Chapter 15

Rock Creek, Nebraska

September 1866

"So tonight's the night huh?" Hickok glanced at the ring that Buck proudly shined for what seemed like the hundredth time before carefully tucking it back into its velvet pouch.

"Sure is."

"It's only been a couple months." He reminded his friend.

"I've known her for most of my life." Buck smiled. "We've just been apart for a while."

"But her brain is all scrambled."

"Hickok." Buck warned.

"Sorry." Hickok said sincerely. "I really hope she's the one for you. You know that."

"She is." He smiled widely.

"Speak of the," Hickok cleared his throat then smiled. "Angel."

"Well Mr. Hickok, it's lovely to see you this evening."

"Miss. Winters." He tipped his hat with respect.

"You look," Buck smiled broadly. "So beautiful."

"Thank you."

Buck extended his arm, and Kaylie wrapped hers around his tightly, looking up at him with adoration shining in her eyes. Even the ever-skeptical James Hickok couldn't deny the love radiating from her face.

The moment Kaylie stepped into the fancy restaurant, a wave of unease washed over her. She had been experiencing strange dreams more frequently lately, and as she walked into the elegantly decorated dining room, a sudden flash of memory pierced through her mind.

"How was your dinner?" Buck inquired, noticing Kaylie's somber and quiet demeanor throughout the meal.

"It was wonderful," Kaylie replied with a forced smile.

"Are you alright?" Concern flickered in Buck's eyes as he reached for her hand. "You seem distressed." Buck gently took her hand and paid the bill on their way out.

"Where are we going?" Kaylie asked, curious.

"Somewhere else," Buck replied then leaned forward and kissed her softly. "Are you going to tell me what was bothering you in there?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin," Kaylie began, her voice tinged with apology.

"You didn't ruin anything," Buck interjected, stopping her. "If you're having memories, it's not ruining anything. It's a good thing! You need to let me know."

"I don't think they are good memories," Kaylie confessed, shaking her head. "I keep having these dreams of a large house, an older lady—I think she's my grandmother—and I just don't feel right. Something just doesn't feel right."

"Come here, sweetheart," Buck said gently, pulling her close.

"I don't want to talk about bad things that have nothing to do with us," Kaylie insisted, shaking her head. "I wanted to remember you. I want to remember things I've done in the last few years."

"Just have patience," Buck reassured her, cradling her softly. "Want to take a ride?"

Silently Kaylie replied with a nod and a soft smile.

Buck lifted Kaylie onto his horse and mounted behind her, setting off out of town. Though he didn't have a specific destination in mind, he trusted that something would come to him. As they rode, memories pricked his mind, and he recalled a perfect hill overlooking a valley where they could watch the sunset. With a burst of determination, he urged the horse forward, hoping they would make it in time.

Sure enough, they arrived just as the sun began its descent. The hill was as picturesque as he remembered. Buck spread a blanket on the ground, mindful of keeping Kaylie's dress clean, and they settled in to watch the golden hues of the setting sun.

As the sky painted itself in vibrant shades of orange and pink, Buck felt a surge of courage welling up inside him. This moment, bathed in the warmth of the fading light, felt like the perfect opportunity to ask for Kaylie's hand in marriage.

"Kaylie, there's something we never got around to talking about when we were younger," Buck began, his voice gentle as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Hmmm?" Kaylie nestled into his side.

"Before I left Crossroads, I promised you something," Buck continued, his gaze softening as he recalled their past. "I told you I would come back for you, and we would get a house, a ranch, and get married."

"Mhmm,"

"And do you remember what you said to me?" Buck asked, his eyes searching hers.

"I don't remember," Kaylie admitted, shaking her head slightly and looked up to meet his gaze.

"You told me I needed to think of a last name because I needed a last name to marry you," Buck revealed, a fond smile playing on his lips. "And I chose Cross because it was where we met."

Kaylie's eyes widened with realization as a smile spread across her face. "Yes, it was," she agreed, her heart fluttering with warmth.

"Now, I have the house, the ranch, and the last name," Buck declared, his voice filled with sincerity as he reached into his pocket and produced a ring. With a determined look, he lowered himself onto one knee. "Will you give me your answer?" he asked.

As Buck knelt before her, holding out the ring, Kaylie's heart raced with a whirlwind of emotions. She blinked several times, unable to believe her eyes. Her hands trembled as she covered her face with her palms, overcome with a flood of tears that filled her eyes. The weight of the moment, the depth of Buck's love, and the realization of what was unfolding left her speechless, her heart overflowing with joy and gratitude.

As Kaylie flung her arms around him, knocking him over with the force of her embrace, Buck's uncertainty melted away, replaced by a surge of euphoria. He held her tightly, feeling her warmth and hearing her muffled sobs of joy against his chest.

"Does this mean yes?" Buck asked between her fevered kisses.

"Yes!" She jumped as lightening flashed across the sky. "Of course yes!"

As the rain began to pour down on them, Buck swiftly pulled Kaylie to her feet, concern etched on his face as he glanced over the valley at the ominous clouds looming above. He knew they might soon be caught in a torrential downpour, and he wasn't willing to take any chances with Kaylie's safety. She wasn't an experienced rider, and her attire was ill-suited for the worsening weather.

Wrapping his coat tightly around her shivering frame, before setting her on the horse. He made a quick decision and mounted behind her nudging the horse forward. He led Kaylie towards an abandoned cabin a few miles north, determined to find shelter before the storm grew fiercer. With each step, he shielded her from the rain, his protective instincts kicking into high gear as he focused on getting them to safety.

As they sought refuge in the cabin, Buck couldn't help but chastise himself for not noticing the weather moving in sooner. He had been so lost in his own thoughts, oblivious to the impending storm. Now, both he and Kaylie were stranded, at risk of falling ill from the harsh conditions. However, he felt a glimmer of relief when they found firewood left behind by the cabin's previous occupant.

Buck wasted no time in tending to the fire, skillfully coaxing it into a roaring blaze that filled the cabin with warmth. Within an hour, the once chilly interior had transformed into a cozy retreat from the storm raging outside.

To distract himself from their predicament, Buck regaled Kaylie with stories of his adventures with Ike during their time with the Pony Express. He spoke animatedly, recounting tales of daring rides and narrow escapes, doing his best to keep his mind off the fact that Kaylie sat mere inches away from him, clad in a thin chemise that seemed almost too small for her shapely frame.

"I wish I could see Ike again," Kaylie said wistfully.

"He liked you very much," Buck replied with a smile.

"I remember sharing dessert with him," Kaylie said, her eyes widening as a memory surfaced.

Buck smiled and nodded. "Yeah, you shared your oranges with Ike. He shared his with you. I think that's how the two of you became friends. I'm not really certain."

"So Ike and I were friends first?" Kaylie asked, seeking clarification.

"Yeah," Buck admitted, a hint of embarrassment crossing his features. "I wasn't very cordial at first."

"Surely you are teasing me!" Kaylie's mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"I was a very defensive young boy, and you were," Buck paused, tracing his fingertip down the side of Kaylie's face, "and still are, a very beautiful girl."

"So how did we become friends?" Kaylie inquired.

"You were persistent," Buck replied with a fond smile.

"Me? That's hard to imagine," Kaylie teased.

"Persistent to the point of being obnoxious," Buck chuckled.

"Oh really?" Kaylie's eyes sparkled mischievously as she crept closer, planting kisses along his neck and up to his earlobes.

"Kaylie, what are you doing?" Buck groaned, caught off guard by her sudden affectionate gestures.

Kaylie's playful tone sent shivers down Buck's spine as she whispered, "Being obnoxious," into his ear.

With a mischievous grin, she pushed him down until he was lying on his back. Buck's breath caught in his throat as she continued to shower him with kisses.

Each soft touch of her finger tips sent waves of pleasure coursing through him, igniting a fire of desire that burned hotter with every passing moment. Lost in the bliss of her touch, Buck surrendered himself to the intoxicating sensations.

In that moment, all worries and doubts faded away, replaced by the overwhelming bliss of their reunion. With Kaylie by his side, Buck felt a sense of completeness and belonging that filled him with profound joy and gratitude.

When she heard the soft moan escape his lips a jolt of electricity ran through her body when his hands ran up her legs and circled her waist. Buck grabbed her and flipped her on her back and knelt between her legs as she looked up at him, longingly.

Despite the overwhelming desire coursing through him, Buck exercised every ounce of restraint he possessed, resisting the urge to surrender to the moment and take Kaylie right then and there. She radiated innocence, yet in this moment, she exuded a captivating confidence and control that left him spellbound.

Though he had not bedded many women, he possessed more experience than he hoped she had, and he felt a fierce protectiveness towards her.

"You don't know what you are doing." Buck whispered pulling back slightly giving them both time to reconsider their actions.

"I know exactly what I'm doing." Kaylie shocked herself at her own brazenness, her behavior shocked her to the core. Though she didn't remember much of her life, she was pretty sure this wasn't something she was practiced in.

"Kaylie,"

"Don't you want me?" She looked up at him and bit her lower lip as she trailed her fingertips down his abdomen and lingered at the top of his breeches.

"This is a line, once you cross," he stopped her meandering hands.

"We're to be married." She reminded him.

With Kaylie's playful giggle echoing in the air, Buck needed no further encouragement. He eagerly seized the hem of her chemise and pulled it over her head in one swift motion, his desire burning fiercely as they lay naked before each other in the warm glow of the firelight. In the intimate embrace of the night, they explored each other's bodies with tenderness.

There was no awkwardness, no hesitation, only comfort of two souls drawn together. As they surrendered to the undeniable pull between them, their love ignited like wildfire, consuming them in a frenzy.

Together, they made love well into the night, their fervent whispers and tender caresses echoing in the stillness. And as the flames of desire finally began to ebb, they lay entwined in each other's arms, their hearts beating as one, content in the knowledge that they had found each other.