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 hi
mself 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.
Dax and Luke had ordered the three injured men to be taken to the bunkhouse, where Bernice and Hank had done what they could. Two of them were in bad shape with broken bones, bruises, and who knew what else, while Rude nursed a bump on his head. It could’ve been worse.
“What’s taking Ellis so long?” Dax opened the bunkhouse door to peer out for the third time in ten minutes. He and Luke had been bunked down under some trees not far from the herd, yet far enough they’d missed being trampled.
“They’ll be here. It takes time. My guess is the doc will bring the wagon and all they have is Old Pete.” Luke bent over Johnny, one of the injured men, doing his best to clean the dirt and rocks from the numerous cuts that covered his arms and face. Bernice had muttered it was a mercy Johnny and the other cowboy, Tat, remained unconscious.
Dax tore outside when one of the men yelled that the doctor’s wagon had drawn into sight. He reached up to help Rachel down. She avoided him and jumped to the ground on her own.
“Where are they?” Charles asked as he grabbed the supplies.
“In the bunkhouse.” Dax watched Rachel follow her uncle inside, a sharp pang of regret slicing through him at the way she ignored him. It was no more than he deserved.
Charles made a quick examination of Johnny, then did the same with Tat, noting how young each appeared. “We’ll need help to set limbs and keep them still. Both may have injuries I can’t see. I’ll do what I can.”
“Luke and I will stay,” Dax said.
“So will Bernice and me.” Hank walked up to stand by his wife.
“All right. Everyone else outside,” Dax ordered.
Charles and Rachel worked as fast as possible, checking the injuries, applying splints and setting broken limbs. The others helped as needed. Dax marveled at the way Rachel focused on her work, calming Johnny and Tat as they moved in and out of consciousness, assisting Charles in a quiet, efficient manner. He’d seen her work on Hank using the same expert care.
“We’ve done all we can do for now. Rachel and I will need to stay here tonight.” He looked around the bunkhouse, realizing all the ranch hands needed to be in this one large room tonight. At least the injured men were on bunks close to the door.
“We’ll set up a bunk for you next to them, Doc. Rachel should stay in the house. There’s no use in her staying all night in here with the rest of the men.” Dax had no intention of letting Rachel stay in a room surrounded by a bunch of ranch hands.
“I’m staying here. This is where I’m needed.”
“Rachel—”
“No, Dax. I’m staying.” She’d placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Where do you think I slept during the war? I’ll tell you. In a tent with injured men like these, except there were many more to watch over. You and the others stay in the house. Uncle Charles and I will be fine out here.” She turned her back to him, ending any further argument.
“Come one, Dax. They know what they’re doing. We’ll only be in the way.” Luke touched his brother’s arm, encouraging him to let the decision stand.
Dax didn’t like it. “If that’s your decision, then I’ll stay also.”
Checking Tat’s bandages, Rachel glanced over her shoulder at him. “No.”
He moved around to look down on her. “Let me remind you, Miss Davenport. This is the Pelletier ranch. It doesn’t belong to you or anyone else, and no one tells me what to do on my own property. I’ll bunk down wherever I please.”
She kept her head angled away, hoping Dax wouldn’t notice the heat which crept up her face, certain she’d turned scarlet.
He watched her, waiting for a response. It didn’t come. “Do we understand each other?”
Rachel pinned him with a heated glare, the sarcasm in her response hard to miss. “Yes, General. We understand each other just fine.”
His mouth quirked up the slightest bit, glad he’d hit a nerve. She could be tough, he’d give her that.
Luke listened to the exchange, surprised and pleased at Dax’s response. Perhaps his brother had started to come around to the idea the ranch might be worth keeping.
“I’ll take care of getting everyone fed. Let me know what else you need.” Bernice took off for the house, Hank not far behind.
“I’m going to check on the men watching the herd, make sure nothing else has happened since we’ve been gone. Bull’s already here, still not healed enough to ride, and with his head injury, Rude needs to stay behind. Do you need me to send anyone else back?” Luke asked.
“No. You’ll want every man left to keep watch on the cattle. Take Ellis with you.”
“Someone started the stampede, Dax. A couple of the men heard gunshots before the cattle spooked.”
“I know.”
“Tolbert’s men?”
“That’s my guess.” Dax shot a look at Johnny and Tat, both in such bad shape they might not make it until morning. He clenched his jaw as anger rose at the human destruction King Tolbert and his men had caused. He shoved the bunkhouse door open and headed toward the house in long, determined strides, taking the front steps two at a time and slamming the door open as he entered.
“What are you thinking?” Luke kept pace, knowing Dax had come to a decision.
“I’m riding to the Tolbert ranch. It’s time to end this.”
“You’re not going alone.” Luke grabbed his arm and spun him around. “It’s suicide riding in there
without the rest of us.”
“The hell I’m not.” Dax shook off Luke’s hand and opened the gun cabinet, pulling out his rifle, a revolver, and ammunition.
“At least wait until I get back with some of the men. I’ll send Ellis to town for Gabe. We can all ride to Tolbert’s together.”
Dax narrowed his eyes at Luke. “I’ll wait an hour. If you’re not back, I’m going alone.”
Ellis rode into town, bringing Gabe and Noah back with him.
Luke ordered most of the men to guard the herd, selecting a few to ride with him, believing they needed a show of force to accomplish anything. He knew Dax wouldn’t do anything stupid, yet he’d never witnessed the type of rage he’d seen on his brother’s face when they brought the injured men back to the ranch. He had reached his limit with Tolbert, and Luke was capable of holding Dax off for just so long before he rode out to confront the man.
Dax mounted Hannibal in one fluid motion. He’d waited long enough for Luke. The time had come to confront King, with or without additional men.
“Where are you headed, Dax?” Hank rushed out of the house to stand next to his boss, afraid he’d decided to ride out alone.
“I’m leaving for Tolbert’s. Don’t try to stop me.” Dax turned his horse toward the neighboring ranch.
“Don’t believe I’ll have to.” Hank pointed toward Luke heading toward them from one direction while Ellis, Gabe, and Noah approached from the other.
“You weren’t planning to leave without us, right, big brother?” Luke reined Prince to a stop next to Dax.
“Another minute and I’d have been gone.”
They waited as the others joined them, Gabe pulling up alongside Dax. “I’m in charge here, Dax. No shooting. We’re going to get Tolbert’s side of what happened, then I’ll decide from there. You understand?”
“You know as well as I do that King is responsible for what’s been happening. He won’t talk his way out of it this time.”
Gabe leaned toward Dax. “And I’ll arrest you if you do something stupid. Now, let’s get going.”
“Father, there’s a group of riders approaching.” Abigail had bounded from her seat on the front porch and dashed to her father’s office at the sight of a large group of men heading toward their house.
“Guess I’d better see what they want.”
He waited as Gabe, Noah, Dax, and Luke dismounted. Noah glanced at Abigail, who stood next to her father on the porch, and wondered how much she might know about her father’s actions. He couldn’t believe she could have any knowledge of such violent events.
“Sheriff, what can I do for you?”
“Someone stampeded the Pelletier cattle. Two men are critical, may not make it, and a third has a head wound. You know anything about it?”
“I’m sorry to hear about it. My guess is you’re here because you suspect me of ordering the stampede. Whatever happened didn’t come from me.” King said the words as doubt spread through him. Too many instances of violence had been directed against the neighboring ranch, none of it ordered by him. However, all of it seemed to be traced back to his ranch.
“Where’s Drake?” Gabe asked.
“He and some men have been away from the ranch, checking for stray cattle the last three days. They’re not due back for a couple more days.”
“Where?”
“Started at the southwest line and were to move north.”
“The line bordering the Pelletier ranch?”
Irritation began to burn within King. His gut told him Drake had to be involved, yet he’d allowed the man to convince him otherwise.
“That’s right.”
Everyone turned at the sound of an approaching rider.
King walked down the steps, passing Dax and Luke without a glance, and watched as Drake stopped in front of him. He hadn’t expected to see the man so soon.
“What’s going on, boss?”
“There’s been another incident on the Pelletier ranch. You know anything about it?”
“No.” He glanced around, recognizing most of the men who’d ridden in with the sheriff.
“You telling us you know nothing of a stampede that injured three men? It happened close to the same area where you’ve been riding. A couple of the Pelletier cowhands heard gunshots before the cattle spooked.” Gabe rested a hand on the butt of his gun, uncertain how the volatile ex-soldier would react. Noah noticed the movement and edged closer, ready to act if needed.
Drake stepped up within inches of Gabe’s face and planted his feet. “You accusing me of something, Sheriff?”
“Not yet.” Gabe stood his ground, narrowing his eyes on the man he knew was lying. To his disappointment, Drake’s jaw worked, but he stayed silent.
Drake turned toward King. “I had nothing to do with a stampede and neither did any of the men. I’ll be in the barn if you need me.”
“I want to see you when you’re finished.” King turned to the others. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my work. Good day, gentlemen.”
“We’re not done, King,” Gabe said. “I still have a lot of questions. I’d like to meet with the men who were with Drake the last few days.”
“Of course. I’ll send word to you once they return.”
“Be sure you do.” He turned to Dax and Luke, who’d stayed remarkably silent. “Let’s go.”
King shoved his hands in his pockets, coming to the realization he’d made a mistake hiring Drake. He should have cut him loose with the others. It would’ve left him shorthanded, but that seemed insignificant when faced with what he believed the man had done. In his gut, he knew Drake had something to do with the acts against the Pelletiers, even though he’d been warned not to harm them. The man, and the rest of those loyal to him, had to go.
~~~~~