Chapter 11

Butte Meadows, Nebraska - April 1874

Silence filled their hotel room, the crying had finally ceased. Violette had cried herself to sleep three nights now and Gabrielle was trying her best to comfort her but she was exhausted and hungry. Knowing her sister would be asleep for the night she slipped out quietly to grab a bite to eat at the restaurant.

Across the street, at the restaurant, Kid spotted the dark-haired woman the moment she entered. News of the sisters' encounter with Buck had become the talk of the town, and everyone, including Kid, had assumed they'd hightailed it out after the explosive scene. He exchanged a worried glance with Louise, who, unlike Kid, couldn't resist her curiosity.

"That her?" Louise asked, following her husband's gaze towards the newcomer.

"Yeah," Kid confirmed in a hushed tone.

"Buck said he was questioning their motives." Louise stood up and set her napkin on the table. "I say we find out."

"Lou what are you doing?" Kid sighed and watched his wife make her way through the tables and approach the woman. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat when he saw his wife link arms with the stranger and all escorted her to their table.

"Have a seat, Gabrielle." Louise smiled warmly and sat across from her. "My husband tells me he saw you and your sister the other day in town."

"That's right," Gabrielle replied, surprised by the unexpected invitation.

"Ran into her at the Sheriff's station, wasn't that it?" Louise continued the conversation, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Isn't that what you told me, Kid?"

Kid mumbled a noncommittal grunt, his attention still fixed on his plate. He could feel Louise's playful nudge under the table, urging him to participate.

"You planning on moving here?" Louise inquired sweetly. "Or just visiting?"

"Just visiting," Gabrielle responded with a grateful smile. "Thank you for inviting me to your table. It's very kind of you."

"We're a welcoming town here," Louise chirped between bites of her meal. "Where are you from?"

"Baltimore," Gabrielle answered, taking a sip of water.

"That's a long way to come visit out in the middle of nowhere, that's for sure!" Louise chuckled. "Are you visiting relatives?"

"My sister was, um," Gabrielle hesitated, searching for the right words. "She wanted to come out here. Have you lived here long?"

"We moved here after the war, myself and my husband."

"It's lovely," Gabrielle agreed, glancing around the cozy diner.

"And we have a good sheriff, keeps things in line," Louise added meaningfully.

"Yes he seamed like a nice man." Gabrielle replied guardedly.

"Kid here said you had to speak with him the other day," Louise pressed, her gaze fixed on Gabrielle.

Despite the casual tone, Gabrielle couldn't help but sense a hidden agenda. "Oh, no, nothing serious," she said with a reassuring smile. "My sister just wanted to ask him a few questions."

"Forgive me, you don't look much alike." Kid interjected, subtly steering the conversation away from Buck. He noticed the difference between the sisters when he'd first seen them together. Gabrielle was statuesque, with dark brown hair, almost black, and fair skin like alabaster. Her sister, seemingly younger, was much shorter with soft golden brown hair and a more tanned complexion.

"Very observant," Gabrielle replied, a thin smile playing on her lips. "She's my half-sister."

"My sister is fifteen." Louise shook her head. "You would think they wouldn't be as much. But I swear they were easier when they were younger."

"The teenage years are difficult," Gabrielle agreed with a nod. "My sister is turning sixteen soon. She thinks she's ready to marry and have kids of her own."

"Why are they in such a hurry to grow up?" Louise chuckled.

"I'm a few years older than my sister," Gabrielle admitted, "and honestly, sometimes I wish I was fifteen again."

Louise's curiosity piqued. "How old are you?" She inquired.

"Eighteen," Gabrielle replied.

Louise's eyebrows shot up. "Eighteen? And your parents let you and your sister travel all this way by yourselves?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "My stepfather passed away a few years ago," she explained, her voice softening. "I've been taking care of my sister ever since our mother died."

"That must be incredibly difficult," Louise said sympathetically.

"We manage," Gabrielle said with a determined nod.

For the first time since meeting Gabrielle, the conversation flowed naturally. Louise seemed to have gathered enough information and was content to let the conversation take a more casual turn. Gabrielle, in turn, found herself genuinely enjoying their company. They seemed like kind people.

The three continued chatting over dinner for another hour before finally saying their goodbyes. As Louise and Kid walked home, Louise held her husband's hand tightly. Before reaching their porch, she stood on her tiptoes and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"What was that for?" Kid grinned.

"For being such a nice man." She replied with a wink.

"Is that all?" He teased.

Louise's smile turned sly. "And for putting up with your wife's constant prying into other people's business."

"Ah, that," Kid chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

"But," Louise continued, pushing open the door, "she seems like a really sweet girl."

"Lou, just stay out of it," Kid warned. "Trust me, I haven't seen Buck in two days, but he wasn't in a good mood when I did. I've never seen him so angry."

"I'm not saying anything other than she seems sweet."

"Well, get up those stairs," Kid said with a playful grin as he swatted her bottom lightly.

"Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?" Louise retorted with a giggle, dashing up the stairs to their bedroom.