DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
The others all moved towards the house following slowly behind Buck and Bernie, Isabella, however, was almost frozen with fear on the steps of the hotel, she had seen the quiet fury of her master many times in her life, and it had never scared her as much as he had today.
Halfway to the waystation Cody realised that Isabella wasn’t with them, wondering were she was he looked around for her and found her standing there behind them her face as white as a sheet, her eyes still following the path her cruel master had taken, her trembling visible, he ran back to find out what was wrong and help her in any way he could.
Standing at her side he placed a gentle gloved hand on her shoulder, wincing as she jumped in fright “Are you alright Isabelle?” he murmured watching her.
“He will kill Buck” Isabella spoke her expressive eyes wide with fear “And then he will kill us”
“No he won’t honey, you don’t know our Buck” Cody spoke gently turning Isabelle toward the station “One day we will tell you about the last time he and Bernie were together” Cody smiled
“Bernie has told me all about what happened with her father” she spoke “But you don’t understand Mr Cody, Jefferson Eccles is a hard cruel man. He will fulfil his vow and he will kill Buck and probably Bernie too” she shook her head “he always keeps his word”
“Why are you so afraid of him sweetheart?” Cody turned her toward him and cupped her face in his hand
“I have seen him do some cruel things.” she spoke “I have been made to stand and watch as he has whipped my brother for merely protecting me from his advances, beaten him for touching Bernie when all he did was show her a little kindness” tears feel from her eyes as she continued. “I’ve seen him beat a child for stealing a biscuit from his kitchen. I don’t want to think what he could do to a man he thinks has stolen his wife.” she spoke
Cody took her by the shoulders and looked deep into her face.
“Darlin nobody is going to hurt Buck or Bernie or you or your brother for that matter.” he watched the doubt in her eyes and continued “We look after our own here Isabelle and he will have to go through the rest of us to get to any of you”
“you don’t know him Mr Cody, he will never give up” she shook her head
“Isabelle, please call me Cody or Billy if you prefer” he started “and neither do we.” he spoke softly
“I hope that is enough Billy” she murmured
“C’mon Bernie probably needs you” he spoke extending his arm to her, walking slowly with her as she looped her arm through his.
Ettienne stood on the porch with Kid and Lou watching the exchange with interest. He knew that look in his sisters eyes, she liked the handsome blonde man on her arm. If only they didn’t have to worry about Eccles and his threats she could make herself a new and happy life in this little town. He knew that he would happy here, both of the loves of his life had everything they needed here which meant that he also had everything he needed, all that he needed was for the two of them to be happy. `
”do you need work while you are with us Ettienne?” Teaspoon asked softly knowing instinctively that they would be needing money to start their new lives away from Eccles and wanting to do whatever he could to help them start that life. Ettienne nodded still watching his sister, liking the smile he could see on her face as her companion spoke to her.
“We both will need jobs Marshall Hunter?” he both asked and answered the question, turning back to face him
“Call me Teaspoon Son, what do you think you might like to do?”
“I can do just about anything sir” Ettienne spoke sure of his own abilities “I have had a lot of different jobs at Eccles Manor”.
“I think I might give Buck some time off, they deserve some time together, can you ride?” he asked stroking his chin as he considered the quietly confident young man before him
“Yes sir” Ettienne answered the quiet confidence in his voice all the reassurance Teaspoon needed
“You can fill in for Buck for a while until we can find you something permanent” he answered
“The Kid will show you everything you need to know’ he spoke quietly his words reiterated by Kid’s nod of agreement. “what can you tell us about Eccles?” he spoke
“Hes a cruel hard man.” he paused trying to find the words to describe the man he hated with all his heart
“He will not give up until he has her back and he will try to destroy you all just because you dared to defy him and help her.” he straightened and looked Teaspoon directly in the eye “I stood by and watched as he beat her night after night, hell most nights I carried her to her bed unconscious, I couldn’t do a thing for her’ he paused shaking his head in disgust at his own actions ‘because to help her I would have been risking Issy, but when we got the chance we got her out of there. Now that she is back here, the place she called home, I won’t let him take her back again” he spoke his voice filled with a passion that hadn’t been there moments before.
“Nobody is taking her anywhere” a quietly confident voice spoke from the doorway as Buck moved to stand on the porch. “She’s home now” the other riders saw the look of determination in his eyes and knew that the quiet determination they heard in his voice would not fail him..
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