Chapter 8
When she recovered, she found Lou and Rachel beside her.
"Where am I? Where's Buck?", she asked her friends.
"Honey you passed out and the men came for me", Rachel told her as she stroked her hair.
"Oh no, how long was I unconscious? I have to go to him, it couldn't really have happened, his arrest is absurd"
"Honey, take it easy. We have heard and you will see that Teaspoon will help him exonerate himself"
"I have to go to him" and after getting up she ran away from the two women who were trying to hold her back.
She stormed into Teaspoon's office.
"Buck", she yelled as she entered.
Teaspoon caught up with her and prevented her from approaching the prison.
"Joy, stay calm", he tried to tell her.
"How can I stay calm? Buck is in prison as a criminal!"
"Now I'll let you talk to him but you can't come in, don't even ask me"
"Joy, please calm down", he heard from the prison.
She saw him hanging on the bars to talk to her and her heart broke. How could they even think that such a good man could commit such an atrocity?
She rushed to him: "My love, how are you? We'll get you out of here" and kissed him through the railings.
"I know, you just have to trust and stay calm. Never stop believing in my love for you"
"I could never do that."
She then turned to Teaspoon still holding Buck's hands. Meanwhile, the boys, Lou and Rachel, had also arrived.
"Teaspoon, what do we know about the complaint?"
"Actually still shortly, I'm waiting for Mr. Johnson and his daughter for their deposition. Please leave us alone when they arrive, we mustn't be foolish"
"I would really like to hear what those two have to say. Nice thank you to Buck", Joy railed.
"The problem is that the father claims that Buck knew about Abigail's pregnancy precisely because he was the one who abused her"
"But it's absurd"
"I know Joy, but these are the allegations and until we prove otherwise we can't do anything about it"
"And when would it happen and how?"
"They still have to explain this. Please go home, I'll join you as soon as I know more. Rachel maybe Joy should stay with you for a few days"
"Sure, come honey", the woman said.
"I have to go to Thompkins, I have to justify my absence"
"I'll go to him Joy, go with Rachel now and let's wait Teaspoon at the house", Lou said hugging her.
"Thanks Lou", Joy replied.
Shortly thereafter, the Johnson family entered Teaspoon's office.
"Good morning marshal, let's try to hurry, I don't intend to tolerate the sight of this cursed animal for long", said the father, turning to Buck.
"Let's try to tone it down Mr. Johnson, shall we agree? So miss, tell me your side of the story"
"This animal lured her behind the saloon and raped her, ruining her life and reputation and also got her pregnant! He must be hanged!" Mr. Johnson intervened again.
"Sir, I repeat to you to moderate your tone. Let your daughter talk. So miss?"
"Well, yes, I met Buck outside the saloon late one afternoon. I was alone and he was drunk and dragged me behind the saloon. I tried to oppose it but I couldn't and he ... abused me", said Abigail through her tears, in a whisper and with her eyes fixed on the ground.
"Teaspoon she's lying, I've never gotten drunk in my life, not even when Ike died", Buck yelled from the cell.
"Shut up bastard!" Mr. Johnson cursed.
"Mr. Johnson, one more word and I'll be forced to kick you out. Miss, when was that going to happen?"
"A little over a month ago, about the 13th of last month"
"About or on the 13th?"
"On the 13th, yes"
"At what time?"
"Oh I don't remember, around 4.30 p.m. I think, I don't remember, I'm shocked"
"I can understand, but you have to remember"
"Yes, I really think it was 4.30"
"And you say Buck came out of the saloon drunk. At 4.30 in the afternoon? "
"Yes", she replied in a faint voice.
"Why are you doing this to me Abigail? I saved your life. I've never seen you before, what have I done wrong to you?" Buck asked shocked.
"Don't you dare talk to my daughter!"
"Thats enough. I have collected the testimony, there will be a trial and the judge will decide"
"I want to see him hanging on the rope!"
"Out! And don't come back until the day of the trial."
The family went out.
"What do you think Teaspoon?" asked Buck anxiously.
"It is obviously a fabrication, but we have to find the proof. The first thing to do is check if you were in Rock Creek on the 13th of last month and what you were doing. I'm going to the station right away to check."
He left after advising his deputy not to lose sight of Buck and not to leave.
When he got to the station, he told all the boys and women and asked Rachel for the race log.
"On the 13th Buck was out, I'm sure. That same evening he came to me for dinner. I remember because it was the first time we had dinner alone at my house", Joy said.
" If that's really the case, we just have to prove that Buck wasn't at the saloon that day"
"Here's the log, Joy's right, he was out the day before and just came back on the 13th afternoon", Rachel confirmed.
"At what time?"
"It's not written. What time was Joy supposed to come to you?"
"At 6.30 p.m."
"We have to prove that at 4.30 he was either still not back or not at the saloon. "
"I can testify", Lou said. "I remember taking care of his horse so I could get him to Joy's on time. It must have been 5.30 p.m. about"
"Your testimony would be worthless because you work with him and you are his friend and then he would have had time to go to the saloon and do what he is accused of doing anyway"
"We need to go to Seneca and see if he's on record anywhere. I'll go", Jimmy said.
"Well Jimmy, in the meantime I'm going to the judge to organize the trial".
"When you go to Buck tell him I love him and I'm going to see him tomorrow", Joy asked.
"Don't worry, I will. We'll get him out of there."
The trial was scheduled two days later. Jimmy had been to Seneca and confirmed that at 3 p.m. Buck had passed by. He had been at the post office at 3 p.m. The journey from Seneca to Rock Creek could not allow him to get to the saloon, get drunk and abuse Abigail.
On the day of the trial, the Johnson family lawyer questioned Abigail who repeated the version given to Teaspoon.
Buck was represented by Mr Thomas, an old friend of Teaspoon's who was a solicitor.
"Miss Johnson, you claim that on the 13th of last month at about 4.30am Mr Cross came out of the saloon drunk and dragged you into an alleyway to abuse you"
"Yes", she could barely hear
"Well. Are you sure of the day and time?"
"Yes"
"Gentlemen of the jury, Your Honor, this is impossible and I have proof. Mr. Cross was not at Rock Creek that day, or rather was out on his run and returned about 5.30 p.m. Not only do I have the testimony of your colleague Lou McCloud, but knowing that I would be challenged because of the friendship and working relationship between the two, I have brought both the racing log which testifies to my claims, and the postal log of Seneca who certifies that at 3 p.m. Mr. Cross passed by. Therefore, calculating the travel times, at 4.30 he could not be where the young lady claims he was"
"Objection Your Honor"
"For what reason?"
"The young lady may have gotten confused about the time"
"Objection rejected, Miss said she was sure of it"
"Well, well….", Abigail intervened, "maybe it was later… I'm so shocked that I may have confused the time…"
"Would you like to tell us then when it would have happened?", Buck's defense attorney pressed.
"Maybe it was 6 p.m. or 6.30…"
"Can it be or is it?"
"Well, now that I think about it, it was getting dark, so it was more likely 6.30…"
"So two hours later than you stated earlier"
"Yeah, I already said that, I'm still shocked"
"Well, that's enough miss. I'm calling Miss Joy to testify."
Joy jumped but hurried to get on the witness stand.
"Miss, you and Mr. Cross are in a relationship right?"
"Yes, but I don't see what…"
"Don't interrupt me please. So, did you and Mr. Cross meet that night?"
"Well, yes, he came to dinner with me when he returned from his run" and as she said these words Joy understood the lawyer's intentions.
"What time did you have an appointment?"
"At 6.30 p.m."
A buzz arose in the courtroom and the Johnson family attorney interjected: "Objection Your Honor, the young lady is Mr. Cross's fiancée, so her deposition is not reliable."
"But I have proof!" cried Joy: suddenly she remembered Mrs. Swanson, the fact that she was at the window when Buck arrived and that she had knocked on her door to ask for sugar.
"What evidence are you talking about, miss?" asked the judge.
"A witness can confirm that I am speaking the truth: Mr. Cross was with me punctually at 6.30 p.m."
"And who is this witness?" the judge asked again.
"Mrs Swanson, my neighbor"
"Is Mrs. Swanson present here?"
"No, Your Honor, I don't see it," Joy replied.
"Someone please go get her", the judge said.
Rachel volunteered, and the hearing was adjourned long enough for the lady to arrive.
Rachel ran with all her breath to knock on Mrs. Swanson's door, who, when she heard the reason for Rachel's visit, protested: 'No way, I have no intention of getting into this bad business. That's how it ends up trusting the Indians"
"Mrs. Swanson, I marvel at you! What is the point of going to church every morning if then when there is an act of justice to be done you back down? That poor boy hasn't committed any crime and you know it very well because you spied his arrival from the window and you showed up at Joy's house to check on them. Is it possible that your conscience does not push you to help those two poor boys? Joy was orphaned of both parents and now you want to deprive her of her great love too? Don't you have a little heart?"
Mrs. Swanson was very impressed by Rachel's words and the emphasis with which she delivered them. She was silent for a moment and then agreed but wanted to clarify: "But I'm not going to pass for a busybody!"
"It won't happen if you use the right words. Let's go!"
The two women entered the courtroom and Mrs Swanson was called to give evidence. She was first questioned by the Johnsons' attorney: "Mrs. Swanson, do you know Buck Cross?"
"I only spoke to him once"
"On what occasion?"
"Well, it was last month, precisely on the 13th. I remember because it's my poor sister Anne's birthday, God bless her. You know, every year I make an apple pie because…."
"Madam, please stick to the questions", interrupted the lawyer.
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry. I was saying, it was the 13th of last month and while I was making the cake, I saw this young man go by. Curious, I looked out the window and saw him knocking on Miss Joy's door."
"And what time was it? "
"6.30 p.m. and he stayed at Miss Joy's for dinner, in fact later, having used up all the sugar for the cake, I had none left for my herbal tea and I went to the young lady to ask if she could lend me some. When I entered, the two were having dinner"
"And when did he leave?"
"Oh, I really didn't see him come out, I think they were very late"
"Thank you Mrs Swanson, I have no further questions"
"Counsel, would you like to cross-examine the witness?", asked the judge.
"Just a question. Madam, are you quite sure of the day and hour you communicated to us?"
"As sure as I am you are wearing a black jacket, I am old but not senile!"
"Sure, sure ma'am, I don't doubt it. Your Honor, in light of this testimony, I request that all charges against my client be dropped."
"Maybe I got the time wrong, I repeat that I'm still upset", Abigail tried to repeat, but before the judge could intervene, the young girl's boyfriend, the one who had shaken Buck's hand on the evening of the ball, said: "Abigail , stop, tell the truth please. That son is mine and we both know it well. It's not fair to accuse an innocent man to cover up what we've done. We loved each other and this child is the fruit of our love"
There was a great uproar in the courtroom and the judge turned to the girl: "Is it true miss what this young man says?"
Abigail burst into tears and when she was able to speak, she got up, went up to Buck and said: "I'm sorry, I didn't want to but my father forced me to lie so as not to suffer the dishonor of a shameless daughter, I didn't want to"
Buck took her hands and said: "It's not your fault, the important thing is that you managed to tell the truth"
She turned to the judge and said, "Your Honor, the father of my baby is Arold Smith, the man who just spoke. Mr. Cross has never touched me"
Mr. Johnson shouted: "What the hell are you talking about? Are you perhaps crazy?"
"Mr. Johnson", the judge stopped him.
"Dad, stop, it's over. I can't accuse an innocent man just because you and mom are ashamed that I'm pregnant. Buck is a good boy and he has nothing to do with any of this", Abigail said tearfully.
Mr. Johnson left slamming the door and continuing to abuse his daughter and boyfriend.
"Well, in light of what has been said, I clear Mr. Cross of all charges. Mr. Cross, if you like, you can press charges against the Johnson family for slander."
"No Your Honor, I just want to get back to the woman I love and my life"
"Fine then, clear the classroom"
Joy rushed to embrace Buck and kissed him passionately, not caring about the others present there,
"Let's go home honey!"
He hugged her and before leaving, he approached Abigail's boyfriend and said: "Thank you" and they shook hands.
So they went to thank Mrs. Swanson who wanted to give them her blessing and then they went out. The boys, Lou, Rachel and Teaspoon hugged Buck and all went to the station to celebrate.
After they had eaten some biscuits Rachel had made the morning before going to trial and drank some lemonade, Buck spoke up and said: "Thank you for all the support you have given me these terrible days. Now I just want to get back to my life. Joy, today I want to spend the whole day with you. Let's go to the river, have a picnic and then have dinner together. And you guys, don't wait for me tonight. See you tomorrow and I promise I will make up for all my rides"
He took Joy by the hand and said: "Let's go."
Everyone smiled at the two lovers and avoided making jokes about the fact that Buck would not be back that night.
Joy asked Rachel: "Can you please notify Mr. Thompkins that I will be back at work tomorrow and make up for the missed days? Thank you"
"Of course honey, don't worry. Go and relax. You have every right to. See you tomorrow" and gave her some sandwiches and drinks for the picnic.
Buck and Joy went out and went to the stable. Buck took his horse and let Joy ride in front of him. She leaned against him and they rode towards the river.
They lay down on the blanket and talked a little about what had happened.
"I love you Joy, I want you to know it and never doubt it. I feared losing you these days and the thought was unbearable. I can no longer do without you, you are my everything"
"You will never lose me Buck, I can't think of a life without you and if anything had happened to you, if they had convicted you I would have died. I want to spend every moment of my life with you"
"I know we've been dating for a little over a month and it was a difficult relationship at first, but I understand that you are the woman of my life. I want to be with you every moment of my day, I want to wake up with you in the morning, I want to fall asleep in your arms. It's not an official offer, you deserve a special one, but do you want to consider building a family with me in the near future?"
"It's the thing I want most in the world Buck, I want a life and a family with you"
They kissed passionately and made love. They loved each other unconditionally and their souls fused together with never before. They spent a relaxing day, bathed in the river, ate the sandwiches they had brought, and chatted pleasantly.
"I wasn't joking before Joy, I want to marry you and at the right time I'll make you a proper proposal complete with a ring. Unfortunately in these days I haven't had the time to organize myself..."
"Buck I don't need official proposals or rings, I just need to know that you love me and want me to be your wife"
"I know but you deserve the best, let me do it please and don't say anything to anyone for now, okay?"
"Okay" and kissed him softly.
They gathered their things and went to Joy's house. She prepared a hot bath for them both and they made love again. They couldn't detach themselves, they wanted to unite to show each other how much they loved each other. When they got out of the tub, Joy put on Buck's shirt and he just put on his pants. Joy made a quick dinner and then they went to the bedroom.
"I hope it didn't bother you that I told the others not to wait for me tonight"
"No, they are our family and we don't have to be ashamed of anything"
They went to bed and made love again. They fell asleep exhausted from the events of the past few days and awoke at dawn. They got ready, had breakfast and being careful not to be seen by anyone, they left the house.
Before saying goodbye, Buck reminded her: "I want to ask you to marry Joy, I want to do it according to the rules. For me we are already officially engaged, but I want to make you the proposal properly, I will wait the necessary time according to the rules of a court in the light of the sun and then I will make you the proposal"
"I repeat that I don't need all these formalities, I consider myself already engaged to you, but if it makes you feel better about yourself, I will anxiously await your official proposal".
They kissed and then Joy went back to the general store and Buck to the station.
They were aware that their destiny from now on would be together.
