Chapter 2
When Buck entered, he found them all lined up seated at the table. He tried to make his way to his bunk as he said goodbye to them, but his way was barred by a blond boy with blue eyes.
"Where do you think you're going Buck Cross?"
"To bed, if you don't mind, Cody", Buck replied.
"Well, yeah, of course I'm sorry and they're all sorry. You don't think you'll get away with that, do you?"
Buck looked at Rachel and Teaspoon who were there with them, hoping to find help, but quickly realized that they too were too curious and would not help him.
He sighed, sat down at the table and said: "Okay, I know otherwise you'd be nagging me until I spill the beans."
"Well, let's start thinking", said a young man with long brown hair, Jimmy Hichok.
"So?", Noah asked.
"What do you want to know?"
"You could start by telling us who she is", pointed out the boy who had often spoken to the thinnest of them.
"Okay, Kid. Her name is Jinny and she is Italian. She has just arrived and is looking for a job. If things go well, she will settle here permanently, otherwise she will have to go back to Italy and marry a man she doesn't love."
"Have you reached these confidences yet?" asked the small boy, Lou.
"She just explained her situation to me", Buck replied dryly.
"Now, if you don't mind..."
"Oh oh oh, stop there man", Noah said, "and then what?"
"And then what?"
"How did you come to dance all night together?" Noah asked curiously.
"But above all, how did you meet her? Did you ask her to dance?" Cody asked.
"No, actually she approached me…"
"Well done our Buck", commented Teaspoon.
+ I'm happy for you +, marked a bald boy.
"Thanks Ike", Buck replied. Ike couldn't speak and Buck had taught him sign language so he could express himself.
"I can not believe it. I mean, she came over, asked you to dance and you ended up dancing together all night?", Jimmy asked still incredulous.
"Well, I don't see anything wrong with that, Buck is a nice guy", Rachel said.
"Sure, but that's never happened to him before", Kid pointed out.
"And in fact we must be happy for him. See Buck I've always been right and push you to come to proms? I felt like you were going to meet the girl for you sooner or later", Rachel said.
"Hey, slow down, don't run. Look, I don't even know by what strange miracle a beautiful girl like her approached me, maybe just to avoid problems with the dowry seekers, maybe she used me as a shield, I don't know"
"But don't talk nonsense Buck", Lou yelled. "Rachel is right, you are a nice boy and she noticed you, that's it"
"I don't know Lou, I can only say that I had a good time with her, but I don't want to be under any illusions. When she meets someone more interesting than me you will see that I will fade into the background"
"Son, if you leave like this you won't go anywhere. Do you like her?" asked Teaspoon.
"Yeah, a lot", Buck said blushing and Ike patted him on the shoulder.
"Then follow your heart and don't worry", added the marshal.
"Are you going to see her again?" Lou asked.
"Well, I invited her to a picnic tomorrow at the river and she accepted"
"But that's great", Rachel exclaimed. "I'll make you some sandwiches and a cake. We are all with you Buck"
"Thanks, but really, I want to take it easy"
Rachel gave him a squeeze on the shoulders and then said: "Alright guys, it's time to go to sleep now. Good night"
They said goodbye and each positioned themselves on their cots, while Rachel and Teaspoon reached their homes.
Buck had trouble falling asleep. He hoped he could get to know that girl better and hoped he wouldn't suffer again.
The next morning, Rachel had the basket ready for him and by 10 Buck was out of the church.
Jinny had woken up in a good mood, had put on a very simple dress, had put some biscuits, some sandwiches, something to drink and a blanket in the basket and had gone to the function.
When she came out of church she found him there, beautiful as the sun, leaning on the side of a buggy. She felt short of breath.
When he saw her, he walked up to her and said: "Hello. Give me the basket as well"
"Thank you"
"Ready?"
"Yes, I brought some sandwiches, some biscuits and something to drink"
"Well it looks like we won't starve cause I did the same, Rachel gave me sandwiches and cake"
"She was very nice"
"Yeah, she's always considerate with us guys"
"I would very much like to meet her"
"There will be no opportunity. Let's go" and held out his hand to help her up.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked her to make a little conversation.
"Yes, I dreamed about our dances last night", she answered with all sincerity. Jinny had decided to go all out with that boy. She liked him a lot and made her heart beat, she wanted to get to know him better to see where they would end up.
Buck smiled blushing. She noticed him and said: "I should be the one blushing since I just confessed that I dreamed about you."
"It's just that I'm not used to getting attention from a pretty girl like you"
"Well, I really think you need to get used to it, you should have understood that I find it hard to keep my opinions to myself"
"I must admit that you are different from all the others"
"Oh well, so there were a few more…"
"I mean you're different from the Rock Creek girls I know"
"And are there many?"
"No, or at least I don't know many of them personally, but I observe their behavior"
"And mine isn't appropriate", Jinny said with a note of displeasure.
"Oh no, I don't mean that, don't get me wrong. I like the fact that you say what you think, it makes me feel more free to do the same"
"Well", she replied relieved, "then let's make a promise: we will always tell each other everything that comes into our minds, for better or for worse, okay?"
"Okay", Buck replied, amused.
Meanwhile they had reached the river.
"Here we are", Buck said as he got off the wagon and held out his helping hand.
"Wow, that's beautiful!" Jinny exclaimed, enraptured by the show. The water of the river was very clear and the mountains and vegetation were reflected in it.
"I could settle here forever"
"Don't you have places like this in Italy?" Buck asked curiously.
"Well, yeah, it's not like I've traveled much actually. My land is most famous for its ancient monuments such as the Colosseum in Rome or the Duomo in Milan, but we also have many beautiful landscapes. It is that here there is a peace that makes me find my place in the world"
"I'm happy that you like it. Come, let's sit down."
He took her hand instinctively and she jumped at the touch of his fingers.
Buck noticed it and thinking he was wrong he said: "Sorry, maybe I shouldn't..."
"No, it's fine, I like it, you don't have to apologize."
Buck smiled at her and her heart melted. How beautiful and kind was that boy? Jinny very much hoped to have some chance with him, he made her feel sensations she had never felt before and she was fine in his company. Her heart was pounding and she wanted to hold him close and be cuddled by his strong arms. She snapped out of her thoughts when he said to her: "Let's spread the blankets here."
"I help you"
They sat sheltered from the sun but near the water.
"So, would you like to tell me a little about yourself?" he asked.
"Oh well, there's not much to say. I grew up like all girls my age, but inside I always felt a little rebellious. It will be for the books I've read. I love reading and I am especially passionate about adventure books and romance novels, I think I have read hundreds of them. This showed me different perspectives on life that I never dared to show my family until my parents told me it was time to settle down. I felt bubbling inside. You know the rest"
"Well, it must have been a bad blow for them"
"Especially for my mother who is very traditionalist, my father instead is more open, perhaps because he too has read a lot"
"So you look more like him?"
"I think so"
"What if you fall in love with someone your parents don't like? Your father risked a lot"
"I would fight for him. I want to get married for love, if that ever happens, I don't want an arranged marriage. I'd rather stay a spinster"
Buck laughed.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because I already see you bickering with your mother, even if I don't know her, and frowning that you will remain a spinster"
"Well, I actually hope that doesn't happen"
"You are so pretty that I don't think it will happen"
Jinny blushed and said: "Thank you"
He returned the smile and then asked her: "And what should your ideal man be like?"
"Oh I don't have a prototype but he has to make my heart beat, he has to excite me, he has to be kind, a gentleman, he has to make me feel unique and he has to love me madly"
"Woh! I don't know if men like that exist."
"I think so" and looked him straight in the eyes. Buck looked down.
" And you?"
"I what?"
"Who is your ideal woman?"
"I've actually never thought about it. I gave up on love a long time ago"
"Why?"
"Because I think I have nothing to offer a girl. I have a modest job, no inheritance, no family and I'm half Indian. I don't think anyone would want to be with me."
Jinny this time curbed the instinct to tell him that she was there for him and that she would be honored to be with him. She sighed and just said: "Don't be silly Buck, not all women are interested in money. We have a heart and a head and we know how to reason. "
"That's exactly why you should stay away from me"
"How angry you make me", Jinny said really irritated.
"Trust yourself, in who you are, in the qualities you have. I don't know you, but you seem like a very sweet and polite boy and full of life. You seem honest, kind and I think these qualities are dear to girls, at least for me it is."
Buck looked at her with his dark eyes in which she saw a veil of sadness that squeezed her heart and then said: "You are kind Jinny, but things are different in reality"
"Perhaps the customs here are different, I don't know, but what I do know is that if you yourself don't believe in who you are and what you're worth, others won't appreciate you"
"Who knows, time will be a judge and we will see which of us is right"
"You said you have no family. Are you an orphan? Tell me about you"
Buck was a guy who didn't like to talk about himself, but Jinny was so full of life and kind, it was natural for him to open up to her.
He told her about his mother, a Kiowa who had been raped by a white man, his father. He didn't know who it was and didn't want to know. He had a Kiowa half-brother, a chieftain, named Red Bear. He told her of his unhappy life both in the field and in the white world, first at a mission of nuns and then in various cities and he spoke of how he had known Ike, more than a brother to him. Together they had come to work for the Pony Express a year earlier. There he had found friends and a real family and despite the rejection of many people in the city, he could say that he led a fairly peaceful life.
"Wow, you've already been through a lot in your life. I believe you are so pessimistic, but really, Buck, you mustn't lose hope. Do you promise me?"
"I'll try" and he looked at her with a hopeful smile that filled her heart with warmth.
They chatted pleasantly all afternoon after eating the sandwiches and sweets they had brought and then took a walk hand in hand along the river. That gesture had now become familiar.
As they walked they remained silent, immersed in their thoughts, without that lack of spoken words weighing between them. They were aware that they were fine like this and that their heads needed to think, and their hearts too.
Buck had his own in an uproar. I have to control myself, her family would never accept me and she is too special for me. It's just that I want her so much. I want to kiss her, touch her, but I can't. He deserves better
Jinny was thrilled. The more I know him, the more I like him. I can't figure out if he's interested too. Yes, he invited me here and took my hand, but he won't let go. Maybe he invited me just out of politeness, but then why is he holding my hand? Or maybe the more he knows me, the less he's interested in me. If only I understood what he feels!
When the air got cooler, Buck said to her: "Maybe we should go inside. You're still not used to the climate here and I don't want you to get cold"
"Thank you, you are very thoughtful. It was a beautiful day"
"Yes, it was" and accompanied her to the wagon. After collecting the blankets and baskets, they set off again.
During the trip Buck told her a few anecdotes about the city and his work at the Pony Express, describing the character of his friends.
"I would like to meet them"
"It will definitely happen soon. They are very curious after yesterday evening"
"I can imagine" and smiled.
When they arrived, Buck helped her off the wagon. She started to take his hand again, but she noticed that he withdrew it.
"Is something wrong?" she asked him.
"No why?"
"Because we held hands until recently and now you withdraw"
"I don't want you to have any problems here in the city. "
"Oh Buck, I think I've told you before that I don't give a damn about what other people think. We didn't do anything wrong today, we just had a picnic as two friends."
The word FRIENDS weighed on both of their hearts, but Jinny didn't dare say more, she was afraid of Buck's reaction.
He smiled at her and took her hand back. He accompanied her to her room and when they were at the door, she said to him: "I had a good time today, thank you"
"I too was fine. I hope to see you soon"
She smiled at him and said: "You know where I stay, when you want I'm here"
"Tomorrow I will have my ride. If you like, we can have lunch together on Tuesday"
"I'd love that. Ah, Buck, would you do me a favor? I have to send a letter to my family, would you take it with you?"
"Sure, give it to me"
Jinny entered the room, took the letter from the desk and handed it to him, thanking him: "Thank you. Ride safe then"
"How do you know it?"
"What?"
"This wish, ride safe, we couriers always say it to each other before a race"
"Oh I don't know, that's how it came to me. Happy to be in sync"
Buck smiled at her. They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment. He wanted to kiss her but he felt he shouldn't, he didn't want to scare her, he didn't want her to run away. He limited himself to wishing her good evening.
Jinny hoped he would kiss her after their afternoon together, but he didn't. She was very disappointed, but decided to take it one step further. She gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek and said: "Good evening to you"
He smiled at her with a slightly stupid look and she hoped it was a sign that maybe he felt something too. She hoped it was just shyness and that sooner or later things would change. She wished it with all her heart.
Buck returned to the station with his mind and heart in a mess.
"What was that kiss? A greeting as a friend or an invitation to be more daring? No, she called us friends, it was just kindness. I really don't know what to do. I need to talk to someone. I have to talk to Lou
When he arrived at the station, exactly like the night before, he was subjected to an interrogation, but this time Rachel and Lou took his side: "Guys, leave him alone, he has the right to his privacy", said Rachel
"No he doesn't", Cody replied.
"Cody, please, when he wants to tell us something he will", Lou insisted.
"So never", Jimmy pointed out.
Buck told everyone: "Look, I understand your curiosity and I appreciate it, but really, I don't even know what to tell you. It was a pleasant day, we chatted and went for a walk. That's all. You know I don't like talking about myself, especially if I don't have the situation under control. And now excuse me, I'm going to feed my horse" and ran out.
Lou nodded to Rachel and followed.
"Buck, may I?" she asked as she entered the stable.
"Come Lou"
"Do you want to talk?"
"Actually yes. Do you want to listen to me? I need a female opinion"
Well yes, Louise was a girl who pretended to be a man because she needed to earn some money to get her brother and sister out of the orphanage where she had left them. Teaspoon, Rachel and the boys knew her secret but to town she was Lou, a Pony Express courier.
"Speak up"
"I don't know what to think and what to do. I really like Jinny, I noticed her immediately when she entered the hall at the dance yesterday"
"And she reciprocates your interest?"
"That's the point, I don't know. Sometimes it seems to me so. She approached me, she asked me to dance, she wanted to dance with me all night and accepted my invitation today. I took her hand and it was fine"
"Then what is the problem?"
"I am the problem. I have nothing to offer her, as always"
"No Buck, not again"
"But Lou, what does a girl like that have to do with me?"
"Maybe because you are a kind, sweet, sensitive and also beautiful boy?"
Buck blushed.
"Just because I'm with the Kid I'm not blind, you're a real nice guy Buck"
Lou and Kid had begun a tormented relationship, sometimes they took and sometimes they broke up. Their relationship was very complicated.
"Also assuming it's true, what can I give her? I don't have much money saved up and her family would never accept me."
"Did she tell you?"
"No, she said she would fight tooth and nail for the man she loves"
"So? What's the problem?"
"What if she doesn't want me?"
"Patience, you'll get over it like all rejected men and women. If you don't try you'll never know"
"She called us friends"
"Oh sure, what else could she say? If she had called you her boyfriend it would have been a little weird, right?"
"Maybe you're right"
"Of course I'm right. Was there something? I mean, did you uh…kiss?"
"When I took her back to the hotel I wanted to but I didn't want to scare her. She kissed me on the cheek"
"That poor girl! She's doing it all by herself, do you want to get a move on Buck Cross?"
"Do you really think I should?"
"Of course yes. When will you meet again?"
"Tuesday lunch"
"Then go ahead. If she kisses you back, you can be sure she likes you, otherwise you'll stay friends."
"Thank you Lou"
"Whenever you want" and hugged him.
Yes, Lou was right, the signs were all there, he had to risk it. Had it all gone well, he would have been the happiest man on earth.
On Tuesday I will take the first step he told himself.
At the saloon, in the afternoon, some gentlemen had gathered to make things go differently…
"We have to teach that half-blood a lesson, what happened last night is unacceptable"
"You're right Roger, that girl rejected us all and he grabbed her all night"
"She must have been afraid to tell him no, he could have waited for her outside and raped her if she refused"
"We must put him back in his place and make him understand that he must not even dare to look at OUR women"
"I heard that tomorrow he will have his race. We'll take action when he returns when he's out on the prairie."
"We agree then" and after emptying their glasses, they disbanded the company.