Chapter 9

They lay in each other's arms for a while without speaking, then Buck said to her: "Thank you Diana for once again understanding before me what I needed. I searched for my vision and saw our future together. I realized that the feelings I had for Kathleen weren't dormant, they were actually gone. It happened when I met you, now I know for sure. I really don't deserve you."

"Buck, I won't hide from you that I was afraid of losing you, but deep down I knew that our love is so great that it would triumph"

They kissed passionately and made love again.

"We should take advantage of this, since we will have to be separated on the trip and the fact that you live with Rachel for a while in Rock Creek won't help us much", Buck told her

"I would lie here in bed with you all day my darling, admiring this wonderful tanned, muscular body, but I think we need to go to the station and inform the others of what we are going to do, I think they are worried about us too"

Buck, who had blushed a little at Diana's compliment, replied: "Maybe you're right and I also think you should move in with us tonight, so we'll leave straight from there tomorrow morning. I think Rachel will have no problem hosting you for the night."

"Yes, maybe you're right, I hadn't thought of that. Come on, help me load everything into the carriage, let's go and give the keys to the agency so I can collect my money and then we'll join the others"

They reluctantly got dressed and then loaded all of Diana's luggage into the carriage and tied Spirit in the back.

They went to town, handed over the keys to the house, and Diana received the money from the sale, which she would need for the new house in Rock Creek. She had told Buck that she wanted to contribute financially to the creation of their love nest. Buck had tried to protest but Diana didn't want to hear any reason about it.

They stopped by to say goodbye to Margaret who wished them all the best in their new life and renewed her promise to be present at their wedding.

They headed to the station where they found everyone agitated and worried about the couple's future.

When they saw them arrive together, they breathed a great sigh of relief.

Luckily you have regained your senses , Ike immediately told him.

"Ike, I had to do it, understand me", Buck replied.

"Rachel, I thought it was best to have Diana move here for tonight, she could sleep at your place, so we can leave directly tomorrow morning, what do you think?"

"You did well, Buck. Diana come, I'll show you your room"

Diana thanked her and followed Rachel while the others took the buggy and Spirit to the barn where they had stacked all their luggage.

They spent the day preparing the last things and after dinner they went to sleep early, ready to embark on their new adventure.

They woke up at dawn and after having had a hearty breakfast, Rachel, Lou and Diana settled into the three carriages driven by Teaspoon, Kid and Buck, while Noah, Cody, Jimmy and Ike preceded or followed the group.

While their passage raised dust in the city, among the people who had gone to bid them their last farewell, a woman was hiding who was looking at Diana's carriage with hatred. Buck met her gaze and ignored her. Kathleen bit the bullet, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh until she bled. She had lost.

The trip lasted a week. Teaspoon didn't want to tire the horses too much and had them make frequent stops to water them and stretch their legs.

As soon as they could, Buck and Diana were together planning their future life and everyone also noticed a rapprochement between Kid and Lou.

They arrived at Rock Creek in the late morning and immediately settled into their stations: the boys and Lou settled in the bunkhouse, brought the horses and buggies into the stable, and Diana and Rachel entered the house next to the station, just like at Sweetwater. It took them most of the day to pack up all their belongings, and Teaspoon was officially installed as marshal of Rock Creek. In the late afternoon they went to the store to get supplies and Diana wanted to go to the city reverend to find out if there was the possibility of finding a job soon. Buck accompanied her.

"Good morning gentlemen, how can I help you? " asked Reverend Gable when he saw them enter.

"Good morning Reverend, we have just arrived in Rock Creek, I am Buck Cross, one of the new riders of the Pony Express, and this is my fiancée, Diana; we'll get married soon, just enough time to find a house and settle down. We were wondering if you had any news of any jobs Diana could do, she's a teacher but anything would do for now"

"I welcome you to the city and I am happy to know that I will soon celebrate your wedding. We currently already have a teacher, Mrs. McMuller, but it's not a given that she'll leave her position sooner or later, she's a bit old, you know... I actually read the other day that they were looking for someone at the local newspaper's editorial office, if you want I can accompany you and see what can be done"

"That would be great, thank you Reverend", Diana said, beaming and hopeful.

"Reverend, could the fact that I am half Kiowa cause problems for Diana?"

"Buck, what are you saying?" Diana scolded him.

"I like your frankness, son. It won't be easy, you're not wrong, also because she is a woman, but Mr. Rowen owes me some favors, so..."

"Thank you Reverend, I like to be frank with people. I don't deny my traditions but I have integrated enough into the white world and I don't want Diana to have problems because of me."

"This does you credit. Let's go and see what we can do."

"I love you, you know?", Diana told him as they followed the reverend.

"I know, I love you too and that's why I want to protect you."

She gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek and soon they arrived at the newsroom.

The reverend said to them: "Let me speak."

They both nodded.

Once inside, he asked for Mr. Rowen.

An employee recognized him and greeted him: "Good morning Reverend Gable, how may I help you?"

"I need to speak to Mr. Rowen please"

"I'll call him right away"

Shortly afterwards, a curious little man in his fifties appeared, with red hair and a long mustache that turned upwards.

"Good morning Reverend, what do I owe your visit to?", he asked a little alarmed.

"Good morning Donald, I read your advert and I think I have found the right person for you: meet Miss Diana, future wife of Mr Buck Cross, one of our new Pony Express riders. Diana is very well known, she also worked as a teacher. I believe she is perfectly suited for the work you offer"

"But Reverend, she is a woman, and moreover engaged to a half-breed"

"Yes and this shouldn't cause you any problems given that you are a good Christian and attend my parish every Sunday where I continue to preach love, respect and inclusion. Should I perhaps appeal to your wife's common sense and have a chat with her?", concluded the reverend with a complicit attitude.

"Oh no, sorry Reverend, I didn't want to offend anyone, I just didn't have in mind to hire a woman, but if you vouch for both of them, I certainly won't object, Miss Diana will be welcome. But let's leave my wife alone, as you know she is already very tired with our 5 children..."

"Of course, you're right, she already has a lot to do at home. So we agree, let's wait here for you to draw up the contract for her and I would say that it could start in a couple of days, just enough time to settle in, what do you say?"

"Perfect, wait for me here while I get the contract written. Welcome Miss Diana and welcome to you too sir" and slipped into his office.

"It won't cause us any problems, don't worry. Some time ago he had a fling with a saloon girl. I caught him red-handed and he begged me not to say anything to his wife. After obtaining the promise that he would never betray her again and after having made him recite a few prayers for penance, I swore to him that I would be silent but I also reminded him that he owed me a favor...", he explained in a low voice the reverend.

"Thank you, I don't know what we would have done without you", Diana told him.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Rowen returned with the contract to sign and they agreed that Diana would start the job three days later.

Little by little life took on its routine, Diana integrated very well into the newspaper and was appreciated for her abilities, so much so that she even received compliments from Mr. Rowen who was very skeptical at first. She and Buck toured the available houses, but none of the ones they saw impressed them: either they were too far from the station and the newspaper, or they were in terrible condition and required too much work. Diana was starting to get discouraged, but Buck one evening, while they were out on the porch to be alone for a while, proposed to her: "Diana, I've been thinking about it for a few days: the houses that require little work are outside the city and the others they are completely in need of renovation. What if we built a new one near the station and Rachel's house? We could design it however we wanted and it would take us the same time as the renovation of the others. What do you say? The boys will definitely help us and we could get married in September"

"Darling, I was just thinking the same thing but I was afraid to suggest it because it will require a lot of energy and all of you are already very tired from your runs"

"Even if I had to do everything myself, I would never be too tired to build our house. Let's go in and talk about it with the others."

Diana nodded and they went back into the bunkhouse. It was Buck who spoke up: "Teaspoon, guys, Diana and I were going to make a decision, but we're going to need your help. We can't find a house that suits our needs, so we thought about building a new one right here, near Rachel's and the station. It would make our work much easier, but we will need your help. We would like to get married in September, before the weather gets too cold. What do you think?"

"I say I should have thought of it, son, we'd be happy to lend you a hand, wouldn't we boys?", commented Teaspoon. The boys nodded and congratulated the couple.

The next day they went to ask for permission to build the house and within a week the work began. When they went to the store to buy the necessary supplies, they discovered that Tompkins had also moved to Rock Creek and had taken over the store and deep down they were happy: despite the initial misunderstandings, he was a good man.

A few weeks after their arrival in Rock Creek, a young boy, Jesse James, whom Lou had met while returning from a run, joined the group. He lived with a doctor who had been killed by outlaws and Teaspoon and the boys offered him a place to stay. Jesse had been reluctant at first, but then ended up accepting.

Kid and Lou had finally gotten back together but for them marriage still seemed far away. Meanwhile, the Civil War was advancing rapidly and this worried both Teaspoon and the boys a lot, especially due to the spread of the telegraph which could have marked the end of the Pony Express service...

Buck used every free moment to dedicate himself to building the house and the other boys, including Lou, were also very helpful and when Buck thanked them, they joked about the free dinners they would have at his and Diana's house.

"Wait to thank us brother, when we are at dinner with you every Saturday night you will curse the moment in which you asked us to help you", Cody joked, and Buck replied laughing heartily: "Oh well, two coaxing between me and Diana will be enough to make you all escape"

Teaspoon looked at them proudly, considered them all his sons and could hardly believe how much they had grown and matured in just over a year.

Ike was happy to see his brother Buck so radiant and serene and hoped that sooner or later he too would meet a woman who made his heart beat.

Jesse integrated little by little even if his desire to grow up quickly sometimes caused Rachel and Teaspoon severe headaches and heartaches.

As planned, in early September Buck and Diana's house was ready: it had a large garden in front, where fruit trees and beautiful flowers had been planted that recalled the wildflowers that Buck had brought to Diana on the evening of their first dance.

Behind the house there was a fence and a very spacious stable, where several horses could fit and on the west side Buck had also created a small vegetable garden.

The house was painted white with green windows and was surrounded by a beautiful veranda along which a rocking chair, a larger swing and chairs that could accommodate all the friends had been placed. It was arranged on two floors: on the first there was a large living room with a large sofa positioned in front of a welcoming fireplace; there was a kitchen with everything needed for a large family, something Diana and Buck perfectly agreed on, and a small study full of bookshelves, where Diana could work on the newspaper when she wasn't going to the office and Buck could take care of his affairs. Upstairs there were three bedrooms, one large for the two of them and two smaller ones for the children they would have. Buck had also built a small bathroom that contained a sink, cabinets for their linens and a large bathtub. There was also a small fireplace there where they could directly heat the water for the tub. They could already imagine the relaxing moments they would spend in that room...

The wedding date was set for the first half of September and Rachel was chosen as bridesmaid. Margaret had made it known that she would not be coming because she had to join her mother in California due to a health problem, but she sent the couple warm wishes and had sent Diana a notebook with all the thoughts of her former students. When she received it, Diana was moved and her desire to return to teaching was rekindled, even though she was happy with the newspaper.

Kid saw the joy in Lou's eyes, but also the sadness of not being able to be herself alongside her friend and made an important decision.

Sam and Emma sent well wishes to Buck and said that they couldn't make the trip because Emma had just found out she was pregnant and her pregnancy was giving her some problems, so the doctor had advised her not to travel. Buck and Diana wrote that they would visit soon so the two of them and Diana could get to know each other in person.

Even Diana's sister would not have been present due to her husband's work commitments which made it impossible to undertake such a long trip.

On the day of the wedding Buck was a bundle of nerves: Ike almost had to slap him to make him relax.

Buck, you are about to marry the woman you love, it will be the best day of your life, you have to be calm

"I know, Ike, but I still can't believe this is happening to me."

Diana had asked Teaspoon to walk her down the aisle and they had entrusted the rings to Jesse.

When Buck saw her enter, in a snow-white dress, cinched at the waist, with a sweetheart neckline covered in lace, a wide skirt with small flounces and a light train, her hair gathered at the temples and fixed with little flowers in the field, he thanked the Great Spirit in his heart for having granted him this joy and shown him the way.

The two spouses exchanged vows, touching everyone, including Thompkins, who Buck had wanted to invite despite the numerous misunderstandings the two had had because he understood that deep down he had a big heart.

Jesse then brought the rings and the reverend spoke the fateful words: "I pronounce you husband and wife. Buck, you can kiss the bride."

Buck didn't have to be told twice and took the woman who had given meaning to his life into his arms.

They moved to the reception hall and everyone had a blast dancing and eating all the delicacies prepared for the newlyweds.

Kid took advantage of a moment when Teaspoon wasn't talking to anyone and asked him if he could take Lou on the multi-day trip planned for the next few weeks.

The man replied: "Only if you promise me that you will make those days profitable".

"I promise, Teaspoon, thank you"

The marshal looked at him proudly.

After having sufficiently celebrated, Buck whispered in his wife's ear: "How about we continue celebrating at our house?"

"I was wondering when you were going to propose it to me…"

They smiled at each other and after greeting everyone, they headed towards their love nest.

As per tradition, Buck carried her across the threshold in his arms and took her to their room which he had decorated with rose petals and candles.

Diana was moved by his initiative and thanked him with a long and passionate kiss.

They slowly undressed, savoring every moment and every smallest caress and made love all night, merging their bodies and their souls.

The next morning, Diana awoke first and sat spellbound contemplating Buck's naked body next to her, his soft black hair spread across the pillow.

She felt so happy and lucky and prayed to her God and Buck's that that happiness would never fade.

After a while Buck opened his eyes and said: "Good morning Mrs. Cross, did you sleep well?"

"Mmmm, Mrs. Cross….that sounds really good. I slept wonderfully and waking up with my handsome naked husband next to me was even better."

Buck blushed and she teased him as always. They went back to making love and then he told her: "Don't move from here, today I want to spoil you, breakfast in bed"

She replied a little worried: "Buck, you've never cooked, are you sure you won't burn the kitchen on the first day of marriage?"

"Woman of little faith, haven't you noticed that I have been disappearing from Rachel every now and then over the past few weeks? What do you think we were doing?"

"In fact I asked myself that but I preferred not to ask myself questions…"

" Diana! You must not have thought..." and he blushed.

"No darling, I actually thought you had something in mind, but I didn't think you had taken cooking lessons!"

"Well yes, wait and see and don't you dare get dressed!"

"At your orders" and she basked in bed savoring the scent of her beautiful husband.

Buck returned a half hour later, still naked, with a tray full of all sorts of goodies.

"Oh my God, Buck, this is amazing!"

"Well, yes, I feel satisfied"

"I wasn't actually referring to breakfast, but to you naked with a tray in front of me. Too bad I don't have one of those photography gadgets."

Buck blushed violently and Diana laughing helped him place the tray on the bed.

They had breakfast and she flattered him: "Everything delicious, perfect, I found a husband and an expert cook!" and they laughed.

They then went back to making love and only after midday did they decide to go for a trip to the station.

Of course they were subjected to jokes from Jimmy and Cody but they were so happy that they played along.

Married life was very beneficial to both of them, Buck was always smiling and his friends struggled to recognize him and Diana also always had a smile on her face and hummed whenever she could. In the evening they had gotten into the habit of spending time in their bathroom cuddling in the tub, thus spending their honeymoon. They had preferred not to go on their honeymoon because Diana intended to meet Red Bear and had made Buck promise that the following spring they would go to his camp, so for now they preferred not to interrupt their work.

Their plans, however, changed within a week and they certainly would never have wanted to bring forward the trip for that very reason….