Pinching the bridge of his nose, Gabe nodded. “That’s the one part I can’t figure out. Maybe it was done to throw us off, make us think the Smiths retaliated.” He let out a heavy breath. “It’s speculation, nothing more.”
Cash had been silent, listening to everyone before commenting. “Since we’ve nothing else, it’s as good a guess as any. Do you have any idea who?”
Gabe grimaced, shaking his head. “None.”
The room quieted as each of them considered Gabe’s theory.
“I don’t think it’s either of his sons.” The men shifted their gazes to Cash. “Curtis is hotheaded, but not the type to run the Smiths off, no matter how much he hates having the sheepherders in their part of the territory.”
“What about Morgan?” Mack asked, wishing he’d kept his mouth shut when Caleb lifted a brow at him.
Cash’s mouth twisted. “He’s less probable than Curtis. Morgan attended college to be a doctor. As I recall hearing, Norman came down with a severe fever during his son’s second year of school. He wasn’t expected to live, so Morgan agreed to come home. He never returned to school after his father recovered. Morgan’s more of a healer than a killer.”
Zeke straightened from his spot against the desk, glancing around the room. “What about the foreman, Buster Maddox?”
Dutch frowned. “I understand he’s been with Miller for years. What do you think, Gabe?”
“I don’t see Buster doing anything without Norman’s order. There’s just one way to find out.”
Cash nodded. “We need to post ourselves near the Miller ranch and watch. I don’t see any other way to figure out who’s doing this.”
“I’ll go.” Mack had no reason to stay in town.
“As will I.” Caleb walked to the stove, pouring a cup of coffee, wincing at the taste of the tepid brew.
“Everyone will take turns until we figure out what’s happening. Two deputies, two nights. Dutch and Caleb will ride out first. Cash and Beau next, Hex and Zeke after them.”
Mack’s brows furrowed. “What about me, Gabe?”
“I’ll need you to stay in town with me. Can’t leave the townsfolk unprotected.”
Irritation pinched Mack’s features. “They won’t be unprotected. Even with two deputies watching the Miller ranch, there’ll still be five of us in town.”
Gabe ignored the protest, looking at Dutch and Caleb. “You two get ready to head out. The rest of you get back to your duties.” He waited until everyone had left before turning a hard gaze on the only man who remained.
“Dammit, Gabe. I need to get away from here.”
“What you need is to get your head straight.”
An incredulous expression glared back at Gabe. “Get my head on straight? What the hell are you talking about?”
Standing, Gabe walked around his desk. “You’re no good to me until you figure out what you want.”
Mack shook his head, brows drawing together. “What are you talking about?”
Gabe crossed his arms. “Why’d you bury yourself in a bottle last night?”
Jaw tightening, Mack glared back. “That’s my business.”
“You’ve made it my business by almost killing yourself with whiskey. I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but whatever it is, straighten it out. You’re no good to anyone right now, not even yourself.” Picking up his hat, Gabe walked to the door. “Go home, Mack, and get some sleep. Maybe that will help you sort it out.”
Mack paced the small area in the front room of the house he and Caleb shared. He couldn’t sleep, his head throbbed, and his stomach roiled at even the thought of food.
Gabe’s words locked in his head, forcing him to do some hard thinking. Unfortunately, he wasn’t in any condition to consider anything other than simple subjects, and anything involving Sylvia wasn’t simple.
Whether Mack wanted to admit it or not, she was the reason he’d drowned himself in whiskey. Being honest, his decision to end their courtship was the reason, mocking him every minute from the time he woke until he dropped off to sleep. He should’ve known it wouldn’t take long for a new suitor to appear, attempting to take what Mack still considered his.
His reasons seemed so clear a few days ago. He couldn’t offer Sylvia what she wanted, what she deserved. The proper decision was to walk away, let her find a man who could fulfill all her dreams, including marrying for love. A few days ago, Mack knew without a doubt he wasn’t that man. Then he’d learned of Morgan’s invitation to supper.
He’d wanted to bury his fist in the man’s face, watch in satisfaction as he crumbled to the floor. Instead, he’d secured a bottle of whiskey, sulked off to a table, and tried to forget his greatest mistake by numbing his brain and body.
Mack should’ve known it wouldn’t work. When his head cleared, he’d still have to deal with the same laughable decision. He just wished he could find any amount of humor in his actions.
Unrelenting pounding on the front door stopped the pacing. Mack turned, wanting to ignore whoever stood outside. He’d decided whoever knocked had given up when the pounding started again. Letting out a breath, Mack relented, stepping to the door.
Opening it, he’d been ready to deliver a terse greeting when his eyes widened. An instant later, a fist connected with his jaw.
Chapter Twenty
Before he opened the door, Mack didn’t believe he could feel any worse. Lying on the floor, rubbing his jaw, he rethought the assumption.
“What the hell?” Mack mumbled, his gaze fuzzy even as he perceived the shadow looming above him.
“Do I have your attention?” Dominic reached out a hand, yanking Mack upright.
Continuing to rub his jaw, he blinked to clear his vision. It took him a few moments to recognize Sylvia’s brother standing before him. Gritting his teeth, Mack accepted his day was going to get worse before getting any better.
“Do you want a whiskey?” he ground out, relieved his jaw still worked.
Dominic snorted. “Haven’t you had enough for a dozen men?”
He cringed, wondering if everyone in town knew about the previous night. Letting out a frustrated breath, Mack moved to the sofa and sat down. Ignoring Dominic’s question, he ran a hand through his hair.
Crossing his arms, Dominic looked around the small house, noticing two doors he suspected led to bedrooms. He’d already heard Mack shared the place with Caleb. Sylvia deserved better, but she loved the man and that was all her brother needed to know.
“I want you to stay clear of Sylvia.” Dominic lowered himself into a chair, leaning forward, his features hard as granite. “She deserves better than the way you treated her.”
Mack agreed. “It wasn’t my intention to hurt her.”
“Yet you did. I’m guessing you knew you would walk away the entire time you courted her.”
Mack grimaced, unable to argue the point. He’d learned what she wanted not long after they’d started courting, but continued seeing her, knowing he’d never be able to provide the love she desired.
“This is a small town. With her working at the general store, it’ll be impossible for me to stay away from her.”
“It won’t be for long.”
Mack’s gaze shot to his. “What do you mean?”
“I intend to take her back to Texas.”
Lips pressing together, he swallowed the bile Dominic’s words caused. “Is that what she wants?”
“What the hell do you care what she wants?”
Muttering a curse, Mack shook his head. “I just want her to be happy.”
“Right now she’s nowhere close to that, and won’t be as long as she stays in Splendor. I plan to take her with me to Austin. It’s growing, with a lot of single men looking for wives. I’m betting it won’t take long for her to forget about you.”
Dominic’s words ran together in Mack’s mind, his attention focused on the possibility Sylvia might leave Splendor. A ball of ice began to form in his gut, growing with each passing minut
e. He’d never considered Sylvia leaving, couldn’t imagine going through each day without a glimpse of the beautiful woman he cared so much about.
“She loves Splendor.”
Dominic shrugged. “She can fall in love with Austin—and a different man.” Standing, he moved to the door. “I expect you to stay far away from Sylvia until I can get her out of town.”
“Most days I take my meals at the boardinghouse.”
“There’s the Eagle’s Nest and McCall’s. Eat at one of those places until she’s gone.” Dominic set his hand on the doorknob before turning back to glare at Mack. “If you do anything to hurt her again, I’ll find you, and I guarantee you won’t like the outcome.”
Stepping out into a beautiful fall afternoon, Dominic smiled with a sense of satisfaction. All he had to do now was wait, hoping his visit would generate the desired result.
If not, then Adam Mackey truly wasn’t the man Sylvia needed.
Miller Ranch
Dutch crouched behind a stand of thick bushes and low-hanging elms, his field glasses focused on the main house and barn. From their current position, he stared into the sun’s glare. “We’re going to have to move closer once the sun sets.”
“I’m thinking over by the stables.” It would be too risky to get close to the buildings on this side of the house during daylight.
“Agreed.” Dutch handed the glasses to Caleb, keeping watch for anyone approaching from behind.
“If whoever is doing this comes from here, they won’t ride out until dark.”
They were fortunate Norman’s house had been located near the property line with the Smiths. The position would be easier to spot anyone riding in the direction of the sheepherders.
Caleb lowered the glasses, looking at Dutch. “I’m guessing Miller believed he’d be the one buying the land west of him or he wouldn’t have built so close to the boundary. It must have come as quite a shock when the Smiths bought it out from under him.”
“Harold Clausen said it was a sale between two parties who knew each other.” Dutch removed his hat, running a hand through his dark red, unruly hair. “The banker knows a lot about everyone in Splendor. As I recall, either Eb or Elija is married to the previous owner’s daughter.”
“How do you hear all this stuff, Dutch?”
He shrugged. “I meet Clausen for breakfast every few weeks. It’s a habit I gained while working for Pinkerton. Allan liked us to stay close to town leaders.” Dutch chuckled. “It’s amazing what you learn over eggs and coffee.”
Caleb snorted. “Maybe we should’ve asked Clausen who he thinks is killing the Smith’s animals.”
“If we don’t figure it out, I’ll be sure to ask him the next time we have breakfast.”
Dutch’s droll response had Caleb chuckling. Lifting the glasses, he aimed them toward the barn. “Looks like the men are coming in for the night.” Caleb passed the glasses back, scooting back several feet to stand and stretch. “I’m hungry. Do you want some hardtack and jerky?”
Dutch nodded, not lowering the glasses. “It looks like Buster’s walking into the main house. I’m not sure I agree with Gabe about the foreman.”
“I think Norman is ordering Buster and a few men to drive out the Smiths.” Caleb took a bite of hardtack, handing a biscuit and a piece of jerky to Dutch.
They stood in the shadow of the trees, eating while keeping watch on Miller’s ranch. It wasn’t long before the sun settled behind the western mountains, the sky darkening with a slim sliver of moon to light the land.
After a while, they left their horses behind, bending low as they ran across the long expanse of open space to huddle beside the stables. From their position, they’d be able to spot anyone riding south toward the Smith property. Unfortunately, it would take them several minutes to return to their horses and follow.
“Over there.” Caleb’s voice had dropped to a low hiss. “There are two men entering the barn.”
They watched for several minutes, disappointed when they left the barn for the bunkhouse. When an hour passed with no other activity, Dutch slid to the ground.
“This could be a long night. Get some sleep, Caleb. I’ll take first watch.”
Sliding down beside Dutch, he lowered his hat, closing his eyes. Within a few minutes, Caleb fell into an uneasy sleep.
Splendor
Mack rubbed the sleep from his eyes, squinting at the sunlight shining through a slit in the curtains. Three days had passed since Dominic visited. Three days of Mack fighting with himself over what to do about Sylvia.
As hard as it had been, he’d heeded Dominic’s request and stayed away from the general store and boardinghouse. Twice he’d spotted her through the windows of each, a lump forming in his throat before he moved on.
He felt a little ridiculous this morning watching her cross the street to the general store. In the evening, he’d watch Dominic escort her home. Mack couldn’t help thinking he should be the one by her side, not her brother.
Stepping away from the jail’s window, Mack tried to make sense of his unrelenting desire for Sylvia. He never imagined it would be so hard to walk away, settle her into a distant slot in his memory. Knowing of Morgan’s interest in her, and recalling Dominic’s warning, the loss seemed so much more tangible.
“Are you just going to watch her?” Caleb chewed a piece of jerky, a smug grin tipping the corners of his mouth.
It had been four days since Gabe’s men started watching the Miller property. None of the deputies had seen anything suspicious. It was as if the rancher knew they were being observed, which Gabe believed he did.
Hex and Zeke had replaced Cash and Beau that morning. In two days, Caleb and Dutch would switch with them, starting the cycle again. All the men knew it could go on for weeks until whoever was behind the actions believed it safe enough to ride out again.
Mack hesitated a moment before answering. “I haven’t decided.” Caleb’s jaw dropped enough for him to notice. “Don’t look so surprised. You’re the one who told me I was a fool to let her go.”
“I’ve never known you to take my criticisms seriously in the past.”
Crossing his arms, Mack snorted. “I don’t recall you ever commenting about my decisions in the past.”
Caleb lifted a brow. “True, but I never felt the need to point out your flaws before now.” He bit off another piece of jerky, chewing slowly.
“Dominic plans to take her back to Texas. To Austin.”
Caleb pointed the dried meat at Mack. “Now there’s a place I’d like to see. Maybe I’ll ride along with them.”
Picking up his hat, Mack settled it on his head. “She’s not leaving.” He didn’t wait to hear more from Caleb, heading outside to take long, determined strides to the general store.
Stepping to the front window, he looked through the glass, gratified to see Sylvia alone. He didn’t wait before pushing the door open to walk inside.
He saw the moment she noticed him. She straightened, eyes wide, inhaling a sharp breath. Recovering quickly, Sylvia lifted her chin.
“Deputy Mackey.” Her voice quivered a little. Otherwise, she showed no sign of how she felt at being so close to him. “What can I get for you?”
Mack furrowed his brows, realizing he hadn’t thought beyond seeing her again. Not from across a street or through a window, but standing a few feet away. He didn’t know how long he stared before Sylvia cleared her throat.
“Can I help you find anything, Deputy?” Her voice was clipped, impatient, as if she wanted to be anywhere except standing in front of him.
“No. Yes…” Mack glanced away. He had no idea what to say, and for an instant, didn’t know why he’d even come. “I, um…wanted to see how you were doing.”
Sylvia crossed her arms, her mouth twisting. She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time, not liking what she saw. “How I’m doing?”
Disgust rose within him. Not at her, but at himself and the way they’d parted. Blowing out a frustrated breat
h, he met her skeptical gaze.
“I’ve missed seeing you, Sylvia.”
Her closed features softened. Not much, but enough for Mack to notice. “You’ve missed me?”
“Does that surprise you?”
She took a slight step away, wishing someone would enter the store, ending this conversation. Sylvia didn’t want him so close, asking questions, telling her things she didn’t want to hear.
“Well, yes, it does.”
He noticed her move away in slow increments until at least a yard separated them. Unwilling to allow it, Mack moved closer, noting her swift intake of breath.
“It shouldn’t, Sylvia.”
Shoving aside a combination of surprise and hurt, she turned, walking to stand behind the counter. A relieved breath crossed her lips. Setting both hands on the counter’s edge, she narrowed her gaze.
“I never expected to see you again, except in passing. You made it quite clear you no longer wished my company.”
He shook his head, voice calm. “You’re twisting my words.”
Her back stiffened. “Not at all.” Pressing her lips firmly together, she seemed to weigh her next words. “I’ve had time to think about what you said, and you were right to end it.”
Mack stilled. “I was?”
Her fingers dug into the counter. “As much as I wanted you to care enough to marry me, you were right not wanting to shackle yourself to someone you didn’t…” She swallowed, “couldn’t love. We both deserve better.”
His chest tightened, squeezed to a degree the breath stuck in his lungs. “I would never have felt shackled to you, Sylvia. Not trapped or chained or imprisoned. Not in any way.”
Her brows drew together. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
Mack blew out a humorless laugh. “I’m not certain, either, other than I can’t sleep or eat. Nothing feels right.”
She quirked a brow. “And you’re drinking more.”
A tight smile cracked his otherwise somber expression. “You heard about that, did you?”
“I’m afraid most everyone in town did.” She felt her pulse increase under his intense stare. “So, what is it you want from me, Mack?”
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