Noah reached his hand toward the door, saying it was improper for them to be alone. Both knew Abby’s father would punish her and skin him if he found them together. She’d smiled and placed her hand on his, bringing it to her mouth, brushing her lips across his knuckles. He remembered thinking Abby Tolbert might just kill him before her father had a chance.
She looked into his face and smiled as her hands moved up his arms to rest on his shoulders, giving her enough leverage to lean up and kiss his cheek. She let her lips travel to his jaw, not quite claiming what they both wanted. His fragile willpower slipped as his arms circled her waist, pulling her close enough for one taste. That’s all he wanted. One taste and he’d set her aside.
He knew she had little experience, yet the one brief kiss caused a fire to flash through him, stronger than anything he’d ever felt with another woman. The thought caught him off guard, stilling his actions as he lifted his head and set her aside—at the same instant the office door flew open, an angry King Tolbert standing on the other side.
“What the hell have you done to my daughter?” King yelled, storming into the room as Noah moved in front of her. “I’ll have you hung for this.”
“Father, nothing happ—”
“This is between the men, Abigail.”
“But, Father…”
“What’s going on back here?” Luke Pelletier stopped in the doorway as his brother, Dax, and Gabe Evans walked up behind him.
“I want this man arrested, Sheriff.” Tolbert’s face glowed red, his eyes sparking.
“Father,” Abby protested, placing herself between the two men glaring at each other.
“And why would I arrest Noah?” Gabe asked as he glanced between the three people.
“He attempted to attack my daughter—”
“Noah did no such thing, and I won’t have you accusing him of it.” Abby moved closer to her father, her back to Noah.
“It’s all right, Abby—” Noah started.
“No, it isn’t all right. He’s trying to make a scene and I won’t have it.” She rested her fisted hands on her hips and glared at her father. “Tell Sheriff Evans you made a mistake.”
“I made no mistake, Abigail. I saw his hands on you.”
“I kissed him. All he did was try to set me aside.”
Noah winced at the image she painted. If they’d been someplace else, he didn’t believe he would have been able to show much restraint. He would’ve dragged her up to him, kissing her senseless.
“Abigail.” Tolbert’s hard, cold voice did nothing to cool her anger.
“It’s true.” She turned to Noah. “Tell him.”
Noah’s jaw worked as he tried to clear his mind. He couldn’t blame her for something he’d wanted for a long time. “It’s my fault, Mr. Tolbert. We never should’ve come back here.”
“Noah…” Abby’s response died on her lips as King grabbed her arm, escorting her from the room.
“You’ll hear from me, Brandt,” Tolbert said as he disappeared with Abby.
Noah cursed, dragging a shaky hand through his hair.
Gabe rested a hand on his shoulder. “It’ll blow over. In a few days, Tolbert will forget all about it.”
Noah’s gaze snapped to his friend. “Somehow, I don’t believe he will.”
The men began to leave when Rachel, Dax’s wife, came storming toward them. “What happened in here?” she asked, a look of alarm on her face.
“It wasn’t anything, Rachel,” Dax said.
“It must have been something. King stormed past us with Abby, saying he’d had enough. He said he’d made up his mind and would be taking her to Big Pine, then putting her on the first train to Philadelphia.”
Noah slowly opened his eyes, the memory of that afternoon draining the life from him. Each day since she’d boarded the stage, he’d told himself it was the best thing for her. She needed to meet a respectable man, someone with a future, money, and social status–none of which he could provide. No matter the truth of his words or the logic in his thinking, he slipped deeper into a hole of his own making each day.
Chapter Two
St. Louis, Missouri
“I won’t be long.” Abby glanced at the escort her father had provided for the trip to Philadelphia. She could only guess how he’d found someone on such short notice. For months, King Tolbert traveled to Big Pine each week to oversee his businesses and other property—at least, that’s what he said. Abby had heard rumors about a woman he’d been seeing. After several days of traveling with the woman, she felt certain her companion was her father’s mistress.
“I’ll wait on the train,” the woman called as Abby dashed into the depot, running out the front door, not once looking over her shoulder.
After the incident at Luke and Ginny’s reception, her father had almost killed the horses harnessed to their buggy in his haste to get home. Not even a day later, he’d told her to pack her belongings, then bundled her into the wagon for the trip to Big Pine. Luckily, she’d anticipated his actions.
Abby had been forthright about her feelings for Noah. Her father’s response had been to forbid her from spending any time with him outside the livery—no dinners, suppers, or conversing with him at church or other social gatherings. In her heart, she knew threats wouldn’t be enough to keep her away from Noah.
Her father didn’t know she’d saved the spending money he’d sent to her while she was at school in Philadelphia. Each month, the headmistress would provide funds sent to the girls from their families, and Abby would hide almost every cent in an old tin. She’d amassed a sizable sum over all those years. It had been the first item she packed while her father raged that evening in the parlor.
As the sound of the train pulling from the station caught her attention, she slowed her pace, trying to calm her racing heart. She’d done it.
Glancing around, she spotted a hotel and restaurant across the street. She raised her skirts, stepping cautiously through the dense muck, dodging numerous horses and buggies. She’d almost made it when she felt a shove at her back, causing her to pitch forward, saving a face-first disaster by bracing her arms in front of her.
“May I help you, miss?”
She glanced up to see a strong hand reach down toward her. Grasping it, she found herself being hauled up by a man almost as tall and broad as Noah, with deep-set eyes, long hair pulled into a queue, and weather-beaten skin. His eyes crinkled as he took in the sight of her.
“Thank you, sir. I must be a sight.” Abby tried to brush the mud from her traveling outfit, doing nothing but creating a bigger mess. She looked up at the low chuckle, then began laughing herself. “I suppose I should find a hotel and get cleaned up.”
“You’re standing in front of a good one. Let me escort you inside.” He held out his arm, taking her bag in his other hand. “I’m Beau Davis.”
“Abigail Tolbert, Mr. Davis. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Abby glanced around the small hotel room, noting the canopied bed, beautiful quilt folded across the bedspread, and vase filled with a single flower. It was a place she’d feel comfortable staying in for a night or a week. The exact length of time was up to her.
Beau Davis had insisted she dine with him. She’d learned little about him, other than he’d fought for the North during the war, now making his living hunting those outside the law. He’d refrained from using the term “bounty hunter”, although Abby felt certain that was his profession.
“And you, Miss Tolbert…what is a lovely young woman such as yourself doing in St. Louis alone?”
She blinked a couple times, deciding how much she wanted to divulge.
“The answer, Mr. Davis, is not simple.”
He sat back, holding up his cup of coffee, the corners of his mouth tilting upward. “I have plenty of time.”
“To be quite truthful, I deserted my traveling companion, who is still on the train for Philadelphia.”
“Was he not to your liking?”
“My companion was a woman my father arranged to escort me to my aunt’s home. You see, he sent me away in an attempt to separate me from, well…from someone he didn’t approve of.”
“A scoundrel?”
Abby’s eyes blazed at the insult to Noah. “Absolutely not. He is the kindest, most humble, sincere man I’ve ever met. But my father can see none of that.” Realizing her voice had risen, she took a breath to calm her temper. “All my father cares about is money, social standing, and…” She glanced away, trying to find the right words.
“Making a good marriage for you?”
She blew out a breath. “Yes. At least his idea of a good marriage.”
“I take it the men he would choose aren’t acceptable to you?”
She locked eyes with him. “I know perfectly well who I want, Mr. Davis, and it’s not some stuffy banker or lawyer from Big Pine.”
He couldn’t hide his soft chuckle at the determination she showed. Most young women, especially those of means, would go along with the wishes of their father. The more she spoke, the more intrigued he became.
“Big Pine. That’s in Montana, correct?”
“It’s the territorial capital, a day’s ride from my home.”
“Which would be…?”
She pursed her lips, then moistened them. “Splendor.”
Beau tilted his head. “I’ve heard of it. It’s near Redemption Mountain, right?”
Her eyes widened. “Why yes, it is.”
“I may have reason to go that way on business in the near future. Will you be returning to Splendor?”
“I haven’t quite decided.” An image of Noah crossed her mind. Her anger at the way he acted at the church hadn’t subsided. She didn’t understand why he felt the need to shield her from her father’s anger, taking all the blame on himself. But what hurt most was that he hadn’t come after her, ridden to the ranch or followed them to Big Pine. He’d given up without a fight.
Each time she’d thought through his actions, the unavoidable conclusion hurt. He simply didn’t love her.
Abby had always believed Noah cared much more than he let on. Her feelings for him were no secret. She’d grown tired of waiting for him to make a move and had taken matters into her own hands at Luke and Ginny’s reception. The outcome had been wonderful and awful at the same time. Being held by Noah and kissing him had been all she’d thought it would be. She hadn’t wanted him to stop, yet he’d seemed unmoved by the experience. His calm detachment told her more than she wanted to believe.
If she made the decision to return to Splendor, she had to accept it wouldn’t be into Noah’s waiting arms. She’d go because it was her home and nothing more.
“Good morning, Sheriff. Something I can do for you?” Bernie Griggs, manager of the Western Union and mail office, asked as Gabe strode inside.
“I’m riding out to see King Tolbert, then going by the Pelletier ranch. Thought I’d see if you needed anything delivered.”
“A telegram for Tolbert came in an hour ago. I’d be obliged if you’d take it and his mail to him. There are a couple letters for the Pelletiers. I believe one is from Rachel’s parents.”
Gabe slid the documents into his coat pocket. “I’ll see they get these.”
The road heading north out of Splendor split outside the town. Right would take him to the Tolbert ranch, left would lead him to the Pelletier ranch, where Dax’s wife, Rachel, had invited him and Noah for supper—a common occurrence both men enjoyed. He reined his horse right, wanting to get the less pleasurable part of his trip finished first.
Less than an hour later, the Tolbert ranch house came into view. Getting no response to his knocking, he headed toward the shouts from the barn.
King Tolbert stood inside a circle of men, staring down at a cowhand who lay sprawled on the ground, attempting to sit up. As he got traction, a kick of Tolbert’s boot had him on his back once more. He wiped blood from his already bruising face and looked up.
“All I did was what you told me, Boss. Took the horse out to see how he’d do. Wasn’t my fault he broke his leg in a hole.” The cowhand rolled to his side, this time pushing to stand up a few feet from Tolbert.
“He’s right, Boss. There’s nothing he could’ve done. It was an accident.” Another of his hired men stepped forward, attempting to get between the two men.
Tolbert turned toward the second man. “What I know is that man was responsible for bringing the horse back in one piece. How it happened doesn’t concern me. If you feel different, you can pack your gear and ride out with him.”
They stared for a long moment before the man nodded. “You’re right. We have a different way of working than you. We’ll be collecting our pay, then be off your ranch.”
The two men walked out, passing Gabe without a glance, heading toward the bunkhouse.
Tolbert’s eyes widened at the sight of the sheriff before a hooded expression crossed his face.
“Didn’t know you were back there. What can I do for you?” Tolbert asked, walking up to Gabe as the other ranch hands returned to their duties.
“I received a complaint of more missing cattle from ranchers on your eastern border. Not a great number, but enough to cause concern. Thought I’d check with you.” Tolbert had been implicated in cattle rustling in the past, although there’d been no evidence to prove he’d been involved. Instead, the blame had been placed on a few of his men who’d left the territory when suspicions turned toward them.
“Thanks for the warning, but I haven’t experienced losses. Trust me, I’d know.” He turned toward the house, Gabe moving alongside him.
“If you do lose cattle, I expect you’ll send someone to let me know and not take action on your own.”
Tolbert had a reputation of handling issues directly, using his own men. In his opinion, the law helped people of lesser means, not those of his status. When something happened on his land, to his property, he took action without a second thought, excluding Gabe or anyone else with a badge.
“You’ll be notified,” Tolbert replied. “Anything else?”
Gabe reached into a pocket, handing him the telegram and mail. “Griggs asked me to deliver these to you.”
Tolbert shuffled through the messages, stopping when he saw the telegram and unfolding it. He read through it, cursing in a loud voice, then read it once more.
“Bad news?” Gabe asked.
“Abigail. She missed the train when they stopped in St. Louis. Her companion didn’t realize it until the train was miles away. She had to wait until the next stop to notify me.”
“How long ago?”
“I don’t know. Several days.”
“And you’ve heard nothing from her?”
Tolbert scrunched the telegram in a hand and threw it to the ground. “Not a damn word.” He turned and stomped toward the house, letting out a string of curses before slamming the door shut behind him.
Gabe opened the door and followed him inside, watching as Tolbert strapped his gun belt around his waist and grabbed a hat.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To find my daughter,” he growled, trying to push past Gabe.
“She could be anywhere, King. Maybe still in St. Louis, but she may also have taken the next train east. There are other ways to handle this.”
Tolbert glared at him. “And what would those be?”
“I’ll send telegrams to the sheriffs in the towns between Splendor and Philadelphia, provide her description, and ask them to look for her, check to see if anyone has seen her. You may want to contact Allan Pinkerton, bring his agency into this.”
“Perhaps I could convince Luke Pelletier to search for her. He used to work for Pinkerton,” Tolbert said.
“Maybe, but he’s married now. I’m riding over to see them when I leave here. I’ll talk to him.”
“I’m her father. I should start a search.”
“What if she shows up here looking for you? Or sends a telegram to let you know
where she’s staying? You need to be here if that happens, at least for a while—until we’ve had responses to my requests.”
“You know I don’t work that way. I’m not used to letting others handle what I consider my job.”
“Give me some time, see what we learn.” Gabe scrubbed a hand over his face. “You know, she didn’t leave under the best of circumstances.”
“And whose fault was that? I’ll tell you. Your friend, Noah Brandt.” He turned away, pacing toward the window.
“If that’s what you believe, I won’t try to change your mind. But the way it looked, you forced her to leave. Did she thank you when she got on the stage in Big Pine?”
“That’s none of your damn business, Sheriff.”
“I’m making it my business because Abigail may have run off. She may be trying to get away from you.”
Tolbert spun toward him. “She’d never disappear like this.”
Gabe rested his hands on his hips, glaring at the other man. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. She’s a good girl. Willful, headstrong, with her own ideas, but I don’t believe she’d run off.”
“Even if she felt angry and humiliated by the way you sent her away against her wishes?” Gabe asked.
“You have no idea how she felt.”
“You left her with Suzanne Briar while you made arrangements to leave town. Trust me, King. She told Suzanne plenty.”
Tolbert’s shoulders slumped at the news. He’d been so angry, he hadn’t realized how much his actions upset Abby, perhaps pushing her into the decision to run.
“But she has no money, no place to go,” he ground out. “A single, young woman alone. She’s smarter than that.”
“Are you certain she has no money? From what I’ve seen, she’s resourceful. She may have harbored more secrets besides how she feels about Noah.”
“I won’t discuss her feelings for Brandt. He’s not good enough for her and never will be. And I believe he knows it.”
Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) Page 2
