"Through Kiowa Eyes"

CHAPTER FOUR

Buck rose just before the sun the next morning. He dressed quickly, mounted Warrior and rode away to Lone Tree. Once there he hand delivered the mail to the small town's Marshal and quickly headed for the small general store. Once there ignoring the disgusted looks that asked "what is a half breed doing here?" Buck sought out an item that suited the promise he made to Clara.

Buck looked around the small room briefly. Once he found the item he sought he quickly paid the stone faced Mr. Jones. Buck quickly excited the store, mounted his horse and headed back to Rock Creek.

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Rachel was putting supper on the table she glanced at Clara then spoke to Teaspoon, a concerned tone laced her voice. "I'm worried about Clara she hasn't said much of anything to anyone all day Lou tried to talk with her earlier but it seems Clara didn't feel like talking."

Teaspoon eyed Clara carefully for a moment before returning his attention back to a worry faced Rachel. "Well now," Teaspoon said thoughtfully "seems t'me the little darlin' is missin' Buck somethin' awful." Unseen by anyone Clara tapped Lou to gain her attention and eagerly signed, *I'm scared uncle Buck won't come back.*. Lou turned back to the expectant eyes of the others and repeated Clara's words with a hint of sadness behind them.

Everyone in the room looked at Clara sadly and all were completely speechless and trying to mask the fact that each one's heart was breaking for this innocent little girl.

Meanwhile, Buck had returned from Lone Tree and was silently standing outside the bunkhouse door. He had heard everything that had just transpired between Clara and the others. His heart was breaking into a million tiny shards. He felt the pain and fear this little girl kept locked inside her tiny heart begin to well up inside of himself and he wanted nothing more right at that moment then to ease her pain and take her fear away.

Buck drew a deep steadying breath of the cool evening air as he noiselessly entered the bunkhouse and placed his saddlebags on the floor and quickly placed a finger to his slightly parted lips telling the others not to alert Clara of his presence. He silently stepped up behind Clara and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Startled by this, she quickly raised her head and found herself looking into the smiling eyes of the Indian rider she considered to be her uncle. Freeing herself from the bench she was seated on Clara threw her arms around a very surprised Buck's neck and hugged him tightly.

Finally releasing him, she watched him with slightly downcast eyes. She quickly signed *I didn't think you would come back I missed you.* Buck looked at her feeling the fear in her unspoken words He responded *Hey now I promised you didn't I?*

*See I kept my promise.* Buck smiled at her and was given a smile in return. *That's my girl now finish your supper ok.* Clara did as he asked and smiled a wide smile when Buck slid into the empty space next to her and gladly accepted the plate of hot food Rachel handed him.

Later that night as Rachel took Clara to the house for bed Buck followed and once Clara was in bed Buck entered the room a very surprised Clara looked up at him. *Uncle Buck what are you doing here?*

Buck chose to speak over signing his words in an attempt to keep his gift hidden from her just a little longer. Stepping a little closer to the bed, allowing her to read his lips, he spoke. "I just wanted to come in and say good night."

*Uncle Buck, what are you hiding behind your back?*

Unable to resist her innocent pleading eyes any longer he slowly brought his hand from behind his back to reveal a pretty rag doll. "For you." he said quietly.

Clara reached up, gently took the doll from his hands and held it tenderly. She ran her hand over its navy blue calico dress its green button eyes red yarn mouth and pale yellow yarn hair which was adorned with a bonnet that matched the dress. Clara laid the doll gently in her lap a looked up at Buck who was seated in a chair he had placed beside the bed he was happily watching her enjoy her gift.

*I love her thank you.*

*Your welcome Sweetie.* He finished signing as he smiled at her.

Buck looked at her thoughtfully before asking *what will you call her?*

Clara looked lovingly at her doll looked up suddenly and smiled. *Miss Alice Jane Parker, after my mama.* Clara signed proudly.

*Well it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Alice.* Buck signed playfully toward the doll that Clara now held in her loving arms. Clara smiled as Buck kissed her lightly on the cheek.

*Good night Clara, see ya in the mornin'.*

Buck withdrew from the room letting the happy child drift into a peaceful sleep, he lightly closed the door behind him. As Buck headed back to the bunkhouse he sighed contentedly as he felt the pain that has so long plagued his heart begin to be replaced with the unconditional love of one innocent child.