Chapter 27
Shadow Valley, Texas 1870
Halona stirred as a warm washcloth touched her forehead. Buck's gentle hands dabbed away the dried blood, his touch a silent comfort.
"Did I fall asleep?" She mumbled, her eyelids fluttering open.
"For a while," Buck murmured, his voice low and soothing. He wrung out the cloth and brought it back, the warm water easing the sting on her wound. "Jimmy told me what happened."
Halona squeezed her eyes shut, the memory replaying in her mind. "It was awful," she whispered.
"I'm sorry," Buck brushed her hair back.
"I'm used to critics, even haters on the internet, but this…" she said, her voice cracking slightly. "This was different."
Buck didn't reply, but she felt his arm encircle her shoulders, a silent show of support. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over onto her cheeks. She leaned into his touch, finding solace in his comforting presence.
"The anger… it just boiled up inside me," she confessed, her voice thick with emotion. "They were shouting such horrible things – witch, whore, savage…"
Buck's jaw clenched, and Halona could sense the anger radiating off him.
"Come on, let's get you to bed." He scooped her up effortlessly. "Put your arm around my neck," he instructed gently.
He carried her down the hallway, pausing briefly at her bedroom door as he fumbled with the doorknob. A whimper escaped her lips, a silent plea that tugged at his heartstrings.
"I don't want to sleep alone," she mumbled, clinging to him tighter.
Turning on his heel, he carried her to his room instead. Laying her gently on the familiar bed, he knelt beside her and helped her out of the dress. Tucking her in securely, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.
"Goodnight, Hallie," he whispered, his voice thick with tenderness.
Buck wrapped his arms around her, cradling her close to his chest. She snuggled closer, her fingers curling around the fabric of his worn cotton shirt, holding him tightly. He gently stroked her hair, the silky strands slipping through his fingers. The rhythmic motion seemed to soothe them both. The soft ticking of the old grandfather clock in the corner marked the passing moments.
"It's okay," Buck murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm here."
Halona didn't respond, but he felt her grip on his shirt loosen slightly. As the minutes ticked by, he noticed her breathing begin to slow and even out. He continued to hold her, his own eyes growing heavy as the emotional toll of the day caught up with him.
"Thank you for protecting my children." Buck leaned down, his lips brushing softly against her forehead. "I love you," he confessed, the words a silent vow to keep her safe, no matter the cost.