Chapter 20
Shadow Valley, Texas 1870
The angry voices sliced through Halona's slumber. She jolted awake, her heart pounding against her ribcage. Patricia's shrill tone cut through the morning quiet, each biting word dripping with venom. Halona strained to make out what she was saying, but another voice - lower, masculine - responded with resigned sighs.
She cracked open an eye, squinting against the pale sunlight peeking through the curtains. Dust motes danced in the bright rays, looking almost magical against the pale blue fabric. The voices rose again in the kitchen, Patricia's becoming more frantic, verging on hysterical. Halona's stomach twisted into knots. She tossed off the heavy quilt, shivering as her feet hit the cold hardwood floor. Grabbing the worn quilt blanket from the foot of the bed, she wrapped it tightly around her shoulders and crept down the hallway.
"...after three years you are firing me like this!" The housekeeper raged. "Over a stranger!"
Halona winced. Stranger. A nameless, faceless outsider who'd disrupted their comfortable routine.
Patricia's voice continued, laced with judgment. "What kind of father lets a strange woman move into his home? And what kind of woman moves in with a man she's not married to? Not the kind of woman you should have around your children that's for sure!"
Halona's breath caught in her throat. Shame burned in her cheeks. Was this how the people here saw her? A prick of anger joined the knot of unease in her stomach.
"That's enough, Ms. Fitzpatrick," Buck said, his tone calm but firm. "What I do in my home is private and my business. I'm letting you go because you betrayed my trust when you discussed my family's private matters with other people."
"But—" Patricia started, her voice cut off by Buck.
Halona heard the heavy thud of trunks being moved, followed by Buck's voice, firm but laced with a weariness that tugged at Halona's heart. "Finish packing," he said. "I'll be a few moments and we'll be leaving."
As Buck's footsteps approached, she scrambled back to her room, shutting the door with a soft click. What a way to start the day. She couldn't believe that he was firing Patricia! She was astonished at the way she talked to Buck, lecturing him on fatherhood. Halona wondered if she had questioned his abilities to raise his children publicly. Was that what he was talking about? If that was the case, no wonder he was upset.
"Halona?" Buck knocked softly.
"I'm awake." She opened the door with the blanket still wrapped around her.
"What are you doing?" He looked down at the blanket wrapped tightly around her.
"I heard yelling." She bit her lower lip softly.
"I'm sorry you had to hear that." He frowned.
"Look I really appreciate everything, but I'm ruining—"
"You aren't ruining anything." He leaned over and kissed her tenderly.
"Sorry, I was eavesdropping." She said softly, her lips whispering against his.
"Will you keep an eye on the kids?" He closed his eyes and pulled her tightly against his chest.
"Of course." She nodded.
"I'll be home as soon as I'm done." He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering at her cheek. With a final, lingering look, Buck turned and walked out of the room.