FAMILY
HONOR
Author's Note: Thanks to Sameena for all her help with this story. You're the best!
Disclaimer: The characters of The Young Riders were created for television by Ed Spielman. The series aired on ABC TELEVISION from 1989 - 1992. This story is a sequel to my stories "Acceptance" and "Morning Sun" which took place six years after the Pony Express was disbanded.
The years past. For the most part
Nathan and Nicholas Jones had nothing to do with the Cross family. Occasionally,
there would be trouble if Buck caught Nathan trying to "discipline"
his boy, Nicholas, in public. All that changed abruptly on crisp fall morning
. . .
"You sure you don't want me to go along? I'm sure Kid wouldn't mind it
I took . . ." Buck turned to ask his wife as she finished settling her
trade items into the buckboard.
"Yes, I'm sure I don't want you to go along. We will be fine. If this new
teacher isn't willing to let Mary Morning Sun attend her classes, then we'll
just wait until later on when the new teacher comes. I've told you before that
folks around here tend to be real accepting of others or they don't stay around
long. That hasn't changed. Besides Kid needs you to help him. You know as well
as I do Louise will go down there if you don't and that won't be good for her.
She's almost made it this time. Just a few more days and we'll have a nephew,
if you're right again."
Buck nodded. "You're right, as usual," he agreed. "Do me a favor.
Talk to the teacher about letting Mary Morning Sun help in deciding what name
to use. I realize that whole name is long, but I think she should get a say."
"I will," smiled Teresa. "Now go hurry your daughter up or we'll
never get to town."
Buck grinned at his wife and quickly went to find his daughter. He found her
sitting in his reading chair fingering the book about Sir Gwaine they were reading
together.
"Ready to go?" he asked her.
She looked at him. "I guess so. What if I can't go to school? What if the
teacher don't like me? What if . . ."
Buck silenced her by placing his finger on her lips. "It will be fine.
She will like you. You are a smart girl. There's no reason for you not to be
able to go." He took the book from her, picked her up, and carried her
out to the buckboard where Teresa sat waiting. "There you go, my brave
little knight," he whispered as he set her on the seat next to her mother.
"Remember to be on your best behavior. The teacher is new here and doesn't
know how wonderful you are. You want to make a good first impression. I know
you'll make me proud to be your father just like you always do," Buck told
her as he gave her a kiss on the top of her head. "Now go out there and
face this first test on your quest for knowledge like the honorable person you
are," he whispered to her.
He stepped back and watched as his wife and daughter headed into town. As they
disappeared from view, he mounted his own horse and went to join Kid at the
stock pens. They were plenty busy and since Louise had found out she was expecting
they'd been short handed because she'd been ordered to stay in bed. Hopefully,
the baby would come soon and then everything would get back to normal. He knew
Louise wouldn't be working the stock pens again right away, but at least Kid
wouldn't be so preoccupied, for that matter, neither would he. He sighed and
started walking towards the sorting pen.
Kid and Buck worked most of the morning in silence. Kid kept looking back towards
the house he shared with Louise. Finally, Buck broke the silence, "Something
happen this morning?" he asked.
"What makes you ask?" replied Kid.
"The way you keep looking back over your shoulder. Go on home. I'll finish
here. I can do this. I'll just take until night fall on my own," Buck said
with a grin. "Really, it's no problem. I got nothing else to do. Get. I'll
come check on you both around noon."
"Thanks," said Kid with a grateful sigh.
"Just make sure there's something for me to eat," teased Buck.
Kid laughed and headed up to the house.
Buck grinned and went back to work separating the cattle into pens according
to their brands.
At noon, Buck closed the gate to the large pen from the chutes and headed up
to the main house. As he approached, Kid hollered out the window, "Go get
Doc! It's time!"
Buck headed his mount towards town and was soon back with the doctor.