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  His brother stared into the flames. “I don’t know. Seems they’d be looking for us to show up after we robbed the bank in Big Pine.”

  “Maybe, maybe not.” Clem turned his head, spitting into the nearby bushes. “The boys seemed real enthusiastic when they rode back to camp. Said they saw the sheriff outside the jail paying little attention to what was going on.”

  “We know he has a couple deputies. Where were they?”

  Clem shrugged. “Who knows? Three men aren’t going to stop us. Even if they know about Big Pine, they don’t know if or when we plan to rob the bank. I say we go in tomorrow morning, surprise them, then ride south, out of the territory.”

  Sitting on a log across from Clem, Louis leaned forward to pick up the dented coffeepot, filling his cup. “Don’t know that I’d risk it. We did real good at the bank in Big Pine. Plenty of money to last a while. I say we ride on, come back when they think we’ve cleared out of the territory.”

  Clem stood, pacing away, running a hand through his hair. Rounding on his brother, he spat into the bushes once more. “It don’t make sense to just leave when the bank in Splendor is a few miles away and unguarded.”

  Louis leaned back, resting the cup on his leg. “What about the men we shot the last time we were there?”

  “What about them? As far as we know, they’re both dead. If they’re not, what danger could they be to us?”

  Louis shook his head. He knew when his brother got something in his mind, he gnawed on it and didn’t let go. Clem would fight him until Louis gave in or they came to blows.

  Leaning to his side, he grabbed more wood, tossing it on the fire. His gut told him they needed to lay low, take their money and leave the area. They had plenty to get them through the winter. Seeing the hard set of Clem’s jaw, the straightening of his spine, Louis realized arguing would delay the inevitable.

  Standing, Louis tossed out the remaining coffee. “Get the boys together. We ride to Splendor in the morning.”

  “Is everyone in place?” Gabe checked his six-shooter one more time, did the same with his rifle, then glanced up at Beau.

  “Noah is on the balcony of the St. James, Bull is at the Dixie, and Dirk is positioned on the second floor of the Wild Rose. Cash, Caleb, and Mack are watching the north and south entrances to town. I’ll be taking my place at the bank.”

  Gabe pulled out his pocket watch, flipping it open. “Fifteen minutes before the bank opens.”

  Beau moved to the door, resting his hand on the knob. “Nick is also keeping watch inside the Dixie. Clay refused to sit back and watch. He’s staying inside the clinic, but his gun is ready.”

  Gabe should’ve known his business partner, Nick Barnett, and one of the town doctors, Clay McCord, wouldn’t wait this out. “Is Rosemary at the clinic today?” He hoped Clay had the sense to keep her out of town until they dealt with the Dawsons.

  “She is. Clay warned her, but she refused to stay at the ranch. With Rachel pregnant, Dax refused to let her leave for town.”

  Gabe let out a frustrated breath. “Nothing I can do about any of them now. Best get in place.”

  “You know, there’s still a chance they’ll leave Splendor alone.”

  Gabe shifted his stance, his gaze narrowing. “Do you believe that?”

  Beau shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

  Caro woke on a reluctant groan, pulling the covers up under her chin. After a few languid moments, she stretched, allowing her eyes to open a crack. Blinking several times, she gasped at the light streaming into her room.

  Tossing off the covers, she hurried to the window, almost stumbling on the clothes she’d failed to put away the night before. The noise from the already crowded street could be heard through the glass. The sun’s rays bouncing off the buildings told Caro she’d overslept.

  Chastising herself, she picked up the dress from the day before and dashed to the wardrobe to select the rest of what she’d need. Her stomach rumbled. Placing a hand on it, she thought of skipping breakfast, knowing she couldn’t afford to go without food if she were to accomplish anything at the house.

  After washing her face, she combed her long hair, twisting it into a tight bun. As happened each morning, she knew Noah would have the wagon waiting. All she had to do before leaving was down a quick breakfast and purchase a few supplies at the general store. Taking one more glance in the mirror, Caro slipped on her coat and stepped into the hall.

  Beau’s spine straightened, his muscles tensing when one of the two men he and Cash had spotted the previous day walked into the bank. Moving toward the front window, Beau pulled a paper from his pocket, pretending to read it as he watched the man move his gaze from one person to the next. When he spotted Beau, he lingered a moment before continuing to the others.

  Beau shifted enough to glance out the window. The second man he’d seen the day before sat on his horse, his head turning from side to side as he scanned the crowded street. Beau knew Cash would recognize each man, and would’ve already signaled the others. The fact he couldn’t see either of the Dawson brothers bothered him more than a little.

  He started to turn his attention to the man in the bank when his eye caught movement down the street. Five men on horseback rounded the corner by the church, staying in close formation as they approached the bank. Three reined to a stop. The other two cut to the right in a move that would have them circling behind Allie’s shop and the bank. Beau’s hand instinctively went to his gun, resting it on the handle.

  Before Beau could turn away from the window, another movement caught his attention. His gut clenched at the sight of a woman with blonde hair, brown hat, and worn coat leaving the St. James. Panic rolled through him when Caro stood on the boardwalk, her gaze fixed on the men dismounting in front of the bank. He needed to warn her, caution her to get back inside and out of the path of danger.

  Luck wasn’t on his side. What happened next fell beyond his control as three of the men in front rushed inside, guns drawn, closing the door, leaving one man outside to keep watch. The man he’d been watching inside the bank drew his gun, pointing it at Beau’s chest.

  “Everyone stay calm.”

  Beau recognized the one talking as Louis Dawson. Next to him stood his brother, Clem. One man still sat on his horse, two others waiting behind the bank. He didn’t worry too much about them. As a precaution, Gabe had ordered the back door and windows be barricaded.

  By now, Noah would have his Spencer repeating rifle trained on the front door, ready to shoot the outlaws as they came out. With his skill, he could have at least three on the ground before anybody could react.

  Bull had borrowed the Sharp’s rifle Noah used in the war. He might not be as good a shot, but he could still be counted on to hit his mark. That left Gabe, Cash, and the others. The Dawsons and their men wouldn’t make it out of Splendor alive.

  Horace Clausen stepped forward, his hands up. “Tell me what you want and I’ll get it. No one needs to get hurt.”

  Louis walked toward him, motioning with his gun. “The money behind the counter and in your safe. And you’d better not try something foolish. The men won’t hesitate to shoot.”

  “Believe me, we don’t want trouble.” Clausen moved behind the counter, opening drawers, pulling out money. “The rest is in the safe.”

  Louis glanced over his shoulder. “Clem. Gather this money.”

  Beau’s job was to make certain no one in the bank became a victim. His gaze moved between the outlaws, keeping track of their locations. Clausen and his employees had played their parts well. Besides himself, there were no other patrons in the bank. So far, all had gone according to plan…except for Caro. He wanted to glance outside, make certain she’d moved down the street and out of harm’s way, but he couldn’t.

  Caro rested a hand on the stair railing outside the St. James, hesitating to continue on to Noah’s livery. Something wasn’t right. She couldn’t explain why, but the group of men who rode into town didn’t fit. They spoke to so
meone already out front, then dismounted, looked around, and went into the bank.

  Taking one hesitant step down, she stopped again, her hand wrapping around the handrail in a tight grip. Glancing down the street, she saw Mack, Caleb, and Gabe all focusing on the bank. Shifting, she spotted Cash leaning against the doorframe of Allie’s shop. Without a doubt, she knew something was about to happen.

  Her chest squeezed. Gabe and all his deputies were accounted for—except one. She hadn’t seen Beau. Thinking back on the previous evening, she tried to recall if he mentioned riding out of town today. He hadn’t.

  The longer she waited without seeing Beau, the harder it became to move away. Her body didn’t want to respond, her feet refusing to move. Shifting her gaze toward the jail, she saw Dirk Masters walk out of the Wild Rose, a rifle in hand, his gaze focused on the bank. She’d seen the Redemption’s Edge foreman in town many times, but never with such an intense look on his face. This was a man on the hunt, his determined steps taking him toward the bank. Stopping at the general store, he slipped inside, his attention now on the man waiting with the horses in front of the bank.

  Unable to draw a solid breath, Caro took another step toward the street as panic began to rule her movements. A vague notion of someone speaking her name pierced her senses, but didn’t stop her. Glancing toward Gabe, she saw him wave a warning in her direction. Shaking her head, she watched her childhood friend’s face turn from worry to anger. Her head told her to heed his signal. Her heart had other ideas.

  If she lived to be a hundred, Caro would never be able to completely recall what happened next or the way she reacted.

  When one of the tellers coughed, drawing the attention of the outlaws, Beau took the opportunity to glance outside, his heart squeezing when he saw Caro walk across the street toward the bank.

  “Enough.” Louis Dawson stood a few feet from the teller, his gun aimed at the older man’s chest. In the next instant, he raised it toward the ceiling, pulling the trigger. The deafening crack of gunfire reverberated through the hushed room.

  Clem’s panicked gaze shot to his brother. “Damn it, Louis. Anyone outside could’ve heard that. We gotta get out of here.”

  Louis didn’t answer Clem as he glanced at his other men. “Outside. Now.”

  The four outlaws kept their guns aimed at those inside the bank as they backed toward the door. Louis stepped outside first, followed by the other two men, then Clem. Without holstering their guns, each turned toward their horses, stopping at the sight of several armed men surrounding them.

  “Drop your guns.”

  Louis heard the deep growl, spotting the badge on the man issuing the order. Shaking his head, he turned toward Gabe. “You can’t kill us all. We’ll get a few of you.”

  “Don’t be stupid, Dawson. There are close to a dozen men with guns on you.”

  “He’s right, Louis. We’ll never make it out of here alive.”

  Louis glanced over his shoulder at Clem, shaking his head. “I ain’t living my life in prison. We fight our way out of here.” Lifting his gun, he aimed it at a woman several feet away, her face drawn in fear. “She’ll be the first one to die.”

  Without looking, Gabe murmured a curse, knowing Louis had spotted Caro. “You kill her and you’ll hang.”

  Not answering, Louis pulled the trigger, then dropped from a single bullet to his head, the action setting off an explosion of gunfire. Screams were drowned out by the piercing sounds of bullets and cries of those hit. The acrid aroma of gunpowder overpowered the crisp, clean smell of the morning air. The crowded street erupted in chaos. Horses bolted in panic, throwing off their riders. Those on wagons found it hard to control their animals as the fight continued. After what seemed hours, when only a few minutes had passed, the gunfire ceased, replaced by wails and moans of the injured.

  “Caro!” Beau burst from the bank, his gun still smoking. He didn’t glance down at the bodies lying at his feet. His complete attention was focused on the body lying in a crumpled heap in the middle of the street.

  Dropping beside her, Beau rolled her over, his breath hitching at the blood on her forehead.

  “Is she…” Gabe’s words died on his lips as he watched Caro’s eyelids flutter, not opening, a low moan escaping her lips. The flesh wound wasn’t deep, but could still be serious. Letting out a harsh breath of relief, he patted Beau on the shoulder. “Doc needs to take care of her.”

  Slipping his arms under her body, Beau lifted Caro. “I have her.” Taking determined strides toward the clinic, he didn’t see Caleb and Cash bending over a fallen Dirk Masters.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Give me some room.” Doctor Clay McCord shooed everyone out except his assistant, Rosemary. “You, too, Beau.”

  Crossing his arms, he planted his feet shoulder width apart, daring Clay to force him out. “I’m staying.”

  Having no desire to waste time arguing, Clay nodded. “As long as you stay out of our way.”

  “I’m finished, Doctor.” Rosemary took a step back after cleaning Caro’s wound, allowing Clay to examine her forehead.

  Dropping his arms to his sides, Beau took a slight step forward, halting when Clay glanced up, his eyes narrowing in warning. Although moaning every so often, Caro still hadn’t regained consciousness. With each passing minute, Beau became more concerned, believing the wound might be more serious than he’d first thought.

  Straightening, Clay spoke without looking up at Beau. “It doesn’t appear to be serious. A bullet grazed Caro’s forehead, causing her to lose consciousness. I’ll need to suture it. Do you want to wait in the front?”

  Beau shook his head. “No.”

  Clay worked quickly to close the wound, swiping an arm across his forehead when he finished.

  A soft moan had all three staring at Caro. Another moan preceded her eyelids fluttering before opening to thin slits. Blinking a few times, she tried to lift a hand to her head.

  “Hold on, Caro.” Clay grasped her hand, lowering it to the table. “You need to take it slow.”

  “What…happened?” The fear in her strained voice tore at Beau’s heart. He stepped forward, taking her hand in his and squeezing.

  “You were shot, sweetheart.”

  Caro blinked again. “Beau?”

  “I’m here, Caro.”

  She tightened her hold on his hand. “You’re all right.”

  He swallowed the lump in his throat, nodding.

  “I thought…” She closed her eyes, her voice trailing off.

  “You thought what, sweetheart?”

  When she didn’t respond, Clay stepped forward. “She needs to rest, Beau.”

  A sharp pounding on the door preceded Cash pushing it open. “Doc. We’ve got Dirk Masters and he’s in a bad way.”

  Rosemary gasped, placing a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.

  “Bring him in here. Beau, help me move Caro to the other room.”

  Without hesitating, Beau scooped her into his arms, moving swiftly past the men carrying Dirk into the room. Laying her on the bed in the other exam room, he brushed hair from her face, wincing at the sutures on her forehead. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek, then slowly straightened.

  “Clay asked me to bring you this.” Rosemary stood in the doorway holding out a blanket. “I need to help with Dirk.” She dashed away, but not before Beau saw the extreme worry on her face.

  Stepping out of the small room and into the front area, he heard raised voices, watching as Gabe, Cash, and Caleb left the room where they’d carried Dirk.

  “How is he?”

  Cash walked up to Beau. “Not good. A bullet to his chest. But not before he downed the two riders who came out from behind the bank. Honestly, I don’t know how he got them both.”

  Beau scrubbed a hand down his face. “I didn’t even wait to find out what happened.”

  Cash snorted. “Caro and Dirk were our only casualties. Noah killed Louis Dawson and another of the outlaws. Bull got Clem. We aren’t
quite sure who shot the others, but we won’t need to worry about any other members of the Dawson gang. They’re all dead.”

  Beau nodded, mumbling what sounded like Thank God.

  Gabe walked up beside them as Caleb stepped outside. “How’s Caro?”

  “A bullet grazed her forehead. Doc sutured her up.”

  Moving past Beau, Gabe pushed open the door to the second room, glancing at a sleeping Caro. “Did she ever wake up?”

  “For a couple minutes. Doc says she needs rest, but should come through all right.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he studied the floor a moment before returning his gaze to Gabe. “When Doc lets her go, I’m taking her to my place.”

  Gabe closed the door to where Caro slept. “Only if it’s what she wants.”

  Beau took a step closer to his boss, his gaze hard. “I’d never force her to do anything.”

  Holding up both hands, Gabe backed away. “As long as we have an understanding.”

  “We do. Don’t worry. She’ll be glad to have someone watch over her while she heals.”

  “Absolutely not, Beau. I cannot stay in your house.” Caro sat on the edge of the bed in the small examination room, her face red, arms crossed. She’d woken twice during the night, rousing Beau, who slept in a hard wooden chair against the wall. By the time the sun filtered in around the edges of the door, she was wide awake. “What would people think?”

  He grinned, which infuriated her even more. “Everyone knows you were shot, sweetheart. They also know someone has to take care of you until Doc says you’re all right to be alone.”

  “That someone does not have to be you.”

  Crossing his arms, Beau leaned against the doorframe, undeterred by her protests. “Then who?”

  Closing her eyes, her mind scanned those who might be able to watch her for a few days. “Rosemary?”

  Beau’s face clouded, his smile fading.