Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3)

by Shirleen Davies

  “Fine, you’ve mentioned it. Now you can head back to the shop and get started on the new order. I’ll be over in a bit.”

  Noah stoked the forge, looked at the pile of broken tools that needed fixing, and grabbed one. As he turned the tool in his hand, he thought of Abby’s desire to own Hasty. The thought of selling him didn’t set well with Noah. Given more time to think it over, he might change his mind, but not today.

  “What are your plans now?” Gabe didn’t take his eyes from the telegram he’d received from Sheriff Sterling in Big Pine as he spoke to Cash and Beau. They’d stayed through the trial and hanging, then spent time at the ranch with Dax and Luke.

  “We’ve been talking about where to go next. Any suggestions?” Cash’s meaning was clear. As bounty hunters, he and Beau needed to identify their next outlaw. Gabe’s stack of wanted posters would be their best source of information.

  Gabe pulled the posters from a drawer and tossed them toward Cash. “You can look through these, but I may have another idea for you.”

  “Yeah? And what’s that?” Beau took a seat, starting to flip through the images of suspected murderers and thieves, setting aside those who’d last been seen within the closest states and territories. They hoped to stay in this region. Although they traveled all over to hunt the men they sought, both talked of making Splendor their base, maybe buy some land and build homes.

  “This telegram is from Parker Sterling. Appears there is more than one set of rustlers.” He held it out to Cash who read it, then passed it to Beau.

  He read it twice, shaking his head. “This makes no sense, unless it’s a new gang. I swear we tracked just one set of rustlers. Not once did we get the impression more than one gang operated in the region.”

  “Maybe they’re new to the area. Or they could be from around here, heard what Drake did, and saw an opportunity to take over where he left off,” Cash said.

  “Or they could be some of the men who escaped capture in Idaho—remnants of Drake’s original gang.” Beau handed the telegram back to Gabe. “What are you thinking?”

  “It doesn’t much matter who they are or how they started. Sterling needs help, and so will Splendor if they move this way. It’s doubtful a bounty has been set as no one knows who’s behind the thefts.” He rubbed a hand at the back of his neck as he thought through the possibilities. “I suppose you could be sworn in as deputies.”

  “You mean work for you?” Cash smirked. He hadn’t reported to anyone since before his service in the Confederate Army, where he’d met Beau.

  “Or Sterling. Makes no difference to me as long as you’re willing to help find and arrest the gang.”

  “Think about it, Cash. Regular pay. Plus, we get to wear a badge, right?” Beau flashed a broad smile at Gabe. “Might be worth considering until we decide what’s next for us.”

  Cash paced to the window, looking out on the crowded street and so many unfamiliar faces. He thought he’d met a good many of the residents during his two visits to Splendor. It seemed to him the town grew more each day, chipping away at the services supporting it.

  Gabe could use a regular deputy, maybe two. He worked seven days a week, and people sought him out twenty-four hours a day. Time off came when Noah kept watch on the town while Gabe rode to Big Pine for some rest…and play. Cash heard they hired a new teacher, but the school itself begged for more space. Students sat three abreast at desks meant for two. Suzanne’s boardinghouse remained the one place travelers could stay so they wouldn’t have to bed down on the ground. The thought of how this town would continue to grow and thrive excited Cash in a way he never expected. He felt the need to be a part of it, at least for a while.

  “All right, but we work for you, not Sterling.”

  Gabe reached into a drawer and tossed a couple badges on the desk, followed by a bible. “Now, this book isn’t required for you to take the oath, but it doesn’t hurt. Hold up your right hands and repeat after me…”

  “Sorry, Miss Tolbert. Brandt refused to sell the horse. He offered two others, if you’re interested.” Dirk held his hat in his hands, fingering the brim.

  “Thank you for asking him. I know you did all you could to change his mind.” Noah’s refusal didn’t surprise her. Somehow, Abby expected him to decline any offer coming from her, even though he knew how much she cared for Hasty. At least he’d been kind enough to let her ride him whenever she asked. Noah had provided her the freedom she’d never experienced living with her father.

  “I can try again when I pick up the last order of tack. He may change his mind. Or maybe you could ride in with me. He might soften if the request comes from you.”

  Abby snorted, putting a hand over her mouth to stifle the unladylike sound. “I’m afraid my presence may make it worse. He might refuse to take any further orders for tack and saddles, then we’d have to ship in what we need from Big Pine.” She let out a sigh and turned toward the stack of papers on her desk, knowing she needed to get back to reviewing them. Instead, she changed subjects. “How is our new bull doing?”

  A bark of laughter escaped Dirk’s lips. “Keeping busy.”

  “That animal was the last purchase my father made for the ranch. He had high hopes that bull would create the next generation of cattle.”

  “I can’t argue with him. He’s a fine animal and your father paid a high price for him.”

  Ernest walked in from the kitchen, holding what appeared to be a cookie in one hand and coffee in the other. He stopped when he spotted Dirk.

  “Mr. Masters, I didn’t know you’d returned from town. Were you successful in obtaining the horse?”

  “Afraid not, Mr. Payson. I’ll keep trying. I’d better get back to the men.” He nodded before settling his hat on his head and leaving Abby alone with Ernest.

  “Perhaps if I talked to Brandt—”

  “No…thank you. I’ll not badger him about selling Hasty. If he decides to sell, I’m certain he’ll come to me first.” She didn’t believe it, though. Abby suspected he’d sell Hasty to about anyone so as not to see her ride into town on him. “I’ll ask Dirk to cut out a suitable horse from the remuda. We should still be able to travel to Big Pine within the week.”

  “You’re certain you want to ride and not take the wagon?”

  “Of course. I’m looking forward to being away without having to read and reread documents from sunrise to sunset. I keep thinking we’re through, then you bring me another stack.” She lowered herself into a chair and stared at the stack of papers.

  Ernest chuckled as he brushed crumbs from his hands. “Those on your desk are the last.” He sat across from her, steepling his hands below his chin, as if in prayer, then lowered them to his lap. “You’ve done a remarkable job, Abigail. I know your father would be proud of what you’ve accomplished, how hard you’ve worked to understand the extent of his businesses. Many men wouldn’t be able to grasp the complications of his holdings.”

  She knew he meant his words as a compliment, yet her responsibility to the ranch and other businesses had driven a wedge between her and Noah. Why couldn’t he understand she couldn’t walk away and leave it for others to handle?

  “Thank you, Ernest. I do believe I’ve made considerable progress since we began. It will be good to get the trip to Big Pine behind us.” She stood and grabbed her bonnet. “I believe I’ll speak to Dirk, then have a look at the horses available. Perhaps I’ll find one even better than Hasty.” She knew the odds were against it.

  “I’ll come with you.”

  “I’d rather go alone, if you don’t mind. I’m certain you’ll find work to keep you busy while I’m gone.” Abby dashed out, not expecting him to follow as she disappeared through the front door and into the sunshine. The warm rays beat down on her as she lifted her face, hearing the chicks in the nearby tree.

  As a child, she’d roll a barrel under the tree and climb up to see the nests, moving fast so her father wouldn’t see. He did walk out of the barn once as she hurried to draw
both legs up onto a large limb and hunkered into a ball. Abby had held her breath and watched, wide-eyed, as he walked past, not once looking up. Her mouth quirked up at the corners at the memory. Each day brought a little less pain when she thought of her father. She wished the same were true of Noah.

  “Are you looking for me, Miss Tolbert?”

  “I am, Dirk. If you don’t mind, I want to select a horse from the remuda.”

  “Of course. Come with me.” He grabbed a halter, then waited for her to catch up before taking long strides around the barn, past the first corral and to the second one, where a herd of about twenty horses grazed. “Do you know much about these horses?”

  “Nothing, except the ranch hands use them for their work.”

  “Unless they have their own horse, which is common with our men. We use these when we drive the cattle to market or if a horse comes up lame.” He opened the gate, holding it as Abby followed him inside the corral. “These aren’t green broke. Every one of them is an experienced cattle horse, so you shouldn’t have much work to do.” He pointed toward a buckskin with black mane and tail, grazing about twenty feet away. “That’s Joker. As solid as any horse on the ranch and takes an easy rein. He’d be my first choice for you. Next to him is Clem. He’s older, not as spunky, but dependable.” Dirk took a step further into the corral before Abby reached out a hand to stop him.

  She’d been watching Joker, his beautiful lines, the way he raised his head and shook it. “I’ll give Joker a try.”

  “Good choice.”

  Twenty minutes later, he finished cinching a saddle on the horse and handed the reins to Abby. “Give me a minute and I’ll saddle my horse.”

  “It’s all right, Dirk. I’d prefer to go out alone, see how we do together.”

  “Pardon me, but I don’t think that’s wise, Miss Tolbert. I have total faith in him and you, but you’re new to each other. At least let me ride a couple miles with you.”

  She saw his concern, heard it in his voice, and relented. “All right. A couple miles.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Let me go once around the barn, then we can head out.” Abby led Joker outside, then mounted, reining him around the barn at a walk before moving him into a jog. He felt good beneath her. Not like Hasty—no horse had ever felt as right as him, but still solid.

  “Ready?” Dirk asked as she joined him near the house.

  “Yes.”

  For the first time in weeks, Dirk witnessed the smile she’d been unable to share since her father’s death. Radiant and unguarded, it caused an upward tug at his own lips.

  “All right then. Let’s go.”

  They took the long road out of the ranch entrance and turned toward town. She let Joker move from a walk, to a jog, to a lope before reining him back.

  “He responds so well. How did we get him?”

  “I don’t rightly know. He was part of the remuda when I arrived. How about taking the trail to the left?”

  Abby nodded, then spotted a lone rider coming toward them. Too far away to recognize, she leaned forward, squinting against the sun, then jerked upright when he lifted a hand in greeting.

  “Dirk, I believe that’s Noah Brandt riding toward us.”

  He rode ahead a few feet, then turned back and smiled. “It is. And he’s leading another horse.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Noah hadn’t expected to encounter Abby. He hoped to leave Hasty with one of the men, then return to town without ever seeing her. Now he had no choice. Straightening in the saddle, he continued forward, feeling his chest constrict further as Tempest moved ahead.

  “Afternoon, Abby, Dirk.” He touched the brim of his hat with a finger. The sight of her after all this time knocked the breath from his lungs, a pain he hadn’t expected enveloped him, causing him to shift in the saddle to find relief.

  “Hello, Noah. It’s good to see you.” Abby’s world tilted. She could almost feel the heat radiating from his body, reaching out to her and drawing her in. Gripping the saddle horn with both hands, she leaned forward, trying to clear her head.

  “Dirk tells me you have an interest in acquiring Hasty.”

  Abby saw something pass across his face as his eyes bored into her, but it disappeared as fast as it had appeared.

  “You know I’ve always loved riding Hasty. I’ve never felt a connection with any animal the way I do with him.”

  He nodded, turning in the saddle to look at the horse, remembering how she looked astride him. Noah swallowed the growing lump at the back of his throat and twisted back toward her. Nudging Tempest with his heel, he moved alongside her and held out the lead rope.

  “He’s yours.”

  She stared at his large hand, her lips parting before her gaze caught his. “Are…are you sure?”

  “Yes. You belong together.” He held his hand further out, wishing she’d take the rope and be done with it.

  Her hand shook as she reached toward his, feeling a jolt as she wrapped her fingers around the rope, her skin brushing his palm. Neither moved for a moment, then Noah let his arm drop away.

  Beside them, Hasty danced and snickered, his reaction not surprising Noah.

  “Thank you, Noah. If you have time to follow us back to the house, I’ll get the money and pay you.”

  “I don’t want money for him. As I told Dirk, I can’t sell Hasty. He’s a gift.”

  “Noah, I can’t—”

  “Take him, Abby. Ride him whenever you can and embrace the freedom. You deserve more, but that’s all I can give you.” His face clouded a moment before his gaze darted away from her. “I need to get back.” He reined around and moved Tempest into a lope, trying to put as much distance between him and Abby as he could.

  “Noah, wait!” She handed the rope to Dirk and took off, encouraging Joker to move faster. “Noah, please wait.”

  He let out a deep breath, realizing he could ride all the way to Splendor and she’d probably still be right behind him. Reining Tempest around, he watched her come to a stop, glaring at him, a mixture of irritation and confusion clear in her expression.

  Anger and uncertainty knotted inside her. She could feel her hands tremble as icy fear twisted her heart. She edged forward, so close she could’ve reached out and placed her hand on his.

  “You have to tell me what I did to ruin everything. Did I say something, do something to turn you away? I have to know why you no longer want me.” She choked on the words as pain radiated through her. “Please, Noah. I have to understand…”

  He never intended to have this conversation. He thought after this long, he could avoid declaring his reasons for walking away. She’d never understand, think him a fool and a coward, the same as Gabe, Bull, and Nick. He had his reasons, whether anybody else understood or not.

  The silence lengthened between them as he came to terms with what needed to be said. He rested a hand on his thigh, trying to relax and figure out what to say so she’d accept his decision and move on.

  “Abby, I’ve had a lot of time to think, come to terms with my feelings for you. What I learned is I care for you a great deal, more than any woman I’ve ever known. When I’m with you, life is right, good.” He stopped, trying to calm the thundering in his chest, telling himself this was right. “I’ve always known it wouldn’t last. We’re much too different for a life together. I’m a simple man. I work, spend time at my cabin, hunt, fish a little, and enjoy a game of cards. It’s no life for you or any lady. Your wealth will allow you opportunities beyond what a blacksmith could ever offer. You may not believe it now, but at some point, my lack of money would create a chasm we’d never be able to overcome. Once you think about it, look at my life and yours, you’ll know I’m right.”

  “Lack of money and the inability to use mine? What does that mean?” Her voice shook as her gaze remained steady on his. “If we built a life together, I thought we’d share all we had. There’d be no yours or mine.” She glanced behind her, seeing the ranch house and barn i
n the distance, wanting to share it all with this man. Abby turned back toward him. “I can’t do this without you, Noah.”

  He reined Tempest a few inches closer. “Of course you can.” He reached over and ran a finger down her cheek. “I could never live on your money, Abby.” The look in her eyes, the pain flowing across her face, tore at his insides. It took all he had not to drag her off the saddle, settle her on his lap, and crush his mouth to hers. Instead, he reined Tempest away.

  “You’re a coward, Noah Brandt.” She thought her words hadn’t reached him until he stopped, his back going rigid. He sat for long moments before his shoulders slumped and he slowly turned toward her.

  Abby’s mind reeled in confusion and shock. Her body shook so hard, she thought she’d fall from the saddle. She’d always prided herself on her ability to remain calm in difficult situations. Staying in control had been required while her father was alive. Now her emotions, her entire body felt out of control, ready to explode into a thousand pieces. She wanted, needed, to hold on to her pride, but she felt it slipping away, like everything else.

  Gripping the reins so tight her hands ached, she lifted her gaze to Noah, seeing regret on his face. She opened her mouth to speak, then realized she had nothing to say. He’d made his decision. Begging wouldn’t change it, nor would she allow herself the humiliation of trying.

  She spared Noah one last look, then straightened her spine, loosened her grip on the reins, and turned toward the ranch. Lifting her head and jutting her chin out, she saw that Dirk still waited, along with Hasty—a gift she no longer wanted.

  “Let him loose to go back to Noah.”

  “But, Miss Tolbert—”

  “Please, Dirk, do as I ask.”

  He shook his head, but let go of the lead rope, swatting Hasty a couple times on the rump to get him started toward Noah, who stared after Abby. Dirk didn’t know when he’d ever seen a more miserable, disconsolate man, even though Noah tried to hide it behind a stone-faced resolve. Dirk glanced at Abby. He’d been close enough to hear voices, but not what was said. Whatever had happened between them shattered every ounce of joy she’d shown earlier.