“No. Hex said he found Mrs. Billings outside the back door, as if she’d stumbled from the burning building. He isn’t certain, but by the look of the ripped hinges, he thinks she might’ve kicked the door open.”
“Trying to get out?”
Caleb nodded. “We won’t know for certain until she’s able to tell us.”
“How did the fire start?”
Shrugging, he leaned against the edge of the bed. “We don’t know yet. Reverend and Mrs. Paige took a wagon out to the Murton ranch this morning, so it’s doubtful he’d have left a lantern burning. He always leaves the doors open, so anyone could’ve come inside and started it.”
She saw his hard gaze land on Clare. “You aren’t thinking she started it, are you? What possible reason could she have for burning down a church?”
Letting out a breath, a muscle in his jaw ticked. “I don’t know what to think right now.”
The door of the examination room burst open. A disheveled Doc Worthington stopped short, staring at the woman on the bed. He took unsteady steps forward, not sparing a glance at May or Caleb as he approached. Staring down, his breath came in short gasps.
“Clare?” Her name whispered from his lips. When her eyes remained closed, Charles ran his knuckles over her cheek and jaw.
Even with the sickening pallor of her skin and soft lines of age, he recognized her. He’d carried her memory in his heart and mind for years, dreamed about her, never able to give his heart to another woman.
“Clare. Can you hear me?” His gaze moved from her face to glide down her fully-clothed body, seeing the salve Clay had smoothed over the slight burns on her legs.
“The smoke is what got to her, Doctor.” Clay stood next to him. “Is she the woman you knew in Boston?”
Shoving aside the pain from their past, he nodded. “Yes.” Glancing around the room, he noticed May and Caleb for the first time. “Are you the one who found her, Deputy?”
“No, sir. Hex found her on the ground just outside the back door of the church. It’s a miracle she didn’t die in the fire.”
Squeezing his eyes shut, Charles pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yes, a miracle.”
It was all he could think to say. The shock of Clay’s news when he’d stepped off the stage began to fade at the sound of Clare’s soft breathing. His remorseful gaze met May’s and Caleb’s.
“I’ll stay with her. Thank you both for taking care of her.”
Joining Caleb by the door, May looked back at Charles. The prominent lines between his eyes before leaving Splendor seemed to have deepened since his return. “She came to town to find you, Doctor Worthington.”
A torrent of sadness gripped him. “Clay told me what you’d said, Miss Bacon. I’m glad Clare met you.”
“I know she’ll be all right. She has to be.” May turned toward Caleb, leading the way out of the clinic.
The following morning, Caleb worked beside fellow deputies Beau Davis and Cash Coulter, probing through the cooled embers of the church. Little remained of the simple building the town had erected before he’d arrived in Splendor. Even with the shock of its destruction, townsfolk were already talking of rebuilding.
“There’s nothing here worth saving.” Cash shook his head, kicking at another of the blackened boards. “It’d be best to haul it all off.”
“I’ll bet Silas Jenks has enough lumber for us to get started as soon as Reverend Paige gives his approval.” Beau settled fisted hands on his hips, unconcealed disgust on his face. “This is going to be a real blow to him.”
Cash pursed his lips, nodding. “He should be back anytime.”
The comment had Caleb thinking of his son. Isaac and Isabella were due back from Redemption’s Edge sometime this afternoon. He’d been less than enthusiastic when Isabella had mentioned taking him to the Pelletier’s to play with the numerous children at the ranch. The chaos of the fire made him thankful he’d allowed Isaac to go.
The night before, he and May had eaten cold slices of beef and biscuits Suzanne provided before he returned to his house and fallen asleep. This morning, he’d woken to a quiet house and a loneliness never experienced before Isaac entered his life. A moment later, his thoughts turned to May.
He’d seen another side of her in the clinic. May’s worry over Clare, the despair on her face at the injuries the older woman suffered, demonstrated the deep compassion she held inside. The more he learned about the sweet, guileless young woman, the more Caleb craved her, became more determined to keep her in his life.
“Such a tragedy.”
Caleb cringed at the patronizing voice of May’s stepmother. Glancing at the amused looks on Beau’s and Cash’s faces, he turned to look at the woman.
“Yes, it is.”
Pauline huffed. “If the church had been in a larger city, the fire department would’ve been able to save it.”
Crossing his arms, Caleb tilted his head, his expression blank. “It’s doubtful, Mrs. Bacon. I’ve read about fires destroying blocks of buildings in New York. The people of Splendor were able to contain the damage to the church. I believe any reasonable person would consider that a success.”
Ignoring his comment, her lips twisted. “It’s a pity a woman inside the church died.” There wasn’t a hint of remorse in her voice.
Steely eyes glared down at her, but he kept his voice neutral. “We didn’t find any bodies, Mrs. Bacon.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “You must be mistaken,” she huffed. “A deputy carried a body from the church. My son saw it.”
“Mrs. Billings was found outside the church. She’s recuperating at the clinic. If you’ll excuse me, ma’am.” Turning his back on her, Caleb glared at Beau and Cash, who worked to smother their laughter.
He shook his head, knowing he shouldn’t let the unpleasant woman bother him. Then Caleb thought of the venom she directed at May, and at him. Anger at the callous way May’s stepmother treated her grew each time he saw the woman. He had a hard time understanding how the congenial Dilly Bacon could live with such a vicious shrew, a woman so different from the man’s daughter.
“Caleb!”
He whirled around, a smile tugging at his mouth when he spotted May on the steps of the St. James. Wiping his hands down his pants, he walked toward her.
“Good morning, May.” His gaze raked over her, warmth constricting his chest. “You look lovely this morning.”
Her face brightened at the compliment. “Thank you, Caleb.” She could feel her face heat at his continued scrutiny.
Shifting in discomfort, Caleb cleared his throat, nodding at the hotel. “Are you going to work this early?”
“Lena sent a message to Suzanne about making extra meals for those working on the new church. Reverend Paige stayed up all night, going over plans with Bull Mason, Gabe, and Nick Barnett.” She mentioned one of the foremen at Redemption’s Edge, who also worked as a building designer, and Suzanne Barnett’s husband. “Reverend Paige approved the drawing a few hours ago. Dax and Luke are sending men from the ranch to help.”
Massaging his neck, he blew out a surprised breath. “They aren’t wasting any time.”
“Well, Christmas is only a couple weeks away. Everyone wants the church rebuilt by then.”
Between Mack’s wedding, learning about Isaac, calling on May, and the fire, he’d forgotten about the approaching holiday. Of course the town would want the church completed by Christmas Eve.
Caleb thought of his family in New York. The same as him, they’d been strong supporters of the North, even providing financial backing. They’d attended rallies, congratulating families whose sons had chosen to enlist.
That was why their reaction to hearing of his desire for a commission in the Union Army had been such a shock. His parents raged about the stupidity of fighting. He was a Covington, part of the business elite. No one expected him to put his life on the line when there were so many others willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause. Caleb and his father argued well into t
he night, shouting words they could never take back. Afterward, Caleb had stormed upstairs, stuffed belongings into a satchel, and left.
Although he’d written letters to them during the war, spoken of the battles and his commission to major, he’d never heard back. Not one word in all that time. Their silence told him all he needed about their true feelings for him. He hadn’t returned, never spent another Christmas with his family.
Shoving aside the painful memory, Caleb stepped closer to May. “Will you spend Christmas with Isaac and me?”
Her mouth dropped open, eyes widening at the invitation. A brilliant smile appeared on her face as she reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “I’d love to celebrate with you and Isaac. As long as you let me cook.”
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Chapter Eight
Redemption’s Edge Ranch
Dax Pelletier pulled his coat collar up around his neck, warding off the chill from the dropping temperatures. They’d lost several head of cattle to wolves in the last month, and his patience had run out.
His brother, Luke, and a third of their men had ridden into Splendor that morning to help rebuild the church. Although it left the ranch shorthanded for a few days, it was the right decision.
“Could be we’ve got two packs killing the cattle, boss.” Dirk Masters, one of the two foremen at Redemption’s Edge, sat atop Banshee, scanning the tracks around them. “Tat found the remains of another steer a hundred yards north of here.”
Dax blew out a crisp expletive. “Seems odd to have two active wolf packs so close together. We haven’t been hit with the worst of the winter weather yet, and we’ve already lost more cattle than all of last year.”
“Don’t often see it. Fact is, I’ve never seen two packs so close. You’ve got to wonder what’s going on. Strange, though. A couple of the steers weren’t mauled like you’d expect if the wolves were killing for food.”
Dax rubbed the stubble on his chin. “You’re sure it’s wolves?”
“The longer this goes on, the less sure I am. Even with the tracks, the remains have been so ravaged, it would’ve been hard to tell what brought them down. Tat and Johnny are spending time scouting the area around the last kill. Truth is I’m thinking we’ve got two things going on. A pack killing, and also foraging off the remains of other cattle killed by men.”
“What about grizzlies?” Dax asked.
“When Travis took a look at the first two, he didn’t see bear tracks.” Dirk mentioned their best horse trainer and tracker, Travis Dixon, Isabella’s husband. “Could be cougars. Travis took Isabella and Isaac, along with a wagonload of tools, into town this morning. When he gets back, we’ll ride out and check the tracks again. I’m just hoping we don’t find evidence of any wild-eyed, rabid critters.”
Dax hoped they’d find anything but the crazed animals that killed out of rage rather than hunger. He’d heard of packs of rabid wolves prowling close to small towns in Wyoming and Idaho. It wouldn’t be hard to believe the animals could appear in western Montana.
“There isn’t much else we can do, other than track them. With half our men in town, including Travis, we don’t have enough ranch hands to do more than guard the herd.” Dax blew out a frustrated breath. “We just have to get them through winter and drive them to market.”
Dirk shook his head, chuckling. “Then we’ll do the same all over again next year. It’s a good life, boss, knowing what’s expected. I’m going to catch up with Tat and Johnny, ask them if they’ve found anything else.”
Dax watched him ride out, shoving his hat down further on his head. His thoughts wandered to Savannah, Georgia. This time of year, his hometown would be rainy but warm. A lot warmer than western Montana.
Before the war, he’d captained one of his family’s ships, hauling goods north. Luke would have been breeding and training thoroughbreds, and wooing the pretty women who flocked to him in droves.
That was before the destruction of Savannah by General Sherman during his March to the Sea. Their lives now didn’t compare to what he and Luke had imagined their future to be when they were younger and much more idealistic.
Even so, neither would change anything. They’d built a good life in Splendor, made friends, married, and had children.
Their only regret might be the dangers of carving out a life in the vast, untamed frontier compared to the relative civility of the Eastern Seaboard. Wolves were just one of the threats, but there were many more.
An odd chill of unease ran down Dax’s spine. He placed a hand on the butt of his rifle, scanning the area around him. Instincts had kept him alive during the war, and he continued to take them seriously.
Splendor
“If you’d done exactly what I ordered, she’d be dead, not recuperating at the clinic.”
He whirled around, crossing his arms. “It wasn’t my fault she got out through the back door. It was locked. I never thought she’d have the strength to kick it open.”
“How many times have I told you not to assume anything?”
“Quite often,” he muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Well, all isn’t lost. She didn’t die, but she’s weak and it will take time for her to recover. The older doctor isn’t allowing anyone else to watch over her. At lunch, I overheard someone saying he’ll be moving her to his house behind the clinic.”
He nodded, understanding what this meant. “He’ll have to sleep at some point.”
“Exactly. If we can’t get to her at his house, we’ll be able to try again once she returns to the hotel. We cannot allow her to leave Splendor. Once she’s gone, we’ll never have to worry about anything again.”
A wicked smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Don’t worry.”
“That’s all I do when I must rely on you to do anything.”
He jerked at the hard rebuke, knowing he should be used to them by now.
“You cannot muddle this up a second time. I doubt we’ll get another chance.”
His jaw clenched, face turning a mottled shade of red. “I won’t allow her to leave alive,” he ground out, hands fisted at his sides. “I will take care of this.”
Whipping around, he stomped from the room, slammed the door, and bounded down the stairs.
Caleb worked next to Travis and a couple dozen men, clearing the debris in preparation for building the new church. Isabella’s husband had assured him his wife would stay with Isaac as long as Caleb needed her. Still, it bothered him he hadn’t had a minute to traverse the short distance to his home to see his son.
Not one of the men had stopped for lunch, taking the cold meats and fruit the women passed around, continuing their work as they ate. They’d given themselves five days to get the walls and roof up, another five days to complete the inside, paint the outside, and install new pews.
Unlike the old church, this one would have a belfry. Reverend Paige had already ordered the bell through Sylvia at the general store, but it wouldn’t be delivered for weeks.
“You’ve got quite the little boy, Caleb.”
He straightened at Luke’s voice, unable to conceal the surge of pride. “I hope Isaac wasn’t too much trouble.”
“None at all. I think running around with the other children at the ranch was good for him. You remember Patrick, Dax’s oldest son?”
Caleb nodded.
Luke chuckled. “Well, he loved having a boy around his own age to play with. Bull’s son, Joshua, even tried to keep up. And Margaret and Mary loved playing big sisters to another boy.”
The words rolled through Caleb, his mind working to make sense of them. He still had a hard time thinking of himself as a father, talking to other men about their children, and knowing how to respond. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Caleb looked up at Luke, doing his best to hide his befuddled expression.
Laughing at the look on his face, Luke clasped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Given enough time,
being a father will make sense.” Dropping his hand, his expression sobered. “I know it must be hard, having Isaac turn up without warning.”
“Yeah. I had no idea Sadie was pregnant. She never said a word to me.”
“So you do remember the girl.” Luke’s words weren’t harsh, a statement of fact.
Caleb nodded. “She was a close friend of my fiancée, Regina.” When Luke’s brows rose, he winced. “She was murdered by some outlaws who rode through Austin. After a while, when the whiskey stopped helping, I turned to Sadie.” He shook his head, feeling another wave of guilt. “She’s the one who helped me get through it all.” Taking off his hat, he ran fingers through his hair. “Regina was from a prominent family. Sadie worked in a saloon. I always marveled at how the two could be such good friends. I didn’t do right by Sadie and I’ll always regret it.” When Luke didn’t respond, he shrugged. “Didn’t mean to burden you with my problems.” Turning to leave, he stopped when Luke put a hand on his shoulder.
“Maybe you could’ve done some things different, but it doesn’t help to blame yourself. You’ve got a son to raise, and from what I’ve heard, a good woman to court. Hanging on to guilt won’t do you any good, Caleb.” Luke lowered his hand. “Trust me on this. We’ve all had to deal with mistakes and the guilt they cause. You’ve got to let it go.”
Scrubbing a hand down his face, he nodded. “I tell myself the same every day.”
Luke snorted out a knowing chuckle. “It’ll get better in time.”
“Hey, Luke. You got a minute?”
They looked toward the sound of Bull’s voice. “Remember what I said.” Luke dashed off, leaving Caleb to consider what he’d said. He figured it would be a long time before the guilt got any easier to bear.
“Caleb. Are you all right?”
May’s worried voice broke through his internal struggle. Shifting to look at her, an odd peace washed over him. He didn’t quite know what to think of the brief harmony May brought him. Shoving aside thoughts of Sadie, he walked toward her.
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