Part Three – Celestial Alignment
Chapter 18
Eagle Canyon, Nebraska - 1867
Buck leaned against the grime-streaked window of his office, squinting into the afternoon glare. The dusty street shimmered like a mirage, broken only by the approach of a covered wagon. His brow furrowed slightly. Camille and William never passed through Eagle Canyon without stopping. Had he forgotten a planned visit?
The wagon rolled straight to the general store. Buck shrugged, figuring they'd make their way over soon enough. He grabbed his hat and stepped out into the heat, each boot-step across the street kicking up tiny dust clouds.
A flash of red caught his eye. Buck paused, memories long buried beneath layers of responsibility clawing their way to the surface. Images of a skinny girl with fiery hair and freckles flooded his mind.
The woman turned, and Buck's breath caught. The resemblance was uncanny – that cascade of red hair, the elegant neck, and those familiar dimples that used to drive him half-mad with a mix of longing and teenage awkwardness. Clear green eyes, crisp and bright under dark lashes, met his gaze.
Realizing he was staring, Buck quickly crossed to her, removing his hat.
"Good day, Marshal," Siobhan mumbled, her cheeks flushing under the man's intense gaze. Self-consciousness prickled at her skin, amplified by the unfamiliar weight of his eyes on her. She stole a glance at the badge pinned to his worn leather vest – a silver star gleaming against the fabric.
A prickle of recognition crawled up her spine, unsettling yet strangely comforting. It was in the way he held himself, a quiet strength radiating from his broad frame. The years had etched lines on his face, speaking of hardship and responsibility, but something deeper remained.
She studied him, searching for a flicker of familiarity. Did those crinkles at the corners deepen into the same mischievous smile that used to steal her breath? The high cheekbones, the curve of his lips – these echoed a face etched in her memory. Surely, it couldn't be him.
"Siobhan?" His low rumble carried a note of disbelief.
Her eyes widened, those clear green pools filled with shock and wonder. "It can't be," she breathed. "T'àu éy T'ái?"
A slow grin spread across his face, years melting away. "I haven't heard that name in a long time."
They stood frozen, drinking in the sight of each other, the busy street fading away. Siobhan's hand twitched, as if fighting the urge to reach out and touch him, to prove he was real.
"I never thought..." Buck began, his voice thick with emotion.
"Surprise!" Camille's gleeful voice broke the spell as she emerged from the store, William at her side. The couple beamed at the reunion unfolding before them, their plan a resounding success.