Promise Trail

by Shirleen Davies

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “We’ll be coming up on Splendor in less than an hour.” Bull kept his arm securely around Lydia as she held Joshua. He’d somehow slept most of the trip. With the sun approaching noon, Bull knew he’d wake up soon, expecting another meal.

  “Have you traveled this trail before?”

  “Not on the stage, but I’ve ridden out this way many times. We got farther east than this when we searched for Abby’s father, King Tolbert.” He glanced out the window, remembering the way Tolbert had met his death and the men responsible. Shaking off the gruesome memory, he looked down at his son. Lydia had been right. Joshua was a beautiful baby.

  Isabella sat across from them, reading a book as the stage bounced along.

  “Do you mind that Rachel and Ginny want to throw a party for us at the ranch?”

  “I guess we can’t expect them not to want to do something. They missed the wedding and Joshua’s birth. And I’d like to show him off.” Bull glanced out the window, seeing a cloud of dust approaching from the north. He moved to grip his rifle without Lydia noticing.

  “Their telegram said they’d wait until we arrived to set a date.”

  Without taking his gaze from the distant cloud growing closer, he nodded. “That’s good.”

  “Bull, is everything all right?”

  Without looking at her, he touched the back of her head. “I want you to crouch on the floor with Joshua. Stay down until I tell you otherwise. You, too, Isabella.”

  “You’re scaring me.” Lydia’s wide eyes searched his as she cradled Joshua tighter.

  “Please, Lydia. Just do it.” He pushed her gently, waiting until all three were out of sight, then turned back to the window.

  “Riders coming.” The guard’s shout came a little late for Bull, who already had his rifle trained toward the men on horseback.

  As they drew closer and slowed down, the dust began to clear. Bull blinked a few times to make certain he wasn’t seeing things.

  Luke, Noah, Cash, and Travis reined to a stop in front of the stage.

  “It’s all right, Lydia.” Reaching down, he helped both women to their seats. “It’s Luke and a few friends.” He looked at Isabella. “Travis is one of them.” Bull jumped out of the stage. “We didn’t expect a welcoming party.” He held his hand to Luke, then the others.

  “We decided an escort might be the safest way to get you back home. That, and Travis didn’t want a crowd around when he greeted Isabella.” He jerked his thumb to where Travis held Isabella’s hands through the window of the stage. “I doubt it’ll be long before those two get hitched.”

  “I need you to get back on the stage.” The driver shot a look at Bull. “I’ve got to keep on schedule.”

  “See you in Splendor.” Bull jogged back to the stage and jumped inside while Travis swung back up on his horse. “We’re almost home, ladies.” Sitting against the seat, he let out a breath, relaxing for the first time since they boarded the stage in Ogden.

  The men surrounded the stage on the short trip, keeping watch, their guns ready. Even though White Buffalo hadn’t been seen in recent weeks, it didn’t mean the Crow warrior and his braves weren’t watching, preparing an attack.

  “There they are.” Suzanne pointed toward the stage, Nick’s arm around her as they stood near the livery. A good number of friends joined them, ready to welcome Bull, Lydia, Joshua, and Isabella home. Toward the back of the crowd, Rosemary and Dirk stood near Dax, Rachel, and Ginny. All clapped or cheered as the stage stopped and Bull got out, extending his hand to Lydia, then Isabella, who walked straight to Travis.

  Wrapping an arm around Lydia, they faced their friends. “I’d like to introduce my bride, Lydia Mason, and our son, Joshua.” Bull didn’t get another word out before they were surrounded by friends.

  “We expect to see you and your family in church, Bull.” Reverend Paige held out his hand while his wife fussed over Joshua.

  “He looks just like you, Lydia. Such a sweet baby.” Ruth Paige touched the soft hair on his head. Reaching into a small satchel, she pulled out a wrapped package. “This is for you.”

  Lydia adjusted Joshua in her arms, glancing at the gift. “Mrs. Paige, what a wonderful surprise. May I open it?”

  “Please don’t. I’ll be embarrassed. It isn’t new, but a blanket I made for our boy when he was a baby.” Her eyes misted over as she spoke. Lydia was one of the few people in Splendor who knew their only child died of cholera when he was ten.

  Lydia clutched the package to her. “This means so much to me. I’ll take good care of it.”

  Reaching out her hand, Ruth touched Lydia’s arm. “I know you will, dear. The Reverend and I are so happy for you and Bull.”

  “We should leave, sweetheart.” Reverend Paige settled a hand on the small of Ruth’s back. “Remember what I said, Bull. I expect to see you in church.”

  “Yes, sir. We’ll be there.”

  Nick and Suzanne walked up, their hands clasped tight. A young woman moved to Nick’s side, her gaze darting between Bull and Lydia, resting on a sleeping Joshua.

  “How any baby can sleep through all this commotion is beyond me.” Suzanne reached out her arms, careful not to wake Joshua as she cradled him. “Is he always this good?”

  “So far, but he’s barely a month old.” Lydia watched the young woman next to Nick, noticing the strong resemblance.

  “Lydia, Bull, I’d like to introduce you to my daughter, Olivia. Olivia, this is Bull and Lydia Mason.”

  “Daughter?” Bull and Lydia said in unison.

  Nick chuckled, noticing Olivia squirming next to him. “It was a surprise to me, too. But a wonderful surprise.” He bent to kiss her cheek. “I persuaded her to move to Splendor.”

  Bull tipped his hat as Lydia stepped forward. “It’s a pleasure, Olivia. I hope we become friends.”

  The young woman’s eyes flickered. “That would be lovely, Mrs. Mason.”

  “Please, call me Lydia.”

  “Bull, do you have a few minutes to talk with Gabe and me before you leave for the ranch?”

  “Sure, Nick.”

  “We’ll be at the hotel when you’re ready.”

  Watching Lydia, Olivia, and Suzanne, who still held Joshua, Bull smiled. “Why not now?”

  “You’ve already spoken with Dax and Luke about this?” Bull stared at the two men, then let his gaze wander again to the rough drawings before him.

  “We wouldn’t be talking if they hadn’t agreed.” Gabe moved around the table to stand next to Bull. “Along with Noah and Abby, they’ll be helping us fund the new clinic. It will be next to Sarah Murton’s house behind the bank.”

  “It’s pretty ambitious. Four patient rooms, a large waiting area, and two separate rooms for surgeries.” Straightening, Bull looked between them. “You know I’m not an architect.”

  “Dax and Luke say you are, which is good enough for us. Even without formal training, we’d want you to prepare the plans and help us build the clinic.” Nick pulled open a drawer, handing Bull a one page document. “It’s a contract for your work. We hope it’s suitable.”

  He frowned. “I’ve never worked under a contract.”

  “It says what we’ll pay you for the plans and supervising construction.” Nick pointed to the main parts, then held it out to Bull once more.

  Taking it, Bull read through it, his eyes widening. “That’s a good amount of money.”

  “It’s worth it to us.” Gabe looked up when the door opened and Dax walked in, followed by Luke and Noah. “Glad you could join us.”

  Bull held up the paper to Dax and Luke. “Are you sure about this? What about my job at the ranch?”

  “As with the work in San Francisco, your job will be waiting.” Dax glanced at Luke, who nodded. “Until this is done, Dirk is going to pick up most of your work with Mal helping out.”

  Bull pursed his lips. He didn’t quite know what to make of the changes over the last several months. “I’m just a ranch
hand,” he breathed out.

  Luke laughed. “You’re much more than a ranch hand, Bull. When the clinic is done, you can return to herding cattle and breaking horses.”

  “Doc’s clinic is in need of improvement, and the town is expanding.” Bull studied the document once more. “With Clay joining Doc Worthington, they’ll need more space.”

  “Rosemary’s been talking with Clay and Rachel,” Dax said. “She wants to be a nurse, and Rachel still wants to help out when needed. As far as we know, Doc Worthington isn’t planning to retire any time soon.”

  “What about Lydia and Joshua when I need to be in town? We still don’t know what White Buffalo plans.”

  Luke stepped next to him. “They’ll be protected, Bull. There won’t be a repeat of what happened with Sam.”

  Bull nodded, letting out a slow breath. “If you’re all sure.”

  “We are.” Nick held out a pen.

  “Hope you know what you’re getting into.” Bull took the pen, scribbling his name at the bottom of the page. “Now, may I take my bride home?”

  Joshua and Lydia still slept as Bull quietly dressed. They’d been back a few days and all seemed quiet, yet he couldn’t shake the continued feeling of dread. No matter how many times he told himself the additional ranch hands Dax and Luke hired were enough, his instincts told him otherwise.

  Stepping outside, he covered the distance between his house and Dax’s in a few long strides. Before he could knock, the door opened.

  “Dax and Luke are in the study.” Rachel held a cup of coffee toward him. “There’s more if you need it.” She didn’t wait for a response, returning to the kitchen and preparations for the party planned for Lydia and Bull.

  “Rachel and Ginny haven’t stopped since you agreed to the celebration.” Dax held the door to his study open. “This won’t take long. We know you’re busy working on the clinic.”

  “Gabe received a message from Sheriff Sterling. Still nothing about Boyden Trask. Sterling still thinks he’s left the territory, but…” Luke’s voice trailed off.

  “You don’t feel the same.” Bull sipped his coffee, his instincts the same as Luke’s.

  “Neither of us believes he’s gone. He’s lying low, waiting for the right time to come after Rosemary and the boys. Look at this.” Luke handed him a list of dates and numbers of missing cattle.

  Bull scanned the list, shaking his head. “Too many missing for it to be anything except rustlers.”

  “Dax and I agree.”

  “What do you want from me?” Bull handed the paper back to Luke.

  “Gabe, Cash, and Beau are on alert, but they have their regular duties. With the town growing, Gabe is considering hiring more deputies. He’s sent a telegram to a friend of his, hoping he’s interested in moving west.” Dax crossed his arms, leaning a hip against the edge of his desk. “We’re asking you to be vigilant when you’re in town working on the clinic. Nick and Clay are doing the same.”

  Bull cocked his head to the side, taking a seat. “You know I’m always on guard, Dax. What are you not telling me?”

  “Told you he’d figure it out.” Luke lowered himself into a chair, stretching out his legs.

  “I haven’t figured anything out—yet. I do know there’s more.”

  “Do you remember the Penderville gang?” Dax asked.

  Bull sat up straighter. “Of course I do. They’re the ones who shot Noah and me.”

  “The Penderville brothers didn’t do the shooting. They were up on the mountain when you were shot. Men who rode with them ambushed you. They were never arrested.”

  Bull stood, pacing to the window, looking out toward his house a few yards away. “What else?”

  “At least two couldn’t keep their mouths shut about what they did. More than one person went to Sheriff Sterling, saying the two admitted shooting you and Noah. When he and his deputies went to arrest them, they’d disappeared.” Dax grabbed something from his desk and handed it to Bull.

  “A wanted poster?”

  “Gabe received this before I returned from San Francisco. Clem and Louis Dawson are the two who talked about shooting you and Noah. Louis tells everyone his name is Jones, but those who know him say he and Clem are brothers. They’ve formed a new gang.”

  Bull smirked. “The Dawson gang.”

  Dax nodded. “They’ve been hitting ranches in the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Montana.”

  “You and Luke think they’re the ones responsible for the missing cattle?”

  “Rosemary is sure Trask doesn’t rustle. He reaps the benefits of forcing others to do it for him. If he hasn’t left the territory and is dumb enough to come this way, it will be for Rosemary and the boys—not for cattle. The Pendervilles, and the Dawson brothers, did whatever they needed to make money. Robbed banks and stages, stole cattle—anything that paid.” Dax paused a moment. “I think the Dawsons are here.”

  Bull cursed, his jaw set. “If they are, I won’t be left out. They almost killed Noah and me. I’m not letting them get away this time.”

  Epilogue

  “It’s so good to have you home.” Ginny cradled Joshua to her chest, her voice shaky as she held the infant. Her eyes glistened when she glanced up. “You are so fortunate.”

  Lydia watched as Ginny turned her attention back to Joshua, compassion rolling through her knowing Ginny still hadn’t recovered from her own loss. “I know. Some days, I can’t believe I’m here with Joshua and married to Bull. A few months ago, I’d lost all hope.”

  Ginny looked up with a genuine smile. “There’s always hope, Lydia.”

  “How’s my son?” Bull walked up, resting his arm around Lydia’s shoulders.

  “He’s wonderful.” Ginny handed him back to Lydia as Rachel walked up.

  “I can’t believe how many made it today.” Rachel looked around at the crowded house. “The children are still outside. Sam, Jimmy, and Teddy are taking care of the new foal, and Margaret is somewhere with Selina.” She saw the concern on Bull’s face. “Tat, Johnny, and some of the other ranch hands are guarding them, Bull. They’ll be fine. Today is about celebrating your marriage and Joshua’s birth.” She stopped, hearing another knock. “More guests.” Striding across the room, she pulled the door open. “Come in.” Cash and Allie walked inside with Beau following, Sarah Murton, the town schoolteacher, at his side. Rachel masked her surprise, greeting Cash and Allie before they joined Luke and Ginny in the living room.

  “Miss Murton, I’m so glad you could join us to celebrate with Bull and Lydia.”

  “I hadn’t planned to come, what with the snow on the trail, but Allie offered to let me ride with them.” Sarah slipped out of her coat, handing it to Rachel. “It was also nice to sit with Deputy Davis.” She glanced at Beau and smiled, then turned her gaze to the people standing in the living room.

  “I’m certain it was. Please, go on inside. Refreshments are on the table.” Rachel waited until Sarah stepped out of earshot, then held out her hand for Beau’s coat. “Seems you had a chance to get to know Miss Murton.”

  Beau shrugged. “She’s a nice lady who didn’t have anyone to escort her.” He watched Rachel’s brow arch. “What?”

  She chuckled. “Nothing. You’ve been so busy planning your house, I didn’t think you had time to court.”

  Beau shook his head. “I am not courting Miss Murton, Rachel. Working for Gabe and getting ready to build in the spring takes all my time.” He didn’t say how much time he still spent thinking of Caro, hoping she’d found happiness in her decision to leave. Over the months she’d been gone, he accepted love wasn’t for him—especially with a woman who saw social status as an important part of her life. Stifling a bitter laugh, he shifted from one foot to the other. “Believe me, I’ve learned my limitations.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” She hung up his coat, then gestured toward Bull and Lydia. “Why don’t you go on in and greet the guests of honor.” Lowering her voice, she leaned toward him. “I’m sure Dax can find you so
me whiskey.”

  He picked up her hand, made a slight bow, then kissed it. “Thank you, Rachel.”

  Laughing, Rachel nudged him away. “Go on with you.”

  Walking into the front room, he spotted Bull and Lydia in a corner talking with Sarah, and headed toward them.

  “He’s such a beautiful baby, Lydia. May I hold him?” Sarah reached out her arms, taking Joshua and cradling him to her chest. “What do you think, Mr. Davis? Isn’t he just the sweetest little boy?”

  Beau glanced at Bull, who smirked. “Uh…yes, Miss Murton. He is a good looking lad.”

  Bull laughed. “You’d better say that. After all, he looks a lot like Lydia.”

  “True.” Beau nodded as Sarah cooed in Joshua’s ear, producing a grin from the infant. As the women talked, he turned toward Bull. “How are you doing? We haven’t talked much since you got back into town.”

  “Real good. We’re both glad to be home.” They turned their backs to the women as they spoke. “Dax and Luke still have the men watching for White Buffalo. I wish there was a way to know for certain he no longer wanted her.”

  A commotion at the door had everyone in the house shifting their attention to the newest guests. Several of the women gasped and backed away. The men straightened, waiting to see what happened next.

  “Will you look at that?” Bull moved forward, a broad smile on his face.

  “Running Bear. You are welcome in our home.” Dax motioned the two Blackfoot inside.

  “We are pleased to be here.” Running Bear turned toward the young man accompanying him. “This is Swift Bear. He is my grandson.”

  “You are both welcome.”

  Running Bear stood still as Bull approached.

  “I am honored you have come to celebrate with us. Will you let me introduce you to my son, Joshua?”

  Running Bear nodded, his back straight as he followed Bull toward Lydia, stopping when Luke approached.

  “We’re honored you came, Running Bear.” Luke turned to the other guests. “Everyone, this is Running Bear, the Blackfoot chief. Without his help, we might not have rescued those who White Buffalo took from us.”