Jack Morgan dismounts from his dark gray mare with an old grunt and groan. He has become tired of late searching for any outlaw he can just to put a few dollars in his pocket. A good night of sleep in a hotel with a solid bed and a fancy woman to wait on his every beckon call is like a dream these past few months. He has chosen to hunt down one of the most elusive outlaws to pass through this territory during his lifetime. 

Jack had started his adulthood life out as a trapper. His heart just wasn’t into doing an honest man’s work. Truth be known, if he hadn’t have encountered bounty hunting when he did, Jack may have ended up on the same side of the law as Jesse James!

Jack Morgan pulls his rifle from it’s resting place on his horse. He is loaded with another gun in its holster attached to his right hand side. He carries the rifle powerfully as he slowly walks up to the white picket fence around the home. His heavy footsteps echo through the mid-day quietness. He walks assertively onto the stone walk leading up to the house. Just about everyone who lives at the ranch is gone for the day. They all needed a day of rest and relaxation. 

Jack in an older man. He looks to be close in age to Teaspoon Hunter. His hair is a lighter shade of gray then the mare he rode into the ranch on. He keeps it short and straight. Only a small amount of gray can be seen from under his black cowboy hat. He could be a handsome man if it weren’t for the outdoors causing his skin to look older than what it should be. The brutal sun in the summer, the chilly winds of autumn, the blasting snows of winter, and the dampness of spring all add up to a face made of leather. It doesn’t much matter to him though. He wouldn’t enjoy life if he were tied to a woman’s apron strings and had four or five children running around a farmhouse calling him Pa. He shudders at the thought of his life being locked up in a cell. That’s what married life could end up being like if you weren’t real careful about the maiden you married. For Jack, it is much more enjoyable to call on a woman of profession when he needs a woman to satisfy his hunger. They require a pocket full of cold cash, but they will and can do anything you ask for.

He stands six foot tall with a strong, muscular build. There is no slouching in his posture or his life’s work. He is a man that lives off the land, and has survived very well in doing so. He has spent most of his life hunting down and killing outlaws that disrupt the monotonous lives of the farmers, ranchers, bankers, and marshals. Some people will question his line of work, but those same people are grateful when they have to tolerate one less outlaw. He laughs inside at the joy of his thankless job. Someone has to bring those outlaws to justice, or to an early death. Jack thanks the lord above for giving him this thankless job.

Jack’s harsh pounding on the front door is earthshaking enough to wake up the dead! He doesn’t wait for an answer. His fist is clinched together, and it hits the door repeatedly until before him stands a vision of loveliness. He is flabbergasted at her beauty. He removes his hat like the gentleman he isn’t, but her presence requires respect. He can see that in her cautious eyes and in the strength of her stanch in the doorframe of her home. Her loved ones reside inside this home. There is no way a stranger will enter unless she allows it. No harm will come to this woman’s family unless it is over her dead body! 

“Good afternoon ma’ma. My name is Jack Morgan. The marshal in Rock Creek told me, that I could find Teaspoon Hunter here at this ranch. Could you direct me to the home he lives in?” Jack asked politely.

Rachel looks the man over. She isn’t too sure that her husband would know such a man. It is obvious to Rachel that this Jack fellow is a bounty hunter. She can see that by the weapons he carries with him.

“What would you want with Teaspoon?” 

“We’re old friends from a long time ago.”

”Rachel, who’s at the door?” Teaspoon bellowed as he appears behind Rachel. He gazes at Jack is if he’s viewing another ghost from his past. Unlike the first ghost, Teaspoon isn’t too sure he’s happy to see this one.

“Jack, is that you?” Teaspoon questioned as he moves in front of Rachel. “It is you! Well I’ll be damned!” 

“Good to see you Teaspoon,” Jack spoke calmly. 

The two men shake hands and embrace. When Jack stands back to admire Teaspoon’s life, Teaspoon hops out onto the porch with his crutches. 

“Rachel, would you bring Jack and I each a cup of coffee?” Teaspoon asked his lovely wife. “Lets sit out here on the porch. It is stifling hot inside today.

Rachel hesitates for a moment as she continues to keep her eyes on Jack Morgan. First Jesse arrived with all of his baggage, and now Jack Morgan. Could Jesse’s arrival on their doorstep have something to do with Jack Morgan’s sudden impulse to visit an old friend? She’s laying odds that Teaspoon hasn’t seen or heard from Jack Morgan in over twenty years. She closes the door to her home.

Jack and Teaspoon make themselves comfortable on the porch of the Hunter home.

“I see you’ve changed occupations Jack,” Teaspoon stated bluntly. 

“I heard from the young marshal in town that you are actually Rock Creek’s marshal. I guess the young man is filling in for you due to the nastiness of that there leg of yours,” Jack spoke powerfully.

“What brings you here? I haven’t seen you in twenty some years. That’s a long time for you to just get an itch that you want to see an old friend of yours,” Teaspoon questioned dreading Jack’s answer.

“I heard that you were around these parts, but I wasn’t too sure I’d be welcome after what happened when we parted. So I stayed away. But, business has finally brought me here. I have been wanting to talk with you for a long time, but life just had a way of keeping me away from here.”

“Until now? Why?”

“Jesse James and The James Gang. Ever hear of them Teaspoon?” Jack spoke demandingly.

“I’ve heard of them. Their wanted posters are posted all over the territory,” Teaspoon replied somberly.

“That gang is a heartless bunch of men. Their last bank robbery was just a few weeks ago in Plum Creek. Got away with twenty thousand dollars. Now with that kind of money you would think the idiots would have left the territory.”

Teaspoon is taken back by what Jack is saying. Jesse arrived at the ranch just a few weeks ago. He hadn’t been keeping himself abreast of the latest news concerning robberies and other violations of the law since he’s been disabled. Jesse must have been getting a good laugh over his shallowness. He wanted to believe Jesse would change. Jesse only came to Teaspoon to keep the law from pursuing him. What a fool he has been. 

“You all right Teaspoon? You look a little pale,” Jack asked.

Rachel walks out of the house with the cups of coffee in her hands for the two men. 

“Jack, I’d like you to meet my wife Rachel. Rachel this here is an old friend of mine from way back.”

“Pleased to meet you Jack,” Rachel spoke shaking the man’s powerful hand. 

“It’s a pleasure meeting you. I didn’t think Teaspoon had it in him to marry a white woman. Seemed to me Teaspoon you were always living with an Indian woman.”

“That was a long time ago Jack. My life has had a lot of changes in it since those days.”

“I’m sure it has.”

“Well if you two men will excuse me, I have cooking to do. Jack, would you like to stay for dinner?” Rachel asked politely.

“I’ve been eating off the land for quite some time now. A good home cooked meal sure sounds good right about now.”

“Then it’s settled. Dinner will be around six. We’ll be expecting you,” Rachel spoke. She leaves the two men to finish discussing their business.

“So Jack, what are your plans concerning The James Gang? You planning on trying to capture them all by yourself?” Teaspoon asked desperately trying to find out how he will be able to protect Jesse from Jack Morgan. 

Teaspoon remembers Jack Morgan as being a ruthless man who never showed much concern for another human beings welfare. To call him a friend is just a statement. Jack Morgan is more like an acquaintance that takes what he needs from you and vanishes from your life until the next time he needs something from you. 

“I plan on bringing the gang in. Their wanted posters say dead or alive. So I don’t have to bring them in alive to get the bounty money. To be truthful, it’s a whole lot easier to bring an outlaw in dead,” Jack spoke amusingly.

Teaspoon isn’t amused. He stares at Jack with a quiet rage. He doesn’t want Jack to wise about the fact that Teaspoon knows Jesse James on a personal level. The fact that bounty hunters are just killers in their own way, has always nauseated Teaspoon. 

Jack sees the turbulence written on Teaspoon’s face. The marshal is hiding something from him. Perhaps Teaspoon has already had a run in with The James Gang. Jack knows The James Gang is a brutal bunch. Maybe the paleness on Teaspoon’s face has to do with a loved one being murdered by the gang. He won’t ask Teaspoon just yet with what is bothering him. They’ll have plenty of time to exchange ideas about Jesse and Frank James. Jack also knows he has to make time to tell Teaspoon about a secret. A secret that Jack has known concerning Teaspoon’s life for the past twenty-five years!

Kid is basking in the warm sun with his head lying in Louise’s lap. He is twirling a piece of grass around in his mouth. He can hear the pleasant sounds of his daughters trying to chase down a butterfly to examine it more carefully. 

Louise suddenly grabs the piece of grass sticking from out of his mouth.
She awakens Kid from his half-asleep daze.

“Okay. I’m sorry. I know I’m suppose to be a doting husband today, but I can never resist a warm lap and a sunny day to ease all my tensions away,” Kid spoke softly.

“I have other plans for all your tension,” Louise spoke mischievously.

Kid sits up and faces her. He gets a playful smile across his face. “Did you get a chance to talk with Charlene this morning before we left the ranch?”

“Why are you asking?” Louise asked. She already knows what happened last night with Jane and Buck. Charlene couldn’t wait to cry on her shoulders about it this morning before her picnic with Kid.

“Did Charlene tell you about Jane and Buck?”

“Yes she did. Why are we discussing Buck on our picnic?” Louise asked in a teasing manner.

“Are you still jealous of Buck?”

“I never said I was jealous of Buck!” Louise spoke embarrassed at her feelings. Maybe Rachel had clued Kid in on the fact that Louise is having a difficult time dealing with Kid’s time spent with Buck. No. Rachel had promised that she wouldn’t. Of course Kid has been assuming for quite sometime now that she is jealous of Buck. That has to be it. I suppose now whenever Kid mentions Buck’s name in conversation, she’ll have to act like their time spent together working the ranch doesn’t annoy her.

“Louise, I just wanted your opinion about the two women in Buck’s life.”

“Honestly, I just hope Buck marries one of them,” Louise spoke more gruffly to Kid then she had intended to.

“It wouldn’t matter which one he marries to you?” Kid asked with a teasing smile.

“All right Kid. Charlene is a deceitful woman who really only cares about what she can get out of someone. I mean she’s been nice enough to me, but I think it’s only because I know Buck. Jane, on the other hand, is a passionate woman about many things in her life. She loves to teach, she enjoys being around friends, and she’s already falling in love with Buck even though I don’t think she realizes it yet. Charlene needs Buck to give her a life. She would be dependent on Buck for everything. Not to mention that Charlene can’t cook, doesn’t really want children of her own, and only looks at Buck at what he can give her. Jane doesn’t need Buck to give her a life of her own. She already has her own life. She’s independent, loves children, and probably wants a house full of her own children someday. She doesn’t look at Buck for what she can get from him. Instead, at least by watching the way her eyes roam all over him, she’s anticipating anxiously I might add, at how she can please him.”

“I guess Jane is the right woman for Buck, “Kid spoke softly. 

“Now that that is settled can we get back to you and I. Remind me again about what you have planned for us after the girls are tucked in bed for the night,” Louise spoke with a devilish smirk.

Kid puts his arms around his wife and begins to kiss her awaiting lips. He lays her gently onto the blanket they are sitting on that covers the ground. He quickly takes a peek at where his daughters are still chasing the same butterfly. He smiles warmly at the family he loves dearly and never wants to lose.

Louise turns his face back to her, and kisses him passionately. His hands roam freely down her body. Her soft moans intensive the pressure of his roaming hands. The pleasure Kid brings her with his hands is causing her flesh to heat up under his touch. She can’t stand it any longer. She starts to unbutton his shirt! His hands suddenly grasp Louise’s hands to stop their lovemaking!

“I think in our over-indulgence we have forgotten about our two little girls and the questions they will have if they come back from their butterfly chase before we finish making love,” Kid spoke breathlessly.

Louise leaves out a sigh. She is trying to get her breathing under control. Her skin is flushed and hot from his touches. She fans herself with her hands trying to cope with the extra heat of the day! “Is there any chance of the butterfly tiring them enough to make their bedtime a little earlier tonight? I simply can’t wait until eight o’clock to have you devour me,” Louise spoke her voice shaky with passion.

Kid kisses his wife tenderly. “I think the butterfly might be able to manage that.”

“Thank god for small favors,” Louise spoke boldly.

Kid laughs tenderly at his insatiable wife. This is a good sign. They had talked about Buck, but Jimmy’s name had not been brought into their conversation at all today. And now, all Louise wants is to rush home, and make mad passionate love with him!

Buck pulls up on the reins of the buckboard as they come to the spot where he wants Jane to see. He had told her what had happened to Ike, and she really wanted to see the place where they had had Ike’s funeral ceremony. 

Buck jumps off the buckboard and walks briskly over to the other side. He lifts his arms up to Jane. She allows him to help her down. Buck gently places her feet on the ground. They walk hand in hand away from the horses and buckboard.

Jane looks around the area before saying anything to Buck. “This is a beautiful place. I’m sure Ike’s spirit is free.”

“It doesn’t seem like he’s been gone for six years,” Buck spoke sadly.

Jane senses the sadness in him. She doesn’t want Buck to feel sad about Ike’s death. She knows for the most part Buck has accepted Ike’s death, but their still remains sadness in Buck’s heart that may always be there. “You still miss Ike, don’t you?” Jane asked softly.

“I still find myself thinking about what ifs. It’s hard for me not to think about what might have been if Ike were still alive. I’m sure him and Emily would be married and they would probably have at least a half a dozen kids by now,” Buck spoke his voice creaking with emotion.

Jane touches Buck’s face tenderly. She gently tucks a loose strand of his soft, ebony hair behind his ear. He searches her eyes and sees in her eyes the same thing he is feeling. Buck bends his head down to kiss her sweet lips that constantly are inviting him to kiss them. His hands wrap gently around her back, and they roam up to the nape of her neck where he plays with her soft locks. 

Jane reaches her arms up around his neck and tangles her soft fingers in his dark hair. She loves the length of his hair. It enables her hands to have something to play with while her thoughts are wishing she could have her hands on other places of his body! She deepens their kiss as she pulls him closer to her. She arches her body up to Buck to make him totally aware of how much she wants him! 

Buck moans deeply with every assault Jane’s body makes on his! His body aches with desire for this woman! He isn’t sure how much more of this tantalizing caressing and embracing he can tolerate. His body is screaming out to make this woman his, but his mind and heart are telling him to wait. Buck hears Jane’s soft moans begging him to make passionate love to her! 

Jane senses that this episode of lovemaking is going to end the same way the sofa episode ended. She won’t let it. Her heart is over flowing with love for this man. She wants to show Buck how much she loves him. If he won’t make the first move with the removal of their clothing, then she will have to be bold enough to make the first move. 

Jane brings her hands from around his neck and rests them on his chest. Her hands are trembling with so much desire that she can barely get the buttons of his shirt to come undone. Once she has accomplished the buttons, she pulls his shirt from out of his trousers. Buck groans deeply anticipating what Jane will do next. Jane takes her quivering hands that yearn to touch his flesh, and she places them on Buck’s bare chest. 

Buck pulls her closer to him. Jane wraps her heated hands around his back. He attacks the flesh of her neck and shoulders with a heated trail of smoldering kisses! Jane bends her neck slightly backwards to allow Buck easy access to her bare skin. He nibbles breathlessly at the tender part of flesh behind her ears. The only sounds Buck hears are the soft continuous moans coming from Jane pleading with him to make love to her right here, right now!

Surrounded by woods the naked clearing would make an excellent place to make endless love to the woman you love. It also makes an excellent hiding place for The James Gang! Jesse smiles with evilness at the young couple that is seconds from showing each other the love they are feeling for the other. He raises his gun and fires a shot at the couple!

Buck’s keen senses of alertness slowly start to come back to him as he pulls Jane to the ground! He is so over-wrought with unsatisfied passion that he is having trouble thinking straight. Another shot fires out close to them!

Buck quickly gets Jane to her feet and rushes with her to take cover behind the buckboard. He takes his gun out of its holster and aims at the endless forest. His eyes are searching for a clue as to where the intruder of their lovemaking is hiding out. He thought his mind had been sensing the men that he can’t see. The density of the forest keeping their faces well hidden, but somehow before his eyes Buck sees the laughing faces of Jesse James and his gang!

Jesse and Frank laugh silently together. This is only the beginning of what is to come. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jack Morgan arrives back at the Hunter home just before six o’clock. He seats himself next to Teaspoon facing the door. He never sits at any table with his back to the door. There is always some punk out in the streets looking for an easy way to make himself look like a hero. A bullet in the back is the easiest and fastest way to accomplish heroism. This is usually Rachel’s seat, but she doesn’t say anything to make their dinner guest feel not welcome. Instead, Rachel takes the seat on Teaspoon’s other side. Cody is seated next to Rachel and Jimmy is seated next to Jack Morgan. 

Before Jack had arrived for dinner, Teaspoon had warned everybody that Jack is a bounty hunter, and that he is searching for The James Gang. Even though Teaspoon is finished with protecting Jesse, he still doesn’t want him to end up with a bullet in the back from some ruthless bounty hunter.

Jimmy had suggested that Jesse’s name not even be mentioned at dinner. Teaspoon is sure that that will be the main topic of conversation for Jack. So, according to Teaspoon’s rules, they can talk about Jesse, but there is to be no mention that they know Jesse on a personal level. The family all had agreed that this is the best way to keep their secret from Jack.

The Hunter dining room table is bustling with commotion as everyone is engaged in passing plates and bowls of food around until everyone has a plate of food before him. Jimmy takes notice that someone has finally out done Cody in the amount of food that one person can put on a plate. Jack appears to have a larger appetite then Cody. 

“So Jack, where have you been making your home since the last time you and Teaspoon saw each other?” Rachel asked curiously. Teaspoon’s curious wife always wants to know more about Teaspoon’s past. He doesn’t share many details of his past life. She figures it is because he has had so many wives, and he fears she would become jealous.

“I never really settled in any one place Rachel. I was roaming before I met Teaspoon, and I continued to roam after we parted ways.”

“How did you meet Teaspoon?” Cody asked a gleam in his eye that he might find out a dark secret or two about his old stationmaster. 

“Well Cody, Teaspoon and I were both trapping further out west,” Jack started to explain.

“I had just lost an Indian wife to a white man’s disease,” Teaspoon spoke saddened by the memories of his dead wife. “I had stayed with her tribe for a few weeks after her death, but I came to realize that there was really no logical reason for my staying. I was only a part of the tribe because I was married to her.”

“Didn’t the Indians want you around no more?” Cody asked engrossed with Teaspoon’s story.

“They really didn’t care one way or the other. I could have stayed, but her memory was haunting me. I took that has a sign that I was meant to move on. Of course I had to eat, so I started to do some trapping for a little money to get a decent meal once in awhile. That’s when I met Jack Morgan.”

“We traveled further west together, and made ourselves quite a bit of money as a trapping team,” Jack spoke adding on to Teaspoon’s tale.

“Well, how long did the two of you trap together before you went your separate ways?” Jimmy asked wanting to know more about Teaspoon’s past also.

“We trapped together for almost a year. We raised a bit of hell across this territory along with the trapping,” Jack spoke boldly.

“You were the one always raising the hell Jack. I sat back with my whiskey bottle and watched,” Teaspoon spoke admitting the loss of his wife had hurt him deeply.

“That is until you meet that other pretty Indian maiden. She made you forget all about your dead wife,” Jack stated bluntly.

“That’s enough Jack,” Teaspoon spoke gruffly. His eyes are set on Jack Morgan in an angry manner. He really didn’t want the other Indian woman brought up in the conversation. 

“I’m sorry Teaspoon. I didn’t realize that you were keeping the Indian woman a secret and that you don’t wish to speak about her.”

“Teaspoon, if you’re worried about me getting jealous over some woman that was in your life twenty some years ago, don’t worry. I don’t do jealously very well. It’s a dreadful feeling that people only use to hurt each other. I’m really only interested in what your life was like before we met,” Rachel spoke with a warm, loving smile for her husband.

“I understand Mister Cody that you are here on army affairs. I’ve heard there has been a number of murders committed near Rock Creek with nothing to go on as to whom is committing them,” Jack spoke loud enough for Teaspoon to hear that he has diverted the evenings chatter to something other then Teaspoon’s love life.

Cody has been shoveling food into his mouth intently as he listened to the dialogue going on between Teaspoon and Jack. “Uh…yes sir. We haven’t found any clues as to who the killer is.”

“Have you any thoughts on who it could possibly be?” Jack asked hoping Cody would give him the chance to help him if he suspects The James Gang at all.

Cody glances at Teaspoon to see if he should answer Jack’s question honestly. Teaspoon nods his head slightly. Jack notices the silent conversing going on between them, but he doesn’t intrude.

“I didn’t have a suspect at first, but now I’m leaning towards Jesse and Frank James or possibly Simon Davenport.”

“I’ve heard of Jesse and Frank James, but who is Simon Davenport?” Jack asked baffled.

“He works as a ranch hand on The Anderson Ranch a few miles from here. He has attacked two women who live here in town. The first woman is his fiancée. The second woman is Rock Creek’s school teacher,” Jimmy spoke offering the information so Cody can finish his meal before it gets too cold.

“Sounds as if this town is not a safe haven to live in,” Jack spoke bluntly. He watches the family intensely as he notices that Teaspoon has been carefully gauging his reaction to Cody and Jimmy’s answers to his questions. “Cody I’d like to offer my services to help you bring in Jesse and Frank James for interrogation. 

“Well…uh…Mister Morgan I am sure you are an excellent bounty hunter. Unfortunately the army doesn’t allow me to call on the services of bounty hunters to help me apprehend any suspects,” Cody replied trying to stall Jack from asking too many more questions concerning Jesse.

Jack is satisfied with Cody’s answer, and for now he won’t push it. “Rachel, you are a magnificent cook. I haven’t had a meal like this in years,” Jack stated. He then lifts his coffee cup up to take a long taste of the hot beverage.

Before Jack places his coffee cup down, the Hunter front door bursts open with all of them staring up at Buck and Jane! When Jack sees the half Indian half white man he immediately chokes on his coffee! 

Teaspoon sees the fear on Buck’s face, but Jack’s violent attack causes him to first give aid to his friend. Teaspoon abruptly stands up leaning on the table for support with one hand while he pounds on Jack’s back with the other. Jack’s choking ceases after a few jolts to his back. 

“Are you all right? You act as if you’re seen a ghost,” Teaspoon spoke anxiously.

Jack gazes at Buck who is waiting patiently to speak with Teaspoon. “Perhaps I have.”

Teaspoon doesn’t hear Jack because he has already turned his attention to Buck. He only heard Jack mumble something. He turns back around to look at Jack. “What did you say?”

“Nothing Teaspoon. It isn’t important. But, I think this young man has something important he wants to talk with you about,” Jack spoke pointing up at Buck.

Teaspoon looks at Jack sternly. He knows Jack is hiding something, but right now Buck is his main concern. He turns back to Buck and Jane. “You two look a little worse for wear.”

Cody can see that Jane has been crying. He stands up from the table and approaches Buck. “What did you do to her?” Cody yelled as he grabs hold of the front of Buck’s shirt.

“Cody please stop it! Buck hasn’t done anything to me,” Jane spoke more harshly at Cody then she had intended.

Cody lets go of Buck slowly. He sees the way Jane’s clothes are wrinkled and the way Buck looks like he quickly tucked half his shirt into his trousers. Her hair is messed up as if Buck had been running his fingers through it. Their lips both appear bruised and swollen like when he had caught them kissing at the dance. Cody only wishes he could stop thinking about the many ways the two of them are loving one another.

“Teaspoon someone was shooting at us,” Buck announced to the family gathering.

Jimmy gets up from the table, and starts to fasten his gun belt to his waist. Rachel always insists the men don’t bring guns to dinner with them, and if they do they must remove them. “Where at Buck?”

“It’s probably too late Jimmy. I’m guessing that it was Jesse…”

Everyone in the room looks at Buck with a stunned expression. Buck notices how quiet the house has become. Teaspoon sighs as he gazes at Jack who is wearing a baffled look upon his face. Teaspoon looks back at Buck wearily. Buck senses he has said something wrong, but he has no idea what it is.

“But, I could be wrong,” Buck spoke slowly as he finishes what he had been saying.

“Buck you should take Jane over to your home. We really can’t do anything tonight. We’ll figure this all out tomorrow,” Teaspoon spoke tiredly.

“I’d like a word with you Teaspoon,” Jack spoke gruffly. He takes his napkin off his lap and tosses it roughly onto his plate.

Buck and Jane walk out of the house. Teaspoon grabs his crutches and both he and Jack follow Buck and Jane out onto the porch.

Teaspoon turns his attention to Buck and Jane before confronting Jack’s onslaught of questions. “Neither of you were hurt, were you?”

“No Teaspoon, we’re both fine. I’m sorry if I said something wrong,” Buck spoke softly to Teaspoon. 

Teaspoon has a hand on Buck’s shoulder. “Just go home son, and get Jane to bed. She seems a little shook up.”

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Buck spoke as he eyes up Jack Morgan before he and Jane walk over toward his home.

“He’s a half-breed, am I correct?” Jack asked intently. 

“Don’t get any ideas Jack. He’s my deputy. He ain’t no outlaw,” Teaspoon spoke gruffly.

Jack Morgan walks to stand in front of Teaspoon. “I’m surprised you hadn’t told me that you found him.”

Teaspoon gazes at Jack with such confusion that it causes Jack to back away from the marshal. “What are you talking about?”

Jack suddenly realizes that Teaspoon has no idea what he is talking about. A quick change of the subject should keep Teaspoon’s mind away from the torment Jack has been hiding for many years. “You lied to me Hunter. That half-breed mentioned Jesse by name as if you all of you know Jesse very well. I’m sure the half-breed is talking about Jesse James.”

“The boy has a name. It’s Buck. Please start using it and refrain from calling him a half-breed,” Teaspoon spoke angrily.

“He isn’t a boy Teaspoon. He’s a young man. How old is he anyway?”

“Are we gonna stand around and discuss Buck? I thought your interests lie with Jesse James.”

“Only if your are going to admit you know the outlaw. You have too many secrets Teaspoon.”

“Apparently, so do you Jack.”

“So, how do all of you know Jesse James? Did he shoot somebody who was near and dear to all of you?”

Teaspoon hesitates for a brief moment while he gathers his thoughts. “Back in 1860-61 I was a stationmaster for the Pony Express station here in Rock Creek. All these young men were my riders. Jesse came into our lives as an orphan. He stayed with us for a while until his brother Frank took him away. Until just recently I hadn’t seen or heard from Jesse in six years.”

“You certainly are full of surprises Teaspoon Hunter. I never figured you to be the type to raise a bunch of orphans or being a marshal for that matter. I have to admit it does look good on you. I’m not wrong in guessing that your Pony Express Riders became your adopted family?” Jack asked flatly.

“They are my family. I don’t want any of them hurt from your visit, is that understood?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m only here to bring in Jesse James. I already discussed that with you. As long as the rest of your family is innocent of any crimes then I won’t have any reason to go after them.”

“Jack, why are you really here? You could have searched for Jesse and Frank James without stopping by for old times sake. It isn’t like you to want to visit an old friend. If my memory is correct, friends were only friends until they were no longer any use to you.”

“You put a strain on our friendship when you kept me from having my way with that Indian woman.”

“You were gonna rape her. I couldn’t stand by and allow that to happen. You can’t go through life just taking whomever you want,” Teaspoon spoke slightly above a whisper, but his words are harsh for Jack Morgan.

“Don’t worry yourself about my actions Hunter. Whenever I want a woman these days, I pay for her. It keeps my life just about as honest as yours. Good-night,” Jack spoke gruffly as he strolls off the porch and mounts his horse. 

Teaspoon watches Jack until his figure on the horse is a speck on the horizon. 

Jimmy comes from out of the house to stand behind Teaspoon. “He may be a friend of yours, but I don’t think you like him much,” Jimmy spoke watching as Jack Morgan disappears.

Teaspoon turns around to face Jimmy. “No, I don’t like him much.”

“You want to talk about it?” Jimmy asked concerned about Teaspoon. He seems a little heart broken and Jimmy is wondering why.

“Jack Morgan and I are two totally opposite men. I don’t really know how the two of us ever became friends. Perhaps it was just a need for survival that brought us together.”

“The Indian woman, was that the breaking point in your relationship?”
Jimmy asked concern for Teaspoon.

“Jack was gonna rape her Jimmy. I couldn’t allow it to happen. She was a beautiful woman alone in a vulnerable position. She had drifted away from her Indian village. Jack saw the opportunity to take her.”

“And you wouldn’t let him?”

“How could I? She didn’t deserve that kind of brutal attack. No woman does.”

Cody hurriedly comes out of the house. “I’m going over to Buck’s and see how Jane is doing.”

“No need to bother yourself Cody,” Buck spoke as he walks up the steps to the porch. All three men turn to look at Buck as he approaches them. “Jane is asleep.”

Cody moves forward as if he is going to attack Buck. “What did you do to her?”

Jimmy grabs hold of Cody to restrain him before he hits Buck. “Knock it off Cody! Buck didn’t do anything to Jane!” Jimmy spoke as he eases up his hold on Cody when the hothead starts to settle down.

“If he didn’t do anything to Jane, then why were both their clothes in disarray as if they had to quickly put them back on?” Cody asked bitterly.

Buck shakes his head as if he isn’t going to even acknowledge that question with an answer. He then gazes at Teaspoon as if silently asking Teaspoon to help him out of this mess.

Teaspoon turns to Cody. “I think it’s time you get on over to the bunkhouse. You have another long day ahead of you tomorrow,” Teaspoon spoke calmly in hopes that Cody’s temper will take a lesson from his.

Cody pulls himself from Jimmy’s light grasp. He walks past Buck. “I know you are compromising Jane. The two of you weren’t together tonight just making small talk. Your appearance tonight when you busted into the house told a much different story. I’m not just handing Jane over to you,” Cody spoke gruffly as he walks away from all of them.

Teaspoon turns to Jimmy when he hears the bunkhouse door slam shut. “Jimmy, I’d like to speak with Buck alone. Charlene and Jane are alone over at the house. I want you to get on over to Buck’s house so they’re not unprotected.”

“I hear what you’re saying Teaspoon,” Jimmy spoke as he walks past Buck. “I’ll see you when you get over home.”

Buck nods in agreement to Jimmy.

Teaspoon waits until Jimmy is out of hearing range. He grabs onto Buck’s forearm to draw his attention to him.” Come sit down with me.”

Buck looks at Teaspoon as if he knows he’s done something terribly wrong. He feels like a little boy about to be punished. “Who was that man that was here earlier?”

“An old friend,” Teaspoon spoke somberly.

“I said something wrong when I burst into the house, didn’t I?” Buck asked confused.

“Jack Morgan is a bounty hunter.”

Buck realizes the mistake he had made. He becomes pale and honestly distraught with the realization that he may have sealed Jesse’s fate. With Teaspoon and their relationship mending from their disagreement concerning Jesse, Buck doesn’t want to start the fighting again. He’s trying his best to understand why Teaspoon did what he did. “I’m really sorry Teaspoon.”

“It ain’t your fault. You didn’t know,” Teaspoon spoke quietly. 

“Did he question you about knowing Jesse after I left?” Buck asked softly.

“Yep. But, Jack Morgan isn’t whom I’m concerned about at this moment. I’m more concerned about what happened to you and Jane. You mind going over everything with me?”

Buck gets a guilty and embarrassed look on his face. Teaspoon senses it and realizes that Cody was correct. Buck and Jane wherever they were, was passionately involved with each other when the shots rang out.

“Where were the two of you?”

“We were in the clearing where we had Ike’s ceremony. Whomever it was shooting at us, they were well hidden in the woods. I could tell what direction the shots were coming from, but I didn’t want to leave Jane alone to track them.”

“What makes you think it was Jesse?”

“Just a feeling Teaspoon. Jesse seems real interested in revenge where I’m concerned. He moved his camp. So it’s a possibility that he moved closer to us instead of further away. I’m real sorry about all of this Teaspoon.”

“I’m the one that should be saying he’s sorry Buck. I let Jesse snare me into his lies and deceit and in the process I hurt all of you,” Teaspoon spoke his voice tired from the day’s events.

“I suppose this Jack fellow won’t let us just handle Jesse?”

“I’m afraid not. Like any bounty hunter, Jack is after the money on Jesse’s head. Lets get off the subject of Jesse for a while. It is tiring me. So, what’s been going on with you and Jane? I understand from Jimmy that the two of you are…uh…well interested in one another.

“Is that what you call it?” Buck asked confused.

Teaspoon eyes the young man up before him. He understands that Buck isn’t very experienced with women, but most everything comes naturally anyway. He isn’t quite sure if Buck’s appearance is confusion concerning women, or frustration that he isn’t sure what he’s doing is the right way to do things. “You need to get more aggressive with her Buck.”

“Teaspoon, I practically made love to Jane on the sofa with Charlene right upstairs in her bedroom. How much more aggressive am I suppose to get?” Buck spoke unashamed of his desire for Jane.

“What stopped you?”

“Charlene stopped us.”

“Oh. I see,” Teaspoon spoke with disappointment in his voice.

“Charlene apparently heard all the noise that we were making, and she came downstairs to see what was going on,” Buck spoke unsure of his feelings. “Then Charlene excused herself and went back to bed when she became totally upset with my being with Jane. Jane and I talked for a few moments, but that only lead to more uh…involvement between the two of us.”

“So then what stopped you?”

“Then I stopped us. I wasn’t sure,” Buck spoke frustrated.

“Why’s that?”

“I don’t want Jane thinking that all I want from her is someone to tumble with in my bed.”

“You weren’t in bed with her. You were on the sofa,” Teaspoon spoke trying to lighten the subject of lovemaking between Jane and Buck up a bit.

“There’s no difference Teaspoon. Besides not long after that Jimmy came home. After Jimmy’s intrusion on our tumble on the sofa, I think we both were just so exhausted from explaining ourselves that Jane just excused herself and went on up to bed alone.”

“Oh. Well if it matters to you at all, Jimmy has been taking Hannah to the local hotel. I’m guessing that there’s usually no interruptions in a hotel room.”

“That’s romantic.”

Teaspoon smiles knowing what the young man before him is going through. “Uh…so you want there to be romance included in this… uh…this…uh…”

“Lovemaking.”

“That’s the word I was looking for,” Teaspoon spoke a bit embarrassed to be having this talk with Buck. He had thought he wouldn’t have to do this for a few more years with Addison and then later with Daniel.

“I want it to be special. The local hotel isn’t exactly what I would call special.”

“No. I guess those rooms are a bit humdrum,” Teaspoon spoke flatly. He glances over Buck again. He senses how frustrated Buck is at the fact that he has strong feelings for Jane, but there seems to be so many obstacles keeping them from their love. Teaspoon smiles at the notion that Buck is falling or is already in love with Jane, and he just plain doesn’t know how to deal with his feelings. And, it doesn’t help that everyone keeps intruding on passionate moments between the two.

“You’re falling you know,” Teaspoon spoke softly.

“I am not,” Buck spoke his voice filled with emotion.

“Yeah you are. When a man wants to make lovemaking special for a woman, then he’s falling for that woman and there ain’t nothing you can do about it except to just let it happen.”

“How do you know?” Buck asked confused.

“I’ve been married seven times Buck. Not to mention a few women that I spent a little time with, but didn’t actually marry them.”

“Well, I don’t plan on getting married seven times! Once will be enough for me,” Buck spoke anxiously.

“I sure hope so. I don’t think I could have this conversation six more times with you.”

“Teaspoon, I always thought these kind of talks were suppose to help? This one hasn’t helped much. I still don’t know what I’m doing,” Buck spoke disheartened.

“First of all you’ve got to move some of those people out of your house. There are far too many interruptions for a young couple in love in that there house of yours.”

“You mean Charlene and Jimmy?”

“Yep. After you get that accomplished, tell Jane how you feel about her. Then when it happens, no matter where it happens, it will be special.”

“Thanks Teaspoon.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Teaspoon walks out of his house onto the porch. He is walking without his crutches, but he is easing his way along by gliding along the front of the house. Yesterday Doc Barnes had finally agreed that it was time to get rid of the strong bindings that had kept his leg stiff and unmovable for the past two months. It would still be a while before Teaspoon would be fully recovered from the leg injury. He didn’t mind that just so long as he could walk again without those damn crutches!

It is early morning two weeks after the arrival of Jack Morgan, an old friend of Teaspoon’s who now makes a living as a bounty hunter. Teaspoon gazes out at the ranch as he makes his way to the edge of the porch. It is a quiet morning. He hadn’t wanted Jack to know about Jesse, but that wasn’t meant to be. At least hunting down Jesse was keeping Jack away from the rest of his family. He didn’t trust the man, even though they had once spent a year of their lives together trapping the great west.

He hasn’t heard from Jesse since their run in at the dance. That was just as well also. The pain that he had caused the rest of his family just to protect Jesse had left Teaspoon with an abysmal taste in his mouth. He didn’t like himself much when he had spoken harsh words to Buck about his past mistake. To think he had compared Jesse to Buck. Jimmy was right, that is totally absurd!

The one pleasant thing that has happened is that the autumn coolness seems to have cooled down a few of the hotheaded tempers around the ranch. Buck and Kid have almost completed the repairs that needed to be done before winter settles in. Jeremiah had insisted in helping at first, but the minute a young lady from Rock Creek took interest in him, he had found a better way to spend his last few weeks of summer before returning to school. 

The schoolhouse bell had rung out a week ago. Jane has been quite busy teaching the children of Rock Creek. She doesn’t have all the children attending school yet. Some parents, because of the killings that have been unsolved, are keeping their children at home until the killings are solved. Even though it is a lot of extra work for Jane, she gladly takes these children’s schoolwork to their homes. Last week, Buck wouldn’t let Jane stay at the schoolhouse without him being close by. He is still worried that Simon might return to finish what he had started with her. But, after a week of putting up with his over-protective ways, Jane had ordered him to stay on the ranch and get his own work done, running the ranch with Kid.

Cody hasn’t been able to solve the murders that he was sent to Rock Creek to investigate. He’s been working all-day and late into the evenings trying to figure out who the killer could be. At least that is keeping him away from pursuing Jane. 

Teaspoon turns toward the bunkhouse when he hears voices approaching him from that direction. He is stunned to see Jane walking with Cody, the both of them laughing. He figures Cody probably told Jane one of his dumb jokes. The two of them walk up onto the porch.

“Good morning Teaspoon,” Jane spoke softly.

“Good morning Jane, Cody,” Teaspoon spoke flatly.

“Teaspoon, is Rachel busy this morning?” Jane asked.

“Why I don’t think so. Why don’t you go on in the house, I’m sure she’d like a visit from you.”

Jane smiles at the two men and walks into the Hunter house. Once she’s inside Teaspoon turns to Cody.

“I know what you’re thinking. No, she did not spend the night at the bunkhouse. She brought me over some muffins and coffee this morning because she knows how late I’ve been working,” Cody spoke somberly.

“You act as if you’re upset about that.”

“I’m not giving up on Jane. I want her to be my wife. I still think she would be better off with me then with Buck,” Cody spoke brashly. 

“What about how much the two of them love each other? How are you gonna stop those feelings?” Teaspoon asked harshly.

“They haven’t made love yet,” Cody spoke confidently.

“How is it that everyone knows what the two of them do or don’t do in private?” Teaspoon asked angrily.

“Charlene. She wants Buck, and she’s making sure that I get what I want too. Buck and Jane can’t have time alone because Charlene won’t let them.”

“Are you in on this little scheme with Charlene?”

“No!” Cody spoke trying to sound innocent of any wrongdoing. “She just keeps me well informed.”

“Cody, I swear…”

“Teaspoon, I really didn’t come over here to argue with you about Jane and Buck. There was another killing last night. Two of my men woke me about four this morning.”

“Who is the victim?”

“I didn’t recognize the man at first, but I kept thinking that I had seen his face somewhere before. It took a little while, but I soon remembered seeing the man with Jesse the day I got shot. He’s one of The James Gang.”

“Where was his body found?”

“That’s what’s really strange. He was found in the clearing where Jane and Buck were shot at,” Cody explained as he takes a black leather glove from his pocket. “We also found this near the body,” Cody spoke quietly as he hands the glove over to Teaspoon.

Teaspoon takes the glove from Cody and looks it over. There are dried bloodstains on the leather glove. There is something about the glove that Teaspoon finds odd, but he can’t quite put his finger on it. He hands the glove back to Cody. “Did you show this to Jimmy yet?”

“No. I haven’t been into town yet this morning. Jane said he got up early and already went into town.”

Rachel sits a cup of coffee in front of Jane. The two women are sitting at the dining room table. Rachel sits down across from Jane. 

“I can sense there is a problem you want to talk about,” Rachel spoke compassionately.

“There is simply no privacy at Buck’s house.”

Rachel smiles brightly at the young woman before her. In some ways Jane reminds Rachel of Louise. Both women knowing exactly what they want, but just a little unsure of how to go about getting it. “Are you referring to no privacy for you and Buck?”

“I should be ashamed of myself. It’s not like were married, but I’m constantly thinking about him in ways I probably shouldn’t be.”

“Jane, there’s more to what you’re feeling for Buck then just lust! Don’t make yourself out to be just a woman Buck’s going to spend one night with and then forget you even exist. It’s obvious that you are in love with him, and I’ve seen the way he looks at you…”

“It’s lust, Rachel,” Jane spoke disheartened.

“I know Buck. He isn’t the type of man to just lust after a woman. He has strong feelings for you. Otherwise, he’d just spend the night with Charlene.”

“Oh dear Lord Rachel, don’t say that!”

“You love Buck, don’t you?” Rachel asked sure that Jane already knows how much she loves the Kiowa. “If you love him, then what’s the problem?”

“The problem is Charlene. The woman interrupts every time Buck tries to kiss me. She is in between us every time he tries to take me in his arms. I know the woman is doing it on purpose to keep us apart.”

“I see. You need to get rid of Charlene for an evening so you and Buck can be alone. 

“He’s asked me to go out to dinner tomorrow night. I thought perhaps you could invite Charlene over here for dinner and then…”

“I’ll become ill from my own cooking, and Teaspoon will ask Charlene to stay to help with the boys seeing how he still can’t get around very well.”

Jane is shocked that Rachel has come up with such an elaborate scheme to keep Charlene from interrupting her romantic evening with Buck. “You’ve done this sort of scheming before, haven’t you?”

“It comes in handy to be able to outwit the most devious women. They seem to be the ones that are always standing in the way of true love. I little scheming never hurt anyone,” Rachel spoke with a laugh. 

Jane laughs with her as they continue to scheme and drink their chilled coffee.

Teaspoon and Cody had heard their laughter and came bustling into the house figuring the women were scheming something. Teaspoon can identify all his wife’s different laughs, and this laugh sounds like a scheme is in the making. 

“You two seem to be having an interesting conversation going on in here,” Teaspoon spoke wondering what their secret might be.

“It is none of your concern, Teaspoon Hunter,” Rachel spoke sternly.

Cody looks down at Jane and takes her hand in his bringing her to a stand in front of him. “I don’t care how much scheming they do as long as you will agree to have dinner with me tonight.” 

Jane looks at Cody with a silent, stunned expression on her face. She doesn’t know what to say. Teaspoon and Rachel stare at each other wondering how Jane will get herself out of this date with Cody.

“I know it’s sudden notice, but I think you owe me a dinner date for saving you from that heathen, Simon Davenport. What do you say? I could use your help to go over all the aspects of these murders with me.”

Jane ponders on Cody’s invitation for a few seconds longer. She hates to think how Buck is going to react to this. She doesn’t want to disappoint Cody. But, this date would give her the opportunity to tell Cody that she loves Buck, and that he shouldn’t waste his time wanting what she can’t give him. “I’d like to have dinner with you Cody.”

Cody gets a bright smile that covers half his face. Jane worries about his reaction, but she needs this time to tell him gently about her feelings. Teaspoon and Rachel are both shocked that Jane has accepted Cody’s invitation to dinner. 

Cody walks Jane to the front door. Jane turns back to look at Rachel. She winks at Rachel. A woman’s sign letting Rachel know that she is scheming again. “Don’t forget about our plans for tomorrow night,” Jane spoke trying to also reassure Rachel and Teaspoon that her date with Cody doesn’t mean she’s given up on the Kiowa.

“I’ll put them in motion later on today,” Rachel spoke with a smile that tells Jane she understands that her date with Cody is just another one of those schemes women have to come up with to keep their life in balance.

Rachel glances over at Teaspoon. He hasn’t taken his eyes off the closed door that Cody and Jane just walked out of hand in hand. 

“I know what you’re thinking,” Rachel spoke softly.

“Tell me then, what am I thinking?” Teaspoon asked his eyes still glued on the closed door.

Rachel makes her way over to her husband and wraps her arms around the back of his neck. She kisses him gently to draw his attention away from the door and onto her. “You’re thinking Buck is going to get hurt again.”

“Why am I always pushing that boy into finding a woman. I should just leave things be,” Teaspoon spoke exasperated.

“You didn’t push Jane and Buck together. The pairing of them two happened naturally, and that is why Jane is the one that Buck is going to spend his life with.”

“Rachel, you saw and heard what just happened here. Jane accepted an invitation for dinner with Cody.”

“Jane is scheming. You have heard of scheming before haven’t you?” Rachel asked as she unwraps her arms from Teaspoon.

“Yeah, I’ve heard of scheming. Perhaps it’s time I did a little scheming of my own.”

“Just don’t go getting yourself into trouble. I have a lot to do today, and I won’t have time to bail you out,” Rachel spoke as she takes the coffee cups from the table and heads to her kitchen.

Teaspoon walks out into the cool autumn air. The days have become a lot less warm then what they were just a few weeks ago. He isn’t real sure he’s ready for another cold, and brutal winter. But, whether he is ready or not, winter is coming. 

Teaspoon spots Kid walking up the walkway to his front porch. “What are you doing over here so early?”

“Oh, I was over at Buck’s waiting for him. We need to go into town today to pick up some supplies.”

“So where is Buck?” Teaspoon asked baffled as to why Buck isn’t with Kid.

“Uh, he’s over at the house fighting with Jane. I thought it would be best that I left them alone.”

“Yeah, I bet he is fighting with her,” Teaspoon spoke softly as he glances over toward Buck’s home. “Kid we need a plan.”

“What kind of plan Teaspoon?”

“Come on up here and sit with me until Buck is finished arguing with Jane and I’ll explain it to you.”

“Why do you have to go out with him?” Buck asked in a rather loud manner. 

Cody had walked Jane back to Buck’s house, just as Buck was getting ready to leave the house with Kid. The excited smile on Cody’s face led Buck to believe that something important had happened between the two of them. For a brief moment Buck had thought that Jane was going to break his heart. Instead all Jane did was infuriate him. 

Cody announced their dinner date for the evening before Jane could tell Buck in private. Jane saw the color suddenly disappear from Buck’s face as he went completely pale. That is when she told Cody that she had to speak with Buck alone, and that she would see him later.

“I’m not going to explain my actions to you if you are going to yell at me! Jane spoke shouting back at Buck.

Buck sighs heavily and tries to calm his nerves and temper down. “All right, why are you going out to dinner with Cody?”

Jane smiles at his horrible try at self-control. She wishes Buck had this little self-control over his desire for her. There she goes again thinking of the lust she feels for him rather then the issue that is causing their first fight. “It is a dinner between two friends, and that is all it is,” Jane spoke as she tries to maneuver her way around Buck to get her school books and papers ready for her day of teaching. 

He puts his hands on her forearms to keep her from moving around him. “There’s more to this date then that. I want to know what it is?”

Jane starts to see red! Buck is starting to act like he owns her, and it doesn’t become him very well at all. “Buck Cross how dare you treat me as if you own me. You don’t, and I won’t be treated as such! Cody is a friend and that is all there is to it!”

“Why do you have to go out to dinner with him? You could spend two minutes talking to Cody at the next family gathering,” Buck spoke his voice shaky with fear that he is about to lose her.

Jane senses how upset he is. She really doesn’t want Buck to feel like he’s losing her to Cody. She finds that so absurd, she finds Cody’s personality matching that of a buffoon, but Cody has been after her since the day they met. Even though she has never really shown any interest for Cody, he has made it clear to Buck that he is interested in her. 

Jane reaches her hand up to his face to caress his cheek. The sadness she sees in his eyes is unexplainable, but it leaves her feeling upset with herself that she has caused him pain. “No one compares to you in my heart. You have nothing to worry about where Cody or any other man is concerned.” 

His haunting eyes pierce through her heart and soul. His eyes darken with desire, and her heart tells her exactly what he wants. She reaches up to his lips and kisses him tenderly. She hears a soft moan come from within him. In one swift movement he clasps his hands around her waist, and he brings her body pressed tightly to his! 

It isn’t long before Jane’s touch only serves to fuel the fire of intense passion that he feels for her! The kiss that had started out warm and tender has become forcefully intense with a hunger for each other that has brought the two of them to extreme heights of rapture, but then only to be snatched away from them due to lack of privateness. The desire that they have for each other causes them both to lose their senses. The heat between them molds their bodies to each other as if they are meant to be one! 

“I seriously think that if the two of you are going to continue with these rages of passion, you should really get a room somewhere and get it over with,” Jimmy spoke as he watches the two from the entranceway to the living room.

Buck and Jane untangle their bodies from each other once again. They are both breathless and must lean into each other for support.

“You two really are causing the rest of us to have a lot of sleepless nights,” Jimmy spoke feeling like he really needs to be with Hannah after watching Buck and Jane’s desire go unsatisfied again.

Buck gazes at his friend. “Causing you to have sleepless nights?”

“Yeah. So I can only imagine what it’s doing to the two of you,” Jimmy stated with a teasing smile.

Jane pulls herself away from Buck. She gathers up her things for school. “I’m running late. I really need to get over to the school.” She reaches up and places one last gentle kiss to Buck’s lips. “I’ll see you later.” She heads over to Jimmy, and stops in front of him. “You just find this so amusing, don’t you?” Jane asked harshly.

“Well…I…it’s just uh…well…” Jimmy stumbled through his words as he looks at the woman before him. She doesn’t find all the intrusions funny anymore, and Jimmy sees it in her eyes that warn him not to give her another wisecrack answer.

“Never mind Jimmy,” Jane stated angrily as she storms out of the house, slamming the door behind her departure.

Jimmy watches as Jane leaves the house with a very confused look upon his face. He gazes at Buck who doesn’t appear to be baffled at all by Jane’s behavior. “I’d watch that wrath of hers. She could probably be downright uncontrollable when she doesn’t get what she wants.”

“If you remember Jane at all from seven years ago, she was quite passionate then. Her passion then was limited to justice, and getting done whatever had to be done so justice would prevail. She’s only grown up, Jimmy. The passion is still there; only it has become a focal point for everything in her life. Jane is passionate about everything she does,” Buck spoke still trying to calm his breathing back down to normal.

“Well my friend, then I suggest you take Jane someplace secluded and relieve some of that passion, before someone gets physically hurt,” Jimmy spoke fearing that the next person that interrupts Jane and Buck could end up at the doc’s recovering from abrasions and bruises.

Even with all the torment Jane has been putting him through lately, Buck can only smile at his friend’s fearful expression. “I thought you already went into town this morning?”

“Yeah, I did. But, Cody’s army has taken over my office this morning. I couldn’t take listening to their army gibber-jabber any longer. I figure I’ll go back into town a little later. By then, hopefully Cody and his army will have disappeared.

“Teaspoon, are you sure we should be doing this? I mean we would be sort of interfering with an army investigation,” Kid asked his voice showing concern over the plan that Teaspoon has come up with for Cody.

“Kid, you want Buck and Jane to have a chance at romance, don’t you?” Teaspoon asked seriously.

“Teaspoon, Buck and Jane aren’t ever going to have a serious chance at romance until Charlene and Jimmy are removed from Buck’s house.”

“Well that might be next on our agenda,” Teaspoon spoke with a sparkle in his eyes. “Now listen, lets go over the plan one more time to make sure you know what you’re suppose to do. If this works, Jane won’t be having dinner with Cody tonight. Then all we have to do is get Charlene and Jimmy out of that house so Buck and Jane can have one evening of loving without any intrusions. Soon after that we should all be hearing wedding bells,” Teaspoon spoke rather proud of his scheming.

Kid just shakes his head in bewilderment. He’s thinking that all this scheming can only lead to more scheming which in turn leads to the possibilities of everything going wrong. Of course, how much more can go wrong for any of them?

Charlene had been summoned by Jesse James to meet him just outside the boundaries of the ranch. He would await her arrival in the woods that are beyond Buck’s home. 

She had been awoken from a deep slumber by a barrage of pebbles being thrown at her bedroom window. When she was able to wipe the sleep from her sluggish eyes, she took into account that the skies were still as pitch-black as midnight. 

With the pebbles haunting her sleep, she decided that whomever it was trying to arouse her would not disappear until she paid them a visit. She had made her way clumsily to the window, and tossed the curtains aside to peer out into the blind darkness. When her eyes finally adjusted to the profound darkness, Charlene could see that she was staring down at the devil himself!

Jesse could sure catch someone’s attention. He had sent Simon Davenport to alert her to her meeting with Jesse. She had to muster up the bravery inside her, and come face to face with Simon to retrieve her message from Jesse. It had shocked her that Simon spoke respectably to her, and that he didn’t lay a hand on her.

Charlene finds herself riding along the road that takes her away from the ranch, and places her in a wooded area that looks and feels like doom. Just up ahead, she can see the lean figure of Jesse James mounted on his horse. The outline of his body is perfectly still as she approaches his horse.

“How dare you send Simon to see me,” Charlene spoke harshly to a man that could easily take her life without a moment of remorse.

“I thought sending Simon added a personal touch to our meeting,” Jesse spoke with a wicked smile etched on his face.

“What do you want?”

“My you are quite testy in the mornings.”

”This is not morning. This is more like a little after midnight,” Charlene spoke with venom due to his rudeness of awaking her up at such an hour.

“Is there anything going on that I need to know about?” Jesse asked a sleepy Charlene.

“Are you aware of the fact that you and your gang are at the top of Cody’s list of suspects concerning the killings that have been going on around here.”

“Now how can that be possible?” Jesse spoke with sarcasm. “What about Buck? What has he been up to lately?”

“Falling in love with Jane. The two of them are going out to dinner tonight, and then they are planning an evening alone at his house,” Charlene spoke disheartened.

“You don’t sound pleased about their evening. I have a plan that could benefit both of us.”

A glimmer of hope materializes from Charlene’s eyes. It hadn’t dawned on her that Jesse’s plans, whatever they may be, would help her achieve what she desires! 

“You’ll have to enlist the help of your partner in crime. Here’s what the two of you will do.”

Charlene listens intently to Jesse’s plan with exasperating thoughts of her and Buck.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Teaspoon is leaning against the corrals watching the horses graze in the fields. He thinks about how hard Buck and Kid have worked over the past few years to make their dream of having this ranch a reality. He had almost been willing to let Jesse indulge in everything the boys had worked so hard for. That doesn’t mean that Jesse James is out of their lives. He can feel that Jesse is still out their watching all of them. It’s only a matter of time before he strikes. Teaspoon can feel it.

“What are you thinking about?” Kid asked as he comes up from behind Teaspoon and slaps the old man gently on the back. 

Teaspoon cranks his head slightly to look at Kid who is now standing beside him looking out over the land as well. “I’m thinking about what a miraculous scheme we came up with, and how wonderfully it has worked out. 

“Cody isn’t back from his wild goose chase yet Teaspoon. When he does get back he is likely to be rather ill-tempered about the false trip we sent him on,” Kid replied softly.

“I ain’t worried. You didn’t see Cody out on his dinner date with Jane last night, now did you?” Teaspoon spoke with a wide grin. 

“We still have to get through tonight. Buck and Jane are going out to dinner, but Cody might be back in town before their evening is over.”
“So you’re telling me that Cody could interrupt Buck and Jane after they are back home for the evening.”

“There would go all Rachel and Jane’s scheming to get Charlene out of the house for the evening,” Kid spoke flatly.

“Oh Lord,” Teaspoon spoke disheartened.

“Personally Teaspoon, I think it would have been a whole lot easier to marry Buck and Jane off and send them on a honeymoon, alone of course,” Kid spoke amusingly.

“Why didn’t you tell me your plan yesterday, Kid?”

“You’re not serious?”

“It could’ve worked. At least the two of them would be able to…well you know…without the rest of us interrupting them every time they start to…you know,” Teaspoon spoke stumbling his way through his words.

“You know what I think, I think all this scheming is making all of us crazy,” Kid spoke quietly as he lets out a loud yawn.

“That ain’t all that’s making us all crazy,” Teaspoon spoke as he hears footsteps coming toward them. He turns around to see who it could be approaching them. 

“Teaspoon, Rachel asked me if I could get the children cleaned up for dinner while she is helping Jane get ready for her date,” Charlene spoke rather calmly for a woman who is about to lose out to Jane completely for Buck’s love after this night is over. 

“You seem in a rather cheerful mood tonight, Charlene,” Kid spoke pleased that she isn’t dwelling on Buck and his date with Jane.

“I guess I’m just accepting what I know can never be. Teaspoon, I’ll see you over at the house,” Charlene spoke turning away from them to walk toward the Hunter house. The evil smile on her face is proof enough that she has not given up on Buck. “This dinner date may just not take place after all,” Charlene spoke quietly to herself. 

Jane had laid the sea green taffeta dress that she has chosen to wear on her dinner date with Buck, out across her bed. With her hair pinned up she retired to another room where she is soaking her body in a bath filled with a relaxing lavender fragrance. The warmth of the water is soothing the burning deep inside her. The dinner is only an interlude to what tonight is really about for her and Buck. Everyone who resides at this ranch knows that her and Buck are coming back to Buck’s house to make love. How much more not spontaneous can making love become? There are some advantages to a planned evening of passion. With everyone knowledgeable concerning their plans, there should be no intrusions to keep her from making love to Buck all night long! 

She reaches for her towel and drapes it around her body as she steps out of the bathtub. 

“Jane, are you about finished with your bath?” Rachel shouted from Jane’s bedroom. “I think you really need to get over here.”

It doesn’t even dawn on Jane that Rachel’s hollers could be because something has gone wrong with their scheming. They had thought out everything thoroughly about tonight down to the last tiny detail. There is no way anything can go wrong. 

Jane stands in the doorway of her bedroom gazing at her dress that Rachel is holding up for her to view. They are both speechless over the sight of the dress that has been slashed a few dozen times with a sharp object. Jane walks over to Rachel and her dress very slowly. She fingers the material that is now in shreds. Jane gazes at Rachel who is just as stunned as Jane is.

“You would have done this?” Jane asked almost too calm.

“Charlene just left about twenty minutes ago. Have you been in here since then?”

“No, I haven’t. Rachel, I am bringing to believe that Buck and I are not meant to be together. This has to be a sign that bad things are yet to happen if we are together,” Jane spoke wearily.

Rachel puts the dress back down on the bed. She gathers Jane into her arms for a comforting hug. “It is only a dress. It doesn’t have anything at all to do with the love you two feel for one another,” Rachel spoke softly as she brings Jane away from her and makes her way over to Jane’s closet. “I’m sure that you have other dresses that you can wear.”

Rachel pushes hanger after hanger of dresses to the side as she searches for the perfect dress for Jane to wear. It takes her a few moments, but soon her hands have stopped searching. “Oh my,” Rachel exclaimed as she brings out the dress from the closet that has her speechless.

Rachel holds the new dress up for Jane to see. Jane’s eyes become wide with nervousness. Rachel sees the concerned look in Jane’s eyes, but she is simply choosing to ignore it.

“This is the perfect dress. I can’t believe you didn’t choose this one before the green one,” Rachel spoke excitedly.

“I can’t wear that dress Rachel.”

“Why not?”

“Don’t you think it is a little too revealing?”

“Good. When Buck sees you in this dress he’ll think he’s died and gone to heaven!”

“Yes. So will every other man that’s at the restaurant this evening,” Jane spoke strongly.

“Look my dear, don’t go getting modest on me now. I want you to put this dress on, and get yourself downstairs in ten minutes. Buck will be waiting for you,” Rachel spoke demandingly as she places the dress in Jane’s hands. She leaves Jane alone to muddle through her thoughts about wearing such a dress.

Rachel walks hurriedly down the stairs and runs directly into Buck who is waiting nervously for Jane. Rachel smiles amusingly at the back and forth pacing that he is doing in front of the stairs. She looks him over and wonders if Jane will have a difficult time getting to dinner without undressing him first! He is wearing dark brown trousers with a cream colored shirt and a dark brown suit coat over the shirt. Buck has let his hair flow freely. Rachel is sure he did this because Jane has made comments that she likes his hair down over being pulled back and tied.

“Is Jane ready?” Buck asked his voice shaky from his nervousness.

“She’ll be down in a few minutes. I’m going to go on over to the house and make sure Charlene is occupied.”

“Thanks Rachel.”

“Just have a good time tonight,” Rachel spoke teasingly. She walks away from Buck.

Just about the time he hears the front door close, he gets a glimpse of Jane making her way down the stairs. When he gets a full view of her his mouth drops to the floor! As she makes her way down to him, he gets control of himself and closes his mouth trying to act as normal as he possible can. When Jane is standing on the step above him, Buck holds at his hand for her to grasp onto. 

As soon as Jane touches his hand, the heat of him spreads through her body. Touching him is definitely the wrong way to go about getting out the front door, and onto the restaurant. 

Buck hasn’t taken his eyes off of Jane. His eyes have now combed every inch of her for the second time, and he still can’t believe that she has chosen him. “You look ravishingly beautiful Jane.”

She steps down to his level and gazes at him as if she is lost in the pools of his deep brown eyes. She hadn’t wanted to wear this dress, but the look on his face assures her that his hunger is for more than the food they will be served at dinner tonight. The dress is red, a very dark hue of red, but not quite maroon. It is ankle length to allow a tiny amount of skin showing for seductive purposes only. The dress is made from a silken material with a low scoop neckline. It is sleeveless, but Jane has a shawl made from taffeta that is the same color of the dress thrown around her shoulders. The dress is form fitting to Jane’s body but there is a satin slip under the dress, which is a lighter shade then the dress that makes the dress not too snug against her womanly curves.

She twirls around for him to gaze at her completely. “Do you like it?”

“I like it very much,” Buck spoke his voice husky with passion. He leans into Jane and kisses her soft parted lips. But, when Buck hears the soft moans coming from her, he stops the kiss and simply takes in her beauty.

Jane is baffled as to why Buck had stopped kissing her. Even though she knows now that she is crazy in love with this man, she doesn’t pretend to understand him completely. They are alone. No one will be intruding on them tonight. Any other time Buck would kiss her breathless until someone would walk in on them. It doesn’t matter. He hasn’t taken his eyes off of her, and that is all that matters right now. 

She had noticed how gorgeous he looked as she walked enticingly down his stairway. She runs her fingers from his chin down to his torso. “You look simply delicious. Can we skip dinner and move onto desert,” Jane pleaded as she nips at his chin.

“No,” Buck spoke looking down at her trying to keep his self-control.

Jane is stunned by is unwillingness to stay at the house and make love to her. She gazes into his eyes, and sees only love for her there. “You’re afraid aren’t you? You’re afraid that someone will barge in on our lovemaking.”

“Now why would I be afraid of that happening?” Buck spoke with a teasing smile. 

Jane jabs Buck lightly in the ribs. She is already aware of his ticklish spots, and she uses them to her advantage every chance she gets. She loves listening to his deep sensuous laugh. She rests her head into his chest until his laughs calm down. She gazes deeply into his eyes that mirror her own feelings of desire. She reaches her lips to lightly feather his parted lips. Buck closes his eyes and allows Jane to kiss him deeply.

Buck starts to realize that he is losing the self-control that he promised himself he was going to keep in check until after dinner. Jane’s touches are like fire scorching his soul. Her fingertips glide their way around to bury themselves in his loose hair. She entangles her fingers in the mass of his hair. Jane presses her body tautly against his body. Buck melts into her for support when his legs become almost too weak to hold him up.

Jane feels as if she almost has Buck ready to surrender to their love for one another. She deepens the kiss between them and her reply in doing so is intensely continuous soft moans coming from the man she so much wants to please. When his hold on her becomes almost too compelling for her to bear, she feels that Buck has just about lost the self-control that he had been guarding with his life! She lessens her kiss on him to catch her breath.

Buck regains a tiny amount of his strength, and halts the kiss completely. He leans his forehead into hers while desperately trying to get his breathing and his body back under control. “Jane…..if you….. don’t stop this….we will never ….get to dinner,” Buck spoke breathlessly.

“I don’t want dinner. I want you!” Jane spoke her voice shaky with emotion.

Buck straightens up and takes her hand. His breathing is still a bit ragged, but he is able to speak in sentences now. “Jane, I don’t want you thinking that all I want is to go to bed with you. Every time you kiss me we end up about tearing each others clothes off!”

“But it hasn’t happened yet. We have yet to even come close to tearing our clothes off!” Jane spoke bewildered by Buck’s actions.

“All I want is to spend a perfect evening with you. I don’t want our evening to start out with us jumping into bed and then going to dinner. It’s suppose to happen the other way around,” Buck spoke his voice cracking with emotion. He suddenly realizes the depth of love that he feels for Jane. He could easily pick her up and carry her up to his bed, and she wouldn’t protest his demands at all. Instead he wants to spend time reveling in the love that he feels for her. It doesn’t bother him at all that she just wants to make love with him now. Because that is what he wants too, but he also wants to get to know other things about Jane besides the pleasures she will give him. 

Jane reaches up and touches Buck’s face gently. She sees an over-whelming amount of emotion in his eyes. He loves her. She trusts him, and that is really all that matters. “We do have all night.”

Buck takes her hand in his. “Shall we go to dinner then?”

“Yes,” Jane replied softly.

An overpowering rap on Teaspoon Hunter’s front door has him about jumping off the rocker he is sitting on in his living room. He is awoken to find that he is the only one downstairs. He listens intently to see if he can hear Charlene upstairs with Addison and Daniel. He smiles. He hears the sounds of his two small children and a voice that doesn’t belong to his wife. Teaspoon isn’t used to babysitting an adult woman. But, he has to do what it takes to give Buck and Jane the time they need to fall in love.

He stumbles his way over to the front door as the loud rapping continues. He roughly opens the door as if he intends on giving the person standing on the other side a round of his meanest gruff. “Who in blazes would be calling at this hour?” Teaspoon asked hollering as he comes face to face with Jack Morgan.

“It isn’t that late Teaspoon. It’s only about seven o’clock,” Jack spoke quietly worried that he may be waking up Teaspoon’s family.

“What brings you here. I figured you to be hot on Jesse’s trail by now,” Teaspoon spoke with bitterness.

“May I come in?” Jack asked demanding entrance to Teaspoon’s home.

Teaspoon steps aside to allow Jack Morgan access to his home. Jack walks past Teaspoon and waits for Teaspoon to shut the door before he steps further into his home.

“Lets go into the living room. Without my crutches, I can’t stand for long periods of time just yet,” Teaspoon mumbled trying to make small talk with his old friend.

Both men sit down. Teaspoon resumes his place in his old favorite rocking chair, while Jack chooses a over stuffed chair that is across from Teaspoon’s rocker. Jack lets out a heavy sigh before he begins to talk with Teaspoon. “I have lost The James Gang’s trail. But Jesse James isn’t the reason I’m here tonight.”

“Is this talk we’re going to have tonight the real reason your destination was Rock Creek all along?” Teaspoon spoke calmly apprehensive about what Jack Morgan is up to.

“You know me too well Teaspoon Hunter.”

“I feel like you’ve been itching to tell me something ever since the day you arrived. Twenty-five years is an awful long time to suddenly just stop by for a friendly visit,” Teaspoon spoke cautiously.

“You ever see that Indian maiden you were so fond of again?” Jack asked carefully.

“Why are you bringing her into my life again now?”

“You allowed an Indian woman to destroy our friendship. I never did understand that,” Jack spoke with a slight hint of sadness.

“You sound like you’re a prejudice man, Jack. I never pegged you to be that way.”

“All I’m saying is I wouldn’t have allowed any woman, white or Indian to come between the friendship we had,” Jack spoke gruffly.

“Jack, our time together as trappers and friends would have come to an end without the Indian woman in the picture. It was just time for both of us to move on away from each other.”

Jack leaves out a heavy sigh. “I suppose you’re right. You still didn’t answer my question about ever seeing her again?”

Teaspoon isn’t sure he trusts Jack. But, what harm can come from telling him the truth. The truth happened twenty-five years ago. By now, he is sure the Indian woman has left this earth. Most Indian women didn’t have much of a chance with white men just like Jack Morgan raiding their villages, raping them, and then leaving them to die. “I spent a few days with her, and then she went back in search of her village. I never saw her again.”

Jack thinks about the possibilities of Teaspoon being with the Indian woman for a few days. “I see.”

“You can’t be telling me that that is the only reason you made sure you came through Rock Creek to see me. There’s something about all of this that you’re not telling me. Care to tell me what it is?” Teaspoon asked gruffly.

“I went back to try and find her,” Jack spoke admitting his guilt of twenty-five years.

“I thought I had told you to stay away from her,” Teaspoon spoke his temper starting to flare.

“Don’t worry Hunter. I did find her, but nothing happened. I guess your wisdom wore off on me that day. She certainly was a beautiful creature, but I kept hearing your voice telling me to stay away from her.”

Teaspoon is unimpressed with Jack’s admittance of going back to find the Indian woman that Teaspoon himself had spent three astounding days lying in her arms. “If nothing happened, then why did you feel the need to share your almost unforgiving sin with me?”

“It isn’t my almost sin that I wanted you to hear about. I wanted to hear about yours,” Jack spoke confidently.

“You came all this way so you could hear me admit that I spent a few days with an Indian woman? I really don’t understand your reasoning behind all this, but I’m sure there’s more to this story then meets the eye,” Teaspoon spoke baffled.

“I came all this way to hunt down Jesse and Frank James and their ruthless gang of bandits. I just needed to know if our friendship was lost out with that Indian maiden or if by chance you had forgiven me for almost committing the unthinkable,” Jack spoke gruffly.

“Why does it matter? It isn’t like were gonna go fishing together or anything else for that matter,” Teaspoon spoke suspicious of Jack’s real intentions for his visit after all these years.

“Lets just say I’ve mellowed over the years. I don’t want to leave this great land with more enemies than friendships. I’d like to think someone will show up for my funeral when the time comes.”

The restaurant in Rock Creek, the only restaurant in Rock Creek, has a large crowd this evening. There are young, middle age, and old couples alike out dining tonight. There are a few entire families dining out at the restaurant. Many parents, with children in attendance, are trying desperately to get their children to eat the strange food that doesn’t quite taste like their mothers cooking. In one corner there are two businessmen discussing their latest venture between them. In another corner there are four town gossips devouring chocolate cake while telling secrets, spreading rumors, and whispering behind their victim’s backs.

In a secluded corner, which Buck had requested, he sat in his chair admiring the captivating woman sitting across from him whom he is having dinner with. At least she has captured his heart. He watches her with intense interest as she destroys a slice of apple pie smothered with a heaping amount of vanilla ice cream! Earlier in the evening he had thought that he was to be her desert. The thought of that makes him shudder as he watches her savior the taste of the sweet ice cream!

Jane looks up at Buck when she senses he has been watching her. “Would you like to try it?” Jane asked as she raises a fork full of the delicious pie towards Buck.

“No thank-you. I’m just taking pleasure in watching your delight in the desert,” Buck stated with a warm smile.

“Suit yourself, but it is really yummy!” Jane spoke with a mouthful of ice cream.

Buck laughs with happiness at her.

“So tell me more about what happened after we parted seven years ago. I believe you left off where you were homesick,” Jane spoke amusingly.

“I didn’t say I was homesick. I just didn’t fit in with the Kiowa the way I thought I would, and I missed my family here in Rock Creek.”

“Okay Mister Cross, you missed your Rock Creek family. So tell me what happened next?”

“When I got back home, here to Rock Creek, Kid was still back east fighting in the war. Kid and Teaspoon had been writing to each other on a regular basis. So the next time Teaspoon wrote to Kid, he informed him that I was back home to stay, and I was very interested in the horse ranch that we had discussed before we went our separate ways.”

“The horse ranch was an idea before you went back to the Kiowa?” Jane asked surprised that Buck just didn’t stay in Rock Creek instead of trying to fit in with his Kiowa tribe.

“After the Pony Express ended, neither Kid or I were too certain about what we really wanted to do with our lives in the line of making a living. The horse ranch was an idea that we both liked because it enabled us to stay together as a family. I guess we all wanted that even though we didn’t really come right out and say it.”

“What about Jimmy and Cody? They both apparently wanted to roam away from Rock Creek.”

“Cody has always been the type to go against what others believe in. Everyone fought with Cody over his volunteering to join the army. I think that’s one reason why he didn’t back down from it. He knew it upset Teaspoon and Rachel that he joined.”

“Teaspoon hates the unnecessary killing, doesn’t he?” Jane asked knowing how upset he has been over the choices Jesse has made.

“Teaspoon was also worried that Cody would get himself killed, like Noah had,” Buck spoke sadly.

“What about Jimmy?”

“I think Jimmy just needed to find Jimmy. He kind of had been labeled a gunfighter, and I think Jimmy needed to find out if that was true or not. He ended up becoming a deputy, just the opposite of a gunfighter.”

“Then what happened with you and Kid? How did the ranch get started?” Jane asked with eagerness to learn about his life.

He finds himself pleased that Jane is taking an interest in his life. He is surprised that immediately after dinner she hadn’t insisted that they return home for their planned evening of intimacy. Instead Jane is captivated by the story of his life, after they parted ways seven years ago. This is what he had wanted between them. He would be the first to admit that he’s overly excited anticipating the night of lovemaking ahead of them. Buck wants more then the lovemaking. He wants a chance for the two of them to fall in love, and spend a lifetime making love!

“Kid came back home in the early spring of 1864. We started making plans for the ranch the very next day. By winter of 1864, we had sold horses to six different buyers. Word of mouth alone was helping our ranch grow into the largest horse ranch around,” Buck spoke proud of his and Kid’s accomplishments.

“It sounds like you are very happy with your choices Mister Cross,” Jane spoke smiling warmly at him. She can’t believe that she has actually become very interested in what Buck’s been doing with his life. She didn’t want to leave the house tonight. She had wanted to stay and take advantage of there being alone, together. There would be no intrusions on their evening alone. Yet, here she is sitting in a restaurant listening intensely to every word that Buck speaks.

“Enough about what I’ve been doing. I’d like to hear more about your life,” Buck stated softly.

“And, I would like to share my life with you, but right now I really want to be alone with you,” Jane spoke softly as she leans over the table between them and places a feathery kiss on his warm lips. 

Jane’s words and actions have Buck reveling with thoughts of their night alone. He still can’t understand why she wants him over Cody or any other man. But, he’s tired of trying to figure it out. He just wants to take Jane back to his home and make passionate love to her.

Buck takes her hand, and the two of them walk away from the table.

Charlene stands staring down at the ranch below her from a window in the bedroom that she is occupying tonight at Teaspoon and Rachel’s home. She had been pacing her bedroom floor prior to standing still and gazing out the window. She didn’t want Teaspoon to hear her pacing. He is a smart man and it wouldn’t take him long to figure out that her pacing is from overwrought anxiety concerning the plan she has in store for Buck and Jane. 

She presumes that by now the two of them should have arrived back at the ranch. So far there has been no sign of them. Could it be that her plan had actually worked? A deceitful smile spreads across her face. It is about time that she gets what she wants instead of having to settle for something she really doesn’t want. “This could prove to be a very delightful evening,” Charlene spoke in a whisper to calm her restless nerves. 

Buck had decided to take the long way back to the ranch. He thought the ride would be romantic and also calm his overly excited mind of the thoughts he is having of being alone with Jane. He thought perhaps the cool air would halt the over eagerness his body is feeling about being with Jane intimately. The cool air hasn’t helped much with her body leaning into his as they sit on the buckboard making their way back to his home. 

Jane gazes into the night sky. The moonlight is shining brilliantly upon them as they ride back to the ranch. She is amazed by the beauty of the night. It is a perfect night for love.

The two sit quietly just reveling in the feel of being close to one another. No words are needed between them. Buck hasn’t said the words, but Jane is sure that he loves her. She can see it in his eyes that have such a depth of emotion to them. She definitely has never meant a man quite like Buck. Jane knows deep in her heart that Buck is the only man she will ever give her heart to.

A rampage of army men on horses, with Cody front and center, rushes the buckboard from a grove of trees that they had been concealed in!

“Stop!” Cody shouted above the silence of the night.

Buck pulls hard on the reins to get the horses to stop the buckboard from advancing any further. They would surely run Cody and his men over if Buck chose not to make them stop. It was a thought. But, it wouldn’t be a smart thing to do. Cody would surely have him arrested for endangering the lives of his men.

“Cody, what are you doing?” Buck asked his blood boiling at the thought that Cody has done this deliberately.

“I’ll ask the questions here Buck,” Cody spoke in his guarded uniform voice. He makes his way over to the side of the buckboard that Jane is on. “He hasn’t hurt you has he?” Cody asked Jane softly.

Buck arches an eyebrow at Cody with disgust. Jane is a little taken back by the line of questioning that Cody is presenting to her.

“Cody, Buck and I are just coming back from town. We had dinner in Rock Creek.”

“That isn’t what I asked you,” Cody replied demandingly.

“Buck, has not hurt me Cody,” Jane spoke harshly at Cody for this apparent planned intrusion. 

“There was another body discovered earlier this evening,” Cody spoke gazing at Buck.

“Cody, Jane and I don’t really want to hear about the murders or your investigation,” Buck spoke angrily.

“You’re missing my point Buck. There is a witness who claims he saw you running away from the scene of the murder!”

Buck is so stunned by Cody’s words that he is speechless. Jane’s mouth nearly hits the floor of the buckboard. But she soon regains her composure.

“Cody, Buck has been with me all evening. Please don’t do this,” Jane spoke pleading with Cody’s sense of virtues not to do the unthinkable.

“Was Buck with you around four this afternoon?” Cody asked almost too pleased with himself knowing that if she is to be truthful, her answer will be no.

Jane glances over at Buck who seems watchful of Cody’s every move. The suspicious gaze in Buck’s eyes informs Jane that he is well aware of the dishonesty that has influenced Cody into making this rash decision.

“Go ahead and answer Cody’s question,” Buck spoke calmly.

Jane hesitates while gazing at Buck with questioning eyes. Jane knows that Buck would want her to answer Cody’s question honestly, but why? He wasn’t with her at four this afternoon. She ponders if Buck knows what he’s getting himself into. This is a possible murder charge that Cody is bringing against him.

“No. Buck wasn’t with me at four o’clock,” Jane spoke disheartened.

“That settles it then. I have no choice but to place you under arrest Buck for the murder of Henry Walker,” Cody spoke with a gleam coming from his eyes.

Hannah stirs in the bed that she has just shared with Jimmy. She reaches her hand across the bed to feel his warm body next to hers. Only she doesn’t feel anything but an empty, cold place on the bed next to her. The realization awakens her from her sleep. She dazedly pulls the sheet up around her as she sits up in the bed. She spots Jimmy looking out the window.

Hannah can vaguely hear the sound of an approaching buckboard. She wonders if that is what is holding Jimmy’s interest. “Why don’t you come back to bed? I will make it worth your while,” Hannah spoke with an alluring smile.

Jimmy acts as if he doesn’t hear a word she has just said. He is watching the commotion in the street. As the buckboard gets closer to the hotel Jimmy realizes that Jane is sitting in the buckboard with any army soldier driving the horses straight to the marshal’s office! He sees Cody in the front with Buck next to him on a horse. Jimmy stares down hard at the crowd. He can’t believe what he sees. Cody has Buck’s hands tied behind his back! 

Jimmy whirls away from the window with a fierce look. He searches the room with a cold stare for the clothing that he had become separated from while in the midst of seducing Hannah. “Cody what the hell, have you gone and done now?” Jimmy spoke out loud to hear the thoughts his mind can’t comprehend.

“What’s the matter?” Hannah asked concerned.

Jimmy pulls his pants up to his waist and zippers and snaps them without paying attention to Hannah’s question. He finds his shirt under a pile of Hannah’s clothes, and quickly throws it on. He looks rapidly around the room searching for another article of his attire.

“Hannah have you seen my socks?”

“No. I….”

“Oh the hell with it,” Jimmy spoke gruffly. He puts his boots on without his socks. “Look I got to go!” he kisses her quickly on the cheek, and heads for the door leading out of their room.

“You didn’t answer…”

Jimmy opens the door and walks out of their night together. She sighs wondering what has her lover in such a frantic state.

Cody pushes Buck into the jailhouse with such a forceful blow that he almost causes Buck to fall flat on his face. Buck is able to catch himself before going down onto his knees.  Jane follows closely behind with one of Cody’s men practically attached to her backside. The presence of the soldier’s unconquerable grip on her forearm is inducing unnecessary pain to Jane. She tries to reach for Buck to help him, but Cody stands diligently in between them. The four other army soldiers remain outside the marshal’s office standing in solitude to guard the building, the street and the town. 

“Tell your hunting dog to release Jane, Cody,” Buck spoke with a high degree of rage for Cody.

Cody hadn’t noticed the strong hold that the soldier has had on Jane’s arm. He drops a saddlebag that he had brought into the jailhouse with him before stalking over to the soldier holding on to Jane. “She is not the prisoner. You may let her go and then station yourself outside with the others,” Cody commanded.

Without so much as a single word uttered under his breath, the soldier instantly releases his hold on Jane. Once he releases Jane’s arm, it begins to tingle up and down the entire length of the arm. His strong grip had caused the circulation to become almost nonexistent in her arm. Jane rubs her arm gently until she begins to feel the numbness
subsiding in her arm.

“Cody, I swear when I get my hands free, I’m going to enclose them tightly around your neck!” Buck spoke harshly. 

“Buck, I wouldn’t suggest you threaten an army officer. I could bring charges against you on that also,” Cody spoke adamantly. 

Cody turns toward the door when he hears shouting going on outside.

Jimmy is standing in front of the army soldiers that are guarding the marshal’s office. They won’t allow Jimmy access to his office. “I am the marshal in this town.” Jimmy points to the office. “This here is my office and my jailhouse!”

“We can’t allow you to enter,” A soldier spoke flatly.

Jimmy throws his arms up in the air as if he’s about to give up. He glances inside the office and notices that Cody is watching his bad behavior from inside. He motions for Cody to step outside.

Cody hesitates about advancing to the door and allowing Jimmy entrance into the jailhouse. If he allows Jimmy to enter, he’ll only have to endure Jimmy’s persuasive tactics concerning Buck’s release from custody. If that don’t work, which he wouldn’t allow it to, he is sure Jimmy would engage him in a rather ugly fistfight. It wouldn’t be a fight to get Buck out of jail, but rather a venting of Jimmy’s frustrations because he couldn’t get Buck out of jail with the claim that he is the marshal and Rock Creek is his town.

“Are you afraid to allow Jimmy entrance to the jailhouse, Cody? It is likely he’ll break you in half,” Buck spoke as amusingly as he can, with the mess that he’s in.

Cody glances at Buck with an astute sense of bravery. Cody resorts to superficially extending his chest muscles, and sucking in his over-lapping stomach to make himself look the part of a valiant soldier. To Buck, Cody resembles a significantly over-stuffed misinformed dummy. Cody’s walk to the door is the appearance of a stiff soldier attempting to be at full attention. He certainly plays up his role in front of Jane. 

Once Cody’s left, Jane rushes to Buck’s side, ignoring the fact that at any given moment Cody could come back inside. “What do you want me to do?”

“Can you ride to the ranch and get Teaspoon for me?” Buck asked quickly.

“Yes. I can do that.” Jane kisses Buck quickly and rushes out the door. She immediately decides it would be best for Buck if she refrains from glancing back at him through the office window. 

Suddenly Buck’s memory reminds him of Simon Davenport’s merciless attack on Jane! “Jane! Jane! Come back here!” Buck shouted, but to no avail. 

She hears his hollering, and she is aware that it has suddenly hit him that she could be in danger riding to the ranch alone at night! She decides for his sake that she will take a chance with her own life. 

Cody and Jimmy are involved in a heated dispute with each other, and don’t even take notice to Jane as she rides out of Rock Creek on Cody’s horse! They do finally hear Buck’s yells for her to not go.

Jimmy looks after Jane as she rides swiftly out of town, leaving a trail of dust behind her. “Where’s Jane tearing off to?”

“Who knows?” Cody spoke gruffly not realizing what Jimmy had actually asked him. 

“You either let me in my office to talk with Buck, or I’ll make sure you are court-martialed for inferring with a law officer,” Jimmy spoke harshly to Cody.

Cody is starting to soften up a bit since he arrested Buck. He steps aside slowly to allow Jimmy to walk past him and access to his office. Jimmy sighs heavily and walks past Cody gazing at him with a disgusted look.

“Jimmy you have to stop Jane! I asked her to go after Teaspoon at the ranch forgetting completely about Simon!” Buck spoke his voice cracking with emotion.

Cody realizes what has happened. He rushes out of the jailhouse and talks to one of his men. The soldier in turns mounts his horse and gallops in the same direction as Jane. Cody re-enters the jailhouse. “Where are your brains Buck? Jane could get seriously hurt or worse.”

Jimmy walks up to Cody with his hands on his gun belt and obviously in a very bad mood. “You want to tell me why you’ve got Buck tied up?”

“He’s been arrested for the murder of Henry Walker. Soldiers found Henry dead just outside town earlier today.”

“Where’s your proof that Buck done it?” Jimmy asked his hot temper about ready to explode on Cody!

“Calm down Jimmy. You don’t have to get all high and mighty with me. It isn’t my fault that Buck didn’t cover his tracks as well as he did with the other killings he committed.” 

“Cody, the only killing I’m going to be guilty of is going to be yours if you don’t cut me loose!” Buck hollered angrily.

Jimmy stands facing Cody with a smirk on his face concerning Cody’s well being once Buck is through with him. “Gee Cody, If I were you I’d be doing some heavy praying. Sounds like you’re a dead man if you let Buck loose or if you don’t let him loose,” Jimmy spoke harshly.

“Why’s that? Buck can’t kill me if his hands are tied,” Cody spoke amusingly.

“No he can’t, but I can,” Jimmy spoke leaning close to Cody’s face.

“What in tar-nations is going on?” Teaspoon spoke gruffly as he limps into the marshal’s office with Jane close on his heels. 

Jane rushes to Buck’s side. “Why didn’t you stop when I yelled for you to?” Buck asked softly.

“You need Teaspoon’s help. I didn’t have time to worry about Simon Davenport,” Jane spoke stubbornly. She has Buck speechless again with her headstrong personality. She stands in front of Buck to keep him safe from Cody’s wrath. 

Teaspoon walks over to his desk and takes a knife from the top desk drawer. He walks behind Buck and begins to cut the rope that Cody has used to bind Buck’s hands together.

“Teaspoon you can’t interfere with army business,” Cody spoke softly not wanting to ignite Jimmy or Teaspoon’s temper.

When the binding is cut free from Buck’s hands, he rubs at his wrists for a moment, but then he makes a charge at Cody. 

“Buck!” Teaspoon hollered at the young man. It takes all of Teaspoon and Jimmy’s strength to keep Buck from strangling Cody.

“Just let me alone with him for two minutes!” Buck hollered.

“Lets just all calm down!” Teaspoon yelled. He looks at Buck who is starting to calm down. “Son, we’ll figure this whole mess out.”

Buck glances at Teaspoon and knows that he will fix things. He always has in the past. Buck trusts Teaspoon to get him out of this mess that Cody has gotten him into. Buck slowly yanks himself loose from Jimmy and Teaspoon’s hold on him. He stares at Cody the entire time that he stands by Jane’s side. 

Teaspoon turns to Cody. “You want to tell me what the hell you think you’re doing?”

“He killed Henry Walker,” Cody spoke trying to assure himself that Buck is guilty even though Cody knows perfectly well Buck is not.

Teaspoon is suspicious of Cody’s behavior. Teaspoon knows it, Cody knows it, and everyone in the room knows that Buck has no reason to go around killing the people who have been killed in the past couple of months near Rock Creek. “I don’t know what you’re up to Cody, but it sure don’t smell pretty.”

Cody actually starts to form beads of sweat on his forehead. It isn’t a hot summer evening, so it must be from nervousness. He glances around the jailhouse at the people standing before him watching him as if he is the guilty party here. “I ain’t up to nothing! I witness saw Buck run from the scene of the killing.”

“Where is that bloody glove that was left behind at one of the other murder scenes?” Teaspoon asked in a demanding tone that Cody best produce the glove and quickly.

Cody reaches into a saddlebag that he laid on the floor when he first came into the office. He holds the bloody glove in his hand for a split second before standing and handing it over to Teaspoon. “What do you want it for?”

“We’ll have Buck try the glove on. If it doesn’t fit then it is settled that he has had nothing to do with these murders you’re investigating,” Teaspoon spoke gruffly at Cody. He looks deep into the blonde man’s eyes trying to register a hint of guilt over the lies he has concocted. Teaspoon isn’t quite sure how Cody found out about Buck and Jane’s evening alone, but he is almost positive that Cody has made up this whole tale to keep Buck away from Jane. 

Teaspoon abruptly turns away from Cody and focuses on giving Buck the black leather glove to try on. Buck takes the glove from Teaspoon slowly. Buck isn’t too sure this is a good idea. Teaspoon hadn’t thought about it, but what if the glove fits Buck’s hand. That would make him look guilty of the killings.

“Try the glove on son,” Teaspoon spoke quietly.

Buck does has he’s told and tries to force the glove on his hand. Everyone in the jailhouse smiles broadly when the glove is too small to fit Buck’s hand. Jimmy grabs the glove from Buck and throws it in Cody’s face. Cody is caught a little off guard, but does manage to catch the glove after if has struck his nose first.

“There’s your proof Cody! The glove is way to small to fit Buck’s hand,” Jimmy spoke amused at Cody’s dumfounded expression.

Teaspoon steps back over to stand in front of Cody. He puts his hand out for Cody to place the glove in the palm of his hand. When Cody doesn’t respond to Teaspoon’s quiet request, he must holler at the young man. “Cody, could I please see that glove again?”

Cody places the bloodstained glove once again in the marshal’s hand. Teaspoon eyes the glove up as it lays spread out in his hand. He had noticed something strange about the glove before, and now it has suddenly hit him. 

Everyone in the office is looking intensely at the glove until the doors to the office open and quickly slam shut. Jack Morgan enters the office as if the proceedings shouldn’t be allowed to start without his presence.
Teaspoon walks over to Jack. 

“You’ll have to wait outside Jack, this is official business concerning the law.”

“Teaspoon, I may be able to help. I could hear the hollering you are all doing clear down the street. You’re all very close to one another. Perhaps an outsider can offer a different solution for your dilemma.”

Teaspoon studies Jack suspiciously that he may have a part in this whole mess. That can’t be. How could Cody convince Jack to break the law? Teaspoon almost laughs at himself thinking about Jack not breaking the law. But, he doesn’t see any dishonesty in his eyes concerning the mess Cody has Buck in. Teaspoon glances back at Buck to get his approval.

“It doesn’t matter to me Teaspoon,” Buck stated calmly.

He faces Jack again. “It don’t matter to me that you stay, but I don’t want any unnecessary interruptions. I just want to clear this up and get Buck freed up of these false charges Cody here has brought against him,” Teaspoon spoke a little annoyed at Jack Morgan for interfering in family affairs.

Teaspoon gets Jack’s nod of approval that they won’t even notice him there. Teaspoon turns back to Cody. He spreads out his palm that the glove is in. The glove is crumpled up in his hand from the dried blood peeling from it. Jimmy offers his assistance and spreads the glove out flatly on Teaspoons hand. 

“Cody, do you notice anything a bit odd about your only piece of evidence in these here murders?” Teaspoon asked confident that he will have Buck back home in a matter of minutes.

Cody studies the glove for what seems like an eternity. Cody’s paralyzed blank expression tells Teaspoon that Cody can’t see what he has already noted about the single glove.

“Do I get a hint Teaspoon?” Cody asked baffled by the obvious to Teaspoon, but not to him. 

Teaspoon sighs with a disgusted grunt. “No! You don’t get a hint!” Teaspoon takes the glove from his palm and holds it up for everyone in the room to observe. “This here black leather glove is a glove that belongs to a woman!”

Everyone in the office, including Jack Morgan takes a close look at the glove. Teaspoon steps over to Jane. He holds his hand out for her to place her hand in his.

“May I?” Teaspoon asked politely.

Jane places her hand in Teaspoon’s hand. Teaspoon takes the glove and slips it onto Jane’s hand without force. The glove is a perfect fit! Teaspoon takes Jane’s hand and holds her arm up in the air for everyone to witness what he is saying to be the truth.

“Thank-you Jane.”

“Your welcome Teaspoon,” Jane replied pleased that Teaspoon has discovered the truth. She takes the bloodstained glove off and hands it back to Teaspoon.

Teaspoon faces Cody once again. “I gather Buck is free to go, and that these ridiculous charges will be dropped?” 

Cody shakes his head in a disapproving manner. “No. This doesn’t mean a thing. There is still the fact that a witness claims he saw Buck at the scene of the latest murder.”

Teaspoon’s rage is now coming to a blow! He had kept his temper from flaring up, but Cody’s blind insistence that Buck is still guilty is infuriating him. “Cody do you know what you are doing? Buck will hang if these charges of yours can’t be turned around.”

“I realize that Teaspoon,” Cody spoke flatly like all the other army soldiers.

“Then I’m begging you son, to stop playing with Buck’s life,” Teaspoon spoke in an angry pleading tone.

Jimmy steps up to Teaspoon and Cody. “I swear Cody, if I find out you’re playing games with Buck’s life I’ll tear you apart limb by limb,” Jimmy spoke pounding his finger into Cody’s chest.

“If I would be allowed to offer a suggestion, we all might be able to get a little shut-eye tonight yet,” Jack spoke calmly.

Everybody glances at Jack. They are all looking at him in anticipation of his brilliant idea. Jack clears his throat. He gazes at each one of them individually. He wonders how they managed to live together when they rode for the Pony Express. He assumes there must have been quite a few disagreements between them. There are just too many hotheads in this room, and not enough sound thinking. 

“If Buck can tolerate one night in this god forsaken hole, to pacify Mister Cody that his friend is guilty of these hideous murders, then the rest of us can sort this out in the morning. Cody will produce his so-called witness that saw Buck at the scene of the last killing. You can talk to this witness Teaspoon, and judge then if Mister Cody here is fabricating this tale for his own selfish purposes,” Jack spoke calmly.

Cody’s face becomes heated with anger. “Is that what you think I’m doing? Making up a story to get Buck in trouble?”

“It seems to me Mister Cody that you have quite an eye for your friend’s young lady. You’ve been stealing glances at her ever since I’ve arrived here in the office. You’ve been looking at her with the eyes of a man that’s yearning for more then friendship from her. Now if you all will excuse me, I’d like to get some sleep tonight,” Jack Morgan spoke bluntly, and then makes his way out of the office.

Buck senses that he’s been had by Cody. He just can’t figure out how Cody knew about his evening with Jane. If this is true, how does Cody plan on turning the tables and getting him out of this situation? 

Cody gazes around the room at his family. His face has turned ashen pale from the accusations that Jack Morgan threw in his face. His eyes rest on Jane for a moment. Has his feelings for her clouded his mind so much that he would accuse Buck wrongfully of murder? He grabs the keys to the jail cell from the wall where they hang behind the marshal’s desk. He makes his way over to Buck and places his hand around Buck’s forearm. 

Buck yanks his arm out of Cody’s possession. “I know where the cell is at Cody,” Buck spoke angrily.

“Cody please don’t do this. You know you’re making a mistake,” Jane pleaded with a harsh tone.

Cody unlocks the cell door. Buck willingly walks into the cell, and Cody shuts the door securely behind Buck. He locks the door, and turns to face Jane. “I know no such thing, Jane. I have a witness that saw Buck. Until the witness can say he made a mistake, I have to keep Buck locked up.”

“Yeah, and won’t it be real convenient if that witness just happens to come forward tomorrow and admit that it really wasn’t Buck that he saw,” Jimmy spoke with a smirk. He’s very much aware that Cody has planned all this out to the very last detail. Buck and Jane’s evening has been intruded on once again, and Cody is behind the scheme of keeping them apart. 

Teaspoon walks up and gets right in Cody’s face. “If this scheme of yours backfires and any harm comes to Buck because of it, I’ll have a real hard time ever forgiving you,” Teaspoon spoke quietly to Cody.

Cody walks away from all of them. “I’ll be keeping a couple of my men here with Buck through the night to stand guard.” He abruptly walks out of the jailhouse.

Teaspoon and Jimmy face the young couple that is separated by jail cell bars. “We’ll be outside waiting for you Jane,” Teaspoon spoke softly. Both men step away from the cell and out into the cool night air.

Jane waits until both men are outside, and then she turns to the man she loves. They have once again been kept from the love they feel for each other. She’s having a difficult time believing that Cody would go to such great lengths to keep them apart. She can believe that Charlene would pull off a stunt like this, but it’s hard for her to imagine Cody risking Buck’s life to keep her from a night of passion with the man she loves. “So this is your idea of a perfect evening for the two of us,” Jane spoke softly.

“It started out perfectly,” Buck spoke softly as he touches the softness of her hair through the bars.

She reaches up to him between the cell bars and kisses him lightly. It would be so unfair of her to get him in a state of desire, even though she’d love to kiss him deeply.

When Buck looks up from their kiss, he catches the sight of Cody standing outside staring in the window at the two of them kissing. The mixed look on Cody’s face of obsession for Jane, and pity for him, tells Buck all he needs to know. Buck has to give Cody credit. Cody sure stopped short of nothing to keep Jane from spending the night in Buck’s arms.