by Jenna Brandt
If he wanted to catch Morris Jeffers and collect his bounty, he needed to chase him now before the wanted thief got too far ahead of him. But Billy had saved his life and Levi owed him. The bounty would have to wait.
After picking Billy up and draping him over his saddle, Levi jumped up on his own horse to rush him to Burch Flats, the nearest town.
“Frank, keep an eye on the herd and tell everyone what happened when they come through,” Levi said. Then adding over his shoulder as he headed back towards town, he shouted, “Keep Billy in prayer. He'll need it.”
Twenty-One
Abigail’s heart seized with worry when she heard the news rustlers attacked during the cattle drive.
“We’re any of the men injured?” Abigail inquired, watching her father’s face for a reaction.
True to his steely nature, Bradford Larsen kept a straight face. He looked up from the telegraph he held in his hands and stated matter-of-factly. “Yes, one of our men was shot. He didn’t make it.”
Bile rose in Abigail’s throat as the room spun. She sank into a chair across from her father’s desk. Was Levi dead? Had she been foolish trying to convince herself that pleasing her father was more important than being with the man she loved? She had tried to run from it, pretend it wasn’t true, but knowing she might have lost him, she realized she loved him.
“Which one of the men was it?” Charlie inquired.
“Billy Dalton. Mr. Emerson got him to a doctor in Burch Flats, but he didn’t survive.”
Abigail’s eyes snapped to her father’s as relief filled her heart. She was grateful Levi was unharmed, but she also was saddened over the news about Mr. Dalton. He was a good man and had been employed by the Larsens for nearly a decade making him an important part of the ranch.
“What about his family? Have they been informed?” Abigail probed.
“I have no idea. I don’t keep track of workers’ families,” her father stated dismissively. “Abigail, why don’t you head on out of here. Charlie and I have some business matters to discuss.”
Abigail knew not to argue. Standing up, she left the room without another word. Since she wouldn’t be missed, Abigail went into town to find out if Judy could help locate the cow boss’s family.
When Abigail arrived at the general store, the place had two customers. After greeting everyone, Abigail stepped to the side and waited until they were alone.
“I need to ask you something. It’s a delicate matter,” Abigail explained.
“What is it?” Judy inquired, leaning across the counter.
“Do you know where I can find Billy Dalton’s family?” Abigail asked.
“Why? What’s going on?” Judy probed.
“There was an attack on our cattle drive by a band of rustlers. Billy Dalton was shot.” Abigail pressed her lips together and paused before finishing. “He didn’t make it.”
“Oh, my, that’s awful,” Judy exclaimed. “Was anyone else hurt? Is Levi unharmed?”
“Everyone else is fine,” Abigail assured them. “Levi was the one who sent the telegraph informing my family what happened.”
Paul came up and put his arm around his wife. “I overheard the situation. I’m sorry, and if there's anything we can do to help, just ask.”
“Someone needs to tell Mr. Dalton’s family which is why I’m trying to locate them. I think if I remember correctly, he has a wife and child.”
“His wife died two years ago,” Paul informed. “But he still has his daughter, Tabitha. She stays with the Gables when Mr. Dalton is on a cattle drive.”
“Does he have any other family?” Abigail asked.
Paul shook his head. “Not that I'm aware of. The Daltons moved out here from back east and never talked about their previous life. The Gables might have more information.”
“Thank you. I'll go over there now. Please pray for the situation.”
“We will,” Judy promised.
On the walk to the Gables, Abigail did her own praying, asking God to guide her and give her the right words to say. She’d never had to give someone such bad tidings and needed God to help prepare her to do so.
When she arrived at the house next to the church, she knocked on the front door and waited.
The door opened and Mrs. Gable stood on the other side wearing an apron and a warm smile. “Good afternoon, Miss Larsen. How are you doing this fine day?”
“May I come in? I need to speak with you and Pastor Gable about something.”
“Of course,” she said as she stepped back and let Abigail enter. “Richard’s in the parlor reading to Tabitha before she takes her nap.”
Mrs. Gable guided Abigail into the other room. Pastor Gable was sitting on the sofa next to a small girl with dark brown hair and eyes. The child who appeared to be approximately six years old, was curled up on one end of the couch. Pastor Gable sat on the other end, a Bible in his hands.
“Why do you think God let Jonah get swallowed by the giant fish, Tabitha?”
The little girl scrunched her face up in contemplation, then stated after a few seconds, “Because God wanted to get Jonah to pay attention to Him?”
“Yes, Tabitha, that’s correct. God wanted Jonah to do something, but Jonah was scared and rebelled against God’s will. He used the time in the belly of the fish to get Jonah alone so he would listen.”
Abigail appreciated the girl was astute. It wasn’t often a child so young could grasp Biblical principles.
Pastor Gable looked up and smiled at Abigail. “How do you do, Miss Larsen. To what do we owe this visit?”
“I’m afraid I come bearing bad news.” Abigail glanced at the child and asked, “May I talk with you in the other room?”
Pastor Gable stood up and gestured towards the hall. “We can go into my study.”
The trio made their way into the room at the end of the house. Pastor Gable shut the door behind them. He sat down in his chair at his desk while the women took seats across from him. “What’s going on, Miss Larsen?”
“The men from our ranch started their cattle drive two days ago, and Mr. Dalton was leading them.”
“Yes, it’s why we’re taking care of Tabitha for the next couple of weeks.”
“I’m sorry to report the men were set upon by cattle rustlers. They exchanged gun fire and Mr. Dalton was hit. He didn’t survive.”
Mrs. Gable gasped and looked to her husband with shock. “How awful,” she stated with dismay. Then a worried look crossed her face as she voiced her concern, “What about Tabitha?”
“I’m not sure. That’s why I came here after I found out about her. I wanted to see if she had any other family?”
Both of the Gables shook their heads. “No, Billy said they left a bad past back in Virginia,” Pastor Gable explained. “They were happy to start over here in Rockwood Springs.”
“Can you take the girl in?” Abigail inquired.
Mrs. Gable’s eyes swelled with tears as she shook her head. “I wish we could, but with how we’re getting on in age, we can’t take on caring for a child full time. We’re exhausted after a couple of weeks and told Mr. Dalton he would need to find alternate care for Tabitha after this trip.”
“What will happen to her then?” Abigail inquired with apprehension.
“She must go to the orphanage in Abilene,” Pastor Gable stated with an audible sadness. “I wish there was some other choice. I hate to see her have to stay there, but I don’t see any other way.”
Abigail felt a pang for the little girl. It would be hard enough to lose her last remaining parent, but then to be ripped away from the only life she had ever known would make it even worse.
“I can take the girl. She'll stay with us on the ranch.” The words came out of Abigail’s mouth before she knew what was happening, yet she didn’t want to take them back.
“Bless you, Miss Larsen,” Mrs. Gable exclaimed. “What a charitable woman you are to do such a noble thing. Tabitha is a smart, sweet girl. She won’t be any problem.”
“It’s the least we can do considering her father died in my family’s employment.”
“I will go get her ready and explain the situation,” Mrs. Gable offered as she stood up and slipped out the door.
“You understand what you’re doing, Miss Larsen? Your father won’t be too keen on taking in an orphan.”
“I will talk with my father,” Abigail explained. “I feel in my heart this is the right thing to do.”
Twenty-Two
All Levi wanted to do was go to bed and sleep for two days straight. His trip back from Burch Flats had been long and grueling, not to mention solemn. He was bringing Billy Dalton's body back with him so they could bury him in the Rockwood Springs cemetery.
Levi dropped off the body with the undertaker and then made the short trip back to the Larsen Ranch. Just as he was putting his horse away in the barn, Clyde stepped out from the shadows.
“What happened on the cattle drive? There are rumors circulating about a gunfight and someone got killed.”
Levi swiveled around to face his partner. “It’s true. It turns out, Phillip Moore was the traitor, and he led us directly into an ambush.”
“I told you going into that cattle drive not knowing who the man was working for Morris Jeffers would end up bad.”
“You did, and you were right. I don't know how this bounty got so messed up,” Levi said disheartened.
“I can tell you how; you got distracted chasing a filly. I told you not to get mixed up with that Larsen girl.”
“She has nothin' to do with this,” Levi defended.
“Don’t give me that. You’ve been too busy thinking about her to do your job correctly, not to mention off your game ever since you got religious on me.”
“You don’t know what you’re talkin' about,” Levi growled out.
“I don’t? After the rest of the men brought back the herd, Frank was in the bar talking about how they had to postpone the drive due to what happened. He also mentioned you could have given chase to the bounty, but you didn’t.”
“I had to choose and decided it was more important to help the man who saved my life than chase the bounty.”
“Well, you made the wrong choice, and it will cost you our partnership. I’m done wasting my time on you when you’re no longer putting what we do first.”
Clyde stormed off and left Levi standing alone at the edge of the barn. What just happened? He had no idea Clyde would be so upset he would end their partnership. Berate him, sure, threaten him, probably, but walk away from their agreement hadn’t even been something Levi thought possible.
Levi needed to rest, and turned to head towards the bunkhouse, but bumped directly into Abigail.
“What are you doing here?” Levi inquired in shock.
“I saw you ride up and came to greet you,” she explained, but it was clear she was upset. There was no warmth in her words, nor smile on her face.
“Is something wrong?” Levi probed.
“I heard everything.” Her eyes filled with hurt as she accused, “I can’t believe you’ve been lying this whole time about who you are.”
“I wanted to tell you the truth several times, but I didn’t want to be disloyal to my partner. I owed him my life.”
“How am I supposed to feel about this?” Abigail asked as tears slipped down her cheeks. “I thought I knew who you were. I was ready to give up everything for you.”
“You do know who I am,” Levi assured. “This would have been my last job. I was and am tired of livin' the life of a bounty hunter. When I met you, everything changed. I want a family and new life, and I want both with you, Abigail.”
Before Abigail could respond, Bradford and Charlie Larsen entered the barn with rifles in hand. They had outraged looks on their faces as they pointed their weapons at him.
“You have ten seconds to get off my land,” Bradford Larsen shouted. “Frank Chesterfield told me who you are, and I don’t take kindly to being tricked or lied to.”
“If you will just give me a moment to explain, Mr. Larsen, I can—”
“You’re down to eight seconds now, Mr. Emerson. I would get a move on if you plan to not catch a bullet in your back.”
Levi grabbed his horse from the stall and mounted. “I’ll come back when things have settled down.”
“Don’t bother,” Bradford shouted. “If you do, you won’t like what happens. Stay away from my ranch and my family. You’re down to five seconds. You better make haste.”
Levi didn’t wait to see if the Larsens’ threat would prove true. He galloped off towards Rockwood Springs where he planned to get a room at the hotel and contemplate how he would win Abigail back.
Twenty-Three
How could Levi keep a secret like that from her? Abigail believed she could trust him and that he trusted her, but Levi was just like all the other men in her life. They didn't put her first.
She needed guidance as her heart called out for help. A deep need to read the Word of God took hold of her. Abigail realized she never got her Bible back from Levi. She hoped he had the decency to leave it in the bunkhouse.
Abigail made her way from the main house over to the workers’ residence. As she approached the bunkhouse, she overheard arguing at the backside of the building. She ducked behind nearby bushes, recognizing Charlie’s angry voice shouting at someone. She peeked over the top of the greenery to watch their interaction.
“What are you doing here, Phillip?” Charlie asked. “You’re a wanted man now. Frank told everybody what happened and they know your connection to Morris Jeffers.”
“I came back because I need money to disappear. You have some to spare, and you wouldn’t want anyone aware of your involvement in the heist,” Phillip warned. “If you want me to stay quiet, you’ll pay me or end up in a jail cell right next to me.”
“Don’t you threaten me. No one was supposed to get hurt. I only did it to leverage my father. He was being stubborn and wouldn’t turn over the ranch to me. I figured if he lost part of the herd, he would have to take Andy Wilson on as a partner, and we would push my father out.”
“And I was supposed to get the position as the cow boss, but none of it happened as we planned,” Phillip stated resentfully.
“It sure didn’t,” Charlie exclaimed. “You were just supposed to make sure Jeffers men had clear access to the herd. They were supposed to tie up the men and get the first half of the cattle. What went wrong out there?”
“Levi Emerson turned out to be a bounty hunter, that’s what went wrong.”
“I bet none of you saw that coming,” Andy Wilson stated as he joined the other two men. “But something always seemed off about that man. From the moment he got here, he irritated me.”
“And that had nothing to do with the fact he was interested in my sister?” Charlie mocked.
“We both know marrying your sister was just a means to an end,” Andy Wilson defended. “I don’t care one bit about her more than to solidify the partnership between our ranches, and neither do you, I might add.”
Abigail flinched. Hearing them callously talk about her and their plans for her future made her stomach knot in disgust. She had never been overly close to her brother, but she had no idea he could be so cold and calculating. His little regard for her and their family spoke to his lack of character.
“My sister is the least of our problems. What happens now?” Charlie probed.
Andy Wilson gestured to the worker standing across from them. “You will pay the man; he'll take it and disappear.” Then looking at Phillip, he added in a threatening tone, “If you ever come back to Rockwood Springs, you forfeit your life. I won’t hesitate to end you.”
“It will take me a few hours to gather up the money,” Charlie explained. “I will meet you at the saloon in Woody after nightfall.”
After Phillip left, Charlie turned to Andy and inquired, “How does this change our plans going forward?”
“Give me a few days to come up with a new plan.
I will get back to you once I’ve got it sorted out.”
Once Andy was gone, Charlie leaned against the building and shook his head. He looked frustrated and worried. He stayed that way for several seconds before straightening up, smoothing out his clothes, and starting to walk back towards the main house.
She needed to wait until her brother was out of sight before Abigail headed back home. She adjusted her position as she waited, but when she bumped into the bush, a branch broke interrupting the silence.
Charlie stopped, then turned around. “Who’s there?”
Abigail sucked in her breath and didn’t move, hoping he wouldn’t investigate. No such luck because a few moments later, Charlie was walking along the building and looking for where the noise originated.
His hand reached out and snatched Abigail from her hiding place. “What are you doing here? What did you hear?”
“I heard all of it; all the vile things you did,” she stated in repulsion. “You were in league with the men who killed Billy Dalton and tried to steal our cattle.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Charlie spat out, his grip growing even tighter on her.
“Your selfishness cost a man his life and caused a little girl to be orphaned.”
“It wasn’t my fault and nothing can be done about it anyhow.” A look of contemplation crossed his face. A couple of seconds later he suggested, “If you keep your mouth shut about what happened, I will persuade father to not force you to wed Andy Wilson.”
Her brother was smart enough to dangle the one thing he thought she wanted most. What he didn’t realize was that she refused to live under the yoke of hiding a secret, even if it meant her freedom.
She remained silent, wanting to escape.
“It seems we have an understanding,” he said releasing his grip on her. “Now run along home like a good girl.”
As soon as Abigail was safely inside the main house, she made her way to her father’s study. She opened the door and entered. “Father, we need to talk.”