PKept13

Chapter 13

Buck and Camille walked home in silence. Both of them lost in their thoughts. The altercation with Tom had left them shaken, but for different reasons.

Camille couldn’t organize her thoughts. Her mind and her intuition were at war with each other. Her mind told her that she had nothing to fear from Tom. His intentions were true and honest. He only wanted what was best for her... his brother’s betrothed. It was an honorable thing he had done, to travel such a long distance to retrieve her and care for her.

But her intuition told her something totally different. There were times he hadn’t even heard what she’d said. He would confuse fact and fiction. If she hadn’t been sure of his temper earlier in the day, her suspicions were confirmed later that afternoon. Tom's violent attack upon her had left her shaken. Even now as she gently rubbed her sore cheek, she found it hard to understand his reaction to her engagement.

Buck walked fast and furiously through town.   Camille could hardly keep up with his long strides.
“Buck, please slow down!” he heard Camille asked from behind him. He’d been so deep in thought he hadn’t realized how fast he was walking. As he looked at Camille his anger intensified at the sight of her bruising cheek.

“Sorry” he answered then took her hand and continued home. As he walked the boardwalk, he scanned the streets in an effort to find Tom. Buck could only hope that Tom heeded his warning and left town. He also had so many questions to ask Camille. He needed to know what transpired between Camille and Tom, but the streets of Rock Creek were not the place to seek the answers. Once they got to Rachel’s he would get the answers he needed.

As they rounded the corner to Rachel’s, Buck stopped abruptly. He’d sensed it earlier when they passed Tompkin’s Store, but now he was sure he felt eyes on his back. There was no doubt in his mind whom those eyes belonged to. Again he searched the street and the windows of the buildings for their stalker. There was no one there, at least in his field of vision. But Buck didn't need his sense of vision to confirm they weren’t alone as they made their way home from the schoolhouse. What his eyes didn’t see his spirit did.

“What is it?” Camille asked.

Not wanting to upset her, he kept his suspicions to himself. “Nothin," he answered as he stared down the street. “Come on, let’s go”

********

“And you said he looked just like Bill Barlow?” Teaspoon asked settling into the chair in Rachel’s parlor.

“Yep” Buck answered.

Rachel and Camille were cleaning the dinner dishes. With Camille in the kitchen, this was Buck's opportunity to tell Teaspoon what had happened earlier with Tom Barlow. Despite Buck’s insistence, Camille refused to press assault charges against Tom.

“And ya ain’t seen him since this afternoon?” Teaspoon asked.

“No,” he replied, “but he’s still here, I can feel it”

Teaspoon knew better than to question Buck’s instincts. He’d proven to be correct many times throughout their years with the Pony Express. Along with a keen tracking expertise, Buck’s ability to sense the spirit of others was a gift he’d received from his Indian ancestors.

Teaspoon sighed, “Well, if Camille ain’t willing to press charges, there’s nothin’ I can do.”

“Nothing?” Buck threw his head back in frustration, “Then I’ll press charges”

“No!” Camille said firmly.

Buck swung around to see Camille standing in the doorway. From the look on her face it was evident that she was displeased with the conversation she'd overheard.

“You told him to leave and I am sure he will,” she said with her hands on her hips. "He's probably already gone by now”

“He’s not," Buck answered. His voice was deep and foreboding.

Camille couldn’t hide her alarm, “You saw him?”

“No, but he’s still in town,” he said flatly, “and he’s not leavin”

She questioned him, “If you didn’t see him, then how do you know he’s still here?”

Buck looked at her in disbelief. If Tom’s intention was to confuse Camille, then Buck knew he’d succeeded. Little Bird would never have questioned him about his ability to sense Tom’s presence.

Camille looked down at the floor, she couldn’t meet Buck’s gaze because she was also ashamed she’d doubted him.   She made her way to the door. She needed to be alone to collect her thoughts.

Teaspoon spoke up, “Now wait a minute, darlin'."

“Teaspoon,” she said, pointing to Buck, “he's looking for trouble.”

Then turning her anger on Buck she cried, “Why can’t you just let it be?”

She turned and bolted out of the house.

*******************

Camille stood in the darkness beside the corral. She crossed her arms in front of her, squeezing tightly as she held herself, not so much in defense of the chilly air but for comfort against a raging sense of dread.    It was no surprise to her when she heard Buck’s approaching footsteps. He stood there behind her in silence. He was so close she could hear every breath he took.   After a moment, Buck wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her close to him and resting his chin on top of her head. His embrace was warm and comforting. She found a quieting comfort in his arms that moved through her and soothed her to the very depths of her being. She placed her arms over his, stroking his muscular forearms and relishing the security they offered.

How effortless this moment was, so free of problems and disagreements. Just the two of them alone, hidden and protected by the blanket of darkness, where no one could find them. Camille wished they could shut out the rest of the world. She’d grown tired of the obstacles in her life. Why was it so difficult for her to lead a normal life?

Deep down, she had to admit she was afraid of Tom. Afraid that he was every thing Buck thought he was. Afraid that he would threaten her future with Buck. Afraid that if she didn’t put distance between Tom and Buck, something terrible might happen. Something would happen that would take Buck from her forever. She couldn’t bear to lose him again.

Camille turned within his embrace to face him. “I don’t want to fight with you,” she said.

“Me neither,” he answered tenderly. He bent down to brush her lips with a gentle kiss.

“Come on, we oughta get back,” he said with reluctance. “Teaspoon will be wantin’ his pie. Knowin’ Rachel she’ll make him wait till we get back.”

She nodded in agreement, “You go ahead, I’ll be along in just a minute.”

“Camille, I don’t want you out here alone,” he firmly stated.

“I’ve been out here alone before.”

“But tonight is different,” he reminded her.

“Why are you doing this?” Camille sighed then stepped back from him. “Why can’t you just let it be?”

“Because Tom Barlow is not going to let it be!” he said firmly.

“You don’t know that!” She said raising her voice to him.

“The hell I don’t!” He shouted at her. “I’ve seen men like him before. He’s not going to give up. He followed us home today and you know it!”

She glared at him; she wasn’t going to say he was wrong; she knew better. But she also wasn’t going to encourage him by agreeing with him.

“Did you look at him Camille? Did you really look at him?” he asked.

“Yes! Yes! I did! Buck!” she yelled at him. “You want to know what I saw? I saw a man who has lost his brother and his father in the same year. A man who traveled weeks to help his brothers fiancée only to find out that she is engaged to be married to another. You can’t blame him for being upset.”

“He wasn’t upset!” He corrected her, “He was out of control!”

“And you weren’t? You could have really hurt him today”

“He hit you, Camille! What’d you expect me to do?” he exclaimed as he threw up his hands.   “Why are you defending him?”

“Why are so eager to look for a fight?” she said avoiding his question.

Buck began to say something, but then stopped himself. He dark eyes bore into the depths of her soul.
As he began to understand, his face was awash with the realization of Camille’s motives.

“Camille, he not Bill,” he said solemnly.

Camille’s temper exploded. “I KNOW THAT, BUCK CROSS,” She lashed out at him, “You have not right to say that to me...I know exactly who he is!”

“I don’t think you do. I think you look at him and see Bill. He’s not what he seems. He’s dangerous and I don’t want you to be alone!” Then he added, “I am only trying to protect you.”

“You can’t be with me every minute of the day,” she stated

He was silent.

She continued, “I have children to teach. What are you going to do, sit in the school house all day?” She then reminded him, “Kid and Lou are gone to the orphanage, and you’ve got your hands full with the ranch."

“Rachel can teach for a few days,” he answered, “I want you to stay here on the ranch with me. Just till I am sure Tom has left town.”

“No!” she answered him. “I will not hide on this ranch when Tom Barlow is long gone.”

Buck was frustrated. There was no way to convince her that Tom was still in Rock Creek. And that he was a serious threat.

“I remember once you asked me not to leave you. You said something terrible would happen. I didn’t believe you but you were right. Our village was raided.” He reminded her, then continued, “Camille, listen to me. Tom is here and he’s not who you think he is.   I want you to say here tomorrow.”

“You’re not being fair!” she cried, “That was different. Those trappers were strangers. Tom is Bill’s brother! This is different! You hear me! It’s different!”

Then she whirled around and ran for the house. Buck could hear her sob as she entered the house. He longed to comfort her, but knew it was best to give her some time to come to terms with the truth. He couldn’t help Camille to see past Toms’ resemblance to Bill. If she had, she would have seen the a dangerously volatile man
.
As he watched her shut the door he realized that not only was he protecting her from Tom, but also from her choice to ignore the danger he presented.

****************

Chapter 14

She’d left in the morning without a word to Buck. A new day would bring no resolution to the differences of the previous night. The first half of the day proved to be uneventful, except for two impromptu visits by Buck to check on her safety.

Aside from physically restraining Camille, there was no way to keep her on the ranch today. But no one could stop Buck from checking on her throughout the day. He’d just returned from his second trip to the school. As he peered at her through the doorway of the school, she cast him a disapproving look that confirmed to him her opinion that he was overreacting.

It was noon, and time for the mid-day break. Camille walked behind the children as they filed out the door of the school.   As she watched the last of the children scurry off to their homes for lunch, she noticed Tom walking toward the school. Dread immediately overwhelmed her. Buck was right. He hadn’t left Rock Creek. Not wanting to be alone with Tom, Camille stepped out on the porch of the school as Tom approached the steps.

“Mr. Barlow, I don’t think you should be here,” she said as he stopped at the foot of the steps.

“Please, give me just a minute of your time,” he requested. “Please let me explain. Let me apologize.”

“There is no need. Really,” she nervously responded as she looked down the street toward the ranch. “It’s best that you leave”

Tom did not respond to her appeal. “I was wrong, please forgive me!” he asked. “I had no right to raise my hand to you”

There was sincerity in his voice that caused Camille to soften to his request. He took her silence as her approval for him to continue.

“I have dealt with a lot of pain this past year, more than just the deaths of my father and Bill. I haven’t been myself for a long time.” He put his hand on the rail to begin up the stairs, but stopped when he saw her step back. He added, “I am not trying to make excuses, just explain my actions. “

“Camille, for the last few weeks, the only thing that has driven me is honoring my brother, by taking care of the woman he loved most in the world." "Bill and I had our differences, I am sure you are aware we'd been estranged at the time of his death. I believe I was looking for absolution by assuming responsibility for your care. When that too...was taken from me, by your engagement...well, I reacted very poorly.”

Camille was speechless. She wasn’t sure what to say or what to do. She didn’t like how she felt when she was around Tom, he made her unsure of herself. He drained her ability to tell the truth from a lie.

“I am truly sorry that I struck you, Camille,” he pleaded. “Please accept my apology.”

Camille couldn’t find it in her heart to deny his expression of regret, “Apology accepted.”

Feeling sure of his sincerity, she stepped down to talk to him. “I know I told you this once before, but I want you to believe me. I loved Bill and his death devastated me”

Tom nodded his head to her in response. Then asked, “Camille, may I ask you for a favor?”

Camille felt uneasy, not so much from Tom’s request but from her concern that Buck could return at any moment. As she turned to look down the street again, she prayed Tom would leave before Buck came back. He’d checked on her frequently throughout the day. If he were to return now, to find her talking to Tom, he would be enraged.

Tom saw what he believed was hesitation and quickly added, “I know I have no right. But could you tell me about Bill, about his last days. It would be such a help for me to deal with his death.”

How pitiful Tom had sounded to her as he asked her to share her memories of Bill. She was confident that there was no harm in taking the time to ease his pain. “Yes, I will tell you about Bill”

“Thank you, Camille,” he said. Then smiling broadly, he added, “It’s such a lovely day, why don’t we go for a ride in the country. I’ve rented a buckboard, and the countryside looks so inviting”

“I don’t really have much time. The children will be back at the end of their midday break,” she said. Camille was sure that she had nothing to fear from Tom. He’d successfully convinced her his actions yesterday were out of the ordinary. She felt certain that there was no harm in being alone with Tom.   But she also knew Buck would be angry if she went riding with Tom.

He saw her uncertainty and added, “We’ll just take a short ride. You are the only one who can tell me about my brother”

Camille was about to tell Tom that it would be best to stay at the school, when she looked down the street again. What if Buck came by to check on her? She couldn’t run the risk of the two of them running into one another.

“I guess a short ride would be fine” she surrendered.

*************************

Danny Calxon was close on the heels of the youngest of Eli Murphy’s boys. Several of the other children were running in and out of the schoolhouse. Buck knew that the children’s midday break had been over long ago. It was totally out of character for Camille to allow the children to run unsupervised. The closer he got to the school, the greater his concern grew.

He rushed over to a group of boys playing jacks on the step. “Hey, guys. Is Miss Camille inside?” he asked.

“No, sir. She ain’t back yet,” the smallest boy answered, “Do ya wanna play jacks?”

“No,” he said. Fear welling within him. “Do you know where she went?”

“Nope,” they answered, without looking up from their game.

Buck stood up and walked down the steps to scan the street for Camille. It was a dim hope that he might see her walking toward the school. He fought the urge to panic. He had no facts to back up his suspicions, just a feeling that what he feared most was a reality.

He went to leave the schoolyard, when a little voice stopped him, “I saw her leave with that man.”

Molly Claxon tugged on Buck’s vest, “She went for a buggy ride.”

Trying to control the panic that welled within him, he knelt down in front of the little girl.   “Molly, what man? What Man?” He plead with her.

His gut wrenched as Molly answered, “The man that was mean to her yesterday.”