Chapter 12
Rock Creek, Nebraska 1872
Lara stirred, her dry lips parting as she tentatively moistened them. Every muscle in her body protested, as if she'd been trampled by a herd of cattle. With a soft groan, she gingerly rolled onto her side, wincing at the pain that shot through her.
Slowly opening her eyes, she squinted against the light filtering into the unfamiliar room. This wasn't her hotel room, but a quaint, cozy chamber furnished with a chest of drawers and a small table topped with a wash basin.
As she propped herself against the headboard, a pounding headache intensified. The door stood slightly ajar, faint sounds of movement drifting in. Lara attempted to call out, but her parched throat rendered her voice barely audible.
"Hello?" She tried again, pushing herself upright. It was then she noticed she was clad only in her chemise.
"Hey, what are you doing out of bed?" Buck's concerned voice interrupted her disoriented thoughts as he entered, carrying a tray of food.
Lara's lips parted, but only a soft croak emerged. Buck quickly set the tray down and helped her back into bed, offering her a glass of water. Relief washed over her face as the liquid moistened her throat.
"What happened?" she managed, her voice still raspy.
"Shhh," Buck hushed her gently. "Let's get some food in you first."
As Buck settled beside her with a bowl of broth, he explained the situation. "You couldn't stay at the doctor's house, and though Lou insisted you stay with her and Kid for appearances' sake, I didn't think the marshal's house was the best choice."
"Is this your home?" Lara asked weakly, sipping the broth he offered.
Buck nodded, assuring her, "I have plenty of room here. You'll have your privacy."
As Lara's memories slowly returned, she recounted, "The last thing I remember, something spooked the horse. She bolted, and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground."
"Joaquin and I found you," Buck explained softly. "Your horse twisted her leg, but thankfully it wasn't a break."
At the mention of Joaquin, Lara's eyes widened with concern. She tried to sit up abruptly, but pain throbbed through her head.
"He's okay, Lara," Buck reassured her, gently easing her back onto the pillows.
"My head is killing me," she moaned softly, pressing her hands against her temples.
Buck's eyes filled with sympathy. "I know. Let me give you something for the pain."
Suddenly aware of her state of undress, Lara pulled the blanket up around her chest. "Buck, where are my clothes?"
"In the dresser," Buck answered with a gentle smirk. "Lou dressed you."
Lara blushed, finishing the broth Buck had fed her. "Thank you," she murmured softly.
Buck instructed her to extend her finger, applying some laudanum to ease her pain. "Take that and get some sleep."
"Will you stay with me?" Lara's voice was barely a whisper as she looked up at him, licking the laudanum from her finger.
"Of course," Buck reassured her, tucking the blankets snugly around her. He settled into a chair beside her bed, watching over her as she drifted into a peaceful, drug-induced slumber.