Solitude Gorge

by Shirleen Davies

  Chapter Eight

  Travis waited for Isabella while talking with the men in the study. She’d disappeared right after helping in the kitchen after their meal, sending him a quick glance on her way upstairs. They’d spoken little since returning to Gabe’s. A few words over supper, nothing of any consequence.

  Wyatt and Nora had already left, wanting to get home well before dark. Travis knew he should get back to the ranch, but refused to leave until he knew Isabella’s intentions.

  “I must ride back to Luke’s. Ginny needs my help with Cooper tomorrow.”

  Hearing Isabella’s voice, Travis stood, seeing her and Lena speaking in the entry. She wore a split skirt and velvet riding jacket, her satchel on the floor next to her.

  Lena shook her head. “You shouldn’t go alone, Isabella. Stay here another night. Gabe can go with you in the morning.”

  “I’ll be riding with her.” Travis stepped next to them, prepared to argue if she objected.

  Slipping on her gloves, Isabella lifted her gaze to meet his. “Are you sure?”

  He cocked his head, giving her a disbelieving look. “I’m not letting you ride out to Luke’s alone.”

  “Don’t argue with him, Isabella. If you insist on leaving, you’ll need to start soon.” Lena looked at Gabe. “Travis is escorting Isabella home.”

  As the men joined them in the entry, she looked at Travis. “Thank you. I appreciate you going out of your way.”

  “Isabella, I’ve never had a problem doing anything for you.”

  Her brow lifted, but she decided not to respond.

  After saying their goodbyes, Travis picked up her satchel. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded, giving Lena one more hug before following Travis outside. The sun touched the tops of the western mountains, indicating it would be dark within a couple hours. They had more than enough time to reach Luke’s.

  Walking into the barn and looking into a nearby stall, a smile crossed his face. Opening the gate, he stepped inside, stroking a hand down the horse’s neck. “Blossom. What are you doing here?”

  “She’s mine, Travis. I bought her from Noah.”

  He raised a brow. “That’s a surprise. Noah told me he planned to save her for Gabriel.” Slipping a halter over the mare’s head, he led her out of the stall.

  “When I explained the horse I wanted, he showed me Blossom. He said she’d be perfect for me.”

  Picking up a blanket and saddle, he placed them on the mare’s back. “Noah was right. She’s one of the sweetest horses I’ve ever trained.” He looked at Isabella. “She is perfect for you.” Travis handed her the reins before retrieving Banjo from a nearby stall.

  “Noah told me you’d trained her.”

  Travis finished saddling Banjo, then crossed his arms. “I’m surprised you bought a horse I’d worked with.”

  Her brows furrowed into a frown. “I don’t know why. You and Wyatt are the two best trainers around. It would be foolish of me to ignore something as important as that.”

  Travis stepped to within a foot of her, a solemn expression on his face. “I said some things the last time we spoke…” He glanced away, taking a slow breath.

  “It’s more what you didn’t say, Travis.” Licking her lips, she pressed on. “You refused to explain why you’d been avoiding me. I’m sure you had your reasons, although I can’t pretend it didn’t hurt. It still does.”

  He leaned toward her. “Isabella…” His voice trailed off as he lifted his hand, brushing a finger down her cheek.

  She turned her face, tightening her grip on Blossom’s reins. “You can’t force yourself to care about someone. I know that as well as anyone. My husband was a wonderful man. Kind, generous, and truthful. As you know, he was a good deal older than me…my father’s age. Still, I grew to care for him a great deal.” Isabella’s sad gaze locked on his. “I’ll not settle for anything less than love again. Your friendship has meant a great deal to me. More than you know. The problem is I’ve grown to love you. As hard as it is to accept, I realize you’ll never see me as more than a friend.” She started leading Blossom outside.

  “Isabella, wait.” When she didn’t stop, he rushed to grab her arm. “You’re wrong.”

  “I don’t need you to explain why, Travis. Can’t we please let it be?” When she lifted her face, he winced at her haunted expression.

  “No, we can’t leave it be.”

  Wrapping his arm around her waist, Travis pulled her to him. Taking a moment to stare at the tenderness on her face, he lowered his mouth to hers.

  A sense of urgency claimed him as he deepened the kiss. His tongue traced the fullness of her lips before exploring the recesses of her mouth. Hearing a ragged sigh escape her, Travis crushed her to him. A heat he’d never felt, not even with his wife, rushed through his body.

  Feeling her squirm against him, he raised his head, gazing into her eyes. He did his best to hide the satisfaction he felt at the dazed look on her face.

  Travis stepped back, watching as she touched a finger to her swollen lips.

  “Now you know how much I care about you, Isabella.”

  She shook her head, confusion contorting her features. “I thought…” Swallowing the contradiction claiming her, she glanced away.

  “I can’t promise this is love, Isabella. What I can promise is I care a great deal about you.”

  Staring at the torment on his face, she placed a hand against his chest. “You’re still in love with your wife, Travis. It’s hard to admit, but you might never be able to love anyone in the same way.”

  A muscle worked in his jaw as he drew in a deep breath. “I don’t know what to think. You’re the only woman who stirs any feelings in me. Maybe it is love.”

  “And maybe it isn’t. We’ve both been married, know what it’s like to be with another person. It’s normal to want to feel that closeness with someone else. It doesn’t mean you love the person.”

  He snorted, taking her hand in his. “Does that mean you could make love to me without loving me?”

  She shook her head. “No, it doesn’t. I believe it’s different with men. You wanting me, needing to be with me, has little to do with being in love.”

  Isabella’s comment stayed with Travis all the way to Luke’s house, where she’d let him kiss her goodnight before he rode to Dax’s. He couldn’t stop wondering if his feelings sprang from lust or if love drove him to be with her. After being married to a wonderful woman, he should know the difference.

  The confusion came when he thought of the two women at the same time. Two people couldn’t be more different. His wife came from a family of farmers, worked alongside him in the fields and with the horses, and knew how to protect herself and their daughter from intruders. Of average height and very slim, she wore her dark blonde hair tucked under a wide-brimmed hat, strands always escaping to brush across her face. Her skin had a warm glow from working long hours in the sun.

  Isabella couldn’t be more than five-foot-five. She kept her dark brown hair tucked into a neat bun. She may not have grown up with money, but while married to her husband, had become accustomed to the finer side of life. Her refined speech and excellent taste testified to a woman of wealth. An odd set of characteristics given the generosity of her heart and beauty in her soul. She also had more curves than his wife. A body men noticed when she walked past.

  Travis found his body hardening, remembering how she felt in his arms a few hours earlier. Although he lusted after her, he also knew his feelings were much more than desire or friendship. Were they love? Travis hoped it wouldn’t be long before he knew for certain.

  Laramie, Wyoming

  “Do you need help with your bag, Mr. Peeler?” The conductor hovered over him, eyeing David’s satchel.

  He tightened his grip on the handles, shaking his head. “No, thank you.”

  David looked out the grimy window, cringing at the dust swirling around everyone. The once quiet frontier town had grown since the railroad built the
tracks on the outskirts. Some people moved on, heading toward the Pacific. For others, it was the last stop before taking a stagecoach or horse to their next destination.

  Stepping onto the platform, David looked for a sign pointing him toward a stagecoach.

  “Help you with somethin’?”

  The sight of a man in a buckskin jacket and fur cap had him taking a step backward. It wasn’t just the idea of someone wearing such heavy clothing in the middle of summer that had him gawking. The man stood at least six-foot-six with a ruddy complexion and scraggly beard reaching down to his chest. Not the sort of person David encountered on the streets of Philadelphia.

  Clearing his throat, he nodded. “Where would I find a stagecoach?”

  The man studied his face, then tilted his head to the side. “You lookin’ to take the stage today, or are you fixin’ to stay a spell in Laramie before movin’ on?”

  “I’d like to leave as soon as possible.”

  “Where you travelin’?”

  “North,” David answered, his gaze darting around.

  “Then follow me.”

  Holding the satchel against his chest, David saw others looking at them, acknowledging the tall man beside him. Walking around the building, they stepped onto the main street. David spotted a stagecoach twenty yards away.

  “The stage in front of us leaves for Big Pine in an hour. That’s in the Montana Territory.”

  “It is close to Splendor?”

  The man nodded. “It’ll go there after Big Pine. The office is in the buildin’. That’s where you’ll pay for a ticket.”

  Reaching into his pocket, David extracted a coin, holding it out to the man.

  “I ain’t no hotel porter. Keep your money.” Turning away, the man took brisk steps, mumbling under his breath.

  Staring after him, David slipped the coin back into his pocket. By the time the train stopped in St. Louis, he’d figured out this would be much more than an escape from his past. The trip would be an adventure he wasn’t quite convinced he wanted to make.

  As if I have a choice in the matter. David shook his head on the thought, stepping onto the boardwalk and inside the stagecoach station.

  “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”

  Setting the satchel on the counter, David reached into a pocket. “I need to go to Splendor.”

  The clerk nodded. “Montana Territory, huh?” He quoted him a price. “You’ve got an hour to grab some food before the stage leaves. Don’t expect much at any of the stops. If you want a suggestion, you’ll get a hotel room in Big Pine. Take a bath, eat a good meal, then leave for Splendor the next morning.”

  “I’m in a hurry to reach Splendor.”

  Chuckling, the clerk shook his head. “Won’t matter. The stage stays overnight in Big Pine.”

  Snorting, David nodded. “Understood. Can you direct me to a nearby restaurant?”

  “Right next door. Good food and they won’t rob you like some of the new places that sprung up after the railroad decided to stop here.”

  David lifted the satchel. “Thank you.”

  “Just be back here in an hour. The stage doesn’t wait, and I don’t give refunds.”

  Giving a tight nod, David covered the distance between the stage office and restaurant in less than a minute, taking the only empty table in the place. Ordering the special, he set his bag on the chair beside him, glancing around the room. His gaze locked on a man in the opposite corner, his head buried in a newspaper.

  David’s chest tightened. The same man from Philadelphia who’d spoken to him in Omaha. The same man who hadn’t given David his name.

  He told himself it could be a coincidence. Hearing the train whistle, looking out the window to see it pulling away from the station, David’s gut twisted. He’d never believed in coincidences.

  Splendor

  Isabella held Abby’s hand as they stood outside the room in the clinic used for burial preparation. Both were still working through the shock of Albert’s violent death. A decent, kind man, he deserved better.

  Abby had sent a telegram to Albert’s brother in Boston, notifying him of his death. Today being Monday, Abby knew Ernie wouldn’t be able to attend the funeral on Tuesday.

  Ernie opened the law office in Splendor to help her with a complicated estate after her father died. Not long after Albert traveled west to join him in the practice, Ernie decided to return to Boston. Albert had done an excellent job earning the trust of the townsfolk. His tragic death was a terrible blow to the growing town. Everyone hoped Ernie would move back and keep the practice going, or at least arrange for another attorney to take over.

  Isabella had felt the need to come by and pay her respects in private, before the public services. It saddened her knowing Albert had no one of consequence in Splendor. She liked him, enjoyed his quiet, subtle jokes, and would miss seeing him in town.

  “Will Noah be providing the wagon to take Albert to the cemetery?”

  Abby nodded, letting out a ragged breath. “Yes. After Reverend Paige finishes the funeral at the church, Noah will deliver the body. He has a couple men preparing the grave today.” She swiped a tear from her cheek. “Such a senseless killing. I swear, I just don’t understand some people.”

  “Nobody understands the mind of a killer, Abby. The men who killed Albert are nothing more than brutal murderers, caring nothing for anyone except themselves. I doubt they even care much about each other. My hope is Gabe finds them.”

  Nodding, Abby squeezed Isabella’s hand before letting go. “You’re right. After all that’s happened in Splendor, I should be used to the irrational violence.”

  “I doubt anyone could ever get used to what happened yesterday. This could’ve happened anywhere. All we can do is protect ourselves and not make ourselves targets. The outlaws knew the men wouldn’t have their guns with them during church. Gabe and Travis think they’ll try the same thing again.”

  “Go after the bank when no one is armed and can stop them,” Abby whispered.

  Isabella nodded. “My understanding is the men will be keeping their guns with them in church. At least until the outlaws are caught.”

  “I think it’s a good idea. In fact, I plan to keep mine with me all the time. You should do the same, Isabella. There’s no reason we women can’t protect the town the same way as the men.”

  Nodding, she chuckled. “When Travis escorted me home yesterday, he mentioned giving me lessons.” A slight grin split her face. “We’re to have the first one on Saturday.”

  “An excellent idea. Maybe I can get Noah to do the same with some of the women in town who know nothing about protecting themselves. He can start with the mail order brides.”

  Isabella bit her lip, her gaze locked in concentration. “Perhaps we could all get together at one time. It would be so much better to learn with other women.”

  Abby slipped her arm through Isabella’s. “I’ll speak with Noah and you can talk to Travis. I’m sure they’ll both be happy to help us.”

  Noah’s fork stopped midway to his mouth as he stared at his wife in disbelief. “You want Travis and me to teach a dozen women to use a gun?”

  Abby nodded. “All at the same time, of course. That way, you and Travis won’t have to give up too much work or free time.”

  “Abby?” Setting down his fork, he rested his arms on the table.

  She helped Gabriel scoop some potatoes into his mouth. “Hmmm?”

  “Have any of these women ever held a gun before?”

  Turning back to Noah, she shrugged. “A couple…maybe. Does it matter?”

  He shook his head, frustration showing in the set of his jaw. “If they learned, do you think they would have the courage to shoot if needed?”

  Abby sat back in her chair, her mouth twisting. “I can’t answer that, Noah. Until my life depended on it, I wasn’t certain I could kill someone. And I’d do it again if it meant protecting someone or saving my life. My guess is no one knows until they’re faced with those
decisions.”

  Picking up his coffee, Noah took a sip. “Which women are you talking about?”

  “Well, I’ll be there and so will Isabella. Nora and Allie want to join us, as do the mail order brides. Lena is a good shot, but I think she would want to come along. Sarah Murton wants to learn, and so does Mrs. Paige.”

  His brows shot up. “The reverend’s wife?”

  “Why not? The shooting took place right outside the church. She was extremely angry about the entire event and is calling for the women to meet and discuss how to defend ourselves.”

  Shaking his head, Noah rubbed his palms against his eyes. “All right. I’ll talk to Travis.”

  Standing, Abby wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Thank you so much. You won’t regret this.”

  Chapter Nine

  The morning of Albert’s funeral brought dark clouds and brisk winds. Just after noon, the skies opened, blanketing the town with a constant drizzle. The weather didn’t stop people from crowding into the church to honor a young man who died too soon.

  Travis rode into town with the Pelletiers, taking a seat next to Isabella. Reaching over, he covered her hand with his, giving it a light squeeze. He leaned toward her.

  “Are you doing all right?”

  She nodded, her mouth drawing into a thin line. “I’m fine.”

  “I know Albert meant something to you.” Travis wished he’d stayed silent when he saw her eyes widen.

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  The music slowed, then stopped, signaling the start of the service and saving Travis from replying. Isabella would remember his comment and want an explanation. He had no intention of lying to her, even if it meant provoking her anger.

  She leaned close, whispering in his ear as Reverend Paige began. “We’ll talk after the service.”

  Nodding, Travis squeezed her hand again, doing his best to listen to the eulogy and not think about the woman beside him. He’d left her at Luke’s house Sunday night with a promise—never again would he shut her out. No matter his doubts about being able to fully commit to a future together, Travis wanted her in his life.