Chapter 5
Over the next few days, Buck and Cristina wrote letters to send to Jimmy, Cody, Lou and the Kid. Buck was very embarrassed to talk about his private life. He considered everyone brothers, but he had never been good at expressing his feelings to others and the fact of being away for so long certainly didn't make things easier. Cristina advised him to be honest and to simply tell them how the events had unfolded, without going into too much detail: they would have told them everything when they met.
Buck had told her so many episodes in those days of the life they all had lived at the time of the Pony Express that Cristina felt like she really knew those guys and couldn't wait to meet Lou: Buck had described her in very sweet words and kind.
On Sunday they decided to go to Rachel and Tespoon to communicate the news and entrust them with the letters to be sent. It was a bit shocking for Buck to entrust letters to others, he had carried them for so long… He felt a little nostalgic for the old days and above all, in this very happy moment of his life, he really missed his friend Ike. One day he had even taken Cristina to the place where they had burned his body.
When they knocked on Rachel's door, she was delighted to see them: "Buck, Cristina! What a nice surprise! Come in! Teaspoon, we have visitors", the woman yelled before embracing them both.
"I'm really happy that you decided to come back and visit us, I confess that I didn't have much hope..."
"We promised you", Cristina replied.
"Sit down, don't stand in the doorway, it's your home. Buck, you won't tell me you feel like a stranger with all the times you've been to this house! Teaspoon, get off!"
Buck and Cristina sat down and were quickly joined by Teaspoon.
"Damn Rachel, why do you always have to scream so much? I heard you, I was just finishing fixing a couple of things! Oh but look what a surprise! Son, Cristina! I'm so glad to see you" and he too went to hug them.
"So, how's married life? Are you still on your honeymoon?" asked Teaspoon slyly.
"We're fine and we're happy, I never thought I'd say it but yes, I finally think I've found the right person for me", Buck said and hugged Cristina.
"I'm so happy for you darling, you deserved to find a woman who loves you deeply and from the looks I see Cristina loves you very much", Rachel commented.
"You're right Rachel. I love him more than anything in the world and I was very lucky to meet him. He stole my heart and soul" and kissed him.
Buck blushed a little, and Rachel, realizing it, smiled happily.
'So what do you tell us?' asked Teaspoon.
"Well, there's actually something new...", ventured Buck.
"Aren't you already pregnant?" Rachel asked curiously.
"Oh no, no, at least I don't think so", Cristina blushed.
"Well, we have decided to get married also according to the Catholic rite and we wanted to involve you in the preparations", Buck said in one breath.
Rachel and Teaspoon were speechless for a moment, then it was the woman who spoke first: "But that's great! When will you celebrate the wedding?"
"We haven't decided on a date yet. I would be very happy to have Jimmy, Cody, Lou and Kid by my side, so we wrote them letters to let them know the news. When we have their answers, we will try to match the times and set the date. By the way, could you take care of sending them?" Buck said very excited.
"Sure son, we'll do it tomorrow. It's nice that you thought of inviting them all", remarked Teaspoon.
"I'm so happy to help, I can't wait to get ready with you Cristina: the dress, the hair, the church, the reception: I'm so excited!" Rachel said.
"So am I. In reality, that was fine for me too, but Buck insisted a lot"
"I thought about the future. If we have children, they will never be recognized in the white world. It's the only thing to do", Buck interjected.
"But will you continue to live in the camp or will you move to the city?" asked Teaspoon.
"Yes, for now…"
Teaspoon understood that Buck was up to something but decided not to ask questions at the moment.
"And does your brother Red Bear know about it?"
"Yes and he understood. He gives us his blessing"
"He's a wise man"
While Rachel and Cristina started making plans, Teaspoon and Buck went out for a walk.
"Son, what's bubbling in your head?"
"We can't live much longer among the Kiowa. Cristina has settled in and would like to stay, but if we were born children, they would never be accepted if something were to happen to the camp and out of the blue we had to go back to the city. Better try to integrate first. I'm not saying that everything would be roses and flowers because we will certainly have to face problems, but if they were already born as citizens of Rock Creek everything would be simpler even at the level of laws "
"I understand your reasons and I share them. But Cristina doesn't know about it, right?"
"No, I prefer to leave her alone. I want him to enjoy the preparations and the wedding, then we will discuss it calmly"
"And what are you going to do when you get back? What will you live on?"
"This is another thing that worries me. I was thinking about what you told me last time about Kid and Lou and when and if they come to Rock Creek, I plan to talk to Kid. We could start a ranch together. I think Lou would be happy to come back"
"It's a good idea. Let's hope Kid is reasonable. From what I know, they too are not doing very well and it could be an opportunity to start over"
"I need your help, Teaspoon. I can't move freely in the city now and until Cristina and I are officially married, it would be best not to see each other much. Could you do some research for me and explore if there is any suitable place to start a ranch, figure out where to buy horses and who to count on?"
"Sure son, I'm happy to help you out as I can. It is so nice to have you back here and to see you so happy and motivated. I'm telling you honestly, I didn't think I'd see you again and above all I despaired of seeing you in love. I thought you would have adapted to marrying a woman of your tribe living a life devoid of love and passion"
"I thought so too. I never thought I'd have these feelings again after Kathleen and Camille. Cristina came like a hurricane into my life and I truly believed she would leave as soon as she got better. I let you imagine my astonishment when she dismounted, turned around, ran up to me and kissed me, I couldn't believe it."
"How nice to see this light in your eyes, you'll see that everything will be fine"
"I really hope so. I feel that my life is about to take a definite turn. One more thing: could you and Rachel get us some new clothes? The ones we have are a little worn out and we can't come to town in our camp clothes."
"Of course Buck, consider it already done"
"Thanks Teaspoon" and the two embraced.
Meanwhile, at home, Rachel was discussing the ceremony with Cristina: "So, where do we want to start? Who knows how excited you'll be!"
"I'm actually still a bit stunned. My life has radically changed in the last few weeks and I'm still trying to figure out what's going on. I understand Buck's fears and I share them, even if I would have been satisfied with the condition we are in now"
" Buck is a very thoughtful and farsighted man, who has suffered a lot in the past and doesn't want the people he loves to get hurt because of his origin. He's trying to do the right thing."
"I know and I love him even more for it"
"You are a lucky woman. So, shall we start with the dress?"
"Oh yeah, I haven't had a chance to seriously think about it yet"
"We could go to some shop together in the next few days"
"Yes, of course, but it would be better not here"
"Why?"
"Because I don't know how they could judge me"
"They don't know you and they don't know who you are, what should they judge?"
"I don't know, Rachel, I'm so scared of this pass here in town"
"Precisely for this reason, the sooner you let the citizens see you, the sooner they will accept you. Are you really not thinking of showing up in town only on the day of the wedding?"
"Why not? We could do things a little secretly"
"No ma'am! You and Buck have nothing to hide and you will have a marriage in the light of the sun, whatever else. Do you know what we will do? Next time you visit, we'll all go into town together and start spreading the word about your wedding. The people of Rock Creek know Buck and know what kind of man he is. It won't be easy but they will accept you"
"It's nice to have a friend like you, you are able to calm me down. Of course you will be my bridesmaid, right?"
"I will be honored"
While they were discussing this, Buck and Teaspoon re-entered.
'So ladies, how are the preparations going?' asked Teaspoon.
Rachel explained her intentions to Buck. At first he was a little skeptical like Cristina, but then he accepted the offer.
"We won't be able to come often though, remember that we live in the camp and we have to respect our laws too", Buck pointed out.
"There's no rush, you still have to mail letters and get replies, but the sooner you show up in town the easier it will be later," Rachel replied.
The two boys nodded. They spent a little more time in the company of the two friends and then, once they had left the letters, they set off again for the camp.
On the way, Cristina asked Buck: "What do you think of Rachel's plan?"
"I don't know, I'm not entirely convinced. It is true that we cannot show up in the Church out of the blue. We still need to talk to the reverend and organize things."
"Are you sure you also want the wedding banquet? If you do it for me, it's not necessary"
"I know you're happy like this, but I want to offer you everything I can and you have the right to have a real marriage"
"If it's just to protect our future children, all this pomp isn't necessary, a priest and two witnesses are enough. If, on the other hand, you have something else in mind, then things are different"
Buck was surprised by this statement by Cristina: perhaps she understood…
"What are you referring to?"
"Buck, I see you're thoughtful. You're happy that we're a family but there's something worrying you and I don't think it's just the future children..."
"I can't hide anything from you too, can I? My brother and Teaspoon weren't enough.."
"You don't have to hide anything from me, I am your wife and I want to share every joy, every pain and every worry with you."
"Okay… I know it's okay for you to live in the camp, but I think it's time to leave the Kiowa"
"why? Don't they accept my presence because I'm white?"
"No, far from it, but think about it for a moment. If I were to find out I was pregnant, we wouldn't have much time to move to the city and how would they welcome us? They would be wary and look at us suspiciously and our son or daughter would be affected. If, on the other hand, we reinstated ourselves immediately, even if it may not be easy, we could give our children greater guarantees. We would face the hardest part now"
"I understand your point of view and I'm not against it, but I don't want to uproot you from your people"
"Cristina, I returned to my people when the war broke out and there was no more room for me here. Now it's different, I'm not alone anymore and then I'm half Kiowa and half white, I belong to both worlds. However, I could always maintain relations with my brother as I always have, albeit with ups and downs and certainly my traditions will not die just because I don't live in a camp. Our children will learn everything there is to know about my world too"
"If it makes you feel calmer and happier, that's fine with me. But how will Red Bear take it?"
"We've talked about it before and he understands my situation. He would give us his blessing."
"All right then. I rely completely on you. But what are we going to live on in the city?"
"I thought about this too. I know that Kid and Lou are not doing very well in Virginia, especially after the Kid's accident in the war. I intend to propose to them, when they come and if they come for our wedding, that we start a ranch together in Rock Creek. I've already asked Teaspoon to look around to help us out."
"In short, you thought of everything without telling me anything"
"Don't blame me darling, I didn't want to keep you in the dark, but I didn't want to worry and I thought I'd tell you right after the wedding, but I'm glad we did now, I don't like keeping things from you"
"And you must never do that again, promise me!"
"I swear"
"Another thing: I want to work too. I want to contribute to our family"
"I have no objection to that, feel free to do as you see fit. I know that you are an independent woman and I will not be the one to hold you back in this sense"
"Thank you Buck, I love you for this freedom of yours"
"People's freedom is a very important right, I learned it the hard way. I believe that every person should feel free and fulfilled in life"
"You will be a wonderful father and teach great values to our children"
Buck smiled embarrassed and then said to her: "One more thing: I asked Teaspoon and Rachel to get us new clothes, if we have to go to the city often, we certainly can't wear buckskins, although you are very pretty in that outfit" and smiled at her.
"You really thought of everything huh? Well Mr. Cross! I can't wait to start this new adventure of ours" and she leaned in to kiss him, then set the horse at a gallop challenging him.
Buck spurred his animal and was there in the blink of an eye, stopped her and playfully knocked her off her horse. In an instant he was on top of her and the two made passionate love.