Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) (14 page)

He settled fisted hands on his hips and glared at her. “I don’t want your money, Abby. Take the horse on Sunday. All I ask is that you put him in his stall if I’m not back when you arrive.”

She flinched at the hardness in his voice, then swung her gaze at him. “Are you leaving town again?”

“I’m going to my cabin early tomorrow and don’t plan to return until Sunday night, maybe even Monday morning.”

“May I see it sometime?”

“What?”

“Your cabin.”

“No.” He regretted the rigid tone that made her jerk, but he didn’t want Abby to see the small cabin he’d built. It suited him fine and he enjoyed his time there, but to a woman of Abby’s background, it wouldn’t even compare to the bunkhouse at her father’s ranch. He had few niceties a lady of her stature would expect.

She clasped her hands, squeezing them tight and squelching the retort on her tongue.

“It’s a small place, nothing special. One big room and a separate bedroom.”

Her eyes blazed and her hands fisted at the implication. “You think I wouldn’t appreciate it? Would think less of it and you because it isn’t some grand home?”

He took a deep breath, not wanting to admit she was right. “It was built for me and no one else. No visitors, and no—”

“Women?”

“That’s right. No women.” The longer Abby stayed, the lower his mood fell. He couldn’t be this close to her without wanting to reach out and draw her to him. He had plans for the two of them, and it didn’t include accosting her in the hay of his livery. “Isn’t Suzanne expecting you for supper?”

“Are you asking me to leave?” she snapped, then regretted her outburst.

Rather than answer, he stepped past her to grab his shirt and slip it on. “I have a few more chores to finish before I eat and go to bed. I need to get an early start in the morning.”

“You’re right. I should leave. Do I need to let Toby know I’m taking the horse on Sunday?” She hoped his offer to use the horse still stood, even with her petulant behavior.

“I’ll let him know.”

“Thank you.” She kept her gaze on him a moment longer, then headed for the door before turning to look over her shoulder. “What is the horse’s name?”

“Hasty.”

Chapter Eleven

“Are you boys going to ride to the Pelletier place tonight?” Gabe asked as Cash and Beau reined their horses toward the Wild Rose, the sun showing mid-afternoon. He knew Cash, Dax, and Luke went way back, growing up together in Savannah.

“I thought we’d stay in town tonight, ride out there tomorrow.” Cash dismounted, tossing the reins over a post in front of the saloon.

“Isn’t there a boardinghouse or hotel where we can bed down?” Beau asked.

“You’ll want to see Suzanne Briar over there.” He nodded across the street. “She may have space for you, and her meals are the best in town. We don’t have a hotel yet, but one of the owners of the Dixie has talked about opening one. Why don’t you check with Suzanne, then I’ll meet you there for supper? I need to let Noah know I’ve gotten back.”

Gabe slid off Blackheart and walked him toward the livery, expecting to see Noah working late, as was his custom. Instead, Abigail brushed past him on her way outside.

“Oh, good evening, Sheriff Evans. Did you just get back?”

“Good evening, Miss Tolbert. Yes, I did, along with a couple other men I met in Big Pine. Is Noah inside?”

“He is.” She glanced behind her, still trying to make sense of the horse’s name, wondering if it meant anything specific. “I’m going to Suzanne’s for supper.”

“I’ll be heading over there myself after I’ve spoken with Noah.”

“I’ll let her know.” Abby crossed the street and entered the boardinghouse. She slipped off her coat, hanging it over her arm as she looked toward the dining room, her eyes widening in recognition. She walked toward two men, a smile splitting her face.

“Mr. Coulter, Mr. Davis. It’s good to see both of you again.”

Both men stood at her greeting.

“Miss Tolbert, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Beau made a slight bow.

“You two know each other?” Cash asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.

“We met in St. Louis a few weeks ago.” Beau turned his attention back to Abby. “Will you join us for supper?”

She couldn’t think of a reason to decline. Besides, she wanted to find out what the two men were doing in Splendor. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”

“Tell me. Did you find work?” Beau asked after they’d taken their seats.

“Yes, I did. At the bank. Mr. Clausen hired me right away. Of course, it helped that his previous teller left the week before.” The lines around her eyes crinkled in delight.

“That is wonderful news. And you’re staying…?”

“Here at the boardinghouse. Have you spoken with Mrs. Briar, the woman who owns it?” She glanced toward the kitchen, expecting Suzanne to come out any moment to take their orders.

“Not yet. We’ve been told she might have space for us to stay while we’re in town, although Cash may stay with the Pelletiers.” Beau looked past Abby to see an older woman emerge from the back and head for their table.

“I wondered where you were,” Suzanne said, spotting Abby with the two men. “Ah, Mr. Coulter. Welcome back to Splendor.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Briar.” Cash watched as Gabe and Noah entered the dining room. “There will be five of us for supper.”

“Good evening, gentlemen.” Suzanne’s warm smile greeted Gabe and Noah. They pulled up chairs, joining the others. “Did you just get back into town, Gabe?”

“I rode in with these two.” He nodded toward Cash and Beau. “You’ve probably heard about the rustling going on. They’ve been tracking a gang from Colorado and believe it’s the same group who’ve been rustling over in Big Pine.”

“And you think they’re the same ones stealing cattle around Splendor?” Suzanne asked Cash.

“We do.”

She nodded, then took their orders, noting the rigid way Abby sat in her chair. Noah had taken a place next to her, no doubt the cause of her slight discomfort. Sadness washed over her. How they felt about each other seemed plain to everyone—except the two of them.

Abby shifted in her chair, trying to get a few more inches between her and Noah. When she saw Cash and Beau, she should’ve known Gabe might join them. She hadn’t thought of Noah, though. He hadn’t hesitated to select the chair next to her, letting his knee and thigh touch hers as he settled into it. Although she kept trying to gain space, his large form would fill the space, letting his leg rest, once again, along hers.

Without thinking, she touched the back of a hand to her forehead, feeling the dampness even in the cool room. She concentrated on her breathing in an attempt to quiet her heart rate, which had risen considerably since Noah entered the room. Twice she tried to talk. Each time her throat closed up and she found herself forcing down a lump that threatened to choke her. She didn’t recall feeling anything similar when she visited him earlier at the livery, suspecting the heat she felt came from the way his thigh rubbed back and forth on hers. The sensations threatened to overwhelm her, clawing their way around her, stopping any normal response.

“Abby, did you hear Cash?”

Noah’s voice broke through, bringing her thoughts back to the present.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Abby glanced at Noah, then Cash.

“I asked what your father thinks of you working.”

She sighed. All except Beau knew her father well enough to guess what his thoughts would be about her taking a job.

“As you’d expect, he’s not pleased. He didn’t try to forbid me outright from working, but I’m certain the discussion is long from over. I’m to have supper with him on Sunday. Noah’s been gracious enough to let me use one of his horses so I won’t be trapped as I would be if one of his men delivers me from town.”

“You won’t be riding alone, correct?” Gabe asked.

“She won’t be,” Noah answered, surprising the others at the table. “I’ll ride with her, then wait while she’s with her father. We’ll ride back to town together.”

“Noah, you can’t do that.” Abby was unprepared for his surprise announcement.

His eyes crinkled in amusement. “Of course I can. I have no other plans for Sunday, so you can visit with your father as long as you want. I’ll be waiting when you’re ready to return to town.”

She couldn’t think of a single answer that would stop him from doing whatever he wanted. Even Gabe, his closest friend, didn’t try to stop him when Noah made up his mind.

“If Noah finds he’s unable to escort you, I’d be able to take his place.” Beau’s eyes sparkled at the prospect of spending more time with Abby.

“Nothing will interfere.” Noah’s eyes narrowed at Beau as his voice held a quiet emphasis not lost on the others.

Abby’s head swung to Beau, then to Noah before she let out a sigh. “Thank you, Noah. I appreciate your offer, even though I doubt it’s necessary.”

Noah felt great satisfaction at Abby allowing him to accompany her. Even if she hadn’t, he would have followed, making certain she returned safely to town. He also believed Tolbert wasn’t above forcing Abby to stay at the ranch, at least long enough to assure Clausen would need to replace her at the bank. The man would do whatever he could to continue to assert his control over his only child.

“I suggest we ride to the Pelletier ranch tomorrow, talk with Dax and Luke about the rustlers.” Gabe pushed his empty plate aside.

“Do you have any idea who is doing the rustling?” Abby asked, trying to conceal the way her gaze continued to shift toward Noah.

“We believe they’re lead by Parnell Drake—” Gabe began.

“Drake? The man who worked for my father?” Abby interrupted, surprise in her voice.

“The same. Cash and Beau tracked him from Colorado to Big Pine. It appears they may have moved here.”

“My God…” She glanced at Noah, then covered her mouth with a hand before closing her eyes tight.

“Drake
is
in Splendor. He made a deposit at the bank earlier this week,” Noah said, looking at Abby. He hadn’t thought of following them from town. If he’d had any idea they might be involved in the rustling, he would’ve tracked them to wherever they camped.

“Are they staying in town?” Cash leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.

“No. They rode south. I should’ve followed them.”

“You had no reason to, Noah. We didn’t put it together until a few days ago.” Cash sat back and crossed his arms. “We’re still not certain it’s the same men who are rustling around Big Pine.”

“Except nothing else makes sense.” The fact Abby knew the man they suspected of leading the rustlers bothered Beau. “Is Miss Tolbert in any danger?”

“It’s doubtful, although her father might be.” Gabe knew Tolbert didn’t like it when someone got the better of him. Drake had not only been his foreman, but had been behind numerous attacks against the Pelletiers, contrary to Tolbert’s orders.

“I need to warn him.” Abby began to stand before Noah wrapped a hand around her arm to stop her.

“I’ll ride out in the morning,” Gabe said, looking around the table. “He needs to know Drake is back in the area. Did you recognize anyone with him?”

“No. I thought perhaps one of the other two men who worked for my father might be with him, but they weren’t.” Abby gripped her hands in her lap, wishing she’d taken a better look at the men with Drake. She did recall one man had a scar which ran down the side of his face, but nothing more. “If they don’t know we suspect them, they might return to the bank.”

The others seemed to ponder her statement before Cash spoke up.

“It’s possible they’ll return. In the meantime, who knows how many more head of cattle will turn up missing.”

“It may be they were scouting the bank before robbing it.” Beau sat back as Suzanne walked in with a pot of coffee and cups, setting one in front of each of them.

“Are you able to join us, Suzanne?” In a silent plea, Abby reached up to touch Suzanne’s arm.

“Let me lock up. I’d love to sit for a spell.”

The table remained silent as Suzanne closed the door behind the last diners and joined them. Gabe explained what they’d been discussing, including Beau’s thought about a possible bank robbery.