Chapter 19
Shadow Valley, Texas 1870
Buck glanced up toward the window, spotting Halona curled up with a book. He knew she'd declined the invitation to the town social, but a flicker of hope still burned in his chest. He packed the pies that Ms. Fitz had baked into the buckboard, securing them with a sigh.
"Papa, why isn't Halona coming?" Megan asked, arms outstretched.
"She's not feeling up to it, pumpkin," Buck said, lifting her into the wagon. "I'll try one last time, okay? Just a minute."
He padded down the hallway, heart thumping as he knocked on Halona's door. "Halona?"
"Come in," her voice drifted out.
Buck leaned on the footboard, his eyes drinking in the sight of Halona. The soft morning light filtering through the curtains cast a warm glow on her skin. "We're about to head out," he said, his voice low and rough from sleep.
Halona smiled warmly, though Buck noticed it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Have fun," she replied, her fingers absently playing with the edge of the quilt.
"We'd really love for you to come," Buck said, his voice thick with sincerity.
"It's a family thing, Buck," she said gently, her tone softening the rejection. The unspoken words hung between them: she wasn't family, not really.
Buck sighed, disappointment clouding his eyes. He left, the click of the door echoing his regret. The sound seemed to linger in the hallway, a reminder of the growing distance between them.
On the ride to town, the wagon wheels creaked a steady rhythm against the packed dirt road. Buck explained to Megan that Halona wanted alone time. Megan, surprisingly, didn't unleash her usual barrage of questions. Instead, she nestled closer to her father, her small hand finding his.
The town hall buzzed with Christmas cheer. Pine boughs draped every surface, their fresh scent mingling with warm cinnamon. Red ribbons cascaded from the rafters, and candles flickered in the windows, casting dancing shadows. Megan clung to Buck's hand as they navigated the crowd, while Isaak bounded ahead, disappearing into the sea of people.
"There you are!" Fiona's voice cut through the noise, a touch too high to be genuine. She materialized before them, cheeks flushed, and swept Megan into a showy hug. Her expensive dress engulfed the child's small frame.
Fiona turned to Buck, planting a quick kiss on his cheek that left a waxy smear. Her perfume assaulted his senses - artificial lavender mixed with something sickly sweet. Buck fought the urge to step back, breathing through his mouth.
"So good of you to join us," she simpered, words dripping with honey-coated barbs. "We were beginning to wonder if you'd make it at all."
The evening progressed with forced pleasantries until Pastor Glenn's cryptic words about praying for Buck's family set off alarm bells.
"Am I missing something?" Buck frowned, rejoining Fiona.
Fiona tried to play innocent. "You know how town folks talk." She tried her best to distract him and change the subject.
"And what exactly are folks sayin'?" Buck asked, his voice low and controlled.
Fiona's eyes darted around the room, as if checking for eavesdroppers. "They say she has strange ways, Buck. Odd clothes, peculiar speech. And the way she just appeared out of nowhere..." She trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.
Buck stared at Fiona, his expression a mix of disbelief and growing anger. The festive sounds from the hall seemed distant now, muffled by the weight of Fiona's words.
"A witch," he repeated flatly. "And how exactly did folks come to that conclusion?"
Fiona shifted uncomfortably, her earlier bravado faltering under Buck's steady gaze. "Well, you know... it's just... odd, isn't it? A strange woman shows up out of nowhere, dresses funny, talks different. And suddenly she's living in your house, taking care of your children?"
Buck's eyes narrowed. "Sounds to me like folks ain't got nothin' better to do than gossip. And you seem to know an awful lot about these rumors, Fiona."
Fiona's demeanor changed instantly, her eyes widening in a show of innocence. "Now, Buck, don't be like that. I'm just worried about you and the children, is all." She reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "You know I care about you."
But Buck wasn't buying it. He'd seen this side of Fiona before, glimpses of manipulation he'd chosen to ignore. Not anymore.
"Carin' about someone don't involve spreadin' lies about 'em," Buck said, his voice low but firm. "Hallie is troubled, and she's been nothin' but kind and loving to my family."
"Just how loving has she been to you?" Fiona's facade cracked, a flash of jealousy crossing her face. "Has she bewitched you too, Buck Cross?"
Buck stepped back, shaking his head. He'd been wanting to end things with Fiona for a while now, but the right moment never seemed to present itself. Well, no time like the present. "Fiona, I thought you were a good woman. I see now how wrong I was."
Fiona's eyes narrowed, sensing where this was going. "What are you saying, Buck?"
"I'm sayin' we're done, Fiona. Whatever this was between us, it's over."
"You can't be serious! You're choosing her over me? Some... some witch?" Fiona's face contorted with anger. "Buck, wait," she grabbed for his hands, her eyes filling with tears. "I love you. I was just jealous. I'll do better, I promise."
For a moment, Buck hesitated. He'd known Fiona for a long time, and ending things wasn't easy. But as he looked at her pleading face, he saw past the facade she'd carefully constructed. Where he once might have fallen for her charms, he now saw the truth. The manipulative glint in her eyes, the calculated tremble of her lip - it all came into sharp focus. Fiona wasn't just misguided or jealous.
She was willing to destroy someone's life, for her own gain. The realization settled in Buck's gut. The woman he thought he'd known was gone, replaced by someone he barely recognized. And in that moment, he understood - the real monster wasn't some imagined witch. It was standing right in front of him, wearing Fiona's face.
"No, Fiona. We can't. Goodbye."
Buck tipped his head in a final, farewell and turned on his heel. He strode back into the building, leaving Fiona to cool off in the crisp night air. The sounds of the celebration washed over him as he re-entered, but they felt hollow now, disconnected from the turmoil in his mind.
As he made his way through the crowd, Buck's eyes searched for his children. He spotted them still nestled near the Christmas tree, their faces bright with innocent joy. The sight should have warmed his heart, but instead, a knot of worry tightened in his gut.
The whispers and sidelong glances from the townsfolk suddenly seemed more sinister. A chill ran down Buck's spine as he considered the implications. How far had these rumors spread? And more importantly, how would they affect Halona and the kids?
Jimmy met them at the front of the hall, his usual easy smile tinged with concern. He'd seen the events unfolding and heard the rumors circulating through town these past couple of weeks. As Buck helped the children into the buckboard, Jimmy rested his hand on the seat, leaning in close.
"Well, they ain't blaming cholera on her yet," Jimmy said, his voice low and rueful.
Buck's jaw clenched, his knuckles white on the reins. "Guess I should count my blessin's then," he muttered through gritted teeth.
Jimmy glanced around, making sure they weren't overheard, then leaned in closer. "But I did hear she's been running naked by the river at night," he whispered, a mischievous glint in his eye. "If that's true, I may need to visit more often."
Despite the gravity of the situation, Buck felt the corner of his mouth twitch. Leave it to Jimmy to find humor in even the darkest moments. The attempt to lighten the mood was appreciated, even if it couldn't fully dispel the worry that had settled in Buck's chest.
As they prepared to depart, the sounds of the celebration faded behind them, replaced by the soft jingling of the horses' harness and the creak of wagon wheels. The road ahead seemed longer than usual, stretching out into an uncertain future.