Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) (5 page)

“Train’s on its way.” The railroad attendant walked outside, then paced back and forth. “Not too many getting on here. You two and another couple. I hear the weather’s pretty good going west.” He stopped and looked down the tracks as the train rounded a bend and headed toward them. He looked at Abby’s bag. “Is that all you have, miss?”

“Yes. Just the one.”

He reached down to grab it, but Beau beat him to it. “I’ll take care of it.” He took her bag in one hand and his in the other as the train pulled to a stop. “After you, Miss Tolbert.”

Although numerous passengers exited the train, it took them several minutes to find adjoining seats.

“Appears we won’t lack for company on the trip.” He pulled out a small bottle from his inside coat pocket, opened the top, wiped the top, and offered it to Abby. “Would you care for a drink?”

She stared at the bottle, surprised he offered. She’d never had whiskey, and brandy on only one occasion.

“I don’t think—”

“It may help you relax.”

She shifted in her seat as the train started forward. “Well, perhaps one sip.” She took the bottle, put it to her lips, and swallowed a small amount, wincing at the strong, burning sensation, then choking as it went down.

“Never had whiskey?”

She choked again, then cleared her throat. “How could you tell?”

Beau laughed, took the bottle, then a long swallow, letting it trickle down his throat. “Ah, that does taste good.” He winked at Abby, then closed the bottle and slipped it back inside his coat. “Would you mind if I took a brief nap?”

“Not at all. I believe I’ll enjoy the scenery for a while.”

Abby rested her head against the seat and watched as the miles passed by, the combination of whiskey and the rolling railroad car relaxing her. An image of Noah crossed her mind. Tall, broad-shouldered, and so incredibly handsome. Her heart squeezed as she closed her eyes and drifted off.

Chapter Four

“I’m not surprised, Gabe. King went too far by sending her away without giving himself time to calm down and think through what happened.” Suzanne Briar sat in the kitchen of her boardinghouse with Gabe, drinking coffee as he explained Abby’s disappearance.

“You don’t believe she may have been abducted?”

Suzanne thought of Abby as a young girl after her mother died. She’d follow Suzanne around, clinging to her apron, asking questions, almost begging for the attention unattainable from her father.

“You know, King never gave her much of what mattered. She attended boarding and finishing schools in the east, seldom making trips back to Splendor, except at Christmas. She refused to return to Philadelphia after she graduated and came home. It was the first time I’d ever seen her stand up to King. She did it again when he threatened to send her away if she continued to see Noah. Do you know what she did? Explained to him what a good man Noah is, how much people respect him, and reminded her father of what he did to save Rachel and the others from those outlaws. She told him she had no intention of avoiding him.” She sipped her coffee, focusing her gaze on Gage. “So do I think someone abducted her? Of course not. She had no intention of reaching Philadelphia and never seeing Noah again. Now, I’m not a betting woman, but if I were, I’d wager we’ll see Abby back in Splendor in no more than three weeks.”

“You seem to know her better than anyone. What do you think she’ll do once she comes back?”

“Well, she won’t go back to the ranch. I hope she’ll come here. Beyond that, I don’t know.”

“Guess I’d better check with Griggs to see if I’ve received any responses to my telegrams. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold back Tolbert or Noah from going after her.”

“You don’t know?” Suzanne asked, surprised at the confused look Gabe flashed her.

“Know what?”

“Noah packed up and left early this morning.”

“Damn that man,” he swore, then looked at Suzanne. “My apologies.”

“It’s quite all right. What I don’t understand is why he didn’t tell you.”

“Because I asked him not to leave, at least until I got replies to my telegrams. He knew I’d try to talk him out of it so he took off before I could stop him. How’d you find out?”

“He came by to pick up some food for the trip. Told me he was on his way to Big Pine.”

“Thanks, Suzanne. I need to send another telegram to Sheriff Sterling in Big Pine. He’ll be the first person Noah will go see.”

It took Noah longer than he’d thought to finish the jobs he’d committed to at the livery, make sure Toby had what he needed during Noah’s absence, and close the cabin. His worry grew with each passing day until he’d finally tied his saddlebags onto Tempest and rode out.

Halfway to Big Pine, he spotted a Crow hunting party, which forced him to detour further south, losing precious time. It had taken him almost two days to reach the territorial capital.

The sun had set by the time he dragged himself into Sheriff Sterling’s office.

“Sheriff, I’m Noah Brandt. I rode in from Splendor and am looking for a woman who came through here about two weeks ago. Abigail Tolbert. Any chance you saw her?”

“Have a seat, Mr. Brandt. Coffee?”

“I’d appreciate it.” Noah slumped into a nearby chair, tossed his hat on the desk, and dragged a hand over his face.

“I got a telegram from Sheriff Evans asking the same question. I did see her and her father when they arrived. He planned to put her on the stage. She and her companion were to take the train to Philadelphia, if I remember right. I haven’t seen her since.”

“She left the train in St. Louis.”

“Evans said that in his telegram and asked me to keep watch for her. I guess he expects she’ll head back this way.”

“That’s what we’re hoping.” Noah drained his cup, then set it on Sterling’s desk.

“I’ve spoken to my deputies, asked them to watch for her. Unless she’s on a horse, she’ll have to take the stage through Moosejaw, then on to here. Someone will see her.”

“I appreciate your help.” He stood, picking up his hat. “I can’t wait around.”

“Didn’t believe you would.”

“I’ll be heading to Moosejaw in the morning, then follow the route until I find Abigail.”

“Hope you find her.” Sterling reached his hand out to clasp Noah’s.

“So do I.”

 “A couple more days and we’ll be in Moosejaw, then on to Big Pine. I know I’m ready to get off this stage.” Beau shifted in the seat as the coach bumped over a bad stretch of trail.

The stage served as the major means of transportation between the frontier towns not yet serviced by a railroad. Some thought the train might reach Big Pine within a few years. For now, travel occurred by horseback, wagon, or stagecoach.

“I agree with you, Mr. Davis.” The stage bounced along and Abby’s voice jerked with it. “I’ll have one more day in this contraption before reaching Splendor. Afterwards, I may never step into a stage again.”

Beau grinned. She’d been a good travel companion, never complained, asked few questions, and enjoyed the changing scenery as if she’d never seen it before. Abby had traveled this same route many times, yet she still seemed to find joy in the land.

“What will you do when you reach Splendor?”

“Visit my friend who owns the boardinghouse, then look for work.”

“And your father?”

“I’m certain he’ll learn of my return within a day or two, but I won’t return to the ranch.”

“And if you can’t find work?”

She glanced over at him, then shifted her gaze back outside. The same question had repeated in Abby’s mind over and over since leaving St. Louis. She’d finally decided not to think about the possibility she may not find work. She would, and that was the end of it.

“I’ll find work, even if it’s washing dishes or sweeping floors.”

“I appreciate you riding out with the news.” King Tolbert turned away from Gabe, signaling for his foreman and a few ranch hands to join them.

“What are your intentions now that you know the sheriff in St. Louis learned Abigail took the train west?” Gabe asked. His gut told him Tolbert would send men for her. If they encountered Noah searching for Abby—or worse, found him with her—Gabe wasn’t sure they wouldn’t shoot first, not caring about an explanation.

“I’m going to send my men to intercept Abigail and return her to me.”

“Would it not be more prudent to wait until she arrives in Splendor? Why work shorthanded when it appears she’s on her way home without a formal escort?”

“Because she’s willful and I can’t depend on her coming here. Her feelings for Brandt may cause her to make yet another bad decision, perhaps even going to him instead of returning to the ranch. I can’t allow that to happen.”

“If she’s as willful as you claim, your actions may cause her to refuse the help you send. She is a grown woman and does have the right to turn your men away.”

“She’s still a child, Sheriff. Her judgment is impaired and I’ll not have her on her own, perhaps ruining any chance for an appropriate match. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Gabe swung up on Blackheart, deciding to return to town and send word to Noah. He’d said his peace, warned Tolbert of the consequences of his actions. Now he needed to get a message to his friend and hope it reached Noah in time.

He’d made it as far as the fork in the road leading to the Pelletier ranch when a group of riders, Dax out front, intercepted him.

“We were coming to see you. Luke spoke with Frank and Hiram Frey. They’re missing cattle. Discovered it when they consolidated their herd. Hiram sent word to us this morning and asked we pass it along to you.”

The Frey brothers owned a large spread southwest of the Pelletier ranch and a half-day’s ride to Splendor. It wasn’t unusual for them to send word to Dax or Luke, then ask it be sent on.

“They have any idea when it happened?” Gabe asked.

“Luke didn’t mention it. We’ve doubled our men. Any ideas who might be doing this?” Dax shifted in his saddle, looking behind him at his men.

“None. I’d feel better if Tolbert were missing cattle. At least I could rule him out.”

“You think he could be behind this?” Dax held no love for Tolbert after some actions ordered by him when the Pelletiers took over the ranch. The property passed to them when fellow Texas Ranger, Pat Hanes, died chasing a gang of bank robbers in Texas. Tolbert wanted the land for himself and did whatever he could to drive the brothers out. None of his actions dissuaded Dax and Luke from continuing the ranch Pat had started.

Gabe took off his hat and swiped an arm across his forehead. “No, I don’t. He’d have nothing to gain by setting up a gang of rustlers. Besides, he already has enough problems with Abigail.”

“Any word on where she might be?”

“The sheriff in St. Louis found out she left on a train heading west. Seems she’s decided to come home. Tolbert’s sending men after her.”

“I’d do the same in his situation,” Dax said. He and Rachel were expecting their first child and he already felt a strong measure of protectiveness toward the baby.

“Except Noah took off after her. I sure don’t want Tolbert’s men confronting him, especially if he has Abby.” Gabe settled his hat on his head and reined Blackheart toward town. “Looks as if I’ll need to find a few men to deputize, see if we can find out who’s stealing the cattle. First, I’ve got to send telegrams out, try to reach Noah.”