Silent Heart : Chapter Two : [ Buck Returns with Mila ]
'' I hope nothing's happened to Buck out there , Teaspoon'' , ;
Rachel said to him as they stood on the bunk-house porch watching for Buck. ''Don't you worry , Rachel , Buck can take care of himself '' , ; Teaspoon replied. '' I hope so , Teaspoon'' , ; Rachel said , a look of worry on her face. ''But he is late , I'll admit'' , ; Teaspoon said.
'' Have you noticed Buck has'nt been as sad about Ike lately as he was , Teaspoon'' ? ; Rachel asked. Yeah , I've noticed that , Rachel , ; Teaspoon said with a thoughtful look on his face.
''Do you think that's a sign he's moving on , Teaspoon ''? ; Rachel asked. '' I sure do , Rachel , and that's a good thing '' , ; Teaspoon replied. I'm definitely happy about that , Teaspoon , ; Rachel said , smiling at the thought of Buck. Both mine and Louise's heart's have been just about broken in two over seein' Buck grieve for Ike the way he has , ; Rachel said.
Mine's just about broke in half , too , Rachel , ; Teaspoon said. But , when you see somebody that you love grieve that way , it'll affect you , too , ; Teaspoon said wisely. That's what my mama used to tell me , ; Rachel replied. But , on a brighter side , it sure is good to see Buck smile and laugh again , Teaspoon ! ; Rachel exclaimed.
Louise was tellin' me the other day how much she and the boys had missed that , and how good it was to see Buck smiling and laughing again, ; Rachel added. I'm sure glad Buck's back to his old self again , too , ; Teaspoon said. I know I sure missed his company and conversation , ; Teaspoon said , as his eyes searched the horizon for Buck. I just wonder what could've held him up , Teaspoon , ; Rachel said. That's what I'm wonderin' , too , ; Teaspoon said.
It ain't like Buck to be this late , ; Teaspoon remarked. Here he comes now , Teaspoon ! ; Rachel exclaimed when she saw Buck riding towards them. Who's that he's got with him , Teaspoom ? ; Rachel asked when she saw the injured girl Buck had in front of him on the horse. I expect we'll find out , Rachel , ; Teaspoon said as they both hurried over to Buck. So this is what held you up , Buck , ; Teaspoon said , giving Buck a friendly smile. Where did you find her , Buck ? ; Rachel asked as he climbed down and picked Mila up. I found her wandering around near the Rock Creek road , Rachel , ; Buck replied. Bring her into the house , Buck , she looks like she needs some tending , ; Rachel said , feeling a stab of pity in her heart for this poor girl.
Do you know where she came from , Buck ? ; Teaspoon asked as they went into Rachel's house. I don't know , Teaspoon , I just found her wandering around in the bushes , ; Buck replied as Rachel opened the guest room door for him. Put her down on the bed there , Buck , ; Rachel said kindly. I'll take care of her now , you go and get washed up , Buck , ; Rachel said , giving Buck a reassuring smile. If you need me to translate for you , let me know , Rachel , ; Buck said , gazing at Mila gently. I'll let you know when she wakes up , Buck , ; Rachel said as she tended Mila. Do you know what this girl's name is , Buck ? ; Rachel said as she washed the dirt off her face , arms , and hands. Her name is Mila , Rachel , ; Buck said in a gentle voice.
Thank you , Buck , ; Rachel replied , giving him a warm and reassuring smile.
Lunch is ready , so you go on and eat , before Cody eats it all ! ; Rachel exclaimed quietly. Then in that case , I'd better hurry ! ; Buck laughed. Come on , Buck , I'll go with you , ; Teaspoon said , patting Buck on the shoulder. See you later , you two , ; Rachel said as they left.
So , how'd you find Mila exactly , Buck ? ; Teaspoon asked as they walked to the bunk-house. Well , I was riding past this patch of bushes near the Rock Creek road , and I heard a rustling sound that almost spooked my horse , and I called for whoever it was to come out , and then Mila came out of the brush , ; Buck finished. When she saw me , she tried to run away , but I got her to come back , ; Buck said.
She must've been put through somethin' terrible , if she tried to run from you , Buck , ; Teaspoon said. When I found her , she was covered in dirt and bruises , and her dress was torn in places , Teaspoon , ; Buck said , a troubled look on his face , wondering who had tried to harm Mila.
Could you tell what tribe she's from , Buck ? ; Teaspoon asked as they walked onto the porch. I'm not sure yet , but she might be Lakota , Teaspoon , ; Buck replied. Well , when she comes to , try to talk to her , and see if you can figure out where she belongs , and if she belongs to anybody , Buck , ; Teaspoon said.
I'll do that , Teaspoon , ; Buck replied. Now let's go in and get somethin' to eat before Cody devours it all , Buck , ; Teaspoon said , patting Buck on the shoulder. Okay , Teaspoon , ; Buck said as they went inside.
