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  He’d expected to hear the name Eldridge. His head throbbed so much, he couldn’t stand to shake it. “Swanson? No. Should I?”

  “See, Gus. There’s been so many, he don’t even remember the names of who he’s killed. Guess it gets easier and easier.”

  “Shut your mouth, Merritt.” Gus leaned forward, his hot breath brushing across Beau’s face. “You do recognize the name Merle Swan, right?”

  Hell yes, he remembered. A brutal killer who took pleasure in torturing women before he killed them. The outlaw broke into homes, took cash, jewelry, and the women. A few days later, their battered bodies were usually discovered not far from where he’d taken them, buried in shallow graves.

  Beau and Cash had spent weeks tracking Swan down, then turned him over to the law. They never stayed once they received their bounty. This time, they made an exception, staying through the trial, watching the hangman slide the noose over Swan’s head, then pull the handle. He’d never shown a shred of remorse, laughing at the townsfolk until he fell to his death. It had been the most disgusting sight Beau had ever witnessed.

  “Who’s Swan to you?”

  “He was our older brother.” Gus’s voice held both anger and anticipation, which didn’t bode well for Beau.

  “It’s been years. Why now?”

  Gus snorted. “That’s easy. By the time we found you, we were out of money. Murton hired us on for a spell, then Mrs. Iverson. When we figured out you were sweet on her, we knew our chance had come. It just came a little sooner than we expected.”

  Merritt shifted from one foot to the other, glancing up at the root cellar door and the dimming evening light. “We got to get him out of here, Gus. We can kill him on the trail and leave his body for the animals.”

  “Guess it’s time for you to meet your maker, Davis.” Gus grabbed Beau’s arms, yanking him up. Drawing a knife, he cut through the rope around his ankles. “Don’t try to get away. We’ll both have our guns on you. Unlike Merritt, I don’t have a problem leaving you here for Mrs. Iverson to find.”

  Yawning, Caro stretched her arms and legs before sitting up in bed. She’d meant to take a short rest. Instead, she’d fallen into a deep sleep.

  Tossing off the covers, she dashed to the clock in the front room, her heart pounding when she saw the time. After seven, and from what she could tell, Beau hadn’t returned. Rushing back to the bedroom, she dressed, slipped into her shoes, grabbed a heavy coat, gloves, and hat, and hurried to the livery, thankful to see the glow of a lantern. As she drew closer, surprise enveloped her at the sight of men and horses. She rushed up to Gabe.

  “What’s going on?” She gazed up at him, her eyes wide with fear.

  Settling hands on her shoulders, he stared down at her. “Beau hasn’t returned. Noah went by the house, but didn’t want to wake you. We’re riding out to find him.”

  “Wait. I’m going with you.” She started to turn, but he kept a firm grip on her shoulders.

  “No, Caro. I won’t have you in the middle of what we might find.”

  “You can’t force me to stay here, Gabe. Please, don’t make me follow you.”

  Gabe glared at her, irritated. “You see the men behind me?”

  She glanced over his shoulder, seeing Noah, Cash, Caleb, and Mack already mounted. “Yes.”

  He kept his voice calm. “All five of us are trained for what we might find. Can you say the same?”

  Caro shook her head. “You know I can’t.”

  “What do you think Beau will say if we find him and you’re with us?”

  “Probably the same as you would say if it were you missing and Lena wanted to ride out.”

  “That’s right.” A self-satisfied grin appeared on Gabe’s face before his features stilled at her next words.

  “But…I know Lena, and I’m certain she’d tell you the same as me. She wouldn’t be left behind, and neither will I. It’s up to you. Either let me ride with you, or I’ll follow. It’s your choice.”

  Sucking in a deep breath, he searched for calm. He wanted to pick Caro up, put her in a cell, and lock the door. If anything happened to her, he’d never forgive himself, and neither would Beau. Gritting his teeth, he glanced over his shoulder.

  “Noah, please saddle Caro’s horse.”

  “But—” Noah’s protest died on his lips.

  “Just do it.” His features taut, he gave Caro a stern stare. “You will stay with Noah and me. You’ll do whatever either of us says. No argument, or I’ll lock you in the jail right now. Do you understand?”

  Instead of nodding, she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, I understand. Thank you.”

  He held her a moment, then disengaged her arms from his neck, setting her aside. “Wait to thank me until we’ve found Beau. Starting now, I don’t want to hear another word from you.”

  Pursing her lips, trying to hide a grin, she nodded. Anticipation and determination filled her as the fear subsided. Looking at the faces of the men, she saw strength and a common purpose. Without a doubt, she knew they’d find Beau, and she’d be right beside them.

  “Something isn’t right.” John Smith closed the gate on the outer pasture, locking in the wild horses they’d herded from miles away. It had been worth the long hours searching and the hard ride back.

  Joe moved up beside him. “What do you mean?”

  “Look there. See the light glowing from inside the root cellar?”

  Joe blinked a few times, trying to focus. It had to be half a mile to the house. “I guess, though it’s hard to tell from this distance.”

  “I’m telling you. There’s a light in the root cellar. Someone’s down in that empty hole. Why?” John grabbed the reins to his horse and swung into the saddle.

  Joe shrugged. “Maybe Gus and Merritt are storing materials down there.”

  “Could be. Let’s find out.” As they got closer, John got a sick feeling in his stomach. A horse he didn’t recognize stood saddled at the side of the barn. Merritt and Gus’s horses stood alongside it, saddled and ready to ride. “Dismount and stay quiet. I don’t like what I see.”

  Joe did what John asked, following his brother’s lead when he drew his gun. As they got closer, loud voices rose from the root cellar, then the sound of a struggle and a loud groan before Gus came through the door, pulling another man up by the arms, Merritt carrying the man’s legs. The man’s hands and ankles were bound, and he appeared to be out cold.

  “He’s a heavy sonofabitch, ain’t he, Gus? We shouldn’t have knocked him out.” When Merritt reached the top, he dropped Beau’s legs, sucking in a deep breath as Gus released Beau’s arms.

  “What in tarnation are they doing, John? He looks like one of the deputies who rode out here.”

  The older brother shook his head. “He is.” John noticed neither Merritt nor Gus held their guns. If he and Joe were going to make a move, it had to be now. “Whatever they’re doing isn’t right. You with me?”

  “Ain’t I always?” Joe ground out.

  John walked into the open, Joe next to him, their guns pointed at Merritt and Gus. “What are you boys doing?”

  The two men swiveled quickly, reaching for their own guns.

  “Don’t try it. You’ve seen how fast Joe and I are. You’ll be dead before your fingers touch your guns.” John moved closer, his gaze moving between the brothers and Beau. “Leave the deputy right there and move over to my right. Don’t do anything foolish.”

  Gus nodded, his eyes narrowing as he watched John and Joe. He didn’t believe either had ever killed a man, doubting they’d start now. If he could get to his gun, at least one would fall before the other knew what had happened. Shifting so his gun was out of their sight, he made a quick move to grab the handle.

  “Don’t do it, Gus.” John’s warning came too late.

  Joe’s bullet whizzed past him, hitting Gus in the shoulder. John aimed at Merritt, halting when the man threw his arms up and backed away. John ran forward, placing a booted foot on Gus’s ches
t.

  “Don’t move.” He turned toward Merritt, watching as Joe held his aim steady on the man. “Drop your gunbelt. Real slow. You don’t want Joe to think you have some foolish idea you’re going to shoot us.”

  “Hell no. I’m not that stupid.” His hands shook as he unbuckled the belt, letting it and the gun drop to the ground.

  “Kick it toward Joe.”

  Merritt did as John asked, his gaze moving to his brother. “Gus. You all right?” The only response was a groan.

  “He’s alive, which is more than you planned for the deputy.” John pressed his boot hard into the wound in Gus’s shoulder, a bleak expression on his face at the loud scream.

  “Hell, you didn’t have to do that.” Merritt took a step toward Gus, then stopped when John raised his gun.

  “Maybe not, but it’s always rankled me to see two men go after another. Sit down with your back to the house and put your hands behind your back.”

  Merritt dropped to the ground, hurrying to put his arms behind him.

  “Good decision.” John moved over to Beau, crouching next to him. “Deputy, do you hear me?” Getting no response, he untied his hands before shaking his shoulder lightly. “Deputy, you alive?”

  Beau’s deep groan preceded his hand moving to his head. “What the…”

  “Stay still. Looks like Merritt and Gus worked you over pretty good.” John turned at the sound of approaching horses, raising his gun, then lowering it when he saw Caro with several other men. “Looks like some help has arrived, Deputy.”

  Almost falling from her horse to get to Beau, Caro stifled a cry at the battered body on the ground. Seeing the slow rise and fall of his chest, she knelt beside him, lifting his head, resting it in her lap.

  “Beau?”

  Fighting the incessant pain in his head, he forced himself to open his eyes. “Caro…” His eyes drifted shut.

  “Let’s take a look at him.” Cash dropped down next to Caro while Gabe, Caleb, and Mack took care of Merritt and Gus, then spoke to the Smith boys. Running his hands over Beau’s legs and arms, then looking for bullet wounds, he let out a relieved breath. “They hit him pretty hard, but I don’t find any broken bones. The blood is from the beating, not bullets. He’s likely to have a mighty strong pain in his head for a spell.” He glanced over at Caro, seeing tears spilling down her cheeks. Putting an arm around her, he squeezed. “Hey. It’s going to be all right. Beau’s too ornery for God to want him yet.”

  “How is he?” Gabe knelt on the other side of Beau, wincing at the sight of his bruises and swelling.

  “I’m fine,” Beau ground out, tired of hearing them talk about him as if he weren’t there. Forcing his eyes open, he looked at each of them. “Thanks. I doubt I would’ve made it through the night.”

  “It’s John and Joe you need to thank.” Gabe nodded toward the two standing next to Caleb and Mack. “Those boys recognized you, saw what was happening, and decided to help you out.”

  “I’ll be.” Cash breathed the words out. He’d been against Caro putting the young men to work. Beau had sided with her.

  “I’d better ride back to town and get the wagon. Beau’s in no condition to ride.” Gabe stood, starting to turn away.

  “I can ride. Get me on Smoke and we’ll head back to town.”

  Leaning forward, Caro stroked a strand of hair off his forehead. “Beau, it’s best not to ride yet.”

  He blinked a couple times, each movement an effort of pure will. “Sweetheart, if we’re going to marry, you need to start listening to me.”

  Her jaw dropped, eyes going wide. “Marry? Who says…” She let the rest die on her lips when she looked down to see his eyes closed, his face slack.

  Cash stood, clasping Gabe on the back. “Guess we’re going to have another wedding pretty soon.”

  Nodding, Gabe smiled. “Appears you just might be right.”

  Epilogue

  Two weeks later…

  “I’m glad Nick and Suzanne put the wedding off a few weeks.” Gabe put an arm around Lena’s shoulders, drawing her close, then looked at Beau and Caro standing on the other side of the church reception hall, holding hands. They’d almost lost both of them over the course of the last couple months.

  “Nick will listen to reason once in a while. It helped that Suzanne wanted to wait until Beau and Dirk were both recovered. Any idea where Nick is taking her for their honeymoon?”

  “He’s not saying, but I don’t think they’ll be going anywhere until after the snow clears. Besides, Christmas is next week and Suzanne is cooking some of the food for the celebration at Redemption’s Edge.” Gabe nodded at Beau and Caro as they made their way toward them. He’d received a telegram from Pinkerton a day after Beau’s ordeal. After learning more about the shooting from an officer who’d been part of Beau’s inquiry, Eldridge had come to terms with his brother’s death. The family decided to move on with their lives, removing the threat looming over Beau and Caro’s future.

  “Beautiful wedding. And Suzanne looks stunning.” Caro placed a kiss on Lena’s cheek, then one on Gabe’s.

  “The party is pretty good, too.” Beau held up a glass of punch, most likely embellished with something extra.

  “Have you two set a date for your wedding?” Lena asked.

  “The spring,” Caro answered.

  “After Christmas,” Beau said at the same time. They looked at each other, both sets of eyes flashing in amusement. “Guess it will be as soon as I can talk Caro into it.”

  “There’s still work to do at the house. John and Joe are hard workers, but I’m going to need a couple more, and Beau will need help building his house.” Caro looked across the room. “I spoke to Dax and Luke. They said it’s all right with them if I ask Matt and Nolen Volker to work for me for a while.”

  “I see Dutch McFarlin is back in town.” Beau nodded at Luke talking with Dutch across the room. “Last I heard, Pinkerton had a job for him in California.”

  Gabe set his empty glass on a nearby table. “He got as far as Utah before Pinkerton sent him a telegram saying the man they were after was killed in a gunfight. Dutch asked his boss for some time off. Looks like he decided to spend it here.”

  “He’s a good man. At the rate Splendor is growing, you may need to add another deputy.”

  Gabe lifted a brow. “I’m thinking about it, Beau.”

  “Look at those two, Lena.” Caro lifted her glass toward Olivia Barnett and Clay McCord. “Do you think the doctor may have an interest in Nick’s daughter?”

  Lena laughed, raising her glass to her lips and taking a sip. “I think several men have an interest in her and Nora Evans.”

  Gabe’s brows shot up. “My sister?”

  Lena looked at her husband. “Why not? She’s beautiful, smart, and quite eligible. Have you seen the way Mack and Caleb watch her?”

  Gabe shook his head, his jaw tight as he glanced at Beau. “Do you think either of them have an interest in courting her?”

  Beau opened his mouth to reply, then closed it at the sound of an argument several feet away. Looking behind him, he saw Dirk and Rosemary glaring at each other, his arms crossed, her hands balled into fists on her hips. Rachel and Ginny Pelletier stood next to them, amused expressions on their faces.

  “You are not to order me around, Dirk Masters. You aren’t my boss any longer.” Rosemary’s face colored more with each word.

  “Someone has to keep an eye on you.” Dirk glared at her, his frustration rising. “You are not riding to Big Pine alone. I’m going with you.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of riding over there for supplies. Besides, Dax said one of the men from the ranch would be available to ride with me.” A smug expression crossed her face when she saw Dirk’s jaw slacken. Her victory was short-lived.

  He recovered quickly, leaning toward her, crowding Rosemary’s space. “And that ranch hand is me.”

  “It most certainly is not. In fact, I’m going to go talk to Dax now.” She turned, stompin
g across the room toward Dax.

  Dirk shook his head. He’d been recovering well from the gunshot wound to his chest. Some days, though, he wished he was still stove-up in bed. “That blasted girl is going to be the death of me.”

  “Woman, Dirk.” Rachel smiled, noticing Ginny put a hand over her mouth to stop from laughing. “But I guess you’ll have to figure that out for yourself.”

  Thank you for taking the time to read Deep River. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.

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  About the Author

  Shirleen Davies writes romance—historical, contemporary, and romantic suspense. She grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.

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  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