Solitude Gorge

by Shirleen Davies

  Beau glanced at Noah before giving Travis a hard look. “Does she want to marry Peeler?”

  “She hasn’t seemed too interested in his proposition.”

  Stirring a pinch of sugar into his coffee, Beau took a sip. “Can you live without her?”

  Staring out the window at the bustle of wagons, horses, and pedestrians, he exhaled a slow breath. “If she chose him, I guess I’d have to.”

  Leaning forward, Beau rested his arms against the edge of the table. “Do you love her?”

  “Of course I do. I wouldn’t be thinking of marriage if I didn’t.”

  Throwing up his hands, Beau stabbed another piece of chicken. “There’s your answer. You love her, she loves you.”

  Noah chuckled. “I think what Beau’s trying to say is to talk with Isabella, find out what she wants. If I know Dax and Luke, they’ll build you a house on the ranch. Or they may offer to sell you some land…if that’s what you want.”

  Crossing his arms, Travis’s mouth drew into a slim line. “None of that solves the problem of her money.”

  Beau set down his fork, holding up a hand. “I think you’re looking at this wrong.”

  Travis’s brow lifted. “How’s that?”

  “Isabella’s money isn’t the problem. It’s you figuring out if you’re worthy enough to marry a woman as good as her. From what I’ve seen, you’re the only man around who thinks you might be lacking. I can guarantee you Isabella doesn’t feel the same.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a gold coin. “I’m betting if you ask her to marry you, she’ll hesitate about a quarter of a second before saying yes.” Slamming it onto the table, he sat back.

  Staring at it, one corner of Travis’s mouth lifted. Touching the coin with his fingers, he slid it back toward Beau. “I’m not taking your bet.”

  “Because you know I’m right.” Picking up the gold piece, he slid it back into his pocket.

  Noah drank the last bit of coffee, setting the cup down. “Isabella’s not going to marry Peeler. If she had any intention of doing so, she’d already be on a stage with him, headed back to Philadelphia.” Resting his arms on the table, he leaned forward. “Talk to Dax. Let him know your intentions.”

  Beau nodded. “Then ask that girl to marry you. Take it from me. It’s the only way you’re going to rid yourself of the misery you’re in now.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Isabella kept several feet between her horse and David’s, wishing she’d told him no when he arrived at Luke’s, asking her to accompany him on a ride. She’d said yes to spite Travis for leaving her without a word. Within minutes, the childish action had her miserable, wishing she could turn around and head back to Luke’s.

  Being around David was nothing like the comfortable, easy companionship she and Travis shared when they rode. Relaxed and self-assured, he made her feel safe, important in a way David never could.

  His stiff frame bounced up and down in the saddle, forcing him to hold his hat with one hand, the reins in the other. If Isabella didn’t feel so wretched, she would’ve laughed at the spectacle.

  Coming to a fork in the trail, he stopped. “Which way?”

  Shielding her eyes from the early afternoon sun, she briefly thought of directing him back to town.

  “The trail on the right takes you back to Splendor. The one on the left takes us north for a ways before rounding back toward the ranch.”

  “Left it is.” His confident voice didn’t fool her.

  Isabella knew David to be a man who avoided change and hated veering from his normal routine. She couldn’t imagine how he’d made it from Philadelphia to Splendor without the help of his servants. The thought had her slowing Blossom, falling several paces behind David. She wondered why it hadn’t occurred to her before.

  Increasing her speed, she moved beside him. “David, why didn’t anyone accompany you to Splendor?”

  The question seemed to catch him unawares as he glanced at her before forcing his gaze back to the trail. “I decided to come alone.”

  “But you never used to travel alone. You always told me how much you hated going to New York or Baltimore. As I recall, you said if you didn’t have at least one servant, you wouldn’t go.”

  He looked at her, biting back the stab of irritation. “I no longer feel the same.” David hoped the curt response would shut her up.

  “It seems strange that after all this time you’d choose to come alone on a trip of over two thousand miles.”

  When he didn’t respond, she continued to ponder his abrupt arrival, the odd letter he said was from Arnott, and his unapologetic demand they fulfill his friend’s wishes.

  She didn’t remember him ever discussing marriage, except to say the institution wasn’t for him. He preferred coming and going in his own time, not being burdened with the demands of a wife or family.

  Arnott had once confided he believed David might not be attracted to women at all. Isabella remembered feeling confused until understanding had her mouth gaping open. Taking her hand, Arnott had squeezed it, reminding her not all men found women to their liking.

  Her body tensed, wondering why she hadn’t remembered Arnott’s comments before now. Knowing his thoughts on David, she felt certain her late husband never would have discussed a possible marriage between them.

  “David? Why have you never married? As I’ve thought about it, I don’t recall you ever bringing a woman to the house or to any of the social events. I can’t imagine a confirmed bachelor such as yourself wanting to be shackled with a woman at this time in your life.”

  His jaw tensed, his grip on the reins growing tighter. “My wishes aren’t important.”

  “Of course they are. Arnott wouldn’t have asked something of you he didn’t believe would be of benefit to us both.” She reined Blossom to within a foot of him. “What did he really ask of you, David? We both know it wasn’t for us to marry.”

  Before he could answer, a shot sounded, their horses bucking. Isabella kept Blossom under control, watching in horror as David fell to the ground, smacking his head against a rock.

  “David!”

  Another shot rang out behind her. “Get off your horse.”

  The grizzled voice sent chills through her body. Looking around, she spotted a man limping toward her, gun raised. His hair appeared matted, clothes torn and dirty, as if he’d rolled around in mud. What caught her attention were his eyes. Dull, lifeless, showing no hint of humanity.

  “I said get down.” He spat the words out, raising the gun higher.

  Heart pounding, she did as he asked, letting the reins drop. Her gaze moved to David. “We need to help him.” She took one step, stopping when a bullet landed a foot away.

  “We ain’t got to do nothing.” He limped closer, his eyes darting from her to the trail. “Give me whatever money and jewelry you have.” Using the gun, he motioned toward David. “The same with him. I want whatever’s in his pockets.” When she hesitated, he fired into the air. “Now.”

  Hands trembling, she removed her necklace, thanking God she’d worn one that meant little to her. She’d brought no money or other adornments—except her simple wedding band. Tossing the necklace at him, she knelt next to David.

  “The ring, too.”

  Looking up, she shook her head. “No.”

  “You ain’t in any position to bargain, lady. Take off the ring.”

  Isabella’s hands stilled in the search of David’s pockets. “You have the necklace and whatever is in his pockets. That’s all you’ll get from me.” She knew being stubborn about a thin band of gold was ridiculous, but somehow, she couldn’t let herself part with it. At least not in this fashion.

  Feeling coins, she pulled them out, tossing them over her shoulder at their assailant while she continued checking pockets. Pulling out David’s pocket watch, she stood, holding it out.

  “That’s all there is.”

  Taking it, he shoved it into a grimy pocket. “Now the ring.”

  Lifting
her chin, she squared her shoulders. “I’ll not give it to you. Take what you have and leave.”

  Her bravado waned for a moment when he took an unsteady step toward her, lifting the six-shooter to within a few inches of her forehead.

  “I’ve already killed, lady. One more isn’t going to matter.”

  She saw the instant his finger began to tighten on the trigger. Instinct controlled her as she turned her face to the side and lowered her shoulder, ramming into the man’s chest. His wounded leg refused to save him as he tumbled backwards, the gun firing into the air.

  For a moment, she stared, uncomprehending of what she’d done. Before she could think it through, she ran to him, smashing her foot onto the hand holding the gun, hearing a cry of pain. When his grip loosened, she kicked the gun away, anger seeping through her. She didn’t stoop to pick up the weapon. Instead, she kicked him over and over, rage controlling her.

  When solid arms wrapped around her, she screamed, continuing to kick into the air as she was lifted off her feet.

  “Enough, Isabella.”

  Her arms flayed, trying to find purchase against the man holding her.

  “Isabella! Stop.”

  This time, the voice cut through the anger, her breath coming in deep gasps, body going limp. “Travis?”

  Turning her around, his worried gaze flew over her. “Are you all right?” A sound behind her had him pushing Isabella out of the way as he took aim. “Don’t move an inch if you want to live.”

  The man fell back, hand holding his side where she’d kicked him. “Just keep her away from me,” he moaned.

  “David?”

  Keeping the man in sight, Travis moved to Isabella, who knelt beside David. “Is he all right?”

  “I don’t know. He’s breathing, but he has a deep gash on the back of his head.” She looked up. “We need to get him to town.”

  “You.” Travis walked toward the man. “Turn over onto your stomach.”

  “I ain’t—”

  Travis’s foot pushed down on the man’s bandaged leg, stopping his protest. “Turn over. Now.”

  Struggling, he gripped the ground, flipping over while Travis grabbed a rope from his saddlebag.

  “Put your hands behind your back.”

  Using the rope, he tied the man’s wrists, looping a length around his ankles. Ignoring the man’s cries of pain, Travis drew his ankles up, securing them to his wrists. Lifting the man up, he draped him over the saddle of David’s horse.

  “You try anything stupid and I’ll leave you out here.” Travis holstered his gun, kneeling beside Isabella. “I’m going to get David onto Banjo’s back.”

  Standing, she grabbed the horse’s reins. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Hold Banjo steady while I get David secured.” Sliding his arms under David, he lifted. Getting him into the saddle wasn’t easy. After a couple minutes, Travis swung up behind him, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Can you ride Blossom and hold the reins of David’s horse?”

  “I can.” Another minute passed before Isabella mounted Blossom, gripping the reins of both horses. “I’m ready.”

  Travis sent a menacing glare at the outlaw. “You cause us any trouble and I won’t hesitate to shoot you.”

  “Just don’t let me fall off.”

  “Serve you right if you did,” Travis muttered. “Let’s go.”

  Splendor

  “The Murtons brought one of their children in with a broken leg and another with a head injury.” Rosemary looked at Travis. “They were playing in the barn when they were hurt. We had to move some patients around. Mr. Peeler will have to share a room with Mr. Eastman.”

  Travis groaned under the weight as he carried David up the stairs and down the hall. “Mr. Eastman?”

  “One of the men shot during the bank robbery.” She opened a door, indicating the empty bed next to Joel. “I’ll do what I can until Doctor McCord can take a look. What about the other man you have, um…tied up?” The corners of her mouth slid upward.

  “He’s going straight to jail. I’ll let Gabe figure out what to do with him. Isabella is going to wait downstairs for word on Peeler.”

  She bent over David, checking his pupils and pulse. “Let her know I’ll come down as soon as the doctor knows anything.”

  Hurrying down the stairs, Travis spotted Isabella sitting in a corner of the crowded waiting room. “I’m going to the jail. Rosemary will be down as soon as they know more about David.” He kissed her forehead. “Do not go anywhere without me.” He placed a finger over her lips when she opened her mouth. “Not anywhere, Isabella.”

  “I was going to say I’ll be waiting...and to hurry.”

  His eyes lit with humor. “Good.” Walking to the door, he glanced over his shoulder. “This won’t take long.”

  “He’s such a nice man.”

  Isabella blinked, turning to face the elderly woman sitting next to her.

  “Your husband, dear. So considerate. My Gerald was the same. You do all you can to keep him. Good men are quite hard to find, you know.”

  Although she’d heard all of what the woman said, her mind stuck on your husband. Isabella didn’t correct her, enjoying the way the two words flowed through her. She did want Travis as her husband. What she didn’t know was if he wanted her.

  “Given the tattered uniform and boots, I’d say he’s one of the deserters from Fort Connall.” Gabe continued to study the man lying on a cot in one of the cells. “It’ll be several days before we hear anything from Colonel McArthur. Until then, I’ll learn as much as I can about our visitor.”

  “He was going to shoot Isabella, Gabe. Had the gun inches from her head.” Travis ran a shaky hand through his hair, not realizing until this moment how scared he’d been when he saw the man holding a gun on his woman. If he hadn’t already been on his way to Luke’s and heard the shots, she might be lying on the trail right now. The thought sent an involuntary shiver through him.

  “Whatever the man’s done, he’s going to pay, Travis. You can depend on it.” Walking to the front, Gabe motioned to a chair. “Sit down.”

  “I need to get back to the clinic. Isabella is waiting to hear about David Peeler.”

  A grin touched Gabe’s face. “Noah mentioned you’re going to ask her to marry you.”

  Groaning, Travis lowered himself into the chair. “I’m thinking on it.”

  “If you do ask her, and she says yes, we have an empty house near the clinic. Wyatt and Nora live in the one next door. It needs a little work, but you’re welcome to it if you have no other place to stay.”

  Straightening, Travis stared across the desk. “You don’t have to do this, Gabe.”

  “I know that. I’ve got a house and you need one. It’s yours until you figure out where you’re going to live.”

  “I’ll pay rent.”

  Gabe leaned back in his chair. “As I said, it needs work. You do the repairs and we’ll call it even.”

  Standing, Travis reached his hand across the table, grasping Gabe’s outstretched one. “Agreed.”

  “I’ll take that to mean you are going to ask her to marry you.”

  Laughter rumbled through his chest. “I suppose I’ll have to now that half the town has heard about it.”

  Standing, Gabe followed him to the door. “Yep. Living in a small town can sure change your life.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Isabella’s gaze kept flickering to the stairs, her concern for David mounting as each minute passed without word. Recognizing the doubts she had about him and what she thought to be his true reason for coming to Splendor, she still didn’t wish him harm. She wanted him to recover…and leave town.

  The number of waiting patients thinned a little with Charles handling new arrivals and Clay taking care of the more urgent cases upstairs. When the front door creaked open, she glanced over, relieved to see Travis. Dutch entered behind him, both men coming toward her.

  Standing, Isabella lowered her voice. “Did
Gabe recognize the man who attacked us?”

  Travis shook his head. “No, but he’s pretty certain he was one of the deserters. With luck, he’ll tell us what happened to the rest of the gang.”

  “And where to find them.” Dutch’s voice held a strong tinge of frustration. “Have you heard anything about Peeler?”

  She clutched her hands in front of her. “Not a word.”

  “Doc McCord may not like it, but I need to speak with one of the other patients. The man with the head wound.”

  “Mr. Eastman?” Travis asked.

  “That’s right. Joel Eastman. He came to town to see me, but hasn’t been awake long enough for us to speak.”

  “They ran out of rooms. Peeler and Eastman are sharing one at the top of the stairs to the left.”

  “Thanks, Travis. Let’s hope Eastman is awake this time.”

  Isabella looked behind them at the two empty chairs. “I suppose all we can do is wait.”

  “Do you want to take a walk, get some fresh air?”

  She thought a moment before shaking her head. “I wouldn’t want Rosemary to come down looking for us and not know where we are.”

  Taking her hand, he threaded his fingers through hers. “I’ll stay here if you want to step outside for a bit.” He leaned toward her. “The air is getting stale in here.”

  Touching a hand to her forehead, she felt the sticky dampness. “You’re right. I’ll be—” She didn’t finish, hearing the unmistakable sound of scuffling upstairs.

  “What in the…” Travis’s words faded as he dashed up the stairs, not noticing Isabella right behind him. Dutch’s stern voice shot through the door of the room holding Eastman and Peeler.

  “Settle down, Peeler, or I’ll have to tie you to the bed.”

  “Let go of me. You’ve no right to keep me here.”

  Pushing the door open, Travis took in the sight before him. Joel sat on the edge of his bed, chest bare, head bandaged, a tight expression on his face. Dutch had David’s arms pinned behind him. Looking at Joel, Dutch raised a brow.

  “Are you sure this is the man you came for?”