Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3)

by Shirleen Davies

  “So this is the Tolbert ranch?” Hal sat forward in his saddle, looking down at the grassy valley below dotted with cattle and several riders.

  “A small part. It’s the largest ranch in the area. The Pelletiers to the west are the next largest.” Archie had ridden every acre of Tolbert’s land when he worked for the man. “Below us is where the largest herd is kept, the ones they’ll plan to drive to market. The timing is good. They’ll be moving them out within a few weeks.”

  “We’ll need to get closer, get a count on the number of men guarding the cattle.” Hal reined his horse around, intending to head down a narrow path leading into the valley.

  “Not yet. We wait until evening.” Archie sat steady, watching as cowhands circled around the herd, cutting out a few head and moving them into a smaller group. “It’s easy to spot riders coming down the trails in daylight.”

  “Not while they’re working the cattle. They’ll never see us coming.”

  “Don’t underestimate them. Tolbert hired men good with guns and cattle.” Archie slid off his horse. “Might as well settle in. There’s nothing more to do until the sun sets.”

  Waiting did nothing for Hal’s sour mood. He’d thought they’d ride the perimeter of the pasture, count the men, and head back to their camp. The raid the day before got them thirty head. By the looks of it, they’d take at least five times as many from Tolbert’s daughter. When this ended, they’d have enough to drive the herd south, sell them, then lose themselves in the mountains of Colorado. Pushing his hat over his eyes, he fell into a heavy sleep, waking when Archie jostled him a few hours later.

  “Time to move out.”

  The moon provided enough light to see as they made their way down the twisting trail. The wind blew in their favor, reducing the risk of the cattle picking up their scent and alerting the ranch hands. They moved at a slow pace, searching for the best vantage point to get a good count of men and cattle. Archie slowed up as they reached the bottom of the hill, reining his horse into a small clearing surrounded by thick shrubs.

  “You see those men?” He pointed to their left where several men sat around a fire, their bedrolls tossed on the ground. “Now over there.” Archie indicated a group to their right, hidden in the shadows, across the pasture. No fire burned and their silhouettes were barely discernible within the cover of the trees. “Tolbert always insisted on at least one group of men posted away from the fire. These men are the ones we must locate.”

  “Don’t see why we need to look further. You’ve already spotted them.”

  Archie shook his head at Hal’s inability to grasp the meaning. “There may be a third group. If so, they’d be between the first two, somewhere over there.” He lifted his arm straight in front of him, to a location across the pasture.

  Hal leaned forward in the saddle, squinting in the direction Archie pointed. “I don’t see anyone.”

  “It may be they don’t feel the need to be as cautious with Drake dead. I’m not willing to take the chance. We’ll wait here, make certain there aren’t other men posted as lookouts.”

  “All right, but if we don’t see anything in the next hour, we return to our camp. It’s time we finish this and head out of the territory.” Hal reined his horse back among the trees. He’d wait, as Archie suggested, but not for long.

  “Get Dax. And be quick.” Rachel gripped her hands tight around her protruding belly, the pain so intense, she thought she’d collapse.

  “Not until I get you in a bed.” Ginny wrapped an arm around her sister-in-law and moved toward the downstairs guest room. Kicking open the door, she helped Rachel lay down, putting pillows behind her back. “Do you want water or anything?”

  “No…just get Dax,” she ground out as another intense pain coursed through her.

  “I’ll be right back.” Ginny dashed out to find him.

  As Rachel’s uncle predicted, the baby had decided to come early. She’d scoffed at his declaration a week ago and now felt foolish for doubting him. Over his years as a doctor, he’d delivered over a hundred babies, many under desperate situations and in less than sanitary conditions.

  “Rachel?” Dax slammed the door open and rushed to the bed, stroking a hand over her damp forehead. “Is the baby—”

  “Yes, the baby’s coming. Have you sent for Uncle Charles?” Her breath came in gasps as she tried to control her reaction to the contractions.

  “Bull’s already on his way.” He smoothed hair from her face as his worried gaze traveled to Luke, who stood beside Ginny near the door. Dax and Luke had discussed his fears of childbirth in such an isolated location many times, usually while sipping whiskey after supper. Each time, Luke assured him Rachel would be fine and they’d summon Doc Worthington at the first signs of labor.

  “Dax, look at me.” Rachel gripped his hand, pulling him down, her eyes searching his. “I’ll be fine. Our baby will be fine.” She tried to smile, only to be drawn into the depths of another contraction. Her hand tightened on his until she feared the pressure would break his fingers.

  “Water’s heating, Dax. I’ll grab towels and be right back.” Ginny took off toward the kitchen, Luke on her heels.

  “Is she all right?” He knew his wife had been through this before, helping her mother when Ginny's sister, Mary, had been born.

  “Yes. From what I’ve seen, this is normal. The contractions could go on for hours with the pain coming in intervals, then receding before starting again. She had a few small pains, then her water broke. I fetched you and Dax right away.” She grabbed towels from a drawer and nodded toward a simmering pot. “Please bring the water.”

  Luke didn’t hesitate, hefting the large pot and following Ginny to the bedroom. He took a breath, not wanting anyone, especially Dax, to know Rachel’s birth pains scared him more than any of the outlaws he’d faced as a Pinkerton agent.

  A scream jerked him to a stop, causing warm water to slop onto the floor and over his boots. He froze, watching Dax as he cradled Rachel, trying to comfort her until the contraction diminished. Luke knew his inability to make the pain stop would drive his brother crazy. Nothing hurt more than watching the suffering of those you loved.

  “Luke, over here.” Ginny pointed to the marble-topped chest of drawers. “Luke,” she hissed once more when he failed to move.

  “Yeah…I’m coming.” He almost stumbled toward Ginny, his eyes riveted on Dax and Rachel, both drenched in sweat.

  “How’s she doing?”

  All eyes turned toward the door as Rachel’s uncle, Doc Worthington, rushed in with his bag. He shrugged out of his jacket, tossed it on a nearby chair, and walked to the edge of the bed, looking down at his niece.

  “How are you, my dear?”

  She glared at him as if he had two heads. “How can you ask me that?” Her voice came out as a growl, surprising everyone in the room.

  “Everyone out, except Ginny.”

  “But Charles—”

  “No argument, Dax. I need to focus on Rachel, not a squeamish husband.”

  “But—”

  Doc let out a breath, glancing at Luke. “Please take your brother outside. He needs fresh air before we’re wasting time picking him up off the ground.”

  Luke grabbed Dax’s arm, getting shoved aside for his effort. Luke followed him, grabbing glasses and a bottle of whiskey as he passed the study.

  Dax stood at the porch rail, his hands gripping the top, his head hanging down. Luke watched him for a moment before pouring them each a shot, handing Dax one before he set the bottle aside.

  “Ginny told me Rachel is doing fine. Doc didn’t seem concerned and he’s delivered a lot of babies.” He clasped Dax’s shoulder. “All we can do is wait.”

  Dax nodded, then took a sip from the glass, letting the liquid roll around in his mouth before swallowing. He turned, settling his hip against the porch rail.

  “I can’t recall the number of battles I saw or bodies we buried during the war. Fear became a way of life, as did death. A
s an officer, I felt a sense of control, no matter how delusional that sounds.” He nodded toward the house. “Nothing during the war compares to how I feel now.” He downed the rest of his drink and grabbed the bottle, pouring another round.

  “If it’s any consolation, you’re not the only one thinking of Rachel and hoping for the best.” He looked toward the bunkhouse where Bull, Travis, and Rude milled about, glancing toward the house every couple minutes. The contractions had begun late. Dax had no idea why they’d stayed up, but none of them were tired. He looked at the moon, guessing it must be after midnight.

  Dax raised a hand and waved them over. “You’d better grab more glasses and another bottle.”

  “Tell me exactly what you saw.” Dirk sat at the campfire, cradling a hot cup of coffee between his hands to ward off the early morning chill.

  “I did as you asked, posted men here and in three other spots.” Mal scratched in the dirt with a stick, drawing where the men were placed. “Nothing happened until close to midnight, then one of our men spotted two riders about here.” He pointed to a location to the southeast of where they sat. “He got close enough to recognize Archie Swaggert, one of Drake’s men.”

  “One of the men who worked here, right?” Dirk took a sip of coffee, staring at the ground.

  “Tolbert hired me after they left, but several of the men said he used to work at the ranch with Drake and Lem Pruett.”

  “The Idaho sheriff said none of the men arrested with the herd was Swaggert or Pruett.” Dirk scrubbed a hand down his face as he thought of the possibilities. “Seems those two, and whoever else rides with them, have decided to take another try at the Tolbert cattle. Did the men see which way they went when they rode out?”

  “Followed them up the hill and east. Our men swear the two never saw them.”

  “Good. We’ll be ready for them when they arrive. First, we’ll combine the two smaller herds on the western border near the Pelletier land. A few men will stay with that herd while the rest guard the cattle here. I’ll leave men to guard Miss Tolbert.”

  “Do you think they’ll go after her?” Mal didn’t want anyone threatening her.

  “No. I think they’re after the cattle, but I don’t want to take any chances.”

  “We can combine the herds today and be back here before sunset, boss. Who do you want with Miss Tolbert?”

  “Pick two men who’ve been at the ranch the longest, known her a while, and will do what’s needed to protect her. You and I should be here.” Dirk glanced at the men riding out to the herd and those still finishing breakfast.

  “How long do you think before they try for the cattle?” The same as everyone else, Mal wanted to stop the last of Drake’s men.

  “I don’t know. Could be as soon as tomorrow, depending on where they’re holed up and if they bring the rest of the stolen cattle with them.”

  “That’d be darn stupid if you ask me.” Mal tossed the rest of his coffee on the ground and stood.

  Dirk grinned. “No one ever said these rustlers were smart.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It took both Luke and Bull to hold Dax back during the screams. They’d come and gone throughout the early morning hours until he couldn’t take any more and decided to storm into the house.

  “Not until Doc says it’s all right for you to be with her.” Luke gripped his arm tighter while Bull blocked the doorway.

  “Sit down, boss. She’s still screaming, which means she and the baby are fine. Doc’s got Ginny and Lydia in there with him. Relax. The baby will come when he’s ready and not before.” Bull didn’t budge, waiting for Dax to give up and sit down.

  Dax heaved a deep breath, clasped his hands behind his head, and turned toward the barn, walking until he came to a stop next to the porch railing. “Never again.”

  “What’d you say?” Luke asked.

  “When this is over, I’m never going through this again.” He dropped his arms to his sides, then crossed them over his chest right before a loud wail came from inside the house. He spun around, but didn’t step forward, his face a mixture of elation and panic. A moment later, Doc Worthington walked out looking as beat as Dax felt.

  “Is she…? Is Rachel…?”

  “She and the baby are fine, Dax, and she’s asking for you.”

  He didn’t wait another moment before rushing inside and into the bedroom, stopping on the threshold, his breath catching in his throat. Rachel rested against a stack of pillows, a blanketed bundle in her arms, a smile on her face as radiant as he’d ever seen.

  “Come over here and meet your son.” Her voice sounded raw, yet Dax saw joy in her face.

  He swallowed, taking a few hesitant steps forward before looking down at a small red face and squinty eyes. Rachel pulled the blanket away to reveal two tiny fisted hands.

  “What do you think?”

  “I think you’re incredible,” he whispered, his eyes riveted on her face.

  “No, I mean about your son, Patrick,” she laughed.

  “Patrick…” he breathed out. They’d decided if they had a boy, he’d be named after the man who bequeathed them Redemption’s Edge—Dax and Luke’s fellow Texas Ranger, Pat Hanes.

  “Here. You should hold him.”

  Dax lifted his arms, palms out, and took a step back. “Oh, no…”

  “Oh, yes. He’s a tiny baby and doesn’t weigh much. You’ll be fine.” She held the bundle out to him, her eyes bright.

  Dax steeled himself and bent forward, reaching out for Patrick and letting Rachel slip him into his arms. He cradled him to his chest, staring at his own flesh and blood, and something inside shifted. Raising his head, he looked at Rachel, his son’s mother, and knew he had everything he ever wanted right in this room.

  “I can’t tell you how much this means to me, Mr. Brandt. All these men taking their time to fix up the house.” Sarah handed him a plate of chicken and biscuits, glancing over her shoulder at the house.

  “Thank you, Miss Murton. Each man said yes right away. They’re here because they want to make you feel welcome.”

  “Well, I do feel welcome. My cousins told me I’d love it here. I already do.”

  Taking the last bite of his meal, Noah noticed a small cloud of dust rising from the north edge of town, preceded by three riders. “Looks as if you might meet a few more of your neighbors.”

  “Morning, Noah. Doc Worthington mentioned you might need help fixing up that abandoned house for the new teacher.” Bull reined up next to him and dismounted, followed by Travis and Tat, another longtime Pelletier ranch hand. “We decided to see if that was right and share some news.”

  “He’d be right about needing the help.” Noah made the introductions and told the three what still needed to be finished. “What’s the other news?”

  “Rachel had the baby. A boy. They named him Patrick after Pat Hanes.” Bull’s smile spread across his face.

  Noah’s smile matched Bull’s. “How are they doing?”

  “She and the baby are fine. Dax may need some time to recover, though.” Bull laughed, then scanned the work on the house. “Seems you’ve made a lot of progress.”

  “It’s moving along. With your help, we might be able to finish today.” Noah nodded toward a wooden box a few feet away. “You can grab whatever tools you need from the box over there. I’m taking the wagon to pick up some more lumber.”

  “I’ll go with you.” Bull climbed onto the wagon next to Noah for the short trip to the other end of town. As the town grew, the original one room supply shop had tripled in size over the last year. Residents no longer had to make the journey to Big Pine and back for windows, stoves, and other materials. “I hear Miss Murton is cousins with Ty, Gil, and Mark.”

  “That’s right. They contacted her about the opening for a teacher. Seems like a real nice lady. Tell me about the baby.”

  Bull’s face lit up at the mention of the new Pelletier. “He’s a tiny thing, that’s for certain. Red, crinkly face and hands.
Dax brought him out of the bedroom for a couple minutes.”

  “It’s fitting they named him after Pat.” Noah pulled the wagon to a stop and set the brake.

  “I agree. I’ve met few men as good as him.” Bull and a few others worked for Pat, then stayed on when Dax and Luke acquired the ranch. It had been a good decision for all of them.

  They had just finished loading the wagon and prepared to climb aboard when Gabe strode up, holding a telegram.

  “Got word from Sterling. There’s been another raid at a ranch near Big Pine.”

  “When?” Noah asked.

  “Three days ago. He’s been out with a posse, trying to find the rustlers.”

  “Any luck?” Noah asked, already tensing at the knowledge the rustlers hadn’t left the area.

  “Not according to this.” He held up the telegram. “I plan to ride out to the Tolbert place and let them know what I’ve learned. Bull, can you go get word to Dax and Luke? You folks need to be prepared.”

  Bull nodded, then looked at Noah. “I’ll help Travis and Tat for a bit, then ride out.” Bull climbed up on the wagon.

  “I’m going with you to Tolbert’s. I’ll unload these supplies at Miss Murton’s house, then get Tempest.”

  “No need, Noah. Cash is riding out with me and Beau’s staying in town.”

  “I’m going—with you or on my own,” Noah growled, jumping up next to Bull and slapping the reins.

  “Heard you aren’t courting Abigail any longer.”

  Noah tossed a disgusted look at Bull. “Well, you heard wrong.”

  Bull nodded. “That’s good news.”

  Noah cursed under his breath, pulled the wagon to a stop, and turned toward Bull. “Now I need to convince Abby to give me another chance.”

  Bull slapped him on the back, snorting out a laugh. “Hell, Noah, the entire town knows how you feel about her, and her feelings for you. That woman wouldn’t care how many mistakes you make. She’d still marry you.” He glanced at Tat and Travis. “I’d better help the boys, then get back to the ranch. You tell Miss Abigail hello for me.”