“I need to get my bag and tell Rosemary. She knows to get Doc Worthington, if needed.”
“I’ll go speak with Cash and meet you back here.”
Bounding down the steps of the clinic, he walked down the street to the back of Allie’s store. She and Cash lived in an apartment upstairs. Hurrying up the back steps, he pounded on their door.
“Coming.” Cash’s voice made it clear Wyatt had woken him up. When the door opened, his friend ran a hand through his unruly hair. “What the—”
“I need your help.”
Wyatt explained what happened, then left Cash to ride out to Gabe’s, his friend promising they’d be at the ranch as soon as possible. Meeting Clay, they wasted no time getting to the old Frey ranch, finding Travis hobbling around.
Clay dismounted, untying his bag from behind the saddle. “You shouldn’t be using that leg until I’ve checked it.”
Wyatt looked around, his confused expression locking on Travis. “Where are the bodies?”
Placing fisted hands on his hips, Travis shook his head. “Don’t know. I went to the back of the house to see if I saw anything worth salvaging. Must have been too much for me ‘cause I passed out. By the time I came to and made it back around here, the bodies were gone.”
Wyatt clasped Travis’s shoulder. “Might’ve been the best thing. If the outlaws saw you were still alive, they might have shot you or taken you with them.”
“Let me look at your leg, then you two can talk about what happened. Go sit down over there, Travis.” Clay motioned to an overturned bench near the barn, putting an arm around Travis’s waist to help him. Settling him on the bench, Clay pointed to his pants. “You’re going to need to take those off or I’ll have to cut them.”
A disgusted look passed over Travis’s face. “Help me get them off.”
Gently pulling them off, Clay tossed them aside. “Tell me what happened.”
Travis pinched the bridge of his nose. “We were trying to get downstairs. Bullets were shattering windows, glass flying, and the fire had started to grow. I remember trying to get away from a falling piece of wood and tripping over some furniture. The wood landed on my leg, pinning me down for a minute or so before Sam helped me up. That’s when one of their bullets got him.” Red-rimmed eyes met Clay’s. “How’s the boy doing, Doc?”
“Sam’s going to be fine. The bullet went clean through, so we just need to keep the wound from getting infected.” Clay studied the long, deep gash on one side of Travis’s leg and the burn marks on the other side. “You’ve got a couple nasty injuries here. I’m going to need to suture up the gash. Then I’ll clean the burned area and apply salve. Neither is going to be pleasant.” Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a bottle of whiskey. “I trust you can drink this without help.”
Travis smirked, grabbing the bottle from Clay. Opening it, he took a long swallow, then another short one. “I’m ready.”
“Do you need my help, Doc?” Wyatt stood next to him, grimacing at the damage to Travis’s leg.
“Not if Travis can sit still.”
Lifting the bottle, Travis drank more of the soothing liquid. “I’ll be fine, Doc.”
Chuckling, Wyatt shook his head. “Shout if you need me. I’m going to take a look around.”
The only light came from the moon as he walked around the open expanse between the house and barn. Stopping at the spot where two of the outlaws had dropped, he bent down. Even with the low light, he could tell the bodies had been dragged before the tracks vanished. Standing, he turned at the sound of horses.
Holding up a hand, he motioned for Gabe and Cash. “This is where two of the outlaws went down.”
Dismounting, Gabe walked toward him. “Where did you put the bodies?”
“Travis said they disappeared. I remember three, but all are gone.”
Cash joined them, his gaze moving from the barn to the corrals, then to the house. “Not much left.”
Gabe glanced toward the barn, his gaze landing on Travis and Clay. “What happened to Travis?”
“Gash in his leg and burns from the fire. Sam pulled him out before it got worse. That’s when he got shot.”
Cash nodded. “Saving Travis.”
“Seems so. I saw at least a dozen men—some on horses, others on foot. They were scattered around the house, at the corrals, and near the barn. All their shots were trained on the house until I started shooting, then they shifted their attention to me.”
“You shot three?” Gabe asked.
Wyatt shrugged. “I could’ve hit others, but those are the ones I saw fall.”
“Pretty good shooting for a man riding at full speed toward them.”
Cash moved beside Wyatt. “He was the best marksman under my command. If he says he shot three, my guess is he probably got a couple more.”
“Thanks, but my skills have deteriorated a little since the war. What I don’t understand is why? They went after three men with nothing of value on them. The horses are what created the wealth.”
Cash stared at the corrals, seeing the gates wide open. “They herded them out?”
“From what I saw, they let the animals go. I didn’t see any men follow the horses off the property.” He rubbed a hand across his forehead. “Doesn’t make sense.”
“Sure wish we had the bodies. There might’ve been something on them to give us an idea why they attacked and burned everything.” Kneeling, Gabe studied the spot Wyatt first showed him. “They dragged the bodies, then loaded them onto horses. Took their men, but nothing else.” Standing, he glanced up at the moon. “We aren’t going to get much done tonight. Have you notified Dax and Luke?”
“Walt rode to Redemption’s Edge while I took Sam to town. Knowing the Pelletiers, they’re on their way over.”
Wyatt had barely spoken the words when a group of riders arrived from the north, circling the area before reining to a stop. Dax, Luke, Bull, and Dirk dismounted, taking in the damage before acknowledging those already there.
Stepping next to Wyatt, Dax clasped him on the back. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Sam’s at the clinic, recovering from being shot, and Travis is over with Doc McCord. I rode in after it all started. Sorry I couldn’t stop them, boss.”
“Nothing to be sorry for, Wyatt. From what Walt said, you were the reason our men got out alive.” Dax waved his hand around at the devastation. “All this can be rebuilt.”
“I’ll work as many hours as needed to get this place back up. Just tell me what you want.”
“I appreciate it, Wyatt. Luke and I have some thoughts on what we want to do.” Turning away, he walked toward Travis, kneeling down to look at the wounds to his leg.
Luke moved next to Gabe. “We’re going to camp here tonight. The rest of the men will arrive early in the morning to help search for the horses.”
“We won’t be able to do much tonight. Before you leave in the morning, do you mind if I have your men spread out and look for anything that might give us an idea of who might’ve done this?”
“Not at all. The sooner we figure this out, the sooner we get whoever shot our boy.”
Wyatt leaned back against a fence post, rifle resting across his lap. His gaze moved across the burned wreckage, his gut clenching when he thought of what might have happened if he’d been delayed in town.
Travis and Walt were quiet men, content to stay around the ranch, do their work, and enjoy the isolation the Frey ranch offered. From the little he knew about each of them, Wyatt found it hard to believe either could make enemies bent on this type of destruction. At seventeen, Sam couldn’t have played any part in the outlaw’s decision to strike the ranch.
Wyatt had made enemies when he went after Ned Baylor. The man directly responsible for his brother-in-law’s death, triggering the death of his sister, now took up space in a cold grave six feet below ground. He didn’t know if Baylor had family and didn’t care. Wyatt sought justice for his family and found it. Now he wanted to rebuild hi
s life and find peace.
The thought brought him right back to who might have done this and why. He kept returning to the only reason he could come up with. The outlaws targeted this location as a way to get at the Pelletiers.
They had become the most powerful family in the western region of the Montana Territory. Few owned the acreage, the number of cattle, or hired as many men as Dax and Luke. He knew both had been approached about taking part in the territorial government. Both refused, citing their duties to the ranch.
The notoriety made them a target of those who coveted their success. Wyatt couldn’t understand what the destruction of this small horse operation would gain for anyone. The vast amount of their money came from the cattle sales, not the horse contracts. Even though it had grown over the last couple years, temporarily shutting down the small operation did little to dent the Pelletier’s wealth or influence.
Focusing on a spot behind the house, he let out a breath. Nothing would be solved tonight.
“Mind if I join you?”
He looked up to see Dax standing over him. Wyatt hadn’t even heard him approach.
“Not at all.”
Dax slid down beside him, his own rifle at his side. “I can’t sleep and saw you guarding the place. It’s doubtful they’ll return.”
Wyatt breathed out a humorless chuckle. “I agree, but I’m not taking any chances.”
“What’s your theory?”
He looked at Dax, his jaw working as he thought through what to say. “I think it’s a message to you and Luke.”
Dax nodded. “Luke and I agree with you. We just have no idea who it would be.” Stretching out his legs, he focused on a spot behind the burnt out hull of the house. “Luke and I have an idea of what we want to do and I’d like your opinion.”
“All right.”
“We want to move the horse breeding and training operation to the main ranch. Bull would be in charge of adding a barn, large bunkhouse, and corrals. The men will do the work.”
“Have you mentioned it to Travis or Walt?”
“Walt worked for the Frey brothers before they sold out and loves it out here. He’ll do whatever we want, though.” A wry smile crossed Dax’s face. “Travis’s brain is a little numb with whiskey, but he thinks it’s a good idea. What are your thoughts?”
Rubbing his chin, Wyatt thought through the advantages and disadvantages. “It makes sense having everyone together. We’d cut down on traveling between two locations and have better access to good grazing land. It’ll also make it easier to cull the remuda from the horses we want included in the Army contracts.”
Dax nodded, then stood up. “Good. I appreciate your thoughts, Wyatt. That’s what we’ll plan to do.” He started to turn away, then glanced back down. “Travis doesn’t want to lead the horse operation.”
Wyatt’s eyes widened. “What does he want to do?”
“Train horses, nothing more.”
“If not Travis, who’ll be running the operation?”
“You.”
Chapter Ten
Nora paced back and forth in the parlor, Lena looking out the window, waiting for word about the attack on the ranch. Before leaving, Gabe told them not to worry, saying he’d either be home within a few hours or would get word to them as soon as he could. By four in the morning, they’d heard nothing.
“You should get some sleep, Nora. It won’t be long before you need to get ready for work.”
Shaking her head, she looked out the window again. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Should I make more coffee?”
“I’d appreciate it.” Lena followed her into the kitchen, taking a seat. “I know you’re worried about Wyatt. From what Cash told Gabe before they left, Wyatt wasn’t hurt.”
Setting the coffee pot on the stove, Nora turned toward Lena. “I’m worried about all of them.”
“Especially Wyatt.”
“Well, yes. We had such a good time at supper tonight, then he rode back to the ranch to find it surrounded by outlaws, the house burning.” She let out a deep breath. “And Sam shot. Why would anyone do that? He’s just a boy.”
“We won’t know any more until Gabe returns.” Standing, Lena took two cups from a cupboard, placing them on the counter. “Why don’t you tell me about supper?”
Picking up the coffee pot, Nora filled each cup. Taking hers, she sat down, cradling it with both hands, waiting while Lena sat down and added a teaspoon of sugar to her cup.
“We had an extremely nice evening.” She glanced at Lena, then looked away, her eyes soft and vulnerable.
“Did he tell you much about his past?”
“Not much, although he did mention his parents died when he was fourteen.”
Lena leaned forward, inclining her head. “Isn’t that how old you were when your mother died?”
“Yes. That’s when Father sent me to school in Philadelphia.”
“What happened to Wyatt when his parents died?”
“His sister raised him. He didn’t say much more about it, other than he enlisted in the Confederate Army at nineteen. From what Allie told me, his sister and brother-in-law died not long after he returned to the family farm after the war.” Nora stared into her coffee, as if she expected to find answers in the dark liquid. “I think he did things during the war that still haunt him.”
“I’m sure he did. Most men who fought still deal with the carnage. Gabe, Cash, Beau, the Pelletiers, Noah…they all saw things we can’t even imagine.”
“Didn’t Rachel serve as a nurse for the Union Army?”
Lena nodded. “She did. The way Rachel described it, she didn’t face others in battle or kill anyone. She nursed the men brought into the field hospitals. But I’m certain she had to deal with what happened the same as the men.”
“Maybe that’s why she seems so calm all the time. I’ve never seen her flustered or angry.”
Lena laughed. “Oh, she can get angry. And believe me, you don’t want her wrath focused on you.”
The sound of the front door opening and closing had them abandoning their coffee to dash into the living room.
“Gabe.” Lena threw her arms around her husband, gave him a kiss, then leaned back. “Is everything all right?”
Shaking his head, he removed his hat, setting it on the hall tree. “They destroyed the old Frey place. The house and barn burned to the ground. Walt got away clean, but Travis has a bad gash and burns on one leg. Doc McCord treated him, then rode back to town with me and Cash.”
“Any news on Sam?”
“I stopped by the clinic and spoke with Rosemary. He woke up for a while, then fell back to sleep. She thinks he’s going to be all right.” Nodding at Nora, he unstrapped his gunbelt, hanging it on a hook by the door. “Any coffee left?”
“At least half a pot.” Nora walked into the kitchen, grabbed a cup for Gabe, and filled it.
“Thanks.” Taking it, he sat down, weariness edged around his eyes and mouth.
Lena sat next to him, placing a hand on his arm. “How’s Wyatt doing?”
“It would’ve been much worse if he hadn’t ridden in when he did. He downed three of them and drove the rest away. Walt says it took less than a minute. I don’t know anyone else who could’ve done that.”
Lena tilted her head. “What about Noah and Bull?”
“Noah’s the best sharpshooter I’ve ever seen, and Bull’s not far behind him. Neither did it while riding full speed on the back of a horse.” Sipping his coffee, his mouth tilted into a weary smile. “Cash didn’t seem all that impressed. Says that’s what Wyatt always did.”
Nora’s gaze narrowed on him. “What?”
“Rode straight into danger with no regard for his own safety.” Gabe looked at Nora, reaching over to settle a hand on her arm. “He’s fine. More angry at himself than anything else.”
“Why would he be angry with himself?”
“Wyatt thinks he should’ve been there instead of having supper in town.”
Nora lo
oked down at her lap. “With me.”
Lena sent a warning glare at her husband. “I’m sure that’s not what Wyatt thought. Right, Gabe?”
“I doubt it. Cash thinks he blames himself for not being there when his brother-in-law was murdered. He’d been working in the barn when his sister, well…when she decided to kill herself not long after her husband died.”
Nora gasped, her face going pale. “She committed suicide?”
“Gabe,” Lena hissed.
Grimacing, he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Nora. I thought he would’ve told you.”
Looking away, she forced aside the sick feeling in her stomach. “He told me his parents died when he was young and his sister raised him, but nothing more.”
“What I know about Wyatt came from Cash, and he didn’t tell me much. Cash felt he had to say something when he took off from his deputy job a while back to help Wyatt and another friend. You’ll have to ask Wyatt if you want to know more.”
“No. It’s not my business. If Wyatt wants to tell me about his past, he will.” Standing, Nora picked up the empty cups, walking to the sink. “I’m going to try and sleep for a while.”
Gabe pushed away from the table and stood, looking at Lena. “Cash and I are heading back out there in the morning. It was too dark to find any tracks tonight.”
Lena touched his arm. “Then let’s get whatever sleep we can.”
Following them upstairs, Nora stepped into her room and closed the door. Her stomach still churned from learning about Wyatt’s sister and her husband. He’d never answered her question at supper about what kept him up at night. After Gabe’s comments, he didn’t have to. She now understood what he meant about the death of his family. He hadn’t only been speaking of his parents. Wyatt had been talking about everyone he’d ever loved.
Wyatt walked around the charred remains of the house, looking for anything salvageable. All the furniture the Frey brothers left behind had been destroyed, along with clothing, bedding, and draperies. Pots in the kitchen were charred. The old wood stove was covered with soot but still usable. The entire upstairs had collapsed, broken glass and pottery strewed everywhere.
Forsaken Falls Page 9