Courage Canyon

by Shirleen Davies

  “They seem to come and go as ghosts. Don’t you think so, Davinia?” Selma’s soft titter was muffled by the white handkerchief she held in front of her mouth.

  Davinia nodded. “Yes, Sister. Ghost is a fitting name for Mr. Cullin’s companions.” She looked at Willard. “Your friends are quite elusive. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  A weary smile replaced the patient expression plastered on his face whenever he spoke with the elderly spinsters. “We have business in each town. After the work is done, my friends like to, uh…indulge.”

  Davinia quirked a brow. “Drink and whore, Mr. Cullin?”

  Willard shifted in his seat. “Eat, drink, and play cards, Miss Ritter. Then, of course, they sleep much of the next day.” Leaning back in his seat, he cocked his head. “I notice you stay in each town the same number of days as my companions and I do. What do you lovely ladies do in these dusty, frontier towns? Certainly, they are not up to your standards.”

  “Ah, Mr. Cullin. I am sure it would seem so to those who don’t know us. Let me assure you, Sister and I have slept in silk sheets and beds filled with lice. We’ve eaten gruel in rough, wooden bowls many times. We’ve also dined on roasted duck served on silver plates.” Straightening her skirts, she clasped her hands together in her lap. “However, to answer your question, Sister and I acquaint ourselves with what each town offers. Some have libraries, although quite sparse. Others offer fine millinery every bit as good as what is found in Boston or Philadelphia. Mostly, we rest.” She touched a hand to her forehead. “Traveling by rail is quite tiresome.”

  “May I ask how far you’re traveling? We’ve been on the train a good amount of time together, yet you’ve never mentioned a destination.”

  Selma’s eyes widened. “We haven’t?” She looked at Davinia. “We’ve never talked to Mr. Cullin of where we are going, Sister?”

  Davinia gave her sister an indulgent smile, patting her hand. “It never came up.” She looked at Willard. “Sister and I have not decided on a final destination. We may go as far as the Pacific, or stop in Denver. Now that the war is over, we decided to see the country. How much we see is in God’s hands.”

  Willard turned his gaze out the window, a faraway look in his eyes. “I would very much agree, Miss Ritter.”

  Chapter Eight

  Redemption’s Edge

  “If you’re looking for Dirk, he’s talking to the men inside the bunkhouse.” Rachel stopped grooming her horse, tossing the brush into a bucket. She’d come into the barn as the sun rose, shortly after Dax and Luke left for Splendor.

  Rosemary walked up beside her, shaking her head. “If Dax were here, he wouldn’t allow you to be working around the horses. The baby could come anytime.”

  The corners of Rachel’s mouth tipped up into a mischievous grin. “My husband can’t get his way all the time.”

  “I’d argue he’d say the same of you.”

  “True.” Stroking the neck of her horse, Rachel let out a sigh. “I’d love to ride, but Dax and my uncle won’t allow it.”

  Rosemary ran a hand down the horse’s nose. “Of course not. Even though they might not say it, Doc Worthington and Dax are worried about you and the baby. Luke feels the same about Ginny. It won’t be long for either of you.”

  “My uncle was here for Sunday supper. He estimated it would be less than a week for me, maybe two to three for Ginny. I’m so glad you’re here to help, Rosemary.”

  “Good morning, ladies.” Dirk’s friendly greeting didn’t match the serious expression on his face as he walked into the barn, followed by Mal Jolly and Tat. Mal and Dirk worked together for King Tolbert, coming to Redemption’s Edge after their boss was murdered. “Can we do anything for you before riding over to meet Travis and Billy?”

  The Pelletiers had purchased the rundown ranch owned by widower brothers, Frank and Hiram Frey, a couple years before, moving the horse breeding business to that location. Travis Dixon and Luke, along with Billy Zale, the oldest male orphan, were in charge of the horses. Contracts with the U.S. Army made it a profitable part of Redemption’s Edge. One the brothers hoped to expand.

  Rosemary glanced at Rachel, then back at Dirk. “Not unless you want to take Rachel with you. She’s aching to ride.”

  Tat held up his hands. “Hey. I like my job at the ranch.”

  “Same here,” Mal added. “Dax would be real mad to know Miss Rachel got on a horse right now.”

  Dirk’s gaze narrowed on Rosemary. “She’s jesting with you, boys.” Walking forward, he took a lead rope off a hook, slinging it over his shoulder before tossing a blanket over his arm and lifting his saddle off a wooden bracket. “We’ll be gone several hours. I’m leaving three of the boys to keep watch. Bull is checking on the herd. He should be back within an hour.” A flash of concern crossed his face before he masked it.

  Rachel led her horse back into a stall and closed the gate. “I’ll let Ginny and Lydia know. Please, don’t worry about us, Dirk. We’ll be fine.”

  Rachel’s comment didn’t make him feel any better. “We wouldn’t be going if it wasn’t necessary.” A sick feeling built in his gut. “Perhaps we should stay until Bull returns.”

  “There’s a ranch to run. We can’t sit around doing nothing on the chance Boyden Trask will come our way.” Rachel stepped next to him. “You’ve done all you can. Dax and Luke will be back after lunch, so we’ll have plenty of protection.”

  Rosemary watched the exchange, seeing the corded muscles flex in Dirk’s neck. She’d learned the action signaled the extent of his concern. Moving next to him, she hesitated, his unique scent sparking something inside her. Swallowing away the sensations, she looked up at him.

  “She’s right, Dirk. We’ll get Lydia and stay in the house with Ginny. She’s moved her classes inside the house, so the younger children will be with us.” Ginny had become the resident teacher, working with the growing number of children on the ranch.

  Looking down at her, she could see his jaw working, strain showing on his face as he gritted his teeth. “If something happens while I’m gone…”

  Touching his arm, she felt a connection so strong, she yanked her hand away. “Nothing will happen. The men will take care of us. Plus, each of us will have a gun nearby.”

  Wavering for an instant, he turned to Mal and Tat. “Saddle up, boys. We’ll get our business done with Travis and be back by early afternoon.”

  “Yes, sir,” Tat said before grabbing his tack and heading outside, Mal close behind.

  Taking her elbow, Dirk steered Rosemary a few feet away from Rachel and leaned down, his voice rough. “Do not take any chances. If Trask does show up, get everyone in one room upstairs and barricade it. The men will be posted, so they can’t miss anyone who rides up. It’s your job to make sure everyone is together and safe.”

  “All right.”

  “I mean it, Rosemary. If anything would happen to you, I…” He shook his head, stopping himself from saying any more.

  Reaching up, she cupped his cheek, then gave him a quick kiss. “I promise. I’ll do everything you asked.”

  Stepping back, he nodded at her, then turned toward Rachel. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

  Waiting until he left the barn, Rachel moved next to Rosemary. “Do you want to tell me what that was all about?”

  Rosemary could feel her face heat. Swiping loose hair from her face, she moved away, hoping Rachel didn’t notice her flushed expression.

  “He’s worried about us and asked me to get everyone in a room upstairs if Trask shows up. Um…we should probably head back to the house.” Leaving the barn, she hoped Rachel wouldn’t ask any more questions.

  “Hmmm. It seemed there was more to it than that. I think he may have an interest in you.”

  Slowing her pace, Rosemary waited for Rachel to catch up. “Believe me. Dirk has no interest in me at all.” Although a part of her wished it wasn’t true, she knew the kiss was a one-time incident. He’d even apologized, regret clear on his face.
No matter how much he worried about her, the desire she’d seen in his eyes had been fleeting, a mistake made at a vulnerable time. “You know how serious he is about his job. Dirk is a cautious man.”

  “I suppose you could be right.” Seeing the distress on Rosemary’s face, Rachel decided to say nothing more…for now.

  Dirk kept his gaze moving as they continued on the trail to the old Frey place. He knew Tat and Mal were just as vigilant. Everyone on the ranch knew of Boyden Trask, how he’d blackmailed Rosemary and the boys, how her testimony had sent him and his two men to prison.

  He’d felt uneasy the farther away from Rosemary they got. For all her bravado, he knew how trapped she felt, fear controlling her actions since news of Trask’s escape. Dirk much preferred the feisty female who’d given him nothing but grief since he met her. The quiet, unsure young woman worried him. People living in fear for themselves or people they cared about often did things they wouldn’t consider when not under stress.

  Her loyalty and compassion could be used against her. His biggest concern was she’d turn herself over to Trask if it meant keeping the others safe. Dirk would never allow that to happen.

  “Boss?”

  Dirk shifted in the saddle to glance behind him. “What is it, Tat?”

  “I think we’re being followed.”

  Reining to a stop, he looked around, Mal and Tat doing the same. No one made a sound as they scanned the area bordering the trail and the mountains to the west. After several minutes without seeing or hearing anything, Dirk gave the signal to continue. They hadn’t journeyed more than half a mile when they heard rustling in the trees somewhere behind them.

  Giving a signal for Tat and Mal to continue, Dirk turned off the trail to wait behind thick, broadleaf shrubs. He didn’t have to wait long before he spotted a horse and rider coming toward him. Pausing a moment to unholster his gun, he waited until the rider passed in front of him, then charged out onto the trail.

  Aiming the gun at the rider’s back, Dirk rode closer. “Stop and get your hands up.”

  The rider reined to a stop, but didn’t raise his hands or turn around.

  “Are you deaf? I said get your hands in the air, away from your gun.”

  A chuckle escaped the rider’s lips before he glanced over his shoulder. “I can hear you fine, Dirk.”

  “Billy?” He moved closer, lowering his gun.

  “Yeah. It’s me.”

  Holstering the gun, Dirk rode up next to him. “Why in the hell are you following us? We thought you were Trask or one of his men.”

  Billy shook his head. “I wasn’t following you. I was on my way back down the mountain and saw you boys pass by.”

  Dirk glared at him, doing his best to rein in his frustration. “And you didn’t think to let us know you were behind us?”

  Shrugging, Billy nodded at Mal and Tat as they rode up. “You all seemed real intent on staying quiet. I’ve never seen those two together without joking back and forth, so I knew something was going on.”

  Dirk closed his eyes long enough to force away the annoyance he felt. Billy had always been a loner and, in his opinion, a wild card. Of the five orphans found in a cave a few years back, his time spent with the Crow tribe, along with the sour taste in his mouth about white settlers not offering them help after their escape, had left the boy bitter, angrier than the others. It was one reason he volunteered to work with Travis miles from the main ranch. He needed space. A place where he could deal with his despair far away from his younger sister, Margaret.

  “Travis told you about Trask and how he escaped.”

  “Yes.” Billy waited, knowing there was more.

  “Did he also tell you his two men escaped with him?” Dirk asked as they continued along the trail.

  Billy’s features stilled. He hadn’t believed Trask would make the difficult journey from the prison to Splendor by himself. In his most basic form, the man was a coward. Having his men with him made a big difference.

  “No. I’ve been gone a few days, checking the property boundaries and looking for one of the horses who jumped the corral fencing.”

  Dirk kept his gaze moving about as he’d done before Billy joined them. “Doesn’t look like you found him.”

  “Not yet, but I will. We haven’t lost one horse so far, and I’m not going to let it happen now.”

  Dirk admired his tenacity. Travis liked Billy, and so did the other men who worked at the rapidly expanding horse breeding section of the ranch. If he could get his temper and defensive attitude under control, Dirk believed he’d make a good foreman one day.

  “What are you doing out here, Dirk?”

  “Checking on the order we have from the army for twenty-five more horses. They need them in a couple weeks. Last time I spoke with Travis, he planned to have the herd ready by this weekend.”

  Billy took off his hat, scratching his head. “Well, if Travis says he’ll have them ready, then he will.” Placing his hat back on his head, he glanced over at Dirk. “Maybe I ought to ride back to the ranch with you today.”

  “You don’t need to worry about Margaret. The Pelletiers will keep her safe.”

  “Sure they will, but she’s my sister and my responsibility.”

  Seeing the last curve in the trail before reaching the old Frey place, Dirk reined to a stop, taking a hard look at Billy. “You want to do something for Margaret?”

  Billy set his jaw, nodding.

  “If you believe she’s your responsibility, come back to the main ranch and learn to work cattle. Live in the bunkhouse where she can see you each day.” He saw a brief flare of fire in Billy’s eyes before the young man got it under control. “I know you like working the horses, but Margaret is growing up fast. She misses you, son.”

  Billy opened his mouth, then clamped it shut. He hadn’t been anyone’s son in a long time, and he sure wasn’t a son to Dirk.

  “If I do ask Dax and Luke, I’d want to work with Bull.”

  “I see no problem with that.”

  Bull had been the one to find the orphans, marrying Lydia, the oldest. Billy had always looked up to him. It surprised everyone when he chose to work miles away, with Travis, instead of staying near Margaret and Bull.

  Billy nodded. “I’ll think on it.”

  In Dirk’s mind, that was as good as a yes.

  “I’ve got ten good men here, Dirk, and the horses are set to move whenever you’re ready. Why don’t I ride back over with you and the boys? With the danger of Trask coming back, I’d feel better being close to the ranch.” Travis leaned on the top rail of the fence, his legs crossed at the ankles, watching two horses chase each other. Twenty-five horses had been selected and gathered in one large corral next to the barn.

  Dirk leaned against the fence, rubbing his jaw as he mulled over the idea. He was pretty certain Dax and Luke would tell him they had the ranch covered. Dirk’s gut told him to ignore those thoughts and encourage Travis to do what he thought best.

  “It’s up to you. Worst I can see happening is they’ll send you back.” Staring out at the horses, Dirk had another thought. “You could drive the horses to the ranch tomorrow. The big pasture behind the barn is open.”

  Travis’s eyes lit up. “Or we could go today. Billy says he wants to ride along, and you’ve already got Mal and Tat.”

  A half-grin crossed Dirk’s face as he nodded. “I guess five men for twenty-five horses should be fine.”

  “I’ve moved fifty with me and two other men.” Travis chuckled, remembering how none of them had slept during the forty-eight-hour journey. “Can’t say as I’d want to do it again.”

  Dirk looked up at the sky, then checked his pocket watch. “It’s almost noon and the sky is clear. Let’s get some food in our stomachs and get these horses moving.”

  Rosemary stood on the front porch steps, shaking out a braided rug from the kitchen. Finishing, she folded it, looking up to see a lone rider approaching from the direction of town. Rushing back inside, she dropped t
he rug in the entry.

  “Rachel, Ginny. There’s a rider coming.”

  Rachel came out of the kitchen, Ginny from down the hall.

  Wiping her hand on a towel, Rachel looked out the front window, then at Ginny. “Do you recognize him?”

  “No. With the beard and his hat covering his face, it could be anyone.”

  Rachel moved to the gun cabinet, looking over her shoulder at Rosemary. “Go out back. Signal the men on guard. They’ve probably already seen him, but I don’t want to take a chance. Then get Lydia. Bring her, Josh, and the girls in the back door. We’ll be upstairs.”

  “He’ll come to the front door,” Rosemary said, taking hesitant steps to the back.

  “The men will intercept him. Now go.”

  Rosemary didn’t waste another moment. Dashing out the back, she ignored the slamming of the door as she ran around the house to where one of the men chopped wood, the other standing guard. Joe and Ellis had been working for the Pelletiers since they took over the place. Quiet and hardworking, she had little chance to get to know either since both were usually out with the herd.

  She stopped next to Joe, glancing at Ellis. “Rider’s coming. I need to get Lydia and the children. Rachel’s getting everyone else upstairs.”

  Ellis pushed away from where he leaned against the house. “Saw him headed this way. Never saw the man before. Me and Joe will go out and greet him, find out what he wants, then encourage him to move along. You get moving, girl.”

  Rosemary let out a relieved breath, then took off to find Lydia and the children. By the time she returned, ushering them inside and up the stairs, she could hear loud voices from the front of the house. Not following the others, she slowly walked to the front window and stared out at the stranger.

  The man was thin to the point of being emaciated, his salt and pepper beard in need of a good trim. With his hat pulled low on his forehead, she couldn’t make out his face, but something about his voice didn’t sound right.

  Shifting to get a better look, Rosemary narrowed her gaze. The men who rode with Trask were clean-shaven. One had short hair, the other pulled his back into a queue. A few months in prison could change a man. Still, she thought something would be familiar.