Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) Page 11

  With him out of the way, Drake convinced himself it would’ve been easy to force his daughter, Abigail, to go along with their plans. Seen as a soft female with little ranching experience, Drake envisioned marrying her, taking the ranch in the most basic and legal way possible.

  It now appeared she’d had a falling out with her father. He’d been shocked to see her behind the teller counter, pretended he didn’t recognize her, and hoped she didn’t recognize him. Drake doubted she had the ability to utter a convincing lie.

  He had pondered what to do since that day. The action he preferred included her father dying in a ranch accident, leaving his substantial holdings to a daughter with little skill or interest in running a ranch. He’d step in, take it off her hands or marry her—either worked for him. It wasn’t as if he’d be stuck with her long before she met a similar fate as her father. Drake chuckled to himself. There were a hundred ways to die and disappear on a ranch the size of Tolbert’s. He just needed one.

  They arrived at the perfect time for Abby to help Rachel and Ginny with the final preparations for supper. It kept her busy and away from Noah. He’d avoided her after they’d returned to Splendor, spending time at his cabin and not coming to Suzanne’s for meals. After two weeks, she’d grown desperate to get one glimpse of him. She’d seen him in town, and asked him to help when Drake appeared at the bank. Other than stopping at the livery the day before, she’d done her best to give him the space he seemed to need.

  His actions at supper last night, on the ride out today, and volunteering to escort her to her father’s tomorrow had her confused. She didn’t know how to react. No matter how much she wanted it, being around him hurt more than she’d imagined. Cutting him from her thoughts hadn’t worked, and now he appeared in agonizing regularity. The man didn’t realize or care about the effect he had on her.

  “Abby, would you mind carrying this to the table?” Rachel held out a platter brimming with sliced beef and boiled potatoes. Although she still appeared to have plenty of energy, the pregnancy had begun to affect her movement and length of time she could stand before feeling pain in her back.

  “Of course.”

  “Oh, and let the men know supper is ready.”

  She wanted to protest, ask Ginny to call the men, but knew it would seem petty. Besides, she needed everyone to see her as the grown woman she’d become, making her own way on her own terms. It wouldn’t happen if she looked to others to help her over the many hurdles in life, which was how she saw Noah.

  Setting the platter on the table, she turned toward the front door in time to see Dax and the others walking in, laughing. With all the hardships they faced with men like Drake, it was good they could find reason to joke.

  “Supper’s ready.” Her eyes met Noah’s before she looked away and turned toward the kitchen, passing Ginny as she set a basket of warm bread on the table.

  Ginny settled her hands on her hips as the men milled about, ignoring Abby’s request. “Luke, come sit down before your supper gets cold.”

  “Coming, sweetheart,” Luke called to his wife, winking and receiving a blush in return.

  “If you’ll help Rachel with the last of the food, I’ll go get the orphans.” Ginny didn’t wait for a reply from Abby before dashing out the front door.

  Dax, Luke, and a few other men had discovered the children—Lydia, Billy, Samuel, Selina, and Margaret—hiding in a cave up the mountain from Luke’s place on Wildfire Creek. At nineteen, Lydia was the oldest. From what everyone could tell, she’d taken a shine to Bull Mason, one of their top hands, and the feeling appeared to be mutual.

  Except Billy, all had chosen to live at the Pelletier ranch, Redemption’s Edge, doing what they could to help. Billy had decided to live with Frank and Hiram Frey at their ranch located several miles southwest. Fifteen, proud, and stubborn, he’d originally wanted nothing to do with any white ranchers, but changed his mind when he got to know the Freys. His seven-year-old sister, Margaret, had been torn. She wanted to stay with her brother, but there were no other females living at the Frey ranch. Her close relationship with Lydia and Selina, and her friendship with Ginny’s younger sister, Mary, made the decision to stay with the Pelletiers easier. Most Sundays, Billy made the long ride to have supper with everyone and spend the day with Margaret.

  Ginny found them in the barn with Bull, hovering around a foal born a few days before.

  “Rachel wants all of you to come inside for supper. You, too, Bull.” Ginny looked into the stall, admiring the beautiful colt, now part of Luke’s horse breeding program.

  “Come with me,” Ginny said to her sister, Mary.

  “I want to go with Uncle Bull.”

  “Me, too,” Margaret chimed in, each of the girls taking one of Bull’s hands and pulling him toward the house, the others following behind.

  Fourteen-year-old Samuel, Lydia and Selina’s brother, dashed ahead, determined to find a chair with the men and not be relegated to the children’s table. He worked with Luke and Travis, another ranch hand who had considerable experience breeding horse stock at his family farm before the war began. The war changed everything for Travis. Similar to many others, he’d come west, hoping to put the pain of the past behind him and start over. He’d found the opportunity with Luke and Dax.

  Abby watched everyone crowd around the two tables, reminding her of what Noah had told her about Christmas supper. All the ranch hands attended that day. A lump formed in her throat, remembering she’d invited Noah to have supper with her and her father. She’d swallowed the extreme disappointment when he told her Rachel had already extended an invitation for him and Gabe, which they’d accepted. She so wished to spend Christmas with someone other than her father. It would never have occurred to him to invite their ranch hands. They’d shared a quiet meal alone before she retreated to her room, filling the emptiness with a book.

  “May I sit next to you, Abby?”

  Noah’s warm voice flowed over her and she found herself smiling up at him. “Why, yes. That would be lovely.”

  He pulled out a chair for her, then seated himself, scowling when Beau sat on her other side. Twice in two days Davis had shown an interest in her, and in Noah’s mind, that was twice too many. He needed to have a talk with the man, let him know to back off and find his own woman.

  Dax said a blessing before plates were filled and the room fell silent, except for the continual chattering at the children’s table. Today, only Mary, Margaret, and ten-year-old Selina sat around the small table Luke had brought in from the storage shed behind the bunkhouse. Lydia and Samuel squeezed into the adult table, making for a tight fit, although no one complained.

  Abby experienced a combination of excitement and apprehension at being wedged between two imposing men—one she enjoyed as a friend, the other she wanted so much more from, even though she’d told him otherwise.

  As he’d done at supper the previous night, he let his leg rest against hers, not allowing her to end the contact. Each time she moved, he’d shift enough to touch his leg to hers again. At one point he rested his hand on his thigh, letting his fingers stroke the side of her leg, sending rays of heat flashing through her body and making her heart race. She glanced up at him, trying to draw his attention away from a conversation with Bull. Although she could see his lips quirk upward as he listened to something Bull said, he didn’t look at her. Instead, he increased the pressure of his fingers against her thigh, stroking her through the thin cotton of her dress. The sensations created by his movements overwhelmed and scared her, causing beads of moisture to form on her forehead.

  “Excuse me,” she mumbled, pushing back, trying not to run from the room as she sought refuge in the cool night air.

  “Abby, are you all right?” Rachel asked as Abby covered the distance between the dining table and front door in seconds.

  “I’ll check on her.” Noah followed her, shooting a warning look at Beau who had also started to rise, then sat back down.

  Noah pushed o
pen the door and stepped onto the porch, spotting Abby running toward the corral next to the barn. “Abby, wait.” He didn’t wait for her to respond, jogging to a stop next to her. “Are you all right?”

  She rounded on him, arms crossed, angry eyes flashing up at him. “What do you think you were doing in there? Do you have so little respect for me you think you can touch me like that at the supper table with others all around us?” She drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as her heart continued to beat almost painfully in her chest.

  Noah’s concern turned to discomfort at the agony he saw on her face. “I’m sorry. I’d never do anything to cause you embarrassment or pain.”

  “Then what was that about?”

  He looked toward the western mountains, noting the sun touching the tops of the highest peaks, and took a deep breath. Shoving his hands in his pockets so he wouldn’t do what he wanted and reach out to touch her, Noah took a step backward.

  “Do you remember when you told me you no longer had feelings for me?” His voice was rough as he worked to swallow the lump in the back of his throat.

  She let her arms drop, clasping her hands in front of her, feeling regret at how he’d interpreted her words.

  “Yes…”

  Noah had fought his attraction to her for too long. He needed to be honest, let her know how he felt, and discover if she still had any feelings for him at all.

  “I need to know the truth, Abby. Do you feel anything for me?”

  She bit her lower lip as her brows drew together. Her chest squeezed into a throbbing ball, making it almost impossible to breathe. Abby struggled to form the words, knowing what she said now would have lasting implications. She looked up, searching his face.

  “Yes, Noah. I do have feelings for you. I always have.”

  He hesitated a moment before taking a step forward. “As a friend…or more?”

  She glanced at him, then looked away before finding the courage to lock her gaze with his. “More. Much more.”

  He drew a hand from his pocket and stroked one finger down her cheek. “That’s good, Abby. Very good.” He moved his hand to the back of her neck and drew her toward him, lowering his mouth to hers, capturing it in a kiss that caressed her lips, causing heat to flare through him.

  Abby could feel her body shudder at the gentle touch of his lips to hers. She raised her hands, resting them on his arms, steadying herself as she leaned closer.

  Slowly, so as not to frighten her, Noah moved his other hand to her back, gently aligning her body with his as he deepened the kiss.

  She gripped his arms, feeling the taut muscles tighten beneath his shirt. As he pulled her closer, her hands moved to the back of his neck, her fingers spearing into his hair, drawing him down to her.

  A husky moan escaped his lips at the passion he felt build within him. The feel of her in his arms triggered sensations he believed beyond his reach, the building pleasure almost more than he could bear.

  Her lips parted on a sigh, allowing him access to the deep recesses of her mouth. She didn’t pull away as he expected. Instead, she followed his lead, drawing him more firmly to her, exploring his mouth as he did hers. Time passed until she pulled away on a ragged breath, feathering kisses over his face and down his neck before lifting her gaze to his once more, letting him take her mouth again.

  In the distance, Noah recognized the sound of a door slamming and knew they had to stop. He drew away, placing another soft kiss on her lips before stepping back, letting his arms drop to his sides.

  “Uncle Noah, are you and Miss Abby all right?” Mary ran up to his side, catching her breath as Margaret came to a stop behind her.

  Noah bent over, offering the girls a warm smile. “Miss Abby and I are fine.” He glanced behind him, then back to the girls. “We’re ready to go back inside. We didn’t miss dessert, did we?” He straightened, reaching out a hand to Abby, a thrill jolting through him as she linked her fingers in his.

  “No. That’s why we came out. We’re all waiting for you.” Mary didn’t even pause as she and Margaret ran back to the house and up the steps, disappearing inside.

  Noah turned Abby to him. “We’ll take our time, make sure this is what you want. I don’t intend to make any mistakes with you, Abby.”

  She reached up and stroked his cheek, a smile lighting her face. “You’re who I want, Noah. I’ve known it for a long time. Please believe my feelings won’t change.”

  Noah already knew he loved her, yet he couldn’t help feeling they should take it slow. She’d just found her independence from a father who still hoped to bring her back under his control. Noah never wanted her to feel dominated by a man again. He’d court her, take his time while doing his best to convince himself he was a man deserving of her love.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Noah opened the livery earlier than normal on Monday morning, contentment he’d never known before flowing through him. On Sunday, he’d accompanied Abby to within a half-mile of her father’s ranch, fished in a nearby stream until she returned hours later, then rode by her side back to Splendor.

  After they’d taken care of the horses, he walked her to Suzanne’s, giving Abby a quick kiss before returning to the livery. He’d lain in bed Sunday night, thinking of how he wanted to court her in the way a woman such as her deserved. He’d also thought of his commitment to help Gabe, Cash, and Beau locate Drake and his gang.

  Dax and Luke agreed to provide men to help with the search, and Gabe would be talking with Tolbert today, trying to convince him to supply more men. They needed every man available to track and arrest the rustlers.

  “Is the coffee ready yet?” Gabe stood by the door, watching Noah throw more wood on the forge.

  Noah nodded toward a cook stove in the back. “Help yourself.” He might not be a great cook, but no one had ever complained about his coffee. “You still riding out to see Tolbert?”

  “I am. How did Abby’s visit go yesterday?”

  “She didn’t say much except he tried to convince her to quit the job and move back to the ranch. She refused.”

  Gabe nodded, taking a sip of coffee. “I can’t see why she’d ever want to move back. Her life is here with you now.”

  Noah glanced over his shoulder. “We’ve made no plans.”

  Gabe couldn’t help grinning. He’d seen the look on both their faces when they returned to the house Saturday evening and knew they’d reached some kind of understanding.

  “You will, my friend. You may want to draw it out a little, but in the end, she’ll be picking out curtains for your cabin.”

  Noah turned, crossing his arms and glaring at his friend. “Do you need help saddling Blackheart, or can you do it on your own?” he ground out.

  “All right. I’ll say no more.” Gabe tossed out the last of his coffee before saddling his horse and swinging into the saddle. “No matter if Tolbert helps or not, we meet with the Pelletier men at sunup tomorrow and ride out.”

  Noah nodded, watching as Gabe turned Blackheart toward the Tolbert ranch. He had more faith in Tolbert than Gabe or the others had. Not because he thought Tolbert gave a damn about the people. He’d do it to protect his property and for no other reason. Providing a few men to help stop the rustling would be beneficial for him, and that’s all the reason Tolbert required.

  He finished an order for Stan Petermann, owner of the general store. Afterwards, in an attempt to keep his mind off tonight, he completed tool repairs, fixed a wagon axel, and shod a pair of horses. He’d asked Abby to supper, his first attempt to properly court her. The nerves he felt surprised him. Social conversations came hard to him. Gabe would dispute this, citing all the times Noah had been considered gregarious when they were growing up.

  They’d been an odd pair—Gabe, the son of a wealthy New York businessman, and Noah, the son of a laborer who worked for Gabe’s father. Over the years, Noah’s father had risen up the ranks, becoming a valued and trusted employee, but Noah’s family often struggled, even with the i
ncreased wages.

  While Gabe worked a few hours each day for an uncle who owned a prestigious hotel, Noah took odd jobs which started after school and ran late into the night. As expected, Gabe enrolled at Columbia College, intending to either work for his father or rejoin his uncle in the hotel business after graduation. Unlike Gabe, Noah never planned to attend college, believing his future existed following in the footsteps of his father. An unanticipated scholarship from Gabe’s father allowed him to follow his friend to Columbia. Neither graduated.

  The war changed the lives of both young men. Each volunteered for service in the Union Army, and although they’d planned to return to college after the war, neither had, preferring to venture west. What Noah witnessed during the war, including the killings he’d been a part of as a Union sharpshooter, changed him from an outgoing, sociable young man to someone who cherished his solitude.

  Until Gabe returned to Splendor several months before, Noah ate his meals alone and seldom visited the Wild Rose, preferring to drink from his private bottle of whiskey.

  Two events worked to change his self-imposed private existence. First, Gabe returned, refusing to let Noah suffer the effects of the war alone. Within weeks Gabe had him sharing meals, playing cards, and enjoying the occasional whiskey at the Wild Rose.

  Second, he’d met Abigail Tolbert. Her impact on him had been immediate and intense.

  “Still working I see.”

  Noah swung around to see the woman who’d captured his thoughts all day standing in the doorway. Abby took a few steps forward, then stopped as if waiting for an invitation to come closer.

  “I saw the light from the forge and decided to see if you were still working.” She hesitated a moment before continuing. “And to see if you still wanted to have supper with me.”