Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) (18 page)

Noah jumped off Tempest and ran to the clinic, pushing past others to slam into the crowded waiting area, as Gabe and the others stormed toward the bank.

“What happened?” Seeing the look on the faces of those standing about, Noah’s heart raced.

“The bank was robbed. They shot Clausen in the arm. He’s in with the doc now,” Stan Petermann answered. “Abby’s all right, Noah. I believe she’s still at the bank.”

Noah backtracked, heading to the bank, and dashing inside to see Abby leaning against Gabe. The moment she spotted him, Abby left Gabe’s side and rushed into Noah’s arms.

He closed his eyes, wrapping her tight in his embrace, resting his chin on her head.

“Are you all right? They didn’t hurt you, did they?” Noah’s questions came out in a rush, his heart pounding as he thought of what might have happened.

“No,” she mumbled, shaking her head against his chest.

“Your lady pointed her gun at the robbers, threatened to shoot if they didn’t leave. That was right after they shot Clausen.” Gabe shook his head. “I’d better speak with Mrs. Phelps.”

“That right, Abby?” Noah pulled away and looked at her, feeling her shiver and seeing a mix of emotions pass over her face.

“I didn’t know what else they’d do once they shot Mr. Clausen. Suzanne gave me the gun this morning, knowing you and Gabe were following those men. I never thought I’d have to use it.” Her voice broke, although he saw more anger on her face than fear.

He squeezed his eyes tight as his arms clamped around her again. They remained silent for a long moment before he spoke. “Did you recognize the men?”

“They wore bandannas over their faces, but I’m certain one was Drake. I recognized the hat he wears with the distinctive band. I already told Gabe about it.”

“You did real good, Abby—may even have saved Mrs. Phelps and yourself from harm. Who knows what those men would’ve done after they shot Clausen.” Noah’s rough voice almost broke as the full impact of the danger slammed into him.

“What the hell happened?”

Everyone turned at the sound of Tolbert’s booming voice. He pushed past everyone, rushing through the door and walking directly toward Abby and Noah.

“Abigail, are you hurt?” He scowled at Noah, seeing his arms wrapped around Abby. She glanced at him, but didn’t step away.

“I’m fine, Father, but Mr. Clausen took a bullet in the arm.”

“I heard. You’re leaving with me. Now. You will quit this job and return to the ranch. Get your belongings and meet me at the wagon.”

“
No
, Father. I’m
not
quitting my job and I’m
not
returning to the ranch. Not now, and maybe not ever.” Abby dropped her arms from around Noah and crossed them in front of her, her eyes showing a spark of anger.

“You most certainly are. I will not have you placing yourself in danger. Now, get what you need, or I’ll send a man back to fetch your belongings.”

She let out a breath, not wanting to get into this with him.

“I no longer live at the ranch. You sending me away proved to be for the best as I’m now doing what I’ve wanted to do for some time. This job and living at Suzanne’s is what I want and there’s nothing you can do to change any of it.”

“You’re a child—”

“I’m twenty and a grown woman. You have to stop seeing me as a little girl. I haven’t been that in a long, long time.”

Tolbert’s countenance, which had been hard and unyielding, changed as if all the wind had been sucked from his lungs. His shoulders slumped as he paced away, then turned to face her.

“This discussion is not over, Abigail.” His voice sounded firm, although it lacked the conviction of moments before.

She took a few steps toward him, her face softening. “Yes, it is, Father.”

Tolbert showed the look of man on the verge of defeat, yet still fighting in hopes of turning the course of events. He reached a hand out to her, then let his arm drop. Tolbert raised his eyes to Noah, searching the man’s face.

“You watch out for her, Brandt. There’ll be hell to pay if you don’t.”

Chapter Fourteen

“How much do you think we got?” Lem asked as they rode into camp and dismounted.

“Enough to get the town to focus on the bank robbery and not the rustling.” Drake tossed the one bag of money on the ground. “Archie, count it out.”

“Sure thing.” Archie retrieved the bag and pulled out a knife.

The two men Gabe, Noah, and the others had tracked rode in a few minutes later, smiling when they saw Archie spreading out the money on a blanket and sorting it into piles.

“It worked. I knew that girl would recognize me from when you took money to the bank. Four men tracked us, but gave up and turned back—just the way you said they would.” Hal Reid absently stroked the scar on his face as he walked up to Drake. “And now they think we’re camped away from the mountains. Anyone get hurt?”

“The banker tried to pull a gun. Archie shot him in the arm.” Drake grabbed hardtack from his pocket and bit down on the dry biscuit, waiting for Archie to finish the count.

After leaving Tolbert’s ranch with Archie and Lem, Drake had expanded the number of men working for him. Most watched the herd, while others helped with rustling and whatever else their boss ordered. Of all the men, Drake counted four as close allies—Archie, Lem, Hal, and Biff. He’d served in the Confederate Army with all of them at one time or another, but lost track of Hal and Biff until spotting them in Denver over the winter.

He’d taken Archie, Lem, and a few others with him to rob the bank, using Hal and Biff as decoys. It had been almost too easy. Drake never expected Sheriff Evans to take Brandt, Coulter, or Davis with him, leaving the town unprotected. Other than those four, there were few men proficient at using a weapon, and most worked at the Pelletier ranch.

“A hundred fifty dollars is all we got. Not much.” Archie handed Drake the money.

“The amount doesn’t matter. This will force Evans to split up whatever men he has available, some protecting the town, others searching for us. We’ll make sure we run them in circles while the rest of our men raid the ranches. It won’t be long before we’ll have the number of cattle we need to drive the herd out of Montana.” Drake reached into his saddlebag, pulled out a bottle of whiskey, and took a swallow. “Now, let’s talk about going after the Tolbert and Pelletier cattle.”

The bank stayed closed the rest of the day, Mrs. Phelps nailing a notice to the door stating they’d reopen the following morning. Doc patched up Clausen’s arm and sent him home, glad the injury had been a nick and nothing major. Still, Doc knew it must hurt like hell.

“Where’s Abby?” Rachel burst into the treatment room, her eyes searching. Once they reached town, it hadn’t taken Dax and her long to hear what had happened.

Her stomach grew a little each day, but Doc decided to keep that thought to himself.

“The last I saw, she was with Noah, heading toward Suzanne’s. She’s…” He never finished as Rachel hurried toward the boardinghouse.

From the front window of the boardinghouse, Noah spotted Rachel running out of the clinic. He stood from where he’d been sitting with Abby in the parlor, trying to convince her to go upstairs and lie down. Perhaps Rachel would have more luck.

Bursting through the front door, Rachel stopped when she saw him. “How’s Abby?”

“She’s—”

“As you can see, I’m fine.” Abby stood, accepting the hug Rachel offered while casting a frustrated look at Noah. “He thinks I should go to my room and rest.”

“He’s right, Abby.”

“You, too?” Abby sighed, slumping back into her chair.

“I’m not taking sides. I’m only thinking what might be best for you. I saw it many times during the war when I treated men in battle. The body craves rest after going through a traumatic experience.” Rachel sat in the chair Noah offered.

“I wasn’t wounded.”

“No, but you witnessed Mr. Clausen being shot, feared for Mrs. Phelps and yourself, then held a gun on the robbers. Don’t dismiss what you experienced.” She held out her hands, which Abby accepted. “Uncle Charles says the bank won’t reopen until tomorrow. At least rest for a while. You may be surprised how fast you fall to sleep.”

Abby closed her eyes. She hadn’t told Noah, but she’d vacillated between nausea and exhaustion for the last hour, believing much of it due to the encounter with her father.

“All right. I’ll go upstairs for a while, but it’s doubtful I’ll fall asleep.”

Noah and Rachel watched as she walked toward the kitchen, trying to stifle a yawn.

“She’s exhausted.” Noah picked up his cup of cold coffee and gulped it down. “How are you feeling?” He studied Rachel, noting the dark circles under her eyes.

She leaned back in the chair and rested her hands on her protruding stomach. “All right. Not sleeping too good, but that will pass.”

“Who brought you to town?”

“Dax. He’s meeting with Gabe, Cash, and Beau now. He told me a group of you plan to head out tomorrow, try to find the robbers.”

“We’d thought it would be a search for rustlers. Now we might be searching for both.” Noah glanced out the window, seeing Dax cross the street toward the boardinghouse.

“The same men?” Rachel asked.

“I’d bet on it.” Noah stood as Dax walked in, holding out his hand.

“Is Abby all right?” Dax asked, taking a seat next to Rachel, grasping her hand.

“Holding up well. Tolbert came in before I could get her out of the bank. He’s using the robbery as an excuse to push her to return to the ranch. She told him no.” Noah’s lips curved upward, remembering how she’d stood up to her father.

“I can understand Tolbert’s concern, but she doesn’t need to be back under his boot.” Rachel absently rubbed a hand over her stomach.

Noah couldn’t argue with Rachel’s comment. “Tell me what’s been decided about going after the robbers?” he asked Dax.

“Luke and I, along with several of our men, will be here at dawn. If Tolbert’s men join us, fine. If not, we won’t wait for them. We’ll leave three men in town in case Drake decides to hit the bank again. Seems odd he went after the bank when Cash is certain he’s the one behind the rustling.”

“I’ve been thinking the same, unless he needs the cash to pay for supplies until they can drive the cattle out of the area. I can’t help feeling that when we catch Drake, we’ll recover the money and find the missing cattle.” Noah stood, glancing over his shoulder at the sound of the entry door opening. “Afternoon, Miss Campanel. I don’t believe you’ve met Dax Pelletier and his wife, Rachel.”

Dax stood as greetings were exchanged. Rachel tried, in a subtle way, to let her gaze wander over the beautiful day dress and hat worn by Magdelena, noticing she’d also piqued Dax’s curiosity.

“We wondered about Nick’s business partner. Guess we all thought it would be a man.” Dax’s comment didn’t surprise Magdelena.

“Most people make the same assumption, Mr. Pelletier. I’m quite used to it.”

“Please, join us.” Rachel nodded to an empty chair.

“Actually, I came to see how Miss Tolbert is doing. I saw Mr. Brandt walk her over from the bank. She’s such a sweet young woman.”

“Abby’s resting, although it was a struggle to convince her she needed it.”

“If you don’t mind, I want to talk with Gabe about some other matters before we head back to the ranch. Welcome to Splendor, Miss Campanel.” Dax bent to place a kiss on Rachel’s cheek.

“I’ll head over there with you. Ladies…” Noah nodded at the two women, then followed Dax outside.

“If you don’t have to return to the saloon right away, please, join me,” Rachel encouraged, anxious for a chance to get know Nick’s partner.

Lena’s eyes widened at the invitation. It wasn’t often women such as Rachel extended an offer to talk. She’d grown accustomed to being ignored, even scorned by the good people in the towns where they owned saloons. She’d never worked on her back as the girls in the saloons did. Nick had been the one to include her in a life where she made decisions along with him.

“Thank you, Mrs. Pelletier. I’d love to join you for a while.”

“Please, call me Rachel.”

“And you’ll call me Lena as my friends do.”