Chapter 10

The throbbing in her head told Della she was awake. She lay with her eyes closed, not daring to open them as a wave of nausea rose up into her throat. Remaining as still as possible she swallowed back the urge, drawing in a deep breath of fresh air. The dehydration she felt intensified as she found it hard to swallow, her tongue feeling too large for her mouth, as the thudding in her head continued.

Vague memories of the previous night began to drift back. She could remember waking and feeling the stinging jabs of the cold, which had crept into her body as she slept. Urged on by her instincts to find the comfort of warmth and, without really considering what she was doing, she had gone in search of the much needed heat source. It then dawned on her that she had moved over to lie with Buck. This had seemed the reasonable thing to do in her drunken state; her own basic needs outweighing propriety. Besides, she had been in other people's beds more that she wished to remember. When the Rooster got busy and rooms were occupied she would have to share a bed with one of the other girls and was not unfamiliar with lying with a man, if only to keep the peace with Meyer.

But lying with Buck had been different. Not only had she found the warmth she craved but also comfort. Although the details were unclear she could recall feeling …. She wasn't quite sure what it was. Cared for? Respect? Or perhaps it was all in her imagination. No man had ever offered her any of those before – apart from Sam and now she knew it was only his sense of guilt, which had afforded her those things. Men were after only one thing in her experience and she was sure a half- breed, like Buck, was no exception.

As she turned these thoughts over in her head, her eyes still closed she became aware of soft footsteps approaching. Opening her left eye she looked upon a large knife strapped to a boot, causing both eyes to fly open in panic.

"Morning. Thought you might be needing this," Buck said in dulcet tones, holding out a canteen of water.

Della looked up at him, her face pale and blotchy. She was about to accept the canteen when an inner urge made her clamp her hand over her mouth, get to her feet and stagger towards a near by bush.

"I'll leave it here for you then," Buck said quietly, dropping the canteen on the ground, knowing she would not have heard him. Quite possibly she wouldn't want anything to do with him ever again. His face flushed with shame and embarrassment. Perhaps he was becoming more like his father, whoever he may be, willing to take advantage of a woman, although he couldn't say it had seemed to be against Della's will. On the contrary, she had instigated it but that didn't make him feel any better. He should never have complied, but it was too late now.

Angry at himself and his lack of composure, he stomped over to the horses and began to prepare them for the journey back to the Way station. It wasn't far but it was going to be one of the longest rides of his life.

Having relieved herself of the contents of her stomach, Della wasn't sure if it made her feel better or worse. She held onto a small branch, in an attempt to stop swaying. By now there was a constant beating in her head and her throat constricted with dehydration. Taking a deep breath she prepared to make the short walk back to where the canteen lay on the ground. In a determined attempt to act normally she walked purposefully towards it and bent down to pick it up. She almost instantly regretted the action, the blood rushing to her head, making her feel woozy all over again. She managed to quell the feeling and took a thirsty gulp of the water. As the cool liquid coursed down her throat she felt thankful for the relief it gave. She had overindulged on liquor before but never to this extent.

As she brought the canteen down from her mouth she saw Buck looking at her, his left eyebrow raised. She found his expression perplexing. He didn't seem angry but he clearly wasn't impressed either. In truth what she thought she saw was sympathy. Perhaps her actions of the previous night had ingratiated her to him after all.

She gave him a weak smile.

"We should get moving." The words were stated simply, as matter of fact, leaving Della in no doubt that what had happened between them had been a big mistake.

O-O-O-O-O

Every stride the horse made seemed to make her stomach lurch and head pound. Della held grimly onto the horn of her saddle, keeping her eyes fixed on her horse's grey ears as they flicked back and forward with each stride. Even that simple movement was making her feel queasy.

Buck's frustration at the slow pace was palpable as he sighed loudly every now and again and kept turning in his saddle to look at her. Try as she might Della could not bear to go any faster than a jogging trot and only managed that for a short while. She knew Buck was cross with her because of the slow pace and also for her actions the previous night. She was angry with herself too. To act with such dissipation had been foolish in her present predicament and she could only hope Buck wouldn't hold a grudge. She needed to keep all of the Express riders on side and she had a feeling they all looked out for each other. To upset one meant upsetting them all.

Buck turned in his saddle to look at Della for about the tenth time in almost as many minutes. She still looked pale and unsteady on her horse. He noted how well trained the animal was, staying steady and responding to the smallest shift Della made, almost sensing that all was not quite right with his rider.

They had barely said two words to each other; Della wrapped up in how wretched she felt and Buck embarrassed and ashamed. As Della lifted her head Buck turned back around to face front. She did not miss the action.

Squeezing her legs on her horse's sides, she urged him into a trot and drew up alongside Buck, who flicked a sidelong glance in her direction.

"Guess I over did it a bit last night," Della said.

Buck didn't know quite how to respond, not quite sure to what she was referring – the whiskey or seduction.

"I don't even like whiskey," she added, allowing Buck to expel a breath of relief. "I guess Mrs Shannon ain't going to be too impressed," she continued miserably.

"She doesn't have to know about the whiskey," Buck said in a quiet husky voice.

Della looked over at him, eyes wide in surprise.

"You can say you went riding and got lost," he stated simply.

"Do you think she'll fall for that?"

"I don't see why not, especially if I back you up."

"You'd do that for me?" Della questioned.

"Yes," he rasped. "But I do think you need to talk to Sam, " he added, before pushing his horse into a faster lope, afraid he might say something he would regret.

Della watched him pull ahead, then smirked and kicked her own mount forward to catch up, suddenly feeling a whole lot better.

O-O-O-O-O

Emma scanned the horizon as she crossed the yard to the bunkhouse to give the riders their breakfast. Della still had not returned and she had expected Buck to ride in the previous night. She was sure that he would be fine and had probably just been held up but she had no idea what had happened to Della. Knowing Sam would need to be told about the girl's disappearance she decided to go on into town straight after giving the riders their breakfast.

There was still no sign of either Buck or Della as she started to clear away the plates.

"Jimmy, would you saddle a horse for me, please?" she asked, as she wiped down the table.

"Sure Emma. You goin' for a ride? Want some company.?" he replied casually.

"Thank you but no. I'm going to ride into town to let Sam know that Della has gone." The bluntness of her response took Jimmy off guard.

"We don't know that for sure, Emma. She could be laying hurt somewhere. Fallen off her horse or somethin'. Don't you think we should go looking for her before we tell Sam?"

Emma opened her mouth to reply but before she say anything she was interrupted by Cody, shouting from the doorway, "Riders comin' in. Looks like Buck and Della."

Jimmy dashed to the door, leaving Emma to expel a breath of relief. She hadn't been looking forward to telling Sam of her houseguest's hasty departure.

Cody was the first to reach Della's horse. From her appearance there was no doubt she had been in some sort of trouble. He turned to Buck, who was just swinging down from his own horse.

"What the hell happened?" Cody demanded.

Buck fixed him with a steady eye and calmly replied, "Miss Dawson went riding and lost her way," – which wasn't too far from the truth! "I came across her last evening on my way back."

"Why you only getting back now then?" Cody demanded.

"It was getting dark so I thought it was safer to wait until this morning to ride back."

Narrowing his eyes at his fellow rider, Cody had to bite his lip in order to prevent him saying something that would stir up a whole lot of trouble.

While this confrontation was going on, Jimmy had stepped forward and was assisting Della down from the saddle. "You all right?" he said gruffly.

"I'm fine, thank you," Della responded somewhat meekly, as she caught sight of Emma over his shoulder.

"We've been real worried about you," he added, touching her arm lightly.

She gave him a reassuring smile, laying her own hand over his. "I'm just fine. Buck took real good care of me."

At this remark, Buck darted a look in her direction, only to receive a conspiratorial smirk, causing Buck's cheeks to flush.

By now Emma had joined them. She stood in front of Della, mouth in a hard, straight line. Della had the good grace to look slightly sheepish. Raising her chin a little, Emma gave the girl the once over, folded her arms and said, "Well, you look fine, if a little pale. Like to tell me what happened?"

"Nothing much to tell. I decided to take a ride. I got lost. Buck found me but it was getting dark so we camped out for the night," Della replied, in matter of fact tones.

"Hmm," was Emma's only response. She knew the girl was not being totally straight with her, the slight odour of alcohol on her breath giving a clue as to the real events.

"You got anything to add, Buck?" Emma asked, directing a stern look in his direction. Dropping his gaze, fingering the reins of his horse, he simply said, "No."

Buck's reaction convinced Emma that there was more to tell and she intended to find out, but for now she would let the matter drop.

"Well, you both look like you could do with somethin' to eat. Why don't you go wash up and …."

Her words trailed off as the sound of an approaching rider could be heard. As they came into view Emma immediately recognised Sam's familiar figure. She felt a wave of relief that Della was back but knew she'd have to tell Sam of the girl's escapade.

Pulling his horse to a stop near the assembled group, Sam nodded a greeting. Looking Della up and down, taking in her dishevelled appearance, Sam frowned but that was not his immediate concern.

"Morning Sam," Della said, smiling coquettishly.

Sam's response was blunt and to the point. "Victor Meyer's in town looking for you, saying you stole from him."

Della's eyes widened and she paled even more, for once at a loss for words. She thought she would be prepared for this moment but now it was here she wasn't feeling quite as assured.

...

Sorry for the delay in adding to this story. Finding it hard to find writing time at the moment but hopefully the chapters will keep trickling in until it's finished. Thanks for your patience and all the lovely reviews. I know Della isn't everyone's idea of the perfect girl for any of the boys but I think it would take quite a woman to take on any of them!