CHAPTER 3

"Rider comin'" Lou shouted as she noticed the rider in the distance kicking up dirt in a hurry. There was a second horse being brought in beside him.

Jimmy and Ike turned their attention from the broken fence to the incoming rider, "Looks like Buck, but who's ridin' with him?"

They both ran up to Buck's quickly approaching form. As he abruptly stopped in front of them he shouted, "Get Rachel!" Ike grabbed the reins of the accompanying horse.

"What's goin' on?" All three could now plainly make out a female lying unconscious in the saddle in front of Buck. Lou ran toward Rachel's house as Buck led the motionless body down to Jimmy. As he slowly brought the average built woman down from the horse a glint of recognition crossed his face. The vision of her rose adorned colt confirmed his suspicion.

Buck forcefully dismounted and picked her up out of Jimmy's grasp. Ike, now holding the reins of both horses, led them into the barn.

Rachel and Lou came out running from the house while Buck carried Dani into the bunkhouse, slowly placing her almost lifeless form onto his bunk. Jimmy came in close behind and within seconds Rachel was by her side with water and bandages. Lou took a seat at the table.

Jimmy and Lou watched as Buck remained kneeling down staring at the woman. "Is she gonna be alright?" he asked. Rachel began ripping the sleeve open on Jane's shirt to get a better look at the wound. "I don't know Buck, we need the doctor."

"Cody's on his way into town to get him."

Ike quickly entered the bunkhouse. (Who is she?) he signed.

"We met her in Silver Springs. She ran into some trouble while we were there." Buck didn't care to elaborate knowing full well his family would begin to pass judgment if he mentioned what sort of trouble.

Jimmy blurted out, "A gunfight?" Buck gave no response and just continued to stare at Jane. "Buck, she's a gunfighter! You know what sorta trouble she could bring with her? What were you thinkin'?"

Buck spat back, "You're one to talk 'Wild Bill'!" Buck's anger was written all over his face. "She took a bullet for me. Was I just supposed to let her leave alone?"

Jimmy looked away in shame. Lou slowly stood from the table and approached Buck. "I'm sure she'll be alright Buck." At that, all attention turned to the door as it quickly flew open. Cody came barging in loudly almost knocking Ike to the floor, "I got him."

Doc Barnes entered quickly behind Cody carrying a small leather bag. Rachel readily recognized as his tool kit. "I'll need all you boys to step out and leave Miss Dunne and I alone with the patient."

Cody, Jimmy and Lou filed out the front door, but Buck remained still. Ike made his way over resting his hand on Buck's shoulder and then helping him to his feet. "You need to let the doctor look at her, Buck," Rachel said in a calming voice. Ike led Buck out the bunkhouse door letting it shut behind them. He guided Buck to the bench outside and took a seat beside him.

"Kid," Lou gasped as she realized he was now standing behind Cody on the porch stairs. "When did you get here?"

"I was in town when Cody road in. Told me him and Buck picked up some lady who got hurt in Silver Springs and he had to get the Doc. I followed them back here. Who is she?" Jimmy motioned for Kid to follow him away from the porch. Kid gave him an inquisitive look, but followed with Cody and Lou close behind.

"She's a gunfighter. Her name's Jane Marks." Kid's eyes grew big. Cody questioned "Did Buck tell you that?" Jimmy switched his glare from Kid to Cody, the annoyance evident in his expression. "He didn't have to. We've met in passing once or twice."

Lou's eyes shifted back to a very distraught Buck. "Well, doesn't matter who she is, seems to me Buck has taken a fancy to her. He needs us to stick by him." She turned to head back up to the porch taking a seat on the steps. Jimmy followed her path with his eyes, but he was not ready to dismiss the situation that quickly. "Cody, what exactly happened in Silver Springs?"

Cody, always ready to embellish one of his adventures, recounted the earlier events including Jane's obvious spite for them helping her. "Said she was meetin' someone and didn't need no accompanyin' here, but Buck talked her into lettin' us come along. Guess he wanted to make sure she was okay. We were ridin' along just fine. All of a sudden she grabbed her arm and slumped over."

"So she got you two caught in the middle of a gunfight?" Jimmy stated angrily. "Calm down Jimmy," Kid interjected, "Seems to me Buck made a choice to help her. Any one of us would have done the same, even you. I'm not sure why her comin' here has you so riled up, but you outta know, you can't judge a person by their reputation." Jimmy looked down defeated once again. He knew Kid was right. There was no need for him to be so suspicious, but he was always wary of gunfighters with or without reason.

The bunkhouse door flung open and Buck was on his feet in no time. "Is she gonna be alright?" Buck now repeated the same question to the doctor as he had asked earlier of Rachel. "She's going to be just fine. Seems the bullet chipped a piece of the bone in her arm causing it to become lodged in her skin along with the bullet itself. The pain from both caused her to pass out. I removed them and bandaged her up. She won't get much use out of that arm for a while." Both Lou and Ike gave Buck a little pat on the back. A sigh of relief came from his mouth as a small smile escaped his lips. "Can I see her?"

"Sure, but she's pretty liquored up and she's still unconscious. She should be awake in a few hours though." Buck made his way into the bunkhouse with Ike following behind. The rest of the riders stayed out on the porch giving Buck the space they knew he needed. Cody turned to the group, "So, where's Noah?"

Lou replied, "He's still out on a run, but he should be back by dark." Cody grinned, "I'm sure he'll be sorry he missed all the excitement." Kid just smiled at him, "I'm sure you'll fill him in." Cody returned the expression as the other riders let out a chuckle.