Redemption's Edge (29 page)

“I saw him.” Dax threw his cards down and leaned his chair back on two legs.

Luke shot him a look, but kept quiet, already knowing the sheriff planned to take Rachel to the boardinghouse restaurant. He didn’t believe there was more to Gabe’s invitation to supper than friendship. Anyone who saw the way she looked at Dax could see he held all of her interest, if only he’d claim the prize right in front of him.

Dax had this notion that Texas held his future. Luke felt otherwise. He’d grown to like Splendor, the ranch, and the people. He couldn’t imagine a more beautiful place in the entire country, and they held a treasured piece of it. Luke wasn’t about to give his share up, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to take Dax’s. It left Dax in an odd position. Of course, he could ride out, like he’d tried to do in Savannah. If he’d planned on abandoning the ranch, Luke believed he’d already be gone. No, his brother still struggled with something and, whatever it was, it kept him in Splendor—at least for now.

Chapter Fifteen

“Thank you, Gabe. I had a wonderful time.” Rachel offered a sincere smile. Gabe had been a perfect host, attentive and interesting, and getting out of the house had been a welcome break to her daily routine.

They’d finished their pie and the last of the coffee. Rachel rotated the cup in her hands and glanced out the window to the main street. The saloon stood straight across from them. She wondered if Dax had gone there for drinks, cards…or something more. The thought he’d seek companionship with another woman hurt.

“No need for thanks. I appreciated eating a meal without staring at Noah’s ugly face. And it’s far better than my own poor excuse for cooking.” In truth, Gabe had enjoyed a chance to sit down with a pretty lady, something he hadn’t done in a long time.

“Does Mr. Brandt know you speak of him so?”

He chuckled. “Believe me, he says worse about me.”

“Everyone is so glad you took the sheriff’s job. It’s hard to describe the sense of unknown that’s plagued the town since the previous sheriff’s murder, plus the violence around Splendor and attacks against the Pelletiers. It means a lot to everyone to have you here.”

Gabe shifted in his seat, uncomfortable with the confidence Rachel and the rest of the town placed in him. He’d yet to prove himself. “I’ll stay for a while, until the trouble is gone or a new sheriff is found. I’m not quite ready to settle in one place. I guess I’m still searching.”

“Like Dax.”

“Excuse me?”

“Dax says the same, except he knows where he wants to settle.”

“Texas.”

Her eyes lifted to his and, for a brief moment, Gabe saw pain pass over them before she masked it.

“You, better than most women, know about war, the responsibilities someone like Dax carried, and the kinds of decisions he had to make. I don’t know him well, but it could be he needs time away from command, away from being responsible for anyone except himself.”

“Is that what you need?”

“Perhaps. I was an officer, but didn’t carry the same load Dax did. As an officer, you feel the weight of your decisions and how they affect the men in your command.”

“You may be right, except some men are born to lead. It’s in their blood. I suspect you and Dax are much alike.”

One corner of his mouth crooked upward. “All I know is I’m not ready to settle down.”

“And would it matter if you met the right woman?”

His brows drew together. “I don’t know. The problem is a man’s got to be comfortable with himself, believe his life is in order, before he can commit to someone else. There’s a tremendous responsibility associated with settling down with a woman and taking on the role of husband and provider.”

“And are you comfortable with yourself?”

“Most days. Others…” His voice trailed off as if he’d pondered the same question himself.

“All right, you two. I’m bushed and ready to close up.” Suzanne stood over them.

Neither had noticed they were the last ones in the restaurant. “Apologies, Mrs. Briar,” Gabe said as he stood and pulled back Rachel’s chair. “I lost track of time.”

“No problem, Sheriff. It’s good to see you in here.”

Rachel tried to hide the fact she glanced at the saloon as they walked back to her house.

“Do you want me to go over to the Rose, see what he’s up to?”

She shot Gabe a murderous look, uncomfortable her feelings were so easily read. “No! It makes no difference to me what he does. It’s his decision.” Her words did nothing to still the regret she felt at Dax’s choice to leave her behind when he left Splendor.

Rachel turned when they’d reached her door. “Well, thank you for the meal and conversation.”

“We’ll have supper again before I leave. You can count on it.” Gabe tipped his hat as he turned away.

She slipped inside, closing the door behind her.

“Did you and the sheriff have a good time?”

Her uncle’s voice startled her. “I didn’t realize you were still up. You do know I’m a grown woman and you don’t have to wait up for me.”

Charles set down the book he’d been reading. “Who said I waited up for you? I couldn’t sleep, that’s all.” He stood and walked down the hall to his room. “Goodnight, Rachel.”

She shook her head at his poor attempt to hide his concern. Rachel prepared tea, then took a seat in the parlor, balancing the cup on her lap. She closed her eyes, remembering the sound of Dax’s voice, the touch of his lips to hers, and the feelings which invaded her whenever he stood near. The air vibrated around them, as if they shared a private language no one else understood.

If she tried hard enough, she could feel his arms tighten around her, a hand drifting to her head, holding her in place for his intoxicating kisses. Her face burned as she remembered the thrill of being held so close and the urge she felt to surrender to his powerful touch. She’d never wanted the sensations to end, but the decision had always been out of her control. Her eyes drifted open as she inhaled a deep breath, attempting to calm the hammering in her chest.

She leaned back in the chair, willing herself to make sense of his decision and allow herself to move on. Her eyes closed as she remembered how he’d looked tonight.

He’d taken scant notice of her when she’d walked into Suzanne’s with Gabe. The look on his face showed no trace of regret, as if any feelings they held for each other had evaporated, leaving them little more than mere acquaintances. She took a sip of tea and tried to put it all into perspective.

She’d known Dax less than three months, although her fascination had begun from the first time they’d met. Something inside told her he’d felt the same tug toward her. The attraction grew whenever they were together, and before she knew what had happened, she’d fallen in love with the man. She’d even allowed her imagination to take over, believing she’d become important to him and fantasizing he’d be a permanent part of her life. How wrong she’d been.

Her path seemed clear. Forget Dax Pelletier and focus on the reason she’d come to Montana in the first place—the clinic and her uncle’s medical practice.

They’d talked of traveling to visit folks at remote ranches, the ones who made the trip to Splendor only when forced to by a lack of supplies. Most handled illness and injury alone, and many died without proper care. The fact the Westons brought their daughter, Janie, to the clinic had been a positive sign. Now she and her uncle needed to reach out to the other families.

He’d also treated the occasional Blackfoot Indian who’d visit the white man’s doctor when all else failed. The visits were rare and not encouraged by the tribe. However, each time, Charles had been able to expand their trust in his cures and his sincere desire to help them. On more than one occasion, he’d expressed an interest in visiting their village, and had extended an invitation for Rachel to join him. She had to admit the thought interested and scared her.

Most people in town discouraged the doctor from reaching out to the Blackfoot, believing it would lead to nothing good. Living in Boston, she’d grown up on stories of the savage tribes who inhabited the frontier, reading of attacks and torture against white settlers. She now understood much of what had been written may not have been accurate. As she’d come to accept, there were two sides to the actions behind the Civil War. She believed there must be two sides to the stories told of Indians, as well.

She thought more of the plans she and her uncle had spoken about, and her mood lifted. She recognized she had a full life in Splendor, without the need for a romantic entanglement. Supper out once in a while, a ride in the country on occasion, but a relationship? Not now.

Rachel changed into her nightdress, snuffed out the light, and climbed under the covers. Tomorrow, she’d start fresh—with Dax forgotten.

“I got the location of their ranch and something more,” Clark said as he swung off his horse, poured some coffee, and lowered himself in front of the fire where everyone sat. “I saw both the Pelletiers in the saloon. They were playing cards with some of their men.” He took a sip of some of the awful coffee his brother Jed had made and grimaced. “Damn, Jed. You’ve got to learn how to make this stuff.” He shifted his gaze to Duff. “Those two don’t look so tough to me.”

Duff ignored the comment. From their actions, the Rangers had already proven Clark wrong. “How far is their ranch from town?”

“A few miles northwest,” Clark answered.

“How many men?”

“I didn’t ask. Figured it wouldn’t matter since we’ve already decided to go after them.”

Duff swore, pinning his cousin with a disgusted glare. “Your momma ever say you ended up with half a brain?”

Clark threw the last of his coffee on the fire, trying to ignore the anger at Duff’s comment. “There’s five of us and they don’t know we’re anywhere around here. Unaware we’re even after them. We gonna leave if there’s ten or fifteen of them, forget about Deke, and ride back to Texas?”

“He’s right, Duff. We came here for one reason. To kill the Pelletiers. No matter how many men they have, there will come a time when they’ll be alone. That’s when we strike.” Whitey lit a hand-rolled cigarette and inhaled with a deep draw, releasing the smoke in a slow stream.

“Oh, we’ll get rid of them, but we need to handle it in a different way than I’d planned. They’ll definitely recognize you and me, Whitey, and possibly Clark. I doubt they’ve ever seen a wanted poster on Bill or Jed. Here’s what we’ll do…”

“Rachel, come quick.” Charles pounded on her bedroom door, trying to wake her at the early hour. “There’s been an accident at the Pelletier ranch and I’ll need your help.” The sun hadn’t yet begun to rise as Charles grabbed supplies from the cabinets and picked up his satchel. “I’ll harness Old Pete and get the wagon ready. You dress and go out front. Tell Ellis we’re on our way.” He ran to the back to get the wagon.

Rachel tried to clear her sleep-fogged brain as she dressed, reached for her bonnet and shawl, then raced out front.

“What happened?”

“Most of the boys were out with the herd last night, bedded down, when something spooked the cattle. They plowed straight through camp. Two of the new men are pretty broken up. Rude’s got a knot on his head but, other than that, he’s okay.” Ellis looked up to see Charles drive the wagon onto the main street and stop to let Rachel climb up.

The doctor drove as fast as he dared, pushing Old Pete to his limit and hitting every rut in the dirt road.