Redemption's Edge (28 page)

Big Pine, Montana

“What did the sheriff say?” Whitey stood at the bar, waiting for his brother to speak with Sheriff Sterling, who’d ridden out of town early and returned in the afternoon. He’d hoped they’d be on their way to Splendor by now. Their journey would have to wait until tomorrow.

Duff signaled for a drink. “He knows Dax Pelletier—doesn’t know the brother. He was in Big Pine a few weeks ago to pick up supplies with a couple of other people. They have a ranch in Splendor. He says it used to be belong to Pat Hanes.”

“The man I killed,” Whitey said under his breath.

Duff nodded. “Looks like they may have decided to stay a while, which means they’ll be easy to find.”

Whitey sipped his whiskey, a smile spreading across his face. He could feel the rush of getting close to the men they sought. Within days, the Pelletiers would be dead, Deke’s life avenged, and they’d be on their way back home. “When do we leave?”

“First light tomorrow.” Duff looked behind him at the table where their cousins—Clark, Bill, and Jed Olin—sat playing cards. “We’ll send one of them to find out where the ranch is. I have yet to see a wanted poster on them, but our faces are all over. Big Pine and a couple other small towns are the only places where ours weren’t up.”

“Who’s the sheriff in Splendor?”

A grin split Duff’s face. “They don’t have one. He got himself killed several months ago. That’s another reason Pelletier rode here. To get the word out the town needs a sheriff.”

“No sheriff and the Pelletiers don’t know we’re coming. Should be pretty simple. While we’re there, we might as well relieve their bank of any excess funds, don’t you think?”

Duff held his glass up in a salute. “I think it’s an idea worth considering.”

An hour after the sun appeared the following morning, the five outlaws rode out of Big Pine and straight toward Splendor. Their stops were quick. They took enough time to water the horses, eat hardtack and jerky, wash both down with water, then moved on. Well before sunset, they camped a few miles outside of town.

“Try the saloon first. Someone there is bound to know where their ranch is located.” Duff stood next to Clark, as his oldest cousin prepared to leave. “Remember, you’re an old buddy from the war and heard the Pelletiers were up this way. Nothing more.”

“I got it, Duff. Hell, you’ve been telling me what to say for twenty minutes. How about I bring back some whiskey?”

“No. We stay sober until this job is done.”

“And the bank?” Whitey asked.

“I’ll take a look while I’m in town. See if it looks worth it,” Clark called over his shoulder as he turned his horse toward town and started off.

“Truth is, I don’t know how we’ll be able to take care of the two Rangers and the bank. It’s going to be one or the other.” Duff stood, hands on hips, and watched Clark ride off.

“Unless we split up,” Whitey said.

“That’d be plum foolish. We came here for one purpose. To avenge Deke. Robbing a bank will need to wait until after those boys are in the ground.”

Whitey knew better than to argue with Duff, especially when he’d settled his mind on something. A small town, no sheriff and, more than likely, little resistance. It seemed a waste to leave money in the bank.

Dax wrapped the gun belt around his waist, buckled it, and slid his Remington into the holster. He adjusted the black vest he’d slipped on over his white shirt, and glanced at the black coat he hadn’t worn in months. It lay on the bed, waiting for him to slide it on. Dax wasn’t sure why he’d even brought it with him from Austin. The decision had been made at the last moment, before they’d left town with Pat’s body.

He’d been out with the herd for the last two weeks, learning the ranch boundaries and locating missing cattle. All the while, his mind worked through the dilemma he’d created. Luke still hadn’t budged. If anything, he’d become more adamant about his refusal to buy Dax out. They both knew he wouldn’t sell to a stranger and, the truth was, he didn’t know if he could walk out on Luke.

His brother’s plan was simple. Resign from the Rangers and work the ranch for a year, figuring a year would give them time to see if they wanted to stay or sell. They both knew their captain would take them back anytime. He’d told them as much when they left.

As he left the herd and rode back to the ranch, he realized the thought of one more meal at the house, no matter how good the cooking, didn’t appeal. Supper at Suzanne’s, followed by cards and a few drinks at the Rose sounded real good. Luke had decided to head into town earlier with the rest of the boys. Dax had declined, saying he might join them later.

The sun hadn’t set as Dax rode out on Hannibal. He took his time, watching the sun drop behind the western peaks of the Territory Range. The clouds began to turn light pink, then yellow, before transforming into a vibrant orange as he rounded the last turn toward Splendor. The beauty of the evening sky turned his thoughts to Rachel, and the familiar tightening of his chest began. It occurred each time her image formed in his head, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop his reaction to her memory.

Every day, he woke up wondering if he’d made a mistake by walking away and leaving the one woman he’d ever known who could stir his blood with a quick glance. And for what? To pursue an unknown future in Texas. He’d believed time away from Rachel would be all he needed to wipe her from his life. He’d been wrong. If anything, his feelings for her had grown stronger, more intense, and he found it rare when his thoughts didn’t turn to her. He’d never forget the look on her face when she’d learned he’d decided to leave. That’s when he knew. Rachel had fallen in love with him, as he had her. What a mess.

Dax heard the music from the saloon as he passed the schoolhouse. To his left, he could see Noah still working in the livery. As the sun settled behind the mountains, he rode up to the boardinghouse, threw Hannibal’s reins over the hitching post, and glanced down the street. A couple doors down, a lantern still burned in the clinic and he thought of Rachel. Would she be there, or in the house fixing supper? Had she thought of him at all the last few weeks?

He continued to stare as the clinic door opened and the woman who’d captured his heart walked outside to shake a blanket. She didn’t notice him as she shook the material several times before throwing it over her arm and turning to go back inside. That’s when she saw him and stopped.

Dax found himself taking a couple of steps toward her. He raised a hand in acknowledgement. She responded with a grim smile and slight nod before looking at the ground and walking inside. He started to go after her, then halted. Nothing had changed. He still believed he’d leave Splendor at some point in the near future. He needed to work things out with Luke which, given his brother’s less than friendly attitude toward Dax’s determination to leave, could take a while.

Rachel’s life remained here, or perhaps in Boston. Seeing her again would only start the process over and that’s not what he wanted, did he? Doubts continued to plague him. What was so important about Texas? Could there be a chance to find contentment on the ranch? He shook his head and walked toward the restaurant door, taking one more glance down the street before disappearing inside.

“Good evening, Dax. Table for two?” Suzanne asked.

“It’s just me tonight.”

“One special coming right out for you.” She started to turn, then changed her mind. “You want anything else? You know, I keep a stash of whiskey in the back—for emergencies, of course.”

With a slight smile, Dax answered, “Do I have the look of a man needing a drink?”

“Let’s just say I’ve seen you look better.” She patted his shoulder and left for the kitchen, returning within minutes with a large helping of roast beef and potatoes. “I’ll bring you some coffee.”

Dax busied himself thinking of Drake until Suzanne set down his plate. He stared at the food. He’d been ravenous by the time he’d reached town, his mouth watering for Suzanne’s cooking, including a large slice of pie. When had he lost his appetite? He cut a piece of the meat, placed it in his mouth, and chewed, not expecting the bland taste and dry texture. He used a generous amount of coffee to swallow it down, and cut another slice. It tasted the same. Knowing her menu consisted of one main dish each night, he glanced around, surprised at the pleased faces of others.

His head turned at the slight squeak of the entry door and his eyes lit upon Rachel, followed a moment later by Gabe Evans. His already dry mouth tried to swallow the lump he felt at the sight of her with their new sheriff. She wore a different dress from the one he’d seen her in not thirty minutes before. A smile lit her face when she glanced up at something Gabe said.

“Two? Or will Noah be coming along?” Suzanne asked.

“Just the two of us tonight.” Gabe placed a hand on the small of Rachel’s back as they followed Suzanne to a table not far from Dax.

“Good evening, Dax.” Gabe stuck out his hand as Dax stood. “Why don’t you pull up a chair and join us?”

Dax shot a quick glance at Rachel before shaking Gabe’s hand and returning to his seat. “Thanks, but I’m almost through.”

“Here’s your pie. I’ll take that if you’re finished.” Suzanne picked up the half-eaten roast and refilled his cup. “It wasn’t to your liking tonight?” She nodded toward the plate.

“Guess I wasn’t as hungry as I thought. I’ll settle up now.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins. “Thanks, Suzanne.”

He stayed to eat a few bites of pie, glanced once more toward Gabe and Rachel, then left. He hesitated a moment by the front door before stepping outside. He almost turned back, wanting to at least speak with Rachel a moment, hear her voice and, well…be in her company, if only for a few minutes. He stopped himself when he realized she’d moved on. Gabe came from the North, had served in the Union Army and, from what he’d heard, had a similar background to Rachel’s. It made sense the two would be attracted to each other. He hadn’t expected her to move on so soon. The thought warred with his common sense. Had he meant so little to her?

Dax settled his hat on his head and started across the street. A shiver ran up his spine, almost like a warning, causing him to stop and look up one end of the street, then the other. He saw no one. The loud music and lights of the Rose drew him inside and he forgot the odd sense of foreboding which had passed through him moments before.

“Over here, Dax.”

He turned his head toward Luke, who sat a couple of tables away and pointed to an empty chair.

“You in?” Ellis asked as Dax took a seat.

“I’m in.” Once again, a strange warning flashed through him. His narrowed eyes searched the saloon for any odd behavior or suspicious action. A man leaning against the bar glanced at Dax, then shifted his gaze elsewhere. As before, he saw nothing that would trigger the hairs on his neck to bristle.

Within minutes, he held cards in one hand and a whiskey in the other. His eyes continued to scan the saloon. He noticed the man at the bar continue to study the room, his eyes landing on Dax a few times before glancing away. The tense feeling began to subside as the alcohol warmed his blood and his body relaxed. One game after another passed, with him holding the winning cards on a rare occasion. Luck wasn’t his partner tonight. He looked up as the man who’d been standing at the bar shoved through the swinging doors and left.

“Gabe stopped by earlier. Asked if you were in town.” Luke watched the faces of the others at the table and pushed some chips forward. “I told him you were at the boardinghouse.”