Chapter 63

Butte Meadows, Nebraska - February 1875

Every creak of the floorboard sent a jolt through Gabrielle. Her gaze darted from the window to the doorway, each tick of the clock echoing in the anxious silence. Finally, a faint sound of footsteps on the porch cut through the tense air. With a surge of nervous energy, she sprang from her chair, her heart hammering against her ribs. Throwing open the door, she found herself face-to-face with Kid and Jerimiah.

"Well, hey there!" Kid fumbled with his hat as he made his way over to Lou. "Did I forget?" Kid mumbled conspiratorially into Louise's ear. "We weren't expecting you, were we?"

"Not a word," Louise replied with a wink, her smile tinged with a hint of nervousness as she leaned in to plant a kiss on his cheek. "She just decided to surprise us."

"Nice to see you again, Ma'am," Jeremiah offered shyly, his voice barely audible. Violette nudged him playfully, earning a shared giggle.

"Good to see you both," Gabrielle replied, as her gaze darted past them, searching the gathering dusk for a single figure.

"Buck should be along shortly," Kid said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement as he noticed her lingering stare. "He stopped by the office earlier and said he'd be here after settling up at the general store."

The mention of Buck sent a fresh wave of nervous anticipation coursing through her. "It is a bit warm in here, isn't it?" She murmured, the question more a nervous excuse than anything else. Stepping out onto the porch, she welcomed the cool evening air against her flushed cheeks. "I think I'll wait out here just until dinner."

"Don't catch a chill," Louise called after her, the amusement evident in her voice.

Louise was right, Gabrielle thought amusingly. The air held a bite, sharpening with each passing minute. But the physical discomfort paled in comparison to the storm brewing within her. It wasn't the cold that made her breath come out in white puffs – it was the gnawing worry knotting her stomach.

Every rustle in the wind, every creak of the porch swing, sent her heart leaping into her throat. As the last sliver of sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues of orange and pink, she finally spotted a lone figure rounding the corner from town. Her heart raced, each step Buck took echoing in the growing silence.

"Brie?" Buck's voice carried a hint of surprise as he approached the porch.

In a rush of pent-up emotions, she jumped up from the bench and practically leaped down the steps. Reaching the bottom step, she didn't hesitate – she threw herself into his welcoming embrace.

"Buck!" She exclaimed, burying her face in his chest. "Are you alright? Are you hurt? Louise said you weren't sheriff anymore!" Her voice trembled with a mix of relief and confusion.

A soothing warmth enveloped her as Buck wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Shh, it's okay," he murmured. "Everything's fine."

She gently pulled back, her gaze searching his face. "You're not sick, are you?" She pressed, her eyes scanning his for any sign of injury.

"Not a bit," he chuckled, a hint of amusement softening his eyes. "I quit my job, that's all."

"You quit?" The question echoed in the night, laced with disbelief.

"Yeah," he confirmed, a sheepish grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Because I was planning on heading to Baltimore."

Her breath hitched. "For me?" She whispered.

"I don't know anyone else there," he replied, his voice a husky murmur. His hands slid down her back, pulling her closer.

The world around them seemed to fade away. Gabrielle closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his embrace. This was what she'd longed for, the feel of his arms around her, the comforting scent of him that filled her senses. The months of separation melted away in that instant.

She wasn't sure how he would feel after all this time, but as she gazed into his eyes all the doubts that lingered vanished. She missed him. She missed this. And as their lips met in a kiss filled with longing, she knew, with a certainty that warmed her from the inside out, that she was finally home.

"Dinner's ready," Louise announced, her voice carrying through the cracked doorway.

"We'll be right in," Gabrielle replied, a touch of regret tingeing her voice as she stepped back from Buck's embrace. But the regret was quickly replaced by a surge of determination. Taking his hand in hers, she squeezed gently. "Come on," she said, pulling him up the porch steps towards the door.

Buck, his gaze lingering on her face, followed readily. As they reached the doorway, he bent down to retrieve her handbag that had fallen unnoticed on the floor. He dusted it off with a gentle hand, then paused. A white corner of fabric caught his eye – her handkerchief. He picked it up, intending to return it, but his eyes snagged on a telltale glimpse of paper peeking from its folds.

His smile faltered as he unfolded the handkerchief, revealing two pristine tickets. The scripted lettering on them sent a jolt through him: "SS City of Paris, First Class."

"Leaving so soon?" He asked, his voice strained. He held the tickets out to her, watching as she shoved them back into her bag with a nonchalant shrug.

"Remember? Crepes in Paris, cobblestones streets in London." She said lightly, her voice failing to mask a hint of nervousness.

"Coffee in Italy," Buck replied, forcing a smile that felt brittle on his lips. "I remember." The unexpected news left him reeling. Had their reunion been a bittersweet goodbye all along?

"It would be even more enjoyable if we were on our honeymoon," she smiled and nervously bit down on her lip as she waited for his reply.

Buck's head snapped up, confusion etched on his face. "Honeymoon?"

A radiant smile lit up her face as she took his hands. "Remember you told me to find out what I wanted out of life?"

Buck's brow furrowed. He vaguely recalled the conversation, a lifetime ago it seemed.

"And?" He prompted, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest.

"I want you." She leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a soft, searching kiss, silently apologizing for any unspoken doubts. "I love you, Buck."

Their kiss deepened, a gentle exploration of emotions long held back. Buck wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer as if afraid she might disappear. The world around them seemed to fade away. In that moment, all doubts and fears melted away.

And as they broke apart, breathless and flushed with emotion, Gabrielle whispered against his lips, "You asked me to marry you once," her voice barely a whisper. "If you are so inclined," she continued, her eyes searching his with a vulnerability that stole his breath, "I'd love nothing more than to be your wife."

Relief, joy, and a love so fierce it surprised him all flooded through him. "I'm very much so inclined," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He tilted her head back. "In fact," he whispered against her ear, his lips sending shivers down her spine, "I've been hoping you might say yes."

A choked laugh escaped Gabrielle's lips. Leaning into his touch, she ran her fingers down his strong arms. "Well then," she began, a playful glint returning to her eyes, "I thought we could get married here, with friends and family. A proper celebration, wouldn't you say?"

Buck chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Perfect," he agreed. His gaze drifted down to the tickets clutched in his hand. "Those tickets are for next month, though, Brie."

A sly smile played on her lips. "Well, you aren't getting any younger, you know," she teased, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek. She closed her eyes, burying her face in the crook of his neck. "Besides," she continued, her voice muffled against his skin, "when we get back, we can decide what comes next. Together."

Buck wrapped his arms around her tightly, the world around them fading away. "Together," he echoed, the word a promise, a vow, and a future filled with possibilities stretching before them. He held her close, savoring the warmth of her presence, the knowledge that she was his, finally his.