Secrets

by Karen Horak © 2002

Disclaimer: The characters of The Young Riders were created for television by Ed Spielman. The series aired on ABC Television from 1989 - 1992. I have just borrowed the characters for my story. On copyright infringement was intended. There is no profit from this story. It was written just for fun and to provide entertainment to fellow fans.

(Note:This story was started as a team writing with Katie Farrell for the team writing contest at Rival Riders Website. I decided to finish on my own when I lost touch with Katie. Thanks for the idea Katie. I hope you don't mind that I went ahead.)

Chapter One

"I don't understand," said Buck. "What did I do wrong?"
< You interrupted> signed Ike.
The young Kiowa shook his head, "I helped her understand what you wanted," he told his friend.
<You made it seem as though I wasn't able to make myself clear> Ike stated. <You jumped in before she had a chance to figure things out.>
Buck stopped the buckboard of supplies he was driving back to the pony express way station where he and Ike lived. "We needed to go. Rachel's waiting for these things and I'd like to get home before dark. We didn't have time for you to try and make her understand." He sighed. "I didn't mean to upset you," he explained.
Ike stopped his horse. <You're always interfering. You never give anyone a chance to figure things out. I wish you'd just leave me alone,> he signed and spurred his horse homeward.
"Ike!" Buck shouted as he started the horses pulling the buckboard. "Ike, wait!"
Ike was long gone. Buck shook his head. He couldn't believe the conversation he's just had. One thing was for certain, he was definitely in trouble with Ike. Maybe by the time he got home Ike would have calmed down enough to talk, to, and they could clear this up.

"Any idea where he went?" Rachel asked as she began to clear away the supper dishes.
"If he didn't slow, down, he should be halfway to St. Joe by now," laughed Cody. "I've never seen anyone move that fast. Almost flattened Lou."
Buck turned to face Rachel. "I know where he went," he replied.
"You need to go after him?" inquired Teaspoon.
Buck shook his head. "No. I'm the reason he's upset. I'm the last person he'll want to see."
"Would it help if one of us went?" asked Kid.
"I don't think so," sighed Buck. "It might just upset him more if I tell you about his place."
"I can go," said Lou. "You don't have to tell me anything. I think I know where it is. Do you want me to try?"
"I guess," sighed Buck. "I wish I knew what I did. I've never seen him so upset."
"I'll try to find out," said Lou heading towards the door. Just as she went to open it, Ike entered. He glared at Buck and went to his bunk. He opened his trunk and began to remove his belongings.
"You plannin' on leavin' again?" asked Teaspoon.
 signed Ike pointing at Buck.
"Ike, I need you to stop what you're doing and come with me," said Rachel. She crossed to where Ike was and put her hand on his arm.
Ike signed deeply and turned to leave with Rachel. As they crossed the room she said, "You too, Buck."
Ike stopped and shook his head.
"Yes," Rachel said firmly. "We're going to talk this out and come up with a solution that keeps you both here if at all possible."
The three of them left.
"I do believe that Rachel is in for a very long night," said Teaspoon. "A very long night indeed."

"Now," said Rachel, "Who wants to go first?"
Buck glanced at Ike and shrugged. "Ike's going to have to," he sighed. "I really don't know what I did."
Ike glared at Buck for a few second then turned to Rachel. He took a deep breath and began to explain. <He always interferes when I'm talking.>
Rachel glanced at Buck. She smiled weakly and said to Ike, "I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. How does Buck interfere?"
<He always repeats,> replied Ike.
"I'm sure he's just trying to help," said Rachel.
 signed Ike.
"We'd still be in Sweetwater if I hadn't helped," interrupted Buck. "She didn't understand you."
Ike turned to face Buck. <No, you just wanted to make me look stupid! You wanted to impress her. I've seen the way you sneak looks at her!> Ike turned to leave.
"You think I like her?!" asked Buck as he stood and grabbed Ike's arm to stop him from walking away.
Ike spun and punched Buck. Buck fell . Ike moved towards him.
"Stop it," said Rachel. "You sit down right now," she said to Ike.
Ike hung his head and did as he was told. Rachel went to Buck. "You okay?" she asked. As she helped him up from the floor, she noticed that he winced slightly in pain.
"Yes, M'am," said Buck. He went to where Ike sat. "Ike, I,. . . I don't, . . I can't," he signed. "Ike, she's Tompkins' niece. I can't afford to like her."
Ike looked at Buck. <Then why did you come in so fast and interrupt? Why do you look at her the way you do?> he asked.
"She wasn't understanding you, and I wanted to get back. You know how much I hate going to town. I never meant to make you look bad," he explained. "I don't know what you mean about looking at her. I try not too, so Tompkins can't get mad. You still upset with me?"
Ike nodded. <You always help out before anyone has a chance.>
"I'm sorry. You want me to stop?" asked Buck.
Ike nodded.
"Fine, but you get to tell the others."
Ike nodded again.
Buck turned to Rachel. "I'm going to go get cleaned up and go to bed. I have the early run in the morning."
Rachel nodded.
Buck left. He stopped at the door and turned to where Ike sat staring at the floor. "I'm sorry, Ike," he said. "I never meant to upset you. I was just trying to make things better."

Chapter Two

Early the next morning, Buck awoke to find Ike getting ready to go out on a run. "You're not up," said Buck as he rolled off the bed, trying to ignore the pain in his side.
 Ike explained.
"That bad, huh?" said Buck touching his face where Ike had punched him.
Ike pointed to the mirror and signed <You tell me. I'll talk to you when I get back.> With that he walked out the door to get his horse ready.

"Thought you had a run this morning," said Teaspoon as he sat down to breakfast.
"Ike took it," explained Buck.
"Well then, you can go back to Tompkins' with Kid and get Rachel's package," said Teaspoon. "Seems it didn't make it here yesterday."
Buck replied," It's not in. Won't be 'til morning."
"How's that?" asked Teaspoon.
"That's what Miss Abbott said once she understood Ike's question," answered Buck. "She said something about being delayed and apologized. Said it would be in day after tomorrow -- which means in the morning."
"Fine," said Teaspoon. "Then you two can go in the morning and pick it up, and you can do Ike's chores here today."
"Yes, sir," replied Buck.
"Buck?" said Rachel.
"Yes, M'am?"
"You two get things worked out any better?"
"I think so. At least he said he'd talk to me when he got back."
"Good. Be sure and come up to the house and let me check that eye before you start working."
"Yes, M'am."
After they finished eating and Buck had Rachel tend his eye, he headed to the stables to muck out the stalls. When he got there, everyone was waiting.
"Well?" asked Lou.
"It's personal," said Buck and began to work.
The other tried to get him to open up, but he silently continued his job. They finally gave up and went about their own chores
Buck sighed. He was glad they left. He didn't like refusing to tell them, but it wasn't his place to try and explain Ike's feelings.
When lunch came, Buck had only completed half the stalls. He knew he should have completed more, but the pain in his side was making it hard to work at all. That punch from Ike had really caused problems. The way he fell had aggravated the tenderness due to the man handling he' received from the two men who worked for Tompkins. He could still hear the shorter one's hate filled words -- "Don't even look at her breed. She ain't for you or your friends. I plan to have her myself, and I don't want to know you're thinking about her. 'Course it might be nice to have someone to pin things on if she turns me down. You ain't as smart as you think. I seen you leaving a couple of times now."
Buck sighed as he returned to the stalls. He was glad the Founders Day Picnic was only a few days away. He really hated keeping secrets, and this one was beginning to be painful and costly. He decided that tomorrow's lesson would be the last one. He'd have to let her know it the morning when he and Kid went to get Rachel's package.

The next morning it was even harder to roll out of bed. It was getting harder and harder to hide the pain. Luckily today wasn't a busy day. He just had to run into town and pick up Rachel's package and then he could take it easy until dark. Ike wasn't due back until the next day so it wouldn't be a problem to sneak out one last time. One last lesson and then he could quit hiding things and life could get back to normal.
"You alright?"
Buck jumped as Rachel's hand touched his shoulder bringing him out of his thoughts.
"You don't look like you feel well," she said.
"I'm fine," Buck replied.
Rachel glanced at Teaspoon. He nodded and continued eating his breakfast.
"Soon as you're finished, Buck, Kid, you need to hitch up the buckboard and head into town," Teaspoon said.
"Yes, Sir," they responded.
As the others helped clear the table of the breakfast dishes, Buck, Kid and Teaspoon went down towards the stables. Kid went to get the horses while Teaspoon and Buck went towards the buckboard.
"When'd it happen?" Teaspoon asked.
"What?" said Buck.
"When'd you hurt yourself?" Teaspoon said.
"I'm fine," Buck lied.
"No, you're not," said Teaspoon. "You're hurting from something. Can't be the punch Ike gave you. Wouldn't cause that much pain."
"I'm fine," Buck insisted.
"Fine," said Teaspoon. "Then you hook this up by yourself without showing any pain."
Buck sighed. He was caught and he knew it. He looked down at the ground in front of Teaspoon. "Day before yesterday," he said.
"How?"
"The two men who work for Tompkins didn't like the way I looked," said Buck.
Teaspoon nodded. "You make it into town?" he asked.
"Yes, Sir," replied Buck.
"Good. Once you get there go to Doc's and let him patch you up, then get Rachel's package and come home. I'll come up with some reason for you to help me, and you can rest up in my room," said Teaspoon. "Then I'll go in and have a talk with those boys."
Buck shook his head. "Won't be able to do anything. It'll be my word against theirs. I'll lose."
"Didn't say we'd lock 'em up. I said I'd talk to them, and let them know I'm keeping an eye on them. Next time maybe it won't have to be your word against theirs."
Buck nodded.
"You want to tell Kid or you want me to?" asked Teaspoon.
"I will," said Buck. "It will give us something to talk about on the way in."

Chapter Three

Kid listened to Buck explain about the men and their message. He didn't ask questions while Buck talked. Buck knew there would be plenty once he finished his tale.
"So, why are you sneaking out to see her if you don't like her?" asked Kid.
"She wants to learn to sign," Buck explained. "She wants to surprise Ike and everybody at the dance later this week."
"When did you start?" asked Kid.
"The day after she first got here. Remember how we were all in for supplies and so Tompkins introduced us?"
Kid nodded.
Buck continued, "I could tell by the way he looked at her that Ike thought she was pretty. I could sense by the way she reacted to us that she was a kind person. The next day when I went in with Rachel's special order she asked me about Ike. Said she'd noticed how he talked to me and wondered if I could teach her so she could talk to him when he came in. I explained he could hear, but she politely pointed out that conversations need both people to be able to understand the other. I agreed to teach her. Then she asked me to keep it secret so she could surprise him at the dance."
"Things going well?"
Buck nodded. "In fact, that's what caused this whole mess with Ike. I noticed that she was about to answer him so I rushed in to 'translate'.
Kid smiled. "Then maybe you don't need to go anymore."
Buck nodded his agreement. "That's just what I was thinking."
As they pulled the buckboard to a stop in front of the doctor's office, Buck said, "Kid?"
"Yeah?"
"Why don't you go get Rachel's package, that way we can get finished faster."
"Sure," Kid agreed.

"Kid filled me in a little," said Teaspoon as he entered the doctor's office. Buck was settling himself on the examining table. "You want to explain the rest?"
Buck looked up. "What?"
"About what they said about you and Miss Abbott? Is it possible anybody else saw or heard something?" questioned Teaspoon.
Buck shook his head. "I don't think so. We were back in the alley. I was loading up the supplies from back there. They came and grabbed me, started talking and hitting. Why?"
"Teaspoon, what's wrong?" Kid asked.
"She's gone," said Teaspoon.
"Who?" asked Buck.
"Sally Abbott," replied Teaspoon.
Buck tried to get off the table. "Hold on there, Son," said the doctor. "I need to wrap up those ribs before you go anywhere."
Teaspoon and Kid gently settled Buck back down.
"When?" Buck asked.
"Best guess is last night or early this morning," answered Teaspoon. "You up to riding?"
Buck nodded.
"Doc?" asked Kid.
The doctor finished wrapping Buck's ribs and said, "If you don't push too hard, it ought to be fine."
As soon as he was bandaged, Buck grabbed his shirt. He was halfway out the door before he had it on.
"Slow down," called Teaspoon.
"Thanks, Doc," said Kid as he followed along.
Teaspoon caught up with Buck. "Let's go back to her place and see if you can spot something to help us track her."
He turned to Kid, "You take Rachel her package and get Cody. Bring Buck a horse. Meet up at my office as soon as you can."
"Right," said Kid and headed towards the store.

Chapter Four

Buck carefully studied the area around Miss Abbott's room. Nothing seemed out of place. It looked the same as it had every other time he'd been here.
"Teaspoon?" he asked. "Does anybody know if she made it home at all last night?"
"Tompkins says he left her here just after dark. He walked her home himself because they'd stayed late at the store doing inventory.
"When he came by to get her this morning, she wasn't here. He thought maybe she'd gone ahead to the store to get an early start. She wasn't there so he came to get me. He'd just left when I was Kid. Any reason for him to think you're involved?"
Buck looked at Teaspoon and smiled slightly, "Besides the fact that he hates me? I guess if he found out that I was . . . . "
"Was what?" prompted Teaspoon as Buck let the sentence die.
"I wasn't suppose to meet her last night,but she may have forgotten." Buck said.
"Meet where, for what?" inquired Teaspoon.
"Behind the store for signing lessons," replied Buck as he headed towards the alley at the back of Tompkins' store.
Teaspoon followed. "You care to explain?"
Buck stopped. "She wanted to learn to sign. I was teaching her. We met at the back of the store and then went into the store room. She would meet me there around dark. She just waited each evening, because I was never sure when I could be there, but last night I should have been gone. I wouldn't be here today except Ike took my run. She must have forgotten and gone to meet me."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because she was here. Look. See?" Buck pointed out footprints in the dust.
"She was dragged away, and put on a horse. They rode off this way."
Teaspoon followed Buck and picked up the signs Buck showed him.
"Can you track it?"
Buck nodded.
"Let's go wait for the others," Teaspoon suggested.
"You go," Buck replied. "I want to study this some more."
Teaspoon turned to leave and almost bumped into Tompkins and his two employees. "No, you come with me," he said to Buck.
"But, . . . " Buck turned to argue and saw the three men.
"What did you do with her?" asked Tompkins.
"Now, Tompkins," said Teaspoon stepping between Buck and the angry, older man.
"You need to calm down and go back inside. Buck didn't do anything to your niece. He wasn't even in town last night."
"You sure, Marshall?" asked the shorter of the other two men. "Them Injuns can be mighty sneaky when they wants to."
"I'm sure," said Teaspoon. He turned to address Tompkins. "I'll find her, but you've got to let me do my job. You go back inside and mind your store. You two, come with me."
"Why?" asked the taller one.
"I need to ask you both a few question about something that happened here a few days ago. Now move," Teaspoon replied calmly.
The two men turned to leave. Tompkins went back inside and Buck turned back to study the area. "Buck," said Teaspoon. "I still need you to come along."
Buck sighed and followed Teaspoon to his office. Once there, Teaspoon put the other two men in jail. Then he turned to Buck, "You know which horses are theirs?"
"I think so," replied Buck.
"We'll wait then," said Teaspoon.
"Why?" asked Buck.
"If I have this figured right, Miss Abbott is either fine or there's nothing we can do for her. These two are the one who took her and they plan to set you up for it. That means they have to kill her so she don't tell. She's either locked up somewhere safe, or she's already dead. Either way, us waiting to find out for certain which horses are theirs can't hurt."
"Why wait?"
"Cause Tompkins ain't gonna tell you, and I'm not leaving you here alone with them."
"So let me go study the alley."
"No, I don't want you over by Tompkins' place at all without someone with you. My guess is they've told him about seeing you leaving. He already thinks you're involved. I can't afford to have him lose his temper and hurt you so that you can't track."

Shortly after the other arrived, Teaspoon was talking to Tompkins. Tompkins took him out back and showed him the horses Teaspoon asked about. Then Cody and Buck studied the hoof prints. Cody was so close to Buck it was like he had two shadows.
"Anything?" asked Cody.
Buck nodded.
"Show me," said Cody.
"See how this shoe has a flaw in it?"
Cody nodded.
"See how that shows up on the ground?"
Again Cody nodded.
Buck turned and went to the part of the alley where the evidence of the struggle between Miss Abbott and her captors was located. He found the place where her footprints ended and the hoof prints began. "What do you see?" he asked Cody.
Cody studied the ground. Soon he pointed to a clear print in the dust. "Same mark."
Buck nodded. "It was made by that horse."
"Let's go then," said Tompkins joining the group.
"Wait a minute," said Teaspoon. "If you plan on going with us, there are a few things you have to know. Buck is going to lead. We all follow him and go where he says. We don't want to mess up the trail. It's going to be hard enough to follow as it is. You able to live with that?"
Tompkins glared at Buck, but nodded.
They mounted and headed out of town the way the trail led. Shortly they were outside a rundown, abandoned, hunter's cabin. There was no visible sign that anyone had recently been there, or that anyone alive was there now.
"You sure?" Cody asked.
Buck nodded. "She's here."
"So let's go and get her. What are we waiting for?" asked Tompkins.
"Traps," said Buck grabbing Tompkins and pushing him back and to the ground. He then pointed out the cleverly hidden pit that Tompkins had almost stepped into. "They've set traps."
"What do we do?" asked Teaspoon.
"I go," said Buck. "Just me. I'll spring the traps, or uncover them so everyone can see them. Then you can all come down and help."
"I should go," said Tompkins picking himself off the ground. "She's my niece."
"Can you be sure you'll get there in one piece?" asked Buck.
"No, but , , , "
"I can," said Buck. "I can get there and clear the path so you can get her out, but you have to let me."
"Fine," Tompkins sighed.
The others all settled down to watch Buck work. He made his way carefully to the cabin, clearing many traps as he went. When he reached the door, he waved for the others to come ahead. He waited until Tompkins reached the cabin before opening the door.
Tompkins stepped inside and quickly untied his niece. "Are you alright?" he asked hugging her to him.
"I'm fine. Just a little scared. They said they'd be back for me later this evening. I've got to warn Buck. They're going to try and make it look like he did this."
"He knows," said Tompkins. "If it wasn't for him, we'd probably still be looking for you or trying to figure out how to get inside here. Where is the boy, anyway?"
The others turned back towards the horses just in time to see Buck collapse to the ground.

Chapter Five

Buck awoke to darkness and whispering. He tried to sit, but the pain in his side caused him to stop. As he collapsed back onto the bed the whispering stopped. He felt a hand on his forehead and heard someone talking to him.
"You want some water?" Rachel asked.
Buck nodded.
"Where am I?" he asked after swallowing the cool water Rachel offered him.
"Home," she said.
"Miss Abbott?" he asked.
"Fine," Rachel answered. "And upset that she caused so much trouble. She'd like to talk to you if you're up to it."
Buck nodded.
"You sure?" Rachel asked. "It can wait til morning if you'd rather rest."
Buck shook his head. "No, I'd like to talk to her now. I owe her an apology. I should have been more careful."
Rachel smiled. "I'll get her."
She left. Shortly afterwards Sally Abbott entered followed by her uncle. Buck looked at them and then looked away. He really didn't need a lecture from Tompkins right now, but figured he had one coming.
"Buck?" said Sally. "I'm so sorry. I should have remembered you weren't coming. I know you told me. I just forgot. If I'd stayed home . . . . "
Buck cut her off, "No, I should have been more careful. I didn't think about anyone in town finding out. If I had, maybe nothing would have happened." He turned to Tompkins. "I never meant for her to get hurt. I was just trying to help Ike. I . . . "
Tompkins put his arm on Sally's shoulders. He looked from her to Buck. "I know," he said. "She told me. She insists it was her idea to keep it totally secret. Having been a victim of her persuasive tactics myself, I understand how she wore you down. I just wanted to thank you properly for saving her. I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost her too."
Buck nodded.
Rachel entered the room. "I think you'd better leave. He needs rest."
As they turned to go, Buck said, "Rachel, could you stay?"
"Certainly," she smiled. The others saw themselves out. "What do you need?"
"How long have I been here?" Buck asked.
"A little over a day. They brought you here yesterday afternoon. You've slept pretty soundly until a few hours ago. Then you began to toss and turn. It's almost sundown."
"What happened? I remember seeing everyone go inside and then nothing."
"Doc says that you lifted something that caused your hurt ribs to snap. He figures the pain finally caught up to you and you passed out," Rachel explained.
Buck nodded. "Ike back yet?"
Rachel shook her head. "He should be back anytime now. You rest. We can talk later. I'm going to get you something to eat."
She turned to leave the room. Buck closed his eyes. He tried to think of a way to explain this to Ike without getting him more upset, but he couldn't. He had to face the fact that keeping this secret may just cost him his best friend.

The next time Buck woke up the sunshine filled the room. Lou was sitting in the chair next to the bed. "'Bout time, Sleepy Head."
Buck smiled and tried to sit. Once more the pain in his side made him stop. Lou was by his side instantly. With her help, Buck managed to sit up.
"Hungry?" Lou asked.
"Starved," Buck nodded.
Lou settled a try on his lap. "Okay?"
Buck nodded. He ate slowly, being careful so as not to move too much. When he finished, Lou removed the tray. "You up to company?" she asked.
"Who?" Buck asked.
"Ike. He's been worried sick. Thinks it's his fault," explained Lou.
"How would it be his fault?" asked Buck.
"He doesn't know about the men in town. We all figured it was up to you and Sally on whether or not you told him about your surprise. After all, the dance is tomorrow.
"So, he figures you hurt yourself when he punched you," Lou explained.
"Is it possible for you to find out from Miss Abbott how she feels about telling?" asked Buck. "Tell him I'm too tired. That eating wore me out, but that it's not his fault and I'll explain everything later."
"No problem," said Lou. She helped Buck lay back down, took the tray, and left.
Buck tried to rest. He needed to think of how he could tell Ike about the men without giving away Miss Abbott's secret just in case. As he drifted off to sleep, he decided he's just tell Ike what he's first told Teaspoon. They beat him because they didn't like the way he looked. That would do for now.

Chapter Six

After much discussion, Buck finally managed to convince Ike that it wasn't his fault. That Ike should not have been able to tell that anything had happened in town, "If I hadn't been so bullheaded about letting you and the others know about it, things never would have gotten so bad. You don't owe me anything. You need to go get ready. The dance starts in an hour."
<I'm not going,> stated Ike.
"You have to go," said Buck. "You've been looking forward to this since the day we first met her."
"I'll stay here with Buck," offered Lou as she entered the room with Buck's meal. "I'd rather be anywhere than there."
"Thank you," said Buck.
"You know what I mean," said Lou. "It's just so hard to stand there and watch all those pretty girls dancing, and not get to join in."
"No," said Buck. "You need to go too."
"Why?" asked Lou. "Am I being punished?"
"No, because Rachel will be very disappointed if you don't," answered Buck. Just then Rachel and the other riders entered the room.
"That's right," agreed Rachel. "I didn't go to all the trouble of figuring out your dress size, special ordering a dress, and figuring out how to sneak it into the house with you here so you could sit here moping all night." She held out a lovely blue, silk dress to Lou. "I hope it fits."
"Rachel's special package that was the cause of this whole mess," explained Buck. "Special order from St. Louis."
Lou stared at everyone. "Why?" she asked.
"You deserve the opportunity to be Louise every so often," explained Rachel. "And since Teaspoon knows now, why not?"
"But the people in town?"
"Won't recognize you," insisted Kid. "The rest of us will keep you dancing. We'll explain that you're Lou's cousin. Just arrived this morning."
Lou hurried off to change.
"Now as for you," Rachel said turning to Ike. "You need to go get ready, also."
 Ike signed.
"He's going along," said Teaspoon.
<How?> asked Ike.
"Simple, Doc said it would probably do him some good to get out for a while. I borrowed one of his special chairs. It's waiting for us at my office. We just need to get him cleaned up, changed, and into town. If it gets too tiring, Doc says he can rest up at his place as long as he needs to. So get moving."
Ike looked at Buck.
"You heard the man, get moving," said Buck with a smile.
Ike left to get cleaned up and changed. Teaspoon, Kid and Cody helped Buck and then they all headed into town. At the marshal's office Ike helped Buck into the wheelchair and then gently pushed it towards the dance.
When they arrived, Kid whisked Lou off onto the dance floor. Ike settled Buck into a corner away from the entrance and turned to watch the crowd. Teaspoon and Rachel joined the many couples dancing. Cody went off in search of Miss Abbott and Jimmy went to await his turn with Lou.
As the music slowed, Cody worked his way over to the corner where Buck and Ike sat. On his arm was a smiling Sally Abbott. She came up to Buck and Ike, "Buck, I'm so glad you could make it," she smiled.
Buck smiled back at her, "Me too," he said. Ike watched the exchange and turned to leave the two of them alone.
"Do you mind if I borrow him for awhile?" Sally asked as she touched Ike's arm.
"Not at all," said Buck. "In fact I'll be glad to have him gone for a few minutes."
<Would you do me the honor of sharing this next dance with me?? she signed.
Ike just stared at her.
"Did I do something wrong?" Sally asked Buck.
Buck shook his head and playfully punched Ike. "No. He just forgets his manners from time to time."
Ike glanced at Buck and then back at Sally. <When did you learn to sign?> he asked.
 explained Sally. 
<That's why you always looked like you were hiding something when you were around her,> Ike told Buck. <That's why you looked at her the way you did.>
Buck nodded. "She didn't want anyone to know. I'm sorry about the lies, but sometimes it's important to keep a secret no matter what the cost."