Chapter 3 – Lou's POV

I could hear Buck shouting at Kid. I knew Buck was upset and angry. I was too. Buck was shouting the same questions to Kid that I had myself. Kid was right though since he's not dead I'm still married to him. Oh no he did not just tell Buck that he had turned me into a 'half breed's whore'. I flew to the window just in time to see Buck fly at Kid. Jimmy and Cody did nothing to stop him. Rachel has to hold me back to keep me inside. I want to throttle Kid myself. How dare he do this to me, to Buck? He's not the Kid that I knew and loved. I don't know this man. I don't love this man.

Teaspoon puts a stop to the fight. Buck really pummeled Kid. I can't help the smirk that crosses my face, serves him right. Teaspoon and Cody drag Kid away, while Buck sits down on the porch. Jimmy joins him, his arm around Buck's shoulder. I listen to Buck talk to Jimmy. He sounds so miserable. He's scared I'll leave him now that Kid's not dead. Jimmy tries to tell him that ain't the Kid I loved and I'm not the same Lou. I don't think I've changed all that much. I still work just as hard as the boys around the ranch. But I know what Jimmy means. I've grown up. I don't feel like I have to prove myself to anyone. I'm a mother now to four beautiful children, but I still like to wear men's clothes most of the time. It's just easier; I don't have to worry about my skirt getting caught on something.

Jimmy tells Buck that I love him, that I never looked at Kid the way I look at Buck. That I won't leave him. Jimmy's right of course. It's true I loved Kid when we were riding together, but I loved Buck back then too. I just didn't know that until I came back to Rock Creek. I'm not leaving Buck. Turning to Rachel I ask her to keep any eye on the kids. I need to see my husband. She doesn't ask which one, she knows I mean Buck.

Stepping out onto the porch I say, "Jimmy would you mind giving me a moment with my husband, I need to speak with Buck alone." Jimmy gives me a smile before he joins Cody who just came out of the main house. I hold my hand out to Buck, "Come with me Buck". He takes my hand without a word as I lead him to the barn. I climb up into the hay loft and Buck follows without question. I turn to face Buck; he looks so lost and dejected. I know he doesn't know what to think about the circumstances we find ourselves in now.

I walk up to him and slip into his arms; he hesitates before he puts his arms around my back hugging me tightly. Tears fall from my eyes as I press my body against that of the man I love more than anything, the man I consider my husband no matter what the law may say. "Oh Buck, I'm so sorry. I was told he was dead. After he left for the war I never heard from him again. Now after ten years he shows up. I just don't know what to say." Buck's hold tightens on me, "Don't say anything Lou; just let me hold you for a little while longer." I can hear the tears in his voice; he thinks this is the last time he will get to hold me. "You have no idea how much I love you. How much I love the life we have together. Please don't leave me Lou." Buck says breaking down. I pull back from him my hands going to his face to force him to look at me. "Buck Cross I'm not going anywhere. No matter what the law says, you are my husband and I love you and our children more than anything in the world. I've always loved you Buck, and I always will." After I say this I kiss him with all the passion I still felt for this man, even after all these years. Buck's arms around me loosen their hold just enough so he can lower me to the hay loft floor. It felt so right to be with Buck. How can what we have together be wrong in the sight of the law? In the sight of God? I hope Teaspoon will have some ideas.

Buck's POV

Lou loves me. I should have known nothing was going to change that. I look over at her sleeping contently in my arms. I don't know how long we have been in the hay loft. I don't really care. The love making we just shared had been amazing; almost desperate in our need to show each other how much we wanted, needed, loved the other. I know Lou says she doesn't care about what the law says, I'm her husband. But in the sight of the white man, I was barely accepted as Lou's husband before Kid returned. I know they won't accept me now. There is only one thing I can think of to do. I have to marry Lou in the Kiowa world. At least that way our union will still be accepted in the Great Spirit's eyes.

I turn and gently wake Lou. She smiles up at me before I press another kiss to her slightly kissed swollen lips. I tell her my idea. She likes it but also doesn't. She knows it means I will be leaving for a while to track down Red Bear's tribe. I don't want to leave her either, but I don't know what else to do. We leave the barn and head back to the bunkhouse. We tell Rachel my plan. Rachel helps Lou pack some food while I get my gear together. My family escorts me back outside to my waiting horse.

After I tie my gear down I turn to them. I kneel down to hug and kiss my children. I tell Ike he has to take care of his momma and brothers and sister while I'm gone. Jimmy and Cody give me hugs and promise to be good little boys; I hope they are for Lou's sake. Little Emma cries and tells me she doesn't want me to leave. I promise to be back soon, and if I'm lucky I will be bringing her uncle Red Bear home with me.

I look at Lou; she still has straw in her hair. I laugh a little as I pick a piece of it out of her hair. She blushes knowing what she must look like, and knowing Rachel saw her like this. I give her a wink, which earned me a cheeky grin. Looking into her eyes I tell her everything I want to say without a word. She knows. She always does. I pull her close and kiss her soundly. I tell her I'll be back soon and I love her. I mount my mare and reach down for one last kiss before I ride away in search of my brother's tribe. I pray to the spirits to aid my search.

Kid's POV

I watch from inside the main house as Buck and Lou enter the barn. Several hours later they emerge. Lou has hay stuck all over her. I can't believe they just took a tumble in the hay, where anybody could have seen them. They don't even look ashamed. It was one thing when they thought I was dead, but now they know I'm not. They've gone into the old bunkhouse now. I know Teaspoon told me to stay away but how does he expect me to stand by while Buck sullies my wife.

I watch as Buck exits his house with Lou and their children in tow. Looks like he's leaving. He kneels down and talks to the kids first and the turns to Lou. He pulls a piece of hay from her hair. She blushes, finally she's ashamed. They embrace. I watch as Buck mounts his horse, with on last kiss to Lou he rides away. Maybe my luck is turning around. With Buck out of the picture I can have Lou all to myself and win her back.