Chapter 32

Shadow Valley – Texas 1871

The melody drifted out the open front door, a simple melody that drew Buck to a halt on the porch. Isaac and Megan's laughter, punctuating the gentle swing of their playset in the front yard, only added to the scene's idyllic charm. Peering inside, Buck saw Halona bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun, her fingers dancing across the piano keys. Her voice, both sweet and melancholic, filled the air with a song he didn't recognize.

Her voice, laced with a quiet yearning, sent a shiver down Buck's spine. He inched closer, captivated by the melody and the raw emotion in her singing.

A clumsy misstep sent him careening into the door frame with a dull thud. Embarrassment flooded his cheeks as he straightened up and walked inside, hanging his hat apologetically on the hook by the door.

Halona's head snapped up from the piano, a smile replacing the contemplative look on her face. "Buck!"

"That was a sad song," he said, settling onto the piano bench beside her. "Did you write it?"

A peal of laughter escaped Halona's lips. Recognizing the confused look in his eyes, she realized with amusement that yesterday, this iconic Beatles song, so familiar to her, was completely unknown to him. "No," she chuckled, shaking her head.

"Are you ready for this?" Buck rested a hand on the half-filled box of dishes.

"Are you sure you really want to move?" She asked.

"We ain't safe here." Buck grabbed her hand and squeezed it softly.

"No, I'm not safe here." She corrected him. "You've made your life here, you have a beautiful ranch."

"And I love you." He kissed her softly. "We'll go somewhere we can all be safe. Besides there's something I haven't told you."

"What's that?"

"I bought some land."

"You did?" She turned and faced him fully.

"We can build the ranch for a good price. And get that indoor plumbin' you keep talking about."

"Really?" She covered her mouth with her hands.

"And it's right next to the ocean."

"Are you shitting me?" Her jaw dropped.

"No, I'm not 'shitting' you." He mimicked her.

"Sorry, I know." She shrugged. "I'm working on the language."

"Just in front of the little ones," he murmured, a playful glint in his eyes. His fingers trailed down her cheek, he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "I adore your filthy mouth."

A surprised laugh, almost a snort, escaped Halona's lips. "Buck!" she exclaimed.

With a grin, he leaned in and grazed her lips with a teasing kiss. "There's this place," he began, then fumbled in his pocket for a moment. "Let me see here..." He unfolded a crumpled piece of paper. "San Juan Capistrano. That's the name."

"It's beautiful there!" She hugged him tightly and giggled internally at his mispronunciation. "I can't believe this!"

"What's going on, Papa?" Isaac asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet standing at the door with his sister in tow.

Buck straightened, a wide smile gracing his features. "Well, kiddos," he announced, "get ready for an adventure! We're officially moving to California!"