Chapter 3

Buck was returning from his run tired but calm. The trip had gone well, he hadn't had any problems. He just wanted to go home, take a bath, eat something and go to bed. Tomorrow he would go to lunch with Jinny and try to come forward with her. He had thought all day about what he and Lou had said to each other the night before and had decided to risk everything, hoping not to suffer too much.

It was almost time to arrive at Rock Creek and while he was immersed in his thoughts, he suddenly heard a loud stamping of horses which revealed the presence of several men heading in his direction. He turned to see who they were, but didn't have time to realize he was about to end up in an ambush. In an instant he was caught by a lasso which knocked him off his horse and several men were upon him. He couldn't defend himself or even reach for the knife he always wore tied to his boot. He was immediately beaten forcefully all over his body. He couldn't see who they were because they had bandanas on their faces, but just before he passed out from the pain, he heard a man say: "So you'll learn to stay away from our women", then everything went dark around him.

At the station, the boys and Rachel were worried: Buck should have been back by dinner time, but it was already 8 p.m. passed and there was no trace of him. Suddenly they heard a horse coming: "It's Buck's horse", said Kid, but it was riderless.

They all ran outside and Ike saw that the mailbag was in place, but there was no sign of Buck.

"Something must have happened to him", Lou cried.

+ Let's go find him+, Ike signed.

While Lou went to warn Teaspoon in his office, Ike, Kid and Jimmy followed the trail left by the horse. Noah and Cody stayed with Rachel in case Buck returned and needed help.

The boys arrived at the scene of the attack and saw Buck lying on the ground unconscious and covered in blood and mud.

"Oh my God, Buck, what the hell happened?" Jimmy said.

They dismounted and made sure he was still breathing. Relieved to hear his breathing, albeit weak, they lifted him carefully, placed him on Ike's horse, and rode back to the station.

Rachel walked towards them and heard Kid yell: "Hurry, go get the doctor, he's been brutally attacked!"

Noah rushed to the doctor, while the boys helped Ike get Buck off his horse and into Rachel's guest room.

They laid him on the bed, took off his torn and bloodstained clothes and the boys changed his underpants after washing him. They left him bare-chested so the doctor could clean the wounds.

The doctor arrived immediately. He examined him and said he was lucky: he had nothing broken, just so many bruises and cuts that would heal, but he would suffer a lot of pain from the blows on his face and on his chest and back, so he gave him painkiller and he said he would sleep for a few hours.

"Do you know who did it like this?" asked the doctor.

"Unfortunately not yet, we have to wait until he wakes up to find out what happened", replied Teaspoon.

"Don't tire him too much, he needs to rest", recommended the doctor.

"Sure doctor, thank you", Rachel said.

As soon as the doctor had left, Lou told the others who were all gathered in Rachel's living room, except for Cody, who had had to make his run: "I'll go tell Jinny, I'll bring her here."

"I don't think so, Lou", Kid tried to stop her.

"Buck has feelings for her, having her here might help him. They were supposed to meet tomorrow for lunch. If she doesn't see him coming, she might think he's changed his mind and a misunderstanding will arise that will damage their relationship", Lou explained.

"But what the relationship, Lou, they've only known each other for two days and then we could warn you tomorrow, without having her come here now", Kid protested again.

"Kid, I know you're a guy who goes easy on romance, I feel it firsthand, but let me go with my gut, I know Buck would like her here", Lou insisted.

"I think Lou is right, Kid. Go and be quick", Rachel argued.

Lou rushed to the hotel, asked the guy at the reception which was Jinny's room and knocked on her door.

Jinny was about to undress to go to sleep when she heard a knock.

"Who is it?" she asked curiously.

"I'm Lou, a friend of Buck's"

Jinny was surprised by this visit.

"I'm coming" and went to open the door.

"Jinny?" Lou asked when she saw the girl in front of her.

"Yes, please Lou, come, enter"

Lou entered the room.

"What a surprise, why here?" Jinny asked.

"Here, it's about Buck"

Jinny saw Lou's worried face and had a bad feeling.

"Something wrong? Is Buck okay? I know today had its ride"

"Unfortunately he was ambushed during his return"

"Oh my God, no! He's fine right? Tell me Lou, please"

Lou was surprised by the concern she saw on Jinny's face. That girl must have really cared for Buck, even though they had only known each other for two days.

"The doctor just left, he said nothing was broken, luckily, but he's had a lot of beatings and cuts. It will heal but it will take a while"

"God thank you. But who did it?"

"We do not know yet. We wait for him to wake up and tell us what happened. The doctor put him to sleep so he wouldn't feel the pain too much"

"Can I see him? Please, Lou. I know I barely know him, but I have to see him"

"That's why I came. I know you'll do him good"

"Thanks Lou, let's go!"

Jinny rushed with Lou to the station.

Lou opened the door, Jinny came in and said: "Good evening everyone, it's Jinny. Where is Buck, how is he?"

"Hi, I'm Rachel, come on, he's upstairs in the spare room. We'll make the introductions later."

Jinny nodded and followed Rachel upstairs. When she entered and saw Buck lying in bed, motionless, with his face swollen and full of cuts, she put her hand to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears: "Oh my God, Buck!"

"He's fine, don't worry, it will take a while but he will heal. We leave you alone with him. We are down if you need anything.

"Thank you, thank you very much", Jinny replied.

When Rachel had closed the door, Jinny rushed to Buck's bedside, took his hand, and through tears she said: "Buck, honey, what have they done to you? You don't deserve this. I will stay here with you as long as you need me. You still owe me lunch, remember? And a kiss that you haven't given me yet. When you wake up and you're better, we'll spend a lot of time together and I'll show you what you're worth and how much I care about you."

She said this as she brought Buck's hand to her lips and lightly stroked his hair.

Shee kept repeating to him: "Everything will be fine honey, you will recover soon".

After some time, Rachel knocked on the door and entered.

"Can I get you something hot?" she asked.

"No, thanks, I'm fine like this. Do we know anything about the attack?"

"No, until Buck wakes up, we won't be able to know much. The boys tried to follow the tracks but soon got confused and didn't understand who they belonged to"

"He's going to be fine, isn't he?" Jinny asked imploringly.

Rachel approached her, hugged her and replied: "Yes, physically yes, but I think we will have to be patient with him because the most serious wound will be in his pride"

"Poor boy, he didn't deserve this"

"You really care about him, don't you?"

"Yes. I've only known him for two days but I was struck by his kindness and his noble soul. I hope to get to know him better"

"He'll need you too"

"I'll be there if you want"

As they were talking, Jinny felt Buck's hand move and a faint moan was heard.

"Buck, are you okay? We're here", Jinny said.

Rcahel moved closer to the bed and took his other hand saying: "Buck, honey, how are you? Can you see us?"

Buck's right eye was nearly shut from the blows. He tried to open his left and gradually brought Rachel's face into focus.

"Where are we Rachel?"

"You're at my house in the guest room. Do you remember what happened?"

"I... I was returning with the mochilla and suddenly they attacked me"

"Do you remember who?"

"I….it's all so confusing…"

"Okay, it doesn't matter, there will be time, now you have to recover"

Buck coughed and felt a stab of pain. He turned around to see who was holding his hand and when he saw Jinny he exclaimed: "No, not like that" pulling his hand away from the girl's.

"Buck, it's okay, take it easy", she told him.

"No, you don't have to see me like this, go away"

"Buck, I'm not going anywhere unless you force me out. I want to be close to you and help you"

"No Please"

"Maybe you better get out for a second Jinny. I'll join you downstairs in a moment. Send me Lou"

Jinny nodded through tears and went downstairs.

"Buck woke up, he remembers the attack but still can't pinpoint who did it. Lou, Rachel is asking about you"

"I'll go right away. Are you okay Jinny?"

"Yes please. He doesn't want me to see him like this."

"I told you so Lou", Kid said.

"Stop it Kid. Jinny, it's normal, you'll see that as soon as he gets better he'll want to see you" and went up to Rachel's.

Teaspoon intervened to interrupt the moment of embarrassment that had arisen: "While we wait, we could make the official introductions. I'm Marshal Teaspoon Hunter, nice to meet you Jinny, though I wish I'd met you in a different situation."

"My pleasure marshal"

"Oh no marshal, call me Teaspoon. Buck's friends are our friends."

"Thank you"

"I am…"

"Let me guess, Buck told me so much about you yesterday that I could tell who you are. You must be Noah right?".

Noah nodded and joked: "Yeah, the one you turned down at the dance."

Jinny lowered her head blushing and said: "Let me explain…"

"Don't worry, I totally understand the situation", Noah replied.

Jinny insisted: "No, really. I just arrived in town and didn't want to have any problems with men. I noticed Buck and I approached him because… well because he immediately struck me for his beauty and because I saw that he didn't dance with anyone and having understood that he is a sincere guy and not interested in finding a rich wife, well, I preferred to stay with him all evening. I know it's unconventional for a girl to make advances on a man, but Buck really touched my heart" and as she said it she lowered her gaze blushing.

"Buck is lucky to have met you", replied Teaspoon.

"Well, he doesn't seem to appreciate my presence very much…"

"You have to understand that. He just met you, you're starting to date and he doesn't want you to see him like this. It's a matter of pride and he's a very proud guy, you'll learn that the hard way..." Noah clarified.

"Let's hope it's as you say. Anyway, then, you must be Jimmy and you Ike, while you Kid"

The boys nodded and held out their hand. They ushered her to the table and waited for Rachel or Lou to come downstairs to inform them of Buck's condition.

Meanwhile, in the room where Buck was, Rachel, as soon as Jinny had gone, said to him: "Why did you send her away? She was very concerned about you and watched over you devotedly. It really hurts to see you like this, Buck cares about you"

"I don't want her to see me like this. What will she think of me? That I'm a weakling who can't defend himself against an attack"

"Don't say that Buck. You are by no means a weakling and you have proved it more than once. We need to understand what happened and only you can tell us. As for Jinny, if you want to build something with her, you have to allow her to be next to you even in these conditions or you will push her away."

"I don't want her to be here out of pity"

"It's not mercy Buck, it's something deeper. I think she's really warming to you, but you have to put your pride and fears aside if you want to try and have a relationship with her.

Meanwhile Lou came in: "How are you Buck?"

"Hey Lou! I've seen better days"

"You'll get well soon, the doctor says nothing is broken luckily"

"Lou, help me fix this a little better. Do you want to try sitting up?"

"Yes I'll try"

As he tried to move he felt excruciating pain.

"Maybe it's best to wait", Lou said.

"No, I want to sit down, I don't want to lie down all the time"

The two women helped him and sat him down with great effort.

"Buck, why did you send Jinny away? I called her"

"You should not have"

"But she cares about you"

"She mustn't see me like this"

"Oh what a stubborn head. Enough Buck! If you want to build something with her, you have to let her be by your side even when things don't go your way. What relationship would it be like if you didn't allow her to always be by your side, for better or for worse?"

"We have no relationship with, Lou, and maybe never will"

"Oh sure, if you behave like this, no, you won't have it"

"Buck, she wants to be here with you, let her. You're a smart guy and you'll figure out for yourself whether it's out of sympathy or a stronger feeling, it's worth the risk", Rachel added.

Buck was silent for a moment, then said: "Maybe you're right. Lou, can you go get her? I think I have to apologise"

Lou smiled and went downstairs to the living room.

"Jinny, you can come up if you want"

"Really? Has he changed his mind?"

"Let's say you have two good allies"

"Thanks Lou, you are a friend"

"Buck told you?" Lou asked with a frown.

"What?" Jinny asked amazed at the change in attitude.

"That I'm a girl"

"No, I figured it out by myself, why?"

"Because if they knew in the village, I would no longer be able to work for the Pony Express"

"Don't worry Lou, your secret is safe, I won't say anything. I'm going to him now"

Lou smiled at her and as Jinny climbed up she said to the others: "If Buck lets her get away, he's really an idiot"

Jinny knocked on the door: "May I?"

"Come along Jinny", Rachel replied, "I'll leave you alone. I'll bring Teaspoon up in a bit, we need to figure out who did this to you."

Buck nodded.

Jinny stood at the door and for a moment they looked at each other without speaking.

"Come", Buck held out his hand, "Come closer"

Jinny sat on the bed next to him.

"I owe you an apology Jinny. I'm sorry I kicked you out"

"I understand Buck, it's not easy to be in this situation, but I want to help you, I want to be close to you and I don't care if your face is swollen and your body is full of wounds, you are always the sweet boy who kept me company yesterday and who made me dance all night saturday"

"You are so kind, I don't deserve so much kindness"

"You deserve all the good in the world. You're special Buck and don't let anyone make you believe otherwise" and kissed him on the cheek. He felt a stab of pain at the contact. Jinny noticed and said: "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you"

"I gladly bear the pain if it's for a kiss"

She smiled at him.

"Will you let me heal you and be near you?"

"If you don't have better things to do…"

"Oh well, I could look for a rich husband but… you see… I prefer to look after this beautiful boy" and she smiled at him. Buck's heart skipped a beat.

Maybe Lou and Rachel were right, Jinny cared about him and something good could happen. He had to heal as soon as possible to start courting her properly. At that thought he frowned and Jinny noticed it.

"Something wrong? You've darkened your face"

"I think I remember some details. I have to see Teaspoon"

"If you promise me you won't worry, I'll go call him right away"

Buck nodded and Jinny went out to fetch the marshal but met him on the stairs reaching the room.

"Buck thinks he remembers something"

"Good, call the others too please"

Jinny nodded and did as Teaspoon told her.

"So boy, what jokes are these?" said Teaspoon as soon as he entered the room."

"Teaspoon, I think I remember some details"

"Well son, let's wait for the others and then you'll tell me everything"

The boys came in with Jinny and Rachel and after asking how he was, Buck was ready to talk.

"I was walking back towards the station when I heard several people on horseback coming up behind me. I didn't have time to turn to look when someone lassoed me. They dragged me off the horse and started beating me savagely. I have not seen their faces, but just before passing out I heard them say that in this way I would have learned to stay in my place and not to bother their women"

"What the heck! Sounds like a damn showdown", exclaimed Jimmy.

'What do you think they meant, Buck?' asked Teaspoon.

"I don't know, I haven't dated any white women since Devlin's daughter last year", Buck replied.

Jinny understood and said: "I'm sorry Buck, I'm so sorry. I think it's my fault"

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.

"If Buck says he doesn't date any women in town, the only one who's turned white men down for him is me. On Saturday several guys invited me to dance, but I refused and then I stayed with him all evening"

Buck looked at her with sad eyes. Jinny was right and it happened again, exactly like with Kathleen Devlin.

"Buck, do you think she might be right?", Kid asked.

Buck nodded and said: "Same pattern as last time"

"Can you spot them?" Teaspoon asked Jinny.

"I could try, but I haven't looked at them very well, I haven't paid much attention to them." Jinny wanted to know more about that miss Devlin, but no one seemed willing to explain

"We could ask Thompkins for help", Noah offered.

"How?" Lou asked

"We could ask him to talk about what happened in the shop, pretending to take sides in favor of the attackers. The culprits could go out of balance", Noah explained.

"I don't know if Thompkins will accept, you know he doesn't look kindly on us, especially Buck", protested the Kid.

"But he always respected him after his store fire episode, it could work", Jimmy said.

"I'm mortified Buck, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't be in this condition", Jinny said.

"The problem isn't you Jinny, it's me. It has already happened in the past. I was dating a girl from a good family who seemed to reciprocate my feelings. She was the daughter of the banker Devlin. Her father's henchmen attacked me to keep me from dating", Buck explained.

Jinny asked: "And how did it end?"

"She chose her father and went, leaving Buck's heart broken", Lou replied.

"Now do you understand what I was talking about yesterday?" asked Buck.

"It doesn't always have to be like this", Jinny protested.

"No? And why am I in this condition?" Buck said, visibly furious with his attackers.

"Teaspoon will find them and they will pay for what they did to you. And anyway, I would never have left with my father!"

"Maybe we better go downstairs and work out the plan involving Thompkins", Rachel offered.

"Jinny, if you need anything we're down", she added.

Jinny nodded gratefully.

When they were gone, Jinny shyly took Buck's hand. He didn't draw her back.

"I'm really sorry, I'm mortified, but I don't regret what I did, I would do the same thing again if I could go back. They don't have to win Buck"

"They have already won"

"Not if we catch them and have them convicted and if you don't turn me away for it. Unless you think I'm not worth getting to know better"

"Oh Jinny, I think you're a great person and I wouldn't let you go, but do you see what it's like to date me?"

"Yes, it means being close to you at all times, beautiful and ugly, and not abandoning you for anything in the world"

She approached his face and gave him that kiss they both wanted so much. She was gentle so as not to hurt him, but he reciprocated and she felt a shiver run through her body. He plucked up courage and kissed her deeper, trying to resist the pain he felt. He didn't want those bastards to ruin that moment of ecstasy that had arisen between them, perhaps accelerated by those who wanted to separate them.

When they parted, they looked into each other's eyes, Jinny stroked him gently and then said: "Sooner or later you'll have to take some initiative too, right? I can't always do everything myself, it's not convenient" and she gave a big smile.

Buck returned the smile and replied: "You're right, I've been a bad suitor so far, but I promise you that when I get out of this bed I'll make it up to you"

"Don't rush darling, you need to heal well"

"Darling? So can I consider you my girlfriend?"

"I hope so. I like you Buck and I like you a lot. Don't let anyone cut short what might arise between us."

"I promise, I won't let it" and he kissed her again. It was the beginning of something beautiful, they both felt it.

Meanwhile, downstairs, the boys and Teaspoon were making arrangements to involve Thompkins in exposing those thugs who had reduced Buck to this state.