"Through Kiowa Eyes"

CHAPTER TWO

Perhaps three hours later Buck was once again clean and rested and waiting in the bunkhouse for Rachel to come with Clara. There was a knock on the door and Buck was surprised to see Teaspoon. "What's up Teaspoon?" Buck asked curiously.

"I just wanted to talk to ya a minute before Rachel came down with Clara. I wanted to tell ya it means an awful lot to Rachel yer bein' willin' to help out the little one. I knew I could count on you son but I also know that the little gall reminds ya of Ike. If ya find yourself needin' to talk bout anything you know where to find me."

"Thanks Teaspoon." Buck said wholeheartedly . "But I think I'll be ok Ike would want me to help Clara and I want to too." Buck smiled as felt a touch of hope in his heart.

"Well you know where I'll be." Teaspoon smiled to himself as he left the bunkhouse. For he too hoped that helping Clara learn a way to speak would bring some sense of happiness to his Kiowa rider.

Not five minutes later Rachel walked into the bunkhouse with Clara trailing right behind her. Rachel stepped to the side exposing Clara's downcast eyes

"She is scared out of her wits." Rachel told Buck as she gave him a small smile which held the question.

"Can you help her Buck?"

"I'll try." He smiled gently at Rachel and walked toward the young girl who was investigating the bunkhouse.

As Buck reached for her he lightly tapped her shoulder when she looked up at him Clara's eyes were full of wonder Buck smiled at her and was rewarded with a smile in return. "Hello Clara" he said making sure she could see to read his lips the entire time. Clara smiled at him as she retrieved a small note pad and pencil from the pocket of her dress.

He watched her intently as she quickly scribbled on the blank page then handed it to him. Buck looked at in in total shock {Hello Mr. Cross} was written in her childish hand.

Buck knelt down so Clara could see his face. "Clara I'll be right back ok?" She nodded in agreement.

Buck quickly walked over to Rachel who was seated quietly at the long table in the center of the room. "Rachel?" Buck said the obvious question rising in his voice. "Where did Clara learn to write?"

Rachel smiled "Alice taught her a couple of years ago she knew Clara would need some way to communicate so

Alice taught her to write as soon as she could."

"Oh I see." Buck replied his voice still laced with shock at thought of this small child being able to write.

Buck turned to go back to Clara but Rachel touched his arm and he quickly stopped.

"Buck I need to get lunch started you think you and Clara will be alright if I go?"

"Yeah sure." Buck said with a nod as Rachel walked over and told Clara she had to leave for a while but that Buck was going to stay with her. At the mention of Buck's name little Clara smiled widely and gave Rachel a quick hug goodbye. As Rachel left the bunk house she whispered to Buck

"Clara says she likes you." Buck smiled and looked over at Clara .

Buck noticed Clara was sitting on Ike's bunk and his breath caught in his throat as he thought of his best friend. With a small sigh he walked across the room and took a seat next to her, Clara quickly snatched her writing tablet up quickly and penned the words {Mr. Cross who sleeps in this bed?} she handed the tablet to him.

He read her words and answered with a heavy note of sadness in his voice. " First you can call me Buck ok? Second my best friend Ike used to sleep there." Buck saw the next question she was going to ask in her eyes and continued, "He died a short time ago."

Clara took the tablet again {I'm sorry my mama died too.} She looked up at Buck and waited for a response.

"I know sweetheart it's ok." The pair sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes then Buck looked at

Clara.. He spoke clearly and slowly so that she could read his lips. "Clara, My people the Kiowa speak with their hands when we don't want our words to be heard would you like me to teach you how the way I taught my friend Ike?"

Clara nodded quickly in agreement and smiled a smile that warmed Buck's heart and in that instant Buck knew that Ike had indeed kept his promise to always be with him. For this innocent child held the spirit of Ike McSwain right in the palm of her hand.

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