He crawled on his belly and looked down the small hill to see 3 men almost falling down drunk shooting something in the sky. A shout brought his attention to a small boy. He was trying to keep one of the cowboys from shooting at whatever was in the sky. A quick glance upward told him what it was. A beautiful eagle. Even high in the sky Buck could see the size of it.

More laughing brought his eyes back to the men. They had pushed the boy down his hat falling off his head to reveal long brown hair.A girl, Buck thought, and a beautiful one at that. He eased himself down the hill sneaking closer so he could help her.As he got closer he could hear them talking.

"Well well boys would you look at this. I knew there was something funny about you." He reached down and hauled the girl to her feet.

"I'll tell you whats funny, your face."She spit in his face.

The other two men laughed, the third glared at them and wiped his face. "That wasn't a nice thing to do." He raised his hand to hit her when a blur flew in face. He screamed when the eagle swooped down and attacked him. He released Connie who backed away.

The other two men stood in shock at what was happening to their friend. One snapped out of it and drew his gun and pointed it at the eagle.

Before Connie could do anything to stop him a shot rang out and dirt clouded up from the two men's feet. Connie called her eagle off, who flew over and landed on her gloved hand.

"I think that is enough."Buck said as he stood up from his hiding place. He pointed to the man on ground who was crying out in pain."I think it be best if you got him to a doctor."

The two mean gathered up their wounded friend and rode off fast.

Connie watched as the tall handsome stranger made his way over to her.

"You alright ma'am?" He asked concern in his voice.

"Yes I'm fine. Thank you for the help."

"Anything to help a pretty lady." He grinned."Names Buck. Buck Wilmington."

"Connie Hooper." They shook hands.

A loud screech filled the air. They watch as the eagle swooped down on them. Buck grabbed Connie's shoulders and pulled her behind him and drew his gun. Connie stopped him and can around him putting a thick glove on her hand.

"Its alright Mr. Wilmington." She held up her arm and the eagle landed gently on her arm. "This is my friend Angel." She stroked the birds feathers.

"Please call me Buck." He watched Connie as she checked the bird over for injuries."You want to tell me why those guys where trying to shoot her?"

Satisfied that Angel was alright she turned to Buck."Well we stayed outside of a town for a few days and some chickens went missing. The big guy Angel attacked said he saw her fly away with one of his. Angel was with me the whole time."

"Well your alright now."

Connie smiled."Thank you again, Buck."

He smiled and reached out to pet Angel. She fluttered her wings and bit at him, he stepped back.

"I'm sorry, are you alright?"

He nodded "Yeah I'm fine."

"I'm afriad she doesn't trust easy. We best be on our way. I'm sure you have other places to be."She turned and walked away.

"Wait."Buck walked up and grabbed her arm. Angel flapped her wings at him. He let her go and backed away. "It might not be safe out here for a lady alone. Those guys might be back."

"Then its best if we leave now."

"Listen me and my brothers have a ranch about another day or so ride from here. You can come with me until things settle down.

Connie thought a moment it would be good not to be on the run for a few days and not worry about someone trying to hurt her or Angel. She nodded. "I don't know how to repay you for this."

Buck grinned,"Well we will think of something."He motioned her to go ahead on him."My horse is just over the hill. Where is your's."

"I don't have one." She said walking ahead of him.

"You walked all this way?"He asked in disbelief the nearest town from here besides Four Corners was two days away on horseback.

"Yes, back home we only had only one horse. I had to sell him to pay for my father's furneral." She finished saddly.

"I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been hard on you."

"It was a long time ago." She lifted her arm and let Angel fly away as they come to Buck's horse. As they mounted his horse Connie let out a hiss.

Buck looked to her concern."You alright. They didn't hurt you did they?"

"No just an old injury."

"How old?"Buck looked back and could see her wince as she settled on the horse.

"A week."

"I'll have Nathan take a look at you."

"That won't be neccassary. Its fine."

Buck saw the stubborn look in her eyes and nodded heading for home.