Chapter 5

Shadow Valley, Texas 1870

Five days of bone-jarring horseback rides, dusty clothes, and a desperate need for a proper wash had Halona dreaming of a bubble bath so long it would erase this crazy journey from her mind. She was also dying to know why no one had come looking for her and what the media frenzy was like back home.

A speck in the distance grew larger, revealing a modest ranch and two-story house. Civilization. Relief surged through her. Yet, as they drew closer, it became clear Red Bear wasn't taking her to the town but to the ranch house.

"Where are we?" she called out, panic rising in her voice.

"My brother lives with the white men," Red Bear explained. "He will take you to their town."

"Great," Halona muttered.

So much for a quick escape. Now she was at the mercy of another stranger. At least, she hoped he had a phone. Hitchhiking? At this point, anything seemed preferable to another night in this hell she found herself in.

Red Bear called out to the man who came out of the house. "Hā́chò p'ah-be."

"Hā́cho."

Buck took in Halona's appearance - long dark hair, bronzed face, ripped white top, and tight blue jeans. She looked completely out of place, especially the way she awkwardly sat on the horse. Red Bear nudged the woman to dismount. Her legs shaky after days on horseback, Halona reached for the mane and slid down clumsily, her foot searching for ground several inches below.

Joyous shouts erupted from the house as a young boy, Isaac, and his sister, Megan, rushed out to greet their uncle.

"Ee taun, you're growing so fast," Red Bear said, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Me too!" Megan chimed in, arms up for a hug.

"Yes, you too ee tah," Red Bear laughed.

Buck pulled Red Bear aside. "Who is she?" He asked, glancing at Halona.

"My warriors found her while hunting." Red Bear explained. "They brought her to our village." He searched his mind for the English words, falling, he continued in his native tongue. "Ahdle koiye daw."

"What do you mean she's funny?"

Red Bear frowned. "Not funny," he signed. "Ahdle koiye daw."

"Crazy?"

Red Bear nodded. "She had black tears."

"Black tears?" Buck's eyebrows shot up.

"Only once. She cried many times after, but never black tears again."

Buck watched as the woman knelt on the ground, a gentle smile softening her features as she interacted with his children. Turning back to his brother, he said, "While you're here, there are some supplies in the barn."

Red Bear bristled. "I do not need your charity."

"It's not charity, p'ah-be." Buck said, squeezing his shoulder. "Think of your women and children."

Red Bear nodded reluctantly and led his men to the barn.

"You gonna introduce me?" Buck smiled, patting Megan's head.

"Papa, this is Halona," Megan said.

"Buck Cross," he greeted, shaking Halona's hand.

"Halona Blackwater," she replied. "Sorry to bother you. May I use your phone?"

"Phone?" Buck echoed, amused.

"What's a phone, Papa?" Isaac asked.

Halona's heart sank. "You... don't have a telephone?" She almost laughed at the absurdity. She pulled out her iPhone. "I don't suppose you have a charger then?"

Buck took the phone, confused by the smooth, glassy object. He turned it over, rubbed the screen, then handed it back.

"When my brother leaves, I'll take you to town," Buck assured her. "For now, let's get you cleaned up and some fresh clothes."

"That sounds amazing," Halona sighed. "I'd kill for a proper shower after a month of creek baths."

Buck chuckled. "Isaac, show our guest to the... uh... shower."

Isaac's brow furrowed in confusion, mimicking the expression he'd seen his father wear countless times.

"Sure," he chirped nonetheless, eager to please. He skipped around the back of the house, gesturing towards a wooden stall with a large water tank perched precariously on top.

Halona stared at the contraption, skepticism written all over her face. "Oh!" She blurted, the image of a luxurious, porcelain bathtub dissolving before her eyes.

Isaac, oblivious to her disappointment, burst into a fit of giggles before skipping back inside. Halona sighed, a touch of despair creeping in. This whole situation felt like a scene straight out of a bad reality TV show. Bathing in creeks, outdoor showers? As she slipped off the moccasins and set them on the fence she giggled to herself, at least it wasn't Naked and Afraid. No one was going to believe her about this backwoods place.

She stripped off her filthy clothes, tossing them over the fence. She fumbled with the latch on the door and then turning to the piping. No faucets, no handles, no knobs, nothing. She scanned the contraption, her gaze finally landing on a long chain dangling from the water tank. Hope flickered. Maybe it was some kind of water pump system?

With a deep breath, she grabbed the chain and yanked it down with all her might. A torrent of icy water cascaded down, drenching her from head to toe. A surprised scream escaped her lips, and she scrambled to release the chain, narrowly avoiding another deluge.

Buck appeared with a towel and dress, grinning.

"It's freezing!" Halona shivered. "How do I make it warm?"

Buck just chuckled and handed her the towel and dress.

"What's this?" she asked, holding up a bottle.

"Shampoo," Buck replied.

"Thanks," she muttered, more to reassure herself than to actually thank Buck. She glanced at his shiny, shoulder-length hair, the ends dancing in the breeze. Despite his rugged, outdoorsy look that screamed 'I-use-one-bar-of-soap-for-everything,' she couldn't resist asking, "Any chance you've got conditioner?"

Buck arched one questioning brow at the bizarre inquiry. "Pretty sure I don't." He gave the slightest shake of his head and walked back to the house leaving her to the shower.

Bracing herself, she reached up and yanked the chain again, this time being more prepared for the icy onslaught. Buck chuckled once more before heading back towards the house, the sound of his laughter echoing in her ears.