Redemption's Edge (37 page)

“And you’re certain the bounty hunter told them he knows where we’re camped?”

“That’s what the old man said.”

“All right. First, we need to move our camp. Tonight.”

“Where to?” Clark asked.

“Have you spotted any places to hide closer to their ranch?” Duff asked Jed.

“A couple of canyons leading into the Territory Ranch might work. The closest is at the base of Redemption Mountain, which butts up to the Pelletier place.”

“We’ll follow you there tonight, then you can ride back to join Bill. No sense pulling either of you out yet.”

“Then what?” Whitey’s voice still rippled with the anger he felt at his suspicions being ignored.

Duff faced his brother. “We get them alone and kill them.”

Rachel watched the sunrise from the hill behind their house. She’d found peace on more than one morning by carrying a cup of coffee up to the top and watching the yellow ball peek above the trees, washing the area in early light. Even though the nights still required a shawl or coat, the days were warming. She loved this spot and fantasized about building a small home right here one day so she could see the sun rise each morning and the moon rise at night.

She thought of Dax. Had it been only yesterday she’d told him she loved him and he didn’t respond? The ride back to town had been long and painful with the realization he didn’t share her feelings. How wrong she’d been to think he felt the same. At least she could now accept the truth about his reasons for leaving. They had everything to do with following his dream in Texas and nothing to do with her. She had, in fact, been a stop along his journey. It seemed odd she held no embarrassment or resentment about announcing her feelings. In fact, she felt the opposite. She’d rather he knew than always wonder how he would have responded if he’d known.

Rachel and her uncle had talked at length when she returned, making the decision to start their visits to the outer ranches today. He wasn’t expected to check on Tat and Johnny for a few days, which would give them plenty of time to visit the ranches on his list.

They’d take the wagon south out of town, toward the Murton ranch, then several miles further to the Weston ranch where he could check on their daughter, Janie, and possibly stay the night. Tomorrow, they’d travel to the Kuhn place, then make a last stop at the Frey ranch, staying the night before riding back to town the next day. Charles had seen only the Westons over the long winter and early spring, although he’d heard from Stan Peterman at the general store that all the families had made trips into Splendor a couple of times since Christmas. His concern wasn’t so much for the adults as for the children.

“Rachel, I thought I’d find you up here.” She looked up to see her uncle standing close by, watching the last bit of the sun coming up over the horizon. “We should get going if we hope to make it to the Weston ranch tonight.”

“You’re sure you’re up for this?” She stood, tossing out the last of her coffee.

“The wagon is loaded and Old Pete is hitched up. I’m ready.” He smiled down at her. She knew this type of medicine excited him—traveling to distant locations to meet with families who had little, if any, access to standard medical care. Even if they didn’t need him right now, they would at some point and they’d already be comfortable with him.

“All right. Let’s get started.”

It didn’t take Rachel long to throw a few items in a satchel, grab her coat, bonnet, and gloves, and meet Charles at the wagon. As she started to climb up, she stopped and ran back inside. Within minutes, she returned.

“I’m ready now.” She cast him a smile. “Almost forgot my gun. Does anyone in town know we’re going?” Rachel both looked forward to and dreaded the trip. She had little experience in the wild areas outside of town and knew of occasional reports of tragic endings to those who traveled alone.

“I spoke with Horace Clausen at the bank and Stan Peterman at the general store. They’ll tell everyone else.” He slapped the reins. “Peterman gave me directions along a portion of the river. He says it will take about four hours to get there, which will be a perfect time to stop and eat. It was smart of you to have Noah Brandt check on Old Pete when you got back yesterday. More than likely, he would have thrown at least one shoe halfway through the trip.”

“He’s a good man. We’re lucky to have him.”

Charles turned toward Rachel at her comment. She had yet to mention Dax since she’d returned from checking on Tat and Johnny, although she had asked him to continue their care while she stayed in Splendor. Both men were improving with each visit, enough so leaving town for three or four days wouldn’t be a problem. He knew his niece had strong feelings for the oldest brother, and his instincts told him Dax felt the same. He didn’t understand what stood in their way.

It took about an hour to reach the first ranch, and seconds for Tilly Murton to step outside to greet them. “What a wonderful surprise.” She waited for Rachel to climb down, then gave her new friend a quick hug. Tilly looked across the wagon. “Hello, Doctor Worthington. I’ll go get Ty and Gil.” She had made it halfway to the barn when her husband appeared, covered in dirt and hay.

Ty looked up to spot his wife and sweep her into a careful hug, letting her feet dangle inches from the ground.

“Ty, put me down.” Her laughter rang through the air as she turned her head toward the wagon. “We have company.”

He glanced up and set Tilly down, keeping his arm around her, and walked over to greet their guests. “Doc, Rachel, it’s good to see you. What brings you out this way?” He shook Charles’ hand and gave Rachel a brief hug.

“Nothing other than a sense it was time to visit some of my patients who don’t get to town much. It would be good to check on Tilly while we’re out this way.” He glanced at her, seeing the blush washing her face. “How are you doing?”

“I feel wonderful.” Tilly’s hand absently moved up to splay across her stomach.

“Why don’t we go inside and you can finish checking on Tilly while we rustle up some food?” Ty grasped her hand and started up the steps.

“We’ll meet you at the restaurant,” Luke called as Dax broke off from the group and walked toward the clinic. The brothers, plus Gabe and Cash, had spent a frustrating morning trying to locate Duff and Whitey Mayes. The camp where Cash first saw them had been abandoned, although the warm ashes from the fire told the men they’d missed their prey by hours. Even Cash’s solid tracking skills lost their trail over rocky paths and flowing streams.

“Doc, Rachel.” Dax pounded on the clinic door, getting no response. He looked up and down the boardwalk, then walked to the house in the back, thinking Rachel and the doctor might be taking their midday meal. Still no answer. He stalked back around to the front as Horace Clausen emerged from the bank.

“You looking for the doc?”

“I am. Have you seen him or Rachel today?”

“Spoke to him yesterday evening. He said they planned to visit some distant ranches and check on the families.”

“Any idea where?”

“Let’s see. As I recall, Charles mentioned stopping at the Murton place before heading toward the Weston, Kuhn, and Frey ranches. There’s little chance they’ll be back before day after tomorrow.”

“And you’re sure it was just the two of them?” Dax pulled off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. He couldn’t help the sense of foreboding at the knowledge they’d traveled alone into what amounted to wilderness country where the Mayes brothers and possibly Drake and his men might be hiding.

“As far as I know. Why?”

Dax spent a few minutes filling Clausen in on the outlaw gang, as well as Parnell Drake.

“Where’s the sheriff now?”

“In the restaurant.” Dax and Horace headed toward it at a fast pace.

“There he is. Looks like he’s got Clausen with him,” Luke said as he signaled Dax.

It didn’t take the men long to formulate a plan to notify the citizens of the possible threat from both groups.

“My guess is Duff and Whitey Mayes want Dax and me, but they may not be above robbing the bank while they’re in town. It might be best if you could close up for a couple of days.” Luke folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair.

“I can’t close down until the robbers are found. It could take days or weeks.” Clausen pulled a handkerchief from a pocket and wiped his face.

“What about posting guards?” Cash asked. “Perhaps a show of force would dissuade them from trying something in Splendor.”

“It’s a good thought, except who would we get?” Clausen asked. “Most of the townspeople have guns and know how to use them, but they’re not guards.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We know they’re after us.” Dax nodded toward his brother. “Seems doubtful they’d come after Luke and me, then try to stage a holdup at the bank.”

“Dax is right. Their targets are the men who killed their brother, which means they must get to Dax and Luke first. We have to make sure they don’t get what they want.” Gabe signaled Suzanne for more coffee, then waited until she’d left to continue. “They don’t want to catch them with a group of people as there’s more chance of one of them getting shot.”

“They’d have to follow us all of the time,” Luke said.

“Or have someone on the inside who knows where you’ll be each day.” Cash sipped the hot coffee.

The table fell silent as the men contemplated Cash’s words. It could mean someone they knew and trusted had been feeding information to the Mayes brothers.

“You believe someone tipped them off about you finding their camp?” Dax asked.

“I do.” Cash set his cup down and glanced outside. “Have you hired any new men?”

“Two came on a few days ago. Quiet. They do what they’re told but, from what Hank says, don’t join in.” Dax thought about his first introduction to the two men and the irritation he felt at Ted Jones for eyeing Rachel.

“What are their names?” Cash asked.

“Bob and Ted Jones.”

“Could be they’re part of the Mayes group. There isn’t much out on the three Olin brothers, not like there is on Duff and Whitey. I’d keep an eye on them and anyone else you aren’t sure about,” Gabe said.

Dax nodded as he thought through the rest of the men and wondered who might be feeding information to the Mayes brothers, or even to Drake. He hoped the ex-sergeant had simply decided to leave Montana. At this point, Dax didn’t care what happened to the man as long as he no longer posed a threat.

“Anything I can do?” Horace Clausen had remained silent during the exchange. Since moving out from back east, he’d had little experience with the type of men being discussed. The bank had never been threatened by robbers.

“Make sure the people who work for you are aware that known bank robbers have been spotted not far from Splendor, and tell them to be vigilant. If they make it into the bank, give them what they want and let them leave. We don’t want anyone hurt.” Gabe didn’t like not having additional men to keep watch on the bank, but he had no choice. His focus had to be on the immediate risk—finding a way to protect Dax and Luke.

“Guess I’ll be going now. Keep me informed.”

Again silence enveloped the group as the banker walked away. Trouble seemed to be surrounding their small town and there weren’t enough men to protect everyone.

“Did you speak with the doctor and Rachel?” Luke asked.

“She and the doc left early today, heading south of town to visit some families.” The fact Rachel might be riding right into the path of the Mayes group or Drake gnawed at Dax, yet he’d convinced himself the men were after him and Luke, not the town doctor and his niece. In his mind, Dax felt certain there’d be no reason for the outlaws to go after innocents who had little connection to the Pelletiers—at least no connection anyone knew about.