Chapter 13

Butte Meadows, Nebraska - April 1874

The air crackled with nervous energy as Violette flitted between dresses. "Vee," Gabrielle finally warned, exasperation lacing her voice, "if you change your outfit one more time, I'm dragging you out of here naked!"

"Gabrielle!" Violette giggled, the sound tinged with a hint of hysteria. "I want to look perfect."

"He's already seen you, remember?" Gabrielle reminded her gently.

"Right," Violette mumbled, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure he thinks I'm an idiot. No wonder he didn't want to admit we're related. Just the idiot girl who stared at him."

Gabrielle squeezed her sister's hand reassuringly. "Not true, Vee. Not at all." She held back the truth about their father, a secret Buck would have to reveal himself.

Violette's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So, what magic words did you use to change his mind?"

"Nothing special," Gabrielle hedged. "He just happened to see me, he read the journal, and… agreed to meet you."

Violette pirouetted in a sunshine-yellow dress. "How does this look?"

"Beautiful," Gabrielle confirmed, forcing a smile.

A flicker of movement caught her eye. There, clutched in Violette's hand, was the damning journal. Without a second thought Gabrielle snatched it away, tossing it onto the bed. Violette's protest was half-hearted, easily extinguished.

For their meeting with Buck, Gabrielle had chosen a neutral location - the home of friends who lived on the outskirts of town. Familiar faces would hopefully ease the tension. As they approached the house, Gabrielle's shoulders relaxed at the sight of Kid and Lou, the warm couple she'd met a few days ago.

"Welcome!" Boomed Louise from the porch, ushering them inside. "Dinner's almost ready, come on in."

Gabrielle introduced Violette with a smile. "Lou, this is my sister, Violette."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Violette mumbled shyly.

"None of that ma'am business. Call me Lou." Louise ushered them into the house. "This is my husband, Kid. And that one over there is my brother, Jeremiah, and my sister, Teresa."

"Nice to meet you all," Violette mumbled again, taking a seat at the table, and clutching her hands in her lap.

"Buck ain't here yet," Louise announced, setting down glasses. "Probably got held up in town."

"Let me help you," Gabrielle offered.

"Would you get the door?" Louise heard the soft knock as she set out the plates.

Gabrielle opened the door to find Buck standing there. "Sorry I'm late," he said with a smile.

"Thanks again," Gabrielle murmured. "This means a lot to her."

"It does to me too," Buck replied.

"Buck, this is Violette," Gabrielle said, gesturing to the empty chair beside her.

"Nice to meet you," Buck said, taking the seat.

"Let's eat before everything gets cold," Louise said, placing a plate of warm biscuits on the table.

Conversation flowed throughout the meal. Stories of their youth filled the air, with Lou, Kid, and Buck regaling everyone with tales of their time riding for the Pony Express and serving in the war. Gabrielle, was content to observe the interaction between her new friends and her sister and Buck.

Despite her initial reservations, Gabrielle had to admit Buck seemed like a good man. Her anxieties, fueled by childhood stories and her stepfather's remarks, had painted a bloody picture of Indians. Buck wasn't a murdering savage, nor was he a thief or a drunk. He upheld the law and had the respect of the town. No, he was nothing like how Indians had been described to her. He was kind, intelligent, and handsome. A blush crept up Gabrielle's cheeks as she realized she was staring at him.

Watching Buck converse with her sister, his patience and tenderness evident, a pang of loneliness shot through Gabrielle. While she was happy Violette had found her brother, it brought to light Gabrielle's own isolation. They had been alone, only having each other, but now Violette had Buck.

The conversation stretched into the night. By the time they said their goodbyes, darkness had cloaked the town. Buck insisted on walking them back to the hotel.

"I'm so glad we met," Violette said with a beaming smile as they entered the lobby.

"Truthfully, it was quite a surprise," Buck admitted. "But I'm very happy to know you now."

Violette's embrace was warm and impulsive. "Me too," she chirped, clearly overjoyed.

"Would you ladies like to meet me for lunch tomorrow?" Buck invited, his gaze flitting between the sisters.

"Of course!" Violette practically vibrated with excitement.

"Around noon then?" Buck confirmed.

"Goodnight, brother!" Violette beamed.

Buck leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight, little sister."

Beaming, Violette grabbed Gabrielle's hand. "Brie! This was the best day ever!"

"I'm truly happy for you," Gabrielle offered with a genuine smile, leading the way up the stairs to their room.

"He's amazing, isn't he?" Violette gushed.

Gabrielle hummed noncommittally as she unlocked the door, her fingers already working at the buttons on her dress.

Violette's excitement crackled in the air. "I don't think I'll sleep a wink tonight!" She declared, glancing at Gabrielle's swift undressing.

"Well, try to keep it down then," Gabrielle teased.

"You were quiet tonight," Violette observed, settling onto the bed and watching her sister.

"There was a lot to take in," Gabrielle admitted with a tired smile. Crawling into bed, she patted the space beside her. "Would you get ready for bed? I'm exhausted."

"Can't we just talk for a little longer?" Violette pleaded, her voice brimming with barely contained excitement.

"Aren't you tired?" Gabrielle countered, her eyelids already heavy.

"Not a bit!" Violette bounced around the room, her joy infectious.

"Well, I am," Gabrielle said with a sigh.

"How can I possibly sleep?" Violette exclaimed, her voice filled with wide-eyed wonder.

"Get ready for bed, please," Gabrielle pleaded, tossing a nightgown at Violette.

"Do you like him?"

"He seems like a very nice man," Gabrielle conceded, carefully choosing her words.

"I can't imagine why Father wouldn't have contacted him," Violette frowned. "Why wouldn't he have wanted Buck in our lives?"

"I don't know," Gabrielle mumbled, guilt twisting in her gut. The weight of the secret Buck hadn't shared hung heavy in the air.

"At least we found that journal," Violette said on a brighter note.

"Goodnight," Gabrielle said firmly, stifling a yawn and blowing out the bedside lamp.

"But I'm still dressed, Brie!" Violette protested.

"Well, you talked for so long, you'll just have to get undressed in the dark." Gabrielle teased.

"Fine," Violette grumbled, quickly peeling off her dress and tossing it onto the floor with a rustle.

"Now go to sleep," Gabrielle instructed gently.

"Gabrielle, what do you think..." Violette began, her voice trailing off.

"Vee, goodnight," Gabrielle said firmly, but with a touch of tenderness.

"Goodnight," Violette giggled, finally giving in to sleep's pull. She snuggled into the bed beside her sister, a contented sigh escaping her lips.