Books by Shirleen Davies
Historical Western Romance Series
MacLarens of Fire Mountain
Tougher than the Rest, Book One
Faster than the Rest, Book Two
Harder than the Rest, Book Three
Stronger than the Rest, Book Four
Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five
Wilder than the Rest, Book Six
Redemption Mountain
Redemption’s Edge, Book One
Wildfire Creek, Book Two
Sunrise Ridge, Book Three
Dixie Moon, Book Four
Survivor Pass, Book Five
Promise Trail, Book Six
Deep River, Book Seven
Courage Canyon, Book Eight
Forsaken Falls, Book Nine
Solitude Gorge, Book Ten
Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven, Coming next in the series!
MacLarens of Boundary Mountain
Colin’s Quest, Book One,
Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two
Quinn’s Honor, Book Three
Sam’s Legacy, Book Four
Heather’s Choice, Book Five
Nate’s Destiny, Book Six
Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven, Coming next in the series!
Contemporary Romance Series
MacLarens of Fire Mountain
Second Summer, Book One
Hard Landing, Book Two
One More Day, Book Three
All Your Nights, Book Four
Always Love You, Book Five
Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six
No Getting Over You, Book Seven
‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight
Foolish Heart, Book Nine
Forever Love, Book Ten, Coming next in the series!
Peregrine Bay
Reclaiming Love, Book One, A Novella
Our Kind of Love, Book Two
Burnt River
Shane’s Burden, Book One by Peggy Henderson
Thorn’s Journey, Book Two by Shirleen Davies
Aqua’s Achilles, Book Three by Kate Cambridge
Ashley’s Hope, Book Four by Amelia Adams
Harpur’s Secret, Book Five by Kay P. Dawson
Mason’s Rescue, Book Six by Peggy L. Henderson
Del’s Choice, Book Seven by Shirleen Davies
Ivy’s Search, Book Eight by Kate Cambridge
Phoebe’s Fate, Book Nine by Amelia Adams
Brody’s Shelter, Book Ten by Kay P. Dawson
Boone’s Surrender, Book Eleven by Shirleen Davies
Watch for more books in the series!
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Solitude Gorge
Redemption Mountain
Historical Western Romance Series
SHIRLEEN DAVIES
Book Ten in the Redemption Mountain
Historical Western Romance Series
Copyright © 2018 by Shirleen Davies
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
For permission requests, contact the publisher.
Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC
PO Box 12618
Prescott, AZ 86304
Solitude Gorge is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.
Book design and conversions by Joseph Murray at
3rdplanetpublishing.com
Cover design by Kim Killion, The Killion Group
ISBN: 978-1-941786-73-4
I care about quality, so if you find something in error, please contact me via email at
[email protected]
Description
Solitude Gorge, Book Ten, Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Series
Travis Dixon carved out a life in the rugged Montana territory, far away from the memories of a past defined by the Civil War and personal tragedy. Training wild horses fills his days, while bunkhouse chatter completes his nights. An unlikely friendship with a beautiful widow provides the only female companionship he’s had since the heartbreaking death of his wife and daughter.
Isabella Boucher, a wealthy East Coast widow, is content working as a nanny to a prominent ranching family. She’s developed friendships she can depend upon and a special bond with a man fighting his broken past. A man she loves, but who is unable to return her affection.
Stunned when Travis decides to put distance between them, she makes the difficult decision to accept invitations from other eligible men. In time, she hopes to forget her love for the rugged cowboy and force him from her heart.
Unfortunately, she learns choices such as this are never that easy. As much as Isabella yearns for a life with Travis, their tragic histories form a barrier neither can surmount.
The arrival of a friend from Isabella’s past, plus a series of events threatening the town, forces them to take a hard look at themselves, at the same time doing their best to stay out of the crosshairs of a new enemy.
Danger lurks in every direction, appearing in the form of men without conscience or remorse.
Will protecting each other help break down their walls or force another wedge between them? Will Travis be able to push his pain aside to see what’s been in front of him all along?
Solitude Gorge, book ten in the Redemption Mountain historical western romance series, is a full-length novel with an HEA and no cliffhanger.
Visit my website for a list of characters for each series.
http://www.shirleendavies.com/character-list.html
Acknowledgements
As always, many thanks to my wonderful husband for reading every chapter as soon as it’s written, my editor, Kim Young, proofreader, Alicia Carmical, Joseph Murray, who is superb at formatting my books for print and electronic versions, and my cover designer, Kim Killion.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
About the Author
Solitude Gorge
Prologue
Battle of Yellow Tavern
Virginia, May 1864
Confederate First Lieutenant Travis Dixon sat atop his horse, the rest of the men in J.E.B. Stuart’s Army of Northern Virginia surrounding him. All stared at the most powerful cavalry force ever assembled with over ten thousand Union soldiers primed for battle.
Travis didn’t have to figure the math to know the North outnumbered the South by
at least three divisions and two brigades. In all his time under Stuart’s command, he’d never felt the trepidation he did today.
Behind him stood the abandoned stagecoach inn, Yellow Tavern. General Stuart and one of his staff officers rode past it to join the men, surveying the scene. The look on his commander’s face told Travis all he needed to know. The normally ebullient general, the man who rallied the gray knights over and over, stared at the massive force mounted against them. At thirty-one, his imposing presence was all most men needed to steel their resolve. One look, and Travis knew today would be different.
Forcing his gaze away from Stuart, Travis watched as battalions of Union horse artillery moved into position. His mind wandered to his wife and daughter, praying for their safety on their Tennessee farm. He sent up a plea if he died this day, they’d go on without him and not despair his loss.
In the next instant, Travis’s thoughts shattered when Stuart shouted for his men to dismount, an order seldom heard from the aggressive general.
Doing as his commander instructed, the men slid to the ground, one man holding the reins of four horses as the others brandished sabers and pistols. It wasn’t how Travis wanted to face their Northern opponents, but it wasn’t his decision to make.
Several hundred yards to their left, a group of over two hundred Union riders, swords drawn, charged straight toward them. They’d just engaged the enemy when, behind them, another Union group joined the cavalry charge. The war cries from the Northern invaders, along with the ear-splitting roar of cannon fire, intensified the already brutal clash of two well-trained armies.
Firing his pistol while wielding his saber, Travis glanced behind him. Stuart rode one direction, then another, brandishing his sword, shouting encouragement. Smoke and screams filled the air. Surviving was all Travis could think about as he and his comrades advanced, then retreated.
Amidst the chaos, the sharp report of a .44 caliber revolver drew his attention. Slicing his saber through the air, he glanced behind him. Stuart’s plumed hat fell to the ground, the general clutching his side as he worked to remain atop his mount.
Turning back to his opponents, Travis fired before his panicked gaze sought out Stuart again. This time, the general lay propped against a tree, the fight seeming to seep from him.
Anger gripped Travis. Screaming in rage, he ran forward, cutting the saber through the air while firing his pistol. Charging toward a scrambling group of Union soldiers, he aimed at the largest. He had little chance to enjoy the slight satisfaction of hitting his opponent before a flash of pain drove through his left thigh. As he faltered, the butt of a rifle swung toward him. His futile effort to thwart the blow did nothing.
Crumbling to the ground, his vision blurred with pain, body betraying him. Travis’s last thoughts were of his wife and daughter.
“Lieutenant Dixon?”
The soft voice he’d heard in his sleep came again, a hand clasping his arm. He mumbled something unintelligible and tried to open his eyes. They felt heavy, as if a coin sat on each.
“Lieutenant Dixon, can you open your eyes?”
Moving his head to one side, he groaned at the pain. Forcing his eyes open to slits, he saw a woman wearing a dark dress protected by a deeply stained apron. Her hair fell in tendrils along the sides of her face, the bun loosening to tip to one side.
“Where…” He didn’t recognize his own raspy voice. Wincing, he tried to sit up, feeling a firm hand pushing him back down. “Where am…”
“A good ways from the battle, I’m afraid. Can you take a sip of water?”
Nodding, he did his best to lift his head, grateful for the support of the woman’s hand. After three small sips, she removed the cup, settling his head back on the pillow. As the water refreshed him, it also brought back memories of the fight.
“The other men?” He hissed the words through parched lips.
“A wagon brought you and several men here a few days ago.” Her voice was soft, soothing. “No one knows how they made it. Those Yankees took groups of men hostage, marching them away. I wouldn’t question too much why you made it here and others didn’t.”
Squeezing his eyes shut, he thought a moment, before a sharp pain flashed through him. “My leg?” Reaching down, his hand rested on this left thigh.
“You still have it, Lieutenant. The doctor who tended you thought he’d have to amputate. When he checked a few hours later, he changed his mind. You’re a lucky man.”
Although grateful they’d spared his leg, Travis didn’t feel lucky. “I need to get back. The men need me.” The determination did nothing to move his weakened body.
She glanced down at him, her smooth features and soft gray eyes meeting his. “As I said, you’re a lucky man. When you leave here, you’ll be heading home. Many others will not.”
Chapter One
Redemption’s Edge Ranch
Splendor, Montana Territory
July 1869
Travis Dixon removed his hat, swiping moisture from his forehead. July in Montana could be mild or blistering. One never knew which to expect when stepping outside the bunkhouse door. Today, the sun’s relentless heat sent the men to the water bucket several times each hour.
“Are you going to stand there watching me, or are you going to get your own mustang?” The slow upward curve of Wyatt Jackson’s mouth belied the mirth behind his sharp question. “We have at least twenty to go before filling the Army contract.”
Shaking his head, Travis settled the hat back on his head. Ever since marrying Nora Evans, the sheriff’s sister, Wyatt had found peace, putting much of his difficult past behind him.
“You’re sure getting bossy since marrying that fine woman. I thought it might mellow you a bit.” Grabbing a halter from a hook outside the barn, Travis opened the corral gate, striding past Wyatt.
“That fine woman is why I’m anxious to get home.”
Waving a dismissive hand in the air, Travis approached an adjacent corral. The wild horses snorted and pranced, one moving toward him, the rest shifting to the other side of the enclosure.
He knew the exact one he wanted. The horse had taunted him since the first day they’d rounded up the herd a few miles south of the ranch. A stocky buckskin with black mane and tail, the stallion ran back and forth on the other side of the gate, daring Travis to catch him.
Wyatt stepped next to him, crossing his arms. “Are you sure you want to try tackling him right now? He’s looking especially ornery today.”
Straightening the halter, slipping it up his arm and over his shoulder, Travis’s gaze locked on the horse. “No time better than now.”
With a flick of his wrist, he opened the gate, slipping into the corral before Wyatt followed, securing the latch behind them. They worked together at a slow pace, encouraging the horse in low voices while using rolled lariats to cut the stallion off from his band of mares and foals.
Twice, Travis thought they had the horse cornered. Each time, he reared back, charging past both men. After half an hour, the stallion moved toward the fence separating the two corrals. Travis backed his way to the gate, throwing it open before Wyatt herded the horse away from his mares and through the opening.
The mustang stomped his hooves, snorted, then took off to the other side of the corral. They continued to press him, not letting the stallion rest. He had the run of a large fenced area and used every square foot. Another half an hour passed before the horse tired enough for Travis to get a noose around his neck. A moment later, Wyatt did the same with his rope, prompting another round of bucking. The stallion refused to yield.
Arms burning, the men struggled to keep a tight hold on the large beast. Snorting and bucking, he tested their limits, taunting them with his renewed determination to get away. He didn’t realize Travis and Wyatt had no intention of giving up.
Then everything stopped. The stallion came to a halt, chest heaving, nostrils flaring. Never taking his gaze from the animal, Travis moved until he stood a foot away, close en
ough to reach out and stroke the mustang’s neck. He continued the motions, talking in a soothing voice as Wyatt closed the distance between him and the animal.
With both men stroking his neck, whispering encouragement, the stallion’s fight slowly dissolved. Using the other end of his rope, Travis rubbed it over the horse’s nose, letting the animal get used to the feel. After several minutes, he let the halter slip off his shoulder, replacing the rope as he continued to stroke the stallion’s neck.
Keeping their ropes in place, Wyatt continued the tension as Travis edged the halter over the animal’s nose and into place. Attaching the lead rope to the halter, both men let the nooses fall away.
Travis and the stallion were on their own as Wyatt stepped back, moving to the edge of the fence.
Removing his hat, Wyatt wiped away the sweat. “I do believe that’s the orneriest horse I’ve ever worked. You want to try saddling him today?”
Travis shook his head. “I’m whipped.” He blew out a breath as the stallion tried to create more distance between them. “My arms are ready to fall off. I’ll walk him around a bit and start again tomorrow.”
Wyatt watched his friend guide the horse in circles before removing the lead rope, keeping the halter in place. Walking away, Travis glanced over his shoulder a couple times before joining Wyatt at the fence.
“Hardest stallion I’ve ever worked. I don’t know about you, but I need water.” Opening the gate, Travis’s gaze focused on a buggy coming toward them…and the woman driving it.
Wyatt looked at him, lifting a brow. “Looks like your lady friend has come for a visit.”
My lady friend.
Travis let out a breath, knowing he felt much more for Isabella Boucher than just a friend. In the time they’d known each other, shared confidences and became close, he’d never been able to express his feelings. Worse, he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to go beyond a close friendship.
Clasping him on the shoulder, Wyatt lowered his voice. “Are you ever going to tell her what’s going on in your head?”
Glancing at the ground, Travis shook his head. “I’ve got to understand it myself before saying anything to her.”
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