CHAPTER 4
Buck laid on Cody's buck to the left of his own which was now occupied by a slumbering Dani. Rachel had left him the two over an hour ago to tend to supper. He didn't care whether or not he ate tonight. He wasn't sure why, but he wanted to be the first thing Dani saw when she awoke. Maybe if that happened he wouldn't feel so guilty about being the reason she was lying there now. He stayed focused on her face realizing that even as she snored away, she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Noah trotted up to the barren station. There wasn't the usual ruckus coming from the bunkhouse that generally accompanied supper. In fact, it was eerily quiet. He made headed to the barn and saw to it that his horse was taken care of for the night. Quickly he made his way to the bunkhouse where he expected everyone had turned in early for the night.
As not to disturb them he gently pushed opened the bunkhouse door and made his way inside. He was thrown off guard by the fact that the bunkhouse was empty except for Buck, who was now fast asleep on Cody's bunk. A figure he didn't recognize was lying on Buck's. He noted that whoever was there was quite shapely. He picked up the lit oil lamp from the table to get a better look at their guest when he was met by a very frenzied Buck now holding his pistol no more than six inches from his face.
"Buck, it's me!"
Abruptly awoken from her sleep Dani attempted to leap to her feet, but was quickly overcome by the pain in her arm and let out a loud yell. "Dani!" Buck dropped his gun and ran to her side kneeling down, trying to calm her. Noah stood in shock at the cringing face of the young woman who had so rudely been awakened. "Dani, it's okay. This is another rider for the Express, Noah."
Buck looked back up attempting a reassuring look when he noticed the expression on Noah's face. It was the same expression Jimmy had when he realized who Dani was earlier that day. Buck turned his attention back to Dani as he feared that Noah would have the same reaction as Jimmy. As his eyes met hers he was taken back by the same look of recognition passing from her eyes to Noah. Buck got the sneaking suspicion they knew each other, but brushed it off as she let out another low moan.
Noah still stood shocked, but regained his composure. Dani calmed herself after the final wave of pain passed. Noah offered his hand to her out of habit, but removed it upon second thought.
"Dani, was it?" Noah questioned. Buck noticed the quizzical look Dani shot back at Noah that she quickly tried to cover. "Yes," she said in a low whisper giving Noah a small smile then turning her attention back to Buck.
The bunkhouse door swung open revealing the rest of the express riders with guns drawn. "Damn it, Noah!" Jimmy stated as they all realized what had taken place and lowered their weapons. Noah turned to the group and back to Buck where he realized Buck must have not even bothered to look up.
Buck and Dani continued to stare at each other as the riders scattered through out the room making themselves comfortable. "What happened?" Noah asked. Cody took his position center stage to once again recount the story. Each rider took a seat as he reenacted the day's events.