“How’d you leave it with her?”
Ignoring the ache in his chest, Caleb answered with a single shake of his head.
“Damn.”
Caleb was about to say more when he spotted two familiar figures walking toward them. Sylvia spoke in her usual animated way while May kept her eyes focused downward, hands stuffed inside her coat pockets. When Sylvia saw them, she smiled at Mack, looked at Caleb, then glanced at May. He saw her head rise when Sylvia leaned closer and spoke to her. Seeing Caleb, her feet faltered enough for him to start toward her, stopping when she righted herself.
Sylvia stopped next to Mack, slipping an arm through his. “Good morning, Caleb.”
Touching the brim of his hat, he nodded. “Morning, Sylvia.” His deep blue eyes turned indigo when he looked at the young woman beside her. “May.”
Worrying her bottom lip, she forced a small smile. “Hello, Caleb.”
“May and I had breakfast at McCall’s. We decided to have Noah saddle our horses so we could take a short ride.”
“No.” Both Mack and Caleb barked out the word at the same time.
Crossing her arms, Sylvia cocked her head at her husband. “It’s clear and hasn’t snowed in several days. If we don’t go now, we might not get another chance for a while. Besides, May wants to try out her new horse.”
Caleb, who hadn’t taken his gaze off May, raised a brow. “New horse?”
Nodding, she tightened her grip on the reticule. “I forgot to tell you. My father bought me a mare when we rode out to the Pelletier’s yesterday.”
“Who trained her?”
Her eyes sparked at his terse question, but she kept her voice calm. “Wyatt Jackson broke and trained her. He saddled her and stayed in the corral with me until I felt comfortable. Her name’s Calamity, and—”
“You bought a horse named Calamity?” Caleb’s hard voice cut off the rest of what she intended to say. “Nobody marks a mare with a name like that unless she’s not fit to ride. You’ll have to take her back.”
Crossing her arms, May stomped a foot on the boardwalk. “I certainly will not return her. She’s sweet, feisty, and, well…I like her.”
Clenching fisted hands at his sides, Caleb glared at her. “Before you ride out with anyone, I’ll talk to Travis.”
Teeth grinding, she shook her head. “You will not speak with Travis. She’s my horse, Caleb. You’re forgetting what we decided last night. You no longer have any say in what I do.”
He moved closer, leaning to within inches of her face. “That was your idea, May. Not mine.”
Feeling a flush creep up her neck, she licked her lips, lowering her voice to a whisper. “You know the reasons, Caleb.”
His features didn’t soften. “Which were damn fool ones.” He hissed the words out, nostrils flaring. Realizing Mack and Sylvia still stood a few feet away, he straightened, releasing a frustrated breath. “I’ll ride with you.”
Seeing red flash on May’s face, Sylvia stepped forward, placing a hand on Caleb’s arm. “We both appreciate your concern, but there’s no need for you to take time from your job to ride with us. May and I are both experienced riders. Remember, I grew up on a ranch in Texas, and May’s father has been breeding and training racehorses since before she was born.”
Removing her hand from Caleb’s arm, Sylvia looked at Mack, lifting a brow. Seeing him nod, she turned back to Caleb. “Why don’t the four of us ride out after church on Sunday?”
Caleb and May continued to glare at each other, neither responding for several long seconds before he spoke.
“Fine. After church on Sunday.”
Sylvia clasped her hands together in triumph. “Wonderful. I’ll ask Suzanne to pack food for us to take along.”
Chest rising and falling with each labored breath, May fought the raging emotions fighting for space in her mind. The man before her was overprotective, domineering, and she loved him so much it hurt.
“If you’re still interested, Sylvia, I’d like to take a short ride today.” She sent a quick warning glance at Caleb. “Calamity needs to get used to me.”
“I’d love to. Let’s both change and meet at the livery.”
Giving a terse nod, May said her goodbyes, giving Caleb a searching look before picking up her skirts and walking across the street.
He watched until May disappeared inside the boardinghouse.
“Well, that went a little better than I expected.”
Caleb shot a questioning glance at Sylvia before his mouth rose at the corners. “You’re right. It could’ve been worse.”
“I’d better go change. I’ll leave you gentlemen to your job of protecting the town.” Placing her hands on Mack’s shoulders, Sylvia rose to her toes, kissing him on the cheek. “We won’t be gone long.”
“Please keep a close watch on Calamity, Sylvia. I know Wyatt wouldn’t have let May take the mare if he wasn’t certain she could handle the horse. Still…”
Hearing the slight tremble in his voice, she nodded. “I will, Caleb.”
Scrubbing a hand down his face, Caleb stood on the edge of the boardwalk, watching Noah hand the reins to the women. The fear at May riding out on the young horse wrapped around him as tight as a noose.
“They’re going to be fine.” Mack stood by his side, waiting while the women mounted and reined the horses east. “They’re going as far as Gabe’s house. They’ll take the trail around it before riding back. I’ll bet they won’t be gone longer than an hour.”
Mack’s words couldn’t stop the dread clutching at Caleb’s chest. He couldn’t understand the depth of emotion pulsing through him.
Something ate at him, and it wasn’t the mare. There was a soul-deep terror slowly building within him, warning Caleb to guard those he loved. It was irrational, frustrating, but no less urgent than the gut sensations he used to have during the war, or those which had saved him numerous times as a Texas Ranger.
The sense of unease was as real as May, the woman who’d wrapped herself around his heart, becoming a part of his life with unexpected ease. Caleb stilled on the thought. Did this mean he loved her? He hadn’t thought so, had dismissed the idea with brutal effort. She was a wonderful, beautiful woman he cared a great deal about. But love? The idea punched him in the gut.
Unlike Mack before he met Sylvia, Caleb did believe a man could love again. He wanted to love again, spend his life with a woman who meant everything to him. Only one woman came to mind on that thought. May.
No matter how much Caleb fought it, Regina’s image faded a little more each day until there were times he couldn’t remember her beautiful hair and flashing eyes. Before May, he hadn’t wanted to forget Regina, even clinging to the pain of her death as if it grounded him in some odd way.
After last night, hearing May describe the obstacles between them in such a calm way, Caleb knew he had choices to make, ghosts to purge from his life.
Steeling his resolve, Caleb headed toward the jail, a new purpose burning inside him. He’d never been a quitter and refused to give up now. Under no circumstances would May belong to another man. She belonged to him, and that simply wasn’t negotiable.
Chapter Fifteen
Charles escorted Clare into the Eagle’s Nest, hand on the small of her back. Pulling out a chair for her, he lowered himself into another, letting out a weary breath. They’d eaten breakfast, missing lunch to hurry around town, finalizing plans. It wasn’t until Clare’s stomach rumbled as they climbed the steps of the St. James that both realized their hunger.
“We accomplished a great deal today, sweetheart.” He studied her face, still having a hard time believing the woman he’d loved his entire life would be his tomorrow.
“You were right. Reverend and Mrs. Paige are a delightful couple. I’m so pleased he agreed to perform the ceremony.”
Charles reached over, patting Clare’s hand. “Are you certain the simple gold band is what you want? We can put off the ceremony and travel to Big Pine.”
; The corners of her mouth slid into a mischievous smile. “I’d marry you without a ring. Unless you’re having second thoughts. If so…” Her voice faded at the look of horror on his face.
“We are not delaying our wedding any longer,” he grumbled. “I’ve waited a lifetime for you, Clare. I’ll not wait any longer.”
She bit back a smile. After all this time, she still saw the same familiar expressions on his dear face. The years had been kind to him. Charles didn’t have the sagging jowls or growing belly of so many men in their forties. Trim, with a hint of silver in his dark blond hair, he was still the most handsome man she’d ever seen. And tomorrow, he’d be hers.
“I thought I saw you two. Are all the arrangements made?” Lena Evans took a seat next to Clare.
“We’ve done all we know to do.” Charles ticked off their stops. “Spoken to Reverend Paige, picked a wedding ring, sent word to Rachel, obtained a license, and selected a dress for Clare, which Allie Coulter is altering.”
“And arranged a late lunch for the guests with you.” Clare smiled at Lena. “Thank you so much for being so wonderful about reserving the restaurant for us.”
Lena returned the smile. She wouldn’t tell them the partners in the hotel and restaurant would be paying for the wedding feast. Charles would object. This way was so much easier. He simply wouldn’t be given a bill for the food and service.
“I assume you haven’t eaten.” Lena stood. “You’ll be our first supper customers today. What may I bring you?”
Clare rested her weary body against the back of the chair, although her eyes were still bright with excitement. “Whatever is convenient would be fine with me.”
The corners of Charles’s eyes crinkled at the expectant expression on Clare’s face. “The same for me, Lena. Thank you.”
“I’m glad we’re having a small wedding, Charles.”
“It was easy once we made the decision to marry tomorrow. There isn’t enough time to take out notices. The important people will be here, and that’s what matters.”
“How many do you expect will attend?”
“Thirty, at most.”
They looked up when Lena approached with two plates filled with venison steak, potatoes, cooked cabbage, and buttermilk cornbread. “Here you are. Let me know if you want more.”
“Thank you, Lena.” Clare didn’t wait to alleviate her hunger with the wonderful smelling food. She’d eaten here every day before the fire, but the food never tasted as good as it did today. Nothing had ever been as good as it was today. For the first time in many years, Clare looked forward to tomorrow and a shared future with Charles.
Rushing up the stairs from his spot in the lobby of the St. James, he cursed under his breath. Unlocking the door to the room next to his, he shoved it open.
“They’re marrying tomorrow. We have to do something tonight.” He lowered himself into a chair by the window. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes.”
The one word response infuriated him. “What should we do?”
“If people in town are aware the wedding is tomorrow, propriety dictates she stay in her room at the hotel tonight. After she falls to sleep, you’ll have plenty of time to sneak inside. You’ll use her pillow.”
“To smother her?” he asked.
“Of course. When you’re finished, return the pillow to its place and leave the room. It’ll appear she died in her sleep. Neat, clean, and final.”
He chuckled at the simple solution. So much easier than burning down the church or trying to sneak into the doctor’s house. “All right.”
“Good. Now, you must leave. I must prepare for this evening’s supper and pack for tomorrow.”
His brows furrowed. “Pack?”
“Of course. Once she’s dead, there’ll be no reason to stay in this hovel any longer. We’ll wait long enough for the doctor to provide the needed certificate, then be gone.”
A broad smile broke across his face. “It can’t come soon enough for me.”
“Nor me.”
Outside the jail, Hex pushed onto the back two legs of the chair. Bundled in his heaviest coat, his hands shook with cold as he whittled a piece of wood. A late afternoon wind had swept off the mountains to blanket Splendor in a bone clenching chill. The sound of boots pounding on the boardwalk had him lowering the knife and wood to his lap.
“Evening, Dom.”
Glancing down at Hex’s handiwork, he smiled. “Evening.”
“Pull up a chair.” Hex nodded at the one several feet away.
“What are you working on?” Dom leaned back in the chair, shooting a look at the piece of wood and knife.
“A horse for Isaac.” Hex chuckled. “The boy wants a real one. This will have to do until he grows a bit more. Are you planning to stay around a while?”
Dom nodded. “I’m considering it.”
Hands stilling, Hex’s attention fixed on him. “That so? I thought once Tabitha Beekman leaves you wouldn’t be far behind, heading back to Austin and your Ranger job.”
Lifting a shoulder, his expression didn’t change. “Neil Howie has resigned as the U.S. Marshal for the Montana Territory district.”
“I hadn’t heard about it.”
“I doubt there’s been any announcement. His last day is December thirty-first and they’re still looking for a replacement. I met with him in Big Pine on my way back to Splendor.”
Resting his hands in his lap, Hex’s gaze settled on Dom. “Sounds like you’re going to be the new Marshal.”
“I’m not certain yet, so don’t let that get around. Howie sent a telegram to Washington, recommending me. You never know what those officials back east will decide. Besides, I’m looking at buying a piece of land east of town.”
Hex’s brows rose as he blew out a low whistle. “Buying property is a pretty permanent decision for a man from Texas.”
Dom stared at the passing wagons on the main street, mouth twisting in thought. “Sylvia is here. If I return to Texas, my father will put the same pressure on me to marry he did on my sister. I’m not interested in anyone picking my bride but me.”
“So you’re thinking of being a lawman rancher.”
Barking out a laugh, Dom nodded. “Guess I might be. Depends on what I hear from Howie. I’m pretty set on buying the land and running some cattle.”
“Did I hear you say you’re going to run cattle, Dom?” Caleb had stepped out of the jail, leaning a shoulder against the building, hands shoved in his coat pockets.
“I’m talking to Horace Clausen about some land east of the Pelletier place.”
“Do Dax and Luke know it’s for sale?” Caleb asked.
“They turned it down. Clausen said they’re not ready to expand any more right now.”
Hex glanced up from his whittling. “You might also be looking at the next U.S. Marshal for Montana.”
Caleb raised a brow. “That so?”
Dom nodded. “The current one is retiring the end of the month. He sent my name to Washington.”
“I suppose y’all have heard the news.” Cash joined them on the boardwalk, his gaze slipping down to watch Hex work the wood in his hand.
Caleb shifted to look at Cash. “What news?”
“Doc Worthington asked Mrs. Billings to marry him. The wedding’s tomorrow at noon in the Dixie. The reception is at the Eagle’s Next afterward. Lena says we’re all invited.”
Caleb remembered Clare, the woman hurt in the fire. “Do May and Sylvia know?”
Cash shook his head. “I don’t know. Allie is sewing the wedding dress. That’s how I heard about it.”
Standing, Hex shoved the wood and knife into a pocket. “I think this news calls for a celebration. How about we all go to Ruby’s Grand Palace?”
Holding up his hands, Cash backed away. “Sorry, boys, but Allie will kill me if I go inside Ruby’s, unless it’s to arrest someone.”
Hex snickered. “Pathetic, but understandable.”
Chuckling, Dom stood. “I’
ll go along. How about you, Caleb?”
“Wish I could, but I have Isaac.” After what happened between him and May, he’d been hankering for a drink. Several would be better.
Hex moved next to him. “Ask May to watch him for a bit.”
Caleb shook his head. “Not possible.”
Dom clasped his shoulder. “If you change your mind, we’ll be at Ruby’s for a while before heading to McCall’s for supper. Feel free to bring Isaac and join us there.”
“Thanks, Dom, but not tonight. I’m going to spend the evening with my son and go to bed early.”
Caleb didn’t see a night in his future when he’d be able to relax with his friends over a whiskey while watching a show at Ruby’s. Instead of the regret he expected, a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. It happened every time he thought of his Isaac, the excitement on his son’s face when Caleb entered their house.
The regret he felt had to do with May. He’d no longer have to wonder if she’d come by the house or join him for a meal at the boardinghouse. She wouldn’t. They were over, and no matter how much he wished it weren’t true, he had to accept the reality of her no longer being a part of his and Isaac’s life.
“We’ll see you tomorrow at the wedding.” Hex nodded at Caleb and Cash as he and Dom headed toward Ruby’s.
Cash turned toward the jail. “I’m heading inside. I’ll let Gabe know you’re on your way home.”
“Thanks, Cash.”
Caleb didn’t budge from his spot on the boardwalk. He wanted to head home, relieve Isabella, and spend time with Isaac. He also wanted to stay put, watch for May, needing a glimpse of her before leaving.
“Did you hear about Doc getting married tomorrow?” Bernie Griggs, manager of the telegraph office, hurried toward him, not waiting for Caleb’s response. “The whole town is going to be there. I’m even going to close the office for a couple hours so I can see it for myself. I’d best get home. See you tomorrow, Deputy.”
“Evening, Caleb.”
He turned his gaze from Bernie. “Evening, Noah. Are you on your way home?”
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