CHAPTER TWO

I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING EXCEPT THE ORIGINAL CHARACTER OF ERIN

Note: The concept of the Kiowa courting braid is my own. It is not my intention to offend anyone, but I am writing a romance, not a history book.

Once upon a time, somewhere, I read a fanfic that had Buck and the OFC putting love knots in their hair on the underside so they could be hidden. It wasn't in the context of a courting braid (that's my idea), but I want to give credit where credit is due. Unfortunately, I have no idea who wrote the fic or even its name.

Deep breath in. Let it out. Breathe in. Out. In. Out.

Running Buck Cross tried to calm himself. It was hard with Jimmy out there flirting with his woman. And what was Erin doing? Why was she responding in such a lively way? Didn't she like him anymore? Maybe she didn't want him after all…

Stop Buck. Those are thoughts that aren't true. You know she loves you. She tells you every chance she gets. And, she wears your braid. Proudly.

Buck lovingly thought of the thick braid in the left side of Erin's hair. It was customary among the Kiowa for a brave to place a braid in the hair of the maiden he was courting. This was a serious step in a relationship, and occurred only when the brave had the intention of marrying the maiden. Indeed, it was a declaration to the village of the pending engagement while the brave acquired the necessary horses to offer to trade for his woman.

Erin didn't know the extent of its significance. Buck had explained the concept of courting braids, leaving out the engagement and marriage parts. She didn't need to know yet that he wanted to make her his wife. He didn't want to scare her off—it'd only been four weeks since the social. He had wanted to dance with joy when she agreed to let him braid her hair. Buck had at first placed the braid at the back of her hair, underneath the chocolate curls.

"So you can hide it," he explained. "No one will see it unless you want them to."

Erin turned and he saw an incredulous look on her face. "Why would I want to hide it?"

"So that no one will know you're with a half breed. When people see the braid, they'll know you're involved with an Indian. This way you can hide it in case people start talkin' and you get embarrassed."

"Buck," she started, an exasperated look on her face. She started to unravel the braid and Buck's heart plummeted. She had realized what being with a half breed would mean. She was backing out already.

"Buck," she said, clearly frustrated. She handed him the brush and leather thong he had tied her hair with. "Put it where it belongs. I am proud to wear your braid."

I never thought I'd find someone like her. Someone who accepts me so completely. More than anyone, even Ike. I haven't had another person love me like this since my mother. In fact, I think I may love her even more than I loved my mother.

Buck felt guilty at such a thought but he quickly pushed it out of his head. He heard Erin and Jimmy get up and discuss the time to meet for tomorrow's lesson. Buck clenched his teeth in anger. Wasn't Jimmy ever going to learn to read? Couldn't he go take lessons from the old schoolmarm in town? Or Emma'd teach him, Buck was sure. If only Jimmy didn't still follow Erin around like a lovesick schoolboy when he thought Buck wasn't looking.

Erin came into the barn. Buck immediately felt his spirit lift. Here she was, the walking and breathing embodiment of his heart. Sometimes he swore she was the other half of his soul. He could spend days just sitting and talking with her, and holding her was like eating a slice of ambrosia.

Erin's face broke into a smile when she saw him; she hadn't known he was in the barn. Giving a small joyful cry, she ran into his arms. Buck's mouth stretched into his own grin as he caught her in his arms, cupping her face for a quick kiss.

"Good lesson?" he asked in between soft kisses.

"Yes," Erin replied. "He's a good student."

"Good. Then it shouldn't take many more lessons."

Erin stopped the little kisses and pulled back, looking into his eyes. "Buck, don't be that way," she chided gently.

"What way?" Buck said, feigning ignorance. Dammit. I let it get the best of me. Keep this up, Cross, and you'll scare her away.

"Like it bothers you that Jimmy and I spend time together without you. I wouldn't mind you being there, but he's very embarrassed about not being able to read. He told me he feels stupid when he's learning so he'd rather it just be him and me."

"I'll bet," Buck muttered under his breath.

Erin frowned, and now it was her turn to cup his face in her hands. "I love you Running Buck Cross, and Jimmy Hickock is nothing more than my friend. Please trust me and believe in me."

Buck immediately felt contrite. This is my woman and one of my brothers. There is nothing between them and I'm acting like a selfish idiot.

"Of course I do," Buck answered. "Forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive." Smiling, Erin gave Buck one last kiss. "I'd better go help Emma with lunch."

Buck watched her as she sauntered away, certain she swayed her hips more than usual just for him. At the door she turned and he noticed how courting braid in her hair gleamed beneath the sun. Erin blew him a kiss before disappearing. Buck couldn't help the grin across his face.

Until he saw Jimmy watching her too from across the yard. Would he ever be rid of this feeling?