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.
'Bernice, would you like to tell me what happened?' he asked softly content just to sit there an offer some comfort to the young girl in his arms.
'Four months ago, Mama, Papa, Jasper and I left New York to move west and make a new life in California, our mothers father Grandfather Jarvis hated my father , but my mother loved him so she decided that we should make a new life in California, but Papa disappeared less than two weeks after we left. Since then mama has been working harder than most men to get us to California, I've tried to help her, but when we were thrown out of the wagon train, we got lost. We tried to find our way back onto the trail, two weeks ago we snapped our axle. Mama was thrown, I tried my best to help her, but she wouldn't let me move her. She said she knew her neck was broken and if I moved her she would die. She tried to tell me everything I needed to know, but she died two days after the accident. ' Bernice paused in her story to look up into Buck's compassion filled face 'She wouldn't let me help her and made me leave her there to just die, I couldn't disobey my mama, she always knew what was best.' she sank back against his chest 'She wouldn't let me move her, she just lay on the trail, I tried to keep her warm, but she said she was going to die anyway and she wanted to tell me the things I needed to know before she died.' Bernice sank into fresh silent tears and Buck let her rest against him, glad that she didn't have to bear this tragedy on her own any longer, his vest soaking up her tears.
'Who helped you to bury her Bernice?' he asked softly as she calmed again
'No-one, It took me two days but I dug a hole that was deeper than me, I wrapped her in her favourite quilt and buried her here, I read her favourite passages from our family bible to give her a good Christian burial. I tried to make a decent cross, but that was the best I could do.' Buck looked at the hard work the young girl had undertaken on her own to give her mother a decent burial, and felt nothing but pride for her and sorrow that she had been unable to share this with anyone until now.
'How long has it been since you have eaten?' he asked softly, already sure he knew the answer, when he had carried her, her weight was les than a feather and he could feel her bones through her delicate skin whenever he touched her
'We were buying supplies in the next town we came to and we didn't have many stores left, so I have been giving Jas the little bit of food we had, but that ran out yesterday.' she stopped
'You haven't eaten since your mama died have you?' he spoke, his hand slipping into his pocket and pulled out a piece of beef jerky, which he handed to the ravenous girl. 'Its not much, but it might hold you until I can get you back to the Way Station for a proper meal.' she took it from him and chewed on it appreciatively.
'It hasn't been the food that has worried me.' she spoke as she unconsciously snuggled deeper into his embrace, feeling comforted and secure for the first time since her mothers death, her eyes drooping wearily.
'I've been frightened to sleep, in case something happened to Jasper' she murmured her words slurring sleepily
'It's okay now' he stroked her tangled hair sooting her gently 'I won't let anything happen to you or Jasper' he spoke his voice little more than a whisper, amazed at the gift of trust she had given to him, determined that he would not let her down.
He sat there for some time, content to lean against the tree and cradle the now sleeping Bernice in his strong arms. He could not help but marvel at the inner strength of the beautiful young creature in his arms. She couldn't be more tan 15 years old and yet she had managed to bury her mother singlehandedly, while still maintaining a stoic front for the sake of her baby brothers peace of mind. He could see that she was from a world of wealth and pampering just by the cut and fabric of hr clothing, but still she was not immune to hard work either. He would never forget the look of suffering and despair in her brilliant green eyes when she finally gave in to her pain and sank into his arms.
The sound of his friends rapidly approaching pulled Buck back from his reverie. Torn between leaving Bernice sleeping on the ground, within arms reach but alone if she woke or carrying her with him he chose the latter, unwillingly to provide even the possibility of further fear in her unhappy travels. He rose and cradling her closely against his chest , her head happily snuggled into the side of his neck, the delicate skin of her face shaded from the sun by his own hat, he walked back to the wagon.
Kid and Ike dismounted, Ike gathering the reins of Buck's horse who had been standing patiently grazing, before walking closer with Kid.
'Is she alright?' Kid asked softly
'She's exhausted, I don't want to wake her if I can help it.' Buck murmured.
'Jimmy, Cody and Noah are on their way with the wagon and those two wagon horses, we should be able to fix it and bring the wagon back to the station before dark. Rachel said that she wants you to take the girl back to the station as soon as we get here.' Kid explained. Buck handed his burden to Ike and lithely mounted his horse, waiting for Ike to pass Bernice back to him. When he was certain that she was comfortable he turned to speak to his friends
'How is her brother?' he asked quietly
'Rachel said that he's fine, he's still sleeping but she said that he doesn't look thin or sick so he should be fine. Lou stayed behind so she could help Rachel with her, Kid jerked his head toward Bernice' Kid spoke
'See you back there.' Buck stated as he spurred his horse into a gentle trot anxious to get his precious cargo back to the caring hands of Rachel and Lou.
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