Loyalty Divided

Chapter Thirty Six

Evangeline stood in the dusty street, her brow furrowed in confusion as she regarded the elderly man before her. His weathered face bore lines etched with years of toil and sorrow, his eyes deep wells of emotion that seemed to stir something within her memory. The bustling sounds of the town faded into the background as she focused on the man's presence, a nagging feeling of familiarity tugging at her thoughts.

Her hand rested lightly on the butt of her revolver, a habit born from years of living by her wits and quick reflexes. Yet, there was something in the man's demeanor that held her back from drawing the weapon, an unspoken plea in his weary gaze that spoke of regret and longing.

"I'm sorry, but you must be mistaken," Evangeline finally spoke, her voice calm but guarded. "My father, Thomas, died when our home was attacked years ago. There's no way..."

The old man's eyes brimmed with a mix of sadness and determination as he interrupted her, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I know it's hard to believe, but I survived that fire," he began, his words measured yet filled with the weight of truth. "I thought I had lost everyone-my wife, my son... and I assumed the same for you."

Evangeline's skepticism softened slightly as she listened, the memory of that fateful night flickering in the recesses of her mind. The chaos, the flames licking at their home, the desperate struggle to escape-it had been etched into her soul like a scar that refused to fade.

"But how?" she asked softly, her gaze searching his face for answers. "If you're really my father, tell me something only he would know."

Thomas looked at Evangeline, his eyes reflecting both sorrow and a glimmer of hope. He hesitated for a moment, as if grappling with memories long buried under the weight of years spent in solitude.

"I used to call you 'Little Bird,'" he finally said, his voice tinged with emotion. "It was your mother who first started calling you that when you were just a baby. She said it was because you chirped like a little bird when you were happy."

Evangeline's breath caught in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes. The nickname, a cherished memory from a time long past, resonated deeply within her. It was a detail known only to her family, a secret bond that now connected her to this weathered man standing before her.

A mixture of relief and disbelief washed over her as she took a step closer to him, her hand reaching out tentatively. "Daddy?" she whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the bustling sounds of the town.

Thomas nodded solemnly, his weathered face softening with a faint smile. "Yes, Little Bird," he replied softly, tears glistening in his eyes as he embraced his daughter after so many years apart.

Evangeline clung to him, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions-a sense of belonging she had long yearned for, mingled with the pain of years spent believing she was alone in the world. In that moment, amidst the dusty streets and the curious gazes of passersby, she found solace in the reunion with her father, who had survived the fire that had torn their family apart.

Thomas pulled away from her. "I think we need to sit down and talk about this." Evangeline nodded and followed him into the nearby saloon.

They entered the saloon, its dimly lit interior offering a respite from the bustling streets outside. The air was thick with the smell of tobacco and whiskey, and the low murmur of patrons filled the room. They found a corner of the bar, sitting close but with a respectful distance between them. A waitress came over to get their drink order and promptly brought them both a whiskey each.

Thomas looked at Evangeline with a mix of sorrow and relief. "I never thought I'd see you again," he began quietly, his voice tinged with regret. "After the fire, I searched everywhere, hoping against hope that you had somehow made it out."