Solitude Gorge

by Shirleen Davies

  “Where is he going?”

  “I don’t know, Walter. He took off without an explanation.”

  Ernst and David joined them, each one concentrating on the spot where he’d entered the brush. Continuing forward at a slow pace, they reined up twenty yards from where they last saw him.

  “Where is Mr. Dixon, Aunt Isabella?” Jack’s worried voice caught her attention.

  “He wanted to check on something, sweetheart. Travis asked that we all stay here.”

  Asked, she thought, a bitter taste forming in her mouth. She wished he’d asked instead of exploding away at a fast clip, causing her chest to tighten.

  “Look. There he is.” Johann pointed ahead of them to a trail a little farther north than the one he’d taken.

  Isabella’s lungs expanded, allowing her to breathe. She hadn’t realized how much tension wrapped around her until he rode out of the forest, tall and confident in the saddle. He reined up beside them, frustration evident in his expression.

  “I’m certain I saw something in the brush.”

  “Perhaps an elk or deer?” Ernst suggested.

  Travis shook his head. “No. What I saw wasn’t an animal.”

  Ernst’s brows furrowed. “Not an animal?”

  Narrowing his gaze on the spot where he’d first seen the flash of color, he shook his head. “I’m certain it was a man or boy. I saw a blaze of bright red. By the time I entered the brush, then the trees beyond, I’d lost him.”

  “One of your famous Indians.” Ernst smiled. “How wonderful. We might see our first Indian, Johann.”

  “Can we go after him, Father?”

  Travis stabbed the boy with an intense glare. “No one is going after anyone, Johann.” He looked at Jack. “Do you both understand what I’m saying?”

  Jack lowered his head, nodding. “Yes, sir. We understand.”

  “Johann?”

  “I understand, Mr. Dixon.”

  “Good.” Travis looked at Ernst. “I planned to enter the forest right about where I spotted, well…whatever it was I saw. Instead, I want to ride a little farther north, stay out in the open.”

  “Whatever you think best, Travis.” Walter reined his horse around. “You’re in the lead.” Ernst followed, but David remained behind.

  “Perhaps you should ride with us near the back, Isabella. Up here, you only have Mr. Dixon to protect you.” David shot a hostile look at Travis.

  Biting the inside of her cheek before she said what she thought, Isabella forced a sweet smile. “Thank you for your concern, but I feel quite safe up here, David.”

  “If you’re sure…”

  Chin tilted upward, she nodded. “I am quite certain.”

  Irritation flashed across his face before David covered it with congenial expression. “As you wish.” He cast a vile look at Travis before reining his horse around.

  Grateful David didn’t continue to argue, Travis looked at Isabella, a knot forming in his stomach at the worry on her face.

  “Is everything all right?” She did her best to hide the tremor in her voice.

  Forcing a smile he didn’t feel, he reached out to touch her arm. “Everything is fine. We’re just going to take a different trail. One not as secluded, where we can see a good distance ahead of us.”

  He refused to confess the real possibility of running into a Crow hunting party. Travis had little concern about the Blackfoot village several miles north. Their chief, Running Bear, the Pelletiers, and Bull Mason had formed a friendship over the years. He and his grandson, Swift Bear, had even shown up unexpectedly when Bull and Lydia returned to town after a trip to San Francisco.

  The Crow were the real threat. One he didn’t intend to confront with a group of novice hunters.

  “I want you to stay close to me, Isabella. If anything does happen, do exactly as I say without hesitation. Can you do that?”

  “But you said nothing’s wrong.”

  Doing his best to let the worry he felt fade away, he nodded to the trail ahead. “You can never be too careful in this country, Isabella. I can’t say for certain what’s ahead of us. That’s why it’s important for you to stay close and do as I say.” He swallowed the concern building in his chest. “Trust me.”

  Tightening her hands on the reins, she nodded. “I’ve always trusted you, Travis.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Settling fisted hands on his hips, Travis made a slow circle, studying their camp. The trail he’d taken narrowed until the wagons could barely pass. Thankfully, it opened into a clearing large enough for Ulrich and the cook to drive the wagons into, less than fifty yards from Wildfire Creek. It would make a good base for the hunt, allowing them access to several trails to the west and north.

  “Mrs. Boucher, you will be sleeping in the wagon.”

  Travis turned his head at Ernst’s commanding voice. The baron may not have gotten them to this point, but he didn’t hide his intention of leading the group from here on.

  Isabella cast a quick glance at Travis. “Thank you for the generous offer, Baron. My preference is to sleep outside, under the stars.”

  Stepping next to her, Ernst’s face clouded. “Sleeping on the ground can be quite uncomfortable. Are you certain you wouldn’t want the comfort of the wagon, my dear?”

  Though it didn’t seem to bother Isabella, Travis cringed at Ernst’s use of the endearment. Instead of staying within hearing distance, he took the trail toward Wildfire Creek, still concerned about what he’d seen earlier. He wasn’t as good a tracker as Cash or Beau. Still, he had some skills, and walking the trail might help him see tracks he’d missed riding Banjo. Before moving into the brush, he spotted Isabella take a step away from Ernst, frustration tinging her features before she forced an indulgent grin.

  “Truly, I’m perfectly fine sleeping outside. Excuse me. I want to speak with Travis about the best spot to place my bedroll.”

  Ernst touched a finger to his forehead in salute. “Of course. Please, let me know if you change your mind.”

  “I will,” she tossed over her shoulder on her way to find Travis. Stopping in the center of the camp, her brows furrowed when she didn’t see him.

  “If you’re looking for Mr. Dixon, he walked that way, Aunt Isabella.”

  She followed where Jack pointed. “Thank you. Will you be all right while I’m gone?”

  He cocked his head, his mouth twisting into a grimace. “I’m not a baby any longer, Aunt Isabella.”

  Holding in a smile, she touched his shoulder. “Of course you aren’t, Jack. You’re quite the young man.”

  He seemed to grow taller at her compliment. “Mama told me the same.”

  “And she’s right. Well, I’m going to speak with Mr. Dixon. I shouldn’t be gone long.”

  “Would you like me to accompany you?”

  This time, she bit her lower lip. Jack had grown up before her eyes and she’d almost missed it. “Thank you, Jack, but I’ll be fine. I’m certain you and Johann have things you’d like to do.”

  His gaze shifted to where Johann stood with his father. “Well, we do have some ideas.”

  Chuckling, she touched his shoulder. “Then go along. I’ll be fine on the trail by myself.”

  “Isabella, wait!” David rushed toward her.

  She closed her eyes, grimacing at the shout from the other side of the camp. Releasing a sigh, she stopped. “What is it, David?”

  “I thought we could take a walk, discuss what I mentioned the other day.” When she didn’t respond, he continued. “About Arnott’s wishes.”

  “I know what you meant. I’d rather wait until we return to Splendor to talk about the letter.”

  Jerking his head around, making certain they were alone, he stepped closer. “Now is the perfect time, Isabella. We’re alone, with no one to hear us.”

  Exasperation flashed across her face before she stilled her features. “I know you came a long way to deliver the message, and I do understand your concern about trying to fulfill wha
t you believe to be my late husband’s wishes. I hope you’ll respect my desire to wait a little longer. I’m simply not prepared to comment on the note you brought. I need more time.”

  His lips drew into a thin line. “How much more time?”

  “When do you plan to return to Philadelphia?”

  He startled at her question. “I believe you mean when do we plan to return. The answer is, no date has been set.”

  She certainly didn’t mean we, deciding not to address his assumption now. “Then it doesn’t matter if the discussion is put off a few more days. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really must find Travis.”

  A deep scowl marred his face. “Tell me you aren’t serious about such a rough man.”

  A slight blush tinted her cheeks, eyes boring into his. “I can assure you, I am quite serious about him, David.”

  He moved closer, his voice rising. “You can’t possibly mean that. He’s much too unsettled and dangerous for a sheltered woman such as yourself. Arnott would be quite displeased if he knew what you planned.”

  Anger rose, building in her stomach, then moving to her chest. “Do not tell me how Arnott would feel about my life. He’s gone. I’m not. And I’ll not have you, or anyone else, dictating what I should and shouldn’t be doing. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a grown woman, perfectly capable of deciding my fate. I’ll see you later, David.” Shifting, she stalked down the trail, ignoring David’s plea to stop, doing her best to push her fury aside.

  The farther from camp she got, the better she felt, anger fading to delight as she spotted the creek ahead of her. She remembered the house Luke built along Wildfire Creek after returning from his last assignment as a Pinkerton agent. Bull designed it for him, while the ranch hands helped build the home he lived in when Ginny came into his life.

  Isabella recalled it being peaceful, less than half a mile separating it from the main ranch house where Dax and Rachel lived. She hadn’t been back to the creek since, had no idea how beautiful it could be surrounded by berry bushes and lush vegetation.

  “What are you thinking?”

  She whipped around, Travis’s voice jolting her from her thoughts. “I didn’t hear you approach.”

  He continued forward, stopping a few inches away. “That was the idea.” Placing his hands on her waist, he drew her to him. “I was enjoying watching you.” Leaning down, he covered her mouth with his. Moments passed as they pressed into each other, Isabella wrapping her arms around his neck, drawing him down.

  Feeling his hands move to her back, she dug into his shoulders, a soft groan leaving her lips. Tracing the outline of his lips with her tongue, she sighed when he took control, angling his head, finding the access he sought.

  “You’ve too many clothes on,” he mumbled against her mouth, feeling her smile.

  “You can change that.” She chuckled as her hands moved to his chest, meaning to open his shirt.

  “Aunt Isabella! Are you down here?”

  Travis murmured a vague oath, setting her aside at Jack’s voice.

  “Aunt Isabella?”

  She looked up at Travis, seeing the same regret on his face she felt. “We’re by the creek, Jack.”

  A few seconds later, footfalls sounded on the trail before Jack and Johann burst through the bushes. “We’ve been looking for you.” Jack’s body surged with excitement.

  “Is something wrong?” Travis asked.

  Johann shook his head. “Father and Mr. Evans want to hunt this evening. Ulrich is preparing everything, but they want to speak with you first.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, Travis shot a look of disappointment at Isabella. “Guess we’d better get back.”

  Jack jumped up and down. “You won’t talk them out of it, will you, Mr. Dixon?”

  Settling a hand on his shoulder, Travis turned him toward the trail. “Let’s go find out what they have planned.”

  “Johann already told you. They want to hunt.”

  Scrubbing a hand down his face, Travis glanced at Isabella. A thin smile and shrug were her only answers.

  “You’re right, Jack. But if they want to hunt, they need to know what they’re after, where they’re going, and how long they’ll be gone.”

  Johann spoke first. “I believe that is why they want to speak with you, Mr. Dixon. They aren’t sure where to go or what to take.”

  They stepped from the shadowed, dense cover of the forest into the sun-filled clearing. Travis noted Ernst cleaning his rifle while Walter loaded ammunition into saddlebags. Hearing the snap of twigs, he looked up.

  “Travis.” Walter waved, motioning him forward.

  “Johann and Jack told me you want to hunt this afternoon.”

  Ernst joined them, leaning on his rifle. “We’d like you to come with us, Travis.”

  Shifting his stance, he raised his head to the afternoon sun and took off his hat, checking the wind.

  “Wind’s picking up and the sun is moving toward the mountaintops. You’d have better luck waiting until early morning when everyone is fresh and the animals are out for their morning meal.”

  Ernst lowered his voice, turning away from Johann, who stood several feet away. “I promised my son we could hunt today.”

  “I can appreciate that, Ernst.” Travis noticed the cook scurrying about, already preparing their evening meal. “We’re only a couple hours from supper. My suggestion is we spend some time checking trails, see if we can spot any recent tracks, droppings…signs deer or elk have been here recently.”

  “Do you suggest we take our rifles?” Walter asked.

  “Absolutely. I’m just saying don’t get your hopes up. And you can remove about a fourth of the ammunition you’ve packed, Walter. We won’t need a horse. If someone does get a deer or elk, I’ll come back for one. When it starts to get dark, we head back to camp.” Travis pierced Jack and Johann with a stern gaze. “Do you boys understand me?”

  “Yes, sir,” they responded in unison before running back to get their rifles.

  Travis turned to Ernst. “I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds with Johann.”

  “Not at all. You know much more about hunting in these mountains than I do. Johann respects you, as do the rest of us.” He looked to the sky. “We should leave soon.”

  Travis nodded. “Everyone should be ready in ten minutes.”

  His gaze moved past the happy faces of the two boys, who talked next to one of the wagons, searching for Isabella. Irritation rolled through him at the sight of her in what appeared to be an intense conversation with David. Arms crossed, she shook her head at something he said. Having seen enough, he strode toward them, putting a protective arm over her shoulders.

  “Is something wrong, sweetheart?”

  “This is a private conversation, Mr. Dixon.” David’s terse response had no effect on Travis.

  “Would you like me to stay or leave, Isabella?”

  She leaned into him, her voice clear and firm. “Stay. Whatever David has to say may be said in front of you.”

  “It seems the lady wants me to stay, Mr. Peeler. Please, go ahead with whatever you have to say.”

  Fisting his hands, David’s features contracted, his mouth twisting into a sneer. “She’s too fragile to be carrying a rifle and participating in a hunt. I asked her to stay in camp with me—”

  “Which I refused to do, David.”

  “Regardless, this is not a sport for a lady, Isabella. Surely you know how Arnott would feel about you being out with a group of men, hunting wild animals.”

  Travis felt her body tremble. Believing it came from rage and not fear, he leaned forward, stopping her from verbally assaulting the man.

  “Isabella will be with me. I assure you, she knows how to handle a rifle, a shotgun, and a revolver. If she didn’t, I’d be the one telling her to stay behind.”

  “Because she can handle weapons doesn’t mean she should go.”

  Hearing enough, she pushed away from Travis. “David, let me tell you what I am go
ing to do. First, I’m accompanying Travis on today’s hunt, as well as any others during our trip. Second—and this is important, so pay attention—I am not a frail female who needs you or any man to protect me. I choose to go with Travis because I respect his judgment and skill. And third, I am quite proficient with a rifle.”

  Snorting, David let his gaze wander over her. “You’re not much bigger than Johann, and I’m certain he has more skill than you.”

  Travis murmured an oath, tightening his grip on Isabella, sensing what was coming.

  Twisting out of his grasp, she stepped to within a foot of David, pinning him with an angry glare. “If you’re able to keep up with us, you might very well see how good I am with a rifle.” She poked him in the chest. “You’ve become a pompous, miserable—”

  Travis grabbed her around the waist, hauling her to him.

  “What are you doing?” Isabella sputtered, her anger now directed at him.

  Leaning down, Travis whispered in her ear. “Saving you from creating a spectacle in front of the others.” He nodded to the center of the camp.

  She followed his gaze, seeing Ernst, Walter, Ulrich, and the boys watching them. Swallowing her embarrassment, Isabella nodded. “You’re right.”

  Feeling the fight leave her, he loosened his hold. “Is it safe to let you go?”

  She looked up at him, amusement in her face. “Yes. I’m fine. Just keep him away from me.” The last was said loud enough for David to hear. Straightening her shoulders, she sucked in a ragged breath. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I must get ready to leave with everyone else.”

  Travis waited until she’d put a good distance between them, then turned to David. “I’d suggest you give Isabella a little room, Mr. Peeler. I don’t know what she was like in Philadelphia, but I can tell you, she’s stronger than you seem to believe.”

  “Don’t even consider lecturing me on Isabella. I’ve known her for years,” he sniffed. “You’ve known her a scant few months, Mr. Dixon.”

  Lifting a brow, Travis shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’m just trying to keep you from getting shot while you’re on this trip.”