Chapter 5
Rock Creek, Nebraska
April 1872
As sunlight filtered through the window Lara jolted awake, her heart racing with the realization she had slept most of the morning away. She languidly pulled herself off the lumpy bed and glanced out the window. There he was, just as she expected. Deputy Peterson, in his usual morning perch on the steps of the marshal's office. His presence served as a constant reminder of the watchful eyes that followed her every move, amplifying the sense of confinement she felt within the small town's borders.
Lara quickly washed up and changed into fresh clothes, shedding the weariness of the morning. Effortlessly, she strapped on her gun belt, the weight of the holster a familiar reassurance against the unknown. She smoothed her leather vest over her crisp white shirt and tan breeches and took one last look in the mirror revealed the reflection of a woman poised and determined, her blonde hair tucked neatly under her hat. She had to get out of the hotel without the deputy following her today, and she hoped her disguise would do the job.
"Hey Peterson, you still watchin' that Alba girl?" Buck inquired casually.
His eyes tracked Lara's movements as she emerged from the livery with a large quarter horse in tow. Instantly, he noticed she wasn't dressed in her usual attire of dresses and curls, but rather in shirt and pants. It wasn't much of a disguise, he thought to himself, although it might be enough to trick Peterson.
"Yeah, looks like she's sleepin' late today," Peterson replied with a yawn, seemingly oblivious to Buck's scrutiny.
"Mhmm," Buck muttered, shaking his head in mild disbelief at the deputy's lack of awareness. "I'll see you later." With a dismissive wave, he turned and headed off, leaving Peterson to his post.
Buck swiftly mounted his horse and rounded the corner, keeping a safe distance as he followed Lara just out of town. From his vantage point on the high ground about fifty feet away, he watched her cautiously dismount and scan her surroundings. She was guarded, her movements calculated, but she seemed unaware of his presence.
Silently, Buck waited as Lara stealthily climbed an oak tree and tied something to the branches about halfway up. Moments later she retreated back to her horse. Buck debated whether to follow her or wait to see who would pick up the item she had left behind. Seeing her heading back into town, he decided to bide his time and wait for the next move.
After a few minutes, Buck silently made his way down to the tree and retrieved the object in a matter of seconds. With careful precision, he opened and read its contents, then folded it back up and descended the tree. Returning to the high ground, Buck settled in to wait. Several hours passed before Buck spotted the boy who had picked up the note. Taking note of the direction the boy went in, Buck made his way back to town.
Dusk was setting when Buck rode back into town, his thoughts consumed by the mysterious stranger he had been observing. Lara Alba didn't fit the profile of someone aiding and abetting an outlaw. It left Buck puzzled. One thing was for certain, Lara Alba was not the woman she pretended to be. There was more to her than met the eye, and Buck was determined to uncover the truth.