Redemption's Edge (17 page)

Rachel turned to her uncle. “What are you thinking, having him ride along with us?”

“I’m not certain what your issue is with Mr. Pelletier, but I’ll not refuse his offer. He’s right. The attack makes the trip more dangerous and we should have protection.”

“But you said—”

“I know what I said. The smart course is entirely something else.”

The truth dawned on Rachel. “You purposely baited him so he’d offer to help.” Her uncle didn’t respond. “Fine, don’t admit it. But know this. It will be a long and miserable trip.”

She stormed from the clinic, anger rolling off her. After making her decision to distance herself from the source of her unease, the last man she wanted to spend time with would be accompanying them on their trip. Dax and another cowboy from his ranch would be a part of their lives for at least four days. She groaned at the prospect of being in his company for so long.

Rachel grabbed a small bag and started to throw her necessities inside, along with a gun and bullets. It had been a long time since she’d had to fire the weapon and sincerely hoped she didn’t have to use it on this trip. However, a body would be foolish not to go prepared after what happened to the settlers. She set the bag near the door and undressed, pulling on her nightgown, then brushing out her hair before braiding it into a long strand.

She glanced into the mirror and winced at the slight wrinkles in the corners of both eyes. Most women were married by her age, or that seemed to be the custom before the war anyway. It sobered her to think she might never meet the right man, marry, and have children. Her mother had made it her mission to sort through the eligible beaus in Boston and present Rachel to them. She’d been unimpressed with each one. Only one man held her interest, triggered her heart to race and her body to experience wonderful, yet frightening emotions—Dax Pelletier. Admitting it galled her.

“Bull is the best man to take with you. We’ll be fine for a few days without him.” Luke worked on a frayed spot in Prince’s halter, then set the rope aside. “Unless you want me to go.”

“No, you’re needed here. I want to talk to one of the bankers in Big Pine, let him know the ranch may be for sale and discuss prices. I’ll speak to Horace Clausen when I return.”

“Sounds like the decision is final.”

Dax took off his hat and speared a hand through his hair, letting his arm drop to his side. “I’m not certain of my decision. All I do know is I’m not ready to assume leadership of a ranch, not even if the responsibilities are shared with you.”

Luke strolled to the back of the barn and threw open the doors, framing a spectacular view of the Territory Range. “It’s a sight, isn’t it?”

Dax joined his brother and stared out. “It surely is.”

“You’re ready to walk away from this?”

Dax glanced at his brother, unaware he’d begun to develop the same fondness for the land and the growing town as Luke. “I’m not ready to be tied to it, the same as I wasn’t ready to reclaim our place in Savannah. There’s more out there I need to see before settling down. And even when I am ready to stay in one place, I doubt it will be in a small town in Montana.”

“And Rachel?”

This time Dax’s head swiveled, his eyes locking on Luke’s. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Are you going to deny you have feelings for her? Hell, Dax, I’ve seen the way the two of you are with each other. I don’t know anything about her, but you? I can’t recall the last time a woman affected you the way she does. Are you certain you can ride out and leave her behind?”

Dax’s jaw worked, but he held his silence. He would not let a few lustful urges dictate what he did with his life. He’d make a choice to stay in Splendor or head back to Austin based on what he wanted, as he always did. No one dictated how he lived his life, certainly not one pretty nurse who lived in the far northwest frontier—and served on the wrong side of the line.

“You hear me good. She means nothing to me. I’ll make up my mind, regardless of how I feel about any woman.” He turned without another word, his face set in stone, and left the barn.

Dax’s indignation rose with each purposeful stride. Luke knew him better than anyone. How could he believe, even for a moment, his mind would be swayed by a saucy, smart female who irritated him more than anyone he’d ever met? He stormed up the front steps, almost slamming the front door on his way to the study. There wasn’t a chance he’d let a woman get under his skin enough to alter whatever he decided to do. Not...One...Chance.

Luke watched as Dax disappeared into the house, amusement sparking in his deep caramel-colored eyes. His brother was well and truly caught. He just hadn’t figured it out yet.

“Everyone ready?” Dax watched as Rachel settled onto the wagon seat next to her uncle and arranged her skirt. The sun had begun its climb over the eastern skyline. The day promised to be long. Dax expected they’d reach Big Pine at dusk, in time to take care of the horses, find rooms, and eat.

“We’re ready.” Charles signaled the horses with a gentle slap of the reins.

Bull rode behind the wagon. He waved to his boss and they were off.

The group stopped near a riverbank at noon, watered their horses, and ate the cold chicken and biscuits Rachel had packed. Bull leaned against a tree trunk, talking with the doctor, while Rachel walked along the edge of the water, listening to the ripples and watching the occasional trout resting in a nearby eddy. So far, the trip had been easy and, in Rachel’s mind, a relaxing change from the hectic pace at the clinic.

“We appreciate the food. Bull and I were prepared to eat jerky and hardtack.” Dax sipped from a canteen and then offered it to Rachel, who took a long drink.

She shrugged off his gratitude. “I’d made extra last night, knowing we’d need it today.”

“How long will you stay?” Dax heard the words tumble from his mouth, surprised he’d voiced the question he’d had on his mind since they’d met.

Rachel understood what he was asking. “I’m not sure. Perhaps two years, maybe forever. I know a life in Boston isn’t what I’m after. It’s so…” Her voice trailed off when she realized she’d started to reveal more about herself than intended.

“So?” Dax prompted.

She took a slow breath, considering her words. “Normal, I guess. When the war ended, I traveled home for a couple of months before starting the journey out here. Nothing much had changed since before the war. Friends still spoke about the same topics—fashion, social affairs, appropriate marriages—as if the relevance of those issues had remained unchanged. I no longer held similar interests. Perhaps I’d seen too much.” She glanced up at him. “Does that make sense?”

It made tremendous sense to Dax, although his neighbors and friends in Savannah had experienced a different type of war than those who lived in Boston. The south had been devastated, while the northeastern seaboard emerged relatively unscathed.

“It’s hard to imagine anyone not touched by the war. You and I experienced the carnage firsthand. Many didn’t.” His voice took on an introspective tone. “I haven’t decided if the experience will make me a better or worse person.”

Rachel absorbed his words, knowing his words could have come from her. She had yet to regain the light, frivolous attitude so much a part of her before the war, and doubted it would ever be within her grasp again. She turned to face him, staring into the depths of his deep gray eyes, and thought she understood what those eyes had beheld.

“From what I’ve seen, General, you are an honorable man and, I’m guessing, a better person for your experiences.” She flashed him a brief smile.

The impact of her words and smile shouldn’t have surprised Dax, yet they did. She had a way about her. The cloying banter, so much a fixture in conversations with women of the South, were lacking in Rachel’s life. Syrupy praise and false platitudes weren’t a part of her character.

“Rachel, I—” Dax’s words were cut off when both turned at the sound of Bull’s voice.

“Boss! You and Miss Davenport ready to head out?”

Dax waved to him. “We’re on our way.” He looked at Rachel. “It’s time we left.” A part of him was glad for the interruption. He wasn’t even certain what he’d been about to say. Rachel’s closeness had Dax wishing for things he’d pushed to the back of his mind, not to be visited until well into his future. She made him want to reexamine what he believed important, including his desire to return to Texas.

Within minutes, they were continuing their journey. All were surprised by the relative ease of the trip. It took over ten hours to reach Big Pine, yet they’d experienced not a single threat, nor had they seen another human being the entire day. They’d taken care of the horses, found rooms, and finished a quiet supper before turning in.

Rachel lay in bed, exhausted and glad half their journey was over. She’d spent most of the time trying not to focus on Dax and his unnerving presence. She’d hoped by walking away from the wagon during their noon meal, she’d be signaling her desire to be alone. A stroll along the river seemed perfect. But, within minutes, he’d come up beside her. It seemed strange how she’d felt, more than heard, his approach. She’d briefly considered telling him she needed space, then thought better of it. After all, he had taken several days of his time to escort them to Big Pine and deserved her appreciation, no matter how unwanted his company.

Their discussion by the river had done nothing except increase her interest in the man. Now, like at home, he haunted her thoughts, making her incapable of sleep. All she asked tonight was to be free of the persistent dream of him entering her room. One night of complete rest, without his presence during her sleep. Was that too much to ask?

Chapter Nine

Big Pine, Montana, the Territorial Capital

“You’re certain I can’t talk you into staying, planting roots in Big Pine?” Sheriff Parker Sterling made his last plea, hoping to lure the young man into signing on as a deputy. The town’s population had exploded over the past few years, making it the choice as the territorial capital. Along with the growth came an increase in incidents of theft and murder.

“I appreciate the offer, but my answer stands.” Gabriel Evans lifted his well over six foot frame from the chair and headed toward the door.

“Gabe?”

He looked over his shoulder at the sheriff.

“What rank were you anyway?”

He didn’t know why people still cared. For whatever reason, they did. “Colonel.”

Gabe walked into the cool night air, looking up and down the street, searching for a quiet place to have a couple of drinks and maybe play cards before turning in. He’d be up early the next morning, ride to Denver, then south again to Texas. He thought he might try his hand at riding as a Texas Ranger. He’d already been through California, staying in San Francisco a few months and working as a deputy before realizing the lifestyle in the bawdy town wasn’t what he sought.

He’d ridden through Utah, stopping briefly in the small settlement of Salt Lake before traveling north. He might not have headed toward Big Pine, except some liquored up fool and his partner jumped him not far from the capital. He’d overpowered them, trussed the men up, and hauled them to Big Pine and Sheriff Sterling. Gabe had been in town a week. Time to move on.

“Good evening, Gabe. What are you looking for tonight?” Dolly, a cute, petite redhead, sashayed his way, offering more than a drink and cards.

He tipped his hat and offered a warm smile. “Hello, Miss Dolly. Thought I’d come by for a whiskey, maybe some poker before I call it a night.”