CHAPTER 10

Buck anxiously waited on the front stoop of the house. He paced back and forth until Ike grabbed his attention and signed for him to calm down. Buck began blushing as he took a seat on the steps next to Ike.

(She really has you nervous,) Ike joked with him.

"There's just something about her," Buck began to explain, "I don't know. I can't stop thinking about her. I just know she's the one I've been waiting for." Buck took out a ring from his pocket to examine it. "I just don't know if she feels the same."

(She seems like a girl most men would be running from, not to.) Ike laughed at his joke, but Buck didn't give anymore than a smile knowing there was a lot of truth in his words. (I'm happy for you.) Ike patted his friend on the back as Noah began walking up the stairs.

Buck placed the ring back in his pocket as he stood from the steps to let Noah pass. Noah nodded to both and grabbed for the handle. "Noah?" He turned to face the very red Indian behind him. "Thanks."

"For what?" Noah asked puzzled.

"For bringing her here. For being there for her. For everything, I guess." A small smile passed between the two, Noah nodded and headed into the house where he found an even more anxious Lou coming down the stairs with Rachel close behind.

"Is she ready?" He inquired.

Rachel just nodded as they all turned their attention to the second floor. Dani slowly descended from the stairs. Noah's eyes widened at the sight of his older sister clad in a dark green satin dress with white lace accents. Her sandy hair pulled back at the sides adding to the long ringlets already cascading down her back. This look was far from the dust covered rough neck appearance she normally exuded. He also noticed the lack of bandana around her neck.

"Well," he said, "Buck may have some competition when everyone gets a look at you." She let out a low laugh as she finished her journey down the stairs.

"Well, lucky for him, my eyes aren't going to be on anyone else." She smiled at Noah as she placed her arms around his neck. As they embraced he leaned into her ear, "Are you sure you're ready for this?" They pulled apart as she stared directly into his eyes and gave him a serious and determined nod.

"You better get out there before poor Buck's head explodes," Rachel interjected. Dani gave Rachel and Lou a smile. "Thank you so much."

"Just be careful with that arm, don't need you hurting it again," Rachel added. Dani turned to the door and grabbed the handle. There on the stoop she met with awed looks.

She began blushing as she stared into the eyes of the now speechless Kiowa staring back at her. She stepped onto the landing with only a foot or so between her and the two riders. Ike turned his attention to Buck who is still dumbfounded and gave him a slight push toward Dani. Buck shook himself out of his fog and smiled, "You look beautiful." He offered his arm to her and they headed down the steps to the awaiting buckboard.

As they reached it the remaining riders exited from the bunkhouse to see them off. As each of the riders laid eyes on the lovely lady on the arm of their close friend they couldn't help but gawk. Cody, unable to stop himself, shouted out to Dani, "Not a lady, huh?"

As she stepped up into the buckboard she replied, "I never said I didn't know how to be a lady."

The group of riders began laughing under their breaths as Kid gave Cody a little pat on the back. Buck took the seat next to her and willed the horse in front into a gallop toward town.

Buck turned his attention to her, "You are the most beautiful lady I've ever seen."

She blushed, "You make me feel like a lady, Buck."

With that she placed her head on his shoulder, wrapped her hands around his arm and they rode silently lost in each other's touch the rest of the ride into town.

They hitched up the buckboard, made their way into the restaurant and ordered their food. Buck noticed all eyes were on them, but somehow he knew it had nothing to do with him. She truly was a sight to behold. The young couple lost themselves in each other's eyes and remained absent to the world around up until the waitress returned with their food.

The meal was filled with discussions about anything and everything. Dani spoke about the good times she had as a child and Buck let her in on the various adventures the small family of riders had experienced through out their time with the Pony Express. Laughs and loving expressions filled the table between bites. The conversation flowed so naturally, it was if they had known each other forever.

As the conversation slowed down Buck once again stared at her as she slowly cut into the meat in front of her. He chuckled to himself as she gave him an inquisitive look.

"What?" she asked.

"You really do look beautiful."

She nodded to him and he continued, "But I was wondering; where are you hiding your gun?" he smiled at her.

She giggled as she began blushing then let herself become serious.

"I figured I didn't need it anymore. Maybe it's about time I retired my gun. I've got everything I need right here."

She smiled at him as a quiet understanding passed between them. Buck was now completely sure of what he needed to do next.

He put down his napkins, stood from his chair and placed his hand in his inside pocket. Dani sat and watched as the young man now got down on one knee beside her. The eyes that had earlier gone back to their meals were once again on the young couple.

"Danielle Dixon, I love you" her eyes became set into his, "Will you marry me?"

He opened his palm revealing the beautiful silver ring with green center stone.

She closed her eyes and shifted her head down to the floor. Buck's face went from a smile to expressionless as he watched her quizzically. She lifted her head and he could make out the small tear now escaping her eye.

"Yes," she said softly with a smile. The whole restaurant was on their feet cheering and clapping.

They both stood and embraced each other not caring who was watching. As they pulled back Dani pierced his longing eyes with hers, "I love you, too." She leaned in giving him a reassuring kiss. He returned the kiss and they once again sat down. Dani presented her hand to him and he slipped the ring onto her finger.

They soon headed out of the restaurant for a sunset stroll along the town. The walk was pleasant and the conversations between them once again flowed very easily. They discussed where they would love to live one day and anecdotes about possible children came into the mix.

Danielle was now confident that she could permanently give up Jane Marks while Buck was confident that no matter what, at least to her, he would be Buck and not the half breed she had first addressed him as. It didn't matter who else labeled him with that title, he was sure that all he needed was her to face anything. He needed to hear her confirm how she felt for him.

Buck turned to her, "Are you sure?" She stopped him and turned again gazing into his deep brown eyes.

"About you?" She paused. "All I've ever wanted was someone who sees me not as a gunfighter, not as a slave, and not as a trophy. Someone who loves me for me and who I could feel the same for. I found that in you, Buck. I trust you more than I have ever trusted anyone."

Those words filled him with all the happiness he could ever imagine. He pulled her off to the side of the walkway and stared deeply into her eyes. She smiled as he leaned into her meeting his lips with hers. They lost themselves in that moment as the sun set behind them.

"Jane Marks!" A loud, gruff voice shook them from their love induced haze.

Dani and Buck pulled apart and she looked him deep into his eyes. "Dani, pretend you didn't hear that." She nodded at him and they turned heading down the street.

"Teaspoon's only a few buildings up; let's see if we can get to him."

They walked down the street both trying to look confident and untouched by the gunfighter who was now staring them down. One more building and they would have Teaspoon to fall back on. Those plans were quickly foiled as the yelling man stood between them and the marshal's office. "Jane Marks?"

"Why, sir, I don't know who you're talkin' about."

Dani looked the man up and down. She recognized him and knew he wasn't going to give up. The bearded man drew his weapon before Buck could even get a grasp on his.

"Buck, stop!" She yelled at him keeping her gaze on the man in front of her, "What do you want, Holland?" Her lady like tone was now replaced with the deep voice of a gunfighter on the prowl.

"You know what I want."

"I'm not quite dressed for the occasion," she spit back at him.

"I wouldn't care if you were in your birthday suit. You got this comin'."

"Give me a second."

Holland nodded toward the two and backed off to the middle of the street keeping his eyes on her.

"Dani, don't do this." Buck worriedly stated.

"Buck, I'm not gonna have to; when his attention's on me make your way to Teaspoon. Neither one of us'll have to fire a shot." Dani's sights never left her would be opponent.

"Dani, I don't…"

"Buck, just do it!" She was now becoming aggravated.

He pulled his attention for her to the gruff man as she made her way out to the middle of the street.

"I have two problems, Holland. 1. No gun."

The bearded man just chuckled at her, "The great Jane Marks without a gun? Well I've seen it all. Are you really that stupid?"

He nodded to a man standing on the walk way to his left and the man quickly removed his holster and gun and threw them in Jane's direction. She picked them up as her attention turned to Buck and then back to her opponent. She slowly began to put on the rig in part to give Buck enough time to get to Teaspoon and in part because her arm was still a bit sore.

She finally got the holster secured and turned her attention back across the street. "What's the other problem?" he shouted to her.

"Well, it's mighty dark. How are we supposed to see each other?"

"Marks, I could shoot you with my eyes closed, the dark don't bother me. Now, on three." The man that had earlier handed her his rig counted off, "One."

"Hold it!" A deep and scratchy voice called out from not too far behind. "What the hell is going on here?" Buck and Teaspoon now exited from the marshal's office both guns drawn.

"This is business Marshal and I think you need to stay out of it," Holland proclaimed in Teaspoon's direction.

"There won't be no gunfightin' in my town. Pack your men up and head out." Teaspoon now stood face to face with the man his gun buried in his belly.

Buck stood not too far behind, but his attention stayed with his fiancé standing no more than 20 paces away. The look of hate in her eyes was not calming as she was now removed the holster from around her waist and threw it onto the ground beside her. The man that had been counting quickly ran up to her and picked up his weapon.

When the bearded man didn't make a move Teaspoon reiterated his statement "Pack up and leave, now!" The gruff man finally turned his attention from the lady gunfighter, to the Marshal and then to his men. He nodded them in the direction of the horses, Buck, Dani, and Teaspoon watched as the men mounted up and began riding out of town.

Buck re-holstered his gun and ran toward Dani. Her attention never left the men riding off. As Buck came within a few inches of her a shot rang out. Dani, almost simultaneously yelled, "Buck!"

He fell forwarding falling into Dani as the bearded man let out a chuckle while riding away. Buck could make out the loud cracks of gun fire as the world became blurry. He felt his body meet the ground as everything went black.