Chapter 17
Shadow Valley, Texas - February 1873
Samantha's infectious enthusiasm filled the air as Buck drove them to his ranch. Her eyes sparkled as she interacted with the animals, a welcome change from the weeks of listlessness. Buck, despite the joy of seeing Samantha's improvement, felt a growing unease.
Back at the house, Desiree's request for a fire to warm the remaining chill of winter provided a much-needed opportunity to talk with Bethany. As the flames crackled in the hearth, Bethany's hesitant inquiry shattered the fragile peace.
"I need to ask you something, Buck." She stood up from the small chair and walked over to the fireplace.
"What is it?" He stood up and looked at her. Noting the serious look on her face he could tell it was something important that had been on her mind.
"Buck," she began, her voice laced with trepidation, "we've known each other for a while now. Our courtship has been… extended. I need to know, are you truly serious about this, or am I simply… a distraction?"
Buck's heart sank. He'd known this conversation was inevitable, his charade unsustainable. "Bethany, I'm truly sorry," he said, his voice sincere.
"I'm going to bed." She kissed him softly. "Please think about what you want out of this relationship Buck."
With that, she leaned up and kissed him softly, the touch fleeting yet poignant. Then, with a determined glint in her eyes, she turned and walked upstairs, leaving Buck alone with the crackling fire and the weight of his unspoken truth.
Buck closed his eyes and tried to decide the best way to end this once and for all. She was right. He had just drawn it out because he didn't want to hurt her. He knew he had to, he couldn't keep this going. He thought he was mistaken in his feelings about Honor, but in seeing her again he knew he couldn't continue in this facade with Bethany. He had stayed through the winter because Samantha was so ill, though it killed him inside not to see Honor.
The weight of his letter to Honor, a desperate plea for a future together, pressed heavily on his mind. He yearned to see her again, but for now, he had to deal with the mess he'd created closer to home.