Forsaken Falls

by Shirleen Davies

  “Please, don’t feel you must, Mr. Jackson. Mrs. Brandt is doing her best to introduce us around, but I fear she may be placing us in awkward positions at times.”

  Wyatt glanced to his side to see Abby had moved across the room, no longer standing next to them. Looking back at Tabitha, he let out a breath. He’d heard the hesitation in her voice, sensing the true desire she had to ride. Hating to disappoint her, he thought of a possible solution.

  “It would be no trouble to take you on a ride, Miss Beekman. Right now, though, I’m in the middle of training a new group of horses.”

  Her features fell, the light in her eyes dimming. “It’s perfectly all right, Mr. Jackson.” She glanced away, but not before he saw the blush of embarrassment color her cheeks.

  “Miss Beekman?”

  Tabitha slowly turned back to him. “Yes?”

  “The ladies at the ranch love to ride. I’m certain they’d be able to ride anytime you’d like to come out.”

  Her eyes widened in pleasure. “Do you really think so, Mr. Jackson? I’ve missed riding so much…I’d love to go with anyone.” She winced, biting her lower lip. The gesture brought a smile to his face. “Not that I don’t want to ride with you, of course. Please, don’t take offense.”

  Chuckling, he shook his head. “No offense taken. How about I speak with Rachel and Ginny Pelletier?”

  “That would be marvelous. Thank you so much.” Enthusiasm vibrated off her, making Wyatt glad he’d made the offer.

  When he heard the musicians start a new song, he held out his hand. “Would you care to dance, Miss Beekman?”

  “Why, yes, I would.” Taking his hand, she followed him onto the floor.

  Nora sipped her punch, trying not to be too obvious as she watched Wyatt across the room. He’d been talking with Tabitha for several minutes, laughing and smiling in his relaxed manner. Even though he stood close to a foot taller than the young woman, Nora could picture them together.

  A moment later, he led her onto the dance floor, Nora’s heart thundering in her chest as Tabitha’s interested gaze focused on Wyatt. Her interest in the man Nora cared so much about was more than she could watch. Draining her glass, she set it down, turning toward Allie.

  “I’m going outside for some air.”

  Allie didn’t have a chance to respond before Nora hurried out the back door of the church.

  Standing on the stoop, she drew in a deep breath of cool evening air. She’d been doing her best to convince herself she felt nothing for Wyatt except friendship. Seeing him holding Tabitha confirmed how wrong she’d been. In a ridiculously short amount of time, she’d fallen in love with a man who wanted nothing more from her than occasional companionship.

  The kiss that overturned her world hadn’t impressed the more experienced ranch hand. How foolish she’d been to think he might actually find her desirable.

  Staring up at the cloudless sky, she walked down the steps, looking into the woods behind the church. She’d grown to love Splendor, felt more at home here than anywhere she’d ever lived. Nora never had a special friend, someone she could count on. The fact had never bothered her. She never realized what she’d been missing until the women in her new hometown embraced her.

  For the first time in her life, she had a future. A week ago, she’d hoped it might include Wyatt.

  Walking around the clearing behind the church, she remembered a story her mother once told of an older woman who never married. As a young girl from a wealthy family, she’d always dreamed of attending parties, falling in love, and having a houseful of children. When she had no prospects by the time she turned thirty, the woman gave up her childhood dreams and began building another.

  Within a few years, her home for unwed mothers had grown to more than capacity, helping those less fortunate. The success of her new dream provided the woman with a different sense of pride than she could’ve imagined in her youth.

  At the time her mother related the story, Nora had the same dreams as the woman. The story depressed her to the point she’d been haunted by nightmares about being alone, unwanted, and forsaken. Years after her mother died, Nora began to suspect her youthful fantasies would be nothing close to what she’d hoped.

  At twenty-one, she had her entire life ahead of her. By twenty-three, she began to have doubts. When she celebrated her twenty-seventh birthday alone, without a visit or even a telegram from her father, Nora accepted if she wanted a future, she had to create it herself.

  For a brief time in Splendor, her childhood dreams once more seemed within reach. She’d never had even the slightest attraction to a man until Wyatt. When she first met him, he’d been broken, both physically and mentally. Over time, she watched as he pulled himself together, became stronger, determined to start afresh. Nora knew she could do the same.

  So lost in her private thoughts, she didn’t hear the back door open and close or the sound of approaching footsteps.

  “I’ve been looking for you.”

  She whirled around at the familiar voice. “Wyatt. What are you doing out here?”

  He chuckled, moving to within a foot of her. “I’d think it would be obvious.”

  Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she swallowed the uncertainty threatening to choke her. “I saw you with Miss Beekman. I thought, well…” She glanced down, unable to finish.

  “She’s a nice young woman, but I have no interest in her.”

  She looked up at him, her gaze searching his. “You were dancing with her.”

  “I would’ve rather been dancing with you. Unfortunately, the line of men waiting to partner with you never shortened.”

  She choked out a laugh. “Now you’re teasing me.”

  “Maybe a little.” Placing his fingers under her chin, he lifted her face. “I want to start over, Nora.”

  Her lips parted on a puff of breath. “Start over?”

  Leaning down, he brushed his lips across hers, then straightened. “Yes, start over. I’m not ready to give up on us. Are you?”

  The fluttering in her stomach grew until she felt a slight bit disoriented. Blinking, she looked away, trying to process the meaning behind his words.

  “Nora?”

  Looking back at him, she studied his face, trying to find any sign of falsehood. Instead, the sincerity she saw caused her mouth to grow dry.

  “The other night wasn’t the end. At least not for me. I want to try again. Do you?”

  Unable to speak, she nodded, her eyes glassy with moisture.

  “Is that a yes?” He reached for her hands, threading his fingers through hers.

  Glancing down at their joined hands, she slowly raised her gaze to meet his. “Yes. I’d like to start again.”

  Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on top of her head. “Good,” he breathed out, his eyes closing in relief.

  She felt better than he remembered, as if she were meant to be in his arms. After a few minutes, he leaned back, capturing her mouth in a brief kiss before dropping his arms and stepping away.

  “Let’s start with a dance.” He held out his hand.

  Placing her hand in his, she smiled. “Only one?”

  He shook his head. “As many as you’ll allow me.”

  Derrick slung out a string of curses as he stomped back to their horses. “We should’ve taken them both, JW. We aren’t going to get a better opportunity than what we just had.”

  Following behind, already planning their next move, JW paid little attention to Derrick’s rambling. He’d wanted to confirm the identity of Wyatt Jackson and his intentions toward the woman they’d been watching. What he saw left no doubt about the man’s feelings for her.

  “Relax. We have plenty of time to take her.”

  Stopping next to the tethered horses, Derrick swung around to face him. Lifting his hands, he touched his fingers one at a time as he spoke. “They were together. He didn’t have a gun. Nobody else was around. And they had no idea we were watching.” H
e blew out a disgusted breath. “It doesn’t get any easier than that.” Mounting, he waited for JW.

  Grabbing the reins to his horse, JW swung into the saddle and rode around the church. He kept a slow pace, crossing the main street and taking the road behind the bank, general store, and jail. He didn’t want anyone thinking they might’ve been at the dance. Making a circle, they reined to a stop in front of the Wild Rose saloon. Sliding to the ground, he waited until Derrick joined him.

  “I need a drink and time to think.”

  Pushing the door open, he spotted an empty table in the corner. Ordering a couple shots of whiskey from a young woman, he waited as she lingered a few moments too long, resting her hand on Derrick’s shoulder. “You going to get us those drinks, gal?”

  Winking at Derrick, she nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

  JW lifted a brow. “Do you know her?”

  “I’ve never seen her before.” Derrick’s normally guarded features broke into a smile. “I might be persuaded to get to know her better, though.”

  The woman walked back to them, placing drinks on the table, letting her hand move across Derrick’s back. “You gentlemen let me know if you need anything else.” She stared down at him. “Anything at all.”

  He watched the sway of her hips as she walked away. “Yep. I may have to spend a little time with that one.” Picking up the glass, he tossed back the whiskey.

  JW drank his down, setting the empty glass on the table. “We don’t have time for that stuff. ‘Course, I doubt it would take you more than a few minutes to get to know her.”

  Snorting, Derrick rested his arms on the table. “Now that we know she’s his woman, what do you plan to do?”

  “She works at that shop next to the bank. From what we’ve seen, most days the other woman picks up food, then walks to the jail. She visits for a spell, then takes food back to the shop. We take her while the other woman’s gone. When she’s secure in that old cabin, we send word to Jackson to come alone. Shouldn’t be hard.”

  “I’m surprised you two aren’t down at the church. Seems all the single men are falling over themselves to dance with the mail order brides.” The female server stood next to Derrick, leaning down to refill his glass, then JW’s.

  Derrick lifted a brow. “Mail order brides?”

  She nodded. “Several of the women brought them to Splendor because we got so many single men. The way I heard it, the sheriff’s wife, Lena, planned the party, along with her sister-in-law, Nora.”

  JW choked on the whiskey he’d just swallowed. “You mean the gal who works down the street is the sheriff’s sister?”

  The girl laughed. “Everyone knows Nora is Gabe’s sister. The same as everyone knows Allie’s husband, Cash, is a deputy. She and Cash live above the millenary shop, and Nora works for her. Gossip is they’ve been busy sewing a wagonload of new dresses for Miss Ruby Walsh and her girls.” She huffed out a breath. “I tried to get that woman to hire me, but she refused to even discuss it. She says I ain’t got that worldly look. Whatever that means.”

  Derrick didn’t attempt to stifle a laugh. “You’re plenty worldly for me, darlin’.”

  A smile crossed her face as her hand stroked his neck. “You let me know if you want to find out how worldly.” She turned to leave, JW’s harsh voice stopping her.

  “Leave the bottle. And don’t come back until we call for you.”

  Setting the bottle on the table, she rested a hand on her hip. “Whatever you want, mister.”

  As she sashayed away, Derrick shot JW a frustrated glance. “You didn’t have to be so hard on her. She’s just doing her job. Besides, now we know the woman is the sheriff’s sister. Darn good information for what we’re planning.” Derrick finished the liquid in his glass, then poured more. Leaning forward, he lowered his voice. “We also know why the woman she calls Allie stops at the jail almost every day. Her husband’s a deputy. This isn’t getting any easier, JW. Might be best to go after Jackson and be done with it.”

  “We stay with what’s been decided. Take the Evans woman and hold her until Jackson shows up.”

  “Then we kill him and let her go.” Derrick watched as JW’s expression changed, sensing this wouldn’t end up the way he wanted.

  “Can’t let her go once she’s seen us.”

  “I didn’t agree to kill a woman, JW. She’s an innocent.”

  “Nobody’s innocent, Derrick. Everyone hides guilt about something. We don’t know hers, but I promise you, she has her own secrets.”

  “Not enough to kill her over. Jackson’s responsible for the deaths of Hattie and Ned. He deserves what he gets. The woman doesn’t,” Derrick hissed, looking around to make sure no one could hear them. “What you’re thinking isn’t right.”

  “If we don’t kill her, she’ll tell her brother who we are. Lawmen from the Pacific to the Atlantic will be after us.”

  Derrick shook his head. “Then we blindfold her, call each other by different names.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “We do whatever we have to so she doesn’t know who we are.”

  JW crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “Are you willing to bet your life she won’t figure out enough about us to tell the sheriff?”

  Derrick massaged the back of his neck, not responding.

  Glancing around the room, JW shook his head. “I’m not. We take care of her first so Jackson can watch. After we kill him, we bury the bodies and ride out. There’ll be no one to tie us to their disappearance. If we handle it right, their bodies will never be found.”

  Derrick didn’t like it. He’d agreed to stay to help JW take care of Jackson, dole out justice for Hattie and Ned. He hadn’t agreed to kill the sheriff’s sister.

  “We try it my way first. Take the woman, keep her tied up and blindfolded. We don’t talk in front of her. When it’s over, we leave her behind.”

  JW took slow breaths, attempting to calm his building anger. They needed to make this clean and simple with no witnesses. Unless…

  “We take her with us.”

  Derrick’s jaw dropped. “Now I know you’ve lost your mind.”

  Ignoring him, JW continued. “We lure Jackson to a spot away from the cabin, kill him, and get rid of the body. Then we take her with us and give her to the men. Or I might just keep her. Either way, she’ll never be able to find her way out of the Arkansas backcountry.”

  Derrick’s eyes widened. “They might even believe Jackson took her.”

  “Doesn’t matter, as long as they don’t connect their disappearances to us.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “It seems we’ve done this before.” Nora sat in the same pew as the previous Sunday, looking at Wyatt sitting on one side of her while Lena, Gabe, and Jack sat on the other.

  Reaching over, Wyatt settled his hand on top of hers, squeezing. “We have. This week will be better.”

  The minister walked out from a side door, moving up the steps to a small pulpit. Looking around, Wyatt had a hard time picturing the room as he remembered it the night before. This morning, the pews sat in two rows, the tables holding food were gone, and the floors had been swept clean. No trace of the party existed.

  A smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he remembered dancing with Nora, glaring at any man who dared to cut in. Twice he’d stepped aside. Once for Gabe and once for Cash. The rest of the time he had her to himself. When the band played their last song, she’d taken his arm, allowing him to escort her to the buggy. He didn’t let go until she agreed to sit with him in church this morning.

  They listened to the sermon, Wyatt not letting go of her hand until they stood to leave. This time, he didn’t stop at Cash’s for advice or the saloon for courage. He rode alongside the buggy, feeling at peace with himself, a sense of belonging. Both had eluded him for too long.

  When they arrived at Gabe’s house, he helped Nora down, then grasped her hand. “I’d like to try the walk again.”

  Smiling up at him, she tightened her hold on his han
d. “Do we dare?”

  “I believe we have to, Nora.” He didn’t wait for her response or to explain to Gabe and Lena. Instead, he escorted her down the same path, toward the same spot on the bank of the creek. Motioning for her to sit on the same fallen log as the week before, he settled next to her, never loosening his hold on her hand.

  They sat in silence for several minutes, listening to the water make its way over rocks, pooling in eddies before resuming the journey south. The water sounded and looked the same as the previous Sunday, but changes had occurred. More dirt had been carved out of the banks, a tree had fallen across the creek, and the water continued to rise from melting snow.

  Wyatt felt the same about him and Nora. They looked the same, sat on the very log as last week, yet everything had changed.

  “I need to say some things, Nora. I hope you’re prepared to listen.”

  After the amount of attention Wyatt bestowed on her at the party, the sense of foreboding she experienced the week before didn’t occur. Nora hadn’t been able to shove aside the acute sense of embarrassment at her outburst. The way she’d stormed back to the house, giving him no opportunity to explain. The behavior mortified her, making it impossible to meet his gaze. Instead, she focused on their joined hands and nodded.

  Placing a finger under her chin, he lifted it so their eyes met. “I want you to look at me and not interrupt. Can you do that?”

  She blushed, an awkward smile tipping up the corners of her mouth. “I’ll do my best.”

  Chuckling, Wyatt leaned down, brushing a kiss across her lips before straightening. “You’ve told me some about your past. Losing your mother, being sent away to boarding school, never allowed an introduction into society. All I’m able to understand is the loss of family. The difference is I had a sister and brother-in-law who took me in, loving me without reservation. From what you said last week, you lacked love after your mother died, and I’m sorry for that.”