Chapter Seventeen
“We’re looking for the boss.” Bill and Jed Olin looked down from where they sat atop their horses at the older man who’d come out to meet them.
“Neither of them are here. What do you want?” Hank shielded his eyes from the early morning sun. He didn’t care for the look of either one. Their appearance gave the impression of gunfighters, rather than ranch hands.
“We heard you might be looking for cowhands. That true?”
“Might be. Like I said, the Pelletiers run this place and neither of them are around.”
“When are they due back?” Bill persisted.
“Not sure. They’re out with the herd, so it could be days.” Hank looked behind the two men to see a welcome sight as the doctor’s wagon rolled up the road. He hadn’t expected the man for a few more hours. “You’ll need to come back.”
Bill shifted in his saddle, not pleased with the idea of riding back again tomorrow. “You mind if we wait a spell.”
“Suit yourself.” He wanted to discourage them, send them on their way. However, with the four men laid up, they were shorthanded. Ellis and Bull should be ready for work pretty quick, but Johnny and Tat had a lot more recuperating to do. Hank had to consider Dax and Luke might feel different about them and hire both on. “You can put your horses in the corral.”
Jed and Bill rode the short distance toward the barn, released the saddles and threw them over the fence, then opened the corral gate. They needed everything to appear normal, like any two cowhands looking for work, even though not having their horses ready to ride didn’t seem right. Bill rested a hand on the butt of his gun and leaned against the fence, watching the doctor pull his wagon to a stop and climb down.
“You got here earlier than I expected.” Hank watched as the doctor grabbed something from the back of the wagon.
“How are they doing?”
“Rachel’s done a great job. Doesn’t leave their side for more than a few minutes. She could use a break, if you can get her to go along with it.” Hank kept pace with Charles as he walked toward the bunkhouse.
“I’ll see if I can get her to rest, at least for a while. It would be best if she rode back into town tonight. I can stay here, if needed.” Charles pushed the door open. His eyes landed on Rachel, who leaned over Johnny as he spoke to her in a raspy voice. She nodded at something he said before turning to see her uncle in the doorway.
“Uncle Charles. Come over here. Johnny’s awake.” Both doubted the young man would make it through another night, yet he’d rallied and appeared to be on his way to recovering.
Charles gazed down at the boy, which is how he thought of him, and smiled. “Glad to see you’re better, young man.”
“Johnny,” he whispered, wincing as the word came out.
“Johnny it is.” He glanced at Rachel. “Why don’t you take a rest? I can handle these two for a bit.” Charles turned back to Johnny and pulled back the covers.
Rachel watched for a moment before removing her well-used smock and hanging it on a hook by the door. She ran the back of a hand across her forehead, then let her arm drop, feeling the fatigue which had progressed over several hours.
She stepped into the bright sunlight, her eyes landing on two men leaning against the corral. Too tired to introduce herself, Rachel ignored them and made her way toward the house, ready for some of Bernice’s tea and a slice of the cider cake she’d baked the night before.
“Hello, ma’am.”
She turned at the greeting, not wishing to start a conversation, yet unable to be rude. “May I help you with something?”
“We’re waiting to speak with the boss about a job. We heard he might need some help.” Jed stood a few feet away, hands on hips, and let his eyes wander up, then down. He hadn’t seen a woman as pretty as this one in a long time.
“I’m sorry I can’t help you. The men who own the ranch aren’t here right now. It may be best to come back another time.”
“The older man said we could wait. I think that’s what we’ll do.”
“It’s up to you.” Rachel walked up the front steps and through the door. Something about the man didn’t seem right. It wasn’t so much the way his gaze moved over her, which was irritating, though not threatening. The eyes—flat and cold—were what triggered a sense of unease, prodding her to take a small step back when he spoke. She hoped he didn’t notice the apprehension his presence caused.
“I thought I heard someone come inside. How about something to drink and a piece of cake?” Bernice dried her hands on a towel slung over her shoulder and took down a cup. “Tea?”
“Thanks. I’d appreciate it.” She took a seat at the kitchen table and let her mind drift back to the conversation she’d had with Dax. Until last night, she hadn’t realized the extent of the burdens weighing upon him. The calm strength he always displayed belied an inner turmoil, one she knew other military men faced when the battles ended. Unless he confided in her, there was nothing she could do. She wanted to help, get him to talk and release his burdens. Perhaps someday he would.
“Here you are.” Bernice set down a cup of tea and a plate with a large slice of cider cake. “Now you relax while I go outside to check the laundry.”
Rachel didn’t respond as Bernice disappeared outside. She slipped a piece of cake in her mouth and let her thoughts drift once more to Dax. He could stay or leave. His future hung in the air, and hers along with it. Whatever troubled him would be the deciding factor. Even if he stayed, there were no assurances he’d still want to see her. She might be a temporary respite in his search for a new life or a path back to the man he used to be. Would he still turn to her when he figured it all out? Right now, there was no way to tell.
The back door swung open, allowing Bernice to walk through. Her arms full of clothes and linens.
“Let me help.” Rachel stood and took some of the load, then set everything down on the table before grabbing a clean shirt. “Luke mentioned you and Hank talked of leaving. I’m glad you worked something out. It’s certain the Pelletiers would’ve been lost without you.”
She grabbed a towel and made quick work of folding it. “Oh, I don’t know about those two being lost. They’re pretty capable.” Bernice chuckled. “Truth be told, it was more me than Hank who wanted to leave.”
Rachel’s brows drew together and she set down the trousers in her hand. “Why?”
“The shooting. We’ve been together a lot of years and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him to the violence taking over this area. It’s getting worse all the time.”
“Are you talking about the threats to Dax and Luke, or is it something more?”
“It all started months before the sheriff was murdered, before you came to Splendor. Ranchers on the other side of town were the first targets. Missing cattle, fires, random shootings. The sheriff arrested some of King Tolbert’s men, but had to let them go. He didn’t have the evidence needed to hold them. A few months later, someone gunned the sheriff down on his way to check on another shooting.” Bernice lowered herself into a chair and rested her arms on the table.
“He died not long after I arrived. I spoke to him a few times. Seemed like a decent man.” Rachel remembered him as tough, hardened, with kind eyes and a ready smile. His leathered skin and slight streaks of gray in his hair caused him to look much older than his true age of thirty-nine.
“We’re hoping Sheriff Evans can make some sense of everything.” Bernice stood as Hank came through the back door.
“Dax rode in with a couple of the men. I let him know Johnny’s improving.” He poured a cup of coffee and looked at Bernice. “He’s going to put Hannibal away, then talk to those two gents who rode in a while ago. Thought I’d take him some coffee.”
“I’ll take it.” Rachel reached for the cup and started toward the front.
Bernice watched her leave before turning to Hank. “Those two would be good for each other.”
“Dax and Rachel?”
“Of course.
Haven’t you seen the way they look at each other? Dax doesn’t take his eyes off her when she’s here. Same goes for her.”
Hank leaned down to place a kiss on his wife’s cheek before heading back outside. Bernice usually had things right. He wondered how he’d never noticed the attraction between the two.
Dax walked out of the barn and heard the sound of the front door open and close before looking up to see Rachel walk down the steps toward him. He worked hard to ignore the way his body responded to her presence.
“Hank thought you’d like this.” She handed him the coffee.
“Need it is more accurate.” He took the cup and turned toward the two men standing nearby. “I’m Dax Pelletier. You wanted to see me?”
“I’m Bob Jones and this is my brother, Ted. We’re looking for work.” Bill glanced between Dax and the woman next to him, his eyes not settling long in one place.
“Where did you two last work?”
“We’ve been at several ranches the last few years,” Bill said, although they sure didn’t work the ranches. “Texas and Colorado, mostly.”
“The work available here might not last long. I’ve four men laid up, but two will start back within a few days. I’m not sure about the other two. Once they’re recovered, I may not have room for additional men.” He eyed them, annoyed at the younger one whose gaze kept wandering to Rachel. Dax stepped closer to her in an attempt to warn the man off. “If you can accept those terms, you’re welcome to start. The bunkhouse is over there.” He indicated with the hand holding the coffee cup. “My brother, Luke, will let you know where you’ll be riding.” He rested his other hand on Rachel’s shoulder.
Jed looked between the two of them, the message coming through clear. “Thanks, boss.”
Rachel watched them leave, then looked up at Dax and felt his arm fall from her shoulder. “What was that about?”
“Nothing.” He drank the coffee in a couple of swallows and handed the empty cup back to her. “I’m going to check on Johnny and Tat.”
She lifted a brow, choosing to ignore his response. “Tell Uncle Charles I’ll join him in a few minutes.”
Dax pushed open the bunkhouse door as the doctor looked up.
“Ah, Dax. Just the person I want to see,” Charles said.
Dax stood between the two bunks, looking toward Tat first. “How are you feeling?”
“I’ve been better, boss. Could’ve been worse, I suppose.” Tat attempted to shift in his bunk, even though the splints kept him in place. “I hope to be back with the herd soon.”
“Take it easy. You’ll be back out there soon enough.” He turned toward Johnny, surprised at how much the young cowhand had improved. “You look much better than last night.”
“The doc says I almost didn’t make it. Glad I proved him wrong.” His voice still sounded raspy and dry.
Dax could see the pain flash through his face, understanding the lad still had a long recovery ahead. “Take your time healing, Johnny. I’ve hired a couple of men to ride herd until you and Tat are back.”
“That’ll be soon, boss,” Johnny said, although everyone knew it wasn’t true.
“You won’t ride until the doctor says it’s okay.” He glanced at Charles. “Do you have a minute?”
Charles followed him outside and closed the door.
“Tell me your thoughts.”
“Tat is coming along well, considering it has been just a couple of days. Still, I doubt he’ll be able to ride for several weeks. Johnny’s got a longer healing spell. Problem is, they’ll both want to get back to work sooner than they should. I’ll come by at least once a week to check on them, and can send Rachel out if I’m not available.”
“Rachel coming out would be fine, Doc.”
Charles’s mouth quirked upwards at the corners. “I suspected it might be.” He turned to go inside, then stopped. “You know, it’s none of my business, Rachel being a grown woman and all, but I’ll say my piece anyway. She’s taken a liking to you, Dax. I understand you may not feel the same. If you don’t, I’d have to ask you to think about staying away from her. She’s a great nurse and a big help to me, but she’s also my niece and I don’t want to see her getting her heart broken.”
Dax shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling like he did years ago when his father would lecture him. Except this wasn’t a lecture and Charles wasn’t his father. He was a concerned uncle trying to do his best for his niece.
“I care a great deal about Rachel and my intention isn’t to cause her pain. She knows I may leave, return to Texas. You’ll have to accept whatever she decides to do while I’m here. She’s free to walk away any time.”
Although the response didn’t satisfy Charles, he felt a sense of relief knowing Dax understood his concern. He began to say something else before his eyes lit on the subject of their conversation. Rachel flashed a tentative smile at the two men, having no idea she’d been the focus of their discussion.
“Bernice asked me to let you know there’s roast beef and biscuits ready. Why don’t I keep watch on Johnny and Tat while you two go inside and eat?”
Dax’s eyes searched hers and he quelled the urge to reach out and pull her to him. “Have you eaten?” he asked instead.
“Well, someone had to test it and make sure it was fit to eat.” Her serious expression turned to a soft laugh as she disappeared into the bunkhouse.
“Hard to walk away from someone like that, isn’t it, son?”
“Harder than you know.” Dax lowered his head as his long, slow strides carried him into the house.
“Thank you so much for inviting me. I had a wonderful time.” Abigail stood next to Ruth Paige, the reverend’s wife, who had hosted the church lunch.
“I’m so pleased you could join us, Abby.” Ruth looked behind the young woman. “Did you come alone to town or did your father accompany you?”
“It took a bit of persuading before he gave his permission for me to ride without a chaperone. I’m hopeful each trip will be a little easier for him.” Abby still felt remorse at alluding to the tragedy a few years before, but perhaps the comment had been what swayed her father to let her make the trip alone.
“We’ll certainly hope that’s the case. Perhaps you’d like to join a group of young women for tea at our home sometime? You’ve been gone so much and a number of women about your age have moved to Splendor. I doubt you’ve met most of them.”
“That would be wonderful.” Abby had hoped to meet more people, especially those her age, once she returned home. This would be her opportunity.
“Tilly, come over here a minute.” Ruth waited while the young, pregnant woman made her way across the room. “Tilly, I don’t believe you’ve met Abigail Tolbert. Abby, this is Tilly Murton, Tyson’s wife.”
Abby cast a surprised look at Tilly. “I’m so glad to meet you. I didn’t know Tyson had married.”
Tilly glanced away, a hand resting on her protruding stomach.
“They were married last month. Edward performed the ceremony.” Ruth took Tilly’s hand. “They’ll have a new member of the family before long.” She smiled at the young woman, indicating she had become a welcome friend.
“That is exciting news. I hope you’ll let me come and visit sometime. I haven’t seen Tyson in a long time.” Abby understood the awkward situation Tilly found herself in. Not everyone accepted conditions such as this the way Reverend and Mrs. Paige did.
“I would love to have you come to visit.” Tilly’s grateful look warmed Abby.
“Well, you two may talk about it more at our next young ladies tea. You will be able to make it, right, Tilly?”
“Oh, yes. Tyson already said he’ll bring me to town. He’s been wonderful.”
Abby caught a glimpse of the way Ruth’s nose scrunched as another woman approached.
“Good afternoon, Abigail. I’ve been meaning to come over and see how you’re doing.”
“It’s good to see you, Mrs. Poe. How are you?” Abby did her best
to hide her amusement at the way Ruth stood guard near Tilly, as if daring the woman to say anything disparaging.
“I’m doing fine.” She glanced at Tilly. “Looks like you’re coming along.” The woman’s voice took on an inflammatory tone.
“Yes, ma’am,” Tilly glanced down and placed her other hand on her stomach.
“It certainly was good of the reverend to go ahead with a church marriage. Some wondered about how appropriate it was given your advanced state.”
“Now, Gladys, you know it pleased my husband to marry Tyson and Tilly. He enjoys nothing more than seeing two young people unite in marriage.”
“That may be, Ruth. I’m just saying not everyone felt the same. Of course, I’m not one of them. Well, I suppose I should find my husband for the ride home. Looks like the wind is kicking up. Could be facing a dust storm before too long.” Gladys nodded at Ruth and Abby, ignoring Tilly in her effort to get away.
Abby felt the chill as silence washed over the three.
“Don’t pay any attention to her, Tilly. Gladys Poe has a different view, that’s all, and few people share it.” Ruth rested a hand on the young woman’s arm and squeezed.
Tilly didn’t answer. She knew some accepted the fact Tyson had married his pregnant saloon girl and treated her well. Others didn’t.
“Is Tyson waiting outside?” Abby’s attempt to change the conversation worked.
“Yes. He’s probably out there now.”
“Wonderful. I’d love to say hello, plus I need to start riding back. My father will have a fit if I’m late. I’ll see you Sunday, Mrs. Paige.”
Ruth hoped the introduction might encourage the two young women to be friends, believing both had needs the other could fill. One wealthy, yet lonely, who’d been separated from everyone for years—the other poor, somewhat scorned, yet full of life and dreams.
Abby preceded Tilly down the steps to see Tyson’s wagon several feet away, with him standing alongside it. She waved, hoping he’d still recognize her, then turned to Tilly, whose broad smile signaled her pleasure at seeing her husband. Abby placed a hand on her bonnet to hold it in place. Gladys Poe had been right. The wind had picked up since she’d arrived at the church.
“Why, Abigail Tolbert. It’s been a while.” Tyson wrapped an arm around Tilly’s shoulders and pulled her close, as she also tried to keep her bonnet on her head.
“Hello, Tyson. Tilly and I met inside. Congratulations on your marriage.”
He cast a warm gaze at Tilly. “We made the decision pretty quick. Sorry we couldn’t invite everyone.”
“Well, you’ll have to make up for it by letting me visit. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen your family.”
“I told her it would be all right for her to come out once the baby’s born, Tyson.”
“Of course it is. You’re welcome before then if you get a notion to take a ride. You know Gil would be real pleased to see you again.”
Abby laughed. “I’m sure he’s forgotten all about me by now.” She watched as the wind began to whip furiously around the tree branches, sending leaves and twigs into the air. “I should start for home.”
“You riding alone?” Tyson’s voice held concern as he felt the gusts of wind, fused with dirt, increase. He didn’t much care for women riding alone in this part of the country, especially in a dust storm.
“Yes, but you know it’s not far. I’m so glad we met, Tilly. I’ll see you again soon.”
Their eyes followed Abby as she walked toward her horse. She grabbed the reins and hoisted herself up before straightening her dress and waving.
“What did you mean about Gil and Abby?” Tilly asked.
He helped his wife up on the wagon seat, then climbed beside her. “He’s had a spark for her since they were kids. Never amounted to anything. They were too young and Abby was always being sent away to school.” He slapped the reins, wanting to start for the ranch before the winds picked up anymore. The dust already swirled around them, making it hard to see.
“Well, now may be his chance.” Tilly wrapped a hand around Tyson’s arm and leaned into him.
“You never know.” He chuckled at the thought, knowing it would never come to pass. There would be no chance King Tolbert would ever let his daughter get near a poor rancher like Gil. Tilly didn’t know it, but she’d learn. The Tolberts were worlds away from the Murtons.
Abby rode straight down the main street through town, fighting the dust swirling around her. She’d thought of stopping to say hello to Suzanne at the restaurant, then decided against it as the wind increased. The distance between the church and boardinghouse amounted to a couple hundred yards, yet the gusts had increased to a point where it had become hard to see. She brought a hand up to rub the dust from her eyes, realizing in the course of a few minutes, visibility had been lost. She tried to see in front of her, reining Willy one way, then another before she felt a tug on the reins. Someone had grabbed the horse and was leading them.
A moment later, they entered the safety of the livery, Noah’s hands lifting to help her down. “What do you think you were doing trying to ride out in this storm?” Noah’s voice held a concerned edge and none of the usual warmth.
She dusted dirt from her dress and tried to spit sand from her mouth before answering.
“Here. Drink some of this.” He handed her a canteen.
“Thank you.” The mumbled words were lost as the sounds of the intense wind continued. She drank a few swallows before handing the water back to Noah and accepting the cloth he held out so she could wipe the dirt from her face. She felt the grit and realized how horrible she must appear.
“Do you want to tell me why you were out in this wind storm?” He sat on a bench and leaned forward, waiting for her answer.
Abby tossed the dirty cloth back to him and crossed her arms in front of her chest, embarrassed at being treated like a child. “I thank you for your kindness, Mr. Brandt, but I don’t owe you an explanation.” She straightened her spine as her chin jutted out, trying her best to look insulted.
His mouth crooked upward at her show of defiance. He’d never seen this side of Abby and found he liked it. Noah stood, picked up his hammer, and walked to the forge.
“You’re right, Miss Tolbert.” He turned from her to focus on his work.
Noah’s reaction, turning his back on her as if she held no significance, irritated Abby even more. Deciding the time had come for her to leave, she glanced outside to see the winds had become even stronger, obliterating the view of the boardinghouse across the street. Her arms fell to her sides as she lowered herself onto the bench Noah had vacated moments before.
She watched him work, his strong arms raising and lowering the heavy hammer, and wondered what pushed him to work so hard. He never seemed to close the livery. Even when she and her father would ride past on their way to Sunday services, he’d be inside, the forge burning hot, concentrating on the task before him. Abby stood, debating if she should keep her distance or move closer. Her curiosity won out.
“What are you working on?”
Noah didn’t turn or answer right away. After a few more heavy strikes of the hammer, he set it aside and looked over at her.
“New bars for the jail. The sheriff doesn’t like the current ones.”
Abby wandered toward the wall where Noah hung his tools and ran her finger over several of them, trying to figure out how he used each one.
“Is this for Suzanne?” She picked up a half-completed pot and held it out to him.
“It is.”
“And this?” She pointed toward a flat piece of metal.
“A frying pan.” He studied Abby as she walked around the livery, fingering one item, then another, trying to pass the time until the windstorm subsided.
“What do you do when you aren’t working, Mr. Brandt?”
“Noah.”
She turned to him. “What?”
“My name is Noah.”
A smile broke across her face.
“All right. Noah. But you must call me Abby. So what do you do when you aren’t here?”
“Eat, sleep, play cards sometimes.” He picked up the hammer once more.
She pursed her lips. It sounded like a solitary life.
“Will you be going to the church picnic in a few weeks?” The question popped out before she’d thought through it.
“No.”
“Why not? It’s such fun, with lots of food, games, and even music. The whole town will be there.” As she spoke, Abby realized how much she wanted him to attend.
“I don’t go to picnics, Miss Tolbert.”
“Abby, remember?”
“Abby.”
“You wouldn’t have to bring anything. I could pack enough food for you.” Her gaze lifted to his when she realized what she’d said.
A grin split Noah’s face. “Are you asking me to accompany you, Abby?”
She could feel heat creep up her face and wished she’d learn when to stay quiet. “I, well… I thought—”
“Abigail, are you in here?” The sound of her father’s voice cut her off and she shifted to see him looming in the entry. “What are you doing in here? I expected you home long before now.”
She noticed the wind had stopped, no longer blowing and forcing her to remain in the livery. Even so, she didn’t want to leave.
“The windstorm began as I left church. It blinded me and Mr. Brandt was kind enough to lead Willy inside. I was waiting for the wind to pass.”
King glanced from his daughter to Noah, giving the blacksmith a hard stare.
“Well, it has stopped. Get Willy and we’ll leave.”
“I’ll get him.” Noah walked over to the stall and brought the horse out, helping Abby onto the saddle.
“Thank you again, Mr. Brandt. I appreciate your kindness.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Tolbert.” He shot a look to her father. “Mr. Tolbert.”
Noah waited until they’d ridden out of sight, then turned back to his work. A small weight lifted each time he saw Abby. Everything about Abigail Tolbert caused him to feel better. He knew nothing would ever come of it, yet he couldn’t keep himself from wondering if things were different, if he’d come out of the war a different man, perhaps he might stand a chance. He shook his head at the foolish thought, poured water over his head, then walked back to the forge.
~~~~~
Redemption's Edge Page 20