Chapter 18

San Juan Capistrano, CA - 1871

Buck had promised Halona that the house would be completed by Christmas, and now, standing before it, he saw it was finished a week ahead of schedule. He packed a box with some of his belongings, a necessary first step in moving on. But as he looked around at her things - a bottle of lavender water, a familiar hairbrush, clothes that still held the faint scent of her - he felt a pang of grief. Packing them away felt like burying a piece of himself. He couldn't bring himself to discard them, not yet. Yet, living amidst these tangible reminders was a constant ache. So, he made a silent decision: he would store them out of sight, waiting for a time when the pain might be more bearable.

He sank heavily onto the bed, his gaze drawn to a pale yellow cotton dress draped over a chair. It was adorned with lace that would flutter around her ankles. With a shaky breath, he closed his eyes, a bittersweet smile touching his lips. Memories of her laughter and the feel of her hand in his washed over him with painful clarity. He could almost see her twirling in the dress, her eyes alight with joy.

Buck chuckled softly, the memory bringing a warm flicker to his chest. He recalled the look of bewilderment on her face when he'd outlined their travel plans: a wagon ride to Kansas, followed by a train to Wyoming, and finally a journey to California. "Why on earth can't we take a train straight from Abilene to San Diego?" she had protested, her brow furrowed in confusion.

He had teased her then, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Well," he'd said, "I'll make sure to send a formal request to the Union Pacific asking for a more direct route in your honor."

Her laughter had been infectious, filling the air with a joy that seemed to blend seamlessly with the excitement of their adventure. The way she had looked at him, a mix of exasperation and affection, was a memory Buck cherished deeply.

He recalled the day he proposed as if it were yesterday. It was late April, and they had just arrived in Cheyenne, Wyoming, leaving Kansas behind. They were waiting for the westbound train to Sacramento, ready to embark on a new adventure. Megan and Isaac, freed from the confines of the train car, giggled as they chased each other across a vast patch of grass.

Buck took her hand, gently slipping it through the crook of his arm as they strolled along the edge of the grassy area where the children played. He had been delaying this moment, searching for the perfect time. Asking her back in Shadow Valley had felt too rushed, but now, with a new chapter on the horizon, it seemed like the right moment to take a leap.

His heart pounded with anticipation. With anyone else, after all they had shared, the question would have come easily. But Halona was different - her feelings often seemed wrapped in a veil of mystery, making him uncertain.

As they walked, Halona's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Look! The train!" she exclaimed, pointing eagerly down the tracks.

Buck smiled, squeezing her arm gently. "It'll be a while yet," he reassured her, his thumb brushing against her hand as he took it in his own. "But we have time."

They paused, watching the children darting across the grass, their laughter carrying on the breeze. Buck turned to her, his eyes soft with affection. "You know, Halona," he began, his voice tinged with emotion, "I've been thinking a lot about our future."

Halona looked up at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and warmth. "Hmmm?"

He took a deep breath, his heart racing. "I mean that I want us to have a life together. I want to share every adventure with you, every quiet moment, and all the laughter in between."

Halona's eyes filled with a tender light. "I want that too."

Buck's smile widened, a wave of relief and joy washing over him. He gently pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. "Halona, will you marry me?"

Her eyes shimmered with emotion as she nestled against him. "Yes, Buck. Of course, yes!"

They stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, the world around them fading away. The laughter of the children, the distant rumble of the approaching train - it all seemed distant and unimportant compared to the promise they had just made.

Buck kissed her forehead softly, savoring the moment. "I can't wait to start this new chapter with you," he murmured.

Halona looked up at him, her eyes bright with happiness. "Neither can I."

Buck clutched the soft dress, burying his face in the fabric. He could practically still smell her on it. Tears streamed down his face, soaking the material. This dress wasn't just clothes; it held the memory of the day he married his best friend, the woman he'd planned his whole future with, his other half.

The train whistle echoed in his memory, taking him back to that happy day. They'd just pulled out of Cheyenne, Wyoming, excited for their new life in California. It had barely been an hour since he proposed when Halona, full of joy, grabbed his hand and suggested getting married right away when they reached Sacramento. The kids, of course, loved the idea, and Buck couldn't say no. A honeymoon would have to wait, but the promise of a lifetime together felt even sweeter.

Buck would never forget how beautiful she looked that day. The simple yellow dress she'd found at a local shop fit her perfectly. Her thick, dark hair, usually worn in braids, flowed freely down her back. She was breathtaking. The quick ceremony in the preacher's backyard was a blur. He barely remembered the vows or even what the preacher said. When asked if he would take Halona as his wife, the words almost stuck in his throat.

But then they kissed. As he looked into her eyes, the overwhelming joy of her becoming his wife washed over him. It was a feeling he'd never forget. For a stolen moment, the world around them faded away. Everything was perfect.