Chapter 11

Buck looked up as Jimmy rode back into the station. He slid to a stop outside the bunkhouse, tossed his reins around the post, then stormed inside. He wondered what was going on. He put the bridle down that he was working on, and decided to go check in when he saw another rider coming in. It was Raven. He met her in the yard.

"Afternoon, Buck."

"Raven. What happened out there? Jimmy just rode in like the devil was after him."

"Was another killing last night. Carson thought it best to take Jimmy with them."

"Why would he do that? It's too soon."

"Jimmy survived. That doesn't usually happen so I figure that he thought Jimmy would be able to remember and tell him things that no one else has been able to. Provide him with more clues as to who it could be."

"I need to go check on him."

"Buck, do you mind if I hang around? No one has been informing me. I'd like to hang close. You and I know well enough that these men will never fully understand what they are up against. Nor can they know."

"I'm not sure how the others will take it."

"I'll be pleasant. Promise."

"Ok." Buck said reluctantly. "But they are suspicious of you already."

"Don't worry about that." Raven smiled as she got down.

Buck led her horse over to the bunkhouse as Kid walked out the door. He frowned at the dark-haired woman.

"Kid, you remember Raven?"

"You could say that." Kid said still frowning.

"Please, can we start over?" Raven said flashing him a smile. "I must apologize for my behavior when we first met. I have not truly been remembering my manners. I have just been so upset over this entire thing. I have been captured by the cruelty of these murders. I honestly came to try to lend a helping hand and yet, due to my brashness, I came across the wrong way. It just has been wearing me down that I have not been able to help stop this. Too many innocent lives lost."

Kid seemed to take her words to heart as he lost his frown. Buck watched Raven in amazement at the way she seemed to turn things around so quickly. Also, the way she spoke. She was very persuading.

"I reckon it would take a toll on anyone. I am sure Teaspoon will appreciate the help."

"I am so trying. I would like to stay near in case I could lend some helpful knowledge."

"At this point, we could probably use your help. Excuse me, I have a run later today."

"Overnight?" Raven asked.

"No, ma'am. Just over to Benton. I'll stay at the hotel there before heading back tomorrow."

"Good to know." Raven mumbled as Kid walked away.

She turned around to find Buck staring.

"What?"

"Really. That's how it's gonna be."

"I get what I want. I know what I am doing. Now, I believe you were going to check on your friend."

Buck shook his head and walked toward the door just as Rachel walked outside wiping her hands on her apron. She stopped when she saw Raven.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize that we had a visitor."

"Rachel, this is Raven. She has been following the attacks trying to help stop them." Buck answered.

"It is so nice to meet you. I hope that you won't mind my unannounced visit this afternoon." Raven said sweetly as Buck tried not to grunt.

"Absolutely not. A friend of Buck's is a friend of mine. I hope you can stay for supper."

"Truly? I would love that."

"Then it is settled. We would love to have you."

"Sorry, I was just going to talk to Jimmy. He rode in like something was bothering him earlier." Buck said stepping in.

"Might have to wait." Rachel laughed. "He came in and fell on his bunk. Been snoring ever since. Ran everyone out. I need to run over to my house to finish some things. I will see you later."

Rachel walked on across the way toward her house.

"Well, are we going in?" Raven asked back to her old ways.

"He is asleep."

"And?"

"I can't talk to him."

"Move." Raven said as she pushed past him inside.

She walked over to the table in the middle and sat down. Buck eased in behind her. She tapped the deck of cards and glared at him. He didn't know why but he walked to sit across from her. She dealt the cards but kept stealing glances at Jimmy.

"Why are you looking at him like that? What are you not telling me?"

Raven turned to stare back in his eyes. He knew she held too many secrets.

"Been having dreams, Running Buck?"

"What?"

"I can see it in your eyes. See how tense you are. You see you have not been telling me everything either, now have you? How can I trust you if you are keeping secrets from me?"

"I can say the same about you."

Raven laughed.

"Something happened out there that you aren't telling me. Something about you that you aren't telling me."

"Me?"

"Lies come easy to you."

"Are you surprised? I told you of my past."

"Some of it."

Buck jumped away from his questions as Jimmy moaned and rolled off his bunk down onto the floor. He looked at Raven as she narrowed her eyes. Buck ran over to Jimmy as he held onto his upper arm.

"Jimmy! Wake up!"

Jimmy opened his eyes to see Buck above him. He gripped his arm tightly.

"Are you ok?" Buck asked.

Jimmy shook his head. He rolled and pushed up to all fours, holding the injured arm close to his chest. He stood and stumbled into the wall.

"Jimmy?"

"I'm fine. I'm going to walk it off." Jimmy finally replied.

He walked slowly out the door. Raven stood and went to follow. Buck grabbed her arm.

"Where are you going?"

"To check on your friend."

"You can't fool me."

"Then don't ask stupid questions. You know damn good and well where I am going."

She snatched her arm away and rushed outside. Buck did not have any choice but to follow. She watched Jimmy go inside the barn. The two slowed their pace as they moved inside. Jimmy was out the rear door. He was on his hands and knees. Buck heard him groan. He watched as he puked. Raven tried to grab Buck's arm, but she missed. She wanted to just watch but Buck ran over to him.

"Jimmy, I think you should come back inside. Let me look at that hand, it must be infected." Buck said as he reached for the wrappings.

"No, it's fine." Jimmy snapped jerking it away.

"Jimmy, I really think you need to let us look at it."

"I said no!"

Raven watched Jimmy yell at Buck. He held his hand and arm close to this chest protectively. She saw him notice her for the first time.

"What the hell is she doing here? Came to accuse me too. Point fingers!" Jimmy yelled.

"What are you talking about?" Buck asked looking from Jimmy to Raven.

"I just wanted to see if the old fart was on to something. I see now that he wasn't."

Raven turned back to the bunkhouse. Buck watched her mount up and ride away. He turned back to Jimmy who was starting to relax.

"Someone care tell me what is going on?" Buck asked.

Jimmy shoved Buck away and strode back inside the bunkhouse. Buck walked out the barn as Rachel was coming back across.

"Raven left?"

"She had something come up. She was sorry."

"Hope she is ok."

Buck stood in the yard as Rachel also walked inside the bunkhouse. He knew that she was ok. He also knew that she was hiding something from him.