Chapter 4
When they arrived near the station, Bea said to Buck: "Stop for a moment"
"There is something wrong?"
"No, I just want to enjoy a few more minutes alone with you and kiss you before arriving, then we'll have to be careful not to get caught"
"Did you change your mind? Do you want to say it right away?"
"No, it's okay", then she pressed against him and kissed him passionately.
Buck asked her: "You said Emma will be back tomorrow afternoon, right?"
"Yes why?"
"What if I came to you tonight when the boys are asleep? We could stay together a little longer if you want."
"I don't ask for anything better" and kissed him again.
"Well, then we agree. But now we better go if you want to arrive before Jimmy leaves, even if I would like to stay here with you again"
"Let's go, I have to send these documents" and they set off.
When they arrived at the station, they found Ike coming to meet them.
+ Is everything okay?+, he signed.
"Yes Ike, thanks, everything went well", Buck replied and Bea smiled at him.
+ Go inside and rest, I'll take care of the cart + he signed again.
"Thank you Ike, yes very kind", replied Bea, who like the others had learned from Buck to understand Ike's signs.
When they entered, they found the boys some arranging their weapons, some reading, some doing other things, waiting for Teaspoon to give them their tasks for the day.
"So, how was the trip?" Lou asked.
"It's okay, we got my aunt and to sign the papers. Jimmy would you take them with you please? It is important that they arrive as soon as possible", Bea said.
"Sure, give them to me"
"Thank you very much".
"Did you have any problems on the trip?", Lou asked again.
"On the way out we encountered a group of Lakota but Buck resolved the situation brilliantly", Bea replied.
"Maybe if I had come with you, you would have felt safer, I have infallible aim at a distance, you know", Cody pointed out.
"It wasn't necessary to shoot Cody", Buck replied annoyed.
"Well, I would have solved the situation anyway", Cody retorted.
"Do you know the Lakota language?" Bea asked to end the conversation.
"No, but I would have found a way", he replied again.
"Buck just talked to them and everything was fine Cody, it was for the best", Bea replied.
"And what did you ever say Buck to resolve the situation so quickly?", Cody asked again.
"Well he said…", Bea was about to explain, but Buck interrupted her: "I said what I had to say Cody".
"Well, yes, I admit, Buck knows better it but you would definitely have had fun with me", Cody continued.
"And who says I didn't have fun?", she began to get impatient too.
"But you've never had a speech with Buck longer than three or four words!", Cody pointed out.
Buck was furious: "Look Cody, what's bothering you? The fact that you couldn't boast of one of your amazing adventures or the fact that you couldn't have flirted with her?"
"Calm down Buck, I meant it for you too, it must have been a rough trip if you didn't talk", Cody insisted.
"Cody, maybe it's better if you end it here", Lou interjected.
"What's up? We're just talking!", he replied innocently.
"Cody, Buck and I made things clear on this trip: I thought he disliked me, he thought I was afraid of him and that's why we never spoke to each other. We cleared up the misunderstanding and it was a pleasant journey. We also heard many of her stories from my aunt and Lively Eyes also kept us company. She and Buck told us about some of their customs", Bea pointed out.
"Oh Lively Eyes! Maybe someone else here was a fool then? Come on Buck, tell us, we're brothers!", Cody said.
"Just because she's Indian should I flirt with her? I can only be with women of my own race, right?", Buck said furiously.
"Calm down guys, Cody didn't mean that, right?" Bea said resolutely.
"No way, I've just never seen you date anyone and I thought you weren't attracted to white women, that's all. Sorry if I offended you, that wasn't my intention", Cody said, realizing he had overstepped the mark.
"Buck knows you didn't mean to offend him, right Buck?" Bea asked, tugging his arm a little.
He looked at her and immediately understood what she wanted to communicate to him, so he said: "Okay Cody, apology accepted, but let's end it here, you know I don't like talking about my private life"
"Ok, ok, sorry again. Speaking of private life... There will be a charity ball in two weeks. Bea, would you do me the honor of accompanying me?", asked Cody, taking advantage of the conversation.
Luckily Bea was ready and wasn't caught off guard: "Oh well, Cody, you're late. Among the various things we talked about during the trip there was also dancing and Buck asked me to go with him to the dance, so I accepted, I'm sorry to disappoint you"
Cody gasped, took the hit, and said: "Oh, okay, fine. Wow, you've made some good progress from not talking to going to a dance together."
"I was telling Buck that in Italy I loved going to balls, he told me there would be a charity one and out of politeness he invited me, that's all", Bea explained, lying shamelessly and hoping that Buck would play along and so it was, because he intervened saying: "Seeing as I have a social life too Cody? I just don't have to account to you for everything I do."
"Okay, guys, now let us wash up and rest for a moment, especially if you want to have lunch since Jimmy is about to leave and won't prepare lunch for you", Bea commented.
In the meantime, Ike returned, having finished fixing the cart, and Jimmy, who had gone out to prepare the horse for the run. Sensing the slightly heavy air, Jimmy asked: " Is everything okay here?"
"Yeah, Cody's usual antics", Lou pointed out.
Jimmy replied: "What a shame I missed them! See you tomorrow" and went out to wait for Kid returning from his run. In fact, he arrived immediately afterwards and headed to the stable to fix his horse Kathy.
Ike had noticed Buck's tension and approached him, signing: + Are you okay? +
"Yes Ike, just a chat with Cody, as usual. I am going to wash myself. See you later"
Bea took the opportunity to go out too: "I'm going too, see you later"
As soon as she was outside, he called Buck, "Are you okay?"
"Cody gets on my nerves sometimes!"
"I know, it has the same effect on me, anyway I like you when you act jealous"
"I didn't act jealous"
"Oh no? And what did you mean when you accused him of trying to flirt with me?"
"I told you, it gets on my nerves. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life and I don't want to lose you."
"It's not going to happen and especially not for Cody. You are very sweet Buck. Look, I hope you're not upset because I made up that you're going to take me to the dance!"
"Well, I took it for granted since we're together…"
"How nice to hear you say that" and she squeezed his arm.
"Now let's go before they spy on us through the window and get suspicious", said Bea.
Buck nodded and they parted ways. Lou was actually watching them from the window and was starting to ask himself some questions. Maybe he wasn't the only one hiding something...
After she had washed and changed, Beatrice returned to the bunkhouse to prepare lunch. The boys were all doing their chores and it seemed quiet again.
During lunch Beatrice and Buck shared with their friends some of the stories aunt Rose had told them and then everyone went back to their activities.
While Buck was putting the horses in the stable, he was joined by Ike.
+ What's going on between you and Bea? +, he asked.
"Nothing, why? We simply cleared up the misunderstanding that had arisen between us", Buck replied.
+ Don't make fun of me, you know I understand very well when you're lying to me. Spit it out, you can trust me blindly. +
"And that's fine Ike, but it has to stay between us. I fell madly in love with her."
+ And does she know it? +
"I haven't told her yet that I love her, I don't want to scare her, but she knows how I feel about her and…. she returns the feelings. We said it to each other tonight. A whole series of events led to us having to share a room and we confided our feelings to each other."
+ Have you been together? +
"Ike, you know I don't like talking about these things…"
Ike nodded but understood.
+ Are you sure she has the same feelings? +
"I think so, or at least that's what she told me. I have never been so happy Ike, maybe she is the right woman for me. Please remember though, we promised ourselves to take some time before telling others"
Ike nodded and wished him good luck, shaking his shoulders.
After leaving the stable, he went to the bunkhouse to talk to Beatrice: he had to know if her feelings for Buck were really strong, he didn't want to see his almost brother and best friend suffer.
He came in while she was arranging the last dishes.
"Hi Ike, do you need anything?"
+ I need to talk to you +
"I'm listening to you, tell me, let's sit down"
+ It is not necessary. Buck told me about you two, but don't get mad at him, I was the one who forced him to talk +
"Don't worry Ike, I could never blame him. I know you are like brothers, the important thing is that you keep the secret from the others, we want to take some time for ourselves"
+ Buck told me, don't worry, I won't say anything. I just want to make sure Buck won't suffer, he doesn't deserve it +
" I agree with you. Buck is a wonderful guy and I'm so lucky to have him in my life that I still can't believe it. We were the victim of a big misunderstanding that made us waste some time, but now we want to enjoy the moment."
+ Do you love him? +
"I think so but I don't dare tell him yet. It all happened so quickly that I'm afraid it would scare him away if I told him. I always felt attracted to him, but I was afraid to admit it to myself because he didn't consider me. Yesterday when he kissed me" and blushed when he said it, "I realized that I had always wanted him and that I really want to have him in my life"
Ike smiled to himself when he heard Bea's words: those two continued to be worried about not hurting each other.
+ I'm happy to hear that. I love Buck so much and I'm glad he found the right woman for him. He's lucky +
"Thanks Ike, I really hope I'm the one. And yes, he is a lucky guy, but he is lucky because he has a friend like you" and hugged him.
Meanwhile Buck came in needing a change because he had gotten himself all dirty trying to tame a recalcitrant horse.
"Good good, as soon as I turn my back my best friend and my girlfriend hug each other?", he said laughing.
Bea felt a shiver when she heard herself being called his girlfriend and said to him: "Well yes, we admit it! Buck, you're so lucky to have a friend like Ike, he really cares about you."
"What have you done, big head?", he asked him, a little worried that he had revealed to her that he was in love with her.
"Oh nothing, he just made sure to tell me that if I make you suffer I'll have to deal with him", Bea replied, laughing.
"Aren't you mad because I told him?" Buck asked.
"No darling, I'm not angry, you really have a wonderful relationship. The important thing is that the others remain in the dark for a while longer."
Ike promised and said: + You are a really nice couple, I'm happy for you, good luck + and went out.
"He really loves you"
"I know" and stole a kiss from her.
"I'm going now so you can change. If I stay here I will not be held accountable for my actions."
Buck smiled and blushed.
Bea went home to do some chores. That evening at dinner they were joined by Marshal Sam Cain, Emma's boyfriend, who had come to ask if they had news of her.
"She'll be back tomorrow early afternoon Sam.", Bea told him.
"It seems that our marshal can't live without his Emma. Why don't you marry her?" Cody asked.
"Cody, always discreet I see..." Sam commented sarcastically.
The evening passed pleasantly and when Sam had gone, the boys passed the time, some reading, some playing cards and some lying on his bunk.
When it was time to go to sleep, Bea said goodbye to everyone and without the others noticing, she whispered to Buck: "I'll wait for you in my room, I'll leave the door open."
Buck nodded imperceptibly.
Bea returned home, took a hot, scented bath, brushed her long blonde hair and put on a pastel pink nightgown. She then settled into bed with a good book waiting for Buck to arrive.
The latter behaved as always, but remained still waiting to hear the heavy breathing of all his bunk mates. When he was sure everyone was asleep, he slipped out of bed and out of the bunkhouse and crossed the short road that divided the dormitory from Emma and Bea's house.
He found the door open as she had told him before. He entered, knocking lightly and called her in a low voice: "Bea, are you upstairs?"
Bea immediately replied: "Come in Buck"
Buck was very nervous, he didn't like doing things secretly but they both knew it was right for now.
While Bea was waiting for him to come up, she got out of bed, placed the book on the bedside table and looked out the door of her room.
When Buck reached her, he took her in his arms to kiss her and said: " You are very beautiful"
"Thank you. I couldn't wait for you to arrive."
"Me too" and pushed her into her room.
He began to kiss her and caress her all over her body, sliding her nightgown off. She let him do it, then grabbed his shirt and took it off. He stopped to admire his strong and vigorous chest and caressed it gently, then brought his hands down to his underwear and in an instant took them off, freeing his already hard member from desire.
Buck laid her on the bed gently and started kissing and caressing her, making her moan with pleasure. He moved his tongue lower and lower as he continued to caress her nipples. Suddenly he put his head between her legs and began to kiss and lick her in her intimacy. When he realized that she was about to reach pleasure, he penetrated her with desire and as they exploded together, he looked into her eyes and said: "I love you Bea" and collapsed on her.
Beatrice was surprised by Buck's words and as soon as he slipped out of her and lay down next to her, she looked into his eyes and through tears said to him: "I love you too Buck, you have no idea how much. When I was in Italy, I read several love novels set in the West and I dreamed of meeting a love so overwhelming that it would make my heart burst and now I have found it. I love you, I love you, I will never stop telling you"
Buck took her in his arms and they made love again.
"I wish this moment would never end", he told her.
"Me too. I dream of waking up every morning next to you"
"We will, darling, we will" and he held her close.
They stayed for a while cuddling, then he reluctantly said to her: "I have to go now, before anyone notices my absence."
"No, I don't want to", she replied, hugging him.
"I know darling, but we have to part ways. See you tomorrow morning. Sweet dreams my love"
"Sweet dreams darling. I will definitely dream of you" and looked at him as he got dressed.
They shared a kiss and then he slipped out and went back to the bunkhouse.
He got into bed quietly, but heard Lou's voice ask him: "Is everything okay, Buck? Where have you been?"
"I heard a noise and went out. I took a walk around to see if everything was okay and, having lost sleep, I stayed with my horse for a while. Good night"
"Good night", Lou replied unconvinced.
Buck and Bea spent a quiet night, dreaming about their life together and fantasizing about their future. They had never been so happy in their lives.