Chapter 3

Shadow Valley, Texas - April 1872

It was a warm and bright spring day, the kind that made the tumbleweeds dance across the prairie. Buck stopped his horse and hopped down, his boots crunching on the dry earth. He scanned the horizon, his gaze finally settling on the distant silhouette of a small farmhouse nestled amongst a grove of cottonwood trees.

It had been a month since Samantha's accident, a month of him making the long trek into town to check on her, a month of worry gnawing at him despite his efforts to remain stoic. He'd hired a couple of men from the neighboring farm to help manage the extra workload on his ranch, but the emptiness Buck felt couldn't be filled by another pair of working hands.

"Mr. Cross," Desiree greeted, a curious smile playing on her lips as she watched him wrestle a massive covered chair from his wagon and heave it onto the porch. "Welcome. Please, come in."

Samantha sat in a rocking chair by the window, a book in her lap, but her gaze was fixed on the open fields beyond. Her normally bright eyes held a dullness that tugged at Buck's heart.

"Just thought I would see if my favorite girl wanted to take a ride through town?" He asked gently, his gaze flickering between her and the heavy cast adorning her leg.

Samantha's brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"

Buck grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I got you something from St. Louis." He explained. "It just arrived and it's just until you can put weight on that leg."

"What is it?" Her curiosity piqued, a flicker of excitement replacing the dullness in her eyes.

Buck turned and pushed a large, ornately carved wooden wheelchair into the room. The deep blue velvet cushions gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the window.

"Whoa!" Samantha's breath hitched.

"Once the doctor says you can put weight on your leg you won't need this," Buck explained, "but until then you can get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air."

Samantha's smile widened, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you so much!" She exclaimed, running her hand over the plush fabric.

Desiree stepped forward, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Mr. Cross you have been so kind to us, we truly appreciate it."

"Would you like to take it for a spin?" Buck asked, his voice warm. He held his arms out, his intentions clear.

Samantha hesitated for a moment, then a playful glint entered her eyes. "Alright, but only if you promise not to drop me."

Buck chuckled. "Never." He scooped her up effortlessly.

Desiree turned to Bethany, who had been silently observing the exchange from a corner of the room, a book clutched tightly in her hands. "Bethany, why don't you go and help Mr. Cross with Samantha?"

Bethany looked up from her book and obediently walked towards the door. Her mother had been pestering her to show some interest in Mr. Cross when he came over but Bethany felt like she was taking advantage of his generosity. Her mother was unrelenting in her pursuit. Bethany considered herself lucky this time, even though he had Indian blood, at least Buck was kind and not at all hard on the eyes.

"I hear Mr. Harper has ice cream at the store." Buck wheeled Samantha out and carefully down the street towards the general store. "Do either of you have objections?"

"Mmm, not me!" Samantha giggled.

"What about you Bethany?" Buck smiled at her.

"I think ice cream sounds wonderful." She laughed genuinely.

It had been a long time since she laughed. She liked Buck, it was easy to like him. He was so kind. The way he doted on her sister was like the brother they both lost. She smiled Samantha chattered on and Buck listened intently. She knew Samantha missed their brother Patrick, but she didn't remember him the way Bethany did. Bethany and her twin brother Patrick had been inseparable since birth. Only the war came between them.

As they walked side-by-side, Buck's hand occasionally brushing against hers, Bethany felt a blush creep up her neck. He was tall and strong, with a kind face etched with lines that spoke of hard work and laughter. His eyes, a soft golden brown, held a warmth that made her feel safe and seen. It felt wrong to be enjoying herself, to be letting someone new into their lives when their world was still so raw with grief.

"Did you want strawberry or vanilla?" Buck's voice broke through her thoughts as they entered the cool haven of the general store.

Bethany blinked, surprised at how quickly they'd arrived. "Sorry, I was daydreaming." She hadn't even realized they had walked into the store. "Strawberry please."

"What were you daydreaming about?" Buck asked, his voice laced with a gentle curiosity as he pushed Samantha towards a large oak tree at the west end of town. He was already setting up a picnic-style blanket.

"You."

She watched as he flushed slightly and cleared his throat before making eye contact with her. He seemed surprised, yet intrigued. Bethany held his gaze, a small, smile playing on her lips.