Alexandra stood in the doorway, sipping at her morning tea as she fought to open her eyes. She had slept lousy, the mattress of her bed hard and lumpy. To make matters worse, the newspaper office was directly to the right of the saloon and as such, her bedroom seemed to border that of the upstairs rooms of the saloon. That made for quite a loud evening which Alex had already discovered.
Yawning, she turned back toward the office. "What did I get myself into?" she asked aloud to no one in particular as she set her cup down on a nearby table and scanned the scattered, dusty mess of what had once been a newspaper office.
The day she had arrived, Alexandra had nearly fallen to her knees at the site she had been greeted with. When she had purchased the office, the agent had assured her that the previous owners, despite departing unexpectedly, had left the office and its equipment in workable shape. "You can put out your paper the very next day after you arrive," the shady old man had sworn as Alexandra had been signing the papers.
But nothing could have been farther from the truth. The front window had a lovely bullet hole in it with a vast array of spindly cracks that radiated from the center whole and the front door had barely been on its hinges. The inside had been even worse.
The shattered remains of furniture were strewn about the office, larger pieces scattered here and there. The printing press lay in a heap in the corner of the room. Layers of dust covered everything from the window sills to the long bracing beam that ran the length of the ceiling, and several large rats went scurrying about when she had opened the door.
She had nearly fainted that day. Had it not been for the lawmen that had accompanied her to the office, she very well might have. Alex smiled, remembering the way in which the lawmen had reacted. "It looks like a damn tornado hit this place," Buck Wilmington had said in an astonished, overly southern drawl. JD had uttered a similar response. But Vin had simply rolled up his sleeves, pushing his hat back from his face as he regarded her shyly. "Where should I start?"
And help her he had. In fact, most of the lawmen had lent a hand in one way or another. But none so much as Vin. "I can't imagine this is much fun for you Mr. Tanner," she had said one unusually hot afternoon as the two of them had set about trying to restore the printing press to a workable condition. "You know that I appreciate all that you have done, but you don't have to do this."
Vin had only smiled, hidden dimples presenting themselves against his tan skin as pale blue eyes stayed fixed on the part of the press he was working on. "I know that," he said with great certainty, his voice calm and soothing in it's southern drawl. "I just like fixin' things is all," he added, meeting her gaze with the clearest blue eyes she had ever seen. Immediately, she thought of the afternoon sky in early spring, when the color seems faded out but clean and new.
She sighed. There were a lot of things she had noticed about the tracker in her few days that she had spent in Rock Creek. Most of which was how strikingly handsome he was. The simple thought made butterflies dance in her stomach.
"Gotta love those strong silent types," she said to herself as she gathered her long brown locks at the nape of her neck and twisted the length of it into a simple bun. She fastened it with several clips before she began to roll up her sleeves.
Despite all his help, she still had mounds of work to do. Grabbing the handle of the broom, she set about brushing at the layers of dust and cobwebs that lined the ceiling. The tracker never far from her thoughts.
It was early evening when Alex had finally emerged from the newspaper office, freshly bathed and dressed in her finest gown. The sun was just setting, casting warm orange light across everything it came in contact with, and a gentle evening breeze blew about the town. It smelled fresh and clean and made Alexandra feel alive.
As she stood on the boardwalk, she wasn't exactly sure where she was going to go. She had only known that she had to get the layers of dust off of her and she had to get out of the newspaper office. She was hungry, thirsty and finally ready to start sniffing around town. The printing press was nearly fixed, and soon she would be able to put of the paper. Now, she just needed a story.
As she always did when she stepped out of the Register, Alex glanced toward the jail. Josiah sat in front of the small structure, his hat pulled down over his eyes as he leaned back against the building. Inside the small window of the jail, she could see the young sheriff moving about, black hair hanging in his eyes as he held a stern look of determination. Silently, she wondered where the tracker had gone.
Alexandra began to walk along the boardwalk, strolling casually as she enjoyed the afternoon air. She was so deeply lost in her thoughts of the handsome tracker that she paid little attention to the group of young men as they passed her. That was until she heard one call out the other's name.
"Just who do you think you are?" the smallest of the group said, a stern womanly determination in the tone. Though the rider dressed as a boy, having short hair and no distinguishing womanly features, Alex knew almost immediately that it was indeed a woman.
Silently, she began to contemplate the information. They were riders, of that she was certain. Vin had pointed them out on several occasions. From what Amanda knew of the Pony Express Riders, women were definitely not allowed to ride. She raised an eyebrow as she glanced over her shoulder at the motley crew. She began to smell a story brewing. 'A woman express rider,' she thought to herself. "How intriguing."
"Jimmy. Jimmy," the young woman said again as she came to a stop on the boardwalk, her fists balled up on her hips as she stood with her lips pursed tightly together. "James Butler Hickok, I mean it. You better not say a word."
This caused Alexandra Monroe to stop in her tracks. James Butler Hickok. She pondered the name as she turned quickly on her heels. The riders had moved up farther down the boardwalk, but she could still see them clearly. The female rider seemed fixed on the rider that walked ahead of the group, a cowboy in the flat brimmed black hat.
Alexandra began to salivate at the prospects. James Butler Hickok. 'As in Wild Bill,' she thought to herself as she watched the young man with amused fascination. He was young, much younger than she had realized him to be. But he was handsome, striking in a rebellious, quiet, loner type way. His build was average, though he was much more built than the young group he walked with. Again, Alex marveled at how handsome he was, shoulder-length strands of hair tucked haphazardly behind his ears as dark, hawk-like eyes peered from underneath the brim of his hat.
"Afternoon Alexandra."
Alex was startled from her thoughts. Turning quickly, she met the curious smile of the tracker. Vin looked toward the direction that Alex had been staring, and frowned when his eyes fell upon the riders. All of which that was forgotten when Alex broke into a brilliant smile. "Mr. Tanner, what a pleasant surprise."
Still switching his gaze from Amanda to the riders that were long gone from site, Vin looked at her gravely. "Is everything all right? You seemed to be a million miles away a moment ago."
Alex brushed it off, wrapping her arm around Vin's as she turned to in the other direction. "I was heading to the hotel for a spot of supper. Would you care to join me Vin? I am simply famished."
Vin felt his mind a scattered mess, having Alexandra so closely on his arm. For a moment, he stumbled for words, wanting to pursue his earlier line of questioning regarding the riders, but nervous and excited to have her on his arm. "I'd love to," he finally managed, allowing the riders to slip from his mind. "How is the press coming? I meant to stop by earlier to help you with that lever, but I had to ride out to Fenton for a prisoner pickup."
"A prisoner pickup," Alexandra repeated, her voice filled with a sense of wonder and excitement that she only hoped Vin took as genuine. But in one part of her mind, she was still processing the idea of Wild Bill being in her town. So many reporters would have killed for an opportunity like the one that Alexandra now had.
She had to be careful though. Not that she expected Wild Bill to be dangerous. She was certain that most of the deaths attributed to him were probably more fiction than fact. But because the words that she printed could affect her standing in town. She had no idea what the townsfolk knew of James Hickok or even if they knew.
She had to proceed with caution. Of that, she was certain. But a smile played on the corner of her lips as she could almost taste the bylines of her article in the New York Times. "A day with an Outlaw," it would read. "By Alexandra Monroe."
"What's that smile for?" Vin asked, certain that she had not heard a word that he had spoken.
Alex simply shook her head as she linked her hand with the other that was tucked tightly around Vin's arm. "For warm afternoons and wonderful company," she said seductively, her words almost a purr as she looked up at Vin from under thick black lashed. "Now, let's eat. I'm starving," she added as they disappeared into the hotel, bylines and articles temporarily on hold.
"Buck! JD!" Chris hollered at the two men who were playing a game of peg the knife outside the backdoor to the jail. "Got a job for you!"
"Uh oh." Buck muttered to JD, grabbing his knife and heading inside.
"What’s up, Chris?" He asked when JD joined him.
"Some new folks bought the old Hudman place north of town." He replied. "Seems they got robbed last night."
"Hudman place?" JD spoke up in awe. "Mansion, don’t you mean? No wonder they were robbed…anybody living in that place is bound to have some money."
Chris nodded. "I reckon so. Anyway I don’t think much was stolen but it shook the new owners up a bit because they slept through the whole thing; even the servants didn’t wake up. They’re feelin’ a bit jittery right now, so I promised I’d send somebody out to watch the place for a couple of nights."
"And I guess that somebody would be us." Buck sighed.
Chris just smiled a little.
"Chris say who these folks are?" Buck asked as he and JD rode out toward the Hudman homestead.
JD shook his head. "Not that I remember. Just that it was an old man and his wife. I reckon we’ll find out soon enough anyway."
"Maybe they’ll have a pretty maid or two I can keep company." Buck said hopefully. Then he grinned at his companion’s expression. "What? Can I help it if I don’t want anyone to be scared?"
JD snorted. "Yeah, I’ll bet if it’s an ugly old butler though you won’t be so eager to comfort him."
"Well, of course not!" Buck said defensively. "Any man that would be afraid to protect his own territory deserves whatever happens to him."
The two continued their bickering until the Hudman mansion loomed before them. JD’s eyes were round with wonder, while Buck whistled his appreciation.
"Say, you weren’t lying were you?" Buck laughed. "This place is huge!"
The house rose three stories high and an open porch encircled the entire structure. Rounded turrets stood out impressively and at least twenty windows were visible just from the front of the house. Buck could make out two balconies off to the side. A circular gravel drive led up to the imposing mansion.
"I betcha it’s at least five acres!" JD whispered. "It’s a castle practically!"
For once Buck had to agree with his young friend. The place was indeed castle like in appearance. Instantly he disliked it. Although the mansion was grand and massive, it gave off a feeling of coldness. There wasn’t a sense of homeliness to it anywhere.
They touched their horses and slowly made their way up the drive. Upon dismounting, they looped the reins around a shrub and Buck confidently strode to the front door.
"I bet it’s a couple of old folks." He said assuredly to JD. Just then the front door was opened and when he turned to say hello, his mouth fell open in surprise. "Elayne?"
She smiled slightly at Buck’s taken aback expression. "Mr. Wilmington, we meet again. What can I do for you gentlemen?" She turned slightly to include JD in her gaze.
"You live here?" JD asked, astounded. He had known that the woman had presented herself in town as very proper, but he never would have thought she came from this kind of money.
"Indeed I do." She stated calmly. "And you are?"
"JD" He answered quickly as he offered his hand. "JD Dunne."
"I am Mrs. Elayne Gregory, so nice to meet you, even if the company you keep is…questionable, to say the least." Her eyes twinkled warmly at JD but seemed to cool somewhat as she glanced at Buck. "Now, that takes care of who we all are but you still haven’t told me why you are here."
"We were sent here by Chris Larabee." Buck finally managed. "He said the place had been robbed and asked us to come keep watch for a few days."
"You’re a lawman?" Layne asked incredulously.
"That’s right." Buck grinned devilishly and touched his hat. "And a damn good one."
Her eyebrows raised just a fraction. "That remains to be seen."
"I can prove it to you." He said in a low voice, taking a step closer to her.
"I’m sure you think you could." She retorted, emphasizing the word ‘think’.
They locked gazes, as a fierce heat seemed to spread between them. Layne forced herself not to break the stare. Ever since their encounter in the general store she had been unable to stop thinking of Buck Wilmington. It had annoyed her then and now it made her furious. Why did he make her react this way? He was obviously everything she hated in a man: from his dirty worn boots to the lustful gleam in his eyes. Yet she would be foolish to deny that there was a powerful physical attraction to him and that just made her dislike him all the more.
JD cleared his throat, interrupting the stare of wills. Layne blushed, having forgotten all about the other young man. Before she could say anything, the sound of footsteps approached from behind her. She turned to find Grayson slowly making his way to the door. She grimaced slightly. The arthritis must be bothering him terribly today to make him move so carefully.
"Hello, gentlemen." He greeted Buck and JD as he extended his hand. "You are the deputies that Sheriff Larabee sent out, I presume? I am Grayson Gregory."
Buck shot Layne a confused look. She was married to this man? There had to be at least thirty years age difference between the two. Of course Buck knew of several marriages where one spouse was older than the other, but not usually with so wide a gap. Layne seemed to read his expression and her chin lifted a few inches defiantly.
Buck and JD shook the older gentleman’s hand and introduced themselves. Immediately Grayson led them outside to begin a tour of the property, including showing them how the intruders had gained entrance to the house. Layne excused herself and went inside, much to Buck’s dismay.
He barely listened as Mr. Gregory proudly pointed out a few prominent features of the house; he only took care to nod politely in the appropriate places. His mind was with Layne. Once he happened to glance up at one of the windows on the second floor and he thought he saw her shadow standing behind a curtain, but when he looked back to make sure, she was gone.
He watched Layne’s husband skeptically. Did she really love this old man? If she did, Buck wondered why he was so certain that she felt the same attraction that he did. At least one thing would come out of this stint of guarding the old Hudman place: Buck would have ample opportunity to watch the Gregory’s and judge their relationship.
Buck continued to follow Grayson and JD around the property. Yes, he thought to himself, better to find out what the situation was before he proceeded any farther with the dark haired beauty that more and more began to entice him.
"The combs! I can’t find the combs! If I can’t find the combs, then I can’t wear my hair the way I want and then I’ll have to change it and it’s too late to do that!"
Eshe and Amanda paused in their work long enough to watch the cyclone that was Tommie whirl through the room then back upstairs. When she had disappeared, Amanda resumed mixing the cake batter in the bowl before her and grinned at her friend.
"Do you think she’ll make it until tomorrow?"
Eshe laughed as she mixed the ingredients for the frosting. "Yes, but I’m not sure we will!"
The two continued their cake making, occasionally looking up as a loud bump or clatter was emitted from upstairs. Presently Tommie came pounding back down the stairs, her long red hair rolled up in rags and a look of utter panic on her face.
"They’re gone!" She cried in dismay. "I’ve looked everywhere and the combs are gone!"
Amanda hid a smile while she wiped her hands on a clean towel, then she went to console her friend. "Tommie, you’ve got to calm down! At this rate, you’ll be too exhausted to marry Buck tomorrow!"
"Not to mention your honeymoon!" Eshe added devilishly.
Tommie blushed slightly at the comment. "I can’t help it! I want everything to be perfect tomorrow. I want Buck to look at me and know that I’m the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with…" She broke off, suddenly near tears. "And I can’t find the stupid combs I was going to wear in my hair and now I’m sure I’ll look a fright!"
"You’ll look beautiful." Eshe admonished, coming to take her place on Tommie’s other side. "As for Buck, you could wear a flour sack and he’d think you were the most ravishing creature ever, so don’t worry about some silly old combs."
Tommie took a deep breath, forcing herself to settle a little. "I’m sorry…I just can’t believe how stressful this is! I never guessed it would be so much work."
"The important thing," Amanda said as she wrapped a comforting arm around her friend’s shoulders. "Is how much you and Buck love each other. Nothing else matters, Tommie."
Tommie nodded. "You’re right. I’m going to be married tomorrow! To Buck! It almost makes everything that happened in the last year seem worth it."
A small frown clouded Amanda’s pretty face but she remained quiet. Tommie noticed the look and rested her head on the girl’s shoulder. For a minute all three girls were silent, each thinking of the events in the recent past.
Tommie knew she was lucky; of all of them she had suffered the least amount of trauma. Eshe and Kid were still dealing with the repercussions even while managing to stay happily married. Amanda had seemed better for awhile, but Tommie sensed that lately she had begun to struggle with things again.
Presently Amanda roused herself. "You know, I think I just might know where you put those combs, Tommie."
She excused herself to go upstairs. Tommie met Eshe’s worried gaze.
"I don’t like how she’s acting lately." Eshe said in a quiet tone.
Tommie nodded. "Me either. And I’ve been so selfish, all wrapped up in this wedding thing, I fear I’ve done nothing but make it worse."
Her friend patted her arm consolingly. "Amanda is strong of pride. She doesn’t like to admit she needs help. I don’t think you could do anything for her until she is ready to ask for it."
Tommie was about to comment when a shrill shriek came from up the stairs. She and Eshe raced up to Tommie’s bedroom where Amanda was standing, her pale face hidden beneath her hands.
"What is it?" Eshe demanded.
Amanda nodded mutely at the back of Tommie’s door, where a makeshift closet had been fashioned. Tommie immediately stepped forward. She gasped loudly and tears formed in her eyes. Her beautiful wedding dress which she’d had made in town with the money her mother had given her still hung in front of her other clothes but now the expensive creamy material was splashed with what looked like black ink.
"Oh no!" Eshe cried. "What happened?"
"I don’t know!" Amanda said heavily. "I suddenly remembered that Tommie and I had practiced her hairstyle for the wedding in my room the other night so I went to check for the combs. I noticed that every room up here seemed a bit drafty and as I was coming back down, I saw that Tommie’s window was open. I came in to shut it and when I turned around, I saw this."
"But how?" Tommie faltered. "How could this have happened?" She gestured to her dress.
"Did you leave your window open?" Amanda asked.
"I-I don’t think so." She stammered.
"Oh, Amanda! Do you think someone came in just to ruin Tommie’s dress?" Eshe exclaimed.
"I’m afraid so." The blonde girl replied grimly. "Tommie, is there anything missing?"
Suddenly Tommie turned a frightening shade of green. "The necklace!"
All three of them held their breath as Tommie raced to her dresser where she had carefully stored the beautiful gift from Amanda. She was weak with relief when she saw it was still nestled safely among her undergarments. She checked the rest of her room but could find nothing else out of place.
"Why would someone want to mess up her wedding dress?" Eshe puzzled.
Amanda shrugged. "I have no clue. Tommie, can you think of anyone who would do this?"
Tommie shook her head. "No. Aunt Marge I would guess isn’t too happy with me but this doesn’t seem like something she would do. Oh, girls, what am I going to do? I can’t get married in a stained up dress!"
She struggled to hold her tears in, knowing it was silly to cry over something as trivial as a dress but she couldn’t help it. Ever since she was a little girl, she had dreamed of her wedding day and the glorious princess dress she would get to wear.
"I suppose I shall have to wear my Sunday dress." She said glumly. "It was what I was going to wear anyway before Mother gave me the money."
Eshe took the dress down carefully from the nail where it hung and she circled it thoughtfully. "Hmm…maybe…well, it couldn’t hurt, I guess…"
"What?" Tommie and Amanda cried in unison.
Eshe grinned at her friends hopefully. "Maybe, just maybe, I can save your dress, Tommie. If I gather the sides together and stitch them down the front to form a sort of pleat, perhaps it will cover the stain. You see, the largest part is right here, just to the side. You won’t have as much material left for the gown but I could make it a bustle of sorts."
"Eshe!" Tommie whispered excitedly. "Do you really think you can?"
The dark beauty shrugged. "I can try. The dress isn’t wearable as it is anyway, so it wouldn’t hurt to try."
Tommie hugged the girl to her, almost crushing her with her gratitude. "You two are the best friends a girl could have!"
Amanda laughed but quickly sobered. "That just leaves one question: who would do this?"
She nervously stepped before the mirror, anxious to see herself for the first time since dressing. Although she knew it was conceited of her, Tommie couldn’t help but smile. Her usual errant red strands had been tamed into glorious curls. On top of them rested a sheer white veil, dotted with flowers. The dress, thanks to Eshe, was perfect. It fit like a glove, hugging her curves before billowing out into a full skirt. No trace of the black ink stain was visible and Tommie knew she would never be able to repay her friend enough.
"What do you think?" She asked excitedly, turning completely around to give Amanda a full view.
A lump rose in Amanda’s throat. Her friend probably didn’t know it but she had never looked lovelier. A becoming flush stained her cheeks and her blue eyes danced with happiness. Amanda offered her a small smile. "Almost perfect."
She stepped forward and clasped the cameo necklace around Tommie’s slender neck. "There. You look like an angel. Buck won’t know what hit him."
Despite the kind words, Tommie detected an underlying sadness to the girl’s tone. Amanda turned to leave but Tommie grabbed her by the hand. "Amanda? What is it? What’s wrong?"
For a moment it seemed that Amanda would speak but then she shook her head and conjured a genuine smile. "Nothing. Today is your day; don’t worry about me."
"But I am worried about you." Tommie insisted. "You haven’t been yourself. Has something happened?"
"No, I’m fine, I promise. Now hurry up or you’ll be late for your own wedding!"
Tommie reluctantly agreed. She watched as Amanda went downstairs to wait. Something about the way Amanda had evaded her eyes troubled Tommie. A knock on the bedroom door interrupted her thoughts.
"Hey, you!" Eshe grinned as she popped around the door. "Almost ready to go?"
"Move aside, my dear!" Came another voice. "Let me see!"
Eshe rolled her eyes and moved just enough to let Ezra slip inside. Tommie thought him terribly handsome in his dress shirt and vest, with his ruby colored jacket. He smiled and moved forward to embrace her.
"Tommie, darlin’, you are simply exquisite!" Ezra gloated. "If Buck weren’t such a good comrade, I’d be tempted to steal you for my own."
"Thank you." She smiled, blushing mightily. "Thank both of you…if it weren’t for you two, this day wouldn’t even be happening."
"I’m just glad some good could come of the bad." Eshe replied softly. Tommie hugged her tightly, knowing that day in the alley was never far from her friend’s mind.
"Indeed." Ezra agreed. "And might I mention that was the best hundred dollars I’ve ever spent that day in your aunt’s saloon."
Tommie laughed as she tried not to cry. "It’s been a bad year for us all."
"Yes, but now you have the fortuitousness to alter our perceived path. You and Buck shall set the example for all of us to ensue." Ezra pointed out.
"That’s right." Eshe smiled. "Nothing from here on out but blue skies and roses! And speaking of which, here’s your bouquet!"
Tommie accepted the flowers and took a deep breath. Although she knew with a certainty deep inside her that marrying Buck was the absolute right thing to do, nerves were suddenly getting the best of her.
Eshe nodded understandingly. "I had the same problem. We’ll give you five minutes to calm down—but you better hurry! Any longer than that and Buck will come get you himself!"
The two of them left her alone again. Tommie stepped before the mirror one more time; her last time to look at herself as Thomasina Windmere. The next mirror in which she saw her reflection would be as Mrs. Thomasina Cross. Gathering her flowers in one hand and her skirt in the other, she headed downstairs, a huge smile on her face. Nothing could ruin this day...nothing.
She waited impatiently at the end of the make shift aisle of flower petals as first Amanda and Ike, then Eshe and Ezra made their way to the front of the barn. Waiting there, hidden from her eager gaze, was Buck along with Josiah. On either side of the flower strewn path were chairs filled with all their friends. Tommie could make out Teaspoon and Sam and Emma, who had just arrived from Sweetwater. The riders and the remainder of the seven watched her expectantly; their restricting clothes and string ties forgotten for the moment.
Then the fiddle began playing her entrance song and Tommie knew it was finally her turn. She made her way down the aisle almost in a trance for she had found Buck’s comforting gaze and he was all she saw. He smiled crookedly at her and mouthed the words; "You’re beautiful."
It seemed like a lifetime before she reached his side and then suddenly she was there. He took her hand, his dark chocolate eyes filled with adoration. Tommie looked at him breathlessly, unable to believe that this wonderful person really wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
"Friends and family," Josiah spoke up, his deep baritone easily reaching the last row of guests. "We come here today to join two spirits: Thomasina and Buck. By having you witness this ceremony, they will complete the sacred hoop of commitment and become as one. The hoop is only completed with their desire to share their love publicly, as the real act of marriage comes in the talks and dreams shared in the days before the wedding. These talks and dreams form the circle, the celebration of a ceremony only seals it.
"Now, I understand that you have some words to say to Tommie?" Josiah asked, turning to Buck.
The young half-breed nodded nervously then he began to speak. His voice shook a little at first, but gained strength as he continued. "Tommie, you are the path that I have been following all my life. Sometimes I have walked, sometimes I have run, and at times I have crawled, but it was always you that I was reaching toward. With you I am whole, without, I am less than half. I cannot hope to equal this, but as your husband I promise from this day forward I will fill those canyons in your soul and like a river lead you home." *
Tommie began to cry as he spoke, feeling the earnestness of his words and the deepness of his love. It was a minute before she could compose herself enough to say her part. Buck gently squeezed her fingers to give his support.
"Buck…I promise to love you all the rest of my days. I will never break our sacred circle but vow instead to only strengthen it and let it grow. You are my best friend, my inspiration, and the love of my life…"
Tommie was suddenly interrupted by a loud noise behind her. Whirling sharply, she was just in time to see a young blonde girl dismount from a Indian pony before she began running up the aisle.
"Stop!" The girl shouted. "Wait!"
"Eagle Feather!" Buck gasped.
"What the hell is Jenny Thompkins doing here?" Tommie heard Jimmy ask Cody.
"Buck?" Tommie looked at him questioningly.
"You can’t marry her, Buck." The girl named Jenny cried in a slightly breathless tone. "I need to talk to you first!"
"What are you doing here, Jenny?" Buck demanded. He looked slightly dazed at the change in events.
"Please…can’t we just go somewhere to talk?" Jenny pleaded.
"I’m…I’m getting married, Jenny." Buck replied.
Jenny closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "But…Buck, I love you. That’s what I came to say. I’m ready to come back and try life with you now."
"How did you find me?" He asked, ignoring her statement for now.
Jenny pointed. "That man. He led me to you."
Tommie turned to follow Jenny’s finger and she felt as if cold water had been thrown all over her. Standing casually at the back of the barn, leaning against the doorframe and grinning happily was her brother Evan. "Hello, Sis."
And that’s when all hell broke loose…
Everything was happening too fast. Tommie tried to comprehend how her beautiful, perfect wedding day had suddenly gone so wrong but all the chaos around her prevented her from thinking clearly. First there had been the arrival of some strange girl who proclaimed to be in love with Buck and now her brother had announced his presence. It was just too much to handle.
Before she had even registered the fact that Evan was there, Ike, Ezra and the others had surrounded him with their guns drawn. Instead of looking afraid and worried, as any normal person would do when encircled by a bunch of armed men, Evan merely grinned. Chris quickly tied his hands, pulling the rope perhaps a bit more tightly than was necessary.
"I fear you're going to all this trouble for nothing, boys." Evan laughed. "I'm a free man."
Ike gestured furiously while Jimmy nodded in agreement. "Ike's right; you ain't free by a long shot, not as long as you have kidnapping and attempted murder charges on your head."
Instinctively, Ezra stepped back into the crowd and wrapped a protective arm around his sister, who stood silently but obviously shaken. Eshe leaned supportively against her other side. Although Evan hadn't been the one to kidnap her, it still brought back some of the terrible memories of her own abduction so she understood all the more the fear that Amanda must be feeling.
Evan seemed to be watching Amanda in particular when he spoke again. "Well, it's lucky for me, ain't it, that I've been cleared of all those charges."
Jenny Thompkins seemed all but forgotten as Buck fixed an icy glare upon Evan. "You're lying."
Tommie's brother chuckled. "Don't you wish! Fact is, boys, I've got a pardon, signed by the territorial governor himself that says different."
"And I reckon you've got a copy of that pardon with you, right?" Vin asked.
"You bet I do, its back at my aunt's establishment."
"I think I'll just leave these on until we see that pardon then." Chris smiled grimly and pulled the knots tighter on the ropes around Evan's wrists. "Come on, I've got a sudden urge to visit your aunt's place."
Chris half-pushed, half-dragged Evan outside the barn. Ike, Vin, and the others followed leaving only Buck and Ezra with the girls. With her brother out of immediate sight, Tommie's attention returned to the young blonde girl standing close to Buck.
"Buck?" Tommie said quietly, her gaze locked questioningly on Jenny.
For a minute he seemed so lost in his anger at Evan that he didn't respond. Then slowly his eyes met hers and he offered her a reassuring crooked smile. Tommie felt a small amount of relief from that glance. Buck stepped closer to his fiancée and placed his hand against her back. The gesture was small but clear.
"Jenny, why are you here?" He questioned.
Her eyebrows raised slightly at Buck's obvious alliance with Tommie. "Making a fool of myself is what it looks like. God, I feel so stupid."
"What are you doing with Evan? How do you know him?"
Jenny sighed. "I met him a few days ago, we were on the same stagecoach. I was on my way to visit Daddy and when he said he was going to the same place, we started talking. He asked me if I knew several people and one of them was you, Buck. When I told him I did, he gave me this whole story about how he was coming to try and stop your wedding. He said that you were marrying his sister and that she didn't really love you. That the only reason she was marrying you was because she had heard that the Kiowa were getting some money from the government. He told me that he was a good friend of yours, Buck, and he didn't want you to be hurt. He asked if I would help him and of course, I agreed. Buck…I'm so sorry! I just couldn't stand the thought of someone taking advantage of you. I never thought that he might be lying…" She glanced uncertainly at Tommie.
Tommie looked at Buck who nodded slightly. She took Jenny's hands into her own. "Jenny, I'm sorry you were taken advantage of…Evan was cruel to use your friendship with Buck against you."
Tears welled in Jenny's blue eyes. "I feel so bad…I hate that I ruined your wedding day!"
"It's wasn't your fault." Buck gave her shoulders a squeeze. "Thank you for being so concerned about me."
She studied the ground self-consciously. "I should have known better, Buck, I should have known that anyone you would choose to marry wouldn't be that way."
He smiled and kissed Tommie's hand. "I'm happy to say, she's not. Jenny, I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Tommie Windmere."
"I'm so sorry, Tommie. If it weren't for me, Buck would be introducing you as his wife right now."
"Your intentions were good, that's all that matters." Tommie said sincerely.
"How about I give you a ride back into town?" Buck asked.
Jenny shook her head. "Oh, no! I've done enough, I can't ask you to do that."
"I'm going to town anyway, you might as well ride along." Buck pointed out. "I want to see this pardon of Evan's for myself."
Jenny reluctantly agreed and they set off. Tommie decided to stay behind to comfort Amanda, who had disappeared into the house with Ezra and Eshe.
When Tommie went inside, she found Ezra sitting alone at the kitchen table. He was kicked back in the chair, with both feet outstretched before him and crossed at the ankle. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar and his normally carefully combed hair looked a little mussed. Ezra didn't notice Tommie he was so lost in thought.
"Ezra?" Her voice sounded loud and harsh against the silence of the room.
He didn't look at her but he shifted a little in the chair. There was a silence that stretched on for so long that Tommie thought he hadn't heard her. Then he roused himself from his reverie. "I am aware that he is your brother, Tommie, but I swear to the heavens above that if he comes near my sister again, I will kill him."
The words sounded so benign in Ezra's rhythmic Southern drawl, but Tommie caught the vicious undercurrent beneath the tone. For the first time she was aware of how much pain her brother had inflicted. Of course she had always known how much Evan had hurt Amanda and herself, but now she saw what it must have done to the people that loved them.
"He took…" Ezra paused, his voice shaking. "That abhorrent, detestable, wretched excuse for a human being took what should have been a sacred gift from my sister and he defiled it. He has made her believe that she is less than worthy and for that I shall never forgive him…for that I shall seek restitution."
Tommie was quiet, feeling the sincerity of his words wash over her until she was left shaking. The tremendous rage that filled the handsome gambler took her breath away. She had never supposed that Ezra had felt so strongly about anything.
Stunned she started to walk away but suddenly he spoke again with great difficulty. "I am…truly sorry that your wedding day was ruined. Please know that my feelings toward your brother in no way extend toward you."
She nodded and went upstairs, feeling as if she had never really known Ezra Standish at all until now.
Buck and Josiah returned from town several hours later. Neither looked happy. Tommie was waiting nervously on the front porch swing. She felt her spirits drop when she saw their grim demeanors. She forced herself to stay put while they unsaddled and stabled their horses. Slowly they made their way to where she was sitting.
"Well?" She asked expectantly.
Buck shrugged. "It's true. He got pardoned."
"But how?" She demanded. "Who in their right mind would give him a pardon?"
"The territorial governor." Josiah replied. "Chris is double checking it to make sure everything is right but it looks legal."
Tommie just stared at the two men for a while. "What are we going to do?"
"There's not much we can do." Buck admitted. "He's staying with your Aunt Marge and as long as he stays out of trouble, Chris has no reason to make him leave."
"But what about Amanda? Buck, she's terrified!"
"And she has every right to be, I believe." Josiah added.
Tommie looked at him sharply. "What do you mean by that?"
The older man shook his head slowly. "Not sure. Just a feeling I have mainly…"
"Feeling? What feeling?" She begged.
"I'm not sure, Tommie. Just a few things he said bothered me. I think that Evan may be somewhat obsessed with Amanda…I believe he fancies that he's in love with her."
Tommie was speechless. She looked toward the house, where Ezra and Amanda were still inside. She thought of Ezra's words and suddenly she shuddered as if cold. A sense of foreboding filled her. If what Josiah said was true and Ezra found out, it could only spell trouble…the kind of trouble that usually ended with death.
