Courage Canyon

by Shirleen Davies

  Giving her one more hug, he dropped his arms to his sides. “Dax asked if I could go to town the day after tomorrow to talk with Noah about an order for the ranch. Come with me. You can go into the clinic while I meet with Noah, then speak with Gabe. We’ll eat at the boardinghouse, then head back well before evening.” As he spoke, her eyes widened, lips parting before her face broke into a smile.

  Jumping into his arms, she almost knocked him over. Laughing, he looked into eyes bright with excitement. Before he could stop himself, he settled his mouth over hers, gratified at her moan of satisfaction.

  Hearing someone clearing their throat, they pulled apart.

  “Sorry to interrupt.” Ginny tried to hide a grin. “Lydia isn’t feeling well and asked if you would consider schooling the children today. She said it’s only their math and writing.” She glanced between Dirk and Rosemary. “Of course, if you’re too busy…”

  Rosemary felt her face flush as she shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Let me finish the pie, then I’ll go over and get the lessons from Lydia.”

  Ginny shifted Cooper in her arms. “There’s no hurry. You can get the children together after dinner for a couple hours. That will give you time to finish up, um…whatever you’re doing in here.” Biting her lower lip, she left Dirk and Rosemary.

  Looking up at him, she couldn’t stop a laugh, causing him to laugh with her. Rosemary had rarely seen him smile or laugh. It was deep and rich, drawing her in, providing a glimpse of the man he was before the war and his wife’s betrayal. And his brother’s, she reminded herself, a bit of reality returning.

  She glanced down the hall, making certain no one else was near. “I suppose we shouldn’t have gotten so carried away.”

  Dirk shrugged. “Maybe not, but I refuse to feel bad about it. I need to ride out to check on the cattle. Will you be all right here?”

  Clasping her hands in front of her, she nodded. “Of course, Dirk.”

  “Ellis and Joe are mending fences around the barn, and Johnny is sitting outside the bunkhouse, working on broken tack. They’ll keep watch while I’m gone.”

  Walking to him, she leaned up, kissing his cheek. “I’ll be fine. Go. I’ll see you at supper.”

  Dirk snaked an arm around her waist, dragging her to him. “You’ll see me before supper.” Placing a quick kiss on her mouth, he walked out.

  Splendor

  Selma didn’t try to hide her curiosity as she looked out the window of the hotel restaurant. Standing across the street, talking to a man who appeared to be the sheriff, was Mr. Cullin.

  “I wonder what they’re talking about.” She didn’t move her gaze from the two men.

  “Who, Selma?” Davinia forked another piece of ham, placing it into her mouth with a flourish. “You really must try the ham, Sister. It is quite good.”

  Selma glanced at Davinia. “I find what is going on outside far more interesting than your ham.”

  Setting down her fork, Davinia glared at her sister. “Oh, all right. What is so fascinating outside that you won’t allow me to eat my meal in peace?”

  Selma ignored Davinia’s mood, nodding toward the window. “Look for yourself.”

  Leaning forward, she blinked a couple times, focusing outside, then blew out an annoyed breath. “I don’t see anything unusual, Selma.”

  “Oh, you can be so vexing, Sister. Look across the street.”

  “Fine.” Standing, Davinia moved to the window, her eyes going wide when she spotted Mr. Cullin. “My word. I do believe that is Sheriff Evans he’s talking to. I wonder what they could possibly have to say to each other.” Shifting her gaze to Selma, she moved back to her seat. “I’m sure it’s nothing, Sister. Mr. Cullin is simply being friendly.”

  “Perhaps, Davinia.” Selma stared down at her food, taking one more bite.

  “I believe it is time for us to explore the town before we decide to leave.”

  Selma choked on her small morsel of food. “I don’t believe there is any more to see. Splendor is bigger than we first thought. Still, it has one main street with the lumber mill and school at one end, the hotel at the other.”

  “I’ve heard they’re building a new clinic behind the bank.”

  Resigned, Selma folded her napkin. “And I suppose you’d like to see it.”

  “I’d hate to leave Splendor without seeing all it has to offer. Don’t you agree, Sister?”

  Seeing the determination, and something else she understood from years of living with her, on Davinia’s face, Selma nodded. “Yes. I think it would be quite wise, Sister.”

  “Thank you, Bernie. This is the message I’ve been waiting for.” Dutch read the telegram once more before tucking it into a pocket.

  “Do you want to send a reply?”

  “Not now, Bernie. I’ll let you know.”

  Dutch stepped outside, still surprised to see the increase in activity since the first time he came to Splendor. If it hadn’t been for his association with Luke Pelletier, another former Pinkerton agent, he might never have set foot in this place. Noticing Wyatt sitting outside the Dixie saloon, he walked across the street.

  “Morning, Dutch.”

  “Wyatt. You’re looking better every day. Allie Coulter must be feeding you well.”

  Patting his stomach, he nodded. “Too well.” He motioned to the chair next to him. “Have a seat.”

  Pulling over a chair from a few feet away, Dutch lowered himself into it. “Are you still thinking of working for the Pelletiers?”

  “Considering it. I can’t make any decisions until I’ve figured out why those wanted posters are still out on me.”

  Reaching into his pocket, Dutch pulled out the telegram, handing it to Wyatt.

  Reading it over, a slow grin formed on his face.

  “Appears you can do whatever you want.”

  Wyatt nodded. “So it seems.” He reached out a hand. “Thanks, Dutch. I appreciate all you’ve done.”

  Grasping Wyatt’s hand, he shook his head. “I didn’t do anything except make a request to Allan. It’s incredible how many contacts he has and what he’s able to do by sending out a few inquiries.” Dutch watched as wagons and riders rode past, wondering why someone would send out bogus wanted posters. “I’m guessing someone isn’t too happy about you not being charged with murder. It’s the only reason I can think of why they’d go to the trouble of preparing and sending out false posters. If you hadn’t noticed them, it may have been too late to make things right before some overzealous lawman or bounty hunter recognized you.”

  “And hauled me in?” Wyatt asked.

  “I doubt you would’ve made it to a jail.” Dutch grinned. “Sorry. I forgot you made your living as a bounty hunter.”

  Wyatt snorted. “Never did like it. Shortest profession I ever had.”

  “Gentlemen.” Gabe walked toward them, grabbing another chair. “Mind if I join you?”

  “Sit down, Sheriff. Dutch just brought me some good news.” Wyatt handed the telegram to Gabe. Reading it through, he gave it back.

  “Does Cash know?”

  “Not yet. I’ll let him know tonight at supper. Tomorrow, I’ll ride out to the Pelletier ranch, see if they were serious about offering me a job.”

  A corner of Dutch’s mouth lifted when he saw Miss Chestro and the three other young women leaving the boardinghouse. “Dax and Luke wouldn’t have offered if they weren’t serious. Right, Gabe?”

  His mind focusing on the telegram Bernie had given him a few minutes before, he didn’t hear the question.

  “Gabe?” Dutch prodded.

  Gabe gave him a blank stare.

  “You got something on your mind?” Dutch asked.

  Nodding, Gabe took out the folded piece of paper, handing it to Dutch. Reading it, he whistled. “This the first you’ve heard of it?”

  “It is.”

  Dutch shook his head. “I’m surprised Allan hasn’t sent word to me.”

  Wyatt looked at them. “What are you two talking about?
”

  Dutch glanced at Gabe, who nodded. Handing the telegram to Wyatt, they waited, seeing his expression harden.

  “Cash told me about the kidnappings and murders along the railroad line. I didn’t know there were similar murders this far north. There are no railroads up this way, are there?”

  “Not a single one,” Gabe answered.

  Dutch drew in a slow breath. “According to the telegram, a young woman’s body was found near Moosejaw, then another outside Big Pine. Whoever is doing this is coming our way.”

  Gabe stood, shoving the chair back against the building. “Whoever is doing this is already here.”

  Gabe spent the early afternoon talking to his deputies, telling them what he knew of the additional murders. They agreed to a new schedule of rounds, discussing a way to spread the word without causing panic. Everyone felt the urgency. A decision needed to be made right away.

  “We have to let everyone in town know, Gabe. It may frighten them, but I doubt they’ll panic.” Mack stared out the window of the Dixie, the perfect place for them to talk while keeping watch on the town.

  “I agree. Mack, I want you, Dutch, and Caleb to go from business to business, tell them what’s been happening. Beau and Cash will ride to the ranches and farms close to town.”

  “How far out, Gabe?” Beau asked, his mind already going to his fiancée, Caro, who stayed at her place several miles from town.

  “As far out as Redemption’s Edge. From what Dutch and I have been able to learn, all the women were abducted while close to town, and all were alone. I want all young women to be inside by sundown and not on the street again until nine in the morning. No female, no matter her age, is to go anywhere alone.”

  “I don’t think the women outside of town should be leaving their homes until we’ve caught whoever’s doing this,” Beau said.

  Caleb nodded. “Or another murder is discovered well beyond our borders.”

  “Dutch, you said Pinkerton is involved. Do they know anything about who’s doing this?” Mack asked.

  “I know he has agents working on it. They were traveling on the railroad, went as far as Salt Lake City before they got word of a similar murder near Moosejaw. The good news is it seems most lawmen between Boston and San Francisco have heard about what’s going on and are more vigilant than when the first murders occurred. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to discover anything about the murderers. We don’t know if it’s one man or several working together. No clues have been found near the bodies, and there doesn’t seem to be any motive.”

  “And the women aren’t connected?” Caleb asked Dutch.

  “Not that they can determine. The murders have baffled everyone.”

  Gabe stood, placing his hat back on his head. “Enough talk. We need get out there and warn the town. I want them to tell one of us of anything they believe is suspicious.”

  Beau cleared his throat, looking at Gabe. “I want Caro to stay in town until this has been resolved.”

  Gabe nodded. He and Caro had been friends growing up in New York. It had been his invitation that inspired her to stop in Splendor on her journey to San Francisco.

  “I’ll let Nick and Lena know we need a room made up for her at the hotel. Let me know if you need help convincing her to leave the ranch.”

  Beau chuckled. “I might need to take you up on that.”

  “I’m going to talk to Noah about the murders. He may want to consider bringing Abby and Gabriel to town. Now that she’s pregnant again, I doubt he’ll want to leave her at the house alone.” He looked at all his men before they walked outside. “I don’t want any woman staying alone.”

  “Isn’t Sarah Murton, the school teacher, single?” Dutch asked.

  “Not by choice,” Cash chuckled.

  Beau shook his head, stifling a grin. “What he means is yes, Miss Murton is single and lives alone.”

  “My suggestion is one of the married men talk to her,” Cash suggested.

  “I’ll speak with her,” Gabe offered. “All right. Let’s get started.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Redemption’s Edge

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t feeling up to helping you and Ginny with supper.” Rachel sat down at the kitchen table, drawing in the fragrant aroma of Rosemary’s pies. “I can help set the food on the table, though.”

  Rosemary stirred the stew, looking over her shoulder. “Don’t even think about helping. Ginny, Lydia, and I can take care of it. You could let the men and children know we’re ready.”

  “I’ll do that now.” Pushing up from the table, Rachel left the kitchen, both arms bracing her expanding belly.

  Ginny watched her leave, a frown forming on her face. “I don’t know how much longer she can go. Doc Worthington said she should have delivered her baby before I had Cooper.”

  “That’s what Doc McCord thought, too. I think he only mentioned it to me.” Rosemary ladled the stew into a large serving bowl.

  “She could go into labor at any time.” Lydia walked past Rosemary and Ginny, carrying a large basket of bread. “I hope it’s soon. I’m beginning to worry about her.”

  Ginny nodded. “And the baby.”

  Rosemary tried to push aside her own concerns, reminding herself how inaccurate guesses could be when estimating when a baby would arrive. “Rachel is strong. She’ll be fine.”

  “Rachel is as huge as a cow.” Rachel came back into the room, lowering herself into a chair with a groan. “I do wish this baby would come. I don’t remember being so big with Patrick.”

  “Did someone say supper was ready?” Dax walked in, leaning down to kiss Rachel as a loud clap of thunder shook the house. “This sudden storm isn’t letting up.”

  Rachel glanced out the kitchen window at the pouring rain, shuddering as more thunder rocked the room. “A few more minutes.” She looked down at her husband’s mud-encrusted boots, wrinkling her nose. “You have plenty of time to change and wash up.”

  “I’ll just get dirty again after supper.”

  Shaking her head, she motioned to the back porch.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Giving a mock salute, he walked through the kitchen to the back entrance where the women did the laundry and the men dumped their dirty clothes.

  “Everything’s ready.” Rosemary carried the bowl of stew into the dining room, her gaze darting around. Everyone was there…except the one person she most wanted to see.

  Cursing for the hundredth time, Dirk groaned under the weight of the fallen tree. The storm had come on so fast and strong, he hadn’t had a chance to find shelter before a bolt of lightning hit the ground a hundred yards away. Seconds later, the sound of thunder ripped through the air, followed by another bolt of lightning and more thunder.

  Banshee had reared back, tossing Dirk to the ground an instant before a third bolt of lightning shot straight down, hitting a large tree near the trail. He had no time to move before the trunk split, part of the tree crushing him into the thickening mud.

  An hour later, he still hadn’t been able to budge the trunk. Each time he tried to dislodge himself, excruciating pain shot up his leg and into his back. He didn’t have the leverage or strength to move it.

  Banshee stood to one side, nudging Dirk’s face with his nose, as if the horse expected him to free himself. He had to figure out a way to escape. Taking a deep breath, he sat up, positioning his hands on the log when more lightning brightened the dark sky. Rearing up again, Banshee’s hoofs pounded to the ground before his horse took off, leaving Dirk to take care of himself.

  Heaving a sigh of relief, Dirk fell back, praying Banshee continued in the direction he ran—straight toward the ranch.

  “Are you certain Dirk wasn’t planning on going anywhere except to check on the cattle?” Dax leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, a clear indication of his concern.

  Rosemary shook her head. “All he told me was he was going to check on the cattle.”

  “Bull?”

  “Dirk checked o
n the herd in the northwest pasture while I did the same in the northeast, Dax. He didn’t plan to be gone long—a few hours at most.” Bull glanced at Rosemary, then back at Dax. “Like all of us, he’s concerned about Trask showing up.”

  “The storm came up fast. It may have surprised him.” Luke reached over to take Ginny’s hand, squeezing it. “He probably found shelter where he could wait it out.”

  A loud knock had Dax standing, moving to the front door. Opening it, he motioned Mal to come inside. Looking over Dax’s shoulder, Mal spotted Rosemary, then shook his head.

  “Best you come outside with me, Boss.”

  Grabbing his slicker, Dax followed Mal outside.

  “Dirk’s horse just showed up…without him.” Mal pointed to the barn. “Tat is taking care of him. He was pretty spooked.”

  “I want four men left behind to watch the women and children. Everyone else is to be ready to ride in fifteen minutes.”

  “I’ll have them saddle your horse and Luke’s.”

  “Bull’s, too.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Going back into the house, he didn’t bother to hang up his slicker as he stepped up to the table. “Dirk’s horse showed up without him.” He looked at Luke and Bull. “I’ve got men saddling the horses. We need to leave right away. Bull, you’ll be in the lead. You’ll have a better idea which trail Dirk would take.”

  “What of the women?” Bull asked, standing.

  “Four men are staying behind to guard the house. I want all the women and children inside.” Dax knelt next to Rachel. “I don’t want to leave, but—”

  Rachel placed a finger over his lips. “I’m fine. You need to find Dirk.”

  Nodding, he gripped her hand in his, kissing her fingers, then stood. “Rosemary, I’ll trust you to watch over the others while we’re gone.”

  She hadn’t spoken a word since Dax made the announcement about Banshee. Her mind raced over the possibilities, fear clutching at her as she settled on the worst possible outcome.

  “Rosemary?” Dax’s stern voice had her looking up.