Chapter 6
Butte Meadows, Nebraska - 1857
Siobhan barely waited for her father to bring the wagon to a halt before she leaped from the bench. Her anticipation turned to concern when she didn't spot Little Bird, but her spirits lifted when she saw Running Buck strolling towards her, a smile lighting up his face.
"Where is Little Bird?" Siobhan inquired eagerly.
"She's being punished," Running Buck chuckled softly. "Come, follow me."
"What did she do?" Siobhan hurried to catch up with Running Buck as they made their way towards the familiar clearing by the creek.
"I'm not sure." He replied, unlacing his leggings and slipping off his moccasins. "I overheard Áuso̱dau Má and my brother's loud voices last night. She has to scrape hides until they are smooth, she will be busy until nightfall."
Their conversation flowed easily as they reached the water's edge. Running Buck found his gaze lingering on Siobhan, noticing the subtle changes that five years had wrought. The roundness of childhood had given way to the first hints of womanly curves, her face losing its baby softness to reveal high cheekbones and a delicate jaw. Her hair, once a wild tangle of fiery curls, now fell in smoother waves past her shoulders, darkening to a rich auburn.
"It's still strange that your brother and Áuso̱dau Má are married," Siobhan remarked, a mischievous note in her voice.
Running Buck chuckled. "What do you mean by strange?"
"Unusual, I guess." She clarified, stepping out of her dress and placing it on a nearby rock with a pile of discarded clothes. A touch of self-consciousness crept into her movements, aware of Running Buck's gaze.
"Why unusual?" He prodded further, his voice softer than usual.
Siobhan shrugged. "Because I used to play with her, and I've never had a playmate marry before."
"She is sixteen," Running Buck explained. "My brother waited three years to take her as his wife."
A teasing smile returned to Siobhan's face. "I suppose now that you've had your vision and become a man, you'll be getting married soon too."
"Siobhan—" Buck raised an eyebrow, a playful glint mirroring her own.
"There's that girl who always wears a green belt." Siobhan giggled as Running Buck began to chase her. "I think she likes you! Or maybe her friend, she's cute too!"
"You'd better run fast!" Running Buck called out, chasing after her with mock ferocity.
"You'll never catch me, T'àu éy T'ái!" Her laughter echoed through the clearing.
Emboldened by his teasing pursuit, Siobhan reached the rocky outcrop overlooking the deep creek. Memories of others leaping from the ledge danced in her head, a thrill coursing through her. Today felt different. Today, she wouldn't be a scared spectator.
Taking a deep breath, Siobhan stood at the edge of the rock, the wind whipping her hair. Below, the water churned, a mesmerizing swirl of blue and green. Hesitation flickered in her eyes, but a newfound determination pushed it aside. She glanced back at Running Buck, a silent challenge in her gaze.
With a shout, Siobhan launched herself into the air. The wind rushed past her ears as she plummeted towards the water, a mixture of fear and exhilaration coursing through her veins. But then, the water rushed up to meet her, a cold shock that knocked the breath from her lungs.
Panic seized her as she struggled to stay afloat, the playful teasing forgotten. Through the blurry water, she saw Running Buck dive in without hesitation, his powerful strokes propelling him towards her. Relief washed over her as he pulled her close, his strong arms a lifeline in the churning water.
"Siobhan!" He sputtered, his voice laced with worry. "I didn't see you come up. I thought..."
They clung to each other for a moment, the adrenaline slowly receding. A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the sound of the gurgling water and their breaths.
"I just wanted to prove I could do it," Siobhan mumbled, her bravado momentarily deflated.
Running Buck pulled back slightly, his gaze searching hers. Over the past year, he'd noticed a shift in their relationship. The playful camaraderie they once shared had been tinged with something more, a flutter in his chest whenever their eyes met, a longing he couldn't quite explain. He'd dismissed it as a natural part of growing up, of witnessing the bonds between men and women in his tribe. But seeing her fear, seeing her vulnerability, a new feeling bloomed in his heart, a protective urge that intertwined with the growing affection.
"And I'm not marrying the girl with the green belt," Running Buck chuckled as he playfully pushed her head under the water.
Disoriented, she sputtered and surfaced, hair plastered to her face, a mixture of annoyance and amusement sparkling in her eyes. Siobhan coughed and swam towards the edge of the water.
Running Buck's grin faltered for a moment, a warmth spreading from his core to his fingertips. As he reached out to help her from the creek, their hands met, and a jolt of electricity shot through him, sending a shiver down his spine. It was a feeling unlike anything he'd ever known, a confusing tangle of protectiveness, a yearning to be closer, and a sweetness that left him breathless.
"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice softer than intended.
Siobhan met his gaze, a question lingering in her own depths. "I'm fine," she whispered, the vulnerability in her voice pulling at his heartstrings. But the sudden intensity of his emotions left him flustered. He retreated a step, the playful banter dissolving into a tense silence.
"I wouldn't hurt you, Siobhan," he blurted out, the words tumbling from his lips before he could stop them.
Suddenly, compelled by an inexplicable urge, Running Buck leaned forward. The space between them closed in a blink, his breath warm against her lips. Before Siobhan could even register what was happening, his lips met hers in a clumsy, fumbling kiss. It was a fleeting touch, innocent and tender, yet it sent a spark shooting through her.
The kiss ended quick, leaving them both flushed and speechless. Running Buck stared at Siobhan, his dark eyes big with surprise, matching the questions in hers. The creek babbled softly nearby, filling the silence as they caught their breath. That short, clumsy kiss had changed things between them.
Running Buck looked at Siobhan's face, noticing things he'd never really seen before. He got lost in her eyes, green with bits of gold and amber, like the prairie grass around them in the sun.
His hand lifted, shaking a little, almost touching her cheek. "I... I shouldn't have done that," he said, his voice rough.
Siobhan's lips curved into a small smile, her cheeks getting pink. "It's okay," she whispered, her hand moving up to meet his.
As the afternoon light began to soften, painting the creek in hues of gold and amber, Siobhan and Running Buck sat side by side on the rocky bank. Their hands remained intertwined, a physical connection that mirrored the emotional bond deepening between them. They spoke in hushed tones, sharing hopes and fears that had long gone unvoiced, discovering new facets of each other with every word.
The future stretched before them, as vast and unpredictable as the land itself. There would be challenges ahead – but in that moment, with the creek's gentle song and the warmth of each other's presence, any concerns felt distant.
For now, they were content to exist in this space between childhood and adulthood, between two cultures, between friendship and something more. It was a precious, fleeting moment – one they would carry with them long into their lives.