Redemption's Edge (12 page)

Rachel’s eyes shot open. “You don’t believe I can do something as simple as riding out and talking to the Pelletiers?” Her sharp retort told Charles he’d stepped over some imagined boundary.

“Fine. You go. Right now, I need some sleep. Will you be okay here alone?”

“Yes. I’ll be fine.” She relaxed again and slumped into the chair. “I’ll let you know if there’s any change.”

“Good morning, Miss Tolbert. We’ve come to see your father, if he’s home.”

“Mr. Pelletier, correct?” Abby asked.

“That’s right. This is my brother, Luke.”

She glanced between the men, noting the similarities and differences between the two.

“Please, come in. I’ll let Father know you’re here.” She showed them to Tolbert’s study. “May I get you anything?”

“No, ma’am. Thank you.”

They didn’t wait long. King Tolbert walked in, his lack of warmth an indication of how much their visit displeased him. “What can I do for you, gentlemen?” He took a seat behind his desk and sat back.

Dax leaned forward in his chair. “You wouldn’t know anything about an attempt to stampede our herd, would you?”

King eyed his visitors, surprised at the speed with which they’d confronted him.

“Certainly not. I sincerely hope no one was injured.”

“No one was injured and we lost no cattle. So, the time was misspent for whoever ordered the action.” Dax stood and walked to a nearby window and glanced out, then turned back to Tolbert. “You, of course, know of Drake’s past, the accusations against him?” Dax noticed the look of surprise on the man’s face.

“Past accusations mean nothing to me.”

“And what is it that he does for you…besides intimidate other ranchers?”

“It sounds as if you’re accusing me of more than the unfortunate incident with your herd. I’d be careful of false accusations if I were you.” Tolbert’s voiced hardened with each word. He stood, walked around his desk to the office door and pulled it open. “I believe it’s time for the two of you to leave.”

They walked to the open door, Dax stopping within inches of Tolbert, glaring down at the man. “Listen well, Tolbert. We won’t tolerate the actions made against our men or property, and we will not bend to intimidation. If we discover you or any of your men are involved, there will be hell to pay, and you’ll be our main target.”

They pushed past Tolbert to walk outside and mount their horses as Drake and a few men rode in from the direction of town.

“General. Major.” Drake touched the brim of his hat with a finger, his sarcastic tone not lost on Dax or Luke. Neither acknowledged the man, other than to keep their eyes trained on him until they’d ridden past.

“The man’s dirty,” Luke commented.

“As much as any man I’ve ever met.” Dax nudged Hannibal into a gallop, knowing events would get worse, much worse, before Tolbert and the actions of his men were stopped.

“Hello, Mrs. Wilson. I apologize for dropping by like this.” Rachel had ridden to the ranch late that morning, hoping to catch Dax and Luke during their midday meal. She’d had to fight butterflies in her stomach the entire way, knowing the source of her unease. He’d never followed up on his request to call on her and Rachel suspected she knew the reason.

“Nonsense, Miss Davenport. It’s good to see you again. Please, come in.” Bernice stepped aside to let Rachel in.

“How is Mr. Wilson? Would you like me to check on him while I’m here?”

“He’s doing fine. Cranky, of course, and ready to get back to work. I figure I can keep him down about another two days. How about something to drink?”

“No, thank you. Actually, I’ve come to speak with the Pelletiers. Are they around?”

“I expect them and the others any minute. They don’t waste much time when there’s food waiting.” Bernice began to untie her apron when the sound of approaching horses caught her attention. “That must be them.”

Rachel stood at the pounding of boots on the front steps. The sound kept rhythm with a similar hammering in her chest. The door burst open as Dax and Luke strolled in first, followed by Bull, Ellis, and Rude. They stopped when Rachel came forward.

“Miss Davenport,” Dax greeted her as he pulled off his hat and placed it on the hook of the hall stand. “I thought I recognized your horse outside. To what do we owe this visit?” His gaze wandered over her, settling on the cautious smile she offered.

“I came to see you and your brother.” She looked at Luke, who stood a foot away. “If you have the time, of course.”

“We’ll make time. Join us for dinner first, then we’ll take as long as you need.” He motioned to a chair and sat across from her, deciding sitting next to her would be too much of a temptation and would test his already slim control when it came to Rachel.

Dax’s intense gaze rarely left her during the meal. The men told stories, eliciting smiles and full-fledged laughter from her. He liked the sound—deep and genuine.

“Guess we’d better get going.” Ellis stood. “Thanks, Bernice.”

The others followed his lead and within a minute, Rachel had been left alone with Bernice and the brothers.

“I’ll clean this up while you three talk.”

“I’m happy to help,” Rachel offered.

“No, dear. You go ahead and meet with the boys before they have to head out. I need to check on Hank anyway.”

The corners of Rachel’s mouth lifted at her use of the term “the boys.” She had a hard time seeing either as anything other than full-grown, and quite attractive, men.

Dax ushered her into the study and to a divan against one wall. “What can we do for you?”

He’d spent much of their meal focusing on her mouth, remembering how much he’d wanted to taste her lips, wondering what her response would have been if he’d taken her in his arms for a proper kiss. He imagined her proper, sophisticated exterior might crumble once she met the right man, someone who could kindle the passion he believed hid within her.

“Did either of you hear about the shooting in town last night?”

Dax blinked, her question yanking him out of his daydream and back to the present.

The men glanced at each other and shook their heads. “No, can’t say we have,” Luke answered as he took a seat in one of the chairs across from her, Dax sitting in the other.

“Several men were playing cards when one of them accused a young cowhand of cheating. Everyone ignored the man, which must have angered him more. He pulled out a gun and shot the cowboy. My uncle removed the bullet and is still keeping watch over him. We hope he’ll pull through.”

“Can anyone identify the man who shot him?” Dax leaned forward in his seat, his eyes fixed on Rachel.

“Perhaps the bartender or others who were there last night can. He wasn’t alone. Apparently, they all rode out of town after the shooting. That’s the fourth shooting in six weeks, not counting Mr. Wilson.”

“And why are you telling us this?” Dax asked, knowing there must be a reason why she’d taken time out of her day to ride all the way to their ranch to deliver this information.

She straightened, moving up to the edge of the divan and folding her hands in her lap. “No one in Splendor is interested in taking the position as sheriff. My uncle and several others have sent queries out, without success.”

“And you came here to see if one of us would be interested in the position, correct?” Dax stood and walked over to the desk, crossing his arms and leaning a hip against the edge.

“You must understand. The town wasn’t like this before the sheriff was murdered. He kept the town clean.”

“Appears someone didn’t appreciate the fine job he did.” Luke stretched his legs out, trying to relieve the ache in the one with the old bullet wound.

She looked from one to the other, hoping to see some spark of interest. Both faces remained impassive.

“I know you have a ranch to run and you plan to return to Texas. All I’m asking is that you consider helping us while you’re here.”

Her tongue flicked out to moisten her lips, a nervous reaction which created an immediate impact on Dax. He shifted his stance and dropped his arms to his sides before taking a seat behind the desk.

“I appreciate the confidence you have in us, Miss Davenport, but I’ve got more than I can handle with the threats to our men. Luke?” Dax’s dismissive tone sliced through Rachel.

“I’m sorry, but I agree with Dax. Right now, we need to focus on this place, then get back to our regular jobs.”

“As Texas Rangers.” She’d hoped at least one of them would offer to help. She believed they’d see and acknowledge the need. Her hopes fell at the realization neither felt the town merited their help.

“Yes.” Dax felt a pang of guilt at declining her plea. “We could send a telegraph to our captain. Perhaps he’ll know of someone who’d be interested.” He watched as her face fell and wished it could be otherwise.

Rachel grasped her reticule and stood, moving toward the door. “Well, thank you both for your time. I’m certain you have work to get back to.” Her voice held no censure, only disappointment.

“Miss Davenport, wait.” Dax took a few steps forward, stopping a foot away. Neither said a word.

“Guess I’d better get back to the men.” Luke glanced at his brother as he walked past them. “It was good to see you again, Miss Davenport.” He closed the door behind him, leaving the two alone in the study.

Rachel kept her gaze fixed on Dax, making no attempt to leave. She felt her chest rise and fall, incapable of drawing a full breath. Resentment rose within her at his refusal to assist her friends and neighbors. At the same time, desire flared, and with it, an almost desperate need for him to reach out and pull her close.

He couldn’t look away. He’d meant to ride into town, take her to supper, and spend a quiet evening getting to know her, asking all the questions that had been swirling through his mind. Yet the knowledge of her agreement to share a meal with King Tolbert held him back. Dax wondered about her relationship with the rancher and why it even bothered him. There was no place in his life for a woman from Montana, regardless of the attraction he felt.

He lifted a hand toward her face, intending to stroke his knuckles down her cheek, then pulled back and dropped his arm.

“About the night outside the clinic… I should never have asked to call on you.” He spoke in a gentle voice. “I’m sorry I haven’t said anything sooner or told you my plans had changed.”

Rachel tore her eyes away from him, confused by his comment and angry he’d apologized over something she’d hoped would happen. She’d been looking forward to a visit, perhaps supper with the captivating southerner. Now she knew why he’d never come by. He regretted asking her.

She drew herself up, lifting her chin and feeling a wave of humiliation at his regret over asking to call on her. She could feel the heat of embarrassment rise up her neck and face, but refused to turn away.

“It’s quite all right, Mr. Pelletier. I’d forgotten all about it.” She turned toward the door, then stopped. “Again, thank you for hearing me out. If you do learn of someone with an interest in helping us, please let my uncle know.”

Rachel walked the few steps to the front door and dashed down the porch steps. She grabbed Old Pete’s reins, mounted, and turned him toward town, not looking back to see Dax standing on the porch, hands shoved into his pockets, a look of disappointment and confusion playing across his face. She wanted to get as far away from him as fast as possible and, with luck, not lay eyes on Dax Pelletier for a good long time.