Redemption's Edge Page 14

Chapter Eleven

  Austin, Texas

  Duff Mayes sat on his horse, drenched and cold from a late spring storm that had him arriving late to his destination. He’d waited months to let things cool down before making this trip. The bank robbery his two brothers and cousins pulled off hadn’t been forgotten. Rangers never forget when one of their own dies at the hands of an outlaw, and Duff Mayes hadn’t forgotten his youngest brother, Deke, had been shot dead by a Ranger named Pelletier.

  Whitey Mayes knew who followed them after the robbery—Pat Hanes and the two Pelletier brothers. He’d met them in Austin on one of his trips to check out the bank. Hanes had been well known and liked within the Texas Ranger community. The other two were a mystery. No one knew much about them, except they were ex-rebel soldiers and had been successful in tracking down all the outlaws they hunted. Just one had been brought in alive.

  Duff and Whitey meant to hunt them down.

  Duff slid off his horse in the front of the Rangers’ office, shook off the rain, and pushed open the door to see three men sitting around a desk. The oldest one looked up.

  “Something I can do for you?”

  “I’m looking for the Pelletiers.”

  “That so. And who would you be?”

  “Henry Johnson. I fought in the war with them.” Duff looked nothing like his wanted poster. The injury from another bank job months before had almost killed him, wasting away his muscles as well as leaving him with a permanent limp. He’d grown a scraggly brick red beard, in sharp contrast to his wavy light brown hair.

  “Well, Mr. Johnson, they’ve taken some time off. I don’t know when they’ll be back. You can leave a message if you want, but I can’t guarantee they’ll get it.” The captain’s eyes narrowed on the man. Something seemed familiar—the stance, the eyes that darted around the room, never making direct contact with any of the men.

  “I don’t have any plans. Maybe I’ll head their direction, see if I can catch up with ‘em.”

  A short, lean Ranger dropped his boots from where they rested on the desk onto the floor. “Aren’t they up in Montana, Captain?”

  “Yeah, that’s where Pat had his ranch,” another said, then stopped when his captain shot him a warning glare.

  “That’s all we know, Mr. Johnson. Like I said, you’re welcome to leave them a note.” The captain stood and started around the desk, his eyes never leaving the man’s gun hand.

  “I think I’ll ride up to Montana. Maybe someone’s heard of them. Don’t matter. There’s nothing keeping me in Texas.” The lie rolled off his lips with little effort. He and Whitey still owned a ranch north of Red Gulch, deeded under false names, where they raised horses and enough beef to feed them and their men.

  “Up to you.”

  “I appreciate the information.” Duff tipped his hat and walked back out into the storm, which had slowed to a soft rain. He’d get a room and be off early the next morning for the ranch. Within three days, he, his brother, and their cousins would be on their way to Montana and the vengeance they were due.

  Splendor, Montana

  “What are we going to do, Drake? We can’t let those deaths go unpunished.”

  Drake assessed the man next to him, still fuming from the idiocy he and his companions had shown by attacking the group riding home from Big Pine. They’d brought it on themselves and Drake was sorely tempted to cut all of them loose. He didn’t need hotheads around to jeopardize his plans to run the Pelletiers out of the territory—or kill them.

  “Well?”

  The cold stare Drake shot him shut the man up. No one wanted to cross their boss, a man with little patience and no conscience.

  “Drake.” They turned as King Tolbert walked toward the corral where one of the men attempted to break a green horse.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “I’d like a word with you.” Tolbert shifted his gaze around the group of men, some who’d been with him a long time, others Drake had hired. Those men warranted closer scrutiny.

  Drake followed him into the house and closed the door as Tolbert took a seat behind his desk, not offering the man a drink. “I want to know what happened between Big Pine and Splendor. And don’t tell me you know nothing of it. I’ll not abide a lie.”

  “All I know is what the men told me. Two of the men started off from your property in Big Pine earlier than the others. The rest took off some time later. They heard shooting several hours out, but by the time they reached a place where they could see what was happening, a couple of bodies were being loaded into a wagon. Must’ve been the wagon the doctor and Miss Davenport took to Big Pine for supplies. Three other men on horses were with them. That’s all I know.”

  “The men didn’t consider those bodies might be the two who rode out ahead of them? Did they even think about riding up to the wagon and questioning anyone?” King’s words had hardened more with each question.

  “They didn’t want to get shot at. At least that’s what they said.”

  “Pelletier said more than two attacked them. Are you certain the others weren’t involved?”

  “They insist they weren’t.”

  “And you believe them?”

  “No reason not to.”

  King sat forward, leaning his arms on the desk and not missing the slight unease he saw in Drake’s eyes. “You’d stake your life on that?”

  “I don’t stake my life on any man’s word, Mr. Tolbert.”

  King sat back as a wary tension sliced through him. “I want you and a few men to ride the western property line. From there, you can see the comings and goings at the Pelletier place. Don’t cross onto their land. Just keep watch. I heard they’re buying more head from one of the ranchers south of town. I want to know if it’s true.”

  “That all?” Drake asked as he stood to leave.

  “For now.” Tolbert waited a beat. “No violence, Drake.”

  Tolbert heard the click of the door close, then a tapping before Abby poked her head into his study.

  “Hello, Father. Do you have time to take me to town today?”

  Guilt tugged at King. He had no time to take his daughter to town, yet knew he’d not refuse her. He pulled out his pocket watch. “Be ready in an hour. You can do your shopping before we have dinner at the boardinghouse.”

  A huge smile split her face, reminding him it wouldn’t be long before she would find someone and begin a life of her own. He’d have to make certain she decided on the right man.

  “Good day, Mr. Tolbert, Miss Abigail. Take a seat anywhere you’d like and I’ll be right with you.” Suzanne had never taken to King Tolbert and the way he’d shipped his daughter off at an early age to be raised in the east, moving from one private boarding school to another as she got older.

  “I’ll be right back, Abby. I need to speak with Horace.” He crossed the few feet to where the banker sat alone, finishing his meal.

  Abby took the opportunity to follow Suzanne to the kitchen. She’d been on the woman’s heels from a young age, always curious as to the happenings in the restaurant. Suzanne felt certain the girl’s education hadn’t included cooking classes.

  “Are you sure it’s all right with your father to be in the kitchen with me?”

  “Oh, yes. He’s speaking with Mr. Clausen. I won’t bother you long.”

  “Abby, it’s never a bother to have you join me. You’re welcome anytime.” Suzanne had lost her own daughter and husband during a severe snowstorm years before. The attractive widow had never remarried, telling people she’d already had her one great love. Abby hadn’t known Suzanne’s daughter, even though they were of similar age. In Suzanne’s mind, Abby had turned into the type of young woman she thought her daughter would have become—smart, quiet, pretty, with a ferocious curiosity.

  “What are you making?” Abby peered over Suzanne’s shoulder into a large pot.

  “Lamb stew. Noah Brandt got the meat on trade for some of his work, then traded it to me for a couple dozen suppers. A good deal, don’t
you think?” Suzanne noticed Abby’s eyes light up at the mention of the blacksmith. She suspected the young woman had a crush on the man and felt a pang of sorrow, knowing Tolbert would never approve of his daughter’s interest in him. An impish thought crossed her mind. “In fact, it’s time I took a bowl of this stew over to him at the livery. I’m swamped right now. Would you mind taking it over?”

  Abby couldn’t conceal her enthusiasm even as she tried to hide it. “I’d be happy to help.”

  Suzanne ladled up a large bowl, wrapped cornbread in a cloth, and handed both to Abby. “There you go. By the time you’re back, I’ll have your meal ready.”

  Abby didn’t even glance at her father, just walked straight to the livery, being careful not to spill the stew.

  Noah’s eyes grew wide at the sight of Abby carrying a bowl and knew Mrs. Briar had sent her with his meal.

  “Miss Abigail, let me take that.” He set the food aside, wiping his blackened hands on his pants and pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to clean what he could from his face. “Does your father know you’re here?”

  She glanced behind her. “No. He’s speaking with Mr. Clausen and, well…Mrs. Briar needed the help.” She looked around Noah to see a beautiful stallion in a back stall. “Oh my.”

  “He belongs to a friend of mine. Gabe Evans. Gabe raised him from a colt. Handsome, isn’t he?”

  “More than that. He’s one of the most stunning animals I’ve ever seen.” She walked toward the horse, admiring the lines and strength of the stallion’s muscles. “He’s quite tall and, well…sort of devilish-looking, don’t you think?”

  “That he is.”

  Abby turned at the sound of the unfamiliar voice behind her.

  “Miss Tolbert, this is Gabe Evans. He owns Blackheart. Gabe, this is Abigail Tolbert.”

  “Oh, what a perfect name for him. Blackheart.” She turned back to the magnificent horse who’d given a loud snort at the sight of Gabe walking into the livery.

  “He thinks I’m here to take him out. He’s never been a patient beast.” Gabe stood beside her, admiring the pretty young woman who showed no fear at being close to the impressive creature.

  “And will you? Take him out, I mean?”

  “In a while. I want to ride to the Pelletier ranch. Do you know them?”

  “Yes. I’ve met Dax Pelletier, but not his brother.”

  “You’re welcome to ride along.”

  Noah’s eyes shot to Gabe, who didn’t notice the scowl warning him he may have made a mistake.

  “Thank you, but I’m in town with my father. In fact, he’s waiting for me at the restaurant.” She looked up at Noah standing on her other side. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Brandt.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Miss Tolbert. Stop by whenever you’d like.” Noah’s gaze trailed Abby as she made her way across the street to join her father. If he had any dreams left, she’d be it.

  Gabe knew the look a man showed when he wanted a woman, and Noah wanted Miss Abigail Tolbert. He knew his friend wouldn’t act on it, though. He’d convinced himself no woman would want him if she learned what he’d done during the war. Gabe knew his friend was wrong, but acknowledged everyone had to make their own choices. Noah had made his.

  “Why don’t you court her? She’s a beautiful young woman who doesn’t hide her interest in you.”

  “No. She deserves someone far better. You know as well as me I’m not fit for any woman.” Noah swallowed hard, wishing he had something to offer a woman like Abby.

  Gabe clasped his friend on the shoulder. “You may think that, but I don’t. Someday, you’ll realize what you did during the war has nothing to do with the man you are.” He grabbed Blackheart’s blanket and saddle. “I’m off to see the Pelletiers. You want to ride out with me?”

  “Too busy today.”

  “I’ll be back for supper.”

  Noah focused on his work, then set his hammer down and glanced up as Gabe rode from the livery. The thought his friend, the ex-colonel, would be a much better match for Abigail crossed his mind. Hell, anyone would be better than him. He wrapped his large hand around the hammer and started back to work, the lamb stew and cornbread Abby had brought to him forgotten.

  Gabe headed north, following the directions Noah gave him to the Pelletier property. Billows of dust followed a herd of cattle a couple miles out of town. He recognized Dax as one of the men working the herd and rode to join him.

  “Moving them to another pasture?” Gabe brought Blackheart alongside Dax.

  “Bought these from the Murton family. Tyson’s got a family on the way and needs cash. Luke and I need the cattle.” Dax looked over his shoulder, and satisfied nothing seemed amiss, turned back to Gabe. “What brings you out here?”

  “Curious if you’ve had any other trouble.”

  “Not yet. I’m expecting it, though.”

  “Tell me about Drake.” Gabe had figured out a history existed between Dax and Drake, and he guessed it went back further than their time in Splendor.

  Dax gripped the saddle horn with both hands and leaned back, eyeing the man next to him and deciding how much to say. It had become a personal matter between him and the deserter. No officer respected or trusted a man who left others to die in his place.

  Gabe stayed silent, waiting for Dax.

  “He was a sergeant in my division. Hell of a fighter, but an unstable leader. He couldn’t leave the hostility on the battlefield. He’d bring it back to camp and take it out on his men. One almost died. The decision had been made to bust him to corporal. He disappeared the same night.”

  “Deserted?”

  “That’s right. Happened the night before an important battle and I needed every man. I sent in a replacement, a friend of mine, to lead his unit. He died fighting in the sergeant’s place.”

  “Anything could’ve happened. The man’s death wasn’t your fault.”

  Dax cast him a quick look. “True, except the man I sent in was already too injured to fight. I’d originally ordered him to stay at the rear due to wounds in an arm and leg. He shouldn’t have been in the battle at all.” He rested his steady gaze on Gabe. “A few weeks ago, Drake showed up at the ranch. It’s the first I’d seen him since he deserted.”

  Dax went on to tell him about the shooting of Hank Wilson and the scattering of his cattle.

  “Have you spoken with Tolbert?”

  “I’ve confronted him. He’s adamant no orders to shoot anyone came from him.”

  “Bull wants to split off part of the group and take another trail back. You okay with that?” Luke slowed Prince down to keep up with this brother, Bull pulling up next to Dax on the opposite side and nodding a greeting to Gabe.

  “I’m good with it. Luke, this is Gabe Evans.”

  “Gabe.” Luke reached across Dax to shake the outstretched hand. “Dax told me about how you helped out during the attack. We’re all obliged to you.” He turned in his saddle at the sound of gunfire. “Get down!”

  Another shot rang out, grazing Dax’s arm and hitting Bull. The big man muttered a curse as he fell from his horse.

  Luke and Dax took off toward the shots, Gabe sliding off his horse to kneel next to Bull, using his hands to stem the flow of blood. He looked up when more rounds echoed through the valley, but saw only Dax and Luke riding back to join him.

  Luke slid from his horse and dropped to Bull’s side, checking his pulse, while Dax tore a piece off his shirt and wrapped it around his injured arm.

  Gabe glanced up. “He has a pulse. We need to get him to the doc—now.”

  Luke pulled an old shirt from his saddlebag and used it to protect Bull’s wound.

  “It will take too long to get a wagon from the ranch. He’ll have to ride.” Dax spotted Bull’s horse, rode after it, and grabbed the reins.

  It took all three of them to get Bull into the saddle and tied down, throwing a blanket over him. Luke swung up behind him.

  “I’ll go with them.” Gabe paced L
uke, while Dax stayed behind to check on the other men.

  Just like before, cattle were scattered. Besides the nick to Dax’s arm, Bull appeared to be the only casualty.

  “I’ve got this if you want to head to town, boss.” Ellis had the look of a man ready to explode. “If those bastards come back, we’ll be ready for them.”

  “Circle up the cattle and post the men around. Send some of them to the other herd. No telling where those riders will go next.” Dax turned Hannibal around and took off to catch up to Luke and Gabe.

  Luke almost lost Bull twice, the big man’s weight shifting even though ropes secured him to the saddle. Gabe stood by his side a moment after reaching the clinic, untying the ropes and helping Luke slide Bull off.

  “Doc!” Luke threw one of Bull’s arms over his shoulder, while Gabe did the same on the other side. “Doc!”

  “I’m coming.” The clinic door opened as the two men struggled to get Bull inside.

  “Gunshot,” Luke said.

  “Oh, my God,” Rachel murmured when she saw who’d been shot. She grabbed clean cloths, bandages, hot water, and a bottle of whiskey from the cupboard.

  They lifted Bull onto the table as blood continued to flow from the wound.

  “We’ve got him now. You boys wait outside.” Charles spared them no other thought as he put all his concentration into saving the man on the table.

  Luke and Gabe had just closed the door behind them when Dax burst in and started for the back room. Both men blocked his path.

  “Doc says to wait out here.” Luke didn’t move until his brother nodded. “You need to get that tended to.” He nodded toward Dax’s bandaged arm.

  “It’s nothing.” He’d forgotten about his injury, his concern focused on Bull, his anger on those who’d shot at them.

  An hour passed, then another without word. They didn’t speak or leave, each dreading the door opening to be told Bull hadn’t made it. Almost three hours later, an exhausted Rachel appeared to tell them their friend had survived—for now.

  “Honestly, I don’t know what kept him alive. I thought we’d lost him more than once.”

  Dax walked up and placed an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, absorbing his strength, finding comfort in his touch. Before she realized it, he’d pulled her around in front of him with both arms circling her, his chin on the top of her head, her head resting on his chest.

  “That’s good news, Rachel.” His soft whisper sent chills through her body, and she wished they were in a place where she could look up and accept the kiss she knew he’d offer. She pulled back and, for the first time, noticed his blood-soaked shirt.

  “You’re hurt.” Without another word, she ushered him into the room where Bull lay unconscious so she could treat his wound.

  A moment later, Charles came out and turned his attention to Luke and Gabe. “He’s resting. I don’t believe he even knows how hard he fought to stay alive. By all medical definitions, the man should be dead.”

  “Can we see him?” Luke asked.

  “For a minute, then you’ll need to leave.”

  The three stood next to the bed while Rachel finished securing a clean bandage to Dax’s arm.

  “Any idea who did this?” Charles asked.

  “I’ll wager the same men who attacked us coming back from Big Pine.” Gabe ran a hand through is hair, frustrated and tired.

  “Whoever it is, the sons of bitches will pay.” Luke glanced toward Rachel. “My apologies, ma’am.”

  She turned toward Luke. “I understand and feel the same.”

  “What now?” Dax asked Charles.

  “We need to keep Bull here. Rachel and I will take turns watching him. You three might as well head out. No sense all of you sitting around.”

  “I’m staying. I’ll keep watch on him while you and Rachel rest.” Dax’s stern features told more than his words. It didn’t matter what they said. He wasn’t going to leave.

  “I’ll find out if the others saw anything and make sure the herd gets settled. We’ll need to rebrand right away. I don’t want any mix-ups.” Luke grabbed his hat and looked at Charles. “Thanks, Doc.”

  “He’s not healed yet.” The doctor turned his weary body back toward the room where Bull lay unconscious.

  “Like you said, he shouldn’t have made it this far,” Luke called over his shoulder.

  Gabe looked between the brothers. “You understand the bullet that hit Bull may have been meant for one of you.”

  Rachel shot a look at Dax.

  “I’ve thought of that. We won’t know until we’ve caught the men who shot at us.” Dax’s hard voice rang with command.

  Gabe nodded. “Let me know when you plan to ride out to Tolbert’s. I want to go along.”

  “Tomorrow, if Bull has a good night. I don’t want to put it off.”

  “I’ll wait for the two of you at the ranch and we’ll head out from there.” Luke started outside, then stopped at Dax’s words.

  “Watch your back.”

  ~~~~~