“Oh God.” She covered her mouth with her hand.
“I looked in the window, saw what I needed, and rode out.”
“You didn’t confront them?”
His features hardened. “If I’d have gone inside, there’s a chance I may have killed them both. Instead, I chose to leave, go back to the saloon, and drink. By the time I returned later that night, he was gone and she was in bed. I didn’t join her. I’d made the decision to confront Griff the next day, then do the same with Melissa.” Pausing, he walked in a slow circle, wishing he could forget the rest. “I’d forgotten Griff was leaving early the next morning on business. So I waited, spent long hours in town, kept my mouth shut, and tried not to think on it too much. What was the point? I’d already figured my marriage and partnership with my brother were over. All that was left was getting my half of the ranch from him and starting over.” He snorted. “Although I had no idea where I’d go.”
She waited as he gathered his thoughts, not wanting to push. “Don’t feel you have to tell me everything now. We can talk another time, Dirk.”
“No. It’s best if you hear it all now.” Walking to a large pine, he leaned against it, his face clouded. “The third night after he left, I came home a little before midnight. Everything looked fine outside, nothing seemed amiss. When I walked into the house…” His eyes closed, throat working, but nothing came out for several long moments. Inhaling a deep breath, he went on. “When I walked inside, Melissa was on the floor, covered in blood.” He looked up. “She was dead.”
Rosemary placed a hand on her stomach, trying to lessen the nausea his words caused. She couldn’t imagine the pain he must have felt at seeing his wife dead, knowing she’d given herself to his brother. He’d never have a chance to understand why.
“I rode to town, returning with the constable and doctor. The doc was still in the saloon where I’d left him at a table playing cards. If it weren’t for his assertion I couldn’t have been the one to kill her, the constable would’ve arrested me that night. Instead, it took him two days to come back for me.” Weary from the tale, he sat down on a small rock across from Rosemary, rubbing a hand across his brow. “Griff had returned by then, stunned at the news of Melissa’s death. I confronted him with what I knew about the two of them. He didn’t deny it, admitting they’d been together for months.”
Rosemary’s eyes widened. “His wife didn’t know?”
“No. I’d never seen my brother break down or cry, not even when our parents died. He begged me to forgive him, to stay at the ranch.” He glanced at Rosemary. “I told him I couldn’t do it. Not after what he’d done. An hour later, the constable came and arrested me.”
Leaning forward, Dirk buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking as he dealt with grief he’d held inside for years.
Rosemary’s heart constricted, wishing she knew how to relieve his pain. Going to him, she sat down, her hand rubbing comforting circles on his back as he’d done for her earlier.
“But they let you go?”
Nodding, he sucked in a breath. “The doctor sent for a specialist he knew in New York. A man who analyzed crimes as a scientist would also analyze a specimen. Doc had written meticulous notes, documenting everything he saw the night Melissa died. The most important part was the fact her blood had dried, already turning color, when the doctor arrived. The specialist was adamant I couldn’t have been the killer. Griff spent a good deal of money, hiring an attorney from Philadelphia. Between the specialist from New York and the lawyer’s arguments, the jury didn’t have enough proof to convict me. Still, most of my neighbors believed I’d done it. It seems a few of them knew what was going on between Melissa and Griff.” The last words were cryptic, filled with disdain.
“Did they ever find out who killed her?”
“Not that I know of. I left not long after being released. Griff sends money once in a while, paying me for my half of the ranch. Beyond that, we have no communication. To be truthful, I don’t care about finding the killer. Nothing will change the past or what she and Griff did.”
They sat in silence for several minutes, Rosemary processing all he’d told her. After a while, he stood, reaching out his hand to help her up. When she stood, he rested his hands on her hips.
“I’ve no interest in trying to rebuild the life I once had. The thought of a wife and children mean nothing to me now. I can’t ask that of you, Rosemary.”
“And you don’t know if you can trust me.”
Her words startled him. She cut through all he’d said, identifying the biggest obstacle between them. The betrayals of his brother and wife had changed him more than the destruction he’d witnessed during the war. As much as he cared for Rosemary, wanted her in his bed, he’d always wonder if she could be trusted.
Letting his hands fall to his sides, he shook his head, the sadness in his eyes breaking her heart. “No.”
Taking a step away, Rosemary did her best to ignore the hurt and disappointment, refusing to let him see her cry. She’d fallen in love with him, only to learn no woman would ever hold a place in his heart again.
“I’m sorry. I had no business making you believe otherwise.”
She shook her head, looking down, unable to meet his gaze. “You’ve always been honest with me, Dirk. I never expected to have feelings for you.” Placing a hand on her chest, she turned away, refusing to let him see her break.
“And you do?”
Without looking back, she nodded. “I guess we’d better get back to the ranch. We don’t want Dax getting there ahead of us.”
Watching as she walked toward Banshee, he felt the most acute pain in his chest he’d ever experienced. Not even Melissa’s betrayal ripped through him the way Rosemary’s quiet acceptance of his rejection did.
He hadn’t expected to care for her. Falling in love had never been his intention, yet it happened. He wished he could be the man she needed. One who’d love her with a complete heart, not one shattered by his wife’s betrayal. But he’d never be that man.
Chapter Twelve
Both were silent during the final portion of their journey to the ranch. Rosemary’s hands hooked around Dirk’s waist, yet she no longer pressed her body against his as she’d done the first part of the ride. He missed the contact and her warmth.
“You aren’t the only person to experience injustice, Dirk.”
Her quiet comment surprised him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the sincerity on her face. “I know that, Rosemary.”
“Most people in Splendor are here to put their past behind them and move on. You could do the same.”
Letting out an exasperated breath, he didn’t respond, giving her a curt nod. They had a couple more bends in the trail before they’d see the ranch house. Whatever she had to say needed to be said now. Reining Banshee to a stop, he shifted in the saddle, giving her his full attention.
“What secret are you trying to forget, Rosemary?”
Recoiling at his question, she dropped her hands from around his waist, gripping the back of the saddle. Although not nearly as secure, the cantle kept her from sliding to the ground.
Licking her lips, she glanced away. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“We all have something in our past we’d rather forget. What happened to you that you’re not telling me?” His intense gaze bore into her.
She knew the time had come to confess. When Rosemary opened her mouth to speak, the words froze in her throat.
The sound of an approaching horse saved her from responding. She knew it would be a short reprieve. Dirk wasn’t the type of man to give up.
“I thought the two of you would be at the ranch by now.” Dax stopped alongside Banshee.
Dirk glanced at Rosemary. “It went a little slower than intended.”
She swallowed, glad for the interruption. “Are Ginny and the baby doing all right?”
A smile brightened Dax’s face. “They’re doing fine. They’ll be staying at the boardinghouse ton
ight and maybe tomorrow night. Doc McCord will make the decision on when Ginny and the baby are ready to come home.” He looked up, noticing a few rain clouds moving toward them. “We’d best get back. Rachel’s probably sitting on the porch, waiting for news.” He moved ahead of them, continuing along the trail.
“Don’t think this conversation is over, Rosemary, because it isn’t.” Shifting forward in the saddle, he waited until he felt her hands move around his waist, then followed Dax.
His dogged persistence in learning about her past worried her. She knew he’d be relentless in his questions until he was satisfied she’d told him everything. Once he learned her story, she saw little chance they’d remain friends.
Rosemary had never spoken to anyone about what happened, pushing the painful memory aside. After he’d shared his past, she knew he deserved the truth, though she wasn’t certain she could speak of it now.
Trask’s escape had left her with few options. Before, she’d have stayed at the boardinghouse with little worry of running into Dirk. That choice had been taken away from her and she had no idea how long her stay at the ranch would last. She couldn’t avoid him, or the conversation, forever. As they made the last turn, she felt herself stiffen with resolve. If she had to speak of it, it was best it be with Dirk. He wouldn’t like what she had to say, but believed he’d never betray her trust, just as she wouldn’t betray his. The time had come to reveal her past.
“We should’ve headed north, like Herb said.” Rufus Ickert sat huddled near the fire, chewing the last of the hardtack they’d stolen from a farm two days before.
Herb Yandell nodded. “It might’ve taken longer, but we wouldn’t be lost in these woods without food. At least there are farms and ranches to the north.”
Boyden Trask finished the water in his canteen, then stood. “Neither of you know what you’re talking about. Heading north would’ve taken us into Blackfoot territory, a risk I’m not willing to take. I hear they’re mostly peaceful, but I’m not willing to bet my life on it. Besides, we’d be tromping through a helluva lot more snow than what we see on this trail.” Turning his back on them, he walked toward the creek.
“Where you headed?” Rufus asked.
“To fill my canteen.” Trask cursed as he tripped over roots buried under a mound of melting ice.
Rufus tossed a handful of twigs onto the fire, shaking his head. “I don’t know, Herb. Boyd’s so hell-bent on revenge, he’s not thinking straight. Maybe if we’d waited another month to escape, the trails would’ve been easier and there’d be more deer and elk to hunt.”
“The timing was right, so we took it. Who knows if we’d have had a better chance later. The number of deer and elk don’t matter ‘cause Trask has no intention of stopping long enough for us to hunt. We’d have done better raiding the ranches we rode past.” Tightening his coat around him, Herb hunkered down against the increasingly strong wind. “Fact is, we left with him. Now we’ve got to do the best we can until he’s finished with the Thayer woman.”
“If it were up to me, we’d get out of the Montana Territory as fast as possible, head south, and start over where no one knows us.”
“It don’t matter, Ruf. Now that we’ve escaped, our faces are going to be plastered everywhere.”
Scrubbing a hand down his face, he looked up. “We could ride off without him.” Rufus glanced toward the creek, lowering his voice. “No reason we have to stay with him. I’m telling you, Boyd isn’t right in the head when it comes to the girl.”
Swallowing the last of the dried meat, Herb stood, stretching his arms above his head. “I don’t like the way he’s obsessed with revenge any more than you, but I ain’t leaving yet. He’s got money hidden, and part of it belongs to us.”
“What money?” Rufus sat up, his gaze hardening.
Herb glanced down at him, smirking. “What do you think happened to the money he made at his restaurant and selling most of the stolen cattle? It may not be much, but he’s got it hidden someplace near the Pelletier ranch and I want my share.”
Shaking his head, Rufus snorted. “The man ain’t rich, Herb. That’s why he blackmailed those brats. Whatever you heard about a stash of money, you’re wrong. Boyd’s got no more money than me or you.”
Hearing the rustling of bushes, Herb sat back down, ignoring Rufus’s words as Trask walked toward them. “We gotta get some food tomorrow.”
Trask scowled at Herb, but nodded. “We should be through the worst part tomorrow. From what I heard from other inmates, there are several small ranches on the other side of the forest. We’ll get what we need from them.”
“How far you figure we are from the Pelletier ranch?” Herb asked.
Trask thought a moment as he stared into the fire. “Three days. Maybe four.”
“You know, they’ll have gotten word about us escaping. Probably expect we’ll ride their way.” Rufus didn’t look at Herb, focusing his attention on Trask. “We could be in Wyoming in a couple days if we head south, then ride on from there. Maybe Arizona. No one would be looking for us there.”
Trask’s lips twisted into a feral grin. “We head west, take care of business, then decide from there. I’m not leaving the area until I’ve settled some things with the Thayer girl.”
Jumping up, Rufus paced back and forth, taking off his hat to run a hand through his hair. “It’s a big risk, Boyd. They were waiting for us when we tried to get her in Splendor, and they’ll be waiting for us at the ranch. We’ll be riding into a trap.”
“You afraid, Ruf?” Trask sneered.
“Damn right I am. Only a fool wouldn’t be when they know someone’s waiting for them to show up. The ranch is full of men who are crack shots. This ain’t like blackmailing children, Boyd.”
An uncomfortable silence fell between the three men. Rufus and Herb moved their hands to the handle of their guns, waiting for Trask to explode. The man wasn’t used to being questioned. He’d be as likely to draw a gun and shoot as explain himself.
Herb stood, putting some distance between him and Trask. “Ruf’s right. We got out of that hellhole and I’m not interested in going back. I don’t see a purpose in going after the girl. What’s done is done. I think we should get as far away from here as we can.”
Trask’s gaze narrowed on Herb, then moved to Rufus, but his hand didn’t touch his gun. “I need sleep. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.” Leaving both men to stare after him, Trask grabbed his bedroll, shaking it out a few feet from the fire.
“You want us to keep watch, Boyd?” Herb asked, still not believing Trask yielded so easily. He hadn’t agreed with them, but his response wasn’t the angry contempt Herb expected.
Looking around, Trask shook his head. “There’s been no sign of anyone following us. Bed down and get some sleep. We’ll start early tomorrow.” Laying down, he pulled a blanket over him, turning his back to the fire.
Rufus waited until he heard Trask snoring, then stood, motioning for Herb to follow. Moving to the other side of the horses they’d stolen their first day of freedom, he shot a look in Trask’s direction.
“Something ain’t right, Herb.”
Stroking his chin, he nodded. “Yeah.”
“What are we gonna do?”
Herb drew in a slow breath, his jaw working. “I don’t know.”
“He ain’t the same man who brought us together a few years ago.” Rufus tapped his head. “He just ain’t right up here when it comes to that girl. Let’s take our horses and ride out. He won’t know we’re gone until we’ve put miles between us.”
Not a rash man, Herb hesitated. “We’ve been with him a long time. Maybe he wants to think on what we said.”
Rufus shook his head. “I don’t think so, and I ain’t waiting around to find out. He’s got a death wish, Herb. All that’s gonna happen is him getting us killed.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Herb thought about the changes he’d seen in Trask since their first encounter years ago. Rufus was right. The man had changed
from a hardened businessman to a calculating convict bent on revenge. The deterioration had been slow. As his businesses began to fail, he panicked, making irrational decisions, becoming suspicious of everyone. It had worsened during their time in prison. Now all he craved was vengeance, and Herb had no doubt he’d get them all killed before it ended.
“Let’s go,” he ground out in a flat voice.
“What about our gear?” Rufus glanced at their bedrolls near the fire.
“We can’t take a chance he’ll wake up and see us.” Herb moved to his horse, glad they’d made the decision to keep them saddled, and swung himself up while Rufus did the same. “You ready?”
Rufus nodded, taking one more uneasy glance at Trask’s sleeping form. “Where to?”
“We ride south.”
Splendor
“You’re certain you’ve told me everything, Wyatt?” Gabe Evans leaned his arms on his desk, his features unreadable, as were those of Dutch McFarlin, who leaned against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. Cash occupied a chair next to Wyatt.
Rubbing a hand down his weary face, Wyatt nodded. “Yes, sir. I’d captured Ned Baylor when Cash came to Arkansas to help Stephen Ramsey.”
Gabe looked down at his notes. “You, Cash, and Ramsey served together, correct?”
“Yes, sir. We fought for the Confederacy. Ramsey and I served under Cash.”
Nodding, Gabe motioned for Wyatt to continue.
“After the war, I went home to Tennessee to help my sister and her husband, decide what I wanted to do next. I’d thought of being a bounty hunter, the same as Cash, but wanted to spend time with family before deciding.” Wyatt sucked in a breath, glancing around the room.
“Dutch, do you mind pouring Wyatt some coffee?” Gabe asked.
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