By Kate
After lunch, Anna found herself with some free time on her hands. She had finished all the cleaning and had no need to start dinner for a couple of more hours. It was a hot day and Anna found herself on the porch with the boys, trying to escape the heat.
"Anna, there is a swimming hole, not too far from here. Why don't you go take a swim for awhile? We will take a swim after you get back." said Kid.
"Y'all sure?" asked Anna.
"Sure, go ahead." everyone chimed in, except Cody. Lou elbowed him in the ribs, until he added his assent.
"Thanks." said Anna, with a grateful smile.
"Oh, just one thing," added Anna with a mischevious grin, "If I see any one sneaking up on me, they don't get fed for a week." Cody looked crestfallen and everyone burst out laughing, including Anna.
After getting directions and saddling Shygirl, Anna set out for the swimming hole. When she arrived she slowly undressed and immersed herself in the blissfully cool water, enjoying the relief that the water brought to her battered body and soul.
Buck Cross rode across the hot plains, lamenting the unseasonable hot weather and hoping for some rain to come and cool everything and everyone off. He arrived at the station and handed the mochilla off to Lou, who was at the ready and took off in a cloud of dust.
He reined in his mount and proceeded to cool down and stable the animal. Buck entered the bunkhouse and found it deserted, except for Cody who was fast asleep. He found a note on the table telling him that the others went into town, to beat the heat.
"Why didn't they go for a swim?" Buck wondered. Buck decided to go out to the swimming hole and beat the heat the old fashioned way. He saddled a fresh horse and set out to take his swim.
Anna floated and swam and enjoyed herself immensely. "Eventually, I'll have to get back I suppose." she mused.
Buck approached the swimming hole slowly, reluctant to push the horse any more than was needed, in the unseasonable heat. He dismounted and approached the pond, shedding clothes as he went. Buck did not notice the sounds splashing until he reached the opposite bank to where Anna had disrobed, so intent was he on relief from the heat.
Suddenly, Buck realized that there was a woman swimming in the pond. He was struck by her beauty and by her long, dark hair. He did not dare move, for fear of alerting her to his presence and he did not want to scare this beautiful woman. Buck figured that she would eventually leave and he could get in a quick dip before supper.
He vowed not to look at her, while she bathed, he did not want to further intrude on her privacy. However, when Anna finally emerged from the pond, Buck could not help glancing over. What he saw shocked him.
Her back was a maze of criss crossed scars, welts, bruises, cuts, and whip marks! He was amazed at the butchery that had been inflicted on this beautiful young woman.
Anna got out of the water and began to dress, the tears that the pain of this activity caused rolled down her cheeks. She absently brushed them away, she had learned that not dwelling on the pain was the best way to cope with it. Suddenly, Anna was struck by the feeling that she was not alone. She glanced around and saw no one. Anna quickly finished dressing and and left, leaving Buck with a faceful of dirt from where he crouched down to avoid being seen, as well as a headful of questions and a deep sense of sympathy for the mysterious young woman with an obviously violent past.
On to Chapter Six!