Chapter 19

Texas - March 1873

Honor stood on the porch, the morning chill seeping through her shawl. Patches of snow, once pristine white, were now surrendering to the relentless sun, their edges turning to muddy slush. A stark reflection of how her hopes had melted away with each empty horizon. Buck's silhouette, once a familiar sight, remained stubbornly absent.

With a sigh that carried the weight of disappointment, she clutched the well-worn letter in her hand. The paper felt soft and smooth beneath her trembling fingers, each crease a testament to the countless times it had been unfolded and reread. Its contents, once a source of warmth, now offered a bittersweet comfort.

A spark of determination flickered in her eyes, replacing the dejection. She wasn't one to sit around and wait. Slipping the letter into her skirt pocket, she stole quietly inside. The house was silent, her brother and sister still lost in the embrace of sleep.

Seizing the opportunity, she grabbed a scrap of paper from the bread she'd wrapped yesterday. Taking a deep breath, she began to write a note to Justice, its contents a secret plan waiting to unfold.

Justice-

Silence can't bury the truth any longer. Every unanswered question digs like a thorn in my side. I deserve an explanation. I need answers, even if they shatter the dreams I hold dear. Fear might grip my heart, but I have to face it.

I'm taking his watch to him. I'm also taking the pistol and Daddy's shotgun. I'll be back in two days. Don't worry I can take care of myself.

Love – Honor

She quickly braided her hair in two braids and put her brother's hat on her head. She took Buck's watch out of the cabinet and placed it in her pocket as well. Tucking the pistol in the holster at her waist she grabbed the shotgun on the way out of the house. She knew her brother would be boiling mad when he found out she had gone to Shadow Valley by herself. She just hoped that by the time she got home, he cooled off.

Knowing the general direction and riding there were two different things. Honor had been taught to read a compass as well as maps, and landmarks. She felt fairly confident that she wouldn't have any trouble.

By noon she checked the map as she crossed the river. She slid off the horse and drank some of the crystal-clear water. The beauty of the land took her breath away. She loved Coyote Canyon and thought their farm was particularly situated in a most beautiful place. On one side they were on the edge of a sparse oak forest with a small creek that ran through it and endless prairie on the other end. But this beautiful red clay-like dirt and the blue sky was so striking.

As she rode through the rocky terrain still spotted with snow she watched as small rodents were beginning to scurry around in the sun. It wasn't until she saw the town ahead with a small wooden sign that read Shadow Valley, did she question her decision to ride out there. Her mind spiked with all the reasons why he hadn't come to visit.

Thoughts ranged from him being married, to being dead and everything in between. She shook her head and calmed herself down. The nervous frenzy she was working herself into was not helping matters any. She nudged her horse along the busy road and looked up and down the shop windows.

Shadow Valley was a much larger town than Coyote Canyon. Finding a hitching post, she tied her horse and walked along the boardwalk, peering in the windows and looking at everything. It was all she could do to keep her mouth from falling open when she saw the dress shop across the street.

A real dress shop!

They didn't have a dress shop in their town. She would order fabric from their general store and thankfully a woman in town taught her how to sew. She walked across the street and up to the window as she admired the dresses that hung there. Right in the center of the display was a lavender dress with ruffles and lace with tiny pearl buttons up the back. Though she knew how to sew she didn't know how to sew anything as grand as this dress. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"How do you do ma'am?"

"Very well thank you." Honor stammered, a touch of pink creeping up her cheeks. The older man's unexpected comment had thrown her off balance.

"If I might say," he continued, his gaze bounced between the dress and the young woman in front of him. Teaspoon's eyes, surprisingly sharp for a man of his age, crinkled at the corners as he surveyed the garment. "That dress would look lovely on you."

"Oh, thank you, sir," Honor replied, the gratitude laced with a hint of reservation.

"I'm Teaspoon Hunter," he said, extending a weathered hand.

"Marshal Hunter, I see." Honor shook his hand, her eyes drawn to the star pinned proudly on his chest. "My name is Honor Corbin."

Teaspoon straightened slightly, the easygoing demeanor shifting ever so slightly. "Well, Honor Corbin." He drawled. "Are you new to our town, or are you visiting family?"

"Just visiting," Honor replied, her voice carefully neutral.

"That's a shame." Teaspoon said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Why is that?" Honor couldn't help but ask.

Teaspoon gave her a sly wink. "This town could use more pretty girls like you. You let me know if you need anything while you're visiting my town, you hear?"

Honor, hesitant to trust this overly friendly marshal, decided to get straight to the point. "Marshal Hunter?" She said, pulling out the letter. "Do you know where the Flying Arrow Ranch is?"

Teaspoon's eyes flickered to the letter briefly before returning to her face. "Oh, just about everyone knows where that ranch is." He held out his arm with a flourish. "I see that letter's from Buck Cross."

"Yes," Honor said, taking his arm cautiously. Relief washed over her – she was one step closer to finding Buck. "Do you know Buck?"

"Well, I know everyone in town." Teaspoon replied vaguely, his gaze lingering on her once more. Buck tended to keep things close to the vest, but the old marshal couldn't help but wonder who this young woman was and what brought her to Shadow Valley.

Teaspoon looked at the state of the letter. He could tell it had been read several times. Concern creased his forehead when she pulled out Buck's pocket watch. What on earth was Buck up to he wondered. Teaspoon watched as a brilliant smile lit up the young woman's face. He turned and saw the object of her gaze, Buck walked out of the general store a couple of yards away. Only a few moments later Bethany walked through the door after him and took his arm.

A flicker of hope ignited in her eyes as she saw Buck emerge from the store. But it died just as quickly. His arm was linked with that of a petite blonde woman, her smile radiating a confidence that stole the air from Honor's lungs.

As the blonde woman leaned in, caressing Buck's cheek and stealing a kiss, a tidal wave of emotions crashed over Honor – betrayal, anger, and a crushing sense of loss. The dream she had clung to, the future she had envisioned, shattered into a million pieces.

Honor's legs turned to lead, rooted to the spot as if the very ground conspired against her escape. Then, a surge of hot fury propelled her forward. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.

"Honor?" Buck dropped Bethany's hand from his arm and in a few long steps made his way to where she stood.

He looked at her tear-filled eyes, the tears that ran down her face. She didn't make a sound as the tears trickled down her freckled cheeks. She just stared at him with her large brown eyes. He reached out to touch her and as if his touch burned her she snapped out of her trance.

"Here's your watch," she said, her voice a flat monotone, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside her.

Honor fumbled with the watch, her fingers trembling. As she shoved it into his hand, the letter she'd cherished, a tangible reminder of their bond, slipped from her grasp, unnoticed, caught in the chain.

"Honor, wait," Buck grabbed her arm.

She tore through the dusty street, the pounding of hooves echoing the frantic rhythm of her heart. Tears streamed down her face, a mixture of heartbreak and a defiant refusal to look back. She craved the comfort of oblivion, to outrun not just Buck, but the searing pain that threatened to consume her whole.