Dixie Moon

by Shirleen Davies

  “Bull and I can take care of him, Gabe.”

  “Thanks. I’ll stop by the clinic after I learn what I can about the dead men. I’ll need to send a message to Sheriff Sterling, letting him know he doesn’t have to worry about the gang any longer. Doc, I know you’ll handle the death certificates.”

  Doc nodded. “Line them up alongside the clinic and I’ll check each one after I get finished with Beau. I’m telling you, Gabe, I don’t believe I’ve handled so many gunshot wounds since the war.” Settling his hat on his head, Doc followed behind Bull and Cash as they carried Beau across the street.

  Gabe had already confirmed the oldest of the group and the man in the wagon were dead, Noah’s clean shots leaving no doubt. Kneeling next to the one they called Bobby, he scrubbed a hand down his face, thinking the boy could be no more than eighteen and knowing Cash had no choice except to pull the trigger. What a waste of a young life, Gabe thought, moving to the next body. Confirming they all were dead, he began to go through their pockets, handing Gil and Travis the contents before glancing up at them.

  “We’ll take it all back to the jail, see if we can identify any of them and notify their kin.”

  “Do you honestly believe anyone’s going to come looking for these thugs?” Gil asked, his eyes wide as he stared down at the still bodies.

  “I know how you feel, Gil. Remember, though, each of these men was someone’s son, brother, or husband.” Gabe stood, noticing the townsfolk leaving the safety of their stores and homes to see the carnage. “In truth, it’s doubtful anyone will come looking for them. I’ll keep their belongings with a copy of the death certificate. We’ll need to line them up on the side of the clinic so Doc can finish his work.”

  “I wonder what they did with the money they stole from the other banks.” Travis bent down, dragging one of the bodies across the street.

  “That’s an excellent question, and one we need to try to figure out.” Gabe followed Travis, tugging a body behind him, Gil doing the same.

  “We’ll get the other two,” Noah said as he and Bull passed them. “Cash is staying at the clinic with Beau.”

  When they lay the last outlaw out on the ground, Gabe took one more look, thanking God the danger had passed with just one casualty. Heading straight into the clinic’s exam room, he saw Doc still hovering over Beau, Cash standing a few feet away with his arms folded across his chest.

  “How is he?” Gabe moved up beside Doc, watching him secure the last of the bandages.

  “I’m fine and ready to head out of this place.” Beau tried to sit, cursing when both Doc and Cash pushed him back down. “Hell, I had worse than this in the war.”

  “Doc?” Gabe asked.

  “Same as with you, infection is the biggest worry right now. He can go to his place and I’ll stop in to check on him for the next few days.” Doc glanced down at Beau. “You’re fortunate you’re right-handed and the bullet went through your left shoulder. You shouldn’t have any problem taking care of yourself, although you’ll have a good deal of discomfort for a couple weeks.”

  All heads turned toward the door as it swung open, slamming against the wall as Lena entered. A hand flew to her throat when her eyes, wide with concern, met Gabe’s.

  “What’s wrong, Lena?” He walked up, taking her hands in his.

  Swallowing the fear that had lodged in her throat since she’d first heard the gunfire, she took a breath, glancing at the others.

  “I heard the shots, but neither Suzanne nor Fanny would let me leave. When it stopped, I went to the Dixie. Nick told me you were here, and I thought…”

  The concern in her voice overwhelmed him in a way he hadn’t expected. He squeezed her hands. “I’m fine. Beau took a bullet to the shoulder. Doc’s just finishing with him. Why don’t I walk you back to Suzanne’s?”

  “No, no. You have work to do. Besides, it’s past time I should be at the Dixie.” Casting a tentative smile to the others, she dropped her hands to her sides as Gabe turned toward Cash.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes to help you get Beau to your place.”

  “Hell, I’m not some damn invalid.” Beau’s face reddened as he shot a look at Lena. “My apologies, ma’am.”

  “I quite understand.” Her face softened at his apology. She’d heard so much worse over the years.

  Gabe held the door open, then wrapped her arm through his, staying on the side which shielded her from the sight of the bodies next to the clinic.

  “We were lucky. Beau is the only casualty, and as long as Doc keeps watch for infection, he’ll heal fine.”

  “And the robbers?”

  “All dead.” He blew out a breath as they stopped outside the Dixie. “It could’ve been much worse. They used those wagons to hide. We wouldn’t have suspected anything, except one of the outlaws stayed on his horse at the back of the third wagon. Don’t know why as it signaled their presence, but I’m glad it happened that way. You’d best get inside.” He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the palm, feeling the slight tremble that coursed through her. “I’ll come by later.”

  Gabe pounded on the telegraph office door, knowing Bernie would still be in the back at this hour. If he wasn’t, Gabe would check the house behind the office.

  Bernie threw the door open, stepping aside as Gabe entered. “I figured you’d be by tonight.”

  “I need to get a message to Sheriff Sterling to let him know we got the outlaws.” He scribbled out a quick note, including a few questions he hoped Sterling could answer. “I’ll be at the jail, then the Dixie before heading to my place. If there’s a response, come and get me, no matter the time.”

  Bernie read through it, then started tapping out the message. “I’ll do that, Sheriff,” he mumbled, never taking his eyes off the note.

  Gabe’s next stop would be the clinic to help Cash get Beau home. Before he took ten steps, Elijah Smith, the lead driver of the three wagons, intercepted him, holding out his hand.

  “I’ve been looking for you, Sheriff. I want to thank you for saving us from those outlaws.”

  “Glad everyone’s safe, Mr. Smith. How’d you run into those men?”

  “We were camped west of Big Pine when they showed up last night. They seemed tired and hungry, so we shared what he had and let them bed down with us. While we packed up this morning, they drew their guns and threatened to kill everyone if we didn’t do as they said.”

  “You made the right decision. Those men would’ve acted on their threats if you hadn’t cooperated. What brings you to Splendor?”

  “Me and my brother, Ebenezer, brought our families here. These wagons are full of our kin. I bought some property south of town, with plans to raise sheep and farm.”

  Gabe’s brows knit together. “This is cattle country, Mr. Smith. Most ranchers around here don’t take kindly to sheep ranching.”

  “That’s what I’ve been told, but it’s what we know. It’s also why we bought land quite a ways south. We heard most of the big ranchers are west and north of here.” Taking off his hat, he ran a hand through his thinning hair. “We need this opportunity, Sheriff. Other than what you see in the wagons, we have nothing left. When the war broke out, we thought we lived far enough north to miss the bloodshed. It didn’t happen that way.”

  Gabe had heard similar stories over and over. In his mind, anyone willing to travel this far west deserved a chance at a new life.

  “Splendor’s a good town, with hardworking people. If you’re church-going, you’ll meet most of the ranchers on Sunday mornings. Might be a good place for you and your family to start meeting your neighbors.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff. We’ll do just that. I’d better get back to my people so we can find a place to camp before dark.”

  “A mile south of here is a good spot, and it’s near a creek. It should do well for you tonight. Best of luck to you.” Gabe knew it would be a tough road for anyone in the sheep business. Several who’d tried to make it in Montana had been ru
n off by neighboring ranchers who believed cattle and sheep couldn’t mix. He hoped the local ranchers felt otherwise.

  Nursing a beer, Gabe leaned against the bar, watching as Lena spoke with a gambler at a nearby table. As word spread about the gold strikes, more gamblers had made their way to Splendor, targeting miners and their newfound wealth.

  He could hear bits of the conversation, his stomach tightening as Lena threw her head back, laughing at something the gambler said. They’d been together twice—once near the waterfall, then again at his house. The feeling of possession grew within him each time. He didn’t like seeing her being friendly toward other men. Knowing she wasn’t like the women who worked for her didn’t decrease the sense of unease he felt at her relaxed manner with men such as the gambler.

  “It’s not easy, is it?” Nick came up beside him.

  “What?”

  “Watching her at work. Even when you know it won’t go anywhere, it’s not the same as if she were someone else.”

  Gabe turned toward him. “I’m not getting your meaning.”

  “Lena isn’t your typical rancher’s wife, or teacher, or nurse. She grew up in a saloon, around men such as the ones in here tonight. She knows nothing else, no other life.” Nick sipped his whiskey, waiting for his meaning to sink in.

  “Are you trying to warn me off?”

  “Not necessarily. It’s important you understand she’s nothing like other women. Lena has seen and heard things most women are shielded from. I’ve protected her as much as possible, but still…”

  At first, Gabe had struggled with the same thoughts, wondering how he’d become so attracted to a woman opposite of those he’d grown up around. That’s why he’d kept his distance for so long, measuring her background against his growing feelings. It took months for him to accept a person couldn’t help who they fell in love with, and he had no doubt love was what he felt for her.

  “She doesn’t share much with me.” Gabe rested his arms on the bar as he stared into his empty glass.

  Nick grabbed a nearby bottle, filling Gabe’s glass, then his own.

  “Lena is complicated. It may take her a long time to trust you enough to share her past.”

  “You mean her secrets.” Gabe glanced at him, seeing Nick’s brows raise a fraction before he tempered his expression.

  “You say that as if the rest of us don’t have them. I’m guessing your past isn’t so easily shared, either.”

  Narrowing his gaze at the gilded mirror behind the bar, Gabe took a slow sip of his drink. “True, but if she asked, I’d answer.” He took a minute to calm his increasing frustration. “They can’t be that bad. Did she kill someone? Is she married? Those are secrets that matter.”

  Nick laughed at the questions. The thought of Lena hurting anyone or hiding a marriage was ridiculous. “Rest assured, it’s neither of those. Some things are better left to the right time and place.”

  “You two seem to be enjoying yourselves.”

  Gabe turned around at Lena’s smooth drawl, seeing her eyes sparkle in the light of the candelabra overhead.

  Without thought, Gabe’s arm shot out, his hand wrapping around her waist and pulling her close. “Not as enjoyable as with you here.”

  She shot an inquisitive look at Nick, her mouth tilting into a smile. “How much has he had to drink tonight?”

  “Not enough for you to doubt my words,” Gabe answered, letting his gaze wander over her face, settling on her eyes. He wanted to lower his mouth to hers, let everyone in the Dixie know who she belonged to. Instead, he dropped his arm and straightened. “It’s been a long day. I’d better head home. Walk outside with me, Lena?”

  She nodded, threading her arm through his. Stepping into the moonlight, the street seemed eerie after the violence, as if ghosts from those killed hours before already haunted the town. The South had been steeped in tradition and superstitions, especially for those from Louisiana. Neither seemed to matter in the territories.

  Guiding her to the side of the building, Gabe faced her, settling his hands on her shoulders before lowering his mouth. She responded with an urgency that gripped him, digging her fingers into his arms as he deepened the kiss. Letting his arms slide down her back, he rested his hands on her hips, drawing her close, the heat of their contact becoming too intense to continue in the open.

  “Come to me tonight, Lena,” he whispered against her lips, his voice already thick with need.

  She pulled back to look up at him. “I’ll have to wait until Nick is asleep.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” He leaned down for one more kiss, then stepped away, hating the fact they were sneaking around. They had to talk about this…and soon.

  ~~~~~

  Chapter Fifteen

  Midnight passed with no sign of Lena. A few nights before, he’d asked her to come. She’d agreed, then decided against it when Nick’s light still shown under his bedroom door long past midnight. Perhaps the same had happened tonight. The events of today cast a different light on it, however, and as he sat alone, a fire burning in the woodstove, he began to fear something or someone may have waylaid her.

  Deciding he needed to look for her, he stood just as a knock on the door had him drawing it open. Lena stood in the darkness, the hood of her cloak doing little to hide her identity. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her through the opening, not letting her get more than two feet into the room before wrapping her in his arms.

  Neither of them spoke as Gabe’s mouth descended on hers, creating a trail of heat as he slid her dress over her shoulders and down her arms. His lips traced a path along her jaw to the sensitive skin below her ear, his hands moving under her skirt.

  Lena reached between them, pulling out his shirt, her fingers loosening each button until it fell open, revealing a light dusting of crisp hair across his chest. Their frantic movements propelled them toward the bedroom, Gabe lifting her, setting her in the middle of the bed, then lowering himself beside her.

  “It’s almost impossible to keep my hands off you when you’re at the Dixie,” he breathed against her mouth, working her dress open as her soft moans filled the room.

  “Please, Gabe. Don’t wait any longer.”

  “We’ll marry.”

  “No, Gabe, we won’t.”

  “But you said—”

  “I know what I said, and I do love you, but I won’t marry you.”

  They’d spent hours making love, whispering their feelings for each other until both lay spent, wrapped in each other’s arms. Gabe woke her before dawn. Her words of love and uninhibited response gave him the courage to broach the subject which had plagued him since their first time near the waterfall. Lena’s answer stunned him.

  “It makes no sense for us to sneak around, trying to hide how we feel. We love each other and I want everyone to know you belong to me and no one else. Marry me, Lena, then there’ll be no doubt.”

  She cupped his face with her hands, pressing a passionate kiss to his lips. “The way we act when you’re at the Dixie has made it quite obvious how we feel about each other. We don’t have to marry for people to know.”

  “Their knowing doesn’t make it any easier to be with each other. Dashing through the shadows, trying to keep your trips here a secret is ridiculous when we can marry, build a life together.” Crossing his arms over his chest, his feet planted shoulder width apart, Gabe stared down at Lena as she laced her shoes and stood to grab her cloak. “We could have a family.”

  Her body stilled at his last comment, spoken almost in a whisper. They’d talked of how both liked children, envying Dax and Rachel. What she’d never mentioned was her fear of childbirth. Over the years, she’d witnessed many births by the women who worked in their saloons. Even though there were ways to reduce getting pregnant, none were close to reliable, and many babies died. Several of her friends never made it from their bed.

  She let out a long breath, knowing there remained hardships from her past which Gabe knew nothing about. Each time she though
t of opening up to him, telling him the truth, her fear of him walking away stopped her.

  They’d met months before. Although neither had mentioned it until a few weeks ago, each felt an immediate and intense attraction to the other. Over time, they’d become friends, sharing small confidences and plans for the future. In their minds, making love had been an extension of their feelings. It made sense he wanted to marry. She simply hadn’t expected it.

  “We have time, Gabe. This isn’t a decision we must make tonight, is it?” She couldn’t quite control the tremble in her voice as her eyes met his. Reaching for him, she gripped his hands, hoping he’d give her the time she needed.

  “How long, Lena?”

  “How long?”

  “How long do you need before you’re ready to make a decision?”

  She stared at his face, cold and devoid of expression. He was a proud, honorable man, and he loved her. Her insistence on keeping their love hidden went against all his beliefs and chafed his conscience. She knew he’d wait only so long before all the traits that attracted him to her would eat at him until he walked away.

  “A month. Give me one month, then you’ll have my answer.”

  He studied her, a look of unrestrained withdrawal coming over his face. “One month. But you’ll still share my bed during that time.”

  She let out a sigh of relief and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you,” she choked out, unable to say more.

  Kissing the top of her head, he stepped away, taking her cloak from her arms and wrapping it around her. “We’d better get you back before someone at Suzanne’s misses you.”

  Their timing could not have been worse as they hurried across the silent street to the side door of the boardinghouse. As Gabe reached for the door, it flew open, an angry Nick standing on the other side.

  “What the hell is going on here?” The heated intensity of his question had Lena leaning away and into the shelter of Gabe’s arms. Nick’s irate expression didn’t change as he stepped aside. “Go upstairs, Lena. Gabe and I need to talk.”