Chapter 12
Rock Creek, Nebraska
June 1872
Lara stirred, her dry lips parting as she licked them hesitantly. It felt as though she had been trampled by a herd of cattle. She shifted gingerly, her muscles protesting with every movement. With a sigh, she rolled onto her side, wincing at the pain that shot through her body.
Opening her eyes slowly, she squinted against the light filtering into the room. It wasn't the hotel room, that much was certain. Instead, she found herself in a quaint, cozy chamber, furnished with a chest of drawers and a small table topped with a wash basin.
Gradually propping herself against the headboard, Lara winced as her pounding headache intensified. The door stood slightly ajar, and faint sounds of movement drifted in, but nobody entered. With a feeble voice, she called out.
"Hello?" Her words barely audible, she tried again, but her throat was parched, rendering her attempts futile. Pushing herself upright, she noticed she was clad only in her chemise.
"Hey, what are you doing out of bed?" Buck's voice interrupted her disoriented thoughts as he entered, a tray of food in hand.
Lara's dry lips parted in an attempt to speak, but only a soft croak emerged. Buck quickly set the tray down and helped her back into bed. Handing her a glass of water, he watched the relief in her face wash over her as the liquid moistened her throat.
"What happened?" she managed to ask, her voice raspy.
"Shhh," Buck hushed her gently. "Let's get some food in you first."
"Where am I?"
"I understand it's not the most ideal situation," he began, settling down beside her bed with a bowl full of broth in hand, "You couldn't stay at the doctor's house, and though Lou insisted you stay with her and the Kid for appearances' sake, I didn't think staying at the Marshal's house was the best choice." His smile carried a tender reassurance.
"Is this your home?" she asked weakly, sipping the liquid from the spoon he offered.
"I have plenty of room here, you'll have your privacy." He assured her.
"Thank you." She tried to recount her hazy memories. "The last thing I remember, something spooked the horse. She bolted, and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground."
"She twisted her leg but thankfully it wasn't a break. Joaquin and I found you," Buck explained, his voice soft and reassuring.
"Joaquin?" Lara's eyes widened with concern, sitting up abruptly before the pain throbbed through her head, causing her to wince in pain.
"He's okay, Lara," Buck reassured her, gently easing her back onto the pillows.
"My head is killing me," she moaned softly, her hands pressed against her throbbing temples.
"I know," Buck sympathized, his eyes filled with concern. "Let me give you something for the pain."
As Lara glanced down at her undergarments, a recognition of her state of undress and a sudden rush of modesty flooded her senses. "Buck, where are my clothes?" she inquired as she pulled her blanket up around her chest.
"In the closet," Buck answered with a smirk, anticipating her concern. "Lou dressed you."
Lara blushed, her cheeks flushing as she finished the broth Buck had fed her. "Thank you," she murmured softly.
"Give me your finger," Buck instructed gently, applying some laudanum to ease her pain. "Take that and get some sleep."
"Will you stay with me?" Lara's voice was barely a whisper as she looked up at him, and licked the laudanum from her finger.
"Of course," Buck reassured her, tucking the blankets snugly around her as he watched over her until she drifted into a peaceful drug induced slumber.