Chapter 12

Things between Buck and Joy had settled down and the two seemed more united than before. Dr. Jefferson continued to reside at the hotel in hopes that Buck would seek contact with him, but his expectations were dashed with each passing day. Joy no longer insisted with Buck, for her it was important that her future husband was serene and that he finally knew the whole truth about the violence suffered by his mother.

About a week after the arrival of Buck's father, another episode turned the lives of the two betrothed and their friends upside down.

It was a Monday morning and Thompkins' shop was closed. Buck had gone with Jimmy to negotiate the purchase of some horses and was meeting with Joy at lunchtime at the saloon.

Joy had taken advantage of the free morning to do some shopping and was about to go to the bank to deposit some money she had left over and which she didn't want to keep at home for fear of some bad guy. It was almost noon and Buck would be there in a few minutes.

As she was about to enter the bank, she heard a sudden commotion and shots and in an instant she was overwhelmed by some men who ran out. One of them grabbed her and shielded her.

"Let us pass or we'll kill the girl", they heard a scream. The women in the street started screaming as the men tried to bring the situation under control. One of them went to get Teaspoon who had already left his office because he had heard the commotion. When the marshal arrived at the bank, his blood froze seeing Joy in the hands of those outlaws.

"Don't be foolish, let the girl go". he shouted at them.

"Not at all, we'll only let her go when we're safe", the one who seemed to be the boss replied.

"Don't make the situation worse, you have no escape now, the whole city is taking sides against you", Teaspoon ordered.

At that moment Buck arrived and when he saw Joy hostage he growled: "Let her go immediately, damn it"

"If not what are you doing mudblood? Are you scalping me?", the man sneered.

Buck was about to put his hand on his gun but realized he couldn't risk Joy's life.

"All right, we'll let you go, but the girl mustn't get hurt", cried Teaspoon.

"If no one does anything stupid, we'll all be happy"

The people created a gap for the bandits to pass but as they were about to leave, a man pointed his gun at one of them, attracting the attention of the leader who fired a shot.

Buck and Teaspoon saw Joy fall to the ground with a spreading bloodstain on her chest.

The outlaws took advantage of the confusion created to escape and immediately Teaspoon and the men chased them while a desperate "No" was heard yelling from Buck who immediately ran next to Joy. Buck understood that the wound was very serious and that Joy needed immediate attention. The bullet had to be extracted and the wound sutured before it was too late.

"Quick, call the doctor", he yelled as he hugged her.

"Hold on darling, you'll make it and we'll get married soon. Do it for me, do it for us, don't leave me alone my love"

Meanwhile Jimmy, Lou, Noah, Cody and Rachel had also come and Lou had gone to the doctor but was told he wasn't in town.

"No! No! I don't have the means to help her, I know what I have to do but I don't have the right tools! She can't leave me!"

An idea struck Rachel and she immediately approached Buck and her friend and said: "Buck, your father!"

Buck looked at her as if she were saying something crazy, but then he realized that if he wanted to save the woman he loved he had to forget his pain and his resentment. He would never forgive himself if his fucking pride caused Joy's death.

Without speaking, he picked her up and walked to the hotel. He met his father at the entrance who was leaving to see if anyone needed him.

He looked into his eyes and said: "Please save her, she's all I have."

Dr. Jefferson did not let himself be overwhelmed by emotion but immediately replied: "Take her to her house, the time to get the bag and I'm with her. Leave some of your friends to show me the way"

Buck nodded and motioned for Noah to stay. He took Joy home and laid her on her bed. He tried to plug the wound as best he could and took off her blouse and bodice to allow his father to work more easily. It only left her breasts covered. A few minutes later, Dr. Jefferson arrived and removed everyone from the room but said to Buck: "I know you know a little about medicine, if you want you can stay and help me"

Buck just nodded. They all walked out of the room and left father and son working side by side to save Joy. The doctor told his son what he needed, and Buck got everything ready. Together they extracted the bullet, swabbed and cleaned the wound and dressed it.

As Dr. Jefferson wiped the sweat from his forehead, Buck said to him: "She'll be saved right?"

"She lost a lot of blood but we should have intervened in time. If she makes it through the night, she should be out of danger. Pray to your and your mother's gods to keep it for you. I will come back in the evening to see how she is, if instead you want your doctor to treat her when he returns, I will understand".

He stood up and walked towards the door. Without turning around, Buck said: "Thank you."

"I owed you", his father replied and walked out.

Buck leaned over the bed where Joy rested and cried like a child. He had before his eyes the same scene he had experienced with Ike and he didn't want to relive that pain again.

"Ike please protect her from up there. Don't let me lose my only reason for living, please buddy" and continued to sob.

Rachel came in and tried to comfort him, but Buck couldn't seem to stop crying.

After a few hours, Teaspoon arrived and announced that the bandits had been captured and would soon be tried and convicted.

"How is she?" he asked Jimmy.

"She's lost a lot of blood. Buck and his father went the extra mile. If she makes it through the night we have good hopes she will make it."

'Buck and his father?' Teaspoon asked in amazement.

"Yeah, our doctor wasn't in town and Rachel remembered that Buck's father is still staying at the hotel, so Buck went to him and they extracted the bullet together", Jimmy explained.

"Beyond belief! With this tragedy Buck may have found his father", Teaspoon noted.

"It's still too early to tell right now", Noah pointed out.

Buck refused to leave Joy's bedside despite Rachel urging him to go get some rest.

"Honey, I'll stay with her. At least go downstairs, eat something and stretch out on the sofa. We are all here for her. If anything changes, I'll come and call you."

"No, my place is here. I never want to leave her again"

"All right, as you like, but I'll bring you some hot broth and I won't leave here without you swallowing some.

Rachel went downstairs and after preparing something for everyone, she brought the broth to Buck who, albeit a little recalcitrant, finally drank it.

After dinner, there was a knock on the door and the doctor entered: "I'm sorry I wasn't here today, luckily Dr. Jefferson and Buck were there."

In the meantime, Buck's father also arrived: "Oh, since your doctor is here, then I'll stop bothering"

"No Mr. Jefferson, come on in. We are so grateful for saving Joy's life."

"I only did my duty as a doctor and… as a father"

"Shall we go up to see the patient?" said the doctor and Jefferson nodded a little embarrassed.

The two doctors went up the stairs and knocked on Joy's room. Buck replied: "Come on."

When he saw his father with the doctor, he froze. He noticed him and said: "If my presence here is a problem, I'm leaving, Joy is in good hands"

"No, it's fine, after all, it's thanks to you that I haven't lost her yet"

"And you won't lose her", he replied.

The two doctors visited the girl and said that for now there was no news.

Buck thanked them and the two men went downstairs to report the outcome of their visit to the others.

Dr. Jefferson greeted everyone and said: "My job ends here. If you need me, you know where to find me. If you want, let me know the news" and took his leave after shaking hands with his colleague who thanked him for his precious intervention.

"I felt bad about him", Rachel said.

"Don't forget what he did to Buck's mother", Cody remembered.

"Yes, but if he hadn't been here today, Joy would have died. We owe him her life", Rachel replied.

In the meantime Kid had arrived, returning from his run, who had been informed of the incident by Jimmy, who was waiting for him at the station to leave in his turn.

"How is she?" , Kid asked.

The doctor explained that Joy had to make it through the night and then left saying he would be back the next day.

They all settled down at Joy's house for the night, nobody feeling like going back to the station.

Joy spent a quiet night, without fever. Buck wet her lips occasionally to keep them moist, as the doctor had told him. The next morning, Lou came in to find him asleep on Joy's lap. As soon as he heard the sound of footsteps, he woke up.

"Buck go lie down for a while!"

"No, I want to be here when she wakes up"

A little later the doctor arrived and confirmed the diagnosis from the night before. The night had passed without problems but now it was necessary for Joy to wake up.

Buck stroked her hair and face and held her hand lovingly. He decided to tell her about their marriage, their life together and the children they were going to have.

"We will have many beautiful children, boys with dark skin like me and girls with your green eyes and your candid complexion and our house will always be surrounded by the joy of their little voices. But you have to wake up honey, I need you to make this dream come true"

Buck felt an imperceptible movement under his hand. He looked carefully and saw Joy's finger and then her eyelids move.

"Joy honey, come back to me, I'm here!"

The girl slowly opened her eyes and turned her head towards Buck.

"Buck, what…"

"Don't force yourself darling, I'm here, it's all right, don't worry"

"Rachel, Lou, quick"

The two women immediately climbed up and burst into the room worriedly.

"What's up Buck?" and then they saw Joy awake.

"God be praised", Rachel exclaimed. "I'll go get the doctor right away!"

"What happened?" Joy asked.

"Honey, do you remember anything?"

"The bank…. The robbery..."

"Yes, one of the robbers shot you. I was so scared of losing you like Ike"

Joy raised a hand to stroke him and said: "I can't leave, we have to fill this house with little children's voices, remember?"

"So did you hear me?"

"Every word. Thanks Buck. Oh Lou, hi"

"Hi darling, I didn't mean to disturb you"

"My family never bothers me"

The doctor entered and after examining her, he said: "As you too see, Buck, she is out of danger. Now she just needs to rest as you will be getting married in a few weeks. You will see that you will be strong on your wedding day"

"Thank you doctor", Buck said and Joy smiled at him.

"Buck, you look awful, go get some rest, I'm in good hands"

"I don't want to leave you honey"

"But you won't leave me, you're just downstairs, that sofa must also serve its purpose..."

Buck blushed and Lou smiled sheepishly.

"Fine, but if you need anything, I'm here!"

"I know"

Buck kissed her forehead and left the room.

"Do you want to rest a bit? Shall I leave you alone?" Lou asked.

"No, I'm glad to have you here. Sit down and explain to me what happened"

Lou told her everything, including the intervention of Dr. Jefferson.

"Did Buck really address his father?"

"Yes, in order not to lose you, he trampled on his pride and his pain"

"I wonder if it will be the beginning of something…"

"We will see. I'm leaving you now, I think the others are eager to see you too"

"Thanks Lou, see you later"

One by one they went to say hello to Joy and congratulate her on making it.

They then let her rest and Rachel decided to go and inform Dr. Jefferson of Joy's awakening.

"Thanks Rachel for telling me. Buck?"

"He's resting, he was next to her until she woke up"

"He loves her so much right?"

"Yes"

"I'm happy for him"

"Have patience, maybe with time…"

"I don't know Rachel, I'm afraid he will never forgive me. I have decided that in a couple of days I will leave the city"

"I am sorry"

"Thank you"

Rachel left feeling sorry for the man. She had to tell Buck that his father was leaving for good.

As soon as Buck woke up, he went back to Joy's room.

"How are you dear?"

"Better, just a little sore and tired"

"You have lost a lot of blood, it will take some time to recover"

"You see, you made fun of me because I prepared everything well in advance, but if I hadn't done it, now I would be anxious because I couldn't take care of our wedding"

"You're right" and they laughed.

"I'm only missing the most important thing: your gift"

"You are my gift baby, that's all I need"

"Are you sure?" Joy asked, getting serious again.

"What do you mean?"

"Lou told me about how you and your father saved me"

"Not now Joy"

"Yes now, Buck", Rachel interjected, who had entered the room to bring some fresh lemonade.

"But Rachel"

"Buck, while you were resting I went to your father to tell him that Joy woke up. He was very happy and told me he will be gone in a few days. Forever. Think about what you really want."

Rachel set the tray down on the desk and left.

"Buck, I know you hate that man deeply, but he saved me. Don't you think you owe him something in spite of everything?"

"I didn't want to tell you about it now, but since the topic has come up I will. I am very conflicted in my heart. First of all, I cursed myself for never listening to you. You were there in front of me dying, I knew how to save you but I didn't have the tools. If only I had started my studies like you told me. Hell Joy, I almost lost you because of my stupid temper. If it hadn't been for him, I…I would have lost you and it would only have been my stupidity to blame" and he burst into tears.

"Honey, no, it wouldn't have been your fault but that bandit's. You don't have to blame yourself"

"I had to listen to you and now I will. I've decided I'm going to go to medical school in Nebraska."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, I want to help people, I want to cure them and I don't want to be in such a helpless situation anymore"

"You made the right choice love, I'm happy for you"

"I'll have to arrange with Teaspoon because I don't want to leave the Pony Express, but I'll try my best"

"And what about your father?"

"I really don't know Joy. I'm so conflicted. I hate him for what he did to my mom but I will forever be in his debt for saving you."

"Then tell him"

"I do not know"

"Listen to me. Go to him, tell him everything you feel and you will see that after having let off steam you will find the right path within yourself"

"I want you to be there"

"You should do it yourself"

"No, you are part of me now, what concerns me concerns you too"

"Then go and call him and make him come here"

"I don't want to leave you alone"

"I'm not alone, they're all here for me"

"I'll send someone to get him, I won't leave you"

"Okay, but do it now before you change your mind"

Buck went downstairs to ask Rachel if she could go get his father. Rachel was happy about it.

A little later she returned with Mr. Jefferson.

"Permit?"

"Come", Buck replied.

"How are you Joy? I'm happy to see you awake"

"I'm better, thanks, just a little weak."

"You have to be patient and then you have a very good doctor who takes better care of you than anyone else could" and looked at Buck.

"I know. I want to thank you for saving my life"

"I did my duty"

Silence fell and Joy nodded to Buck who took the floor.

"Please sit down, we need to talk"

Jefferson sat in the desk chair, Buck sat next to Joy on the bed.

"It's hard for me to tell you how I feel, I'm not someone who likes to express my feelings, so please don't interrupt me"

The father nodded.

"I hated you deeply for what you did to my mother and I still hate you. Even if I know the whole version of events, I feel no less resentment towards you for that. I didn't want to have any kind of relationship with you."

Buck paused.

"But then you saved Joy, my only reason for living, the woman who made me realize that loving someone and fighting for one's happiness is worth it. If I had lost her I would never have forgiven myself. She has been pushing me for a long time to follow my passion for medicine but I was afraid I wasn't up to it because I'm a half-breed. If I had listened to her, I would not have needed your help. It cost me a lot to call you yesterday, but I couldn't lose her too after my friend and brother Ike. I haven't forgotten what you did, there won't be a father and son relationship between us, at least not for now. But I owe you and I will never forget that you saved my woman. Now I can't offer you anything else"

Buck was silent and even his father did not speak for the moment. When he understood that Buck was finished, he then spoke: "I know I have done a great wrong to your mother and to you that I did not know existed. Maybe if I had known…I don't know…maybe things would have turned out differently. I acknowledge all my mistakes and understand your position. For now, your gratitude is enough for me. If you want I can help you with your study project, I have connections here in Nebraska. I was leaving in a few days, but if you ask me I can stay. Now I'm retired, I no longer have a study to follow, so I can move here and help your doctor. I could help you with your studies if you want"

"I don't know, I still have too much confusion inside me, but if you want to stay, I won't stop you"

"Thank you, that's more than I dared hope for. Now I leave you, you need rest and to be alone. You know where to find me"

He greeted them and went out. Buck rested his head on Joy's chest and she said: "I'm proud of you, I know how much it cost you. Accept his proposal, think about it. Even if you don't have an idyllic relationship, you could always have a civil relationship, as a mentor and a pupil "

"I'll think about it. Now I just want to focus on your recovery and our marriage. The rest will come by itself"

"Safe. And I just want to heal as soon as possible to go back to making love with you and melt in your arms"

Buck smiled and kissed her tenderly. Joy lay down to rest and Buck watched and petted her the whole time.