“There’s no reason to—”
“Abby, your father’s men are waiting for you. They’re to take you to the ranch as soon as you get off the stage.”
“No,” she whispered. “How did they know I’d be coming back?”
“The same way I did. The sheriff in St. Louis learned you boarded the train west. It wasn’t hard to figure out where you were headed. Even Suzanne believes you’ll return to Splendor.”
“I’m not going back to the ranch…ever. The days of my father controlling every decision I make, how I live, are over.”
“If that’s true, go back with me. I know a trail home few know about. By the time they realize you aren’t coming, we’ll be home.” He reached out to touch her shoulder, but she backed away. “Abby, come with me, please. I promise to get you back to Splendor without your father’s men knowing.”
She squared her shoulders, steeling herself as she looked up at him. “If I go with you, it will be to live at Suzanne’s. I’ll find work, support myself.” She hesitated a moment before continuing. “I’ve thought much about what happened at Ginny and Luke’s wedding, how I handled myself, and your reaction. I realize now you were a fantasy—a beautiful one, but a fantasy nonetheless. I threw myself at you and—”
“Abby—”
“Please, let me finish.” She swallowed the growing lump in her throat, taking an unsteady breath. “You tried to let me know numerous times you had no feelings for me, but I refused to listen. I’ll always remember how you’ve been a perfect gentleman, one who treated me as a lady, no matter how foolish my actions may have seemed to you. I now know my feelings were nothing more than youth and inexperience. I’m embarrassed by the way my actions must have been perceived by you.”
“Abby, please, let me explain.” Noah’s stomach twisted.
“There’s no need, truly. I’ve acted as a foolish, rich girl, trying to have what I thought I wanted. When I return to Splendor, I’ll be making my own way, figuring out what it is I do want. I hope you understand and accept my apologies for how I’ve behaved.”
Her words cut as if a sword had sliced clear through him. She’d changed her mind, no longer wanted him or a future together. He should be glad and not feeling as if his world had come crashing down. In his heart, he knew Abby deserved better. She’d just made it clear her conclusions were the same as his.
“I’ll take you to Splendor, help you in any way possible to build your dream, but I will not accept your apology.” He turned, walking toward his horse.
“But, Noah…” She ran after him, touching his arm, trying to get him to stop.
“I won’t accept it because there’s no need for one. You’ve made your decision, which is how it should be.” He settled his hands on his hips and took a slow breath. “I need to get more supplies. We can buy a horse and saddle for you, or you can ride with me, whatever you prefer, but we need to leave soon.”
Abby flinched at his cold voice and hard expression. She’d seen him angry, attentive, relaxed, laughing, but never the look of indifference he offered now.
“I’ll ride behind you.”
He nodded. “Then be ready to leave within the hour. It will be hard riding with few stops as we need to cover as much ground as possible. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
Without another word, he grabbed Tempest’s reins and walked to the general store. She watched his retreating back, wishing a life with Noah had been possible. All she had to do was get through the next few days. Perhaps by the time they reached Splendor, she would begin to believe the words she’d spoken, leave her feelings for Noah behind, and start a new life.
“I’m sorry to lose your company, but understand Mr. Brandt’s concerns,” Beau said, preparing to enter the coach for the final part of his trip.
“I have the same concerns. If my father’s men find me, I’ll have no choice but to return to the ranch. If that happens, I fear I’ll never be free to make my own decisions.”
“It seems you’ve made the right choice. I hope to see you in Splendor, Miss Tolbert, and wish you a safe trip.”
“You, as well, Mr. Davis.” She waited for him to board the stage, watching as the driver slapped the reins. She raised her hand to wave before covering her face from the dust, hoping she would see him again.
“Are you ready?”
She’d been so focused on Beau, she hadn’t noticed Noah standing beside her, an impatient hand on his hip.
“I wanted to tell him my plans. I’m ready now.”
He swung up on Tempest, then steadied him as Abby placed her foot in the stirrup and mounted.
“Hold tight, Abby. I don’t want you falling off.”
It didn’t take long for Abby to realize her mistake in riding behind Noah with her arms wrapped around his waist, her chest tight against his back. She could feel each shift, every constriction of his muscles, every breath. When she’d try to ease back, he’d grab her arms and pull her closer, then rest one large, calloused palm on her joined hands.
She didn’t know how long they rode, turning south a few miles, then west before veering north. By stage, it took several hours to reach Big Pine from Moosejaw. On horseback, it should take less. When the sun fell behind the western horizon, she leaned forward, close to his ear.
“How long?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “How long what?”
“Until we stop.”
Noah had been so focused on ignoring the woman whose body aligned perfectly with his that he’d lost track of time. He winced at the discomfort she must feel.
“We’ll stop up there.” He reined Tempest toward a stand of trees, then pulled to a stop, letting her slide off before he dismounted. Reaching into a saddlebag, he pulled out a water sack and small pouch, handing them to Abby. “I’ll set up camp.”
“We’re staying here?” She looked around, seeing nothing for miles.
“Did you expect a hotel?” he shot back, then walked away, leaving her standing alone.
Abby didn’t try to reply. Instead, she took a drink of water, then opened the pouch, biting into the hardtack and retrieving a section of jerky. She watched him walk several yards before descending a slope. His head bobbed up and down as he bent, then straightened, loading his arms with stray bits of broken branches and anything else they could burn. Setting down the water and hardtack, she walked toward him, mimicking his efforts at rounding up enough wood for a fire.
“I can handle this. Why don’t you pull down the bedrolls?” Noah asked, not looking at her, doing his best to calm his agitated body.
She tried to do the same as she walked back toward Tempest, dumped a few branches on the ground, and pulled the ties on the bedrolls. She shook them out, placing them side by side under the trees, then sat down, tucking her legs beneath her.
Noah came over the rise and stopped when he saw how she’d laid out the bedding. Lying so close to her wouldn’t work, at least not for him. He’d take care of Tempest, start a fire, then move his bedroll a safe distance away from hers.
He untied the saddlebags, tossing them to her. “I didn’t bring much besides the hardtack, jerky, and some dried fruit Suzanne packed for me.” He tossed her the pouch full of apples. “There’s another one, so eat as much as you want. We’ll get an early start tomorrow and be in Splendor by midday.”
Once the fire glowed and Tempest grazed several yards away, Noah grabbed his saddle and bedroll, moving both to the other side of the fire and away from Abby. Although almost dark, enough of a moon remained for him to scan the hills. In country this wide open, it would be hard for anyone to sneak up on them, but he wouldn’t take chances. He sat, then propped himself against the saddle, stretching out his legs and crossing his arms, facing away from Abby.
It had been harder than he thought to ride all afternoon with her tucked behind him, trying to reconcile what he believed to be right with what he wanted. For so long he’d told himself he wasn’t the man for her and he’d finally thought he b
elieved it—until she’d told him what she felt had never been real. Maybe it hadn’t been real for her, but it sure as hell felt real to him.
Knowing he wasn’t right for her meant little when the ache in his chest grew with each mile. He’d be glad to get to Splendor, leave her with Suzanne, and vanish to his cabin. Toby would be fine running the store, and the smithy work would just have to wait.
Chapter Six
The rain started a mile before Splendor, sheets of water blowing toward them and slowing their progress. Noah pulled out his duster several miles back, wrapping it around Abby. Even so, he knew she’d be drenched by the time they reached Suzanne’s.
Black clouds turned the sky dark when he reined Tempest to a stop. Letting Abby go would be much tougher than he imagined. Having her arms wrapped around him for hours, holding tight, had been both heaven and hell. Cursing under his breath the entire ride, he’d shifted in the saddle several times to relieve his discomfort.
The reality of the unexpected change in her feelings hit hard. He’d still see her in town, but it wouldn’t be the same. She’d find work, meet someone, and build a life without him. Noah experienced worse setbacks in his life, although he couldn’t recall what they were at the moment.
“Good heavens.” Suzanne ran outside as Abby slid to the ground and ducked under the shelter of the building’s overhang. Engulfed in Suzanne’s waiting embrace, they dashed inside where a fire burned in the parlor.
Noah debated what to do next. First, he’d grab the small leather satchel Abby used for her personal belongings. He’d drop it inside, then ride off—leave for the cabin before the storm got worse. Grabbing the bag, he stepped up to the boardinghouse door as Suzanne pulled it open.
“I wondered if you were coming in.” She motioned him inside. “How about coffee?”
“Another time. I’ll leave this and be on my way.” He held out the bag, then turned to leave.
“Absolutely not. You aren’t going anywhere until you’ve had a decent meal. Now, follow me to the kitchen.”
He groaned, but did as she asked, finding Abby seated at the table Suzanne reserved for herself and close friends who visited.
They’d spoken just a few words since starting the last part of the journey at sunup and Noah didn’t want to start a conversation now. He’d eat and then leave, knowing all would go well now that Abby had been safely delivered to Suzanne’s.
Abby stood next to Suzanne washing dishes, trying to hide the misery she felt at Noah riding away. He’d kept his promise—getting her home without running into her father’s men. She’d thanked him as he walked out the door. He held her gaze for a moment, then left without a word.
With any luck at all, her father wouldn’t learn of her return until she’d had a chance to speak with a few people about work, starting with Horace Clausen at the bank.
“Did you and Noah talk?” Suzanne dried the last plate, wiped her hands, and turned toward Abby.
“Of course we talked.” She tossed the dish towel on the counter without looking up.
Suzanne crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “I mean about the two of you.”
Abby slid her hands down the front of the apron, then turned her gaze to Suzanne. “I told him the truth.”
“Which is?”
She sat down at the table, repeating the discussion she had with Noah in Moosejaw, leaving nothing out.
Suzanne let out a breath, not saying anything for several moments as she absorbed Abby’s words. She knew Abby had strong feelings for Noah that had nothing to do with her age. By twenty, most women in the frontier were married, many already having children. Abby was past that age, even if not by much, and knew her mind.
“Why did you lie to him?” The desolate expression on Abby’s face broke Suzanne’s heart.
“Because I had to let him go. I’m not what he wants or he would have made his intentions clear long ago. He had a chance to tell me at the church. Instead, he set me aside, acting as if…as if…” She stumbled over the words as her voice shook. “He just doesn’t want me.” She rocked to and fro as her voice broke.
Suzanne placed a comforting hand on Abby’s arm. She knew enough about Noah to understand his feelings for Abby ran deep, suspecting he didn’t feel worthy of her. She supposed his misgivings were understandable given the way King Tolbert treated him, as if he were too far beneath Abby to even consider courting her. However, she also blamed Noah.
At this point, the two were at an impasse. If Abby found a job, a way to support herself and stay in town, the two might find a way back to each other. They could also find that what they felt for each other wasn’t deep enough to forge a lifetime bond. For now, Suzanne comforted herself with the knowledge Abby was safe and Tolbert would no longer be able to control her every action.
“Abby, I saw Horace go into the bank. You might want to head over and talk to him now.” Suzanne stood at the base of the stairs, tossing a towel over her shoulder as she stepped back into the kitchen to finish the preparations for breakfast. The boardinghouse restaurant opened early, and her boarders and customers would start walking in and filling tables any minute.
“How do I look?” Abby stood still, nervous tension radiating through her body.
“Well, for wearing a dress one of the boarders left behind, you look good. As little as people have these days, it still surprises me to find what they’ve forgotten.”
“Or didn’t want in the first place,” Abby added, her tentative grin widening.
Eagerness mixed with fear coursed through her as she thought of meeting with Mr. Clausen. She knew he thought well of her, although his comments about a job may have come from courtesy rather than a genuine interest in her training. She reminded herself her father hadn’t cared a whit about the time she spent studying mathematics and bookkeeping. He’d seen her fit to act as his hostess and nothing more.
“Wish me luck, Suzanne.” Abby slid her reticule over her arm, grabbed a parasol, and stepped outside.
The storm passed during the night, leaving the street ankle deep in mud, even though the sun shown bright in the eastern sky. The bank stood at the opposite end of the main street, which posed a small problem. Abby hoped no one would recognize her during her brief walk, then send a rider to her father’s ranch. Her bonnet covered her hair, and she did her best to hide her face behind the parasol until she lowered it at the bank entrance. Glancing around, she opened the door and stepped inside, spotting Horace Clausen talking to his secretary.
“Good morning, Mr. Clausen.” She did her best to plaster a smile on her face, even as her stomach rolled with nervous tension.
“Hello, Miss Tolbert. I didn’t know you had returned to Splendor.” Clausen’s right brow raised a fraction.
“I wonder if I might have a word with you in private.”
“Of course. Please, come into my office.” He gestured to a chair before walking behind his desk. “I saw your father yesterday. I’m surprised he didn’t mention you were back in town.”
“He doesn’t know.” She cleared her throat, sliding her damp hands down the skirt of her dress.
“I see.” Clausen had known King Tolbert for years. As one of the bank’s largest depositors, he often spent several hours a month going over accounts with him. Even so, he detested the way Tolbert treated his daughter and others in town.
“I’m hopeful he won’t find out until I’ve found employment.”
Clausen folded his hands on the desk and leaned forward, beginning to understand her visit. If he were right, fate must be with both of them as one of his employees had left a week before and he’d been unable to replace him.
“When did you return?”
“Last night. I’m staying at Mrs. Briar’s.”
“I take it, other than Suzanne, I’m the first person you’ve spoken to about this?”
“One other person knows I’m in town, but he doesn’t know I’ve come to speak with you.”
“Would that be Mr. Brandt
?”
“Yes, but please don’t ever tell my father. There’s already so much bitterness between them…” Her voice trailed off as she thought of what her father would do if he knew she’d spent two days and a night with Noah.
“I quite understand. Now, tell me why you’re here.”
She squared her shoulders and pulled out a small bundle of bills from her reticule. Placing it on the desk, she sat up straight, raising her gaze to his.
“For two reasons. First, I have a small sum of money. Not much, you understand, but enough to open an account.” She slid the bills toward him.
He counted them out, surprised at the sum. It was more than many of the smaller ranchers and shopkeepers were able to save.
“All right. And the second reason?”
“You once mentioned my bookkeeping skills might prove beneficial at the bank. What I need is a job, Mr. Clausen. I don’t care what, although I am trained to do books and have a gift for mathematics.”
He slowly stood, his thoughts hidden behind a neutral expression. Walking to the front of his desk, he crossed his arms and leaned against the edge. “You know, of course, what your father will say if he finds out you’re working?”
“Yes, I do, and I’m quite prepared to have words with him.”
His mouth twisted into a wry grin. “I see you understand your father quite well.”
“He can be formidable and controlling. But I’m a grown woman, Mr. Clausen, and am ready to move out on my own.”
“Most young women live at home until they marry. Few leave as you want to, unless their circumstances require it. Are you certain you’re ready for such a big change?”
“Yes, sir, I am.” She tilted her chin up in a small measure of defiance. “I’ve known it might come to this for a long time, although I hoped it wouldn’t.”
He dropped his arms to his sides, gripping the edge of the desk as he thought over her words. If Abigail came to work at the bank, Tolbert might be incensed enough to withdraw all his funds in retaliation. The bank had grown at a significant rate with the new people moving to Splendor and opening businesses or expanding their ranches, similar to the Pelletiers. Still, the loss of Tolbert’s money would be a blow.
Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) Page 5
