Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3), Page 3

  Gabe’s jaw worked, but he remained silent. He knew Noah Brandt better than anyone, knew him to be one of the best men he’d ever met, and felt proud to call him a friend.

  “My guess is she took money with her, jumped off the train, and is deciding what to do next. She may return here, or consider building a new life elsewhere.”

  “You don’t believe she was abducted?”

  “No, I don’t.” Gabe turned to leave. “I’ll send out telegrams and let you know what I learn.”

  As he rode toward the Pelletier ranch, he considered Abby’s disappearance and what he’d tell Noah. His friend would be frantic and want to ride out, the same as Tolbert. Gabe had been surprised at his success in convincing Tolbert to stay, although he didn’t know how long the man would wait.

  Gabe spotted a fire a mile from the ranch and reined his horse toward it, recognizing the ranch hands Tolbert fired. They stood when he approached—one tall and lean, the other of medium height with broad shoulders.

  “Gentleman, I’m Gabe Evans, sheriff of Splendor. Is it all right if I share your fire for a spell?”

  “I’m Jeb. This is my cousin, Robert. You want some coffee?” the taller of the two asked.

  “Thank you.” Gabe looked around. Although the sun shown overhead, the day had turned chilly. “You going to camp here tonight?”

  “Is there a problem with that?” Jeb leaned forward, handing a cup to Gabe.

  “Nope. Just asking.”

  “Truth is, we don’t know where we’ll go from here. Most of the ranches have all the hands they need right now. We’ll probably ride south toward Wyoming, then maybe Colorado. We need to find something.” Robert lowered his gaze, staring into the fire.

  “Do you know the Pelletiers?” Gabe sipped his coffee, his eyes glancing over the rim.

  “Never met them. We hear they own the spread next to Tolbert.” Jeb tossed out the last of his coffee, setting the cup on the ground.

  “You’re a mile from their place. I’m riding there now. Why don’t you pack up and go with me? They’re always looking for good men.”

  Chapter Three

  St. Louis, Missouri

  Abby counted her money one more time, making the decision to purchase a ticket and travel back to Splendor on the next train. She felt certain the companion she’d left behind would’ve notified her father by now, who’d be frantic and already searching. Abby believed she had three choices.

  One, she could use her ticket to continue west to her aunt’s place, a woman who didn’t want her, but who would do whatever King Tolbert requested. Abby would live a quiet life, find work as a companion or teacher until a suitable match could be found, then slip away into oblivion.

  Two, she could stay in St. Louis and seek work, returning to Splendor if she ran out of funds. The problem with this solution would be to find something suitable, which she assumed would be quite difficult in a town where no one knew her.

  Living with her father, the skills she’d acquired in bookkeeping were wasted. Numerous times he’d turned down her offer to help with the business aspects of the ranch, seeing her as only fit to act as hostess and direct the activities inside the home. She groaned. Even if she did try to return home, she thought it doubtful her father would accept her. He’d put her on the first stage out of Splendor, but this time he’d send at least one of his men with her.

  Three, she could take the train home, obtain a room at Suzanne’s boardinghouse, and look for work. She grew up in Splendor, knew most everyone, and felt she could find something suitable. Her father didn’t know that Horace Clausen, president of the Splendor bank, had mentioned several times how valuable her skills would be to him. She didn’t know if he meant in a bookkeeping role or as one of the tellers, but it didn’t matter. He’d be her first stop.

  Redemption’s Edge Ranch, Splendor

  “Glad you brought those two men with you, Gabe. We can always use more help.” Dax Pelletier, the older of the two brothers, poured drinks and nodded toward a chair.

  “I can’t vouch for them. All I can tell you is they didn’t hesitate to take their pay and leave Tolbert when he became abusive.” He brought the whiskey to his lips, then stopped at the sound of the office door opening.

  “Noah’s here.” Rachel, Dax’s wife, poked her head in the office, then swung the door open. “Luke, Ginny, and Mary are putting the wagon away. Supper will be ready in a bit.”

  “How’d it go with Tolbert?” Noah asked Gabe, taking a chair next to him.

  “As you’d expect. He said none of his cattle are missing. Luke and Dax aren’t missing any, either. Right now, the rustling seems to be confined to the east of Tolbert’s property. He said he’ll notify me if he discovers any cattle have disappeared.”

  Noah snorted. “I don’t believe that for a minute. He’ll gather his men and go after whomever he suspects—and there’ll be no trial.”

  “Good evening, gentlemen.” Luke Pelletier walked straight toward the bottle of whiskey and a glass. “I miss anything?”

  “Gabe says Tolbert hasn’t lost any cattle,” Dax replied.

  “Neither have we, but I’m posting more men at night, keeping the herd together. I figure it’s only a matter of time before we’re hit.” Luke settled a hip against Dax’s desk, sipping his drink.

  Gabe leaned forward, rolling the glass between his hands. “There’s another issue. I don’t want to talk about it at supper with the children present, but there’s no reason the adults shouldn’t know.” He glanced at Noah, holding his friend’s gaze.

  “What is it? News about Abby?” Noah asked, his chest tightening. He’d seen the look in Gabe’s eyes before, indicating whatever he had to say wasn’t good.

  “In a way, yes. She jumped off the train in St. Louis—”

  “What the hell?” Noah slammed his hand on the chair arm, trying to make sense of her doing anything so irresponsible.

  “The companion Tolbert sent along didn’t realize Abby hadn’t returned until the train was miles from the depot. Tolbert wanted to go after her right away, but I convinced him to wait. I’m going to send some messages to people I know in towns between Splendor and St. Louis. Someone must have seen her.”

  “To hell with that, Gabe. I’m going after her.” Noah set his glass on the desk and stood.

  “Sit down. We need to talk this through before any of us react too early and waste time.”

  Noah sat down, crossing his arms over his chest. “Go on,” he ground out, his eyes hooded.

  “Think about it. Abby’s stubborn and willful. She hates being controlled by her father, and she loves you.”

  Noah cursed softly, nodding toward Gabe to continue.

  “I don’t believe your woman has been taken. My guess is she had money stashed away and will return to Splendor, probably to find work. I’ve had time to think through this and I believe her first stop will be Suzanne’s boardinghouse. She trusts her, knows she can be honest with her. I think your girl is going to do what Ginny did—find work and become independent of her father.”

  Luke’s wife, Ginny, became the sole support of her and her younger sister, Mary, when their parents died. She worked as a server in a saloon and cleaned rooms at the boardinghouse before going to work at the Pelletier ranch and, eventually, marrying Luke.

  “What are you suggesting? That I sit around and hope she’ll return and no one’s abducted her?” Noah didn’t like the idea of biding his time, hoping no one had taken Abby.

  “The same as I said to Tolbert. I’ll send telegrams, see if I can learn anything.” He looked at Dax and Luke. “I’d be obliged if you two would notify anyone you know between here and St. Louis. Someone will have seen a beautiful young woman traveling alone. Her red hair is distinctive, and her clothes identify her as someone from wealth. I doubt she went east. All my instincts tell me she plans to come home.”

  “But not to her father.” Noah agreed with Gabe, at least on that point.

  “Where would she find wo
rk?” Luke asked, remembering how hard it had been for Ginny to earn enough to support her and Mary.

  “She can do bookkeeping. She learned it in school back east, but Tolbert would never allow her to help with ranch business. Horace Clausen at the bank told her he’d hire her if he could, but she never told her father.” Noah recalled their one formal meal together at Suzanne’s restaurant. Abby had shared much about herself and her dreams. When Tolbert found out about their meeting, he’d forbidden her from spending time with Noah again.

  “Abby may go straight to you, Noah,” Dax added.

  “I want to believe it, but doubt it’s true. The look she gave me when Tolbert pulled her from the church, well…I hurt her by not standing up to her father.”

  “You had good reasons. Nothing would’ve been gained by pushing Tolbert. He was beyond being able to have a rational conversation about you and Abby,” Luke said.

  “He mentioned speaking with you about mounting a search.” Gabe looked at Luke.

  “I’m glad to help, if that’s what’s decided, but it would be better for him to contact Allan Pinkerton directly. He has the resources for a search such as this one.”

  “I told him the same thing, but also said I’d mention it to you.”

  A soft knock preceded Rachel entering the room. “Everyone is here and supper’s on the table.” She glanced around, knowing right away something wasn’t right. “What’s going on?”

  Dax walked around his desk and put an arm around her. “Abby is missing.”

  Rachel gasped, covering her mouth with a hand. “But...how?”

  “We don’t know and we don’t want to worry the others. I’ll tell you all about it when we’re alone.” He leaned down, placing a kiss on her temple.

  Rachel and the men followed the sound of laughter to the dining room. A few months before, several of the men tracked what they believed to be thieves to a hidden cave in Redemption Mountain. Inside, they found five orphans ranging in age from seven to nineteen. They’d run from their Crow captors, stealing food, doing whatever they could to survive. Four now lived with the Pelletiers, taking on chores and finishing their studies. Fifteen-year-old Billy had opted to live with two widowed brothers who owned a ranch south of Redemption’s Edge.

  Two ranch hands sat at the table. Bull Mason, one of their main men, and Travis Dixon, Luke’s right-hand man in their horse breeding business. Noah took a seat next to Bull, noticing nineteen-year-old Lydia, the eldest of the orphans, on Bull’s other side. From what he could see, Bull’s feelings for Lydia mirrored how Noah felt about Abby. And, the same as Noah, Bull had yet to say anything to Lydia. It took Abby’s disappearance to make him realize his mistake in not being honest about his love for her.

  Noah spent supper only half listening to the conversation moving from one topic to another, his mind consumed with thoughts of Abby. He had to fight the urge to ride back to town, pack what he needed, and leave for St. Louis. What Gabe suggested made sense, except Noah had never been one to sit around and wait when a job needed doing.

  He chewed his food in slow, measured bites, nodding as people spoke to him while deciding what he needed to do before leaving town. Toby, his helper at the tack and supply store, could keep watch on the livery, letting people know Noah had gone on a trip. Closing his cabin on Sunrise Ridge wouldn’t take long.

  His first stop would be Big Pine, then each town between there and St. Louis. He couldn’t wait for word to trickle back to Gabe from the various lawmen he knew, and he did not want Abby’s father to find her first. Even though Tolbert indicated he’d wait before starting his own search, Noah didn’t believe it. Past actions showed the man to be arrogant, handling situations without involving the law.

  If Noah was going to locate Abby before Tolbert’s men did, his search needed to begin right away. He’d find her, acknowledge his feelings, doing whatever he could to undo any harm created by his actions, and pray he could still make it right.

  “Good morning, Miss Tolbert. Are you waiting for the train?” Beau Davis set his bag on the boardwalk outside the depot.

  She looked up from her bench seat, smiling at Beau, hoping he might also be heading west. They’d shared a nice meal a few nights before and he’d been a complete gentlemen.

  “Yes, I am. Will you also be taking the train?”

  “West, then taking the stage to Big Pine. And you?” He sat down beside her, removing his hat and setting it on the bench.

  “The same. Except I plan to go on to Splendor. It’s a day’s ride by stagecoach from Big Pine.”

  “I hope you’ll allow me to accompany you. It’s a long trip by yourself, and from what I understand, quite boring.” His mouth tipped into a smile and she could swear she saw a slight twinkle in his eyes.

  “It would be wonderful to have someone join me on the journey.” She pulled out an embroidered handkerchief, dabbing at the moisture on her face. “Are you chasing someone, Mr. Davis?”

  He chuckled softly. “No, Miss Tolbert. I’m not chasing anyone. Although I do plan to meet with my partner in Big Pine. He’s following men he believes to be cattle rustlers and has requested my help. I’ll make my decision once I speak with him. And you? Are you returning to the man you hope to marry?”

  She hesitated a moment, feeling somewhat uncomfortable having this discussion with a man she barely knew. His manner, however, put her at ease, making her feel like she confided in a friend. “I don’t believe so. You see, I learned he may not share my feelings.”

  “Perhaps he keeps his thoughts to himself.”

  “No, Mr. Davis. His actions were quite clear the last time we saw each other. Besides, if he cared for me, he would’ve made some effort to stop my father from sending me away. He’s a wonderful man. I’m simply not the woman he wants.”

  “Train’s on its way.” The railroad attendant walked outside, then paced back and forth. “Not too many getting on here. You two and another couple. I hear the weather’s pretty good going west.” He stopped and looked down the tracks as the train rounded a bend and headed toward them. He looked at Abby’s bag. “Is that all you have, miss?”

  “Yes. Just the one.”

  He reached down to grab it, but Beau beat him to it. “I’ll take care of it.” He took her bag in one hand and his in the other as the train pulled to a stop. “After you, Miss Tolbert.”

  Although numerous passengers exited the train, it took them several minutes to find adjoining seats.

  “Appears we won’t lack for company on the trip.” He pulled out a small bottle from his inside coat pocket, opened the top, wiped the top, and offered it to Abby. “Would you care for a drink?”

  She stared at the bottle, surprised he offered. She’d never had whiskey, and brandy on only one occasion.

  “I don’t think—”

  “It may help you relax.”

  She shifted in her seat as the train started forward. “Well, perhaps one sip.” She took the bottle, put it to her lips, and swallowed a small amount, wincing at the strong, burning sensation, then choking as it went down.

  “Never had whiskey?”

  She choked again, then cleared her throat. “How could you tell?”

  Beau laughed, took the bottle, then a long swallow, letting it trickle down his throat. “Ah, that does taste good.” He winked at Abby, then closed the bottle and slipped it back inside his coat. “Would you mind if I took a brief nap?”

  “Not at all. I believe I’ll enjoy the scenery for a while.”

  Abby rested her head against the seat and watched as the miles passed by, the combination of whiskey and the rolling railroad car relaxing her. An image of Noah crossed her mind. Tall, broad-shouldered, and so incredibly handsome. Her heart squeezed as she closed her eyes and drifted off.

  Chapter Four

  “I’m not surprised, Gabe. King went too far by sending her away without giving himself time to calm down and think through what happened.” Suzanne Briar sat in the kitchen of her boardinghouse with Gabe
, drinking coffee as he explained Abby’s disappearance.

  “You don’t believe she may have been abducted?”

  Suzanne thought of Abby as a young girl after her mother died. She’d follow Suzanne around, clinging to her apron, asking questions, almost begging for the attention unattainable from her father.

  “You know, King never gave her much of what mattered. She attended boarding and finishing schools in the east, seldom making trips back to Splendor, except at Christmas. She refused to return to Philadelphia after she graduated and came home. It was the first time I’d ever seen her stand up to King. She did it again when he threatened to send her away if she continued to see Noah. Do you know what she did? Explained to him what a good man Noah is, how much people respect him, and reminded her father of what he did to save Rachel and the others from those outlaws. She told him she had no intention of avoiding him.” She sipped her coffee, focusing her gaze on Gage. “So do I think someone abducted her? Of course not. She had no intention of reaching Philadelphia and never seeing Noah again. Now, I’m not a betting woman, but if I were, I’d wager we’ll see Abby back in Splendor in no more than three weeks.”

  “You seem to know her better than anyone. What do you think she’ll do once she comes back?”

  “Well, she won’t go back to the ranch. I hope she’ll come here. Beyond that, I don’t know.”

  “Guess I’d better check with Griggs to see if I’ve received any responses to my telegrams. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold back Tolbert or Noah from going after her.”

  “You don’t know?” Suzanne asked, surprised at the confused look Gabe flashed her.

  “Know what?”

  “Noah packed up and left early this morning.”

  “Damn that man,” he swore, then looked at Suzanne. “My apologies.”

  “It’s quite all right. What I don’t understand is why he didn’t tell you.”

  “Because I asked him not to leave, at least until I got replies to my telegrams. He knew I’d try to talk him out of it so he took off before I could stop him. How’d you find out?”