Return Of Buck

by

Linda Lattimer

Louise gazed toward the end of the street watching a man step down from the stagecoach. Dressed in black pants with a white shirt, a thin black tie and a black vest, his black Stetson hat looked vaguely familiar. Could it be? It had been sometime, what two years, but yes, it was him.

“H-He’s back. He’s back!” she yelled, clapping her hands and jumping in the air, finding it hard to contain her excitement.

Marjorie dropped the bolts of cloth to the counter and raced to the door. “Who?”

Louise pointed down the street. “He just got off the stage. And he’s more handsome than when he left.”

Marjorie glanced up the street and quickly agreed. “You’re right. He is back.”

Like a swift current of wind, the other girls rushed to the door staring outside. Serendipity didn’t stir. Could their Pa really have returned? Nonsense, she’d heard what Alan had said. He wouldn’t have lied about that. Would he?

“Well I’ll be,” Sandra said slapping her hat to her pants. “Ole Buck is back. The rascal is back. Yippee.”

“Who did you say?” Mrs. Cooper asked. “Did I hear you right?”

“Sure did,” Sandra burst out happily. “Buck Calahan is back. After two long years he’s back. Yee haw.”

All eyes focused on Serendipity as the news spread through the general store. Her knees wanted to buckle. Had it been that long since it all happened? Buck Calahan was the man who had comforted her with her Mama’s passing when they were only young children. The man who had fallen in love with her, and cared for her when the mine had caved in on the three youngest girls. The man her brother had warned her to stay away from as he lay dying in her arms.

Serendipity watched as each of her sisters faces lit with excitement at the mention of Buck’s name. Why couldn’t she allow her excitement to show? It would be nice to have a man to help around the homestead. She could spend more time with her sisters instead of being like a Mama to them all the time. Not to mention allowing someone else to herd all the cattle when it came time to sell them.

Serendipity knew that each of them had been dealt a hard life with their Mama’s passing but it was Louise, at fourteen now, that she was sure had missed out the most. Now that Buck had returned, this would give her the chance to be that sister to Louise and all her sisters. She watched as each displayed a huge smile on their faces.

Come on, Serendipity, its Buck. He’s returned. You can have that same happy smile dancing on your face too. Not to mention feel those strong arms embrace you with a hug each day, just like before.

Marjorie stepped over to Serendipity. “I’m glad that Buck has returned. Now you can go back to wearing dresses and behaving like a woman should, instead of being like a darn cowpoke worrying over that land.”

Serendipity’s eyes intensified as well her words. Marjorie had a way to fuel the fire with her bladed tongue. “That land is our home, our heritage. Pa and Ma worked hard for us to keep it. I won’t fail either one of them. Or Alan. Have you forgotten how hard he slaved? Have you so soon forgotten his memory now that another Calahan rides in here?”

“But I’m sure he still loves you, and you...”

Serendipity raised her hand. “Enough, Marjorie. That was over a long time ago.”

“Then I guess it’s true what Milton said.”

“Milton? Milton Calahan? Have you been sneaking around behind my back to see that man?”

“I only see him when we come into town, and on Sundays at church. And don’t think that I’m not aware that you probably already know this.”

“I can put a stop to it.”

“Oh no. It’s bad enough that you don’t even go to church any more, you aren’t going to keep us from that.” Marjorie spoke firmly as she flattened her hands on her hips.

“Oh I wouldn’t mind,” Sandra blurted.

“Use your head, sister. She needs you to drive us in and keep her posted on events,” Marjorie reminded.

“One I see that has slipped her mind in this case.” Serendipity arched a brow.

“Come on, Serendipity,” Sandra said. “Marjorie’s right. Deep down you knew she was sneaking out to spend time with Miltie. We ain’t dumb. We’re Beasley girls. So stop you’re pretensions.”

“He is handsome,” Amanda voiced to her sister. “I think he would make a fine husband, and a good provider.”

“See, even Amanda thinks so about Milton.” Marjorie smiled.

“You both are crazy drooling over that wiry Milton,” Sandra poked.

“Oh, I’m not talking about Milton.” Amanda’s face shone. “I was referring to Buck. I bet he’s still got those dimples that glow deep in his cheeks.”

Serendipity clenched her fists to her side, anger threatening to explode like a stick of lit dynamite. “If you wanted Buck so much, then you should have gone after him, dimples and all.”

“Kind of hard when you told us we had to stay away from those Calahan boys,” Louise spoke shyly.

“Well I see none of you listened to me in that field. I bet everyone of you here has your eyes so locked on one of those boys that you can’t wait to run off with them behind my back.”

No one spoke a word.

“I thought so. I’m not dumb. That’s one thing Sandra spoke truthfully.”

“We aren’t saying you are, Serendipity. We want to care for you like you have us since Ma died. Don’t you ever want to be happy, in love and feel a man’s arms around you?” Marjorie asked, her words a bit warmer.

Serendipity’s blazing eyes penetrated Marjorie.

“Look Serendipity,” Marjorie said. “I haven’t even kissed Milton. Are you happy? And as far as Buck is concerned, Milton told me Buck found him a girl back East. A fine fancy girl.”

It was as if a razor slowly sliced into Serendipity’s heart. She tried not to let it show, but the pain flashing over her face was apparent to all.

“Yeah, it appears so,” Amanda noted as she edged back to the door. “There’s a woman standing by him. She sure is beautiful.”