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.
She cradled her head against the crook of his neck for the first time in months feeling contented and almost in control of her destiny. Just being close to Buck was enough for now, inhaling the clean crisp male scent of him almost enough to bring tears to her eyes. She didn’t care where tommorrow took her, with Buck at her side, rich, poor, married, unmarried she didn’t care, just so long as he was with her.
Buck walked slowly down the stairs savouring the feel of Bernie cradled against him. He happily bore her slight weight as he moved out of the hotel and started the walk back to his home. He didn’t even notice the rest of his family and their two guests seated at various locations around the hotel porch. But as he walked across the main street, the hairs on the back of his neck began to prickle, a sure fire sign that something was wrong. Feeling uncomfortable and ill at ease he began to look around for the cause of his discomfort. He didn’t have far to look.
Seeing a stranger approaching him,a look of distaste and fury on his face he knew that he was looking at Bernie’s husband. Glancing around, he saw that Kid and Jimmy, upon seeing the approaching trouble, had moved down to stnad on either side of their friend, ready to support him any way they could. Teaspoon stood on the steps, his hand on his gun ready for whatever was about to happen. Unconcerned for his own future, Etienne moved down the stairs to stand behind his new friends, unarmed but wanting to help in whatever way he could.
“I want my wife back halfbreed” Jefferson almost spat at Buck, he knew nothing of the man who had been Bernie’s lover but somehow he knew that he was looking at him.
Buck slipped Bernie to stand on her feet and pushed her behind him, glancing back at Etienne, he watched as the love of his life was safely enclosed in the other mans arms before turning back to face her husband.
“She came to me for protection” he spoke calmly, his eyes narrowing as he realised that this was the man that had beaten his tiny love. Anger boiled so badly within him that it took all him all of his strength not to physically attack the arrogant man in front of him. The only thing holding him back was the fact that an act of aggression of his part now would be putting the very person he was protecting back in danger, not to mention back in her husband’s reach.
The fire in his eyes darkened them to bottomless obsidian, his hands clenched in fists of rage at his sides, his teeth clenched in anger, the other riders realised that he was hanging on to his good judgement by a thread and stood ready to help him however they could.
“She is my property and I want her back, you have two days.” he demanded
“you will have to kill me first” Buck spat through clenched teeth
“If I don’t have her back by then, you will see that I mean what I say” he spat, his ice blue eyes glanced at the others, lingering on Isabelle, his contempt for her clear in his eyes.
“You and your brother will pay for this I promise you” he sneered at her before he turned on his heel, he stopped a few paces on and turned back an evil grin on his face.
“I will enjoy watching the father of her bastard child die, even more because I know she will see me doing it” he laughed and walked back the way he had come.
They watched him, their faces stunned as he walked away. Disheartened by the fact that Bernie had heard his threats, Buck turned and seeing her face pale, fresh tears coursing down her cheeks, he shook his head and took her into his arms once more. Swinging her high aginst his chest he held her possessively against his chest and walked towards the way station his entire body still tense with the rage he was trying to hide from her.
“Buck, are you alright?” she murmured against his neck
He nodded his head, afraid to speak, for fear he would frighten her more than she already was.
She fell silent as he walked, her mind and her heart in turmoil, her face pressed against the neck of the man that she loved, his wispy black hair tickling her skin. He carried her back to the house, back to the room that she had occupied once before. The others trailed behind at a discrete distance wanting to help them, but not wanting to intrude on their time together.
Depositing her on the bed they had shared, he rested one knee against the feather matress, his hand cupping her face.
“Bernie he’s not going to hurt you ever again.” he spoke his eyes full of liquid sincerity
”Buck, listen to me” she pulled herself up to sit facing him “I want you to let me go back to him” her tears overflowed once more “I couldn’t stand to see him hurt you” she sobbed “It would kill me to see him kill you, I won’t let that happen” she spoke her voice shaky but full of her conviction.
“He’s not going to touch me Bernie, I have a new life waiting for me” he spoke as he looked into her confused face “As soon as we have this all sorted out, I’m going to ask you to be my wife” he bent foward to place a tender kiss on her lips
“Our baby needs its father almost as much as I need its mother.” he spoke so softly that she almost didn’t hear him, her eyes widening in surprise as his lips claimed hers in a kiss so sweet and tender, so full of his love and devotion for her that she couldn’t help herself but believe the words he spoke.
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