Chapter 20

Rock Creek, Nebraska

February 1867

"Well well well." Conner shouted, waking both Kaylie and Buck from a deep sleep. "Look what we have here."

Buck's jaw tightened as he assessed the situation, his mind racing with possible courses of action. He instinctively moved closer to Kaylie, his protective instincts kicking into high gear.

"Please, Conner—"

"You would rather live in squalor with your half-breed lover." Conner shook his head in disbelief. "I have done everything to win your heart Kaylie, and I will never let you go."

"I will never love you." She uttered.

"I see you two little love birds and I have to say, well, it makes me a little jealous." He nodded. "And I realize I've been going about this all wrong. I can't make you love me. But, I can make you stay with me."

Conner's words sent a chill down Buck's spine. He knew they needed to find a way out of this, and fast. But with Conner armed and dangerous, their options were limited.

"No, Conner, please no," She begged.

"The way I see I you have two choices my sweet." He laughed softly. "You can live with me, and he here can live a long and happy life. Or, you can choose him, but you'll have live it alone, because I'll put a bullet right through his head."

Kaylie's heart pounded in her chest as she listened to Conner's chilling ultimatum. The weight of the decision pressed down on her like a blanket, leaving her feeling trapped. She glanced at Buck, her eyes filled with tears and desperation, silently pleading for guidance.

"Alright." She wiped her tears and sat up gathering the bed sheet around her chemise. "But, I want a few moments. Alone."

"No,"

"I will go with you." She laid her terms on the table plainly. "I won't fight you, but I need to say goodbye."

Buck's heart sank as Kaylie's words hung in the air, heavy with resignation and sorrow. He felt a surge of frustration and anger, knowing that he couldn't protect her from the danger she faced. He waited until Conner retreated and shut the door behind them. Buck's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Kaylie's tear-stained face, her words piercing through him like a dagger. He reached out for her, his hand trembling with the intensity of his emotions.

"Kaylie, listen to me," Buck pleaded urgently, his voice tinged with desperation. "Don't do this for me. Do it for yourself. You deserve this."

But despite Buck's impassioned words, he knew that the final decision rested with Kaylie. All he could do now was pray that she would find the strength to choose her own safety and freedom.

"I couldn't live knowing I took your life." She kissed him quickly.

"I can't lose you, not again." Buck held her tightly as she clung to him.

Kaylie's arms tightened around Buck, seeking solace and reassurance in his embrace. She buried her face against his chest, inhaling his familiar scent, finding comfort in his strength and presence.

"You won't lose me," She looked up at him and burst into tears. "I'll be in your memories, and thankfully you'll be in mine."

Bucks heart broke as her lips found his in desperation. He could hear the door open and felt her pull away as Conner forced her out the door.

Buck watched helplessly as Kaylie was dragged away from him, torn between the agony of letting her go and the fierce determination to keep her safe. His heart shattered with every step she took away from him.

With Conner's attention focused on Kaylie's descent down the stairs, Buck seized the opportunity. In a split-second decision, he lunged for the table, grabbing his gun and pointing it at Conner with a steady hand.

"Don't move," Buck growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Let her go, now."

Conner's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't waver. Instead, he tightened his grip on Kaylie's arm, his expression twisted with rage and desperation.

"You shoot me, and she dies," Conner spat, his voice trembling with spite. "You're not going to risk that, are you?"

Buck's heart pounded with fury as he stared down the barrel of Conner's gun. Every instinct screamed at him to act, to protect Kaylie at any cost. But he knew Conner's threat was all too real. If he made a move, Kaylie's life would be in even greater danger.

So he stood there, his hands clenched at his sides, his gaze locked with Kaylie's as she was dragged away against her will. He burned with a fierce determination to find her, to rescue her from this nightmare, no matter what it took.

Buck followed as Conner pushed Kaylie outside and onto the front porch. He watched in dread as Conner stepped closer to Kaylie, his grip tightening on the gun as he urged her to mount the horse. His eyes flickered with anticipation.

"Can we take my horse with us?" Kaylie asked suddenly, her eyes darted to Buck's for a moment before she returned her attention to Coner.

"Good idea, we can use a fresh horse." Conner said.

Buck's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Kaylie lead Conner to Nodin's stall. His mind raced with a mixture of fear and desperation, knowing that the next few moments could determine their fate.

As Kaylie approached the stall, Buck held his breath, his eyes locked on her every movement. He prayed silently, hoping against hope that she had a plan, that she wouldn't put herself in harm's way. He stood powerless, there was nothing he could do at this point. If he called her bluff, Conner would kill her. If he didn't there was a good chance that Nodin was going to trample them to death. Buck prayed harder than he had ever prayed before in his life that she would be saved.

He barely breathed. Never feeling more hopeless as the love of his life gingerly mounted the dangerous creature and sat bravely on his back. He watched as she entwined her fingers in the massive stallion's mane and prepared to hold tightly with her legs. Conner carelessly heaved himself onto the horse's back and as soon as the gate was opened, he gave the horse a swift kick.

Buck exhaled and waited for the worst. He watched as the massive beast bucked flinging Conner off his back the in a few seconds his giant hooves had come crashing down on the unsuspecting man. Buck tried to calm Nodin down, but he bolted from the stables with Kaylie on his back holding on for dear life.

Buck didn't stop to check on Conner; he jumped on the nearest horse and charged after Nodin and Kaylie. He kept them in sight, his heart pounding with each stride of the horse beneath him. After about thirty minutes of hard riding, Nodin finally came to a trot, then a stop at a stream. Buck rushed to Kaylie's side, his concern evident in his eyes.

"You okay?" Buck asked, his voice tinged with worry as he dismounted and approached her.

In that moment, all the fear melted away as Kaylie flung herself into Buck's arms, holding him as if she never wanted to let go. She felt a profound sense of relief wash over her, grateful to be safe in his embrace. After a few moments, she sighed softly, her tears slowing as she reached up to pet Nodin's nose, feeling a deep connection to the wild but loyal horse who had carried her to safety.

"I think you may have a friend for life there," he said softly.

Buck and Kaylie felt a wave of gratitude wash over them, knowing they had escaped unharmed from the clutches of danger. In that moment, with the gentle rhythm of Nodin's breathing nearby, they realized that nothing stood between them anymore.