Dax and Luke shot surprised looks at her. The news of Rachel’s pregnancy was so fresh, it hadn’t occurred to either that Ginny might be of help.
“Weren’t you pretty young?” Luke asked.
“I’d just turned sixteen when Mother learned she was pregnant. By then, she was older and scared. The doctor taught me what to do, in case he couldn’t get to the farm in time. He got there—after Mary was born.” She handed each a cup filled with coffee. “He checked her and Mother, decided both were fine, and left.” She turned her back to them, removed the cover from the milk, and began skimming off the top layer for butter, unaware of Dax’s relief.
“You wouldn’t mind helping with Rachel, would you?” he asked.
She didn’t take her eyes off the task as she answered. “Of course I’ll help. Whatever she needs.”
“See, big brother. It’s all going to be fine.” Luke took a seat and sipped his coffee, still trembling from his body’s reaction to Ginny. If Dax hadn’t appeared, he wasn’t sure how much farther he would’ve taken it. He’d almost lost control, something that never happened. The realization sobered him. There had never been a woman who affected him like Ginny. He glanced at her over the rim of his cup, feeling as if he’d sprung a trap he might be unable to escape.
“You have time to help me in the barn?” Dax asked Luke as he set down his empty cup.
“Sure.” He took one more look at Ginny, letting his eyes wander over her and feeling his body tighten, before following Dax outside. He closed the buttons on his coat, feeling as if his head had been clamped in a vise, creating a pressure he didn’t want or need.
He stopped inside the barn, watching as Dax looked up toward the rafters and the partial second floor. “Somewhere up there is a cradle Pat built years ago.”
“A cradle? Pat was married?” Luke asked. They hadn’t known Pat long before his death, but he’d never mentioned a wife or children.
“Bernice told Rachel he married about the time he started the ranch. His wife died from an infection a few months before giving birth. He had Hank store it up there. Said he never wanted to see it again.” He shook his head, hoping the fate of Pat’s wife didn’t befall Rachel.
“I guess we should get it down.” Luke climbed up the ladder, and pulled aside a few items before spotting the cradle. “Here it is. I’ll need to hand it down to you.”
Dax stood on the second rung and grabbed the cradle, then set it on the ground and stepped back. Made of pine, the wood needed refinishing after years of being neglected. The workmanship appeared flawless, and a lump formed in Dax’s throat at the knowledge Pat had built this in hopes of it gracing his baby’s room.
Luke jumped down from halfway up the ladder, landing next to Dax and the cradle. “You think Pat made this?”
“I’m certain of it.”
Luke picked up the cradle and set it on a nearby workbench. He grabbed a rag, doing his best to clean off years of dust and cobwebs, then ran a hand over the wood. “He did a fine job.”
“Yes, he did.” Dax stared at the cradle, trying to decide if it were best to clean it up for his baby, or put it aside to let it rest as Pat wanted.
“It’s not an omen, Dax. The tragedy Pat faced was his, not yours. We can clean it and fix what’s needed.” Luke glanced at his brother, then back at the cradle. “If you don’t want to work on it, I will.” He thought Dax would refuse his offer. As a ship’s captain before the war, he had more experience working with and fixing wooden objects—and more superstitions.
“If it will keep you here a little longer each day, then fix it up.” Dax ran a few fingers over one end, then drew his hand away and crossed his arms over his chest. “You and Ginny?”
Luke’s jaw worked as his eyes shot to Dax’s. “What you saw meant nothing.”
“It didn’t look that way, and I don’t believe it meant nothing to Ginny.”
Luke exhaled a deep breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Hell. I don’t know what happened back there. I just know I don’t want anything from her.”
“You sure? Because you looked mighty comfortable.”
“It has nothing to do with Ginny. She’s beautiful and smart. She has more guts than most men I know, taking on the responsibility of her sister and doing whatever she can to provide. Any man would want her.”
“Just not you.” Dax didn’t believe a word Luke uttered. Still, his brother had to make the decision on his own.
“No, not me. Maybe someday I’ll be ready to marry and have what you and Rachel do. Not now.”
“And if some other man enters her life?” Dax asked.
“I’d wish them good luck.”
“And walk away without regrets.”
“That’s right.” A pain, sharp and piercing, cut through him at the image of another man holding Ginny. He ruthlessly pushed it aside. Luke knew what was best for him and it wasn’t Ginny Sorensen—or any other woman for that matter.
He loved the ranch and was committed to making it a success, but he also craved the freedom to take on assignments with Pinkerton. Dax understood this and allowed for it. There wasn’t a woman alive who’d go along with his coming and going at will. Luke just couldn’t commit to a woman knowing he might not make it home.
“If you’re certain, then you’d best stay away from her. Something tells me she feels differently than you, and like you said, she’s real special. Too special to dally with.”
Luke heard the warning in Dax’s voice. This was no request. It was a stern statement from someone who held high standards of conduct, just as Luke did.
He nodded. “What you saw won’t happen again.”
“Good. I’ll hold you to that.” Dax left Luke standing alone, knowing their conversation would gnaw at his brother for days. Luke had fallen in love. He just hadn’t accepted it and would fight it for as long as possible. Dax had no problem with it, as long as Ginny didn’t get hurt. There’d be hell to pay if she did.
Chapter Twenty-One
“You saw someone run from your cabin, didn’t get a good look at him, but he appeared to be slim.” Gabe turned his attention from Noah to Dax and Luke, who sat across the desk from him. “The two of you tell me Mary Sorensen says she’s seen a boy coming out of your chicken coop early in the morning, but no one else has seen him. Sound right?” They nodded. “Frank and Hiram Frey swear they saw two people dash from behind their house a week ago, carrying a bag. They said both were slim and not too tall. Unfortunately, no one has gotten a good enough look at any of these apparitions.”
“What are you saying, Gabe?” Noah asked.
“Is it a man or a woman? Could it be a child, or a short adult? No one’s seen any tracks to follow, meaning they must be wearing moccasins. We assume they’re castoffs from one of the tribes, but which one? The Blackfoot village north of Redemption’s Edge makes the most sense. If that’s true, why doesn’t Running Bear know anything about them?” Gabe tossed the pen he’d been holding on the table and leaned forward. “All we know for certain is whoever is doing this lives in the mountains somewhere. In a cave we haven’t found. The only way to find them is to search every inch of the mountain. Do you want to do that with Christmas a week away and the snow already above our waists?”
“Damn.” Noah understood the frustration Gabe felt.
“You see the problem. I’ll do whatever is needed to find them, but it will take a lot of men and more time. You have to let me know if it’s what you want to do now, or if you can wait until spring when our chances for success increase.”
“Did you discuss this with Hiram and Frank?” Dax asked.
“No. I hadn’t heard from the three of you when I spoke with them. I do know they plan to move everything into their root cellar and post men to watch the chickens and pigs. I’d suggest the same for you Dax. I don’t know what to suggest to you two.” He nodded toward Noah and Luke. Their situation didn’t compare to the others, and each could choose to remove anything of value over the winter. Noah c
ould stay in his place in town, and Luke with Dax and Rachel.
“There isn’t much at my place. I’ve been taking most of my meals at the ranch and I don’t keep animals,” Luke said.
“What about Prince?” Gabe asked.
“They haven’t taken any cattle or horses that we know of. It appears they’re after food supplies, eggs, and small animals,” Luke replied.
“I agree with what Hiram and Frank are doing. We’ll move what we have into the root cellar and post men to watch the chickens at night. In the spring, we’ll mount a full search and find whoever is stealing from us. What about you, Noah?” Dax asked the one man who had yet to say a word.
“I’ve been staying most nights in town. Too much work to close early enough to make it to the cabin. I ride up on Saturday mornings and take what I need with me.” Noah shot a quick look at Dax. “I agree with you. Wait out the winter and flush them out in the spring.”
“Desperate people act in desperate ways.”
“What do you mean, Gabe?” Luke asked.
“What happens when they can’t get the supplies needed to survive? They’ll starve or maybe harm others to get what they need.”
“Are you suggesting we let them take the food?” Dax couldn’t abide a thief, but he’d hate himself if his decision caused women or children to starve. He’d seen enough of that during the war to last his entire life.
“Not quite. I think there’s one other possibility.” Gabe folded his arms across his chest. “If there’s nothing at Noah’s or Luke’s, and the Freys lock up their supplies and post men, the one place left for them to go will be your ranch.”
“Which means our place becomes a trap. It will be the closest place for them to find food.” Dax could see the possibilities in Gabe’s idea.
“We’ll post guards each night, rotate them in four hour shifts. Sooner or later the thieves will appear and we’ll grab them,” Luke said.
“And get them to show you where they’ve been living,” Noah added.
“What do you think, Dax?” Luke asked.
“It’s a good plan. With any luck, we’ll catch them before Christmas.” Dax slapped his hands on the desk and stood. “It’s time we head back. Hank swears we’re due for a big storm, and he’s been accurate so far. Don’t forget Christmas supper at our house.” Dax looked at Noah and Gabe. “Rachel won’t accept any excuses.”
“I’ll be there,” Gabe said.
“So will I,” Noah said, “and tell Rachel thank you. I wonder what Suzanne is doing?”
“We asked her this morning. She’ll have boarders to cook for and a few others who always come in on Christmas.” Luke buttoned his coat and opened the door to see Abigail Tolbert standing outside. “Good morning, Miss Tolbert. You here to see the sheriff?”
“Actually, I wanted to speak with Mr. Brandt.” Abby looked around Luke to see Noah standing next to Gabe, watching as his eyes widened in surprise before he recovered and walked toward her.
“Abby, come inside before you freeze.” He grasped her elbow and drew her toward the stove, brushing off the accumulated snow on her coat and ignoring the looks of the other men. “Are you in town alone?” His eyes narrowed on her as she fidgeted with her gloves.
“Of course I’m not alone. Father asked one of his ranch hands to accompany me.” Her indignant tone did nothing to calm Noah’s concern at her flushed face and lips, which had turned a deep blue. “I stopped at the livery and when you didn’t appear, I asked Toby where you might be.” She looked behind him at the amused looks on the men’s faces, realizing she’d probably said too much in front of them. “Your tack shop is quite nice, by the way.” Abby flashed her sweetest smile.
Noah fisted his hands before settling them on his hips, taking a settling breath. He glanced behind him, not pleased at the expressions on his friends’ faces. “Would you mind giving Miss Tolbert and me a minute?”
“Certainly.” Dax opened the door, letting Luke and Gabe walk out ahead of him, then tipped his hat at Abby. “Good day, Miss Tolbert.”
“Mr. Pelletier,” she responded, watching as he closed the door, leaving her alone with Noah.
“All right. Tell me why you came to see me at the livery.”
“If you haven’t eaten, we could go to Suzanne’s and talk there.”
He shook his head, feeling as if he were sinking into a deep pit with no way out. “Abby, you know your father wouldn’t approve of us sharing a meal. If he found out, he might not let you come into town for a long while.”
“Well, we just won’t let him find out, will we?”
“Where’s the man who brought you to town?”
“Loading the supplies from the general store, then he’s handling some errands for my father until I’m ready to leave. I’m certain we have time.”
“If you’re sure, then I’d be honored to accompany you to dinner.” He again took her elbow, then stopped. “I’m warning you, though, do not try to pay for the meal. You are my guest.”
She smiled up at him, stunned he’d agreed, and nervous at the prospect of openly sharing time with Noah. Her father would learn of this, of that she had no doubt. Abby knew she should be concerned about his reaction. Now, however, her excitement overcame her concern. She wrapped a hand around the arm he offered, feeling wonderful and certain this would be the best meal of her life.
Big Pine, Montana
“Good to see you, Dutch.” Tom shook the agent’s hand, then grabbed his bag from the stagecoach driver. “I’ll show you where we’re staying.”
“I could use some sleep. Longest stage ride I’ve ever taken. It broke down twice, once before Moosejaw and once after we left.”
“He must have made up the time because you’re here when the stage master said to expect you.” Tom entered the hotel, signed Dutch in, then took the stairs to their rooms.
“Nice place.” Dutch looked around the spacious room. “How’d you get Pinkerton to go for this?”
“It’s the same as any of the hotels. The town’s booming with the gold mines, and rooms go for a good sum, if you can find one. The only way we got these was from the pull of the head of the citizens committee. He owns the hotel.”
“Who’s that?”
“King Tolbert. His ranch is outside Splendor, where Luke has his place, but the man owns property and businesses here. He also owns part of at least one gold mine. Get some sleep, then we can talk.”
Dutch masked his surprise at the mention of Tolbert. “Let me clean up and I’ll meet you downstairs.” Dutch opened his one bag and rummaged through it as Tom left. He pulled out a wanted poster Gus Salter had gotten from a man who’d come by his ranch. He’d been looking for a suspected murderer and had reason to believe the man had worked with Salter’s foreman, Bob Bray, at some point.
Dutch washed his face and changed shirts before slipping the poster into his coat pocket and heading downstairs to meet Tom.
“I could use some food, then a drink.”
They walked down the main street, Tom pointing out businesses owned by men on the citizens committee, until he stopped in front of a restaurant.
“This is the best place in town. It’s also where many of the men on the committee eat their noon meal.”
“Understood,” Dutch said as they walked inside and were shown to a table.
Tom glanced around, nodding to a couple men he knew. He expected either or both to head toward their table before leaving. They’d been anxious to get the second agent in place.
They ordered, then Tom wasted no time telling Dutch what he knew.
“The committee…or rather, King Tolbert…is certain the thieves haven’t left the area. He believes they’re biding their time, wanting us to think they’ve moved on, possibly north of Splendor where new claims have been discovered. Tolbert and the committee have set a trap, hoping to lure the gang out with one large gold transport to Big Pine.”
“Sounds as if this Tolbert fella is running the committee.” Dutch stopped as the se
rver set plates in front of them, then walked away.
“Might as well be.” Tom looked around the room, then back at Dutch. “This is one of the businesses he owns. He wanted a nice place to eat when he came to Big Pine. The man provides a lot of jobs in town and makes sure the citizens know it. He’s not shy about his wealth or what he wants, and doesn’t hesitate to push his considerable power. One person he’s been successful at keeping out of his way is Sheriff Sterling.”
“Tolbert doesn’t trust Sterling?” Dutch asked.
“Tolbert doesn’t trust anyone, but I don’t believe that’s his motivation. He knows Sterling is against the committee. The sheriff believes they use their power as a license to hang anyone they believe to be guilty, with or without proof or a trial.”
“I’ve heard of citizens committees acting worse than some of the outlaws they’re after, especially north of here.”
“It’s true,” Tom confirmed. “One of the mining towns up north has a tree they’ve named the Hanging Tree. Last year, ten men were hung within days, without a trial or a chance to tell their side. One was a deputy. A member of the vigilantes swore he was part of the gang robbing their gold shipments. His innocence was proven a week after the hanging. Even his senseless death didn’t stop them from hauling in others.”
“And you believe Tolbert agrees with the ‘hanging tree’ solution?” Dutch took another bite, pondering Tom’s words and how they might handle similar actions.
“I believe he wants those who’ve robbed the gold wagons to be captured. Beyond that, well… I just don’t know.”
“When is this big shipment supposed to happen?” Dutch asked.
“A couple weeks after Christmas. I’m keeping Sterling posted. He’s brought in more men with good experience.”
“Any of them impress you?”
“It’s hard to tell, as I haven’t seen them take on any of the robbers. One is a mystery. Does his job and stays to himself. His name is Ezra Duncan. There’s something about the man that doesn’t add up.” Tom glanced away, keeping watch on the comings and goings in the restaurant. “He was a sheriff in Nebraska for a while before something happened and he quit. Moved around and ended up here. Sterling believes there’s some bad blood between him and a wealthy citizen in Big Pine.”
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