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.
Rachel was waiting for him on the bunkhouse porch when he rode in, her face a picture of worry. She worried about all her riders but at least they knew how to look after themselves, her heart broke when she thought of two youngsters left alone in the wilderness, with no idea how to survive or get help for themselves.
'Is she alright Buck?' Rachel spoke as she ran down the steps to loop the reins that Buck had just dropped as he carefully slid out of the saddle around the hitching rail.
'She's exhausted Rachel, she's barely slept or eaten for 2 weeks' he cradled her tiny frail body against his, unconsciously protecting her while she slept.
'Bring her over to the house and we'll see what we can do for her.' Rachel's concerned eyes did not fail to notice Buck's protective instincts.
When they arrived at the house Buck held her while Rachel made up a bed in the living room. Placing her gently on the impromptu bed, he knelt at her side and brushed tangled red curls from her forehead.
'You'll be alright now Bernice, we'll make sure of it.' he murmured
'Buck can you go and watch the boy in the bunkhouse and send Lou over here. We'll change her clothes and clean her up a little. That should make her feel a little better. I'll send Lou back over to get you when we're finished.'
'Her name is Bernice.' he spoke as he nodded in agreement content to leave her in Rachel's capable hands.
Buck jogged across to the bunkhouse and knowing that Jasper slept he entered the bunkhouse quietly and beckoned for Lou to come outside so he could speak to her.
'Lou, Rachel wants you in the house. She needs some help with Bernice.' he spoke softly
'Her brother is still sleeping, he hasn't even stirred' she looked into Buck's worried face 'What is it?' she questioned gently
'Nothing I'm just worried about them, Bernice is so unhappy.' he spoke 'Something is not right. Their father ran out on them two weeks after they started the trek.'
'Buck some men are like that, some men , some women even can't cope with the responsibility so they leave. It happens all the time.' she spoke softly 'Not all men are like you and the boys' she hugged her dear friend tightly and then ran down the stairs and across to the house disappearing into the house to care for the young girl who had slipped so deeply into Buck's affection.
Buck contentedly sat at Jasper's side watching him sleep for the next hour, worried about Bernice, but at least consoled in the fact the Rachel and Lou were taking care of her. He was remembering everything she had told him at her mothers graveside when the bunkhouse door opened and Lou entered.
'Rachel wants to know if you want to go and help her with Bernice?' she asked quietly
'Sure' Buck stood 'I think he's ready to wake up, he's been stirring a little.' Buck explained to Lou as he stood to leave the room
'She's beautiful Buck.' Lou stated with a smile
'I thought she might be under all that dirt.' he answered her with a smile of his own
Buck walked past Lou and made his way quickly to the house. Knocking lightly on the door he entered to find Rachel on her way into the kitchen.
He crossed the room to stand at Bernice's side amazed at the transformation of the young girl in the bed.
She was now wearing a white nightgown with no sleeves, the skin on her arms and hands, clean and pink. But the biggest transformation was in her face, washed clean of all the dirt and dried tears her skin seemed almost translucent, her long black lashes forming crescent moon shapes on her cheeks, her rosebud lips although not as pink as he would like had ceased there unhappy trembling. Either Rachel or Lou, had painstakingly untangled and apparently washed and dried her almost waist length red tresses. Her fringe now curled gently against her forehead, the rest of her hair twisted into a loose braid and now lay over her left shoulder. His musings were stopped when Rachel entered the room again a bowl of chicken broth in her hand.
'She's beautiful isn't she?' Rachel asked seeing that Buck was almost transfixed by the young girl he had saved. Buck nodded wordlessly, not taking his eyes from Bernice's face.
'I thought you might like to help me feed her.' Rachel started to speak
'Sure' Buck took the towel from Rachel;s shoulder and then accepted the bowl of broth from her hand. He spread the towel gently beneath Bernice chin and started to feed her as he had often done when one or another of the other boys had hurt themselves and needed this type of help. Rachel stood and watched him for a few moments, just long enough to learn that Buck knew what he was doing, then went outside to sit on the porch swing.
Several minutes later Buck emerged to sit beside Rachel on the swing. They sat for several minutes in silence before Rachel spoke
'She'll be alright Buck' she said softly
'I feel responsible for her Rachel' he murmured
'I know you do honey' she hugged the tenderhearted rider at her side 'They'll both be fine, trust me' she released him as they both heard the unmistakable sounds of a wagon in the distance.
'They must have got the wagon fixed.' Buck spoke standing to watch as Kid drove the wagon into the yard The others rode in behind the wagon, Jimmy leading Kid's beloved Katy.
Buck and Rachel both waited on the porch until they had all dismounted and had walked up onto the porch.
'How are they?' Jimmy asked as he leaned against the wall beside them
'They'll be fine' Rachel spoke looking at the concerned faces all her riders wore.
'What's wrong?' Buck knew his fellow riders well enough to know that something was seriously troubling all of them.
'That axle surely broke on its own but it was helped, it was cut nearly the whole way through.' Kid stated 'We think somebody was trying to kill them.'
Back to the last chapter
Back to Ridingtall
Back to Tall Tales
On to the next chapter
