Noah watched him grab a hammer and some boards from the back of the wagon before joining Travis. He looked over his shoulder, spotting Gabe ride Blackheart out of the livery. He needed to join him.
“Wait for me.” Noah dashed past him, saddling Tempest in record time.
Gabe, Cash, and Noah road at a brisk pace, cutting the normal travel time almost in half in their rush to alert Abigail and Dirk. Noah didn’t slow much when they reached the ranch house, dismounting and running up the steps to pound on the front door.
“Abby? Abby, are you in there?” When he got no answer, he pounded again until the door flew open.
“What in the world are you doing, Noah Brandt?” Fanny Dobbins stood on the other side, her hands resting on her ample hips.
He ripped off his hat and bowed a little. “Sorry, Miss Fanny, but I need to speak with Abby or Dirk. It’s urgent.”
“Well, Miss Abigail rode out at dawn with one of the men. She told me she may not be back for a few days.”
“And Dirk?”
“He’s been gone a few days already. I think she may be riding out to meet him and the other men.” She watched as his face become tense, his hands fisting around the brim of his hat.
“Do you have any idea where?”
She rubbed her forehead. “Well, let me think. Dirk mentioned the herd on the eastern border. They might be there, but I don’t know for sure.”
Noah slammed his hat back on his head and turned toward Gabe and Cash. “We need to ride to the pasture on the far eastern border.”
“Do you know how to get there?” Cash asked.
“I do.”
He took them on a straight path north, then east, his fear growing with each mile. It wouldn’t be uncommon for Abby to join the men during the workday. After all, as the ranch owner, she had a lot to learn and needed to gain the respect of her cowhands—not as a woman, but as their boss.
The sun touched the tops of the mountains behind them as they rode around a large stand of pine and into a clearing devoid of cattle or ranch hands. Noah took off his hat and swiped a sleeve across his forehead.
“Where to now?” Gabe asked, pulling out his canteen, taking a drink, then passing it to Cash, then Noah.
“If Fanny is right, they’ll be another mile or two ahead.” Noah handed the canteen back to Gabe and settled his hat on his head. “If not, then we keep riding until we find the herd.”
They didn’t need to change direction. Riding through the other side of the clearing, they spotted cattle a mile away in a vast pasture, men circling on horseback. The sounds of bawling and bellowing increased the closer they rode. Two riders broke from the circle and rode toward them. Noah squinted, recognizing Dirk, but not the rider with him.
Wearing slacks, a hat pulled low on his head, the other man appeared more slender and without the height of most cowhands. As they got closer, Noah squinted, then cursed as he spotted hair flying behind the second rider. Abby. He should have known. She rode the same horse the day he’d taken Hasty to her ranch.
“What brings all of you out here?” Dirk asked as he and Abby stopped, her eyes catching Noah’s for a brief moment before shifting away.
“I received a message from Sheriff Sterling in Big Pine about more rustling over there.” Gabe tipped his hat to Abby, ignoring the fiery glare Noah shot him.
“Guess I should’ve sent word to you. We spotted Archie Swaggert and another man around the herd. Most of our men are here, circling the cattle and rotating watch at night. If the gang comes, we’ll be ready.”
Noah nodded toward Abby. “And her?”
She shifted in the saddle as her eyes came up to fix on Noah’s, anger sparking. “I would think that would be obvious, Mr. Brandt. I’m here because I own the ranch.”
He moved Tempest forward until he sat within a foot of her, his gaze boring into hers. “Go home, Abby. Let your men handle this.”
“As long as the cattle are in danger from rustlers, I’m staying.” Her intense gaze never broke from his.
“You aren’t prepared to deal with rustlers. You don’t even know how to shoot a gun.” Noah’s voice hardened at her resistance.
Abby glared back at him. “Of course I do. You taught me.”
“One lesson isn’t enough for what may await us. Go back to the house, Abby. You shouldn’t be here.” Noah’s voice rose, as did his annoyance at her refusal to listen. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe. He wanted…
They both turned at the sound of muffled laughter behind them. Cash and Dirk shifted, looking anywhere except at Noah and Abby as Gabe cleared his throat.
“Why don’t Cash and I follow Dirk to the herd? You two join us when you’re ready.”
“I’m ready now.” Abby began to turn Joker around when Noah reached out and grabbed her reins.
“Hold up a minute, Abby. We need to talk.”
“There’s nothing more to say. I’m staying and nothing you can say will change my mind.”
Noah’s jaw tightened, but he dropped the reins. She wasted no time catching up with the others, leaving him to work out his frustration on his own.
Abby hadn’t expected to see Noah when she and Dirk took off to check the southern border. Her first reaction felt as if all the air had been sucked from her lungs, followed by a tight pressure in her chest and an ache in the area of her heart. The emotions spread over her in quick succession as her mind accepted the inevitable—she’d have to find a way to be cordial and gracious to the man who’d broken her heart.
She hadn’t expected him to practically order her back to the house. Ignoring him wouldn’t have done any good, but arguing hadn’t achieved a solution either. He’d told her he didn’t want her or the life she’d been thrown into against her wishes. Somehow, he still felt he had a right to order her around, bend her to his will. She didn’t understand why he even cared.
“Miss Tolbert, do you have a minute to talk?”
She looked up to see Dirk standing over her. When they returned to camp, she’d secured Joker and found a spot near the fire. A few minutes alone would clear her head and help her deal with Noah being so close.
“Of course. Sit down.”
Dirk lowered to his haunches, resting his arms on his thighs. “Don’t jump down my throat, but I agree with Noah.” He held up his hand when she started to interrupt. “Hear me out. You don’t need to be here. In fact, you shouldn’t be here. If anything happens to you, all the men, the ones who depend on you for their food and a place to sleep, will be tossed out on their own. The ranch will flounder until the estate is reviewed, which could take months. I understand you want to support the men as the owner of the ranch, but this isn’t the way.”
Her shoulders slumped as he explained his reasons for not wanting her to stay. She hated that he made so much sense. Most of all, she hated admitting she’d made a mistake riding out to the camp. She remembered other times when her father left to confront suspected rustlers. Each time, she huddled in her bed, afraid he’d never return. He finally hadn’t, leaving the responsibilities of the ranch to her. Dirk made sense. She had no one to take over if any harm came to her. There truly was no choice. She never considered herself stupid and had no intention of letting others believe it of her.
“You think I should leave?”
“Yes, but not tonight. Tomorrow morning, I’ll send men back with you.”
She nodded, her face showing none of the emotions she felt.
“All right. I’ll let the men know.” He stood, watching as Noah, Gabe, and Cash walked toward them. “I’ll tell them your decision.”
“I’d like to tell Noah.” She shot a glance at him. “And thank you, Dirk.” He nodded before joining Gabe and Cash.
Noah approached the fire at a slow pace, taking a seat near her. His eyes studied her, not liking the slump of her shoulders or sullen expression. He knew he’d been out of line. She owned the ranch and could make decisions regarding her own safety. Unfortunately, his concern for her
wouldn’t let him ignore the danger.
“Don’t say it, Noah.” She didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes focused on the flames before her.
His brows drew together in confusion. “Don’t say what?”
She let out a deep sigh. “Dirk agrees with you. No doubt Gabe and Cash feel the same. I’ve decided to go back to the house tomorrow and I don’t want to hear another word from you about it.”
He kept his expression neutral as relief washed over him. The thought of Abby getting hurt or killed during a raid caused a chill to knot his insides. He didn’t know how he’d live if anything happened to her.
“I’ll ride back with you.”
“No, thank you, Noah. Dirk will send men with me.”
“All right, if that’s what you want.” He didn’t leave. There remained so much to say and explain, but now wasn’t the time to talk it through. They had to focus on the rustlers and saving the cattle. Once they eliminated the danger, he’d get her alone and do whatever it took to earn back her love.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Hours passed and she still lay in her makeshift bed, listening to the occasional sounds of cattle. Dirk positioned men in a circle around the pasture. Most would be difficult to detect, which was what he planned. Gabe, Cash, and Noah stayed in the main camp, at least until the rustlers arrived, which they all believed would happen.
Noah made no further attempt to talk or come near her. He’d found a spot yards away to sit and watch, his Spencer repeating rifle by his side. He’d once told her he used a Sharps rifle while in the army, which now hung on a wall in his cabin, a reminder of what he’d done to help preserve the Union. She knew years as a sharpshooter had taught him patience, which he’d need tonight as the vigil continued into the early morning. She watched him as long as she could until her eyes drifted shut, pulling her into a fitful sleep.
Shouting, loud cracks of gunfire, and bellowing cattle jerked her awake. She sat up, trying to get her bearings, then threw off her covers and stood. Before she had a chance to think, her body slammed into the ground, crushed beneath another body.
“Stay down, Abby.” Noah’s stern command and hard form kept her immobile. He lifted his weight, looking around, then grabbed her arm. “Come on.” He pulled her behind a group of low shrubs. At least she’d be hidden, even if they wouldn’t protect her from flying bullets. “Do not leave this spot.” He pulled a gun from its holster, handing it and extra bullets to her. “Use this like we practiced. Do not hesitate to shoot. Do you understand?”
She nodded, her dazed face searching his. The harsh determination in his eyes strengthened her as she took the gun from his hand.
“Promise me you won’t move from this spot, no matter what you hear or see.”
“All right. I promise,” she breathed out as the sound of gunfire came closer.
He grasped her chin, lifting her face to his, and lowered his mouth. The kiss lasted mere seconds before he dropped his hand and was gone. Moments later, she saw him ride out toward the scattering cattle.
Abby huddled, motionless, gripping the gun in both hands, her eyes searching the dark. No one remained in the main camp. Noah hadn’t mentioned the rustlers, but she knew they’d arrived as Dirk predicted. There could be no other explanation for the gunfire and stampeding cattle. She leaned back, resting the pistol in her lap, and took a deep breath, praying Noah and the others would return unharmed.
The sounds receded the longer she sat. Abby glanced around, deciding whether to stay put, as she promised Noah, or dash toward her horse. Hearing nothing except the distant shouts of men and gunfire, she picked up the gun, shoved it in the front of her pants, and slipped the extra bullets into a pocket, pulling her lightweight jacket around her. Taking a calming breath, she slid forward onto her knees, preparing to stand, when someone gripped her hair, hauling her to a standing position and turning her around. She gasped, recognizing Archie Swaggert.
“Well, guess we hit the jackpot, Lem.”
She struggled and tried to pull away, the pain increasing as Archie’s grip tightened.
“You’re not going anywhere, girlie,” he smirked, holding his gun slack at his side.
“Let me go,” she snarled, kicking his legs and writhing in his grasp.
He yelped as her boot connected with a knee, then threw her to the ground, pointing his gun at her head. “You best shut up.” Archie bent forward, rubbing his injured knee and turning to Lem. “Get some rope.”
“What do you plan to do with her?”
“She’s our insurance for getting out of the territory. As long as she’s with us, no one will try anything for fear we’ll shoot her.”
Lem’s jaw hardened, knowing they had little choice.
Tolbert’s men had been waiting when they came for the cattle. They’d been surrounded within moments of reaching the herd, warned to drop their guns and dismount. Hal and the others ignored the warning, drawing their guns and firing into the dark. Most hadn’t made it, taking bullets when they refused to surrender.
Lem and Archie took advantage of the chaos to ride out, keeping to the perimeter of the pasture until they saw the faint glow of the fire where they’d thought Tolbert’s men had camped. Now they knew it was a ruse to draw them out.
Lem grabbed a rope, taking little time to tie her hands and stuff a grimy handkerchief in her mouth.
“Get her on a horse and tie her hands to the saddle horn. We need to get as far away as possible before they know she’s gone.” Archie dragged her up, shoving her forward. Within minutes, they were on horseback, riding at a fast pace away from the ranch.
“Four dead and the rest are tied up. Swaggert and Pruett aren’t among them.” Dirk reined to a stop next to Noah.
“Do we know if they rode in with them?” Noah slid his rifle in its scabbard and shifted in the saddle, searching the nearby hills.
“They did. Must have taken off when they realized they were surrounded.”
Noah scanned the pasture, his eyes drawn to the dim glow of the fire from their camp. He needed to get back, make certain Abby remained where he’d left her.
“I’m going to check on Abby.”
“You left her in the camp alone?” Dirk hadn’t had time to think of her during the mayhem.
Noah’s mind shifted to Archie and Lem.
“Shit.” Noah didn’t wait for Dirk or the others, turning Tempest around and racing toward the camp. “Abby!” He slid to the ground, checking the area where he’d left her. “Abby!” He turned in a circle, searching the camp, seeing nothing until his eyes lit on the empty spot where Joker had been kept with Tempest and Blackheart.
Looking at the ground where she’d hidden, he noticed boot tracks and what appeared to be someone being dragged. He followed the tracks until they disappeared at the spot where Joker had stood. By the time he returned to his horse, Gabe, Cash, Dirk, and Mal were waiting.
“She’s gone.” He swung up on Tempest. “Tracks indicate someone took her by force. We have to find her.”
“Swaggert and Pruett,” Gabe spat out as Cash followed the tracks.
He moved from side to side, studying the tracks, kneeling to get a closer look, then standing and looking at the trail ahead. Pacing forward, he came to a stop and turned around.
“They took her this way.”
“You lead, Cash.” Noah rode up beside him, narrowing his gaze, a plea in his voice. “Find her.”
Abby worked the ropes securing her hands to the saddle horn as Archie led Joker. Lem rode behind, glancing over his shoulder every few minutes and listening for the sounds of horses coming from their rear. It didn’t take long for Abby to loosen the poorly tied knots and slide her hands free.
She could feel the hard metal of the gun secured within her pants, still surprised neither Archie nor Lem had discovered it. Her hands shook as she tried to reach inside her trousers, knowing any extra movement of her arm or elbow might alert Lem, who rode a few feet away.
They’d slowed their
pace over the last hour, riding in a zigzag pattern, even backtracking on occasion to cover their tracks. Still, Abby knew where they were.
“Where are you taking us, Archie?” Lem asked, riding up next to his partner.
“To an old path Drake discovered a year ago. It bypasses Splendor, taking us through the hills several miles to the east of town. It will be almost impossible for them to follow us on the deer trails.”
“If they’re following at all.”
Archie glared at Lem, growing impatient. “They will follow. Once they realize Miss Tolbert is missing, they’ll track us, and they won’t give up.”
“Why don’t we leave her? By the time they find her, we’ll be over the border and into Wyoming.”
“We will, but not until we’re away from Splendor, deep in the eastern hills.”
Abby listened to the two men. If they left her, there were no guarantees she’d be found. If Noah didn’t locate her by nightfall, the odds were great she’d fall victim to one of the predators common in the area. No. Being left behind wasn’t an option. She needed to get away before they dumped her in some remote spot, tied and possibly gagged.
The sun peeked above the hills, casting a stream of light on the trail, making their travel easier. Lem continued to ride next to Archie, giving Abby the time she needed to reach into her trousers and pull out the gun. She knew Noah had left it loaded and ready to fire. As long as neither turned around to check on her, she’d be able to conceal it.
Archie and Lem stopped at the top, looking out on the dense forest which spanned for miles in front of them. He pulled Joker forward, allowing Abby a glimpse of what lay ahead.
“In the middle. There,” Lem smirked, pointing to the center of the forest. “Then we ride hard and don’t look back.”
A shiver ran through her at the thought of being abandoned in such isolation. She needed to act soon.
Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) Page 24