Chapter 25

Shadow Valley, Texas - 1870

Buck steadied the buckboard as Halona climbed onto the creaking wooden bench. He patiently explained the wagon's brake system for what seemed like the tenth time, his voice laced with a mixture of amusement and concern. Halona suppressed a smile. Buck's protectiveness was sweet, but a little overbearing at times.

Isaac, perched proudly beside her, puffed out his chest in agreement. "Hallie's got this, Pa!" he declared.

Buck chuckled, his gaze lingering on Halona. "Alright, alright," he conceded. "But remember Isaac," he continued, his voice turning serious, "If anything goes wrong, you're in charge."

Halona rolled her eyes, a playful smile across her lips. "Nothing is going to go wrong, Buck," she assured him, feigning offense. "We're on a simple mission – groceries for Christmas dinner and inviting Mr. Hickok."

"And a peppermint stick for me!" Chimed in Megan from the back of the buckboard.

Halona winked at her daughter, placing a finger over her lips. "Shhh, Megs," she teased. "This is why we can't have nice things."

Buck's booming laughter filled the air. "Keeping secrets from your old man, are we? Well, you better bring me back a peppermint stick too."

With a final wave goodbye to Buck, Halona snapped the reins. A surge of exhilaration coursed through her veins as the horses whinnied and lurched forward. For a moment, she felt a sense of accomplishment, the earlier tension with Buck fading into the background.

Isaac, perched beside her on the buckboard, was practically bouncing with excitement. His words tumbled out in a rush of youthful enthusiasm. "What was it like living with Uncle Red Bear? Did you hunt buffalo? Did you sleep in a tipi?"

Halona couldn't help but smile at his curiosity. "Well," she began, her voice warm with nostalgia, "your Uncle Red Bear taught me many things..."

His questions were a welcome distraction, keeping her mind off the more complicated aspects of her current situation. The rhythmic clop of the horses' hooves and the gentle sway of the wagon lulled her into a sense of normalcy.

As they approached the general store, Halona pulled the buckboard to a stop. She hopped down, her boots hitting the dusty street with a soft thud. It wasn't until that moment, as she reached back to help the children, that she noticed the atmosphere had changed.

The usual bustle of the town seemed muted. People stood in small clusters, their conversations dying down as Halona passed. She could feel their eyes on her, burning with curiosity and something darker.

"Witch!"

The word cut through the air like a knife. Halona turned, her heart racing, but in the crowd of five or six people gathered nearby, she couldn't pinpoint who had spoken. Not that it mattered, really. The damage was done.

Taking a deep breath, Halona forced herself to smile. She reached into the wagon, lifting Megan out with practiced ease. The little girl's warm weight in her arms was comforting, a reminder of what really mattered.

"Come on, sweetie," Halona said, her voice steady despite the knot of anxiety forming in her stomach. "Let's go get those supplies."

Her grip tightened around Megan's hand as they walked towards the store, the jeering whispers following them like a swarm of angry bees. Another voice, loud and hateful, pierced the air – 'savage' the word vile and laced with venom. Before she could react, a searing pain erupted on her shoulder.

Halona gasped, a strangled cry escaping her lips. She whirled around, her vision momentarily blurred by a surge of white-hot pain. Then came the second blow, a rock striking her eyebrow with a sickening thud. The world exploded in stars, and a crimson warmth trickled down her face.

Panic seized her. Ignoring the throbbing pain, she crouched low, using her body to shield Megan from the unseen attackers.

"Isaac!" She screamed, her voice hoarse with terror.

The taunts continued, drowning out the world around her. But then, through the haze of fear and pain, a different sound cut through the air – the sharp crack of gunfire.

A booming voice, deep and authoritative, bellowed a single command.

"Move on!"

The crowd seemed to scatter at once, the jeering dissolving into a low murmur. Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her shoulders, steadying her. A gentle hand touched her face, wiping away the blood that streamed down her temple.

Jimmy's voice cut through the haze of terror, his deep baritone a beacon of safety. "Let's get you all inside my office," he said, his gaze flickering with concern as he examined the wound above Halona's eyebrow.

"Thank you," Halona stammered, clutching a whimpering Megan close. This was the second time Jimmy had come to her rescue, a fact that wasn't lost on her. "Isaac?" She called out, her voice raspy with unshed tears.

"Here!" A moment later, Isaac emerged from beneath the buckboard, his face a mask of worry.

"You're such a brave boy," Halona murmured, ruffling his hair with a trembling hand.

Isaac's gaze, however, remained glued to the blood trickling down Halona's cheek. "Why did they do that to you?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Halona knelt before him, her heart heavy. "We'll talk about it at home, sweetheart," she promised, taking his hand in hers. Right now, all she wanted was to get the children to safety.

As they walked towards the Marshal's office, Jimmy's concern mirrored her own. "What brings you into town today?" He inquired.

"We came to get some things for Christmas dinner," Halona replied, forcing a smile. "And to see if you'd be interested in joining us."

"Buck didn't come with you?" Jimmy raised an eyebrow, offering her a chair to sit on.

Halona rolled her eyes, a flicker of bitterness edging into her voice. "He thought this… silliness… would have blown over by now." The word felt inadequate to describe the viciousness of the attack.

"Don't worry, this cut don't look too bad." Jimmy said gently.

Halona sank into the chair, pulling a grateful Megan onto her lap and wrapping a protective arm around Isaac. The world felt a little less scary with Jimmy by her side.

"Why don't you hand me that grocery list," Jimmy suggested, "and I'll have one of my deputies stay with you while I run down to the store."

"Thank you, Mr. —" Halona began.

"Jimmy," he interrupted with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Jimmy," she amended, handing him the list and the money Buck had entrusted her with.

The moment Jimmy left, Isaac's voice, small and hesitant, filled the silence. "Was it cause you're… Indian?"

Halona met his gaze, her heart clenching. "I don't know, honey." She admitted honestly.

Halona's heart ached for the children. They shouldn't have to witness such hatred, such ignorance. She gathered them both close. Isaac snuggled into her embrace, but Halona could see the flicker of fear and confusion in his eyes.