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 can you go and find Jasper and Ike for me, Bernice is awake and wants to see her brother.' he spoke suddenly preoccupied with his thoughts as he took the newspaper and turned and walked back into the house
"Bernice' he murmured as he sat back on the chair he had occupied so much over the past few days, touching her shoulder gently, he waited for her eyes to open before he started to speak.
'can you tell me your last name sweetheart?' he held her hand in both of his
'Williams. Why is something wrong?' she struggled to raise herself onto her elbows
'Bernie, can you tell me anything about your family back east?' Buck continued to probe
'Grandfather hated daddy, I know it was wrong but when Mama told Grandfather she was leaving, I was hiding on the stairs listening,' Buck hated himself for the tears that were welling in Bernice's eyes but he needed to know 'he said that Mama would not get anything from him again, he said that he would rather see her dead than with Daddy.' she paused swallowing "he got what he wanted.' she spoke quietly
The last thing Buck had wanted was to start the torrent of tears that he knew she needed to shed so soon after she woke but he had had no choice. He felt now that the only way he could help her was to tell her the whole story and hope that she could cope with the news he was about to impart.
"Buck, what is wrong, what do you know?' she murmured, shaking off his hand she turned on the sofa and rose, closing her eyes as her head spun to s seated position. Lethargically pushing her hair back from her face, she rested against the back of the sofa and slowly opened her eyes.
'Please Buck, what do you know? I can take it, I don't need to be protected from everything. I may be only fifteen, but I have been helping my mother with all her decisions for two years now, she didn't keep anything from me. Please' she spoke her voice flat and too calm for Buck's liking.
'Friends of mine that you'll meet soon, went to change the axle on your wagon to bring it back here for you, when they did, they realised that someone had cut the axle.' he explained watching her face closely
'But it broke while we were alone' she frowned not understanding how that could happen.
'Somebody had sawn it nearly the whole way through, and in the end it just gave way.' Buck watched her eyes fill with fresh tears.
'You mean mama was murdered.' she looked deeply into his dark sombre eyes
He nodded unable to form the words that would bring so much sorrow to her. He moved onto the sofa beside her and took her into his arms. She melted into his embrace content to be held and feel safe. She knew she was being weak but she couldn't help it, just for the moment she would accept his strength and depend on somebody else.
'I have to tell the Marshall.' she mumbled against his chest.
"The Marshall here is a friend of mine, Teaspoon Hunter, he's a good man. He's like a father to me. We have already told him. He's just waiting for you to wake up.' Buck spoke against the top of her head.
'You must think I'm silly' she spoke softly as she pushed against his chest 'All I have done since I met you is cry against your chest and act like a scared baby, I'm not always like this.' she stated
'I know that Bernice, but you have had some scary times recently, I don't think badly of you at all, in fact I think you are one of the bravest women I know.' he spoke truthfully, knowing that next to Lou Bernice was the bravest woman he had ever or would ever meet. He looked up when he heard a noise at the front door, only to find Lou standing there with Teaspoon.
Buck Gently extricated himself from Bernice's arms and stood, he didn't go far however, he merely resumed his seat and took Bernice's hand in his once again.
'Bernice, this is Marshall Hunter, but everyone calls him Teaspoon.' Buck introduced her to Teaspoon.
'Pleased to meet you Miz Williams. I need to ask you a few questions. Are you feelin up to it?' he asked softly, realising that Bernice had seen a tragedy that most women would never recover from.
'Please to meet you Marshall Hunter.' she spoke calmly, extending a hand to him in greeting.
'Miz Williams, can you tell me have you noticed anyone following you?' Teaspoon asked
'No more than we should have, there are always the same people that turn up in the same towns all the way along the trek but I don't think anyone was following us.'
'You haven't had visits from one particular person more than others have you?' he probed
'We very rarely received visitors. Everyone scorned us because Mama refused to turn back. We were going to show them that just because we didn't have a man with us didn't mean we weren't just as capable of making the crossing as everyone else.' tears welled again in her eyes and she squeezed Buck's hand tightly
'I may have some more questions later Miz Williams.' teaspoon spoke disconernted by the maturity in the girls eyes.
'Please call me Berne. Will you be able to catch my mother's murderer Marshall.' she spoke softly.
'We'll do everything we can Berne, but there is something you can do for me. I don't want you to go anywhere without at least one, but preferably two of the boys who live here, we will introduce them all to you at supper tonight. Until we find out who is after you, you are not safe alone.'
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