Chapter 33

Zion Encampment, Wyoming - July 1874

The conversation flowed easily between Buck and Bishop Jameson, their theological discussion stretching into the dusk. The setting sun cast long shadows across the porch as Buck finally noticed a man approaching, a few years his senior by the looks of it. The man offered a warm smile and a handshake to the Bishop.

"Brother Peterson, this is Buck Cross," the Bishop introduced them. "He's the brother of the young lady you've been so kind to."

"Welcome, Brother Cross," Luke greeted, his handshake firm and welcoming. "Please, come inside. I'm sure you're eager to see your sister."

"Thank you, sir," Buck replied, his voice thick with gratitude. "I can't thank you enough for taking care of her. The Bishop mentioned she was injured."

Luke nodded grimly. "Broken leg. One of the worst I've ever seen. We did our best to set it."

"Will she be alright?" Buck's worry etched itself onto his face.

"She'll heal," Luke assured him, "but traveling will be out of the question for a while."

"How long?"

"A month, maybe more."

Buck followed Luke into the house, offering a tentative smile to the man's wife as they passed.

Suddenly, a choked cry pierced the air. "Buck?" A trembling hand reached out from the small bed.

Relief washed over Buck as he rushed towards the voice. "Gabrielle!" He reached out, taking her hand gently in his. "It's good to see you awake. Are you all right?"

Tears welled up in Gabrielle's eyes. "Yes," she rasped, her voice weak. "They've been wonderful to me."

"That's a relief," Buck murmured, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"Violette?" She whispered, her voice laced with confusion.

"Shh, shh, calm down, Gabrielle," Buck soothed, his voice steady. "Everything will be all right. I promise." He settled onto the edge of the bed, gently wiping away the tears that streamed down her face. "I'll send word to Violette tomorrow, first thing."

Gabrielle clung to his words, a flicker of hope rekindled in her eyes. "I want to go home," she whispered, the word a desperate plea.

"I know, I know," Buck murmured, his hand moving to stroke her hair in a comforting gesture. "But you can't travel with that leg just yet."

"But..." she trailed off.

"She's safe with Kid and Lou," Buck assured her, his voice firm. "They'll take good care of her."

"Thank you," Gabrielle whispered, a tremor in her voice. "I'm sorry to inconvenience you, but I'm thankful you found me."

"No inconvenience for family."

"You and I aren't family." She said softly.

"You are my sister's sister." He tilted her chin up. "You are family. Blood or not."

Gabrielle's lips curved into a faint smile, a flicker of warmth chasing away the fear in her eyes. "Thank you," she repeated, the words filled with genuine gratitude.

"Truth be told," Buck confessed, his voice dropping to a low murmur, "until I walked into this room, I wasn't sure I'd find you alive."

Gabrielle's eyes widened with curiosity. "How did you find me?"

Buck chuckled softly. "Let's see," he began, settling in for a longer explanation. "First, I tracked you to the river, but I found your footprints leading away from the bank. Lost the trail there for a while, but then I headed to Cheyenne. The marshal there pointed me in this direction."

"Are you taking me back?"

"The Petersons said a month for recovery," Buck elaborated, his voice gentle.

"A month!" she exclaimed, the desperation in her voice raw and undisguised. " can't stay here that long, there are things I need to do..." Her voice trailed off into an unintelligible mumble, her mind racing with the consequences of her enforced absence.

Buck reacted swiftly, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders, his touch firm but calming. "Gabrielle, shh," he soothed, gently rubbing her arms. "Calm down. Remember that cliff you fell from? You're lucky to be alive. Your leg is broken, it needs time to heal."

"Can't you just throw me in a wagon?" She pleaded, a spark of mania flashing in her eyes.

Buck enveloped her in a hug, his embrace strong and protective. "Gabrielle," he murmured against her hair, his voice laced with concern. "You need rest. Butte Meadows is a few days' ride at best. If we move you too soon, that break in your leg could easily worsen."

Gabrielle leaned into his embrace, the tears she'd been holding back finally spilling over. Shame washed over her. She realized her harsh feelings towards Buck had stemmed from frustration with her sister's choices, not from any ill will towards him.

"I know you want to get back home," Buck said softly, pulling back slightly but holding her hands in his. "But right now, all your energy needs to go towards healing. If it'll make you feel better, I can stay here until it's time to take you home."

Gabrielle shook her head, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "No, you can't," she hiccuped. "You have a job, a life. I can't ask you to put that on hold for me."

Buck chuckled reassuringly. "Don't worry about that," he said, gently wiping away the last vestiges of moisture from her cheeks. "Kid can handle things for a while.

"Thank you," she whispered, sniffling softly.

"Get some rest," Buck instructed. "I'll find a place to stay for the night."

"Thank you," Gabrielle repeated, her voice thick with gratitude.

"Goodnight, Gabrielle," Buck said, squeezing her hand gently before turning and walking out of the room, pulling the door shut softly behind him.