Chapter 10
The Saturday scheduled for Jinny's parents' departure arrived.
Everyone gathered at the hotel to say goodbye, except Buck who hadn't returned yet and Jinny was sorry for that.
Buck rode as fast as he could to get there on time. He arrived at the station when the others had already left and this did not displease him. He washed, dressed in clean clothes, then went to rummage through his things and took the object he needed. He then rushed to the hotel just as everyone was saying goodbye to the couple.
"Buck, you arrived on time", Jinny's father said.
"I promised you!", he replied going to hold out his hand.
The man noticed a different look on the boy's face and was happy about it. He shook his hand and patted his shoulder, then said: "Make her happy" and Buck nodded.
It was then the woman's turn: "Don't forget, we want to trust you".
"Thank you", he limited himself to replying and the woman hugged him.
Jinny embraced both of them and the two climbed into the stagecoach.
Everyone followed it until it disappeared into the dust.
Buck turned to Jinny and said: "Do you want to go to the river? We need to talk, I promised you"
Jinny nodded.
"Teaspoon, we'll be back for lunch", Buck said.
The man nodded.
"Come on Jinny."
They went to get Buck's horse and he put Jinny up ahead of him and they rode towards the river. During the journey they did not speak.
When they arrived, Buck helped her down and invited her for a walk along the banks of the river. They were silent a little longer, then Buck stopped. He took a few stones and started throwing them into the water. He took a breath and said: "In these days I have reflected and prayed a lot. I tried to figure out what was best for you"
"Buck…", she tried to interrupt him but he put a finger on her lips and said: "Let me talk please"
She nodded.
"I believed that it was best for you to let yourself go, so as not to feel the shame and fear of living with a man capable of killing someone in cold blood. My deep love for you, which you will never have to doubt no matter what, prompted me to let you go, but my soul bled for this decision. I built a sweat lodge and asked the spirits for help. I had my vision. I saw myself many years from now, with gray hair tied in a long braid, with beautiful grandchildren on my legs who embraced me and asked me to tell them the stories of my people. I saw next to me my wife, a beautiful woman with silver hair and green eyes that hadn't lost their brilliance and who looked at me with the same love with which they look at me today. "
Jinny's eyes widened in astonishment and filled with tears: she was returning to hope.
Buck continued: "The spirits have shown me the way to go and in my future they have clearly shown me your presence."
As he spoke, he took Jinny's hand and fumbled in his pocket with the other. He took out a small ring with a turquoise stone which he showed to Jinny.
"This ring was given to me by my mother before she died. She told me that her mother had given it to her before marrying Red Bear's father and that it has been in our family for several generations. She gave it to me to put on the finger of the woman I was going to marry. It's yours now"
He got on his knees and asked her: "Jinny, Ginevra, despite everything, do you want to be my wife? Will you accept me for who I am and forget what I've done and the pain I've caused you?"
Jinny's jaw dropped. She didn't believe her eyes and Buck's words. She saw him there on his knees, before her, as she had always hoped, as he asked her to be his wife. The words didn't come out of her mouth she was so excited. Through tears, she limited herself to nodding in agreement.
"Is that a yes?" he asked, afraid it was too late.
At that point, when she saw the fear of rejection in Buck's eyes, the lump in her throat eased and she was able to speak. "Of course it's a yes my love, I want to be your wife and make you happy" and got on her knees next to him.
He spread his face into a huge smile that Jinny hadn't seen in too long and put the ring on her finger. They looked into each other's eyes and kissed eagerly, eager to make up for all the lost time.
Buck lifted her up and carried her in his arms towards the trees, in a place protected from prying eyes. He set her down gently on the soft grass and said: "Thank you for being so patient and strong for both of you. I love you Jinny and the choices I made, I only took because I was convinced I was protecting you, but now I understand that only by being together can we face life serenely. I want you Jinny, I want you now"
Jinny didn't answer, but started unbuttoning his shirt. He did the same with her dress and when he saw the medicine bag that he had given her under her clothes, he said to her: "Do you still wear it?".
"Always", she replied and continued to undress him. They loved each other passionately and wildly, trying to make up for all the pain they had experienced by parting. They achieved an extreme pleasure that led them to another world, a world that only people who truly love each other can reach.
Buck screamed her name several times and as he took his tears flooded his eyes, but this time they were tears of joy at finally finding happiness with a woman who loved him unconditionally.
They cuddled for a while without talking but only enjoying the mutual embrace, then Buck said to her: "Your parents asked me to wait a bit to fix the wedding date, they need time to organize a new trip since they want to be there"
"Have you talked about this?" Jinny asked in amazement.
"Yes, they understood before me that our future was together and they understood that I had to first clarify my heart, but they accepted me for who I am and encouraged me to believe in myself. They are exceptional people"
"Yes they are. So when are we going to get married?"
"How long do you think they need?"
"I don't know, let's say 4 months? Time to put together some money and rearrange the trip"
"Awarded, 4 months today will be the date. We will also have time to find a house of our own. Do you have any requirements in this regard?"
"Oh no, it's enough for me to live with you and I would adapt to anything"
"Well, if you want to continue working at the station, I think it would be best for both of you if it were close to Rachel's"
"Can I work?"
"Sure, why shouldn't you if you want to? You can do whatever you want, I will never forbid you anything that can make you happy and make you feel fulfilled, I also told your parents"
"You are a wonderful man Buck Cross. I would say that close to the station would be perfect"
"Well, then we'll start from there"
Jinny looked at her ring.
"Do you like it?"
"It is beautiful and I am truly honored to wear it"
Buck kissed her, then said: "Now it's better to go back, the others will be curious to know what will happen between us"
"I think they will be thrilled"
"I think so too" and kissed her again.
They dressed and hit the road to return to their family.
Buck made her stand in front of him and Jinny leaned serenely against his chest. She was happy and relaxed, like she hasn't been for a long time.
"Buck", she told him after a while.
"Yes?"
"Swear you'll never leave me again"
"I swear. Forgive me, I know I made you suffer a lot, but I was really convinced that leaving you was the best thing for you"
"The best thing for me is to be with you. I still can't believe I'm going to be your wife" and looked at her ring again.
"We will be together forever, I swear. Would you really have left Rock Creek?"
"How do you know it?"
"Teaspoon told me it. He was very hard on me and Ike too. Neither of them had ever spoken to me like that. At that point I realized that I had to reflect and I turned to my gods"
"I was going to leave this week. I couldn't stay by your side knowing there was no future for us. I don't know where I would have gone, I probably would have taken the stagecoach and stopped somewhere far from here. After some time I would write to my parents"
"I'm sorry I hurt you so much"
"Now it doesn't matter anymore, we're together and that's what matters"
He kissed her on the head tenderly. They decided to make fun of their friends when they returned.
When they arrived, they entered the dormitory where everyone was gathered in anticipation of their arrival. Emily was there too.
Jinny entered first, followed by Buck, faces impassive.
It was Rachel who broke the silence: "So? What you decided?"
Jinny replied: "We had a long discussion. I'm going to get out of here..."
"Jinny no", Rachel exclaimed as Teaspoon yelled: "Damn", pounding the table with a fist. They could see the disappointment on everyone's face.
Jinny struggled to hold back a smile and added: "Let me finish please. I'm getting out of here… in 4 months when Buck and I get married" and showed the ring to everyone. Buck took her in his arms immediately and they heard a sigh of relief fill the room.
"Halleluja!" Cody yelled and everyone cheered. Rachel, Lou and Emily stood up to hug Jinny who brought tears to her eyes with emotion.
"Son, I'm glad you found your reason. Why in so long?' asked Teaspoon.
Buck replied: "We have to give Jinny's parents time to organize such a long and expensive trip and then we would like to find a house near here so that we can be comfortable with our work. We would like to continue working here both if it goes well"
"Of course! ", exclaimed Rachel, " right Teaspoon?". The man nodded.
Jinny took the floor and said: "I am so happy and I want to thank you all for your support. You are a real family to me and I have been able to count on each of you. I love you. I really don't know what I would have done without Buck, I love him so much. I'm sorry" and she burst into tears. She took refuge in Buck's arms who squeezed her tightly and said: "Take it out of your steam honey, don't worry, you're throwing out all the suffering and anguish of these days. I'm so sorry, I swear I won't make you suffer like this again. And sorry all of you too, I was really convinced I was doing the right thing"
Everyone nodded without speaking. Jinny vented and then said: "Maybe I better go and freshen up"
Rachel and Lou accompanied her and Rachel said: "When we come back we will celebrate, it is just the case"
When they were gone, Ike signed: + It's about time bro, I'm so happy for you+
Buck replied: "Thank you Ike and really, thank you all for your support and helping Jinny."
"Boy, if you hurt her again we'll shoot you. She's a wonderful girl and she doesn't deserve to suffer like this", Teaspoon said.
"I know Teaspoon, I know. I prayed to my gods, I had my vision. My future is with her", he replied.
"Hallelujah", Noah exclaimed as the Kid said: "Congratulations Buck, you deserve to be happy."
Buck thanked them again.
Rachel and Lou asked Jinny to tell them everything and wanted to see the ring well: "His mother gave it to him before she died, I'm honored to wear it"
"We are so happy for you. We'll help you with all the details", Lou said.
"Thank you girls, I love you" and they hugged.
When they returned to the bunkhouse, they ate lunch and peppered Buck and Jinny with questions: "So, the wedding details?", Jimmy asked.
"We haven't really decided anything yet, but I know that I want Ike by my side and I think two other witnesses if I know my woman well..." and he looked at Jinny.
"Well, actually I would like Rachel, Emily and… Lou by my side, what are we going to do?"
Emily was moved and thanked, while Lou said: "I don't know, but we'll find a way."
"So, besides Ike, I would be honored to have Jimmy and Kid by my side but I would like you all to be my witnesses and you will be spiritually"
Noah and Cody patted him on the shoulder.
"Teaspoon, I would have liked you to officiate the ceremony, but my parents will want a traditional Catholic wedding, so, I would appreciate it if you could walk me down the aisle with my father", Jinny asked looking at Buck who nodded.
"Oh well, well, I think I could do it, yes…, uh" and everyone noticed that the old fox was moved.
"Thank you, you are a second father to me" and Jinny stood up to give him a kiss.
The following Monday, Buck, accompanied by Teaspoon, went to inquire if the plot of land behind Rachel's house was available. He wanted to buy it to build his future home right there.
He was told it was available but sadly the price was very high.
When he communicated it to Jinny, he said: "I will look for another job, you will see that we will be able to buy it"
"I too will try to look for something else, I want to contribute too"
"But you already work a lot at the station"
"You too and you will also have to take on the construction of the house. We have to share everything, remember?"
Buck nodded and kissed her.
That evening, at dinner, Buck and Jinny had a nice surprise.
"Guys, we've been thinking about what to give you for the wedding and…", Teaspoon began.
"But what gift? You don't have to do anything, your presence and support are your gift", Buck interrupted.
"Son, haven't you learned yet that you mustn't interrupt me when I'm talking?" said Teaspoon good-naturedly. Buck lowered his head.
"I said: WE WANT to give you a gift and therefore we have decided that each of us will give you a part of our savings, so you can buy the piece of land for your home", continued the marshal.
"No Teaspoon, we cannot accept. They're your savings and each of you will need them, so you absolutely don't have to give them to us", Jinny interjected.
"Jinny, honey, even you still haven't learned a key thing here: if we make a decision that we know is right, there's nothing anyone can do to change our minds, so you'll accept our gift and build your house there. You too would do the same for us. End of discussion", said Teaspoon.
"But Teaspoon…", Buck tried to retort.
"I said end of discussion", the man reiterated.
Tears came to Jinny's eyes and she said: "You are wonderful people, but I think I also interpret Buck's thought by saying this: we will accept only on one condition: as soon as we are settled we will give you back the money and when you need it, it will be us to help you"
Buck nodded shaking her hand.
"Fine, but you mustn't be in a hurry to pay us back, okay?" said Teaspoon.
The two nodded and thanked everyone again.
Buck and Jinny, after dinner, retired to the porch alone and Jinny said to Buck: "They are extraordinary people."
"Yes, for me they are a real family"
"They are for me too. I can't wait to start building our house. I love you so much Buck"
"I love you too Jinny. You are an extraordinary woman and I am honored that you have chosen me"
They kissed passionately and talked for hours about their future plans, confident that everything would be fine.