Chapter 8

Coyote Canyon, Texas - July 1872

It had been a week since he'd been shot. Every day, Justice had taken Libby to school and then gone to work in town. Honor had taken care of the farm, and the house chores, and tended to Buck.

Buck woke to the familiar scent of breakfast. Justice and Libby, dressed in their Sunday best, were chattering excitedly. Honor, in her usual plain blue calico dress, placed a plate in front of him.

"Morning, Buck!" Libby chirped.

"Good morning, little one," Buck replied, his gaze drifting to Honor.

"You can sit next to me." Libby scooted over making room for him at the table.

"Coffee?" Honor asked.

"Thank you." Buck glanced out the window where Justice sat reading beside the buckboard. "Heading to town?"

"Church," Honor said, setting a plate down for Buck and handing him coffee. "Finish your breakfast, Libby," she added.

"Are you an Indian?" Libby blurted, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Honor tried to shush her sister, but Buck found the question amusing. "I am half Indian."

Libby pondered this for a moment. "Why don't you dress like one?"

"Well, I don't live with them anymore," Buck explained patiently.

Libby, on a roll, continued her interrogation. "Did you ever scalp anyone?"

Buck chuckled. "No."

"Do you have any kids?"

"Nope." Buck laughed and wondered how long the questions would go on for.

Just as Libby launched into another question, Honor stepped in.

"Liberty Ann," she said firmly, "Hurry up Justice is waiting."

Libby rolled her eyes. "You're cranky today. Hope she's not as cranky with you," she teased Buck on her way out.

"She is...a handful," Honor admitted with a laugh.

Buck watched Honor stack a plate with pancakes, then ventured, "I couldn't help but notice, your names are all quite...virtuous."

A soft giggle escaped Honor as she set the plate down. "Our parents were very devout," she explained.

"Then why skip church today?"

"We couldn't very well leave you alone, could we?" She replied with a playful smile. "I drew the short straw."

"You didn't have to stay on my account." Buck protested mildly.

"I know," Honor said, her eyes twinkling. "I was just teasing."

"Oh." Buck smiled.

A comfortable silence settled between them, a newfound ease in their interaction. Buck couldn't help but smile – it's been a while since he'd enjoyed such simple, friendly banter. Perhaps this unexpected stay wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Let's see if you can walk to the orchard." She turned and led the way, her boots crunching on fallen peaches. Buck followed closely, a tentative limp replaced by a steady stride.

Honor stopped beside a large peach tree, its branches laden with fruit. She reached up, selecting a perfectly ripe peach. Its golden skin yielded slightly in her hand, promising sweetness. Taking a bite, she savored the burst of juicy flavor.

"You're walking well," she said, her voice laced with a hint of surprise. A flicker of something unidentifiable sparked in her eyes as she met Buck's gaze.

He grinned, reaching for the peach. Their fingers brushed as he took a bite, sending a jolt through him. Juice dribbled down their forearms, a sticky reminder of the sun-drenched afternoon.

"I can get used to all this pampering," he teased, his eyes twinkling. But the teasing masked a deeper emotion, a burgeoning tenderness that surprised him.

Honor averted her gaze, a blush creeping up her neck. "You're healing quickly. Probably be heading home soon." As the words left her lips, a pang of unexpected sadness tightened her chest. Things would return to normal, she reminded herself. Her life was a quiet routine of chores and solitude. Yet, the thought left a hollow ache in its wake.

She took a shaky breath, surprised to feel a warm hand settle on her shoulder. Buck's touch sent a tremor through her.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice gentle, his brow furrowed with concern.

"I'm fine," she mumbled, turning to face him fully.

Their gazes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. She hadn't realized how close he stood before. The space between them crackled with unspoken desire. His nearness stole her breath.

Buck's eyes, deep pools of darkness, and golden flecks, held hers captive. He saw the flush high on her lightly freckled cheeks, the way the sunlight painted her golden brown hair with a warm sheen. Her soft lips, slightly parted, held an unspoken invitation. He felt an overwhelming pull towards her, a yearning he couldn't ignore.

"What are you doing to me?" He whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

His hand moved slowly, a feather-light caress against her cheek. His touch sent shivers down her spine. He cupped her face in his hand, his thumb gently stroking the soft skin. Slowly, he drew her closer, the space between them collapsing entirely. His other hand found its way to her waist, pulling her flush against him.

Their lips met in a kiss that was both tentative and urgent. Honor felt a rush of heat flood her body, a sense of surrender she hadn't known she craved.

She felt him shift his weight, wincing slightly. Pulling back, she searched his face with concern. "It's okay," he rasped, his voice strained but resolute.

He leaned in again, his kiss softer this time, filled with a tenderness that sent a warmth blossoming in her chest.

"Come with me," she whispered.

Taking his hand, she led him deeper into the orchard, past rows of ripening fruit trees. They arrived at a secluded clearing, a haven of wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. Honor sank onto the soft grass, pulling Buck down beside her.

He knew he should pull away, should put a stop to this before things spiraled out of control. But the heat in her eyes mirrored his desire. He couldn't resist. He settled beside her, his hand resting tentatively on her knee. Their lips met again, the kiss a slow, smoldering exploration.

Honor reached up, her fingers seeking the braid at the nape of his neck. Untying the leather cord, she let her fingers sink into his hair, the soft strands cascading down his back. He released her, a shudder running through him as he lay back on the grass.

Taking his cue, Honor nestled against his side, her head resting on his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat echoed a newfound rhythm within her own heart. She thought of the girls at church, their whispered secrets about love and marriage. It had always seemed like a distant fairy tale to Honor, something she couldn't quite grasp. Perhaps, she thought with a flicker of disbelief, perhaps she'd been wrong.