Chapter 14
Butte Meadows, Nebraska - April 1874
Buck adjusted his hat, pushing back his hair as he lingered in the doorway of the jail. He watched Violette walk away, her steps measured and pensive as she navigated the muddy street. A city girl, he thought with a smile. The whole situation felt unreal, a whirlwind he hadn't anticipated. Yet, the idea of having a sister, even one tied to the man he despised, sparked a genuine warmth within him.
There was no denying the family resemblance. Violette shared his smile, though her features were softer, more delicate. Perhaps that was their father's legacy, a cruel twist considering the man's darkness. A pang of curiosity snaked through him. Was there any shred of decency in the man who sired him? Buck had always viewed him as pure evil, a fear that had haunted him as a young man, the worry that the evil somehow resided within him too.
"Good afternoon, brother," Violette's voice startled him from his thoughts. She stood a few feet away, a hesitant smile gracing her lips.
"Afternoon," he replied, tipping his hat in greeting. "Your sister... is she joining us?"
"Oh, Gabrielle said she had some errands to run." Violette reached out, her arm brushing his as she slipped it through his.
"Just us then, is it?" He returned the smile, his hand finding hers gently. He led the way across the street, towards the welcoming warmth of the restaurant.
"That's perfectly alright with me," Violette assured him, her smile brighter this time.
"Well, according to reliable sources," Buck chuckled, "Rose's fried chicken is on the menu today." The prospect of a delicious meal and good company lifted his spirits further.