Chapter 11
Rock Creek, Nebraska 1872
Buck paced the wooden porch of his house, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of Lara's silhouette. The weight of their agreement pressed heavily on his mind. He had kept his end of the bargain, ensuring the marshal and deputies remained occupied in town, giving Lara the freedom to meet with Joaquin. In return, she had promised to come straight to his house afterward.
As the sun sank Buck's impatience grew unbearable. She should have been here hours ago. The note she had left that morning, saying she would return by nightfall, now seemed like a hollow promise.
Unable to wait any longer, Buck saddled up and rode towards the river. The air hung heavy in the valley, moisture clinging to him as he urged his horse forward. By the time he reached the river, night had fully descended, and there was no sign of Lara.
"Get off your horse, mister," a deep voice commanded, accompanied by the distinctive sound of a rifle cocking. "Drop the gun."
Buck complied, recognizing the voice even before he saw the face. Joaquin Vasquez, the man from the wanted posters, stepped out of the shadows.
"I'm not here for you," Buck clarified, his patience wearing thin. "I'm looking for Lara."
The ensuing confrontation was brief but intense. Buck pinned Joaquin down, demanding answers, only to learn that Lara hadn't shown up for their meeting either. The realization that something might have happened to her hit Buck like a physical blow.
As they agreed to work together to find her, Buck couldn't help but feel a twist of guilt. Had his efforts to keep the law away inadvertently put Lara in danger? The deal they had struck, which had seemed so simple and necessary at the time, now felt like a grave mistake.
They rode through the darkness until they found Lara's horse, limping and alone in the tall grass. The sight sent a chill down Buck's spine. Lara was an excellent rider; she wouldn't have let her horse go without reason.
As they split up to search, the storm that had been threatening all evening finally broke. The rain and wind added to Buck's sense of urgency and dread. When Joaquin's voice pierced the darkness, Buck's heart lurched. He galloped towards the sound, fearing the worst.
The sight of Lara's limp form sent a wave of anguish through Buck. As he knelt beside her, he could hear her shallow breaths, a slight reassurance. The unspoken understanding that passed between Buck and Joaquin in that moment spoke volumes about their shared concern for Lara.
As Buck rode through the storm, Lara's unconscious form cradled against him, he couldn't help but think of the promise she had made. She was supposed to be safe at his house by now, sharing a meal, talking about their future. Instead, he was racing against time to save her life.
The ride to the doctor's home felt interminable. With each passing moment, Buck's worry grew. He silently berated himself for agreeing to the plan, for not insisting on accompanying her, for not being there to protect her.
At the doctor's house, as he watched anxiously while Lara was tended to, Buck was hit with flashbacks of another time, another loss. The memory of Ike, lying still and pale, overlapped with the image of Lara on the bed, and Buck felt his composure slipping.
When the doctor finally announced that Lara would be alright, Buck felt a wave of relief wash over him. As he approached her bedside, taking in her pale complexion and the blood matting her honey-colored hair, he made a silent vow. Never again would he let her face danger alone, no matter what promises were made or secrets kept.
"Buck?" Lara's eyes fluttered weakly.
"Shhh," Buck whispered, his voice a gentle reassurance as he reached for her hand. "You're gonna be okay."
As Lara drifted back to sleep, Buck settled into the chair beside her bed. The events of the night played over in his mind – the deal they had made, the hours of anxious waiting, the frantic search. He knew that when Lara woke, they would have much to discuss. But for now, he was content to watch over her, grateful for her safety and determined to protect her, come what may.