"Through Kiowa Eyes"

CHAPTER SIX

Monday morning Buck woke before any of the others and realized that today was Clara's tenth birthday. After dressing quickly he began to rummage through the small trunk that contained most of his personal belongings. Once he had retrieved the items he sought he went in search of a quiet place in which to set to work. Eventually Buck found himself in the loft of the barn.

Meanwhile in the house Rachel was at the kitchen table and she was rereading the letter she had received just two days ago. She breathed a sigh of relief as the realization once again hit her that all the time she had spent over the past few weeks writing letter after letter had finally paid off.

Sometime later with his work finished and laid away. Buck entered the bunkhouse where he was met by Jimmy who asked, "Where ya been Buck Teaspoon is lookin' for ya. Says he's got a favor to ask ya." Buck went looking for Teaspoon he found him talking to Rachel on the front porch of the house.

He approached quietly and waited for Rachel to finish speaking. "I can't wait until tonight Clara will be so happy." She was saying.

Buck spoke up now. Mornin' Rachel" he said politely.

"What's up Teaspoon Jimmy said you wanted me?"

"Yeah, Rachel is plannin' a surprise party for our little birthday girl t'night and she needs to keep her busy so's she can finish the cake 'n things. And seein' as yer her favorite," Teaspoon said with a smile for Buck. "We'd like ya ta' keep her busy for a while."

Buck nodded "No problem I'll go find her now."

He quickly left the pair standing on the porch in search of Clara all the while trying to think of something he could do to keep her busy.

He found her in the barn she was petting Ike's horse the mare was happily munching an apple Clara had obviously given her. Buck walked up to her and tapped her lightly, she turned and smiled up at him.

.*Hi Uncle Buck* Clara signed as she smiled at him.

Buck returned the smile.*Hi darlin'*

*Hey guess what I don't have a run today you wanna go do somthin?*

*Sure what?* Clara signed eagerly.

*Whatever you like Miss.* Buck tipped his hat playfully toward Clara and silently prayed all this horse play would hide the excitement in his eyes.

Clara smiled brightly and quickly signed *I would like to go to town please.*

Buck shuddered inwardly at her simple request not out of fear but out of hatred he truly hated going to town he had had enough snickers and stares and half breed comments to last him two lifetimes.

Buck thought quickly to himself How in the world am I supposed to explain this to a child? Buck drew a shaky breath and looked down at Clara he had the slightest hint of sadness in his eyes. Buck began slowly speaking as well as signing.

"Clara sweetheart I would love to take you to town but It's just not a good idea."

*Why uncle Buck?* Clara asked her tiny hands moving quickly to form the words.

Buck saw the sadness on her face and the pleading look in her eyes and drew a steady breath and tried his best to explain.

*Well the people in town don't think very kindly of me because I am part Indian. They don't say very nice things to me. and they tend to give me dirty looks. I don't want you to have to see the way they treat me.*

*Do their words hurt you?*

The love behind Clara's unspoken words almost brought Buck to tears and he had to blink rapidly to stop the emotion from releasing itself.

*They used to* He could not lie *But after so long it doesn't bother me the way it used too.*

*Then it won't bother me.* Her hands told him as a warm smile lit up her face.

Buck's sudden shock at Clara's honest words left him unable to speak so he sighed and let his hands do the work for him. *Thank you Clara that's very sweet but I - - -* Buck's words stopped abruptly as he received a very hard mental slap upside his dark haired head. Cross, how can you even think of telling this child no?! His conscience all but screamed at him.

Buck looked down into Clara's still pleading bright green eyes, *Alright lets go.* Buck smiled widely once again causing Clara's face to light up.

Buck stepped around Clara and reached for Ike's horse the soft touch of her tiny hand on his arm stopped him.

He looked down at her she was grinning a mysterious grin and she pointed at him, herself and then to Warrior's stall.

*You want to ride Warrior with me?*

Clara nodded quickly and walked the short distance to the horse's stall. She stood back and watched excitement brimming in her eyes as buck saddled his mount. Then he gently placed a slightly shaking Clara on Warrior back as he spoke soothingly to him. "Easy boy that's it." Then he mounted the horse behind Clara. Buck spurred Warrior into a slow trot and they headed for town.

As the two approached town Buck chanced a glance down at Clara and smiled at her when he saw the excitement in her eyes. Buck brought Warrior to a halt just outside Tompkins General Store, dismounted, then proceeded to help a brightly smiling Clara to the ground. *Where would you like to go first?* He signed as he returned her infectious smile.

*There* She replied with her tiny hands and pointed to the small general store in front of her. Buck nodded his response and extended his hand into which Clara eagerly placed her own. The pair entered the store and Buck nodded curtly as he received a smug look from Bill Tompkins.

Clara's eyes grew as big as saucers as she looked around at the contents on the shelves. Again Buck grinned broadly at her childish excitement. He silently wished that just once he had been able to find enjoyment in the simple things in life. Buck sighed softly as his mind quietly reminded him that even as a child he was unable to find enjoyment in the little things. He had fought for every happiness he has ever had why should things change now?

Shaking his head slightly to clear away his wayward thoughts, Buck glanced quickly around the room and found Clara standing in front of a small counter containing jars of brightly colored candies. He approached her quickly once at her side he opened one of the jars and handed her a bright red gumdrop. As the sweetness of the sugared candy hit her tongue she faced Buck and promptly threw her arms about his waist in a bear hug of thanks.

Buck proceeded to fill of small paper sack with various candies satisfied he took Clara's hand and headed back over to Tompkins and paid for Clara's treats.

Sometime later after showing Clara all the things she wanted to see in town the two friends remounted Warrior and headed back to the waystation. As Clara and Buck entered the bunkhouse Clara looked up at her uncle her eyes asking, "Where is everyone?" Buck simply smiled at his pint-sized companion and signed, *Maybe they are up at the house, lets go see.*

As Buck and Clara entered the darkened kitchen of Rachel's house Clara's grip on Buck's hand tightened and he in turn gave her's a reassuring squeeze. As soon as Buck lighted a lantern everyone jumped from various hiding places and shouted surprise. In the middle of it all stood Rachel with a chocolate cake which had ten tiny candles all burning brightly around its edges.

Clara glanced up at Buck who smiled innocently and winked at her in return. Then she promptly raced around the still dimly lighted room giving hugs to all of her new friends. Once things returned to semi-normal everyone enjoyed a slice of cake and Clara with the help of Buck of course told the others about the day they had spent in town. Cake was immediately followed by presents.

From Lou and Kid there was a new dress and bonnet for Miss Alice. Of course this gained the seemingly odd couple a strange glance from Teaspoon. Rachel and the other boys brought Clara a new dress for herself as well. From her beloved Grandpa was a dainty little ladies hat. And from her dearest Uncle Buck she received a beautiful hand made hair comb and brand new a copy of "The Littlest Cowboy" A note penned in Buck's hand on the inside of the cover read.

Clara once again hugged everyone and thanked each for her gifts. Several minutes later Rachel stood and asked for everyone's attention and as she spoke Buck signed her words for Clara.

Rachel said, "You all know that I have been looking for a school that could teach Clara. Well I've found one in Boston. I have received a letter from the school's head mistress Miss Victoria Wright, and she says she is more the happy to have Clara. So Clara and I will make the trip to Boston in two days."

Buck fought hard to keep the sadness hidden behind his eyes as he signed Rachel's last words for Clara. However, this was impossible for young Clara who's tiny shaking hands moved quickly and then were still as she waited for Buck to tell the others her thoughts on leaving. Unable to keep the emotion out of his voice Buck drew a deep steadying breath. "Clara says she doesn't want to leave her family," Buck repeated almost in a whisper.

To the surprise of all, Buck took Rachel's next words out of her mouth before she could speak them. Bucks heart broke into a million pieces as his hands formed the silent words for Clara to read. *Clara honey we all know you don't want to leave, but we all love you and want what's best for you that's why you have to go.* Clara simply nodded in understanding as a river of tears spilled from her beautiful green eyes.

The next days passed in a tear filled blur for everyone but most of all for young Clara and for Buck. The pair had talked the night before Clara was to leave and they had decided that they should and would be happy; this was best no matter how hard it was to accept.

The morning the stage left for Boston was filled with tearful good- byes and promises to write. As the stage pulled away Buck heard the cry of an eagle over head and looked to skies to find two of the sacred birds and with a final shrill cry, one followed the stage while the other remained overhead briefly.Through his Kiowa eyes Buck knew that his beloved brother was with him and with Clara as well. Buck walked away from town with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes.

Four months later Buck received a letter from Clara saying she was doing well and that she would be coming home to spend Christmas.

The End