Chapter 10

The next morning Joy woke up as a ray of light filtered through the window.

She turned and saw Buck sleeping peacefully next to her, his face relaxed and his soft hair scattered on the pillow. She stopped to look at him: she had almost lost him but he had shown her all his love and she had wanted to trust him. She looked at her finger and saw the ring. Tears came to her eyes: she really was going to marry that wonderful man. She felt tremendously lucky. She looked at her watch and saw that it was time to get up, otherwise she would be late for the shop. She decided not to wake him: the story of Camille and the race to look for her must have exhausted him. She put on his shirt and went downstairs. She prepared a hearty breakfast and when it was ready, she returned to the bedroom with the tray.

As she placed the tray on the desk, she noticed that Buck was moving and immediately after she heard: "Good morning honey"

She turned around and with a bright smile replied: "Good morning to you. I preferred to let you sleep a little longer, you must be exhausted after the last few days" and in the meantime she approached the bed.

"I'm actually a little tired but extremely happy and can't wait to shout out to everyone that we're engaged!"

Joy kissed him passionately and he pulled her to him: "This one was better where it was..." he said taking off her shirt and in a moment he was on top of her.

Joy didn't shy away and they made love to start the day well.

As they relaxed into each other's arms, Joy remembered breakfast and said: "How about having breakfast together in bed?"

"I don't ask for better but I could get used to it"

"Why not? There's nothing wrong with that" and she winked at him. She got up wearing nothing and went to get the tray. Buck didn't take his eyes off her.

They took their time for breakfast and then got dressed. Buck drove her to the store and they agreed to break the news over dinner. Joy took off her ring because she didn't want anyone to know before her family did.

"From tonight I won't take it off anymore, I promise you".

She kissed him and entered. Buck went to the station and when asked how the evening had gone he limited himself to replying: "We're fine, everything is back as before, if not better".

Everyone congratulated him and everyone went back to their work.

In the evening, Buck went to get Joy and said: "Now you can wear it again and forever" and he put it back on her finger.

They agreed they wouldn't say anything at the moment, they wanted to see how long it would take for the boys and women to notice. This little game tickled them.

They entered the bunkhouse as usual and Lou and Rachel hugged her: "We are happy that you are back and that everything has worked out for the best"

Joy returned the hug. Just at that moment the door opened and Teaspoon entered and a ray of the sun that was now turning to sunset peeked into the room going to hit Joy's ring. The glitter did not escape Lou, who followed it to see the ring on Joy's finger.

Filled with happiness, she screamed: "Joy! But it's great! When were you going to tell us?"

Everyone turned to them questioningly, and Joy and Buck blushed a little with embarrassment.

Joy, to dampen the emotion, replied: "We wanted to see how long it would take you to notice it" and showed everyone the finger. The room was filled with shouts of joy and celebrations and one by one they went to embrace the couple.

"Tell us all about it, Joy", Rachel pressed.

They sat down to the table, and after Rachel had served the stew, Buck and Joy officially broke the news, recounting how Buck had proposed to her the night before. Joy explained that in reality they had decided it immediately after the trial but it had only become official the previous evening.

The two boys were overwhelmed by a thousand questions, most of which they still didn't know how to answer.

Buck specified: "We have not yet had time to define the date and even less the details. The only thing we know is that we want to do it as soon as possible."

"Who's walking you down the aisle, Joy?" Lou asked.

"Well, well, we haven't talked about it yet, but I wish it was Mr. Thompkins. He acted like a father to me."

"And in fact I asked for his blessing before proposing to you", Buck said.

"Really?" Joy asked in amazement.

"Yes. Right after the trial, when we talked about it, I spoke to him and asked for your hand. I dare say he was moved even if he didn't want to show it"

"Buck Cross, do you have any other surprises in store?" Joy asked playfully.

"Not for now, then we'll see..." he answered mysteriously but ironically and everyone burst into laughter.

Buck and Joy looked at each other and without needing to say anything else, Buck turned to Teaspoon: "And of course we'd be honored if you performed the ceremony."

Teaspoon was surprised and embarrassed: "Well here, uh, I think I can do it" and Joy rushed to hug him and thank him.

"Good, now there's a date to go", Rachel exclaimed.

"We'll decide on that shortly", Joy said.

The next day they informed Thompkins of their engagement and Joy asked him to accompany her to the altar: for the first time they saw him sincerely moved and said: "I am very honored to do so, I love you like a daughter". Joy hugged him without needing any other words.

Weeks passed as Joy and Buck calmly finalized all the details of their wedding. The date was set for the first Saturday in September, when the days would still be fine but not too hot. Joy's house would only be partially rearranged to make space for Buck's belongings, and he would continue to work for the Pony Express on a regular basis: when he had his runs he would be at the station in time to receive the bag.

Lou and Rachel helped Joy with the preparations and also accompanied her to buy the dress. When the shop owner was amazed to see a boy, Lou, by her side, Joy justified herself by saying that she also wanted a male opinion, so she could also involve her friend without anyone having suspicions.

The wedding was just a few weeks away, when one morning a distinguished gentleman entered the shop, well dressed, with a bowler hat and a doctor's bag.

Joy was busy serving a lady and the man turned to Thompkins.

"How can I help you?" he asked.

"I'm looking for Buck Cross, they tell me he works at the Pony Express station. Do you know where I can find him?" asked the man.

"Oh, you're in luck. This girl is his girlfriend and he comes to pick her up every day during her lunch break. It should be here soon"

"Oh well, then if you don't mind I'll have a look around while I wait for him"

Thompkins nodded at him.

When she had dismissed the lady, Joy went up to Thompkins and asked: "Who's that gentleman who's been hanging around here a while?"

"Look for Buck. I told him he's coming to get you"

Joy, curious, approached him.

"Good morning sir, they tell me you are looking for Buck Cross"

"Good morning miss, yes, and I've been told that you are his girlfriend. I didn't mean to disturb you while you were serving your customer."

They shook hands.

"So, are you looking for Buck for a particular reason?"

"Yes, well, I'm Robert Jefferson and I'm….his father".

Joy had to lean against a shelf to keep from falling.

"His…his father?"

"Yes"

"Oh my goodness. Excuse me, but I don't think it's a good idea to suddenly show up to Buck."

"I know he hates me, I talked to his brother Red Bear and almost lost my life, but I have to see him, I have to explain to him… I guess you know everything"

"Yes and that is exactly why it would be better to prepare him for the news"

"I have to face it, I can no longer run or wait"

"Hmm…"

As Joy was about to argue, Buck entered the shop.

"Honey are you ready? Oh sorry, you are still serving a customer. I'll wait here"

Joy looked at Mr. Jefferson who let her know he was adamant.

"Buck, honey, there is one important thing you need to know…"

"What's up Joy, it almost looks like you've seen a ghost"

"More or less. Here, you see, this gentleman is…"

"Hi Buck, I'm Dr. Robert Jefferson, your father"

Buck's gaze petrified and in less than half a second he advanced menacingly towards him yelling at him: "How dare you show up here, get out you bloody scumbag" and instinctively put his hand on his gun.

Joy ran up to him and stopped him while Thompkins, who had witnessed the scene, chimed in saying: "Hey, I don't want any trouble here! If you have to settle scores, go out"

Joy ushered Buck out of the shop and tried to calm him down, while Thompkins ushered the doctor out the back and forbade him to approach the two boys. The doctor tried to protest but he invited him to go to the hotel, promising that he would tell the boys that he was staying there. He persuaded himself to leave.

"Buck, you need to calm down"

"How do I calm down! How dare that animal come looking for me"

"Buck, I know it hurts and you want to kill him for what he did to your mother, but.."

"There is no but, he must no longer dare to show himself"

"Okay, but now try to calm down"

They were joined by Thompkins who brought them the doctor's message: he was staying in Rock Creek for a week. He was staying at the hotel and was hoping to talk to Buck.

"It will never happen!"

Joy took him by the hand and led him to the station where she tried again to calm him down.

She explained what had happened to the others, in case they ran into the doctor.

Buck was restless all day and Joy tried to make him feel better but the boys told her the next day that he hadn't slept a wink. He had gone on a rampage for his run that would keep him away for two days. They would help him think and pray, Joy thought.

She knew Buck would not approve, but she took advantage of his absence to visit Mr. Jefferson. After the store closed, she went to the hotel and had him called.

"Joy, that's what your name is right? I'm happy to see you"

"Good evening Mr. Jefferson. I shouldn't be here, but I want to help Buck."

"I thank you. Come, let's sit down" and he accompanied her to the restaurant.

"I came back because I have to explain to Buck what happened, he must know everything from me. I don't deny what I did, but I owe him an explanation."

"Why now?"

"I don't know, but for the past few months I have felt this weight that eats me up inside"

"I'm here if you want to talk"

"I didn't know Buck existed until last month. The weight I was carrying drove me back to Sweetwater to find his mother and apologize. When I arrived, I immediately headed to the camp. Red Bear, Buck's half-brother, recognized me and was about to kill me, when his wife stopped him and said that everyone has the right to defend themselves. Red Bear didn't want to listen to her, but she insisted and begged so much that she convinced him. We sat outside his tent and I told him everything. I don't know if Buck told you about it, but I was Sweetwater's doctor at the time and often went to camp to help sick Indians. It is there that I met Kind Spirit, the mother of Buck and Red Bear. She helped me heal people, she was interested in medicine and healing herbs and we spent a lot of time together. She learned a lot and was happy to be able to help her people when I wasn't around."

"Yes, Buck told me about it and now I understand where he got his interest in medicine from"

"Really, is he also interested in medicine?"

"Yes, but he doesn't want to know about going to university"

"It's a real shame if he has the same talent as his mother. I was falling in love with her and I thought she reciprocated my feelings too. One day, one terrible day, a man called me because his wife was in labor. I was at the saloon and I had raised my elbow too much during a game of poker. I paid no attention to it and followed the man. The woman needed a cesarean birth: she was expecting twins and the umbilical cord was wrapped around their heads. I had to intervene quickly but my hand wasn't still due to the whiskey I had in my body and I was wrong to operate: both the mother and the two children died. I left that house shocked, went back to the saloon and drowned my sorrow in the bottle. Suddenly I felt the need to see Kind Spirit. I went to camp and found her by the river. When she saw me so drunk, she tried to push me away and told me to come back when I was sober. I was burning with desire, I wanted her desperately and I wanted to drown my pain by making love to her. She understood my intentions and tried to escape but I was faster and stronger than her and took her by force. When I realized what I had done, I left her there on the bank and ran away. I went back to my room, retrieved all my things and fled as far as possible carrying that double weight in my heart. I never had the courage to go back. A few months ago I met a woman who looked a lot like her and maybe that brought back those memories in me. I felt the need to find her again and apologize. Red Bear listened to me in silence, clenching his fists but managing to maintain his composure as befits a boss. When I had finished my story, he told me that a child had been born that night, Running Buck Cross. I was amazed, the thought had never occurred to me that something good could have come from that violence. I asked Red Bear to tell me about him but at first he didn't want to. It was again the intervention of his wife, who had been by his side all the time, which convinced him to tell me about Buck. That's how I learned of his existence and that he worked for the Pony Express here in Rock Creek. I just want to tell him how sorry I am and how sorry I am and that I really loved his mother, even though it's hard to believe."

He lowered his head when he finished his story. Joy had tears in her eyes and didn't know what to say. She was silent for a while, then replied: "I don't think Buck will ever be able to forgive you for what you did to his mother, but I can try to tell him what happened. I know he's going to be very angry with me for getting in the way and I hope this doesn't ruin our relationship, we have to get married in a few weeks, but I think it's only right that he knows the whole truth."

"Thank you Joy, you are truly a special woman, I am happy that my son has you in his life and I really hope I don't cause you any problems"

"I only ask you not to try to approach him, leave it to me"

"All right. Thank you very much" and squeezed her hands.

Joy was very shaken by Buck's father's story and didn't know how to broach the subject with him. Then she decided that she would be frank with her future husband, they had promised not to have more secrets after the story with Camille. Upon his return she would immediately tell him that she had spoken to his father and prayed that he would understand that she just wanted to help him.

She decided to ask for Teaspoon's support and joined him in his office just as he was leaving for home.

"Joy, what a nice surprise, shall we walk the road together? Are you at dinner at the station right tonight?"

"Yes Teaspoon, but first I need to talk to you alone"

"Come, come in, did something happen?"

Joy told him about her conversation with Buck's father and Teaspoon listened very carefully.

"Do you think I was wrong to put in my way Teaspoon?"

"No, at least we know how things really went, but I'm sure Buck won't take it well"

"I know, but I can't hide it from him and I don't want to. I'll tell him when he gets back."

"You have to do it and give him time to accept it. He will be furious at you at first and try to push you away, but he loves you very much and will eventually understand your intentions. On the other hand, I am skeptical that he forgives his father and wants a relationship with him"

"I also think he won't want him in his life, but I also think it's only right that he knows the whole story"

"You have my full support honey, you did the right thing"

They walked out of the office to join the others at the station and Joy privately hoped that Teaspoon was right.