I never thought that you'd be the one to hold my heart, but you came around and you knocked me off the ground from the start.
You put your arms around me and I believe that it's easier for you to let me go.
You put your arms around me and I am home. ~~ Christina Perri
Chapter 2
Branwen moaned as a deep, far off voice seemed to work its way back into her consciousness pleading for her to hang on, and not give into the darkness. Suddenly a sharp stab of pain blazed through her throbbing skull and her eye lids flew open wide, causing her to cry out as the pungent odor of smelling salts assailed her nostrils. The scent succeeded in its purpose, thus ripping her out of what seemed to be an unending Cimmerian night that held the echoing, reassuring tone of his voice calling her name. Now as she lay fully awake in agony, the only pair of eyes gazing down, calling out her name were those of a watery blue hue, and where a far cry from the deep chocolate eyes and soothing low voice that had called to her out of time and space.
"Branwen, I'm Doctor Barnes; you're in my examine room. You took quite a nasty blow to your head, Young lady." Groaning in pain, she squinted as she shielded her eyes from the glaring sunlight that came in from a window across the way. Branwen tried to raise herself just as Doc reached and placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder, gently urging her to lay back down. "You need to rest Miss, lay back down, there you go, good girl. The pain will ease I promise you."
He patted her arm reassuringly as he continued to speak, "I'm going to ask you some basic questions – " He saw her eyes widen in fear and quickly sought to sooth her agitation. "It's just some simple questions, I have to ask to see if there's any memory loss," He smiled warmly at her, "it's just standard procedure with a head injury such as you sustained, nothing to worry about, okay?"
She nodded her understanding to Doc as the fear drained from her body, leaving in its wake a unexplainable tiredness. His first question was easy, her name; that much she knew. But as he continued, she found the Doctor's words lulling her off and her eyelids growing heavy as the darkness pulled at her, beckoning to take her back under.
The repeated light slaps to her hand roused Branwen back to the present as Doc continued asking his series of simple questions, such as her birth-date, her parent's names, where she grew up, and where she was now. But each question was met with a blank, furrowed brow look. Memory loss was to be expected with a head injury of this sort, but it still sent up a flag of warning in Doc's medically trained mind. He decided on a different tactic and asked the young women, "What happened today, Branwen, what do you remember about today's events?"
Her bandaged head still bled, and throbbed beyond recognition as she tried to pull from her tattered memory what exactly she did remember about the day; nothing, her mind was a blank. No, that wasn't entirely true. Her voice was weak as she answered Doctor Barnes' question. "I remember loud shouting, the screaming, also the sound of my name being called out and – " she paused, her words now barely above a whisper, "I remember a pair of the most beautiful dark brown eyes I have ever beheld." A soft smile played across her pale features right before the tenebrous darkness reclaimed her once more.
*"You're going to wear a trench in Doc's porch if you keep up that pacing"* Ike signed, as he watched his friend pensively walk back and forth while waiting for a report from Doc on the condition of the raven haired young lady Buck rescued.
"I'm not pacing, Ike." Buck snapped as he came to an abrupt halt, proving his point by promptly sitting down on the floor of Doc's porch, while leaning his back with a thud against the office wall.
As peevish as Buck was he couldn't help noticing Ike wince at his sharp retort, and immediately regretted the pain he needlessly inflected on the one person he considered a friend closer than a brother. Sorrow filled Buck as he replied, "I'm sorry, Ike, I didn't mean to snap at you. I guess I'm just worried, that's all."
Drawing up his legs, Buck rested his chin on his knees as a forlorn look came to rest on his features. "Why is it taking Doc so long? What if Branwen is..."
Ike felt his friends pain, and cut off Buck's thoughts as he placed a reassuring hand on his brother's shoulder while smiling down on him. * "She isn't dead, Buck! You saved her life, she's alive! Doc is just making sure Branwen is okay that's all. She is fine; you'll see." *
"I hope you're right, Ike." Buck cast his eyes down as if speaking to no one in particular, "I just need to see her, to see her..."
Awhile back Teaspoon's supposed daughter, Elizabeth Kelley, or rather Amanda O'Connell arrived in Sweetwater and at first glance she was all Ike could think about. Ike understood better than most what Buck was feeling at this moment, and hit his chest to get Buck's attention as he signed, *"You need to see her face, need to see her eyes to know she is safe and well?"* Ike smiled knowingly at his friend as he left his fingers resting close to his own eyes.
Buck raised his gaze to Ike, marveling once again how Ike could read and understand him so well. His boyish, lopsided grin dashed away the forlorn look as he replied with a low chuckled, "Yeah, something like that, Ike."
Letting a sigh escape his lips, Buck confessed to Ike how the feeling of her laying in his arms as though she were dead, scared him to the very core. But when Branwen opened her eyes, and gazed upon him with her beautiful, huge, greenish amber eyes, it seemed to Buck that she could see into the very depths of his being, and reached out, touching his soul. Buck had never experienced such an instantaneous connection to another person before, but he kept that to himself. Also, he kept safe to his heart the feelings her slight touch evoked in him, while her long tapered fingers slightly grazed his arm. The brief contact had sent a strange tremor running through him, as her touch seared the skin beneath the chambray fabric of his shirt sleeve Branwen had clutched in her ivory hand. All of these sensations mingled themselves in with the sound of her voice as she spoke his name. The effect left Buck strangely longing to see her again, to hear her low melodic voice softly call out his name as her honeysuckle scent wrapped itself around his being; leaving him with the aching feeling of a home that seemed just out of his reach.
Buck was so lost in these strange thoughts he never heard Teaspoon or the marshal's steps on the porch decking of Doc's office.
"Boys any word from Doc on how our lovely young lady is doin'?" Teaspoon asked.
Ike, leaning against the wall cast a worried look over at his friend who still sat with his chin resting on his knees and signed * "No word yet from Doc. Any word about the young lady, and where she came from?" *
"There's not much to tell Ike, and I fear what little there is, well..." Teaspoon also cast a concerned looked over at Buck, "Her name is Branwen Taylor. The best we know so far is that she arrived from back east, New England I believe Reynolds said. And from what he told me, she comes from a rather well to do family."
Buck, upon hearing the sound of Branwen's name mentioned in conversation, snapped out of his musings; paying close attention to Teaspoon's words. As he listened, Buck kept his pensive look cast upon the tops of his boots, keeping silent as he braced himself for the information he knew was to follow.
"It seems our fair town of Sweetwater was in need of a teacher, and our fine school superintendent, Mr. Reynolds hired Miss Taylor for the position, or so the young lady thought."
Sam quickly took over the narrative, irritation thicker than molasses coating his words, "Yeah, he hired Miss Taylor and Mr. Browning. It seems since Sweetwater has had problems keeping teachers, the City council thought it a good idea to offer the position to both teachers. Now, here's the catch, they are offered the position, but the fine print states they are not promised the post until both teachers are interviewed before the whole city council. Once a final decisions is made, one stays on as head teacher at Sweetwater, the other is sent back home with only a small compensation for travel fare to show for their efforts. That was their plan, but things were made easy for our fine city councilmen." Sam gave a disgusted snort as he continued, "Seems Miss Taylor didn't stand a chance. Her coach was delayed by only one day and the teaching post was automatically granted to Mr. Browning. When Miss Taylor arrived in Sweetwater," Sam paused to look at each man listening, "She was told by Mr. Reynolds that the job was already filled."
Buck's head shot up, he was half expecting to hear that Branwen was engaged to the local banker's newly arrived son, and wedding plans went awry, or some sort of nonsense! Instead, to hear this atrocious news made a white-hot rage surge within him.
"That's why she was crying, and so upset that she stepped off the sidewalk into the street!" Buck spoke for the first time, swiftly rising to his feet as a panther like gleam shone in his eyes. "What is wrong with this town, Teaspoon!" Buck asked incredulously, his voice trembling with barely concealed rage. "Branwen is a young woman, alone. She traveled almost across country expecting a teacher's position, and is now without a job! She is alone in a strange new place, Teaspoon, and its because of this city she may die! It's not right!" Buck shouted.
He could take the injustices this town heaped upon him, unfair as they were, but when it happened to a innocent young lady, when it happened to Branwen, – something primal snapped inside Buck as he tried to rush off the porch.
"Now hold your horses Buck!" Teaspoon called out as he and Sam quickly blocked his way. Both men were surprised at the force of the young man's latent strength as Buck struggled against them. It finally took all of Ike's added youthful vigor to pull Buck back.
Struggling frantically against the three men Buck growled, "Let go of me, Ike, ... Teaspoon, let me go, I need to get to Reynolds; it's not right! She was promised a job and I'm going to get it back for her. Branwen shouldn't have been treated in such a way – she almost died!"
Sam finally managed to get a strong hold on Buck's arm, "Now hold on, Buck!" The marshal's voice thundered over Buck's struggling protests. "Just calm yourself down, alright!" Sam's piercing gaze bore into Buck. "If anyone is going to do any talking with Reynolds about this crazy mess it's going to be me, you understand? Your concern right now is that young women lying yonder in there, do you got that?" Sam's glacial eyes flicked towards Doc's office door.
"Come on, Son. You know Sam's right," Teaspoon said, as he placed a strong hand upon Buck's tense shoulder, his tone held a fatherly firmness as he spoke, "We'll get to the bottom of what happened here, let's just focus on getting your pretty damsel in distress back to Emma's alright?"
Both Teaspoon and Sam breathed a collective sigh of relief as they felt the tightly coiled tension fade away from Buck's heaving shoulders, and when Sam was sure the young man wouldn't go charging after Mr. Reynolds he released his hold.
A forlorn, abashed look retook its place once more on Buck's handsome features. "I'm sorry,Sam, Ike, and Teaspoon." His sorrowful brown eyes met the gaze of each of the three men. "I don't know what came over me."
"Well, don't worry about it, Buck," Sam said as he clasped his hand on the young rider's back. "Just don't go doin' nothing foolish alright?" Sam wasn't so old that he had forgotten what it's like to be young, stricken with love at first sight, and act a fool because of it.
"I promise I'll stay right here by her side, Sam."
Door hinges suddenly squeaked open as Doc stood framed in the doorway, amazed that the heads of each of the four men standing on his porch didn't snap straight off, and roll right out onto the street as they whipped around to look expectantly at him.
Doc was bombarded with so many questions from the men that he held up his arms and cried out, "Quiet!"
With a measure of satisfaction, Doc watched in silence for several moments as all mouths snapped shut, and looked hopefully at him for news. "I know you all are concerned about the young lady…"
"Don't keep us waiting Doc! Spit it out now will ya!" Teaspoon's words were laced with the same impatience felt by all the men staring at Doc.
Throwing pretense to the wind, Doc plunged in. "The lady took a terrible blow to the head, which is no fault of yours, Buck; had it not been for you she wouldn't be alive."
Doc took a moment to let his words seep into Buck's consciousness before continuing. "She has a fair amount of memory loss, and there will still be some spells of fainting, which is to be expected. But it's hard to tell at this stage, with a head wound such as she sustained. She's not out of the woods yet; but Branwen is young and strong. I feel confident she'll quickly pull through."
Casting his gaze over the four men, Doc's voice dropped an octave as if afraid the lady might overhear. "My only other fear is the wound itself. I've slowed the bleeding, but I am finding it difficult to stop the flow of blood. I've only read a few cases of individuals who are bleeders, never actually treated someone with this type of condition – " Doc paused in his narrative seemingly at a loss, "and there's always the worry of infection." Doctor Barnes looked into all the faces present, his heart tightened at the pain filled look on Buck's face.
Doc's next words were spoken with the utmost care, and honesty as he could convey. "The next couple days will tell how she'll fare. Hopefully the bleeding will have ceased, but for right now, I've done all I can for her." His eyes came to rest on Teaspoon as he tentatively asked, "I hate to ask, but can she stay a few days out at Mrs. Shannon's place, just until she is improved? Miss Taylor shouldn't be left alone in her condition, and it wouldn't be proper if I took her in, well ummm, being a bachelor and all." His face coloring at his last words.
"Not to worry, Doc; we have it already taken care of it. Cody and Jimmy have ridden back to the station to let Emma know of our new arrival as we speak." Teaspoon extended his hand out to Doc. "We appreciate all your help, Doc. Is she fit to travel?"
"I think Miss Taylor will be fine to travel back to Mrs. Shannon's place Teaspoon. I'm sending a list which contains instructions for care, and pain medicine for the young lady to take as needed. I'll ride out tomorrow and check on how she is faring."
Buck stepped up and held his hand out to Doc who shook it warmly as Buck spoke. "Thanks, Doc, I truly appreciate what you did for Branwen, without you..."
Doc quickly cut off Buck's speech, "You're the one needing thanks son; if not for your quick reflexes she wouldn't be with us now. Branwen is in good hands with y'all. I wouldn't trust her to anyone else. As I said, I'll be back tomorrow; I'm sure under your watchful eye, and Mrs. Shannon's care, she'll be much improved upon my return."
Buck was seldom caught off guard, but Doc Barnes words left him momentarily unable to speak, and all he could do was nod his thanks. Then suddenly, Buck thought of something else he wanted to ask, and managed to locate his renegade voice, "By the way Doc, there's one more thing I would like to ask."
Turning back, Doc looked inquisitively at the young man, "What's that, Buck?"
"Will her memory loss return?"
Doctor Barnes smiled knowingly at Buck. He liked, and respected the young Express Rider who had been through so much recently; not to mention today's events. What harm could it do, he thought, to tell him?
Walking back towards the group of men he stopped, surveying the faces before he spoke, "The primary extent of her memory will come back over the next several days, it may be slow in returning, more likely in pieces, and fragments at first, but it will come back; I'm sure of it but – " he paused, "Branwen hasn't forgotten all of today's events, it seems you," he leveled his arched blue eyes on Buck, "you, Young man, made quite the impression on our fair young lady."
"She remembered me?" The breathless words just tumbled out of Buck's mouth as his jaw slackened, and his heart dropped down into the pit of his stomach.
"Well, not your name exactly, Buck, but how did she put it," Doc silently rubbed his chin in an effort to jog his memory, "ah yes, she remembered a pair of the most beautiful dark brown eyes she had ever beheld, I believe those were her exact words, and I have a strong feeling she was referring to you, Buck." Doc's eyes twinkled in amusement.
Ike, grinning like a Cheshire cat, nudged Buck in the ribs while the two older men worked hard to stifle back laughs, but to no avail as their laughter came spilling out.
Buck, unaware of the laughter or Ike's jab to his ribs just stood dumb struck, staring at Doc as he tried to assimilate the words he just heard; "Beautiful dark brown eyes"
In all of his 19 winters on this earth, the only thing people ever notice about him was the color of his skin; and what people said about that was a far cry from complementary at its best. He was most certain that no one, especially a lady, ever noticed anything attractive or remotely beautiful about his features; until today.
A boyish grin crept its way to his mouth, finally reaching, and shining in his eyes as Buck felt the flood of heat rise in his cheeks. Somehow, he knew the rest of his makeshift family would hear about this long before he hit the bunkhouse door this evening, and they would tease him unmercifully, but if truth were told, Buck didn't care. Branwen Taylor remembered him, that's all that mattered, and she thought his eyes were beautiful!
Sam's laughter filled voice broke through Buck's musings, "Well Buck, you did a great thing here today." he replied as he clasped Buck on the shoulder. "Well, if I'm not needed here anymore, I think I'll go talk with Tompkins and see what he knows about this blasted teacher hiring business."
*"You'll keep us posted on what you find won't you, Sam?"* Ike signed, casting a bemused look over at his brother who was still a million miles away.
"Yeah, when I find out more I'll ride over to Emma's; it'll probably be tomorrow sometime. Now stay out of trouble, the both of ya and take care of the young lady, understood?"
"I'll keep watch on the Boys, Marshal." Teaspoon eyed the pair of riders. "Come on Ike, lets get Buck's gal home to Emma."
Buck, catching the ending of Teaspoon's words pulled himself out of his reverie and replied, "She's not my gal, Teaspoon, in fact once she actually takes one good look at me she'll…"
"Nonsense, Buck, nonsense! Everybody knows that all proper damsels in distress swoon and promptly fall in love with the knight in shining armor that comes to their rescue, isn't that right, Ike." Teaspoon flashed his trademark grin at Buck and Ike.
Buck, cocking a dubious eyebrow upward, look down at his filthy, disheveled appearance. "Ummm, I don't know about knight in shining armor, Teaspoon."
Ike, wrinkling his nose as he signed *"He smells worse than Jimmy on a good day, Teaspoon."*
As Teaspoon strode off to retrieve the buckboard he hollered back over his shoulder, "I know what I'm talking about boys, mark my words."
The two brothers just shook their heads. Ike, still grinning, nudged Buck once more in the ribs which earned him a cuff on the head from Buck for the "Jimmy" remark. Both men knew that Teaspoon was just joshing them with crazy nonsense in an effort to lighten the tension of the day's events and those to come, or so Buck thought.
Buck quietly entered Doc's examine room; the sight that met his eyes nearly broke his heart.
Branwen could barely hold her eyes open, as Doc supported most of her slight weight. Her unruly dark hair was held tame under a large white bandage wrapped around her head, the cloth brandishing the telltale sign of a slowly growing blood stain. Buck also noticed the small scrapes, and bluish green bruises forming on her face and arms from where her delicate skin hit the gravel with the force of his protective shove.
Doc noted the worried expression on the young rider's face and quickly tried to reassure him, "It looks worse than what it really is Buck. It's just some surface scrapes and some minimal bruising. Nothing a little witch hazel, time, and care won't mend." Before Doc could ask for assistance, Buck was by Branwen's side tenderly placing her arm around him, while sliding his arm around her waist for added support.
Dr. Barns marveled at how swiftly Buck took her weight off his aged shoulders to bear on his younger frame, while speaking with such comforting reassurance to the young woman.
"Branwen, it's me, Buck Cross. Branwen, I'm going to help you to our wagon. We're taking you to our Express station where Emma will look after you. Doc Barnes knows you'll be safe there. I promise you'll be fine, I'll be by your side." As Buck gently spoke these words he carefully guided her towards the door, and his breath caught as he felt her relax into his hold.
As Doc watched Buck gently guide Branwen out his office door, he thought to himself, "And these folk here in town dare call this kind young man a savage." A renewed disgust filled him at the ignorance of the townsfolk of Sweetwater.
Branwen groaned through the dull pain. Something about the man's voice, the way his arms held her securely, stirred something remote, and deep within her being that was just beyond her reach through the caliginous darkness that swirled perpetually above, around and below her. All Branwen was certain of was that she trusted this strong man, and for the first time in several long, long months she truly felt safe – safe, and at home.
Buck carefully settled Branwen beside Teaspoon who held the reins of the team horses, then carefully sat beside her, allowing his arm to come around her slight shoulders. Without hesitation she nestled her head into the crook of his arm, and chest, while a ever so soft sigh escaped her lips, as if this had always been her true and natural resting place.
Buck couldn't quite understand this strange, overwhelming protectiveness he felt for this young woman he had never met until today, but at the sound of her slight sigh, he simply encircle his arm around Branwen, holding her close to himself. Buck hoped Teaspoon, and Ike would see it as an effort to keep the effects of the jarring wagon to a minimum; Or rather, that's what he tried to convince himself of.
"Hiyah" Teaspoon hollered as the horses lurched forward. The ride back to Sweetwater Station began.
It was the longest ride of Buck's life in reaching Emma's for Branwen's safety, and well-being. Yet it was also the shortest ride as well for Buck; shortest in length of time he would have to enjoy the simple sweetness of holding Branwen protectively in his arms.
To be continued.
I want to express my sincere thanks to all the readers who have continued on with this second chapter. There will be more to come. I promise there will be a bit more back ground on Branwen as well.
I also especially want to thank and give huge hugs to my beta's Anita and Karen and also to Jenna and Kristina who looked over the story and offered suggestions and kept me writing when I wanted to give up, you guys are dear to my heart. Also all the great gals at G+ you all are wonderful...crazy wonderful.
The hiring of two teaches and only keeping one, did sound a bit far fetched to me when I was writing. But every small town has its odd quirks and Sweetwater wouldn't be any different, so I thought, "That would be something that would happen in Sweetwater." and it would be a useful tool within the story. Also as a note, Branwen does have a very mild case of hemophilia, it is rare to see in women though, but will come in handy...
I hope you all will continue with the story...its a little slow to start but I hope it will get better.
As a first time writer, I welcome all comments good and bad and welcome advise.
Hugs to all, Leah.