Chapter Four

Buck introduced the Lindström's to Rachel and Teaspoon first and explained their situation. Rachel invited the pair to stay with her in the house until their wagon was repaired and they could be on their way.

There was a full house for supper and the riders were pretty fascinated by the land of Sweden. Cody was particularly curious about the length of days in the winter and summer. He couldn't get over that for part of the summer, the sun didn't set and for part of the winter, the sun never came up.

The relative calm of the evening was slightly upset when Jesse came to supper late.

"And just where have you been, young man?" Rachel scolded. "I had just about given up seeing you tonight."

"I had stuff to take care of," Jesse said bluntly. He sat down at the table and helped himself to some food while the others were starting on dessert and coffee.

"I was going to ask you, Jesse, if you knew why Cricket left school early today?" Rachel inquired.

"We had a disagreement is all," Jesse said while stuffing a biscuit into his mouth.

"About what?" Rachel asked conversationally.

"You're almost as bad as Cricket," Jesse snapped. "Why don't you just mind your own business?"

Jesse pushed his plate away and left the bunkhouse in a huff.

"Jesse..." Rachel called after him.

Rachel looked at Teaspoon with surprise. Jesse had never been that rude before.

"Well, I don't know what has gotten into him," Rachel said apologizing to Ava and Swan.

Buck just sat back a little lost in thought. He hadn't quite gotten past the part where Jesse and Cricket had a fight and she left school early. He wondered if it had anything to do with the state he found his little friend in this morning. Buck looked over at Jimmy and could tell he was concerned about this thing with Jesse too. The last time that Jesse was this moody, his brother Frank was in town. Buck observed the look in Jimmy's eyes that he remembered too.

A quiet knock on the door interrupted the rest of dessert. Teaspoon got up and answered the door. He spoke quietly with a gentleman and then looked over at Rachel then Buck and Jimmy who were seated next to one another. Teaspoon closed the door and came back to the table.

"Jimmy, I need you to talk to Jesse," Teaspoon said putting his hand on Jimmy's shoulder. "Buck, can you look in all Cricket's favorite hiding spots? It seems she didn't go home after she left school today."

"Why do you want me to talk to Jesse, Teaspoon?" Jimmy asked.

"I think he may talk to you before he talks to me and I don't want to be spending this week chasing those youngin's down. 'Sides, he might know where she is."

Jimmy and Buck got up from the table and grabbed their guns and hats from their hooks.

"I'll start by looking in the barn," Buck said.

Rachel promised to look after the Lindström's and make sure they were settled for the night.

Buck walked into the barn and stood in the center perfectly still. He closed his eyes and just listened. He marked each sound as he heard it. Horses breathing, a hoof stomping, the wind blowing through a crack in the wall, were just a few of the sounds he cataloged. He pushed his hearing and awareness until he heard a sniffle coming from the hay loft. Buck's brows furrowed. He hated it when women cried, but there was nothing he could really do to prevent it from happening. He could just be there as a friend and try to cheer them up.

Slowly but quietly, Buck climbed the ladder into the hay loft and looked around the space. His eye had adjusted to the dark and all he needed to do was find her. He scanned the back wall and saw Cricket scrunched into a little ball. He could hear she was still crying. He almost wished he had brought Lou with him. Maybe Lou could talk to her later.

Buck lifted himself into the soft hay and stalked over to where Cricket sat. He gingerly sat himself next to her and cleared his throat quietly.

"Hey," he whispered, "What are you doing out here all by yourself?"

"Hiding," Cricket said, "Obviously, not very well though."

"Jesse said the two of you had an argument," Buck said trying to strike up a conversation. "I'm a good listener if you want to talk about it."

"I promised that I wouldn't tell," Cricket said solemnly.

Buck sat back and thought. An idea came to him. "Do you want to meet someone?" he asked.

Cricket shuddered inwardly. She did not want to meet the girl that rode in with him today.

"She's downstairs and she's really pretty."

"That's ok," Cricket said stoically. "I'm alright here. I just need some time alone."

"Are you sure?" Buck asked. "I know she'd like meeting you."

"I saw you with her," Cricket said trying not to cry. "She's very pretty, but I don't need to meet her."

"I was hoping you'd help me with her," Buck said. "She's new here and doesn't know anyone."

"Oh, I don't want any more friends," Cricket said losing her battle to hold back tears. "Violet is the only friend I need."

"Are you sure?" Buck coaxed. "She's down in the barn and could use a good brushing."

Cricket looked horrified. Buck not only wanted her to be friends with the hussy he brought into town with him, now he wanted her to brush the woman's hair?

"I thought the two of us could train her together," Buck suggested. "I'd really like your help taking care of her."

"I can't believe you would treat another human being that way!" Cricket said loudly and very offended. "She's person just like everyone else."

Buck looked absolutely confused. "Cricket, what, are you talking about?" he asked.

Cricket stopped the rant she was about to take off on and noted the confusion in his face. "I don't know. What are you talking about?"

It dawned on Buck that perhaps Cricket thought he was talking about Ava.

"I bought a horse today," Buck said trying not to laugh. "I wanted to show her to you."

"A horse?" Cricket asked meekly. "I saw you ride in with a lady."

"I did and she's up at the house with Rachel with her father," Buck explained. "Their wagon broke down and they need to fix their wheel. They're just staying here until they can get it fixed and move on."

Cricket still didn't quite understand.

"I bought a horse today too," Buck assured her. "It's down in a stall right next to Katy. You want to see her?"

"Ok," Cricket said hesitantly. "I guess."

Buck smiled. "Come on," he said, "I'll introduce you."

Buck climbed down first and made sure Cricket didn't fall. He took her hand, a gesture that nearly made Cricket swoon, and led her over to the stall where the new horse was munching on some fresh hay. Buck turned the wick up on a nearby lantern and the soft glow illuminated the stall. Cricket's eyes got big as she looked on the beautiful black and white pinto mare.

"Oh, she's really beautiful," Cricket said with longing. "She's exactly what I would get if I had my own horse."

Buck smiled trying not to give it away.

"She needs a name," Buck said, "I've never been very good at naming horses. Maybe you can help me."

"You'd let me name her?" Cricket asked astounded.

"Sure," Buck said casually.

The horse stopped eating and walked up to Cricket and Buck. She put her muzzle down and sniffed at Cricket. Cricket put her hand out and started to pet her velvety nose. Soon Cricket was petting the rest of the horse's face and giving her a nice scratch behind the ears.

"I think she likes you," Buck observed.

"Is she fast?" Cricket asked.

"I don't know, but she looks like she could be," Buck answered. "I haven't let her run yet."

"I think you should call her, Speedy," Cricket said. "She just looks fast."

"Speedy, huh?" Buck asked joining in on petting the mare. "What do you think about that name, girl?"

The mare tossed her head and gave a small happy whinny.

"I think she likes it," Cricket said with a small giggle.

Buck silently declared his mission accomplished. Cricket was happy and smiling again and all thoughts about her disagreement with Jesse were gone for the moment.

"Your father came over to the station, looking for you," Buck mentioned. "He's waiting over at Teaspoon's office to take you home."

"Is he angry?" Cricket asked.

"No, just worried," Buck answered. "Come on, I'll walk you over."

The two starting walking toward Teaspoon's office when Cricket suddenly stopped.

"Did you really mean what you said?" Cricket asked, "You really want me to help you train Speedy and take care of her?

"Yeah, I do," Buck said smiling. "I need someone to look after her when I have a run and I think if you truly want a horse someday you should know how to take care of one."

Cricket nearly knocked the wind out of Buck with the hug she gave him. "Thank you, Buck," she said. "I won't disappoint you!"

"Come by the barn on your way to school tomorrow," Buck called after her.