Chapter 24
Butte Meadows, Nebraska - May 1874
Over an hour had bled away since Buck's return to Butte Meadows. He'd laid out his meager findings – the earring, the sliver of fabric – evidence that gnawed at hope even as it offered a sliver of grim possibility. Despite his own crushing certainty, Buck had left a flicker of that hope alive for Violette, promising to return with answers.
Before packing a satchel with the bare essentials – food for the journey, a change of clothes – Buck took a moment for the grieving girl. Violette, her eyes raw and red-rimmed from tears, clung to the earring he'd found, a fragile tether to a sister she might have lost.
"You'll find her, won't you?" She rasped, her voice hoarse with emotion.
Buck met her gaze. "Of course I will," he said, his voice firm yet laced with a tremor of doubt.
"Promise me!" Violette pleaded, her voice rising a notch.
Buck leaned down, his lips brushing her forehead in a gesture of comfort. "I'll do my very best," he murmured, the weight of the unspoken truth settling heavily in his gut.
Louise offered a semblance of strength, pulling Buck into a quick hug. "We'll take care of her," she said, her voice strained but resolute.
Buck's reply was a quiet whisper, just for her ears. "I'm afraid it ain't going to be good news if I do find her, Lou."
Louise understood. "At least she can have a proper burial," she offered, her own voice cracking slightly.
As Buck saddled his horse as Kid approached. "I'll keep the jail full for you." Kid winked and buffed the sheriff's badge on his chest.
Louise rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Oh, brother," she muttered, shaking her head at Kid's theatrics. "Hurry back so the power doesn't go to his head!"
"Keep her in your prayers," Buck said, his voice gruff with emotion. He mounted his horse, a lone rider against the vast canvas of the setting sun.
"We'll keep you in our prayers too," Louise called out, her voice strong despite the lump in her throat. "Ride safe, Buck."
As Buck disappeared over the horizon, Louise turned back to the house, her heart heavy with a grief that mirrored Violette's. This young woman, Gabrielle, with whom she'd only just begun to form a bond, might be lost to them forever. A pang of sadness settled in Louise's chest – she didn't have many close friends, and Gabrielle's presence, however brief, had brought a welcome spark of warmth into their lives.
"You think she's still alive?" Kid's voice, softer than usual, broke the silence.
Louise shrugged, her voice tight. "I don't know," she admitted. "Buck don't seem to think so."
"Well, let's give her hope until we know for sure," he whispered, his gaze drifting towards Teresa and Jeremiah, who sat with Violette, offering silent comfort.
"I love you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"Yeah?" Kid replied, a smile gracing his lips. He leaned down and kissed her softly. Looking into her eyes, his voice dropped to a sincere murmur, "I love you too."