Chapter Fourteen
Big Pine, Montana
“We’ll stay here tonight.” Duff Mayes slid off his horse, casting a look at his brother and cousins before walking up the steps toward the hotel in Big Pine. “I need a bath and food. Then a drink.” He nodded toward the saloon next door.
“How long are we staying?” Whitey Mayes had grown increasingly frustrated over the two weeks it had taken them to reach Montana. He wanted to reach Splendor, kill the Pelletier brothers, and get back to their Texas ranch. The trip had already taken up too much time.
“We’ll leave in a couple days. Splendor should be a day’s ride from here.”
“Why wait? We need to get this over with.”
The glare Whitey shot his older brother had no impact on Duff. Over the years, he’d learned to ignore most of Whitey’s ramblings. They used to come to blows over them. Now he let him fume.
“I want to talk with the sheriff, maybe a few others, and find out if anyone has heard of the Pelletiers. We need to know what we’re riding into.” He continued through the entrance toward the front desk and ordered rooms.
Duff signed his name in the register, threw a couple of bills on the desk, then glanced at the clerk. “Big Pine have a sheriff?”
“We’re the territorial capital. Of course we have a sheriff. Parker Sterling.” He pointed down the street in the direction of the jail.
“Thanks.” Duff grabbed his saddlebag and started up the stairs, tired and as ready as Whitey to get this over with and head home. What worried him, caused him to be more cautious than normal, had everything to do with what he’d learned about the two Texas Rangers they hunted. It didn’t seem to matter to his brother that both were ex-Confederate officers and had excellent reputations as Rangers, even though they’d been with the agency a short time.
The three Mayes and three Olin brothers had been robbing banks for close to two years, and up until Duff had been shot in the leg months before, no one had been injured. In fact, no one had gotten close to tracking them toward their ranch. The robbery in Red Gulch changed everything, leaving the youngest Mayes brother dead. The one difference between that robbery and the others was Hanes and the Pelletiers.
Whitey told Duff the Rangers didn’t give up like the others, even though the outlaws had set up numerous false trails to throw them off. Each time the gang believed they’d lost them, the lawmen would show up on their trail within hours. It had been the first time they’d been tracked by the three Rangers. Whitey believed the lawmen had gotten lucky. Duff thought not. He figured the brothers were more accomplished, with more skills than the lawmen they’d encountered in the past.
Whitey grabbed Duff’s arm, stopping him before he could enter his room. “We should get out of here tomorrow. Talk with the sheriff, then leave.” Whitey looked behind him, making certain they were alone. “Something’s not right. We’re being tracked. I can feel it.”
Duff pulled him inside and closed the door. “You’re imagining it. We’ve seen no one, no signs we’re being followed.”
“And there may not be any until it’s too late. I’m telling you, someone is hunting us the same way we’re hunting those Rangers.”
Duff threw his saddlebags on the bed and turned back to Whitey. “Don’t you think I know there are posters out on us? Anyone could pick one up and come after us. But we’ve seen no one. Besides, who’s going to follow us all the way north to Montana?”
“There are some men who would.”
“Few who’d give up other opportunities to track us all the way up here.” Duff sat on the bed and rubbed the leg, which had never healed, grimacing at the pain a day in the saddle caused. He knew his brother had good instincts, a skill he’d used to save them more than once. If his leg didn’t hurt so bad, Duff might have been more inclined to focus on Whitey’s comments. But he needed time for the pain to subside before climbing back on his horse.
“We’ll get out of here after I speak with the sheriff tomorrow, and not before. We’re a day’s ride from finding who we’re after, and nothing will change before then. I’m going to grab some food and a few drinks. You can come along or stay here. It makes no difference to me.”
Whitey looked out the window to the road below. Seeing nothing, he dropped the curtain and looked at his brother. “We’re making a mistake not getting this over with quick.”
“It’ll be done soon, but it will be done my way.”
Whitey watched Duff leave, knowing nothing good would come from continuing to put off the inevitable.
Splendor, Montana
“What are you drinking?” Al, the Wild Rose bartender, asked.
“Whiskey.” Luke leaned against the bar, eyes locked on the saloon girl who passed among the tables. He’d noticed her clothes and hair right off. She wore a simple calico dress and had pulled her golden brown hair into a bun with soft ringlets escaping to frame her face. He’d had drinks at the Rose several times since arriving in Splendor and had never seen her.
“Who’s the new girl?” Luke asked as Al set down his drink.
“Ginny. She arrived in town a few weeks ago with her little sister. They came in with the settlers and decided to stay.” Al chuckled when he noticed the look of appreciation on Luke’s face. “She’s a server a few nights a week. No upstairs business with her.”
Luke glanced at Al, then back at Ginny. “Guess I might want to introduce myself to your new server.” He grabbed his glass and found a seat, ignoring an empty chair at one of the card tables. She came by as he’d finished off the last of his drink.
“May I get you another?”
He tilted the chair, balancing on the back two legs, and let his gaze drift up to her. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Luke Pelletier.”
Her easy smile stalled at the wide grin he gave her. “Hello, Mr. Pelletier. I’m Ginny.”
“Ginny, it’s nice to meet you. Al says you’re new to Splendor.”
She worried her lower lip and looked at Al. His nod told her it would be all right to speak with him. “Yes. My sister and I have been here a few weeks. Can I get you a drink?”
Luke let his other questions wait, knowing there’d be plenty of time to get to know more about the pretty young woman. “A whiskey, please.”
He watched her avoid a couple of cowboys on her way to the bar. He thought she couldn’t be older than seventeen, and wondered about her sister, where they lived, and what happened to their parents.
“Here you are.” Ginny set down the glass. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“I will, Ginny. Thanks.” He wrapped fingers around the glass and studied the golden liquid before bringing it to his lips. His eyes wandered back to the pretty server standing at the bar, talking with Al. He wondered about her. Why did she have to support her younger sister? Where were their parents? What was she doing working in a saloon? Luke made the decision to find out more about the intriguing newcomer.
“You wanted to see me, boss?” Drake strolled into King Tolbert’s study, shut the door, then folded his arms and leaned against it. The ranch had been quiet since the shooting of the Pelletier ranch hand. He’d lived, but the wrath from Tolbert had been significant. Drake knew his boss believed there might be some truth to the Pelletiers’ accusation. Drake had ordered his men to stay out of King’s way and not create any trouble. Those who didn’t would answer to him.
King looked up, then set his pen down and stood. “I need to make changes. We’re going to cut some of the men loose. Most are from the group you brought in or hired.” He crossed his arms and leaned against his desk. “I’m keeping all the men I hired. I’ve prepared a list of the men I don’t need.” He turned to pick up a paper behind him, but didn’t offer it to Drake.
Drake had wondered when King would trim the number of ranch hands. He knew that when it happened, his men would be the first to go. There were a few he’d like to cut loose himself, but others needed to stay. They’d been with him since his departure from the Confederate Army. He o
wed them.
“I’d like to see it.”
“As long as you understand I’ll make all decisions on who leaves.” He held out the paper.
Drake scanned the list. All the men who’d ridden in from Big Pine were on it, as well as a few others, two of them he couldn’t lose. “Pruett and Swaggert need to stay.”
“Why’s that?”
“They’re more experienced than the others and hard working. They’ve been with me for years.”
King listened. He didn’t know the two well. They did whatever Drake ordered—no questions asked. That worried him. He understood loyalty, as well as the fact it could be taken too far.
“I’ll think about it. In the meantime, I’m letting the others go.” He walked back around to his chair and sat.
“When will you tell them?”
“Tonight. They’ll be paid through the month. I expect them to be off the ranch tomorrow morning.”
Drake kept his temper as he left the house and headed toward the barn. With each step, his unease grew. He’d learned about Tolbert from another soldier. The man had traveled west years before and worked for Tolbert, then moved back east to help his parents after the war broke out. He’d told Drake of Tolbert’s plans to expand, take over the neighboring ranches and control the cattle business in the growing territory of Montana. He’d said the man would need people like Drake to achieve his goals. The two of them, plus Pruett and Swaggert, had planned to leave together.
The solider died a few weeks later. The others had taken off in the middle of the night after a brutal battle, deciding their future didn’t exist in the South. They headed west, as far away as possible from those who knew them. He’d recruited others who’d fought for the South and lost everything, forming his own roving gang. It had taken them a year to cross the country, stealing what they needed and killing those who tried to stop them. All the while, Drake never let his focus stray from Tolbert, his Montana ranch, and a start at a new life away from anyone who knew of his desertion from the army. He never expected to see General Pelletier again, especially not in an isolated town like Splendor. He had to protect the secrets of his past, and that meant ridding the area of the Pelletier brothers.
Denver, Colorado
“You’re certain these are the men who rode through here asking about the Pelletiers?”
“That’s the one who spoke to us.” The sheriff pointed to the wanted poster in Cash Coulter’s right hand, then pointed to the one in his left. “This one stayed outside with three others. Duff Mayes came inside, except he called himself Henry Johnson. He also said he and the Pelletiers are friends, known each other for years. He just wanted to catch up with them.”
Cash folded both posters and stuck them in his shirt pocket, knowing their journey had nothing to do with finding old friends. It had to do with locating and killing two Texas Rangers.
He’d started in Louisiana months before, searching for another band of outlaws who’d killed a family on their farm—Cash’s uncle, aunt, and two cousins. From what he’d learned, the gang had stopped for food, then taken the horses and killed his kin. A lone worker had survived, identifying the leader as Parnell Drake, ex-sergeant in the Confederacy, deserter, and murderer.
After following their trail for several weeks, Cash lost them near Austin, Texas. He’d learned of a man named Henry Johnson, who’d been looking for the brothers. Cash had spent time with their captain, finally matching a wanted poster of Duff Mayes to the man who called himself Henry Johnson. The real reason for their search became obvious—locate the two Texas Rangers who’d killed his brother and murder them. Now Cash tracked the gang who hunted men he’d known since childhood. He’d still go after Parnell Drake, hunt him down, and kill him. First, he had to warn his friends.
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 ti
me 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.”
“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 trea
sured 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.
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