Duff stopped and shot a harsh look at this cousin. “Nothing until those Rangers are in their graves.”
Duff’s words sent chills down Rachel’s back. She closed her eyes and prayed Dax and Luke were nowhere near the Frey ranch.
“Did you hear her?” Luke asked. He and Dax had taken positions under a window outside the room where Rachel had upbraided Duff Mayes. “She seems to think a lot of you.”
Dax focused on the task, trying not to think of the women he loved being in danger because of him. If it weren’t for his profession, the Mayes brothers wouldn’t be after him and Luke, and would never have followed them to Splendor.
As if reading his mind, Luke spun the barrel of his revolver and spoke in a whisper. “You wouldn’t have met Rachel if we hadn’t brought Pat back for burial. None of this is your fault. The men in there are ruthless and out for revenge. None of us would be in this fix if they hadn’t decided to become bank robbers and murderers.” He scooted a foot to the corner of the house, confirming Bull and Noah were in place. “Now, let’s get your woman and the others out of there.”
Gabe and Cash had taken positions in the back, ready to move in at Dax’s signal. Noah would give Bull a nod. He’d signal Luke, who would signal Gabe, then they’d wait for Noah’s first shot.
“There it is,” Luke said when Bull signaled Noah had the men in sight. Luke turned to Gabe and raised a hand. Everyone went on alert.
One shot rang out, followed by another not two seconds later.
“Damn,” Bull muttered when he saw first one man fall, then another.
“What the hell?” Duff yanked Rachel in front of him as the door in the back burst open. He spun around, using her as a shield.
The sound of shattering glass preceded a wail from Clark, who fell from his chair by the front window, writhing in pain before cursing and falling silent.
Duff pulled Rachel with him as he backed up and looked into the study. Jed and Whitey lay on the floor, their eyes fixed open.
“Stop right there, Duff. You won’t get out of here.” Dax leveled his gun at the outlaw. He and Luke had come through the front door as Cash and Gabe, guns centered on Duff, moved in from the kitchen.
“Give up and let the woman go. Everyone else is dead. You’re the last one.” Gabe took another step closer, ready to shoot if Duff did anything except lower his gun, which he now held to Rachel’s head.
Dax’s gaze settled on Rachel. He saw an iron clad resolve, but no fear.
“Let her go. She’s done nothing. It’s me you want. I’m the one who killed Deke.” Luke moved into the room, distancing himself from Dax and the others in an attempt to draw Duff’s attention.
“I’ll kill you,” Mayes roared and moved his gun toward Luke.
Dax shot a look at Rachel and mouthed one word…“Duck!”
In an instant, Rachel responded, wrenching herself from Duff’s grip and spinning to the side. Bullets ripped through the air as five men emptied their guns into the outlaw. A grim smile crossed Luke’s face as he looked to the door to see Bull, smoke rising from his revolver.
From her spot against the wall, Rachel stared at the outlaw’s lifeless body. She felt herself begin to shake.
“Rachel?”
She pulled her gaze from the carnage to see Dax kneeling beside her, loosening the rope from her hands, and checking for any sign of injury. He lifted her into his arms and strode to the divan, setting her down and moving his hands over her, still not certain she hadn’t been hurt. With the worst over, a cold sweat broke out on Dax’s face. He found it hard to take a breath or speak.
“I’m all right, Dax.” Her soft voice drifted over him as he cupped her face with his hands and bent to place a kiss on her lips.
He could feel her shake and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, needing the contact to reassure himself she’d be all right.
“Rachel, I…” His voice cracked as Rachel placed a finger to his lips.
“It’s over, Dax. You took care of the men hunting you, and everything will be fine.” In her heart, Rachel knew this to be a lie. The danger had been eliminated and they’d all return to their regular lives. She’d continue to work with her uncle, and Dax would leave, taking her heart with him. Texas had become his dream and she’d do nothing to stand in his way.
Dax pulled her tight and closed his eyes. He couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment when his desire to leave Montana vanished and his need to stay in Splendor with Rachel became as essential as breathing. For the first time in years, he prayed. He’d made so many mistakes. He loved and needed her, and now he had to find a way to make it right.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“All I’m saying is I’ve never seen anything like it. Noah aimed his Spencer, took a breath, and in a couple of seconds, the first two men were down, bullet holes dead-center in their foreheads. He got the third one a few seconds later. Most townspeople believed he’d come out west because he wouldn’t fight. You know what Gabe said after all of them went down?” Bull secured the rope around the last of the dead outlaws they’d loaded into Doc Worthington’s wagon.
“No. What?” Luke glanced over his shoulder as Dax helped Rachel into the wagon.
“He slapped Noah on the shoulder and said, ‘Nice work, Major.’ He’d been an officer. Who would’ve thought it?”
Luke’s gaze rested on Noah and Gabe, who stood next to their horses, talking in low voices. He understood from some townspeople that Noah never spoke of his service in the Union Army, letting people assume whatever they wanted. In Luke’s mind, Noah had been an unknown factor before today. Now everyone at the Frey ranch knew what he could do. Luke turned his attention toward heated voices a few feet away.
“There’s no need for you and Luke to accompany us, Dax. I’m fine and so is Uncle Charles. Besides, the sheriff and Mr. Brandt will be riding back to Splendor with us.” Rachel’s voice held a ring of finality not many used with Dax.
“I don’t like it.” Dax planted his feet and crossed his arms, glaring up at her. “We still don’t know where Drake and the others are. Those men are as dangerous as the ones lying in your wagon.”
“They have no reason to attack us.”
“That’s what I thought about the Mayes and Olin brothers.”
Both stopped as Charles climbed in next to Rachel and picked up the reins. “The sheriff and Noah are ready to go. I know it’s inadequate, Dax, but thanks again for saving us.”
“No need for thanks. We’re glad it ended well for all of us.” Dax shifted his gaze to Rachel and started to speak, but Charles slapped the reins and the wagon lurched forward. He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his pants and watched until the wagon moved around a bend and out of sight, Gabe and Noah riding on either side. The opportunity to tell her how he felt, try to turn his prior actions around, had vanished. He stared at the empty dirt road, already contemplating how to convince Rachel he’d made his choice and it included her. An unwelcome fear squeezed his chest.
What if she’d given up on any chance with him and had moved on? He hadn’t let the thought matter to him before. Contemplating Rachel with another man had been something he’d pushed to the back of his mind in an attempt to persuade himself he didn’t care. He now knew it was a lie. Dax realized he’d do whatever he could, fight any battle necessary to win her back.
Charles shook his head and shot a look at his niece before focusing once again on the road ahead. He couldn’t remember knowing two people whose feelings for each other had been so obvious. Their pathetic attempts to hide the attraction would have been funny if it wasn’t causing Rachel so much pain. He kept telling himself it wasn’t his business. Rachel’s choices were hers alone, yet he couldn’t ignore the way his self-confident niece had withdrawn into a world far removed from the one she’d seemed to be building during her first months in Splendor. His gut told him the change had everything to do with Dax Pelletier.
“Did you know I was in love once?” Charles didn’t know wha
t had caused him to speak of something few people knew.
Rachel shifted on the wooden seat and concentrated on her uncle, fascinated by his question. “No. I suppose I always believed your work to be your only love.” How ridiculous her comment sounded. Why wouldn’t her uncle have desired love, hoping to find a woman to build his life around? The fact she’d never given it a thought made her feel immature and selfish.
“It is now, but it wasn’t always that way.”
They rode in silence for a few minutes, Rachel hoping he’d continue, not sure if she should question him further. Finally, her curiosity could no longer be contained. “Will you tell me about her?”
She could see his hands tighten, then loosen on the reins. He leaned back in the seat and looked out on the trail before speaking, “Her name was Clare. She had the most beautiful soft, brown eyes. They were large and round and seemed to question everything. She always kept her hair tucked under her bonnet, but one day, the wind blew so hard the bonnet flew off, causing her bright red hair to fall out of its bun and cascade down her back. In that moment, I fell in love.”
Rachel folded her hands in her lap and waited, her attention fully focused on her uncle.
“You know how prominent our family had been in Boston social circles. Our obligations were set out at birth—the type of person to marry, their background and education. Little room existed for love.” He glanced away from Rachel, then back to the road. “Clare’s father had been a dock worker his entire life. Her brother also worked the docks, as did most of her relatives. Honest, hardworking, and full of life, her family was not at all concerned with social status, although I knew Clare’s father was acutely aware of our differences. Somehow, my father noticed the attention I paid Clare. He spoke with her father, offering him money and work in the Worthington family business if he made sure Clare no longer allowed me to court her.” His head turned toward Rachel and she could see a wistfulness and longing never before present in her uncle’s eyes. “I suppose the money and an opportunity to move away from the hard labor of the docks were too much temptation. He took the offer and I saw Clare just one more time.”
“I’m so sorry. It must have been awful for you.” Rachel reached over and placed a hand on his arm.
Charles continued as if she hadn’t spoken.
“She snuck out one night to meet me. I asked her to wait until I could support us without the family money. We promised each other we’d wait. I started my medical studies, deciding to focus on something my father couldn’t control, and looked forward to the day Clare and I would be together. A few months later, I received word she’d left Boston with a man her father had chosen for her. He’d learned of our promise and made certain she’d be unable to keep hers. It took a while before I accepted she’d never be mine.” He let out a disgusted sigh and looked down at Rachel’s hand on his arm before placing one of his hands on top. “My father’s interference changed the future. It’s why I chose to leave home and build a new life as far away from family as possible.”
Rachel didn’t know how to respond. She could almost feel the pain he must have felt all those years ago when he lost the one woman he loved.
“Looking back, I should have grabbed the opportunity and left Boston with Clare. To this day, I’m still haunted by my lack of courage to act on my feelings. Love isn’t easy. It’s hard won and harder to keep. If, at some point, you have a chance to build a life with the man you love, grab it and don’t look back.”
Over the miles it took to reach Splendor, her uncle’s words replayed over and over in Rachel’s mind. She’d given her heart to Dax and he’d made it clear he didn’t share her feelings. Even if he stayed, nothing more would develop between them. There was no question in her mind he liked, cared about, and desired her. But love? She had to accept the fact that desire didn’t equate to love, at least not for him.
Her future had certainly changed from the vision she had of it a few years before. Edging closer to her mid-twenties, Rachel began to doubt she’d ever find the type of mutual love her uncle spoke about. She knew her feelings for Dax were real. He’d always be the man of her heart.
Perhaps her idea of a few nights before, the one which had seemed so silly, might not be what she needed. She accepted her love for Dax, even if he didn’t share her feelings. Perhaps she should consider a practical approach. As long as a man could be faithful, support a family, and be a good example to their children, why couldn’t she advertise for a mail order husband? Certainly there must be a man out there who would find the prospect of a life with her acceptable.
By the time their wagon came to a halt behind the clinic, she’d made up her mind. She’d visit Bernie Griggs at the Western Union office in the morning. He might have an idea how to begin and, more important, how to send out an advertisement for a husband.
“What do you mean he’s gone?” Dax’s voice blasted through the dining room.
“Everything all right out here?” Hank asked as he emerged from the kitchen, Bernice right behind him. Luke and Dax acted as if they hadn’t heard him.
“He left a note. Here.” Luke held out the paper he’d found on the table next to Cash’s bed.
Dax read the brief message before tossing it on the table. “How long do you think he’s been gone?”
“I don’t know. Hours, most likely.” Luke looked as upset as Dax about Cash leaving to find Drake without waiting for them.
“Did he ever mention to you where he planned to start?”
“Not a word. I don’t think Cash ever planned for us to go with him.”
Dax walked to the window and looked out toward the barn. Several men were saddling horses, getting ready to ride toward the herd.
“I guess there’s no sense going after him. We don’t even know where to start.”
The three had talked of leaving in two days, after Dax and Luke set up a rotating schedule for the herd and finished a few other chores. They’d decided to ride to Tolbert’s ranch to let him know about the shootings at the Frey ranch. Afterwards, they were free to leave. Cash seemed fine with all of it last night as they’d sat on the front porch drinking coffee. Now he was gone.
“Not much we can do at this point. I sure hope he keeps us posted.” Luke jammed his hat on his head before strapping his gun belt around his waist.
“So do I.” Dax didn’t like it. Their friend was on a hunt for vengeance, already declaring Drake and his two partners guilty. In his own mind, Dax felt the same. He just didn’t like anyone taking the law into their own hands. “Nothing we can do now.”
He’d change his plans and focus on the two most urgent issues in his life—the ranch and Rachel. He’d decided to give her a few days, then he’d do what he could to win her back.
“Is Rachel at home?” Dax stood outside, looking at Charles and rotating his hat brim.
“Not right now. Did she know you were coming by?” Charles scratched his chin, trying to remember where she’d said she needed to go.
“No. We haven’t spoken since the incident at the Frey ranch.”
“Well, come on in and wait with me. I could use the company and I doubt she’ll be gone long. How about some coffee? Or perhaps a whiskey would be more to your liking?”
“Coffee would be fine.”
Dax followed Charles to the kitchen, wondering where Rachel had gone. He also wondered what her reaction would be when she came home to find him there. He’d waited several days before riding into town to tell her of his decision to stay in Splendor. The angst he felt started a few miles from town. Before then, he’d been confident she’d welcome his decision. With luck, she’d also accept him into her life.
Charles handed Dax his coffee at the same moment the door burst open and Rachel walked in, holding what appeared to be a couple of telegrams. She came to a halt when she saw Dax.
“Dax. What are you doing here?” Her voice sounded cheerful but distant, as if she couldn’t imagine why he’d stopped by.
“I came to invite
you to supper.”
Rachel removed her bonnet, setting it on a nearby chair, placing the telegrams alongside it. She already received two replies to the advertisement Bernie had sent out a few days before. There’d been no time to read them at the telegraph office—too many others were standing around and this was something requiring privacy. She wanted nothing more than to be alone to see what type of man might want to be a mail order husband.
“I’d planned to have supper with my uncle.”
“I can fix my own meal. Go ahead and have supper with Dax.” Charles left them standing in the front room as he headed toward the kitchen.
Rachel glanced over her shoulder at Charles, then back at Dax, feeling she had no choice.
“Supper would be lovely. Is this all right?” She indicated her dress and bonnet.
You’d look beautiful in anything, Dax thought. “What you’re wearing is fine.” He opened the door, allowing her to precede him outside, then held out his arm to her.
They walked the short distance to Suzanne’s restaurant, took a table by the window, and ordered the night’s special. Rachel had been aware of Dax studying her from the moment they left her house, as if he had something to say and couldn’t quite find a way to get the words out. She hoped he wouldn’t bring up the same, tired subject of his love for Texas and his intentions to leave. His intentions were all too clear to her.
“How have you been since the shooting?” His question shouldn’t have come as a surprise as they hadn’t seen each other since the day the four men were killed.
“I’ve been good, although it isn’t something I ever want to experience again.” Her eyes drifted toward the view of the mountains outside, her features not displaying how much the event did affect her. “There’ve been a few dreams—nightmares, really. I’ve been able to get back to sleep, though. I guess, under the circumstances, it’s normal.”
Suzanne set down their meals. “Anything else I can get you two?”
Redemption's Edge: Book 1, Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Page 28
