Joachim - Goran Visjnic
Danella - young Winona Ryder
Pickering - DB Sweeney
Louisa - Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
Brittle grasses crunched under the slow plodding horses. The two riders were in no hurry to reach their destination, content to let their mounts have their heads. Fishing poles swayed behind their saddles; silence enshrouded the riders like a comfortable glove. As the trail widened into a dusty clearing overlooking a gently rippling body of water, both men reined in their horses and drank deeply of the surroundings.
"Sure nice to spend some time fishing," JD spoke, breaking the silence as he swung out of the saddle.
"It would have been nicer to wake up in the arms of one of the sweet young ladies in town." Buck's voice was little more than a deep sigh.
"Yeah, right," JD laughed. "Right before her angry husband chased you out of town." He ducked under the playful swipe that knocked his battered bowler from his head.
"'Sides Kid, don't forget we promised Chris we'd take a look at that Gypsy campsite on the way back." Buck pulled the long fishing pole from his saddle. Pausing briefly to nuzzle his mount's cheek, he ground tied the reins and moved towards the edge of the boulders that marked the deepest part of the pond.
"Do you believe what they say about them?" JD frowned, his own judgement clouded by the wild rumors that some townsfolk had been circulating.
"When you gonna learn not to listen to them?" Buck chided as JD sat beside him on the chilled boulder.
"You've gotta admit some strange things have been happening since they've arrived," JD replied quickly.
"There's bound to be a reason for each of them, kid." Buck shrugged. "Gypsies ain't no different than the rest of us."
"You honestly believe that?" He pushed his long black hair out of his face, trying to gauge the truth of his companion's words as he spoke.
"Yes, I believe that," Buck avowed, watching JD keenly. "No, I don't think they perform virgin sacrifices or eat the livers of freshly slain cattle." He paused and sighed. "And I don't think they steal babies from their beds or make milk curdle in the cow." He flicked his hat off and slapped it against his knee. "Dang it all, JD. Just because they're different,
don't make them evil."
"I didn't say they were," JD snapped, light color flushing his cheeks.
"Course you didn't," Buck agreed, nodding. "You just thought that the god fearing townsfolk were right." He paused. "As they always are," he added under his breath.
"I didn't say that Buck." JD's flush deepened as he concentrated on threading a wriggling worm on the fishing hook.
"Just use this to think with," Buck tapped JD's temple with two fingers and then pressed his hand against JD's chest, "and this to believe with, Kid."
JD nodded quickly before turning his attention to the fishing line and throwing it into the water with practiced ease.
"Are we gonna talk or fish?" he shrugged.
"The fish are just waiting to jump on this hook," Buck chuckled as he flicked his line into the water.
Nathan carefully packed bottles and small pouches of dried herbs into his saddlebags. Rain sat on his bed, her keen eyes watching as he moved around the room.
"Thank you for helping," she murmured softly.
"I ain't helped yet, Rain." Nathan shook his head. "I don't know if I'll be able to."
"You will," she intoned solemnly. "I know you will." Rain frowned as a sharp knock sounded at the clinic door, cutting off whatever else she was about to say.
"You sure you don't want me to come with you?" Josiah asked as he stepped inside the clinic, not waiting for a summons.
"Nope." Nathan shook his head. "They'll need you here. Too many strange things been happening lately," he replied. "I'll be fine." He looked up, his eyes serious. "Sides if'n it's contagious, the less exposure the better."
Josiah stepped across the room and clasped Nathan's hand in a tight grip. "Then take care, Brother." Turning to face Rain he smiled at her. "Keep an eye on him for us," he spoke solemnly.
"I will make sure he comes back safely," she promised as Nathan took her hand and led her out of the clinic.
Mary stood on the boardwalk in front of the Clarion, her eyes scanning the small crowd gathering there. Her teeth worried her bottom lip as she watched Chris Larabee stalking towards the steps, his spurs jangling angrily as he moved. Vin leaned on the post at the top of the steps, his hand resting lazily on the butt of his mare's leg, his laconic gaze sweeping the crowd when it was not following Chris' progress. Ezra sat with his feet resting on the railing, boots crossed at the ankles, his fingers laced as his hands rested across the rich brocade of his waistcoat. His hat shaded his eyes as he too followed the movements of the milling crowd.
"What the hell are you gonna do about this?" Pickering spoke forcefully as he stopped at the bottom of the steps, looking up at Vin expectantly.
"Not a damn thing," Chris growled, as he pushed him aside the troublemaker and strode up the steps angrily.
"Those damn gypsies are cursing our town," an angry voice yelled.
"Those 'damn gypsies' have nothing to do with it," Vin replied.
"They've put a curse on us," another cry came.
"The only curse in this town," Ezra offered dryly, "is stupidity."
"What about the mutilated cattle?"
"Any fool can see they were killed by wolves." Vin did little to disguise the anger in his voice.
"Werewolves," came the instant response. "They travel with the heathens."
"Go home, all of you," Chris spoke firmly, his steely gaze boring into the ringleaders of the milling crowd.
"So, you're going to do nothing?" Pickering asked dumbfounded.
"Yep," Chris answered. "And if any of you fools are thinking you might like to 'help' out," he paused, altering his gaze to encompass more than the ringleaders, "think again."
"You'll be sorry," Pickering replied. "When they start stealing babies for their heathen rituals, you'll see!"
"Go home, Pickering," Chris spoke coldly. "If there's any more trouble, I'm holding you responsible."
The crowd slowly dispersed, all muttering and grumbling about the uselessness of their peacekeepers.
Mary slowly made her way across the street. "I'm sorry, Chris," she said as she mounted the steps to stand before the three men.
"What for?" Chris asked, frowning.
"If I hadn't run that story on the lunar eclipse and its supernatural links," she said, shrugging apologetically, "maybe they wouldn't be quite so vociferous."
"And maybe their ignorance precludes their ability to peruse well researched articles." Ezra spoke as he swung his feet to the floor and stood, brushing the dust of town living from his sleeve.
"They would have found any excuse, Mary," Vin added.
"Doesn't have anything to do with the paper," Chris agreed.
"Only way to shut them up is to find the wolves killing the cattle," Vin said. "And before they start killing humans."
"Take Ezra with you." Chris nodded toward the southerner.
"Wonderful," Ezra complained in good humor. "Traipsing through the wilderness again."
"You love it, Ez." Vin grinned as he clapped Ezra on the back. "No matter how much you complain."
"I beg to differ, Mr. Tanner." Ezra couldn't help but smile as he moved off the boardwalk towards the saloon and his room. Now that he had been volunteered, he was eager to get underway. Chris watched the bickering duo walking across the street, their humor bringing a ghost of a smile to his face.
"I am sorry," Mary spoke again. "Can I do anything to help?"
"Nope," Chris replied, his tone softening as he touched her shoulder gently. "It's nothing to do with you or the paper."
Buck and JD led their horses slowly away from the waterhole, a string of fish hanging from JD's fishing pole serving as a testament to his fishing success.
"C'mon Buck. " JD almost giggled as he walked his horse alongside Buck's. "You're just sore cause the fish preferred me!"
Buck's mouth creased into a wide grin. "Guess I can't have the ladies and the critters too." His voice cut off as a lithe figure darted across the path in front of them and disappeared into the undergrowth on the opposite side of the path. Buck's horse reared up in fright.
"What the hell was that?" Buck growled as he struggled to keep his big Grey under control.
"It was a girl, Buck," JD replied absently already turning his horse to follow the apparition as she flitted between the trees, skipping over undergrowth and under low hanging branches that impeded JD's every move.
As she reached the edge of the waterhole, with her only avenue for escape was to swim so she turned and stood her ground. JD pulled his horse to a prancing stop in front of her. The young girl who stood before him stole his breath. Thick black hair fell in a tumbled, curling mass to her waist as violet eyes framed by thick black lashes stared defiantly at him.
"Who are you?" he murmured as he swung his leg over the pommel and slid to the ground, approaching her slowly.
"My name is Danella Trjanejkic," she stated with a proud lift of her chin.
"Why did you run from us?" he asked.
"You were chasing me," she stated, her softly accented voice grew firmer. "Why should I not run?"
"She's got a point there, Kid," Buck spoke as his horse entered the clearing. "Where are you from, Miss?" Buck turned a charming smile on her.
"My family has a campsite on the edge of the town," she stated.
"We were just on our way there." Buck smiled. "Can we offer you a ride?"
She shook her head vehemently and began to circle around the edge of the clearing. Both men watched her warily as she skirted away from them until she darted into the trees.
"C'mon Kid." Buck smiled at the dazed expression on JD's face "Let's see if we can beat her home."
"She's one of them?" JD frowned as he mounted up.
"Yep." Buck nodded, turning to leave the clearing. "Still think they're evil?"
"Not if they all look like her!" JD spoke as he urged his horse forward.
"I knew I'd have to rub off on you eventually." Buck laughed as he followed more sedately.
Chris and Josiah watched from their post in front of the jailhouse as a wagon rattled into town, the horses pulling it lathered with the sweat of a long run.
"They're sure in a hurry," Josiah's deep bass rumbled. They both stood to greet Pickering as he jumped out of the wagon as it rolled to an abrupt stop in front of them.
"What can we do for you?" Chris asked.
"You can find my daughter," he said, his voice filled with fear and anger, his face tear stained. A young woman sat in the wagon sobbing. "Please, Mister Larabee. Get my daughter back from them!"
"From who?" Chris frowned.
"Why don't you start at the beginning folks?" Josiah asked.
"Those heathen gypsies. They stole my baby!" she wailed.
"Did you see them?" Chris pushed his hat back and watched the parents closely.
"No," the man stated. "They didn't want us to, but we know they did it."
"How do you know?" Josiah probed.
"They need little children for their heathen rituals," he spoke. "Don't let them sacrifice my baby!"
"There isn't gonna be any sacrificing." Chris exhaled, mulling through the options.
"When did you last see her?"
"Last night when we tucked her in," the mother spoke. "They stole her when they hid the moon!"
"They didn't do that, Ma'am," Josiah tried to explain. "That was an eclipse."
"Everyone knows they did it," she shook her head wildly, refusing to listen. "They did it so they could steal our children and kill our cattle."
"That's nonsense ma'am." Josiah shook his head.
"Why don't you both go home and wait there...just in case they decide to bring her back," Chris said, his voice filled with sarcasm. "In the meantime, we'll do what we can to find her for you."
Nathan stood beside the fire gently stirring the cauldron filled with water almost ready to boil. Rain moved silently between the rows of cots that held the bulk of her village, comforting the sick as best she could. Seeing Nathan rubbing the back of his neck wearily, she moved to stand behind him and allowed her fingers to gently massage the knot of muscles at the base of his neck.
"What's wrong Nathan?" she murmured.
"I have no idea how to help, Rain," he whispered. "I'm no doctor. I've tried everything I know, but nothing seems to be helping them."
"You are helping them," she stated. "They are better than they were yesterday."
"But they're not improving. My herbs are only making them more comfortable." He shook his head. "If I could only work out what is making them sick."
"You will," Rain murmured, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss against the base of his neck. "I know you will." She began to move amongst the sick once more, comforting them whatever way she could.
Walking their horses slowly into the gypsy encampment, JD and Buck were uncomfortably aware of the eyes that watched them from every direction.
"My daughter tells me you want to see us," a heavily accented voice said as a large swarthy man stepped from one of the garishly colored caravans.
"That's right," Buck spoke with a nod. "My name's Buck Wilmington. This here is JD Dunne." JD responded with a gentle nod of his head, tipping his fingers to his hat brim. "We're two of the peacekeepers in these parts."
"We have not broken any of your laws, have we?" he frowned as he reached the bottom step, his fisted hands firmly on his hips.
"None," Buck spoke. "We just wanted to introduce ourselves."
The gypsy considered them both for a long minute before he stepped forward and extended a hand to Buck.
"I am Joachim Trjanejkic." He grasped Buck's hand in a tight handshake. "Please let us welcome you to our home."
Even as he spoke, the people who had been watching from the shadows and the inner sanctum of the caravans began to filter into the campsite. JD watched carefully, his eyes scanning the people who were rapidly filling the campsite for Danella. Finding her suspicious violet gaze, he looked away, a light flush of embarrassment staining his cheeks.
Ezra sat astride his mount watching as Vin pored over the ground, leading his horse by the reins.
"Really, Mr. Tanner," he sighed. "Why don't we make our way back to town and resume this little excursion at a later date?"
"Ez, we're gonna find the wolves before we go back."
"Why did I know you were going to say that?" Ezra rolled his eyes as he answered. Hearing the rapid approach of a horse, he turned to watch. "It seems we have company."
"Yep." Vin swung into the saddle and sat, his hand resting on his weapon as they both watched the new rider approaching.
"It's Miss Wells," Ezra announced as she drew closer. "What are you doing out here, my dear?"
"Chris sent me to find Buck and JD at the waterhole," she answered breathlessly.
"What's wrong?" Vin asked quickly.
"Louisa Pickering is missing," she replied. "Her papa thinks the gypsies took her. Chris wants Buck and JD to help in the search."
"That would explain the tracks I've been seeing," Vin mused.
"Please Miss Wells, don't let us keep you." Ezra smiled. "We'll keep a lookout for the youngster. I'm sure she's out here somewhere."
"I'll tell them," Casey said as she spurred her horse into action and rode away at a hectic pace.
"What did you mean that would explain the tracks?" Ezra turned on his companion.
"Xactly what I said, Ez," he murmured as he began to follow the tracks that were clearly visible only to him.
"And when are you planning on letting me in on the secret?" Ezra retorted, gathering up the reins.
"No secret, Ez," Vin shrugged. "It just makes sense is all."
"Of course it does." Ezra sighed and resumed his task of following the tracker in silence.
JD sat on a fallen log and watched Buck talk to the man who was obviously the leader of the gypsies.
"You are young to be a lawman," Danella spoke from behind him, startling him enough to spill the mug of coffee he loosely held. She giggled. "Nervous too!"
"I'm not young," he answered defensively, watching her intently. Her white blouse was richly embroidered with floral designs, heavy red skirts embellished with the same flowers. He watched with a slight grin as he saw her bare toes poking out from the hem.
"But you are nervous." She reached out to touch his arm in reassurance. "I won't bite." She pulled her hand away. "I know what your people say about us."
"Not everyone believes those things," JD blurted quickly, hearing the hurt in her voice.
"And which are you, JD Dunne?" she asked bluntly.
"I believe what I see for myself," he said honestly.
"Then you are a rare man." Danella nodded with wisdom her age belied. She tilted her head to one side as if listening to the trees around them and looked at him again. "You have a friend," she spoke cryptically.
"I have six friends," JD nodded, frowning.
"No, a friend who needs your help," she began to explain as the sound of hoofbeats caused several of the men to stand and confront the visitor.
"Casey!" JD sputtered as he jumped to his feet, the coffee sloshing out of his cup and across the toes of his boots. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," she explained, frowning at the young woman so close to JD's side.
"What's wrong, Miss Casey?" Buck moved to the side of the horse, placing a hand on the beast's flank.
"Mr. Larabee sent me." She tore her gaze away from JD's companion and looked at Buck. "Louisa Pickering is missing!"
"How long has she been gone?" Buck asked.
"I'm not sure," Casey shrugged. "But the town sure is riled up," she stated.
"Go back to town, Casey," Buck patted the horse thoughtfully. "JD and I won't be far behind you."
"Okay." Casey smiled shyly at Buck before looking at JD, who refused to meet her eyes. He deliberately turned his face from her searching gaze.
As they all watched Casey ride away from them, Joachim stepped forward.
"I will gather some of my family and we will help you to search for this girl," he spoke quickly. "My Danella has the gift of the sight. She might be of help to you."
"It's okay, Joachim," Buck extended a friendly hand towards his new acquaintance. "The folks in town are a mite skittish."
"By this you mean they will blame us?" Joachim frowned. "We have done nothing wrong."
"People don't like newcomers," Buck shrugged. "When something goes wrong, it's
easy for them to blame anyone who is different or new."
"You mean because we are gypsies?" Joachim felt his anger rising.
"Maybe," Buck shrugged answering truthfully. "But they don't know no better and they are frightened."
Joachim looked into Buck's face trying to judge the truth in his words. Seeing nothing but sincerity, he extended a hand for Buck to shake, a grin creasing his face. "Then you must go," he paused. "But you must know that we will look for this child."
"I wouldn't expect any different," Buck smiled back, before turning to move towards his horse.
JD watched Buck with interest. Feeling a gentle hand on his arm he turned to face his companion.
"Will I see you again, JD Dunne?" Danella asked.
"I guess so." JD 's interest in his boots was renewed as a gentle flush stained his cheeks. "I'm sure we will," he muttered as he moved to walk away.
"I am sure as well, JD Dunne." She nodded, letting her fingers slide down his arm and briefly connect with his fingers before breaking the contact.
"I'm sure we will," he muttered again as he moved to walk away.
JD paused briefly, watching her heavy skirts swirl around her bare feet before he moved to mount his horse and wait for Buck in silence. Both men rode quickly away from the campsite and back to town.
Nathan sat at the side of the small creek that constituted the village's water supply and cursed softly under his breath. He had racked his brain trying to come up with some clue why his Indian friends were being decimated by an illness that he couldn't decipher.
Dipping his hands into the cool flowing stream, he cupped them under the water and brought them to his mouth. Touching the chilled waters to his lips, he drank of its soothing goodness.
Swallowing deeply, he allowed himself to savor the sweet liquid. Frowning as he swallowed, he dropped his hands and cupped them again, raising more water and tasting it carefully. Pursing his lips, he rocked back on his heels and thought for several long minutes, his dark eyes scanning the creek intently.
Reaching a decision, he swore softly under his breath and stood, moving quickly back to the village, intent on finding Rain and asking her a few questions.
Vin and Ezra picked their way through a small canyon carefully, the trail of the wolf fresh enough to have both men on edge. Their horses were also skittish, the scent of wolf strong enough in the air to frighten them and make them dance at every noise.
"Pray, Mr. Tanner," Ezra queried. "Do you anticipate we'll discover these creatures any time soon?"
"Thankfully no, Mr. Tanner," Ez retorted dryly. "I'm quite happy to leave that particular experience to you."
"They're here, Ez," Vin spoke softly. "Watching us while we search for them."
"Sometimes I worry about you, Mr. Tanner." Ezra shook his head sadly. "I'm certain...." His words were cut off as a large grey mass hurtled towards them from a small rocky outcropping.
Neither man hesitated in his movements. Two shots rang out and the ferocious creature fell motionless to the ground scant inches from Vin's feet. The snarling creature and twin gunshots had done nothing to sooth the taut nerves of the horses. Both animals pawed nervously at the ground and pulled on the reins as their riders struggled to keep them under control. Vin reached out with his foot and prodded the corpse.
"This would be the werewolf the townsfolk blame for their losses," he stated as he knelt to run a hand over the fur. Frowning deeply, he stood quickly and scanned the rocky incline carefully.
"What would you be looking for now?" Ezra's brow wrinkled.
"You'll see," Vin stated, pushing his reins into Ezra's hand and scrambling up the incline towards a shallow cave he had seen in the shadows.
"Are you sure that's safe?" Ezra called.
"Yep!" Vin spoke.
"Mr. Tanner," Ezra called. "I don't think that is a good idea!"
"I do," Vin called back as he crawled out of the cave and swung off the ledge dropping lithely a few feet from Ezra. "I couldn't leave this little critter," he spoke as he pulled a small wolf cub from inside his buckskin jacket.
"And you're going to do what, exactly, with that creature?" Ezra frowned.
"Find a home for it." He looked at it critically, blowing on its nose and ruffling its fur as it snuggled against his hand. "It might not live long. It's too young to be away from its mama."
"Then wouldn't the kind thing be to kill it now, before it suffers?" Ezra asked.
Vin pushed the wriggling pup into Ezra's arms. "There you go," Vin nodded. After a few moments, he grinned. "Can't do it can you?"
"The fact remains, Mr. Tanner," Ezra spoke tickling the squirming bundle of fur, "that it will grow up to be just like its mother."
"Then we'll deal with that once it's old enough to look after itself."
Vin slung the dead wolf across his horse's rump and plucked the placated wolf pup from the crook of Ezra's arm and slid it inside his jacket before he mounted his horse.
"Rain," Nathan called as he walked quickly back into the village.
"What is it, Nathan?" Rain emerged from one of the tents at his summons.
"Rain, where does the village get its water from?" Nathan asked.
"There is a small creek. We take our water from where it flows quickly," she answered "You know the place. Why do you ask?" she asked, frowning in confusion.
"Because I think the water is tainted," Nathan replied quickly.
"That is impossible. The water flows quickly; there is no still water to grow poisonous."
"Then the poison must be coming from further upstream," he explained as he walked away from her. "I'm gonna go and have a look see if I can't find what the problem is."
Buck and JD rode quickly into town dismounting in front of the jailhouse. Looping their reins around the hitching post, they quickly strode up the stairs and into the building.
"Ma'am." Buck spoke as he noticed Mary sitting in the seat behind the desk. "What's happened?"
"Louisa Pickering is missing," she stated quickly. "Chris has taken some volunteers out searching." She paused a moment before continuing. "He asked me to stay and wait for you to return."
"We'll get fresh horses and see what we can find," Buck assured her.
"Mr. Pickering is sure that she has been abducted by the gypsies to use as some sort of sacrifice," Mary stated as both men turned to leave.
"We've been there, Mrs. Travis," JD stated. "Little Louisa is not there."
"We know that, JD," Mary said. "But Lindsay Pickering is more than convinced otherwise."
"C'mon kid," Buck prodded him. "The quicker we find her, the quicker we get them off the hook."
Both men moved through the door and across to the livery. Saddling two fresh horses, they rode out of town in the same direction they had entered it from such a short time ago.
Nathan walked silently upstream, somber eyes scanning the creek and its banks carefully. It didn't take him long to find what he was looking for. Less than 300 yards upstream, three small metal casks sat in the center of the stream.
Wading into the chilled water, he lifted one from its watery grave and carried it back to the banks. Repeating the trip two more times, he lifted them onto the muddy bank. Rolling one of the partially rusted drums, he cursed softly as he read the label on the barrel. What had once been well labeled was only partially visible, but he could still see everything he needed to know.
Moving the barrels further out of the water's reach, he made his way back to the village. As he reached the edge of the village he yelled for Rain. Hearing the urgency in his voice she ran from the tent she had been in, fearing for his safety.
"Nathan," she called as she stepped into the sunlight. "What is it? What has happened?"
"Rain, is there another water supply close by?"
"There is another stream," she replied. "Its water is not as sweet, but we do sometimes use it."
"Then from now on, you use the other stream," he ordered. "I'll have to go back to town to find a remedy in my books, but I know what is wrong with your friends."
"What have you found, Nathan?" she asked, frowning.
"They are slowly being poisoned," he answered. "There were several barrels of arsenic in the water."
"Who would do that?" Rain frowned.
"I don't think it was done deliberately," Nathan explained carefully. "They were near a crossing that looks rough. They probably fell off a wagon."
Rain leaned up and placed a soft kiss on Nathan's cheek. "I knew you'd help us."
"I ain't helped yet Rain," he shrugged.
"But you found out what is wrong," Raine nodded.
He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "Are you okay here if I go back to town?"
"I will be fine Nathan. You go." She clasped his hands. "I will see you when you return."
Nathan looked deeply into her face and smiled. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He started to move away from her then turned back. "Make sure you get your water from the other creek."
"I will be sure, Nathan," she nodded and watched as he moved to leave.
Vin and Ezra rode slowly into town, the wolf pup cradled inside Vin's jacket,
the body of its mother slung behind his saddle. Stopping in front of the
jailhouse, Vin swung his leg over the pommel and dropped lithely to the
ground. Ezra was mere moments behind him in dismounting, but both men turned
at the sounds of several horses galloping into town.
Watching the large group of men ride toward them, Vin and Ezra moved quickly
to stand on the boardwalk in front of the jail and turned to face the crowd.
Neither man turned at the sound of the jailhouse door opening, or at the slow
but measured jingling of Chris' spurs as he walked to stand beside them.
"Larabee!" Pickering called from where he sat on his paint stallion's back.
"I'm going to get my daughter back!"
"She isn't there, Pickering," Buck spoke loudly from behind the crowd as he
slid off is horse's back.
"How the hell would you know?" Pickering whirled on the ladies man angrily.
"I've been there that's why," Buck spoke calmly.
"Those heathens are responsible for killing our cattle and now they've taken
my daughter," Pickering growled. "I won't let them take my baby without a
fight!"
"Stop being such a damned ignorant fool and listen to reason Pickering," Buck
cursed as he moved towards the jailhouse.
"Your girl isn't there, Mr Pickering," JD stated as he followed Buck.
"Might have known you lot would defend the heathens!" Pickering looked them
up and down. "Their women have blinded you to the truth." He looked pointedly at Buck.
"The gypsies aren't killing your cattle," Vin spoke calmly, "she was." He gestured towards the carcass slung over his mount. "She was only trying to feed her youngun'." He pulled the sleeping pup from his jacket and held it up for them to see. "She was only doing what nature intended." He shrugged before pressing the pup into JD's hands.
JD cuddled the tiny puppy against his chest stroking it gently until it stopped whimpering and settled down to sleep once more.
"Pickering might think he has to do this," Chris spoke calmly, his steely glare pinning each and every one of Pickering's nervous accomplices. "But you don't," he stated. "If you follow him I swear you will suffer for it." His words broke off as the sound of melodious singing reached them
"What the…?" Josiah's deep voice rang out as they watched the small crowd at the opposite end of the street grow nearer
A grin began to crease Buck's face as he watched, listening to the song. Sung in a language known only to their gypsy friends, the lilting words and harmonious voices served only to calm the jangled nerves of all that listened.
Stopping scant feet from the standoff, Joachim helped the tiny blonde poppet from his shoulders to stand on the ground and watched patiently as she ran to her father.
"Papa," she cried excitedly. "Papa!" She scrambled to reach her father's leg and grabbed his arms as he leaned down to swing her across his lap. "I was lost, Papa," she informed him, her young voice matter of fact. "JoJo and Danny found me."
"How did you get lost Lou?" He brushed her hair back from her face.
"I wanted to see the kittens in the barn," she answered solemnly, her bottom lip beginning to pout. "It was dark."
"Your mama is worried about you," Pickering spoke calmly. "I think its time to take you home." He looked up his eyes meeting the dark eyes of Joachim.
"Thank you," he stated quietly before he turned his horse and steered his horse away from the crowd and towards his home. Neither his words nor his attitude offering apology for his thoughts.
"You are welcome," Joachim replied as Pickering's horse pushed through the crowd of Gypsies.
The would-be lynching mob quickly dissipated as their ringleader rode away. None of them wishing to be the ones to attract the ire of the mysterious Gypsies.
As the townsfolk cleared, Buck and JD walked toward their newfound friends. Buck walked up to the large gregarious gypsy and enfolded him in a hug of greeting.
"Thank you, friend," he said as he released him and caught his hand in a quick handshake.
"No thanks needed, Friend," Joachim answered. "We will return to our campsite." He nodded, "Now all is as it should be."
"Yep," Buck replied.
"You and your friends are all welcome at our feast this night!" Joachim spoke in a voice loud enough for the others to hear.
"We might just take you up on that, buddy." Buck grinned and clapped Joachim on the back as he turned to walk back to the campsite.
"You will be welcome in our camp any time," Joachim called as he and his family began the walk back to their campsite.
JD stood slightly back from Buck and the gypsies, cuddling the tiny wolf pup protectively.
"What will you do with the wolf JD Dunne?" Danella asked quietly.
JD shrugged. "It's not mine to do anything with."
Danella nodded. "It is its own master."
JD shook his head. "No, I meant that Vin found it."
"You will need to care for it," Danella stated
JD looked back at Vin, who was watching the exchange with interest. The tracker replied without words, just with a single nod of his head
"Would you like to care for the pup?" JD held the pup in both hands and extended it to her.
"You are sure you do not wish to care for her?" Danella looked between JD and Vin, her eyes lit with an expectant sheen.
JD looked back to Vin and then back to Danella. "We're sure." He pressed the pup into Danella's arms.
"Then I will care for her." Danella nodded and leaned forward to press a kiss against JD's cheek. "Thank you, JD Dunne," she murmured.
Nuzzling her face against the coarse fur of the wolf she turned to follow her father down the street. Her attention focused on the pup in her arms and not the voices behind her as the other six men mercilessly teased the gently blushing JD. Neither did she notice the glare from the young girl sweeping the boardwalk in front of Gloria Potter's store.
Buck clapped his young friend on the back companionably. "Sometimes, Kid, I swear you are blind!"
"What'd I do?" JD sputtered confused.
"Nothing," Buck replied walking across the lift his horses reins and walk towards the livery. "Nothin' at all….that's the point!"
At the outburst of laughter from their assembled friends, JD indignantly lifted his reins and followed the gregarious ladies' man, slowly pondering Buck's words with a confused frown.
Fini
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