Chapter 4

When Buck entered the bunkhouse, he found them all lined up there, waiting for him, including Rachel and Teaspoon.

He immediately understood what he would have to face and began by saying: "I ask you for a little mercy, leave me alone"

"We don't understand what you're referring to Buck! Oh, maybe the fact that you spent the whole day in the company of a beautiful girl? Well, either you tell us everything or we'll casually stop by the school tomorrow and ask her, right guys?", Cody stated with a wink.

The others smiled and confirmed with their heads what their friend said. Buck shifted his gaze towards Rachel to ask for some solidarity, but he also saw curiosity painted on her face and understood that he couldn't escape yet another interrogation.

"I repeat that she is just a friend, there is nothing to say. We took a walk and a ride, ate and came back, that's all."

"And what were you talking about all that time?", Jimmy asked

"She told me about her life in Italy, I told her about you and then we discussed books, that's it, can I go to sleep now?"

"Aren't you having dinner?" Rachel asked in amazement.

"No, thanks, I'm full. Diana brought several sandwiches and a cake and my stomach is full. I just want to rest since I have my run tomorrow."

"Since you told her about us, when will you introduce her to us? If you don't, I can always ask her to the dance on Saturday", Cody teased.

"You'll meet her on Saturday, we'll go to the dance together", Buck replied annoyed and blushing a little.

"You're late Cody", Noah teased.

"Thank goodness she's just a friend, you're seeing each other often...", Jimmy noted.

"It seemed nice to me to return today's invitation and so she will have the chance to get to know someone more. I just hope that coming with me doesn't give her any problems at school."

"Don't talk nonsense Buck, you were right to invite her", Lou pointed out.

"Yes, but maybe it's not nice for the town teacher to show up at a dance with someone like me", Buck replied

"Son, you say this girl is just a friend and that's fine, but will you stop worrying about her reputation? Enjoy this friendship and live peacefully. From what you tell us, she's a girl who knows what she's doing and can stand up for herself, so don't worry. If she agreed to go to the dance with you it's because she doesn't care about other people's judgment. Just be careful that your fears don't stop you from being happy", Teaspoon urged.

Buck didn't answer, but said good night and lay down in his bunk.

The next morning he set off on his run that would keep him out overnight. He took the opportunity to meditate on Teaspoon's words even though he was sorry that he couldn't go to Diana to ask her how she had found her first day at school. He then said to himself that perhaps it was for the best, they would see each other on Saturday and it was preferable not to hang around her too much, even if he had to fight with his soul and his instinct to curb the impulse to rush to her upon his return.

Diana got up happy and serene and after washing her face, she put on a turquoise dress, styled her hair, prepared breakfast and headed to school about half an hour before class time. She immediately met Miss Johnson who expected to see her arrive soon and didn't want anyone to be there to greet her.

"Good morning Miss Johnson", she greeted her with courtesy and gratitude.

"Good morning Diana. But enough of this Miss Johnson, call me Margaret, we will be colleagues and I hope we can also become friends", the woman told her.

"Okay Margaret, I'd be really happy about that"

"So, are you excited? Were you able to sleep last night?"

"Yes, I'm very excited, but I rested very well last night. Yesterday I went to a picnic with one of the guys from Pony Express and last night I was a little tired. I had a really good sleep and I'm ready for this new adventure"

"Oh, you've already met the Pony Express guys, so, good! Who did you go to the picnic with?"

"I actually only know two, Buck and Cody", Diana replied remaining vague.

"How was your day with Cody? That guy is really fun, you must have had a lot of fun".

Diana was surprised that Margaret had immediately thought of Cody and replied: "No, I didn't go with Cody. I actually only talked to him once when I went to the station to look for Buck. It was with him that I went to the picnic"

Margaret looked at her with a surprised and incredulous expression, then replied: "With Buck? But didn't you realize that he's half Kiowa? Aren't you afraid of him?"

Diana tensed and almost got angry at the woman for those words, but she tried to stay calm and replied: "Afraid of Buck? No, why? He's a really kind and cultured guy. I met him by chance as soon as I arrived in the city because I got lost and we met again a couple of times. We talked a lot about books, he reads a lot, and he told me something about his traditions. I assure you he is not a boy to be afraid of. In fact, I'll go to the ball with him on Saturday, will you be there?"

Margaret looked at her bewildered and said. "With him at the dance? But Diana, does this seem appropriate to you?"

Diana couldn't help herself this time, even though she might have lost the job she just got: "Margaret, I'm surprised that an educated person like you would ask me these questions. People don't judge themselves by the color of their skin or their origin, but consider themselves for what they're worth and I assure you that Buck is a very good and beautiful person. He helped me with the house and was always kind and polite to me, in fact, he actually worried about what people would think if I showed up at the dance next to him, but I told him I would be proud to do it. I'll tell you more, I only exchanged a few words with Cody, but between the two, the more sensitive and polite one is definitely not William"

"I'm sorry Diana, I didn't mean to offend you or Buck, it's just that here in the city he's not looked upon favorably and I didn't want you to get into trouble by being seen with him"

" If anyone has something to say I will know how to respond in kind. Now can we get to the important stuff please? What are we going to do with the kids this morning?"

Margaret bit the bullet, apologized again, and the two women got ready for class.

The morning passed quickly and peacefully, Diana felt very comfortable in her role as helper and after school she said goodbye to Margaret who apologized to her again for the morning's discussion.

As she headed home, she noticed that a boy who had just left Thompkins' store was looking at her. He had a red bandana on his head and appeared to have no hair. Diana immediately felt like she knew this boy and remembered Buck's description of Ike.

Since the boy continued to stare at her, she decided to go towards him to clear her doubts.

"Good morning, do we know each other? I noticed you were staring at me. I actually think I know who you are. Is your name Ike by any chance?"

The boy nodded a little embarrassed.

"Nice Ike, I'm Diana, Buck told me a lot about you and your special friendship"

Ike waved at her and then tried to sign but she didn't understand.

"I'm sorry Ike, I don't know sign language, but wait a minute, I have a pen and paper here with me, if you want you can write down what you want to tell me. I'll ask Buck to teach me the signs you use" and handed him a notebook and a pen.

Ike wrote on it and then handed it to her. Diana read and then replied: "You're really nice Ike to worry so about your friend. Please know that I am learning to appreciate all of Buck's qualities and I believe he has so many. I am not a woman who is influenced by the prejudices or opinions of others. I'm not going to hurt Buck, we're becoming friends and I like spending time with him, that's all, you don't have to worry at all. Nice to meet you. See you at the dance on Saturday, have a nice day and thanks for delivering my letter, Buck told me you brought it"

Ike waved and looked at her as she walked away. Hearing how Diana spoke about Buck, he understood that most likely there would be more than just a beautiful friendship between them. He had seen her eyes shine when she praised her friend and he had seen the same look in Buck when they had talked about her a few nights before. He decided not to tell Buck anything about that meeting but would try to encourage him to let go. That girl could have been the right woman for his friend and could have made him forget the suffering he had felt with Kathleen when she abandoned him in favor of her father. He and Lou had had to pick up the pieces and try to put them back together. It hadn't been easy and Buck had sworn he would never get involved with a white woman again. Diana was different and Buck would understand that. If that were the case, he would be there to make him see reason.

Diana settled into her daily routine and hoped to meet Buck sometime in town before the ball. She knew he would be out for a night on his run, he had told her so at the river, so she didn't hope to see him either on Monday or Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon, having prepared her lesson for the next day, she took Spirit and went for a ride to the river. She needed to think about what she was feeling for a while and was always hoping to meet Buck. So it was. She had only just arrived when she felt Spirit stirring. She turned and saw someone trotting from afar. When he got closer, she saw it was Buck and her heart opened wings.

"Hi, I didn't think I'd find you here", he said lying. He had gone there with the hope of meeting her.

"Hi, I wanted to relax a bit and this place makes me feel in harmony with the world"

"So, how were these two days at school?" he asked her as he dismounted and tied the animal next to Spirit.

"Very good, I really like what I do with the boys and they and Margaret seem happy too. How did the run go for you?"

"Everything is fine, no unexpected problems fortunately. I'm glad you're settling in", he said, sitting next to her.

"You know, the other day I met Ike"

"Really? Where?"

"I was leaving school, he had just left the store and I saw him staring at me. I recognized the description you had given me of him and I approached."

" AND?"

"And he tried to tell me something but I didn't understand. You really have to teach me sign language. I had a notebook and a pen and he wrote to me that you had told him about me. We exchanged a few metaphorical words about you and said goodbye. You're lucky to have him as a friend."

"What did you say to each other about me?"

"Oh no big deal, I told him that I find you nice and that you have many qualities, nothing that you don't already know".

She decided not to tell him the whole truth about their conversation, it wasn't up to her.

Buck blushed and she decided to be a little more explicit: "Why are you embarrassed? It's true that you have many qualities and Ike confirmed them for me. You have to learn to have more confidence in yourself" and looked him straight in the eyes.

Buck felt the ground slipping from under him: no woman had ever told him he had many qualities she appreciated. Diana was special, he wanted to hold her close and kiss her but he didn't dare yet, he didn't want to make a mistake yet again.

Diana was also all turmoil inside. She kept offering Buck opportunities to show her if he liked her, but he remained seemingly impassive, no longer knowing what to think. She decided it was time to go, in the hope that he would loosen up a little at the ball.

She told him: "Sorry Buck, I have to go now. See you on Saturday, have a nice evening and say hello to Teaspoon, Ike and Cody".

She didn't want him to understand that she hoped to see him again before Saturday, she didn't want to give him that satisfaction.

Buck cursed himself for missing an opportunity, but he just couldn't do it. He had also heard a note of annoyance in Diana's words and hoped that she hadn't been angry about something he had said, even if he couldn't imagine what.

"Good evening to you and good work. See you on Saturday".

They took their horses back and returned home both disappointed at what had not happened.

In the following days Diana remained very aloof, she wanted to avoid meeting him again, not because she didn't want it, but because she feared that embarrassing and unresolved situations would still arise.

Buck went into town with a thousand excuses several times, now saying he had to go to Teaspoon, now saying he had to buy this or that, and everyone understood that he hoped to meet Diana. Perhaps it was now obvious to everyone but him how interested he was in her.

He had asked Ike why he had spoken to Diana and what they had said to each other, but he too had been generic and evasive.

Don't let it slip because of your stubbornness brother , Ike had told him, but Buck had replied: "Ike, we're just friends" and he had shaken his head in exasperation.

On the night of the dance, Buck was very nervous and when Cody tried to make fun of him, he was glared at, so much so that Lou made him understand that there was no point in challenging him. They greeted him and arranged to meet in the lounge.

Buck came by to get some wildflowers and at 6.30 p.m. he knocked on Diana's door. He was wearing his usual buckskin trousers that Rachel had cleaned thoroughly, a white shirt with a black jacket over it and a black lace around his neck. He had tied his long black hair in a low ponytail.

Diana had been nervous all day. She had taken a nice hot, scented bath to try to relax a little but it had been useless. She finally decided to stop worrying: if she wanted Buck to like her, she had to be herself and not try to please him with anything. She calmed down and told herself that in any case she would spend a nice evening in his company, she would meet his friends and new people and have fun. If it was fate, things would come naturally, otherwise they would just remain friends. She wore a light green dress with a sweetheart neckline surrounded by cream-colored lace, gathered her hair at the sides and made barely-there curls. She was reaching for her purse when she heard a knock on the door.

"Buck, is that you?", she asked with her heart in her mouth.

She heard someone reply from outside: "Yes, it's me, am I early?"

She looked at the clock and smiled saying: "No, you're right on time, come in."

Buck opened the door as she was approaching. When he saw her he was breathless and she too was surprised by how beautiful he looked so elegant.

Buck recovered from the shock and handed her the flowers: "These are for you"

"Thank you, you're so kind. Come, sit down while I put them in a vase" and handed him a chair from the living room.

He sat down nervously and looked around as she took a vase from the cabinet.

"You arranged everything really well, congratulations", he commented.

" Thank you, I tried to make it as welcoming as possible. That's it, now they will give an extra touch of joy to the house", she said as she placed the vase of flowers on the table.

"If you're ready we can go"

"Ready!", she replied, taking him by the arm.

She closed the door and had help get into the carriage.

On the way she told him about her days at school and he listened with pleasure to what she had to say.

When they arrived and entered, Buck immediately noticed the looks they were receiving, some of clear disapproval, and said to her: "Are you still sure you want to be by my side? Do you see how they look at us?"

"Absolutely, Buck Cross, you won't get rid of me that easily!" and she hugged his arm even tighter, making him smile and feel a little proud.

"I think it's best to introduce all my friends to you right away, so maybe they'll leave us alone", he proposed.

"It's fine with me, let's go" and he accompanied her to the end of the hall where he had noticed that everyone was gathered.

"Diana, nice to see you again", Cody said as he stepped forward.

"My pleasure, Cody. Hi Ike, Teaspoon" and held out her hand to both of them.

Buck then introduced her to the other riders and Rachel and left her with them for a moment to go get her something to drink, but warned them: "Please don't torment her in my absence" and she laughed.

"We are happy to meet you Diana, I won't deny that we were very curious", Rachel told her.

"Yes, Buck told me that you asked him a lot of questions about me. I'm happy to meet you too. He told me a lot about each of you", Diana replied.

"Oh oh, I think we're in trouble", Jimmy commented and everyone laughed.

"Look, how about you come to the station for lunch tomorrow, so we can get to know each other better with greater peace of mind", Rachel suggested.

"I don't want to be too much trouble", she scoffed.

"But what a nuisance, it's nice to meet Buck's friends", commented Teaspoon.

"Okay then, thanks for the invitation", Diana replied.

Meanwhile Buck returned with a glass of juice for her and Rachel.

"So, have you tortured her enough?" he asked.

"Thanks Buck. No, actually Rachel was kind enough to invite me to lunch tomorrow noon, hope you don't mind."

"Why should I be sorry? But be prepared for a real interrogation. They won't give up until they know everything about you."

"Oh well, no big deal, I have nothing to hide" and everyone started laughing.

"Do you want to dance?", Buck asked her kindly.

"That's what we're here for, right? Let's go. Sorry" and they headed to the track.

"Dance? Buck dancing at a party without Emma or Rachel pushing him to do so? I think it's cooked to perfection", Noah noted

"Good for him, it's about time he found the right girl to make him forget about Kathleen's disappointment completely", Lou commented.

The others nodded.

"Can I ask you a question, Buck? You don't have to answer if you don't want to", Diana asked him as they danced

"Tell me"

"It's about Lou. I know it's none of my business, but how come she pretends to be a boy?"

"You understood it right away, huh?"

"Well ... yes"

"She has a brother and sister in an orphanage and she wants to earn money soon to be able to get them out of there. Don't tell her I told you though and I recommend you keep it a secret."

"Oh no, of course. Poor thing, I feel very sorry for her, it must be difficult to face daily life denying one's nature"

Buck nodded and they continued dancing.

They danced throughout the evening together and Diana only indulged in a few dances with Teaspoon and Buck's friends, resolutely rejecting the advances of the city's young scions. She politely declined all invitations, pointing out that she was the lady of Buck Cross and it didn't seem nice to her to dance with anyone who didn't belong to his family.

"If you continue to reject those young people with this excuse, tomorrow the whole city will hate me, which, after all, many of them already do", he pointed out.

"Well, if you want I can accept, but it doesn't seem polite towards you. If you are tired of my company and dancing with me, you just have to tell me", she replied bitterly.

"No, no, I didn't mean that, you misunderstood me. I like dancing with you and I also like your company", he told her with a bit of embarrassment.

She also blushed at those words.

When it got late, Diana went to say goodbye to Teaspoon, Rachel and the boys and Buck took her home.

Just before arriving, he asked her: "Do you want me to pick you up for lunch at the station tomorrow?"

"I don't want to disturb you too much"

"It's not a bother, I'm happy"

"Okay then, thanks"

"I'll be with you by 12 p.m., okay?"

"Perfect, thanks again"

When they reached the front door, Diana thanked him again: "Thanks for a wonderful evening, Buck, I had a lot of fun"

"Thanks to you, I've never danced so much since I moved here and I have to say it's really enjoyable"

"Good, then I'll book myself for the next event. Goodnight" and kissed him on the cheek again.

This time, however, Buck didn't let her go; when their faces were so close after the kiss, he couldn't help himself: his lips sought Diana's and he tried to deepen the kiss. Diana was surprised at the time, but then responded by intertwining her tongue with Buck's. The contact made her jump and she felt invaded by a very strong desire that almost made her faint. Buck explored her mouth more and more boldly so much so that after a long and passionate kiss they broke away breathlessly and Diana let out a sigh that made Buck regret having dared to kiss her.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have", he told her worriedly.

"Oh no, you don't have to apologize Buck, in fact, it's about time, finally! I was wondering when you would make up your mind and I was starting to seriously doubt if you liked me", she said breathlessly and this time without regretting it.

"I like you Diana, I like you a lot but I didn't dare hope that you would return my feelings"

"I really like you too Buck, I feel very good with you and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else"

They kissed passionately again until Buck, doubting he could control himself, pulled away and told her. "I'd better go now. Goodnight Diana, see you tomorrow"

"Goodnight Buck and thanks again for this beautiful and unexpected evening"

He kissed her lightly on the lips again and left, turning to look at her once more with a smile that penetrated Diana's soul.

She waved back and when he disappeared over the horizon, she entered the house and had to sit on a chair for a moment so as not to faint from joy and emotion.

She undressed and went to sleep, counting the hours until the next day. She couldn't wait to see Buck and spend time with him. She felt so happy that her heart felt like it would explode.

When Buck returned to the station, he found a strange silence and for a moment he hoped that everyone was asleep, but the illusion did not last long.

When he entered his bunk, here was Jimmy's voice: "Good, good, we're back! Didn't it take you a little too long to bring Diana home?"

"What, are you counting the minutes that I'm away from you? I didn't know about some of your tastes Jimmy", he replied sarcastically.

"Let's talk about your tastes Buck", Cody interjected.

"And that's fine, I know that you will torment me and you won't let me sleep if I don't talk. I took her home and stopped for a moment to exchange a few words. Satisfied? This explains my slight delay on the schedule"

" Guys, did you notice that this time he didn't point out that they're just friends? I think something happened!", Noah pointed out.

"Leave him alone, he has a right to his privacy", Lou defended him.

"Oh come on, don't act innocent, you too are dying to know more", Cody replied.

"That still doesn't give us the right to torment Cody", Kid pointed out.

"Eh come on Buck, did something happen or not? We are your family after all", Jimmy urged.

"Okay, we kissed. Satisfied? Now will you leave me alone?", Buck replied annoyed.

"What what what? Did you kiss? And you expect us not to ask you for details?" Cody said.

"Exactly, Cody, it's my business. You're right, I like Diana, but now it's our business if you don't mind and with that goodnight"

"We're happy for you Buck and you're right, it's your business. Enough guys, let's go to sleep", Lou said.

The others groaned a bit but then wished each other goodnight.

"Ah, Lou, just so you know, Diana knew immediately that you were a girl. I didn't want to lie to her but she was sworn to secrecy. Good night"

Lou and the others were speechless but Lou wasn't too displeased with what Buck had said, she hoped that she and Diana would become friends soon. The next day she would talk to her anyway to make sure she didn't cheat on her.

Buck couldn't sleep from emotion and happiness. Maybe he too had found the right person!