Solitude Gorge Read online

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  Historical Western Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Tougher than the Rest, Book One

  Faster than the Rest, Book Two

  Harder than the Rest, Book Three

  Stronger than the Rest, Book Four

  Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five

  Wilder than the Rest, Book Six

  Redemption Mountain

  Redemption’s Edge, Book One

  Wildfire Creek, Book Two

  Sunrise Ridge, Book Three

  Dixie Moon, Book Four

  Survivor Pass, Book Five

  Promise Trail, Book Six

  Deep River, Book Seven

  Courage Canyon, Book Eight

  Forsaken Falls, Book Nine

  Solitude Gorge, Book Ten

  Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven, Coming next in the series!

  MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

  Colin’s Quest, Book One,

  Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two

  Quinn’s Honor, Book Three

  Sam’s Legacy, Book Four

  Heather’s Choice, Book Five

  Nate’s Destiny, Book Six

  Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven, Coming next in the series!

  Contemporary Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Second Summer, Book One

  Hard Landing, Book Two

  One More Day, Book Three

  All Your Nights, Book Four

  Always Love You, Book Five

  Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six

  No Getting Over You, Book Seven

  ‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight

  Foolish Heart, Book Nine

  Forever Love, Book Ten, Coming next in the series!

  Peregrine Bay

  Reclaiming Love, Book One, A Novella

  Our Kind of Love, Book Two

  Burnt River

  Shane’s Burden, Book One by Peggy Henderson

  Thorn’s Journey, Book Two by Shirleen Davies

  Aqua’s Achilles, Book Three by Kate Cambridge

  Ashley’s Hope, Book Four by Amelia Adams

  Harpur’s Secret, Book Five by Kay P. Dawson

  Mason’s Rescue, Book Six by Peggy L. Henderson

  Del’s Choice, Book Seven by Shirleen Davies

  Ivy’s Search, Book Eight by Kate Cambridge

  Phoebe’s Fate, Book Nine by Amelia Adams

  Brody’s Shelter, Book Ten by Kay P. Dawson

  Boone’s Surrender, Book Eleven by Shirleen Davies

  Watch for more books in the series!

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  Solitude Gorge

  Redemption Mountain

  Historical Western Romance Series

  SHIRLEEN DAVIES

  Book Ten in the Redemption Mountain

  Historical Western Romance Series

  Copyright © 2018 by Shirleen Davies

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  For permission requests, contact the publisher.

  Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC

  PO Box 12618

  Prescott, AZ 86304

  Solitude Gorge is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.

  Book design and conversions by Joseph Murray at

  3rdplanetpublishing.com

  Cover design by Kim Killion, The Killion Group

  ISBN: 978-1-941786-73-4

  I care about quality, so if you find something in error, please contact me via email at

  [email protected]

  Description

  Solitude Gorge, Book Ten, Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Series

  Travis Dixon carved out a life in the rugged Montana territory, far away from the memories of a past defined by the Civil War and personal tragedy. Training wild horses fills his days, while bunkhouse chatter completes his nights. An unlikely friendship with a beautiful widow provides the only female companionship he’s had since the heartbreaking death of his wife and daughter.

  Isabella Boucher, a wealthy East Coast widow, is content working as a nanny to a prominent ranching family. She’s developed friendships she can depend upon and a special bond with a man fighting his broken past. A man she loves, but who is unable to return her affection.

  Stunned when Travis decides to put distance between them, she makes the difficult decision to accept invitations from other eligible men. In time, she hopes to forget her love for the rugged cowboy and force him from her heart.

  Unfortunately, she learns choices such as this are never that easy. As much as Isabella yearns for a life with Travis, their tragic histories form a barrier neither can surmount.

  The arrival of a friend from Isabella’s past, plus a series of events threatening the town, forces them to take a hard look at themselves, at the same time doing their best to stay out of the crosshairs of a new enemy.

  Danger lurks in every direction, appearing in the form of men without conscience or remorse.

  Will protecting each other help break down their walls or force another wedge between them? Will Travis be able to push his pain aside to see what’s been in front of him all along?

  Solitude Gorge, book ten in the Redemption Mountain historical western romance series, is a full-length novel with an HEA and no cliffhanger.

  Visit my website for a list of characters for each series.

  http://www.shirleendavies.com/character-list.html

  Acknowledgements

  As always, many thanks to my wonderful husband for reading every chapter as soon as it’s written, my editor, Kim Young, proofreader, Alicia Carmical, Joseph Murray, who is superb at formatting my books for print and electronic versions, and my cover designer, Kim Killion.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Solitude Gorge

  Prologue

  Battle of Yellow Tavern

  Virginia, May 1864

  Confederate First Lieutenant Travis Dixon sat atop his horse, the rest of the men in J.E.B. Stuart’s Army of Northern Virginia surrounding him. All stared at the most powerful cavalry force ever assembled with over ten thousand Union soldiers primed for battle.

  Travis didn’t have to figure the math to know the North outnumbered the South by
at least three divisions and two brigades. In all his time under Stuart’s command, he’d never felt the trepidation he did today.

  Behind him stood the abandoned stagecoach inn, Yellow Tavern. General Stuart and one of his staff officers rode past it to join the men, surveying the scene. The look on his commander’s face told Travis all he needed to know. The normally ebullient general, the man who rallied the gray knights over and over, stared at the massive force mounted against them. At thirty-one, his imposing presence was all most men needed to steel their resolve. One look, and Travis knew today would be different.

  Forcing his gaze away from Stuart, Travis watched as battalions of Union horse artillery moved into position. His mind wandered to his wife and daughter, praying for their safety on their Tennessee farm. He sent up a plea if he died this day, they’d go on without him and not despair his loss.

  In the next instant, Travis’s thoughts shattered when Stuart shouted for his men to dismount, an order seldom heard from the aggressive general.

  Doing as his commander instructed, the men slid to the ground, one man holding the reins of four horses as the others brandished sabers and pistols. It wasn’t how Travis wanted to face their Northern opponents, but it wasn’t his decision to make.

  Several hundred yards to their left, a group of over two hundred Union riders, swords drawn, charged straight toward them. They’d just engaged the enemy when, behind them, another Union group joined the cavalry charge. The war cries from the Northern invaders, along with the ear-splitting roar of cannon fire, intensified the already brutal clash of two well-trained armies.

  Firing his pistol while wielding his saber, Travis glanced behind him. Stuart rode one direction, then another, brandishing his sword, shouting encouragement. Smoke and screams filled the air. Surviving was all Travis could think about as he and his comrades advanced, then retreated.

  Amidst the chaos, the sharp report of a .44 caliber revolver drew his attention. Slicing his saber through the air, he glanced behind him. Stuart’s plumed hat fell to the ground, the general clutching his side as he worked to remain atop his mount.

  Turning back to his opponents, Travis fired before his panicked gaze sought out Stuart again. This time, the general lay propped against a tree, the fight seeming to seep from him.

  Anger gripped Travis. Screaming in rage, he ran forward, cutting the saber through the air while firing his pistol. Charging toward a scrambling group of Union soldiers, he aimed at the largest. He had little chance to enjoy the slight satisfaction of hitting his opponent before a flash of pain drove through his left thigh. As he faltered, the butt of a rifle swung toward him. His futile effort to thwart the blow did nothing.

  Crumbling to the ground, his vision blurred with pain, body betraying him. Travis’s last thoughts were of his wife and daughter.

  “Lieutenant Dixon?”

  The soft voice he’d heard in his sleep came again, a hand clasping his arm. He mumbled something unintelligible and tried to open his eyes. They felt heavy, as if a coin sat on each.

  “Lieutenant Dixon, can you open your eyes?”

  Moving his head to one side, he groaned at the pain. Forcing his eyes open to slits, he saw a woman wearing a dark dress protected by a deeply stained apron. Her hair fell in tendrils along the sides of her face, the bun loosening to tip to one side.

  “Where…” He didn’t recognize his own raspy voice. Wincing, he tried to sit up, feeling a firm hand pushing him back down. “Where am…”

  “A good ways from the battle, I’m afraid. Can you take a sip of water?”

  Nodding, he did his best to lift his head, grateful for the support of the woman’s hand. After three small sips, she removed the cup, settling his head back on the pillow. As the water refreshed him, it also brought back memories of the fight.

  “The other men?” He hissed the words through parched lips.

  “A wagon brought you and several men here a few days ago.” Her voice was soft, soothing. “No one knows how they made it. Those Yankees took groups of men hostage, marching them away. I wouldn’t question too much why you made it here and others didn’t.”

  Squeezing his eyes shut, he thought a moment, before a sharp pain flashed through him. “My leg?” Reaching down, his hand rested on this left thigh.

  “You still have it, Lieutenant. The doctor who tended you thought he’d have to amputate. When he checked a few hours later, he changed his mind. You’re a lucky man.”

  Although grateful they’d spared his leg, Travis didn’t feel lucky. “I need to get back. The men need me.” The determination did nothing to move his weakened body.

  She glanced down at him, her smooth features and soft gray eyes meeting his. “As I said, you’re a lucky man. When you leave here, you’ll be heading home. Many others will not.”

  Chapter One

  Redemption’s Edge Ranch

  Splendor, Montana Territory

  July 1869

  Travis Dixon removed his hat, swiping moisture from his forehead. July in Montana could be mild or blistering. One never knew which to expect when stepping outside the bunkhouse door. Today, the sun’s relentless heat sent the men to the water bucket several times each hour.

  “Are you going to stand there watching me, or are you going to get your own mustang?” The slow upward curve of Wyatt Jackson’s mouth belied the mirth behind his sharp question. “We have at least twenty to go before filling the Army contract.”

  Shaking his head, Travis settled the hat back on his head. Ever since marrying Nora Evans, the sheriff’s sister, Wyatt had found peace, putting much of his difficult past behind him.

  “You’re sure getting bossy since marrying that fine woman. I thought it might mellow you a bit.” Grabbing a halter from a hook outside the barn, Travis opened the corral gate, striding past Wyatt.

  “That fine woman is why I’m anxious to get home.”

  Waving a dismissive hand in the air, Travis approached an adjacent corral. The wild horses snorted and pranced, one moving toward him, the rest shifting to the other side of the enclosure.

  He knew the exact one he wanted. The horse had taunted him since the first day they’d rounded up the herd a few miles south of the ranch. A stocky buckskin with black mane and tail, the stallion ran back and forth on the other side of the gate, daring Travis to catch him.

  Wyatt stepped next to him, crossing his arms. “Are you sure you want to try tackling him right now? He’s looking especially ornery today.”

  Straightening the halter, slipping it up his arm and over his shoulder, Travis’s gaze locked on the horse. “No time better than now.”

  With a flick of his wrist, he opened the gate, slipping into the corral before Wyatt followed, securing the latch behind them. They worked together at a slow pace, encouraging the horse in low voices while using rolled lariats to cut the stallion off from his band of mares and foals.

  Twice, Travis thought they had the horse cornered. Each time, he reared back, charging past both men. After half an hour, the stallion moved toward the fence separating the two corrals. Travis backed his way to the gate, throwing it open before Wyatt herded the horse away from his mares and through the opening.

  The mustang stomped his hooves, snorted, then took off to the other side of the corral. They continued to press him, not letting the stallion rest. He had the run of a large fenced area and used every square foot. Another half an hour passed before the horse tired enough for Travis to get a noose around his neck. A moment later, Wyatt did the same with his rope, prompting another round of bucking. The stallion refused to yield.

  Arms burning, the men struggled to keep a tight hold on the large beast. Snorting and bucking, he tested their limits, taunting them with his renewed determination to get away. He didn’t realize Travis and Wyatt had no intention of giving up.

  Then everything stopped. The stallion came to a halt, chest heaving, nostrils flaring. Never taking his gaze from the animal, Travis moved until he stood a foot away, close en
ough to reach out and stroke the mustang’s neck. He continued the motions, talking in a soothing voice as Wyatt closed the distance between him and the animal.

  With both men stroking his neck, whispering encouragement, the stallion’s fight slowly dissolved. Using the other end of his rope, Travis rubbed it over the horse’s nose, letting the animal get used to the feel. After several minutes, he let the halter slip off his shoulder, replacing the rope as he continued to stroke the stallion’s neck.

  Keeping their ropes in place, Wyatt continued the tension as Travis edged the halter over the animal’s nose and into place. Attaching the lead rope to the halter, both men let the nooses fall away.

  Travis and the stallion were on their own as Wyatt stepped back, moving to the edge of the fence.

  Removing his hat, Wyatt wiped away the sweat. “I do believe that’s the orneriest horse I’ve ever worked. You want to try saddling him today?”

  Travis shook his head. “I’m whipped.” He blew out a breath as the stallion tried to create more distance between them. “My arms are ready to fall off. I’ll walk him around a bit and start again tomorrow.”

  Wyatt watched his friend guide the horse in circles before removing the lead rope, keeping the halter in place. Walking away, Travis glanced over his shoulder a couple times before joining Wyatt at the fence.

  “Hardest stallion I’ve ever worked. I don’t know about you, but I need water.” Opening the gate, Travis’s gaze focused on a buggy coming toward them…and the woman driving it.

  Wyatt looked at him, lifting a brow. “Looks like your lady friend has come for a visit.”

  My lady friend.

  Travis let out a breath, knowing he felt much more for Isabella Boucher than just a friend. In the time they’d known each other, shared confidences and became close, he’d never been able to express his feelings. Worse, he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to go beyond a close friendship.

  Clasping him on the shoulder, Wyatt lowered his voice. “Are you ever going to tell her what’s going on in your head?”

  Glancing at the ground, Travis shook his head. “I’ve got to understand it myself before saying anything to her.”