Chapter Twenty-Two
Rachel could hear boots on the stairs. By the sounds of it, more than one person intended to search the second floor. She huddled further back into the closet, trying to conceal herself behind old clothes while keeping the gun trained on the door. If they found her, at least she’d be able to get off one shot.
“You check the rooms in the back, while I look in these,” Whitey said to Jed, indicating the three rooms near the front stairs. Compared to most ranch homes, this one boasted several upstairs bedrooms, enough for at least two families with children. The downstairs had a couple of bedrooms plus a study, as well as the kitchen with pantry, dining room, and front area. One set of stairs led up from the entry hall, while another accessed the second level near the pantry.
Whitey searched three bedrooms, checking under beds and inside wardrobes. He found no one.
Jed checked rooms closest to the back stairs until one door remained. He slowly pulled it open, then jerked it wide when he saw it held clothes and wooden crates. He glanced down the hall at Whitey. “Nothing here.”
Jed lowered his revolver to his side before taking one more look inside. His eyes locked on the barrel of a gun pointed toward his chest. He began to raise his weapon and aim when a blast sounded and a searing pain ripped through his shoulder. His gun fell from his fingers as he gripped his injured arm.
Rachel could hear boots pounding toward her and aimed once more, getting another shot off as Whitey pushed Jed aside and aimed. The bullet grazed Whitey’s leg, but he didn’t stop. A strong hand reached in and pulled Rachel from the closet. She tried to use her gun to defend herself, but a hard slap to her face stopped her. The outlaw shoved her into a nearby wall, knocking her out. Rachel collapsed to the floor.
“What the hell?”
Whitey looked up to see Duff standing next to him, staring at the women on the floor.
“Jed needs help.” He grabbed a shirt from the closet and wrapped it around his leg to stop the bleeding. “Mine’s nothing.” He levered himself up from the floor.
Duff scanned Jed’s wound. “You’re lucky, boy. Looks like it ripped clean through. Get downstairs and have the doc patch you up.”
Jed nodded, gripping his injured shoulder as he walked past the woman on the floor. He stopped for a moment, his eyes locking on her face, and realized he knew her. The doc’s nurse, the one he’d seen at the Pelletier ranch. The woman who Dax Pelletier indicated, with the slightest of gestures, belonged to him.
“Duff, I know this woman.” Jed continued to stare at Rachel.
“You know a lot of women.”
“You don’t understand. She’s a nurse and came by the ranch while Bill and I were there.”
“Yeah?” Duff looked at Jed before switching his gaze to Rachel.
“She’s Dax Pelletier’s woman.”
Luke had no trouble making his way unseen to the back of the house. He could see into the kitchen, but not much else. He crept low under the windows toward the side visible to Dax and the others, crouching down in an attempt to hear inside. Loud voices rang through the front area, but the words weren’t clear. He took off his hat before rising to look inside.
From what Luke remembered, two widowed brothers. Frank and Hiram Frey, owned the ranch. Doc Worthington worked on someone spread out on the floor. He guessed the man with the wounded leg was one of them, and made a quick decision to go back around the house to see if he could locate the second one.
He signaled to Dax before moving at a determined pace around the house. A few minutes later, he looked into what appeared to be a study to see another man tied to a chair, a gag in his mouth. Behind him stood a man Luke didn’t recognize, but assumed to be one of the cousins. He recognized the other man standing next to him from the wanted posters. Duff Mayes.
Luke turned to leave when a shot rang out, followed by a second one. He wasted no time sprinting up the hill and following the path to where everyone waited. His mind already worked through various scenarios about what the shots meant, and the best way to rescue those inside and arrest the outlaws.
“I’ve got to get down there.” Dax took a step down the hill before Cash and Gabe grabbed his arms.
“Not yet. Wait until Luke gets back.” Cash tightened his grip on his friend, seeing the determination on his face.
“Let go of me.” Dax’s strained voice hissed out as he tried to shake the men off.
“We do this together or, I swear, we’ll tie you to a tree.” Gabe’s hard-edged voice pulled Dax from the fear that gripped him at the sound of the gunshots. “She’ll be all right. They won’t harm her.”
Dax looked at the sheriff, not yet comprehending.
“They need her to draw you out.”
Dax didn’t speak, but Gabe could see acceptance cross his face.
Luke came up and took in the scene before him as Gabe and Cash loosened their hold on his brother.
“What did you see?” Dax asked, his voice tense.
“It’s the Mayes and Olin brothers. They have the doc and two other men, who I’m guessing are the Frey brothers.” He looked at Dax and cleared his throat. “I didn’t see Rachel, but they must have her.”
Dax swore. He scrubbed a hand over his face and took a deep breath. “The shots?”
“I heard them, same as you.” They both knew the odds favored one of the hostages being shot.
Dax worked to rein in the anxiety consuming him. He needed his control, the leadership he’d shown in battle, if they were to get Rachel and the others out alive.
God help the man who hurts her in any way, Dax thought, and turned toward the others. Three solemn faces stared back at him.
“What do you want us to do, boss?” Bull asked, ready to ride straight in and free the doc and Miss Davenport.
Dax turned back to Luke. “Tell us everything you saw.”
Duff Mayes stood over Rachel, a savage smile on his face. “So you’re Pelletier’s woman.” The triumph in his voice confirmed her fears. He meant to use her to lure Dax in, then kill him.
“Your man is wrong. Mr. Pelletier means no more to me than any other man my uncle and I help when someone’s sick or injured.” She glared at Duff, raising her chin in defiance and locking her eyes with his. They’d tied her to a chair with ropes securing her hands and legs.
“That’s not what Jed says.”
“Well, Jed is wrong. I have no idea why he thinks there is anything else between Mr. Pelletier and me because there isn’t.” She glanced at her uncle, hoping he understood her intent.
“She’s lying, Duff. I saw the way he looked at her. There’s definitely more between them than her being their nurse.” Jed grimaced as Charles finished bandaging his shoulder.
“That’s the best I can do. You’re lucky the bullet went through your shoulder and missed your heart. My niece is generally a better shot than that.”
Jed jumped to his feet and pushed Charles onto the divan. “Shut up, old man.”
“Enough, Jed. Take him to the study and tie him up.”
“What then?” Jed asked as he pulled Charles to his feet.
“We wait.”
“Are there any questions?” Dax asked as the men considered the idea for freeing the prisoners.
“None from me.” Cash pulled out his gun and checked it once more before shoving it back in its holster.
“Where do you want me once I let their horses loose?” Bull asked.
“Stay at the barn. Don’t move forward until my signal. If any of the gang somehow get out the front door, shoot them.”
Bull nodded, hoping at least one would make it out. Anyone who took Miss Davenport and the doc hostage deserved what they got.
Noah looked at Gabe, knowing he could take out at least two men in quick succession from a hundred yards, if needed. He hadn’t pulled the trigger of a gun in over two years, not since he’d left the fighting behind and ventured west with Gabe.
Dax noticed the exchange between the two men. “Do you have somethi
ng to add, Noah?”
Noah swallowed hard before speaking. “Luke, you said there’s a clear view into the study from the front of the house, correct?”
“It looked that way to me. The house has a series of windows along the front, facing the barn.”
Noah turned his gaze to Dax, mentally preparing himself to do whatever they needed. “If any of the gang is in the study, I can get them both without harming any of the prisoners.” His voice held a hint of resignation.
Dax suspected Noah possessed skills he’d never shared with anyone except Gabe. Skills he preferred not to use, but would if pushed.
“You’re certain?”
“Yes, sir. No doubt in my mind.”
Dax narrowed his gaze at him. “All right. You go in with Bull and take a position so you can see into the study. As soon as you’re set, Bull will signal the rest of us. When we hear your first shot, we’ll move in.”
“Quick and clean,” Gabe muttered, clasping Noah on the shoulder.
“Quick and clean,” Noah responded as he pulled his Spencer repeating rifle from its scabbard.
“Where are they?” Duff asked no one in particular as time wore on with no sign of the Pelletiers.
“They’ll come,” Clark responded from his chair positioned at the window in the front.
Duff and Clark had taken positions in one room, while Whitey and Jed kept watch from the study. Hiram remained on the floor near Rachel, who squirmed in her chair, trying to loosen the tight ropes.
“Sit still, girl. You’ll just make the knots tighter.” Duff had been watching Rachel’s efforts, admiring her spunk, hoping she’d be what they needed to draw in the Pelletiers.
She glared back, having no intention of sitting quietly while he lured Dax to his death. “You’re wasting your time. Mr. Pelletier is too smart to fall for what you have planned.”
“And what would that be?” Duff decided to go along. Perhaps she’d tell them something important about the man or his brother.
“It’s obvious you believe he’ll give himself over to you in exchange for me. He won’t. The man doesn’t like to be backed into a corner or forced to do something against his principles, which is your plan. He’ll find another way to get to you and, by nightfall, all four of you will be dead.” At least she prayed it would play out that way. She did not want Dax’s death on her conscience.
Duff stood and walked over to glare down at her, noting the way her eyes sparked in anger. “I see you believe what you say, girl. Too bad it won’t work out the way you want.” He checked her bonds before pacing to look out each window, noticing nothing unusual.
Rachel considered another tactic. “I need to use the privy,” she said, looking toward Duff.
“Can’t it wait?” he asked.
“No. I’m afraid not. I’ve put it off too long already.”
Duff holstered his gun, removed the ropes around her ankles, and pulled her up to stand next to him. “Come on.” He gripped her arm to lead her outside.
“A whiskey sure would taste good right now.” Clark rubbed his arm where Hiram’s bullet had grazed him. Charles had cleaned it up, yet the intense ache remained. Alcohol would do a lot to deaden the pain.
Duff stopped and shot a harsh look at this cousin. “Nothing until those Rangers are in their graves.”
Duff’s words sent chills down Rachel’s back. She closed her eyes and prayed Dax and Luke were nowhere near the Frey ranch.
“Did you hear her?” Luke asked. He and Dax had taken positions under a window outside the room where Rachel had upbraided Duff Mayes. “She seems to think a lot of you.”
Dax focused on the task, trying not to think of the women he loved being in danger because of him. If it weren’t for his profession, the Mayes brothers wouldn’t be after him and Luke, and would never have followed them to Splendor.
As if reading his mind, Luke spun the barrel of his revolver and spoke in a whisper. “You wouldn’t have met Rachel if we hadn’t brought Pat back for burial. None of this is your fault. The men in there are ruthless and out for revenge. None of us would be in this fix if they hadn’t decided to become bank robbers and murderers.” He scooted a foot to the corner of the house, confirming Bull and Noah were in place. “Now, let’s get your woman and the others out of there.”
Gabe and Cash had taken positions in the back, ready to move in at Dax’s signal. Noah would give Bull a nod. He’d signal Luke, who would signal Gabe, then they’d wait for Noah’s first shot.
“There it is,” Luke said when Bull signaled Noah had the men in sight. Luke turned to Gabe and raised a hand. Everyone went on alert.
One shot rang out, followed by another not two seconds later.
“Damn,” Bull muttered when he saw first one man fall, then another.
“What the hell?” Duff yanked Rachel in front of him as the door in the back burst open. He spun around, using her as a shield.
The sound of shattering glass preceded a wail from Clark, who fell from his chair by the front window, writhing in pain before cursing and falling silent.
Duff pulled Rachel with him as he backed up and looked into the study. Jed and Whitey lay on the floor, their eyes fixed open.
“Stop right there, Duff. You won’t get out of here.” Dax leveled his gun at the outlaw. He and Luke had come through the front door as Cash and Gabe, guns centered on Duff, moved in from the kitchen.
“Give up and let the woman go. Everyone else is dead. You’re the last one.” Gabe took another step closer, ready to shoot if Duff did anything except lower his gun, which he now held to Rachel’s head.
Dax’s gaze settled on Rachel. He saw an iron clad resolve, but no fear.
“Let her go. She’s done nothing. It’s me you want. I’m the one who killed Deke.” Luke moved into the room, distancing himself from Dax and the others in an attempt to draw Duff’s attention.
“I’ll kill you,” Mayes roared and moved his gun toward Luke.
Dax shot a look at Rachel and mouthed one word…“Duck!”
In an instant, Rachel responded, wrenching herself from Duff’s grip and spinning to the side. Bullets ripped through the air as five men emptied their guns into the outlaw. A grim smile crossed Luke’s face as he looked to the door to see Bull, smoke rising from his revolver.
From her spot against the wall, Rachel stared at the outlaw’s lifeless body. She felt herself begin to shake.
“Rachel?”
She pulled her gaze from the carnage to see Dax kneeling beside her, loosening the rope from her hands, and checking for any sign of injury. He lifted her into his arms and strode to the divan, setting her down and moving his hands over her, still not certain she hadn’t been hurt. With the worst over, a cold sweat broke out on Dax’s face. He found it hard to take a breath or speak.
“I’m all right, Dax.” Her soft voice drifted over him as he cupped her face with his hands and bent to place a kiss on her lips.
He could feel her shake and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, needing the contact to reassure himself she’d be all right.
“Rachel, I…” His voice cracked as Rachel placed a finger to his lips.
“It’s over, Dax. You took care of the men hunting you, and everything will be fine.” In her heart, Rachel knew this to be a lie. The danger had been eliminated and they’d all return to their regular lives. She’d continue to work with her uncle, and Dax would leave, taking her heart with him. Texas had become his dream and she’d do nothing to stand in his way.
Dax pulled her tight and closed his eyes. He couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment when his desire to leave Montana vanished and his need to stay in Splendor with Rachel became as essential as breathing. For the first time in years, he prayed. He’d made so many mistakes. He loved and needed her, and now he had to find a way to make it right.
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