She nodded, seeing Suzanne standing by the table, the same distress Abby felt showing on her friend’s face. “Abby, are you all right?”
The worry in Suzanne’s voice almost caused the tears in Abby’s eyes to fall. She took a deep breath, refusing to let anyone see how much Noah’s dismissal hurt. No matter what, she wouldn’t let his rejection damage her more than it already had. She’d fight her feelings for him, push her love for him to the back of her mind, and move on. If he didn’t want her, fine. He could take his miserable blacksmith shop and cabin and let them burn for all she cared. No matter what, she was still her father’s daughter—a Tolbert. She straightened her spine and lifted her head, jutting her chin toward Suzanne.
“I’m fine, and quite famished.”
Suzanne’s gaze narrowed at Abby. She didn’t know what transpired, but guessed it involved Noah. She shook her head, turning toward the kitchen. Those two young people were either going to kill each other, or become one of the strongest couples this town had ever seen. She prayed it would be the latter.
“What’s next, Ernest?” Abby sipped her tea as she read through yet another document he set before her, glancing up every few minutes to look through the window toward the barn. A few weeks after Abby’s birth, her mother planted a tree near the corner closest to the house. It grew rapidly, and now supported a bird’s nest filled with three chicks, as well as other birds who came and went, filling the air with their joyous chirps. She hadn’t felt joy in a long time.
Weeks had passed since she’d seen Noah and experienced his rejection. The pain still felt as raw as it had the first day. She lay awake nights, trying to figure out what she’d said or done to make him turn his back on her.
She’d counted on him to be by her side and support her during the overwhelming loss of her father and Drake’s trial. Although Noah had acknowledged her, he stayed near the back of the crowded courtroom, not joining her in the seat she saved. She’d sat between Ernest and Suzanne, other friends around her. Even though she glanced behind her more than once during the proceedings, he never made a move to come forward. The disillusionment in his refusal to be by her side still hadn’t subsided.
“We have a tentative acceptance of your offer to sell the Colorado property to your father’s partner. He’s reviewing it with his lawyer, but I don’t foresee any problems.”
“The proceeds should be sent to Mr. Clausen. I don’t want the money going to the bank in Big Pine.”
“Any reason? Your father would’ve deposited the funds into the Montana Territory Bank.”
“I trust Mr. Clausen. I’ve known him most of my life and worked for him.” She emptied her cup and set it aside.
“It’s important to keep accounts at more than one bank, Abby. You have too much cash to keep in one place. It’s too risky.”
She sighed, knowing Ernest was right.
“You might feel more comfortable if you met the bank president, let him answer all your questions and put your mind at ease.”
“Perhaps.”
She had no doubt it would help, but Big Pine meant a day’s journey by wagon, a little less if she rode her horse. Except she didn’t have a horse of her own. Noah had given her the use of Hasty whenever she needed. She’d bonded with him right away, loved the feel of him under the saddle, loved the way he responded to her slightest command. Of course, she had her pick of any horse on the ranch, but she wanted none of them.
“The horse I’ve been riding is at the livery. If I do decide to travel to Big Pine, he’s the horse I want to ride.”
Ernest waved a hand in the air. “Of course. I’ll ask Dirk to send one of the men to town to retrieve him.”
“There is a slight problem. Hasty belongs to Noah Brandt.”
Ernest’s expression showed his confusion before he shrugged and picked up the document she’d signed. “I don’t see an issue. We’ll have Dirk make Brandt a fair offer. More than fair, if needed.”
They could try, but Abby felt certain Noah would shut them out as he had her.
“All right. It would be wonderful if he can strike a deal with Noah and bring Hasty back with him.”
“Lena tells me you’re feeling better.” Suzanne filled Nick’s cup, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve never broken a bone and never want to.”
Without thinking, Nick placed a hand over his ribs, sensing the pain even though it had been weeks since the beating in the saloon. “It didn’t heal up near as fast as I expected. Guess it’s my age.”
She smacked his shoulder, laughing at his crooked smile. “I don’t know what your age is, Nick, but if you’re a day over thirty, I’d be surprised.” She felt certain he was several years older, but he needed whatever boost she could provide.
A low rumble turned into a full belly laugh. “I can assure you, I’m a good deal older than that.”
“Well, whatever your age, none of those men would’ve been crazy enough to go up against you alone. It took four, and from what I recall, they’re all much younger.” She turned toward another table, stopping when he reached out to grasp her hand.
“Thanks, Suzanne.” He squeezed it before letting go and picking up his coffee, watching as she moved through the tables, talking to everyone. Nick believed she worked too hard, getting up before dawn and going to bed close to midnight. He didn’t know how she’d kept up the pace over the years, taking no days off, asking no one for help.
She’d mentioned having a respite twice. Before Ginny Sorenson married Luke Pelletier, she and her sister, Mary, lived in the cramped downstairs bedroom. Several days a week, Ginny helped with cleaning and meals when she wasn’t serving drinks at the Wild Rose. Abby also helped while she lived upstairs, although Suzanne refused it most of the time since she paid full room and board. She needed a regular helper, someone who could carry some of the load in exchange for room and board, and maybe a small wage.
Nick finished his coffee and prepared to stand when he saw Noah. He’d been wanting to speak with him, find out about Abby. They’d spoken several times when she lived at the boardinghouse, and he’d visited her once on the ranch with Lena, but he hadn’t seen her in town for weeks.
“Morning, Noah. Have a seat.”
Noah nodded at Suzanne, then pulled out a chair. “How have you been? Ribs healed up?”
“Fine. You probably heard Abby paid for all the damage—Doc Worthington’s fee and the fine Gabe imposed. She was quite generous. How is she doing?” He smiled up at Suzanne as she filled his cup and set one down for Noah.
“I wouldn’t know.” He didn’t meet Nick’s gaze before glancing up at Suzanne. “How about some eggs and bacon?”
“I’ll bring it right out, Noah.” She wanted to stay, hear his explanation as to why he hadn’t seen Abby, but knew Nick might get him to talk easier if she didn’t hover.
Nick held the cup between his palms, letting it rotate, feeling the warmth. Most of his life, he’d believed men would talk when they were ready and resented being prodded. As he grew older, he’d become less patient with friends who struggled, yet had too much pride to reach out for help. He’d already heard Noah had severed ties with Abby, but asked about her as a courtesy, and to see if their circumstances had changed. Secrets in a small town could never be kept hidden for long.
“I never intended to stay in Splendor. It was supposed to be a place where Lena and I could make some money before moving on to California.” Nick continued to stare at the cup, not looking at Noah. “Now I’m not so sure.”
“How’s that?”
“You know Suzanne’s brother-in-law, Quentin Briar?”
“I met him when he visited.”
“Lena and I have known him for years, invested our money with him, and partnered with him in a couple saloons. He’s always done right by us.” Nick leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee, then smiled. “Suzanne does make good coffee. Anyway, he traveled out here to talk about a saloon in San Francisco. It’s a big place, makes lots of money, and is
near Portsmouth Square, a prime location. The owner died. No heirs, but he left some kind of document appointing Quentin to handle the business—either close it down or find someone to take over and run the place. He wants us to partner with him. Since we’d already planned to head west at some point, I thought his proposition sounded good, and expected to feel excited about the opportunity.” Nick shook his head. “Nothing. Lena couldn’t believe I hesitated going along with Quentin’s offer, and honestly, I didn’t understand my reaction, either.” He stopped as Suzanne appeared with Noah’s breakfast, setting it before him.
Noah took a few bites before glancing at Nick. “Did you figure it out?”
“Took a while. Maybe because the answer was so simple.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “It’s the town, Noah. Splendor got to me like no other place I’ve ever lived. And what forms a town? The people, pure and simple. I declined a lucrative business in a place I always thought I wanted to live because I wasn’t ready to leave the friendships behind. It’s the first time this has ever happened to me.”
Noah bit off another piece of bacon and chewed, thinking over Nick’s words. He’d never thought much about it before now, figuring he’d move on at some point, maybe back to New York where his parents still lived. He’d grown comfortable here, built his businesses, and had plans to open others. But it was more than that.
Similar to Nick, he’d made deep friendships with people whose lives included helping their neighbors and sticking together during tough times. New York, with its huge population and divergent interests, couldn’t compare to the bonds formed in a small town. He’d helped save lives, built his cabin, and fallen in love. Love…Noah stopped chewing, his mind closing down as he tried to push aside his feelings for Abby—something he’d been unsuccessful at doing for weeks.
Noah watched Nick’s gaze follow Suzanne around the room as she moved between tables, picking up dirty dishes with one hand while pouring coffee with the other. If he didn’t know better, he’d think—
“The more I thought about it, the more I knew this would be a place I could put down roots. Maybe even consider falling in love and marrying. Noah, it’s a rare gift to meet the right woman and share your life with her. No one should throw away such an opportunity.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Noah continued to sit long after Nick had left for the saloon. He already knew Gabe and Bull disagreed with his actions toward Abby. Now Nick had, too, except he hadn’t come right out and said it. Although they were his friends, none of them understood the pain he felt in making his decision.
He’d spent many sleepless nights wrestling with what to do, knowing she loved him and he loved her. In his mind, love wasn’t the issue.
The wealth she’d spurned to live in town and work at the bank could no longer be ignored. She had no choice except to embrace the affluent society it offered. Noah wanted no part of it.
He’d envisioned building a life with what he earned through hard work, not living off Tolbert’s money with Abby holding the strings. If he couldn’t stand tall as the man of the house, he wouldn’t become a part of it. He knew the money would always come between them, a wedge that couldn’t be dislodged.
Noah had struggled to deal with the differences between Gabe and himself when they were young. The Evans family held wealth beyond anything Noah could imagine, yet Gabe hadn’t seen it as an obstacle. In Noah’s mind, it had never been about how Gabe treated him. It had always been about Noah’s feelings of inadequacy when compared to his friend.
For years, he tried to compensate for their differences in living and social standing by working harder and excelling in school. They’d taken different paths during the war, although each gained a measure of success. Afterwards, they decided to ride west, start fresh. For the first time, Noah felt he and Gabe were on equal footing. He believed he’d left the barriers of his youth behind him—until now.
He loved Abby more than she’d ever know, and wanted her to find love and happiness. It just wouldn’t be with him.
“Noah…Toby told me I could find you here.” Noah’s head snapped up at the sound of Dirk Masters’ voice. “I came to pick up the additional tack, and I have another business matter to discuss.”
“Let’s head over to the livery.” He tossed money on the table and led the way across the street, assuming he needed more tools or tack. Opening the door to let the heat from the forge escape, he turned toward Dirk. “We’ll get your tack in a minute. What is it you need to talk about?”
“I’ve come to buy a horse. Miss Tolbert says his name is Hasty.”
“He’s not for sale. Anything else?” Noah’s gut twisted at losing the horse Abby always rode. He’d planned to give him to her. Now he kept him to remember the times they’d ridden together, how she’d fit him perfectly, as if they were born as a pair.
Dirk shifted his stance toward Noah. He’d heard the rumors about him and Abigail, as well as talk their courtship had ended. Didn’t matter. His job was to buy a horse and he didn’t want to disappoint his new boss.
“Everything is for sale, Brandt. Name your price. I’m certain she’ll pay it.”
Noah crossed his arms, settling his feet shoulder-width apart. He had no intention of selling Hasty, now or ever…even to Abby. “As I said, the horse isn’t for sale. I’ve got a couple others if you want to check them out.”
Dirk pushed his hat further back on his head and planted his hands on his hips. “I’m afraid she won’t settle for another horse. Hell, she doesn’t even want us to cut one from the remuda for her.”
Noah shook his head, the corners of his mouth lifting at the thought of her selecting one from the extra horses they broke for the cowhands. “Well, now, I don’t know what to tell you. She rode Hasty a few times. Most likely, that’s why she wants him.”
“You certain we can’t come to some arrangement? I hate disappointing her.”
“Sorry, Dirk. He’s not for sale, never will be. Guess we’d better move on to the tack shop and get your order.”
As Noah watched Dirk drive the wagon, loaded with new tack, out of town, he thought again of how Abby looked atop Hasty. He remembered his nickname for her, one he’d never said aloud, but thought each time she rode. Princess. He’d begun to think of her as his princess and no one else’s.
Disappearing behind the gate to the stables, he grabbed a bucketful of supplies. He pulled out two brushes, one for each hand, sweeping them in easy strokes along Hasty’s neck, withers, and back, then along a strong thigh. He repeated the process on the other side before cleaning his hoofs. It didn’t take much time. The horse hadn’t been ridden in weeks, causing a pang of guilt to pass through Noah. He had four horses—Tempest and Hasty, who he never planned to sell, and a couple others he had every intention of trading or selling, whatever came along first. Too bad Dirk wouldn’t take one of them.
“Anyone back there?”
Noah tossed the brushes aside and moved in the direction of the voice, recognizing Gil Murton.
“Good to see you, Gil. Thanks again for letting the posse camp out at your ranch.”
“Heard the jury found Drake guilty. Did they recover the herd?”
“Gabe received a telegram from a sheriff in Idaho. He and his deputies cornered them not long after they crossed the mountains. Several of the outlaws got away, but they’ve got some in custody. Don’t know what’s going to happen now.”
“At least they won’t be coming back our way.” Gil turned, nodding toward a woman a few feet away. “I rode into town to pick up my cousin who came in on the stage.” He motioned for her to step up beside him. “Sarah, this is Mr. Noah Brandt. Noah, my cousin, Miss Sarah Murton. She’s from Ohio. The town hired her as our new school teacher.”
“Congratulations, Miss Murton. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, Mr. Brandt.” She looked around at the tools, pots, and gear hanging inside the smithy where they stood. “You have a quite a business here.”
<
br /> “Oh, it’s not much, but it pays for my food.”
Gil’s rumble of laughter filled the air. “Don’t let him fool you, Sarah. He owns this, the livery in back, and the tack shop next door. We’d better head over to the bank and meet with Mr. Clausen.” Gil glanced at Noah. “He’s the one who sent Sarah the offer and money to come here. I believe she’ll be staying at Suzanne’s until the town can build her a house.”
“You know, there’s an abandoned house that Ginny Pelletier thought of buying before she married Luke. I believe the bank owns it. You might ask Clausen about it. If he agrees, I’m sure I could round up a few men to get it fixed.”
“Thanks, Noah. I’ll mention it and let him know my brothers and I will help. Guess we’d better get going, Sarah.”
Toby passed them as they walked out, letting his gaze follow her. “Who’s that?”
“Our new school teacher. The last one moved to Big Pine and got married right after school let out for the summer. I’d say the town did a good job finding someone so fast.”
“She have a name?”
“Sarah Murton. She’s Ty, Gil, and Mark Murton’s cousin. Something you wanted?”
“Dirk Masters picked up the tack and ordered more. He wants it next week.” Toby shoved his hands in his pockets and shuffled his feet.
“You got something else on your mind?”
He let out a sigh. “He asked if I’d work on you a little to see if you’d reconsider selling Hasty. Seems Miss Tolbert won’t take any other horse and is willing to pay whatever you ask for him.”
“Dirk asked you to talk to me?” Noah found it hard to believe the foreman would try to finagle Toby into being a go-between.
“No, not exactly. He mentioned it, saying he hoped you’d change your mind. Seems he hates disappointing her after all she’s gone through the last few weeks. Thought it best to mention it to you.”
Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) Page 20