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.
Lou sat with him, her bottom lip trembling, on the verge of tears until she was sure he was sleeping then stood and walked from the room. Tears began to stream down her cheeks as she moved past Rachel in the doorway to find a way out of her misery. Inthe weeks that Buck had been uncocnscious Lou had realised that she loved Buck as much as she had ever loved Kid, thoug she might love him in a different way the intensity of that love was no different. Rachel grabbed her and pulled her into her embrace wanting to sooth the pain she saw in he face.
“He thought I was Jenny” she sobbed against Rachel’s chest, ashamed of the feelings that had coursed through her body when she had heard her dead best friends name.
“I heard sweeheart” Rachel didn’t know what to tell her “He’s been unconscious for a while sweetheart, he’s bound to be confused” she murmured hoping that she was telling the truth
“I know, it just hurt so much to hear it” Lou straightened but her tears still fell “I loved Jenny like a sister, but when he called her name I almost hated her, he’s been with her in his mind and I hated her for that” she subsided against Rachel’s chest sobbing.
“Lou, I have no doubt that he loves you” Rachel spoke softly “Hell I only have to see the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is looking, but his mind is confused, nothing is how it should be for him.” she said gently “don’t give up on him” she turned Lou and pointed her back into the room “Go and talk to him, sit with him, he is so close to coming back to you, give him something to fight for.” Rachel waited until Lou walked into the room and closed the door behind her.
Lou sat on the edge of the bed and wiped her tears from her face, then one hand on Bucks chest the other cradling his hand in hers in her lap. She started speaking to him gently telling him of what she thought their future would be, of what they could have together. she spoke until her voice was hoarse or her hopes for the child growing in her belly, for the ranch, for the future of their other children. She couldn’t stop her tears from falling as she moved closer and stroked his face and hair, her fingers sliding gently across his eylids tracing his lush lips, speaking to him in a hushed whisper of the things she still wanted to do with him. Unable to resist she leaned forward and placed a kiss against his lips, sitting back in surprise when she felt his lips part under hers.
“Buck” she murmured gently “Buck, can you talk to me darling, please wake up I’m so scared for you” she spoke as she watched his eyelids flutter
“Lou” he murmured hoarsely ”I had the strangest dream” he started trying to form the words to tell her what he had seen but his mind feltlike it was filled with cotton wool and wouldn’t help him.
she looked into his confused chocolately eyes and almost felt his pain at not being able to voice his thoughts. She saw his pain and confusion but had no idea how to help him. “
Its alright darling” she soothed him “You sleep now, I’ll be here when you wake” she stroked the hair back from his face.
“Hold me Lou” he murmured already exhausted his eyes flicking closed tiredly
“Don’t leave me” he spoke gently sinking back into a peaceful recuperative sleep. Bone tired herself, she sank onto the bed beside him and rested her head against his bare chest, her body molded to his side and sank into a deep dreamless sleep.
When Buck awoke again, the first thing he became aware of was the fresh washed scent of Lou’s hair, opening his eyes he smiled as he saw he pressed against his body sleeping peacefully. He cursed that his body was feeling so weak as he treid to lift one hand and gntly caress her hair, succeeding only in clumsily waking her as his hand fell almost uselessly on her shoulder.
“Do you feel alright Buck?” she murmured instantly awake
“I’m sorry Lou I didn’t mean to wake you” he spoke softly as she raised her lips to meet his “My body just won’t seem to do what I tell it to do” he lifted his hand to feel the nearly healed bulletwound on his chest, his brow creasing in confusion
“How long have I been here?” he spoke finally understanding the pained expression and the heavy blue smudging under Lou’s eyes.
“Close to four weeks now Buck” she spoke softly “I thought I had lost you” she stated gently the fat tears on her lashes showing him more than words how much that would hurt her.
“I’m sorry baby” he swallowed his throat dry with what had almost happened “I couldn’t let him kill you”
“Calder is dead Buck, you killed hiim” she spoke softly her fingers tracing his chest”the baby and I are fine.”
They lay there in silence for several minutes Buck debating the wisdom of telling Lou what he had witnessed after he had been shot, but he knew that he couldnt keep it too himself, he had to share it with her if no-one else. He knew that she would probably think he was crazy, hell he wasn’t even sure in his own mind that he wasn’t, but he felt compelled to tell her what he had seen.
Back to the last chapter
Back to Ridingtall
Back to Tall Tales
On to the next chapter
