The Good Life
Chapter 5
The next morning, they rented a horse and went for a ride to some neighborhoods of the city to get a little idea of the place. They had lunch in a saloon and nobody bothered Buck because of his origins. He felt happy about it.
In the evening at the hotel, they dined happily and when they were about to go out for a walk, the owner of the hotel approached them and congratulated them because they were really a beautiful couple, cheerful and in love.
Deborah and Buck walked around the area and then went back to the room. They undressed and she was a little more enthusiastic in making love with Buck.
The next morning, as they were about to go out to take the horse to visit Central Park, she told him: "Maybe last night I shouldn't have…"
He didn't let her speak but kissed her and then said: "Do you remember what you said to me that time at home when I apologized to you? It also applies to me. We must not apologize when we make love."
She kissed him in turn. The day in Central Park was very busy and fun. At lunch, they had a picnic on the lawn. They laid down for a while to cuddle and then wandered around the park.
In the evening at dinner, they were exhausted but always smiling and in love. As Buck was laughing, they heard a woman's voice say: "I would recognize this laugh anywhere. Hi Buck."
Deborah and Buck turned, and he was stunned. Then he recovered and said: "Hi Kathleen. This is my wife, Deborah."
"Your wife? So you got married?"
"Yes, 15 days ago! What are you doing here?"
"I'm taking my father on a business trip. You haven't changed a bit. You are still very handsome."
Buck turned to Deborah and said: "We met a few years ago, but then she preferred to be with her father and we never saw each other again."
Deborah managed a half-smile. The girl then said: "I don't want to disturb you anymore, I leave you to your dinner. I am happy to have seen you Buck again and glad to have met you, Deborah."
Deborah replied: "Goodbye."
Kathleen left, and Buck told Deborah the story he had had with her and how she had left him to be with her father.
As they were about to leave, the man at the front desk approached Buck and gave him a ticket. Kathleen had left him and invited him to the hotel entrance that night. Buck showed the note to Deborah who asked him what he wanted to do.
He replied:"We will go there together and I will definitively clarify my position if it is not already clear."
When they got back, they pretended to go to the room, but Buck had left, followed by Deborah, to whom Buck had told to stay hidden for a moment.
When Kathleen saw him, she ran to him and started to kiss him, but he stopped her and motioned for Deborah to show up, then said: "Kathleen, you had your chance and you made your choice clear, now you have to respect mine. I love my wife immensely and would not cheat on her for the world. Now go away, I have nothing more to say to you."
He turned and walked away with Deborah close behind. The girl turned to Deborah and said: "Did you really convince him to talk to me like that?"
Buck was about to answer but Deborah stopped him with a nod and said: "I didn't say a word. I just know you must have hurt him a lot because I've never heard my husband treat a woman so hard. Now let us go."
Kathleen ran away in tears and Buck and Deborah went hand in hand back to their room and made love. They no longer spoke of her.
The next day, they decided to take a cruise on the Hudson River. Before leaving the hotel, they were approached by the owner who told them that the girl from the night before and her father had left. The two thanked each other heartily and smiled.
During the cruise, they were seated at the back of the boat and at one point were approached by a photographer who showed them a photo he had taken. They were beautiful and they exchanged a look that had struck the man.
They seemed so in love that the photographer asked them if they wanted an enlarged portrait of that photo. The two agreed and picked it up the next day. They had also decided to take the evening cruise that showed the whole panorama of the city.
Deborah and Buck were over the moon because people felt how much they loved each other. The next day they decided to go shopping. They went to different shops and picked a thought for each of their friends. As Deborah was choosing a watch for Jimmy, she noticed that Buck was very interested and decided that this would be her gift to him.
In the evening after the cruise, and after having collected the beautiful portrait that had been made for them, when they returned to the hotel, Deborah made an excuse to stay behind for a moment, asking the owner of the hotel if he could get her a watch equal to the one he was looking for, showing, with the inscription, "Forever." The owner was delighted to help her.
A few days later, the watch was ready and Deborah paid the bill in secret.
The 15 days passed quickly, and as soon as they could, the couple made love passionately, sometimes several times a day. They were very much in love and Buck was very serene because no one had made him weigh his origin.
The last day arrived and before leaving the hotel, Deborah decided to give her gift to Buck. He was happy and thanked her, but did not fail to give her his own gift, a
ring with their names engraved on it. Deborah was happy and the two made love before leaving the room.
On the way to Fort Laramie, where they would meet Lou and Kid, they exchanged many kisses and cuddles and remained tenderly embraced.
When the two couples met they hugged and kissed and then boarded the stagecoach that would take them to Sweetwater. During the trip, they told each other about their stay and their adventures.
When they arrived in Sweetwater, they were greeted by their friends with kisses and hugs and went to the station altogether. Jimmy, hugging Deborah, told her: "I missed you so much." She didn't answer but just smiled.
It was morning and they made an appointment for the evening for dinner at the shack. Deborah and Buck tried to arrange all the luggage and Deborah immediately wanted to do the laundry, so as not to waste too much time.
While she was drying the clothes, Jesse joins her and asked her: "Is it true that you won't ask for homework tomorrow at school?"
She replied: "Of course, I will, Jesse, and if you haven't, you better get busy!"
As Jimmy was nearby, she asked him: "Jimmy, would you please help Jesse with his homework? It would be good for him and for you too, so you could improve in reading and writing since it is very close to your heart."
Jimmy agreed, and the two left together. She was delighted with this assignment she had given Jimmy because she knew how proud he was.
She then went back into the house, where Buck was reading a book. They set out to arrange the gifts they had taken from their friends, and then immediately hung the picture that the portrait painter had made for them during the cruise in the living room.
When dinner time arrived, they went to the shack, where they dined between one story and another. Kid and Lou told about their honeymoon and so did Deborah
and Buck. Deborah commented that it had all been beautiful and said: "The only drawback was the meeting with Buck's ex ..."
Cody said: "Which one?"
Deborah commented: "Ah why, was there more than one?"
Buck glared at Cody who said: "Well, Kathleen and Camille I mean." Buck glared at him again, they all knew it was better not to mention Camille in front of Deborah, who said: "Kathleen" and told them what had happened.
After dinner, the four boys handed out their presents and when Jimmy received his watch, Jesse noticed that he had received the most expensive gift of all and Jimmy said: "Maybe they had something that needed forgiving?"
Buck replied: "We don't have anything that needs forgiven, Deborah knew you like watches and she was kind enough to pick that one but she probably made a mistake."
Jimmy replied, "It's not the only mistake she made."
Buck was about to get up but Deborah stopped him and said to Jimmy:, "Wait for me outside, we need to talk and I don't want to spoil dinner any more than you already have."
Buck wanted to go out with them but she told him it was up to her to resolve the situation. When they were out, Deborah said to Jimmy: "Enough now, Jimmy, Buck, and I haven't cheated on you. I thought you understood, but apparently, you need to hear more about why it turned out like this. You neglected me and did not make me feel loved, I have pointed this out to you several times but you have underestimated the problem, now please do not accuse us. This is how it is and you must accept it if you want harmony to continue to reign among us, otherwise, we will have to cut ties with you. Is that what you want?"
"No, but don't tell me that I have to digest without saying a word that a friend of mine has stolen the woman from me."
"Buck didn't take anything away from you, first of all, because I'm not an object, secondly because I decided to leave you and until Buck was sure he didn't start a relationship with me. It's time to put your heart in peace."
"It's not that simple, I still love you."
"I know this, but then you have to respect my marriage and build a civil relationship with us."
Jimmy promised and apologized. And the two, after hugging, went back inside. Jimmy apologized to everyone and especially Buck, then the situation eased and everyone started laughing and joking.
When it was time to go to sleep, Deborah and Buck went home and she told Buck what she and Jimmy had said and he said: "Let's hope it's really over, although I have my doubts."
Then they went to bed and made love.
The next morning they woke up late because they were very tired, and as Deborah was making breakfast wearing only Buck's shirt, she heard a knock on the door. It was Lou who blushed when she saw Deborah dressed like this, saying she would come over later. She said to her: "Come in! We just woke up and I was preparing breakfast. Would you like to have some?"
"No, thanks, I just wanted to know if you could lend me some flour, I ran out of it," she said embarrassed.
"Yes, don't worry, I'll get it right away."
Meanwhile, Buck had come down wearing only his trousers and asked: "Who is it?"
Then he saw Lou and greeted her, when she started to leave, but Buck also invited her to stay. She said no again, apologizing and then Deborah said: "Ok, see you later."
Then she said to Buck: "In my opinion, there is something wrong and she wanted to talk to me, then she saw us like this and changed her mind. Later I will go to her to find out if there is any problem."
The two of them had breakfast, got dressed, then Buck went out to see his shifts for the week and Deborah went to Lou. When she was in the house she asked her: "Lou, you wanted to talk to me about something this morning, right?"
She replied: "Actually, yes, I wanted to ask you what your married life is like with Buck, if I'm not indiscreet. I mean, how do you organize yourself at home, when well, when you are together?"
Deborah smiled and said: "Don't be ashamed Lou, we're friends and we have no secrets."
Lou said: "I ask you because my life with Kid seems set to me."
"But look, Buck and I don't plan anything, I do the housework and I cook but often he helps me with both. We talk about everything. We have no secrets. If something is wrong with our behavior we tell each other. We are very frank and sincere and as regards being together, when it happens and when we feel like it, there is no when or how. If he comes back and I want to make love with him, I just do it, without thinking about it so much. We have a very free relationship."
Lou replied: "For me and Kid, it's all different. Yesterday, I did everything while he rested. I feel like I'm tied up and then not having a job doesn't help me. I do not know what to do."
"Talk to him and point it out. Tell him that you want to be more free to express your feelings and that you would like to find a job. If he loves you, as he surely does, he will understand and come to meet you."
"Thank you, you are a friend."
"Anytime, Lou!"
The two girls hugged, then Deborah went home to prepare the afternoon lesson. Buck drove her to school and told her that the next day he would have to work a
shift that planned to be away all night. Deborah wasn't thrilled, but she knew it sometimes did.
After class, the two went to the saloon to make arrangements for the following Saturday and to rehearse. When they returned, they met the boys and reminded them that the usual meeting would be on Friday and they proposed to have it at their house. They all agreed.
The next morning, Deborah greeted Buck warmly, urging him to be careful and then she went about her business. When she was done, she asked Rachel if she could help her with anything and when she said no, she went home to correct her homework. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door, it was Jimmy who asked her to enter. She agreed and the two went to sit in the living room. They talked about this and that and then Jimmy said, "Sorry, but I can't give up on you, I love you too much..." and then he kissed her and laid her down on the sofa.
She reacted by giving him a slap and saying: "Don't allow yourself anymore!"
He realized he had made a big mistake and apologized, asking her not to tell Buck about what had happened, but she replied that she had no secrets from her husband and that she certainly would not have kept it from him. Jimmy apologized again and again and she accepted his apology but said: "It must never be repeated again or our relationship will be cut off for good."
Jimmy promised and left. As he walked away Lou came and asked what had happened and Deborah told her about it. Lou tried to console her and Deborah, when she had recovered, asked her if she had talked to Kid. Lou replied that he had faced the problem of work and that Kid, even if reluctantly, had understood and agreed. She had not yet dared about the other matter.
Deborah said to her: "But you don't have to be ashamed, he's your husband." "Yes, but it's not that simple, he has his traditions, he didn't grow up like Buck."
"What do you mean he didn't grow up like Buck? That he is a savage? Then I'm a savage too since I think like him. You know what I say? We are not savages, but
Kid's too bigoted and that you think these things about us offends me and makes me doubt your friendship."
"I didn't mean that, I'm sorry."
"You meant it instead. Now please leave."
Lou was mortified and went to confide in Rachel, who then went to Deborah to make her reason. But when she defended Lou, Deborah accused her of thinking like her, also reminding her of the joke they had played on her at the wedding by Lou and Kid. Rachel left and decided to give her some time to think.
Buck came back the next morning and noticed that Deborah was upset and asked her what had happened. She acted evasively, but then recounted what had happened with Jimmy and Lou and Rachel. Buck was furious at Jimmy's behavior and decided to confront him right away while advising Deborah to reflect on her relationship with the two women and figure out what she really wanted.
Then, despite Deborah asking him not to, Buck went to Jimmy and punched him. He reacted and the two began to fight. Noah had to step in to separate them. Buck said to Jimmy: "If you do it again I swear I'll kill you!" and then left.
He then went to Rachel's asking her to call Lou and tried to figure out what had happened. The two women gave their version to Buck who pointed out that they hadn't been very tactful with Deborah. They recognized him and apologized and decided to go talk to her.
Deborah was preparing the lesson for the afternoon and at first she didn't want to let them in, but then they insisted and said Buck asked them too. The two women apologized to both of them and promised that from now on they would no longer think that they were different. Deborah accepted the apology, but knew it would take a long time to digest it.
When Teaspoon learned of the fight between Buck and Jimmy, he pretended nothing had happened at the moment, but the next day he asked both boys to accompany him to buy horses.
During the trip, he gave them a wash of the head and forced Jimmy to promise that he would never behave like that again. If they hadn't tried to get along, he would have fired them both. The two boys promised.
Once they returned, Buck told Deborah everything and she hoped things would change.
In the afternoon, after school, Buck and Deborah went to rehearsal in the saloon again. They were very upset because they would have their first performance on Saturday.
Friday night came and Deborah and Buck cooked dinner for the boys, Teaspoon and Rachel. When they were seated at the table, Lou noticed the picture hanging on the wall and gasped: "This picture of you both is wonderful! Who did this for you?"
"An artist on the Hudson River cruise. A photographer took a picture of us and this artist wanted to make a portrait of it. We really like it!"
Rachel said: "Wow, when you think of a representation of love, you think of these looks."
Deborah and Buck were delighted and kissed. Dinner was fun as usual and at the end of the night, Buck and Deborah invited everyone to the saloon the next night for their debut, while Lou and Kid said they would all be their guests next week.
The day after, the couple was very excited, and in the evening they got ready to go to the saloon. They dressed as they did at Kid and Lou's wedding and sang the same songs to break the ice. Later, if things went well, they would prepare other pieces. The public was enthusiastic, especially of the Allelujah and the owner congratulated them. They were officially hired.
They all celebrated together and Lou took the opportunity to announce that he had found a job at a clothing store in Sweetwater. Everyone congratulated her.
Life continued calmly among the boys, and luckily there had been no more disagreements between Jimmy and Buck.
One afternoon, while the boys were relaxing a bit, Cody had the bad idea of making nasty jokes about the intimate relationship between Buck and Deborah and the others. Instead of silencing him, it seemed to give him strength, Buck took it and said: "I won't allow you to talk about my wife like that, you are disgusting!" He said, and went away.
Kid tried to stop him by telling them: "Buck, he was just kidding." But Buck didn't want to hear an apology and rushed towards the house, where Deborah was going out.
He said to her, "Come, let's go for a ride!". He said, taking her by the hand, making her get on the horse, without giving her time to talk.
She knew that when he behaved like this, you shouldn't talk to him, but wait for him to let off some steam.
They went to the river and when they were seated in each other's arms, she understood that it was time to talk.
"Do you want to tell me now what happened?" .She asked.
"Cody again allowed himself to make heavy comments about you and the others gave him some rope. They tired me out, it's a lack of respect for both of us."
Deborah said to him: "They are men, you know how they are made, don't tell me that in their place you would not have done the same thing. You will see that they will apologize."
He kissed her and said nothing.
When they returned, all the boys went to meet him and Kid spoke up: "Sorry Buck, we were really insensitive, if they did the same thing with Lou, I'd have beat him to death. Please, forgive us tonight, we would like to invite you to dinner and each of us will cook something."
Buck replied: "I accept the apology, but dinner is not necessary. The important thing is that it never happens again."
Noah added: "Come on, take it as an opportunity not to have to help Deborah clear away the dishes!"
In the end, it was decided and Deborah said: "I have the impression that we will only eat the dish prepared by Jimmy. I have many reservations about the cooking of others ...".
Everyone laughed, but Deborah was right, the boys were completely unable to cook. Luckily Jimmy's stew was plentiful and so it was enough for everyone.
The following Friday, they went to Lou and Kid's house, and again, had a good evening. Lou took advantage of a moment when Deborah was helping her in the kitchen to tell her that she had finally found the courage to talk to Kid about their intimacy, and that everything had worked out for the best.
Deborah was delighted. It seemed that after that little give and take, the situation was back to where it was before, and that the relationship between the two girls had even grown closer.
The days went by happily, and Teaspoon had sometimes entrusted Buck and Jimmy with racing together to test them, they were certainly not friends, but the coexistence was peaceful.
One day, while the two were out together, they were attacked by an Indian tribe who had decided to attack them because the army had just devastated their camp.
The two boys tried to defend themselves as best they could, but suddenly an Indian aimed an arrow straight at Jimmy. Buck noticed it, and while shouting his name rushed towards him and managed to push him away, but the arrow struck him very close to the heart and other arrows followed, severely wounded him.
Jimmy tried to drag him away, also suffering a wound in his arm, but he managed to make the warriors flee thanks to his rifle.
As soon as they were gone, Jimmy tried to medicate Buck as best he could and loaded him onto his horse to take him back to town. While he was medicating him Buck said: "Swear to me that you will take care of her and that you will love her forever and that you will never make her suffer again."
"Don't be silly, Buck, you'll be fine."
"Swear it to me."
"Okay, I swear, but now let's go back to town as soon as possible."
Jimmy rode as fast as he could, rushing to the doctor. Then he looked for Jesse and immediately sent him for Deborah and the others. The doctor let him in and tried to medicate Buck and Jimmy as best he could.
As soon as Jesse broke the news, Deborah dropped the clothes she was holding and rushed to take the horse. When she arrived in town, and saw Jimmy injured, he rushed at him and said: "What have you done to him? Have you fought again?"
She cursed, and began to punch him.
Jimmy didn't defend himself, but told her: "We were attacked by the Indians and he saved my life. Don't waste time with me. Go to him."
Deborah came in and immediately asked the doctor what Buck's condition was. The doctor told her: "He has lost a lot of blood, and has many injuries. But only one is the most serious. It's closest to the heart. If it does not heal immediately it can affect vital tissues and then it will not make it."
Deborah almost fainted, but recovered and asked the doctor: "Is there anything that can accelerate the healing of the wound?"
"Nothing that I or other doctors have available. The only thing would be an ointment that Indians use but we don't know its composition and we don't know how to make it. We can only pray."
"Do all Indians know how to do it?" Deborah asked.
"Yes, any tribe."
"So also the Kiowa?"
"Of course." The doctor said.
"How much time do I have?"
"But what do you want to do?"
"I asked you how much time I have?" .Deborah desperately asked.
"The sooner it will be, the better chance you will have."
"He will have the ointment."
Deborah walked over to Buck and kissed him, whispering: "Don't worry love, you'll make it."
Then she took his earring and knife, only in this way would the tribe of Red Bear, Buck's half-brother, not attack her. She was counting that someone would maybe recognize her.
She rushed out, followed by the doctor, who tried to dissuade her but to no avail. The doctor explained to the boys that were present what Deborah had intended to do.
Jimmy tried to get on his horse to go with her, but Teaspoon stopped him: "She has to go alone. If something were to go wrong due to someone else's presence, he would never forgive us."
Jimmy then prayed for her and for Buck to be saved.