In the late morning Deborah's parents arrived, the couple welcomed them and showed them the house, then Buck decided to leave them alone with his daughter to allow them to talk a bit and went to the boys in the bunkhouse.
Deborah talked to her parents who, despite their presence, told her that they did not agree with her choice anyway, which would surely cause her problems. She reiterated that she would never regret her choice and that Buck was certainly better than many of the hollow-nosed daddy-boy dudes.
Meanwhile, Buck was obviously the subject of questions from the boys, especially Cody who, with his usual tact, asked him point-blank: "So, what's it like to sleep with a sex bomb like her?"
Buck, resentful, replied: "I remind you that you are talking about my wife and in any case it is none of your business."
The other guys and Lou intervened to tone things down a bit and then Rachel tried to change the subject by saying: "But look at Buck, you were just a boy and now you are married and have formed a family, I'm proud of you."
Buck smiled and Noah added: "Besides, who would have bet you were the first? We would have all bet on Lou and Kid but you have forged ahead."
They all burst out laughing and the tension faded.
When Deborah and her parents left the house, the boys and Rachel went to greet them, because they were leaving the next morning.
When they were gone, Buck asked Deborah: "How did it go?"
She didn't hide anything from him: "I don't agree but obviously they know they can only accept it. I'm sorry, you also tried to change for them, don't do it anymore. Put your earring back on and as far as your hair is concerned, if it's even possible, you are even sexier like this."
The two kissed and went back to their home.
In the evening it was decided that they would all have dinner together in the bunkhouse, so that they could organize themselves for the following weeks in preparation for Lou and Kid's wedding.
With an excuse, Buck took the two boys out and Deborah took the opportunity to explain her idea to the others. She and Buck would sing the verses and all together they would sing the chorus. With a little effort, he convinced them all. Deborah went to the reverend the next day to make arrangements.
They didn't actually know, but she would also have to make arrangements with the saloon owner for the songs during the reception, which she and Buck would perform.
Every day, after school, they would gather in the church for rehearsals, but in turn someone would have to find an excuse to push the two betrothed away for at least half an hour, in order to keep them in the dark.
After dinner, Buck and Deborah returned to their love nest.
The next day, Deborah did what was decided and everything was settled.
That afternoon Jimmy returned from his run with a strange air. When the boys asked him what had happened, he was evasive.
The next day, he disappeared and when he returned, he seemed to have a dreamy air. Finally they convinced him to talk and he confessed that he had met a beautiful girl, Sarah, and that he thought he had fallen in love with her. Everyone was happy for him, especially Deborah and Buck, who felt less guilty.
The next day, Lou took the initiative to go to Sarah to invite her to a fake picnic, which only Jimmy would attend. It went well and in fact Jimmy was in seventh heaven, but the happiness soon ended because what Lou had believed to be Sarah's father turned out to be her husband.
Jimmy was devastated, but Sarah ran to him to explain that her husband was mistreating her and that he couldn't take it anymore. She had married him only at the behest of his family who had thus resolved a debt he had contracted.
Jimmy promised to take her away and that same evening he organized the escape. Teaspoon tried to stop him but he was adamant.
Sarah did not show up for the appointment, and Jimmy went to her house to find out why, he was hit by a shot and had to react. When he entered the house he found Sarah's husband lying on the ground dead and there was no shadow of the woman. While trying to figure out what had happened, he was hit in the head and passed out.
The next morning Teaspoon found him accused of murder. Everyone rushed to his cell and he tried to explain what had happened, but Sarah's husband's aide told a false version and Jimmy's trial was inevitable.
Everyone got mad at Sarah who tried to defend herself, and showed signs of her husband's mistreatment, putting Jimmy in even more trouble.
Deborah, Lou, and Rachel were desperate and Deborah felt tremendously guilty, she went so far as to tell Rachel that if she didn't leave him, he wouldn't be in this
situation now. She certainly wasn't denying her marriage and she hadn't repented, but she felt damn responsible.
The trial took place and Jimmy was found guilty, and on Saturday morning he would be hanged.
Deborah was desperate, and asked Buck to do something, but obviously he was helpless.
Jimmy was in a cell with a former priest who had told him Sarah was a liar and that he had once celebrated her marriage with her current husband's aide. Jimmy didn't want to believe it, but just to be careful, Lou and Kid went looking for information about it.
The gallows were ready on Saturday morning, and Jimmy was about to hang.
Deborah was attached to Buck's arm and tugged at him begging him to help Jimmy. Just as the rope was about to be tight, all the boys intervened and Buck rushed to free Jimmy.
The crowd and the judge were about to intervene when Kid and Lou returned with evidence that what Jimmy's cellmate had said was true, Sarah and the other man were two impostors. The two were immediately arrested and Jimmy completely exonerated because it was understood that the killer was Sarah's real husband.
Jimmy was heartbroken but he would recover.
To celebrate Jimmy's release, they all went to the dance in Sweetwater in the evening and everyone relaxed after the busy day.
Jimmy also seemed a bit relieved, despite suffering a lot.
Deborah apologized to Buck for her behavior in those days but he told her: "You don't have to apologize, you were his woman and it's normal for you to worry about him. I know you love me, I have no doubt about it, your eyes never lie."
The two started to dance but at a certain point Deborah noticed that some girls were watching them. Suddenly he stopped and couldn't help but ask them if there
was any problem. One of them came forward and said to her: "We were wondering what it was like to live with a savage and be his wife."
Buck knew immediately that he had to stop Deborah, otherwise she would get into trouble and tried to drag her away, but she didn't give up and replied: "I know you can't understand, because your brain is not up to understanding certain things, but living with him is the best thing that ever happened to me. And then I'll tell you one thing, you have no idea how particularly gifted he is under his pants."
Buck dragged her away as the girls blushed violently.
"Deborah, you shouldn't have reacted like that."
"But do you hear them? Those hens don't have the right to make certain claims!"
"You know it would happen sooner or later, try to control yourself or you will risk losing your job."
"Ok, ok, let's dance now."
For the rest of the evening, most of the girls and women did not take their eyes off Buck. Rachel and the boys noticed it and Cody said: "What do they all have to look at?"
Buck replied: "Ask my wife."
Deborah recounted what had happened and everyone burst out laughing, even Jimmy who was not in the mood.
Deborah took the opportunity to communicate a decision she had made, a few days earlier she had told Buck that she also wanted to marry according to the Kiowa rite, in the tribe of his brother Red Bear.
Buck had protested, but as usual she had got the better. She had decided to do it the next day. Buck was a bit surprised but he knew she cared a lot and so it was decided.
The following morning, the two set off on horseback to reach the Red Bear camp, who had not seen his brother for a long time and was delighted to know that he was married.
Deborah asked him to marry them according to their rite and Red Bear was delighted. The women took Deborah with them and prepared her for the ceremony and so did the men with Buck.
The rite took place according to tradition and as a symbol of love, the two spouses wore a talisman that they swore they would never take off again and that they would wear it forever.
After the ceremony a rudimentary banquet was set up and in the evening everyone greeted each other and the couple returned to their home, where the boys wanted to know all the details.
With Jimmy's situation, time had been lost on planning the upcoming wedding, so the next day everyone tried to catch up.
On Monday, Buck had to make a long journey to deliver the mail, the honeymoon had not yet started because the honeymoon would be after the wedding of Kid and Lou, and on his return, as soon as he entered the house, he did not have time to go through the door that Deborah threw on him and began to undress him.
"I missed you so much, I want you," and the two found themselves making love passionately.
Buck then said: "If after long journeys you always welcome me like this, I'll ask Teaspoon to do it more often."
The two laughed and made love again.
The next day, Lou and Deborah went to Seneca to collect Lou's dress. Unfortunately, Rachel couldn't go because she had to take Jesse to the dentist. The two girls spent a pleasant day, and Deborah took the opportunity of that trip to buy Buck a gift. She bought him a rubber bracelet with a gold plate engraved with the words "I love you."
Lou was moved. When the two girls returned and Deborah went back into the house, she was in turn warmly welcomed by Buck who hugged her, pushed her against the wall impetuously and made love with her.
Deborah was surprised but happy, it was the first time Buck had been so impetuous. She kissed him eagerly and showed him her gift. He was amazed but happy, but then he said to her: "Sorry, I shouldn't have been so impetuous, I'm sorry."
"Are you kidding me? It was beautiful and you never have to apologize for making love to me."
The two kissed and did it again.
Every afternoon, after school, as agreed, the kids, Rachel, Teaspoon, and Deborah took turns giving Lou and Kid some assignments to keep them busy when they rehearsed.
First, they rehearsed the song they were supposed to sing together and then only Buck and Deborah remained because she would have to sing more songs. The others didn't know that they were actually preparing something for the reception as well.
Saturday was approaching, and Buck and Deborah also had to pack their bags for their honeymoon. In their spare time, they began to prepare and to put clothes and accessories in the trunks.
One day, as Deborah opened her jewelry box to prepare the jewelry for the wedding and for the trip, she saw a necklace that was not hers. It was a necklace with a heart-shaped pendant that opened, curious, she opened it and found inside a photo of her and Buck in a wedding dress on one side, on the other an engraving with the words, "Forever."
Deborah rushed to Buck, who was in the kitchen munching on something, hugged him, kissed him and thanked him heartily.
"It is beautiful, thank you, I will always wear it around my neck along with the talisman of our wedding." Then they kissed.
Teaspoon knocked on their door and asked Buck to accompany a friend of his lieutenant to the Indian camp to discuss a treaty. Buck did not agree but soon realized that it was better for him to accompany the army, rather than someone who did not know the Indians.
Deborah advised him to be careful and greeted him.
Buck accompanied Teaspoon's friend to the vicinity of the camp, but when he understood the real intentions of the army, he left them alone and left after giving them directions.
As he was returning, he heard shots, went back and found most of the soldiers killed and the lieutenant wounded. The latter accused Buck of treason and took him to Teaspoon saying he was under arrest.
Buck defended himself, but the lieutenant persisted. Teaspoon vouched for him and wanted to accompany him to the ambush site, where the two found a survivor in poor condition, and the lieutenant's sword in a place far from where Buck found the lieutenant. They understood that something was wrong.
They took the soldier back to town and entrusted him to the doctor, then spoke to the lieutenant who confirmed his version and again accused Buck of treason in front of everyone.
Most of the town turned on Buck.
Deborah tried to intervene in his defense as soon as she heard the situation and said: "But how can you think that Buck has betrayed the army? You know well that he has always done his utmost to help everyone and act as a mediator."
They replied: "He will always remain an Indian, and you are biased because you are his wife."
"Yes, and I am also your children's teacher and you know how important loyalty is to me."
"In fact, you shouldn't teach our children, one of us should."
"Perfect, if that's how you think, from today find yourself another teacher."
Teaspoon tried to intervene but she was adamant. She and Buck left.
He told her: "You shouldn't have taken my defense publicly, now you've lost your job too."
"I don't care, it's absurd that they treated you like that, they're not worthy of our respect."
Teaspoon tried to do everything to exonerate Buck and in fact managed to find evidence of the lieutenant's guilt. From the photos taken by a photographer at the scene of the ambush, it emerged that Buck was right, the lieutenant had panicked, and he had shot treacherously, fleeing like a coward, causing the reaction of the Indians.
The lieutenant was forced to admit this publicly and Buck was rehabilitated.
"Sorry Buck, if we doubted you. We apologize, and above all, we ask your wife to go back to being the teacher of our children, they need her."
Buck accepted the apology and Deborah agreed to resume her work.
Already that afternoon, she resumed her lessons and while Buck was waiting for her, he decided to give her a dress to thank her for her support. He entered the shop where she usually went and was greeted with distrust by the owner, but then his wife recognized him as "the teacher's husband" and apologized to him.
Buck took the blow again, but he knew he had to get used to it. He bought a long white dress with red flowers, gathered at the waist, so as to highlight the shapes of his wife. She hid it in the wagon and in the evening, while Deborah was in the kitchen, she placed it on their bed. Then he went downstairs and asked her: "Leave it to me here, could you go to my room and look for my gray shirt? I can't find it anywhere."
"All right honey, I'll go now."
When she got in, she saw that wonderful dress on the bed as soon as she entered and called Buck. He joined her and she asked him: "But why? You did not have to."
"Because you are my support and my life, and I don't know what good I did to have you as a wife."
She was moved and kissed him.
In the evening, after dinner, while Deborah was fixing the kitchen, Buck went to the porch to read a book. He had borrowed a book on Greek mythology from Deborah, intrigued by the stories she gave him from time to time.
Jimmy saw it and walked up to him and said, "You have to love her so much to read that stuff!"
"I want to understand what is so fascinating about it. She tried to understand my traditions and I want to understand her tastes."
"Happy reading," Jimmy said.
When Deborah reached him, they went upstairs and both began to read, but after a moment, they looked at each other, threw away the books and made love.
The next day was Friday, and for the evening Buck and Deborah had organized a dinner with them to celebrate the two future spouses and for the delivery of gifts.
When they heard about it, they were all happy but Jimmy warned: "Be careful, because if she cooks...", but Buck replied: "I don't seem to be dead, and then how many times has he helped Rachel?"
From the jokes they exchanged, it was clear that there was still an unresolved issue between them, but they all preferred to let it go for now, aware that sooner or later they would have to face the problem.
The boys, Rachel, and Teaspoon had a blast and then, after the dessert, it was time for the presents. Each gave the couple theirs and Deborah and Buck returned the favor, and had given Lou and Kid a honeymoon in San Francisco.
They would also leave on the Sunday after the wedding and would return 15 days later, the same day as them. The two were delighted and thanked from the heart.
After dinner, everyone went to sleep, and Buck and Deborah made love passionately for most of the night.
The next morning, Buck got ready in the house and then went to the shack, while Deborah went to get ready at Rachel's with her and Lou.
Lou had a wide dress with a bodice accompanied by transparent tulle sleeves and a crown of flowers on her head.
She was beautiful.
Rachel wore a white lace blouse and a wide brown skirt and she too had adorned her hair with flowers. Deborah had worn a large white dress with green decorations and a green ribbon that tightened it at the waist, like Rossella O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" at the party at the Twelve Oaks. She had ringlets in her hair and was wearing the necklace and earrings that Buck had given her.
Buck knocked and entered to see if they were ready because he would have to accompany the bride and the two bridesmaids to the church. When he entered, he gasped at Deborah.
Rachel pointed out, "Buck, the bride is Lou!"
"Yes, sorry, I ..."
They all laughed.
"Lou, you're beautiful, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry, you can see that you love your wife to death."
Deborah blushed.
Then everyone went out and got into the diligence they had hired for the occasion. On the way, Buck couldn't take his eyes off Deborah so much that Rachel couldn't help but jokingly say: "If you keep it up, you'll wear that dress out with your eyes."
They all laughed again and Buck and Deborah kissed. When the stagecoach arrived at the church, Jimmy, who had the task of accompanying Lou to the altar,
complimented her and took her arm, then Rachel entered and finally Buck and Deborah. As soon as the bride walked in, Kid was thunderstruck. When he reached him, Teaspoon began the ceremony, interspersed with Deborah's singing, which everyone enjoyed.
At the time of the exchange of the rings, Teaspoon told them: "I don't know another couple more suitable to marry than you two, except of course those two gentlemen who got married two weeks ago ..." and they all looked at Deborah and Buck with a smile. They kissed.
At the end of the ceremony, Teaspoon asked the bride and groom to be patient for a moment. All the boys, he, Rachel and Deborah approached the organ and Buck began to sing the verse of the song that they had all prepared together. Deborah then intervened and all together sang the final refrain.
Lou and Kid had tears in their eyes.
Everyone then moved to the saloon for the reception, and after eating some dishes, the dances began to take a break and after two or three dances, the orchestra nodded to Buck and Deborah, it was time to sing the first of the songs they had prepared.
Buck knocked and entered to see if they were ready because he would have to accompany the bride and the two bridesmaids to the church. When he entered, he gasped at Deborah. Rachel pointed out: "Buck, the bride is Lou!"
"Yes, sorry, I ...".
They all laughed.
"Lou, you're beautiful, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry, you can see that you love your wife to death".
Deborah blushed. Then everyone went out and got into the diligence they had hired for the occasion. On the way, Buck couldn't take his eyes off Deborah so much that Rachel couldn't help but jokingly say: "If you keep it up, you'll wear that dress with your eyes."
They all laughed again and Buck and Deborah kissed. When the stagecoach arrived at the church, Jimmy, who had the task of accompanying Lou to the altar, complimented her and took her arm, then Rachel entered and finally Buck and Deborah. As soon as the bride walked in, Kid was thunderstruck. When he reached him, Teaspoon began the ceremony, interspersed with Deborah's singing that everyone enjoyed.
At the time of the exchange of the rings, Teaspoon told them: "I don't know another couple more suitable to marry than you two, except of course those two gentlemen who got married two weeks ago ..." and they all looked at Deborah and Buck with a smile. They kissed.
At the end of the ceremony, Teaspoon asked the bride and groom to be patient for a moment. All the boys, he, Rachel and Deborah approached the organ and Buck began to sing the verse of the song that they had all prepared together. Deborah then intervened and all together sang the final refrain.
Lou and Kid had tears in their eyes.
Everyone then moved to the saloon for the reception. After eating some dishes, the dances began to take a break and after two or three dances, the orchestra nodded to Buck and Deborah. It was time to sing the first of the songs they had prepared.
Suddenly, the orchestra started singing a beautiful and very sweet Allelujah, and Buck came up and started singing the first verse.
Everyone gasped as that song brought out even more the beautiful and warm voice of the young man.
Jimmy walked up to Deborah and said, "Wow, he can sing so well, nobody knew." Deborah didn't answer, but went over to her husband because now it was her turn.
She sang the next two stanzas, holding his hand, and looking him straight in the eyes, then followed the final chorus where they sang together and the notes seemed to spring from their hearts. The song was for the newlyweds, but it was clear that they were dedicating it to each other.
When they had finished, they kissed and then wished the bride and groom, who had tears in their eyes again, and rushed to embrace them, while everyone, with their mouths open, let out a long applause. From how they sang and from the passion they put into it, everyone understood how great the love of those two were.
Lunch continued, and after a new break, Deborah and Buck sang another song.
When they got back to the table, the boys had arranged a joke for them. Rachel began to say: "Of course, you are very good at stealing the show from the newlyweds, was it appropriate to monopolize attention on you in this way?"
Then, turning to Deborah: "And you, with that dress, have all eyes on you." The two nodded.
Deborah and Buck were very upset and when they saw their expression, they all burst out laughing telling them they were joking. Deborah however ran out almost in tears. Buck immediately followed her, but first he said to the boys and Rachel:
"Congratulations guys."
When he reached her he said: "Come on, they were joking, they don't really think what they said."
"How can you be sure?"
"I know them, I admit that I too was thrilled at the moment, but then I realized they were joking."
Meanwhile, Rachel and Noah had come out and reassured her.
"We just wanted to joke a bit, come on, we really don't think about those things we said."
Deborah wanted to believe them, and they all returned to continue the celebrations.
At the end of the lunch, the dancing resumed and when Deborah danced with Jimmy, he never missed an opportunity to remind her of his feelings and how much he suffered.
She told him: "Jimmy, we've talked about it several times, we weren't meant to be together."
He then walked away and left before the party was over.
Before leaving, Deborah and Buck were stopped by the saloon owner who asked them if they would be willing to sing a few evenings at the club, given their skill. Deborah and Buck thought for a moment and then agreed, but she would have to wait for their return from their honeymoon.
Buck asked if being a half-breed could be a problem but the owner said no. They then decided that they would sing in the saloon on Saturday nights and that they would rehearse after Deborah's classes at school.
When they got home, it was late and Deborah and Buck made love. When she was in his arms, she said to him: "Swear to me it will never end. I am so happy that I am afraid that everything will vanish from one moment to the next and I do not want our dream of love to vanish."
He held her tightly and said: "We are together, we love each other very much, nothing can ever separate us."
"I hope so, Buck, I'm afraid I'm too happy."
He hugged her, and held her tightly to him. Then he proposed a ride to the river. She accepted. The two dressed and went hand in hand to take Buck's horse.
Teaspoon and Jimmy saw them. The first asked: "Where the hell are those two going?"
Jimmy replied: "I'll tell you what's going on, Teaspoon. She is very happy and when she feels this way she is overcome by the anguish of losing everything from one moment to the next. They will have made love and she was overcome with anxiety, so he is taking her somewhere to relax her."
"You say?"
"I would swear."
"You know her very well don't you?"
"It is the love of my life, but unfortunately I was so stupid as to lose it." Teaspoon patted him on the shoulder and they went to sleep.
Buck and Deborah came to the river, took a bath and made love again, then stretched out along the river to dry and he held her tight in his arms, reassuring her and telling her that nothing and no one would ever separate them.
They returned home, took a bath in their tub and took the opportunity to make love again tenderly, and then went to sleep. Deborah slept peacefully.
The next morning they had breakfast and then went to the bunkhouse to spend some time with the boys because the next day they would leave for their honeymoon.
Jimmy walked over to Deborah and asked: "Did you have one of your fits of anxiety about losing everything last night?"
" How do you know it?".
"Teaspoon and I saw you ride off and I figured what you were thinking.".
"Yes, that's right, you know me really well. Now everything is fine, thank you.". He smiled at her and walked away.
Deborah was left alone, and was watching Buck talk to Cody and Jesse. Noah approached her and said: "You also want some flowers and an altar to better complete the adoration."
"How?" She replied astonished.
"You seem to be worshiping some saint when you look at it, I've never seen anyone so much in love."
She smiled, and he continued: "Anyway if you want to know it is mutual. Remember that time we went to free Amanda, Teaspoon's partner, and we met
Jane, the girl who wanted to kill her father's killer and whom Buck had taken under his protection?"
"Yes, why?"
"When it was all over, Buck told her to start thinking about the man she loved, not the one she hated and she told him that then she should think about him."
Buck replied: "No, I am happily married to a wonderful woman, and I still wonder what good I have done in my life to deserve it. I feel so lucky to have her."
She replied: "I know that luck is mutual."
She smiled at him and then rushed over to Buck, kissed him and then went to meet Lou who was coming with Kid.
Buck was a bit surprised, but Noah approached him and explained everything and he smiled.
The boys all had lunch together, and then decided to go for a swim in the river to greet each other with a good swim. However, Teaspoon and Rachel preferred to stay home.
The boys all jumped into the water and had a blast. The 4 newlyweds did not stop exchanging kisses and effusions and were teased by their friends.
When they got out of the water, they lay down to dry. The boys were in their knickers, and Lou was too. Buck instead only wore his underpants because ever since he got married, he had decided not to wear those uncomfortable clothes anymore. Deborah, since according to his tradition he wore no knickers, wore only panties and bra, and covered herself with a blanket.
It was very hot, so Lou asked Buck: "Why don't you let her take that blanket off, I don't think anyone will be shocked."
He said to her: "Look, she doesn't have to ask me, she's free to do what she wants, I don't have any problem."
Then he turned to her: "If you want to take it off, go ahead, I didn't think it was a problem."
She kissed him and pulled off the blanket. The boys gasped but made no comment.
They then returned home and made an appointment for the next morning, when they would accompany the two couples to the city to take the stagecoach.
At home, Deborah kissed Buck as soon as she walked through the door to thank him for what he had said to the river. Then, they took a bath in the tub and made love passionately.
The next morning, the boys, Teaspoon and Rachel accompanied the two couples into town. They would travel together to Fort Laramie and then separate, one to New York, the other to San Francisco.
During the trip, the four had chatted happily and kissed from time to time, commented on the ceremony the day before and Lou and Kid congratulated them once again on the songs: "We knew that Deborah sings well because we heard her at your wedding, but you Buck really surprised us, that 'Allelujah' was wonderful."
Deborah said: "I didn't know he sang so well, but on the night of our wedding he dedicated a song to me and when I heard it I got the idea. He didn't want to but you know how convincing I can be…"
Everyone laughed. Arriving at Fort Laramie, the boys said goodbye. Deborah and Buck continued on to New York and when they arrived they went to the hotel that Kid and Lou had reserved for them.
As soon as they entered, Buck wanted to talk to the owner, he wanted to know if his race was a problem. The owner said no, and the two thanked him and went to the room because they were so tired. They had a hot bath prepared and made love.
They then planned what to do the next day. At night they slept embraced and thoughtless, happy for all the love they felt for each other.