Chapter Seventeen
Alison dressed in silence, slipping into her shoes and coat before taking one last look around the cabin. She doubted he’d ever bring her here again. Didn’t even know if he’d allow her to stay in Splendor. A few words from him could change the course of her hard work since she arrived. In many ways, the real purpose of her trip had been pushed aside, replaced by the sheer joy of finding success in her business. Along with success, she’d gained new friends—a commodity in short supply back home in Kentucky.
The man standing a few yards ahead of her had the means to change it all.
Alison tried to talk to him several times during the ride back, but he silenced her with a hard stare, one indicating he had no desire to hear anything she had to say. By the time they stopped in front of her store, she was tired and heartsick, ready to crawl into bed and never leave.
“I’ll take Joker back to Noah.” Cash dismounted, reaching up to help her down and take the reins.
“There’s no reason I can’t—”
“Go inside, Alison. I’ll take care of the horses.”
Staring at his back as he made an abrupt turn and began to walk away, she stepped onto the boardwalk, then halted.
“I want a chance to explain.”
She didn’t think he’d heard until she saw the slight stiffening of his back. Glancing over his shoulder, he made a slight turn, shaking his head.
“Leave it be for now. We will talk…just not today.”
It wasn’t much, a mere thread of hope, yet she clung to it. She’d never intended to care about Cash, to fall in love with him. The thought of tying herself to anyone in Splendor gained her nothing. Her intent had been to discover the truth of her brother’s death, deal with the killer, and ride out, leaving all she’d built behind in her quest for revenge. Meeting Cash and developing feelings for the taciturn lawman had never been part of her plan. Now she had to deal with the consequences of her deceit.
She’d been so swept up in her own desire, the building passion, and her body’s awakening need, she’d never thought of how her lie had no chance to stay hidden. Now the man she dreamed of, woke each morning thinking about, wanted nothing to do with her, might never allow her a chance to explain.
And truly, what would I say? Alison thought as she walked through the shop and up the stairs. Catching sight of her kitchen, the rumble of her stomach reminded her they’d never eaten. Her stomach had growled before they’d set foot in the cabin. Afterwards, all thoughts of food vanished as fast as Cash had.
Grabbing a tin from the cabinet over her sink, she pulled out a biscuit. It tasted dry and stale, even though she’d purchased them a few days ago. Setting it on the counter, she took a seat at the small table and clasped her hands, working to control the tremor which haunted her since he’d discovered her lies.
Her first thought had been to explain her true reasons for being in Splendor. Considering her choices now, hours later and sitting alone in her room, Alison knew he’d done her a favor by closing himself off. Telling Cash the truth would only push them further apart—if that were even possible. As a deputy, he might have arrested her for voicing her desire to find Bobby’s killer and make him pay.
Standing, she took the few steps to her bed, slipped out of her dress and shoes, then drew back the covers. The sun had finished its descent behind the Redemption Mountain Range, yet her body didn’t want to do anything except rest. Heeding the deep weariness, she remained under the covers to stare at the ceiling. Maybe when she woke, Alison would be able to better deal with what had happened, maybe devise an explanation Cash would accept, maybe salvage whatever friendship they’d started. And maybe bulls can give milk, she thought, shutting her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
“Where’ve you been all day?” Gabe leaned his back against the bar at the Rose, a cup of coffee in his hand, as he scanned the early evening crowd.
Cash nodded to the bartender when he held up a bottle of whiskey. Pushing his hat off his forehead, he thought of the day which had started with such promise and ended with a bitter taste.
“Took a ride up to Survivor Pass.” Accepting the glass of whiskey, he took a sip, tempted to consume it in one gulp. Getting drunk wouldn’t change the reality of what had happened. Besides, if he had too much to drink, he’d be tempted to storm back to Alison’s and demand the truth. Fact was, he didn’t know if he’d be able to handle her version of it. Cash had no doubt she’d try to cover up the truth until no other possibilities remained except her real reasons for being in Splendor.
“Didn’t I see you ride out with Alison Burns?” Gabe studied him, aware something plagued his friend.
“Yes.” He took another swallow of whiskey, letting it coat his throat, trying to decide how much to say. As his boss, Cash believed he owed Gabe a warning about Alison and the fact she’d been feeding the town a load of lies. Her deception could be nothing, or she could be hiding a past more sinister than he wanted to consider. Perhaps she had her reasons, and they might be innocent. His instincts said otherwise.
“You going to share what’s going on with you and the young widow?” Gabe turned toward him, resting his elbow on the bar.
“Not much to share, except she isn’t a widow.”
Gabe’s brows knit together as he considered this new information. “Did she say why she’s been saying otherwise?”
“Nope, and I didn’t ask.”
“Might be a good idea to find out. There could be a valid reason she’s letting people believe she’s a widow.”
Cash emptied his glass, seeing the doors to the Rose push open as four men he’d never seen walked inside. Ignoring Gabe’s comments, he nodded toward the table where the men gathered.
“Do you know them?”
Gabe had been watching them, the same as Cash. On any given night, they’d often get one or two strangers passing through or looking for work on one of the local ranches. From the guns strapped around their waists, these men didn’t appear to be cowhands.
“Never seen them before.” His words were calm, although warnings buzzed in his head at the way the men looked around, as if gauging the others in the saloon.
“Could be part of the Penderville gang. I’d need to look at the wanted posters again, but none of these men look like Milton or Harrison.”
When he walked into the saloon, Cash had decided he would leave after one drink. He’d changed his mind once the strangers arrived. Holding his glass toward the bartender, he nodded for a refill.
“I agree. That doesn’t mean these men don’t work for them. I’m going to find Beau and have him join you here. I’ll head back to the jail to take another look at the wanted posters.” The knot in Gabe’s stomach tightened as he walked outside, a sure sign something was amiss. His instincts seldom failed him and he’d bet money the men who sat inside the Rose didn’t come to Splendor to attend Sunday church.
“Don’t look like we got much to worry about, Clem. The men in here wouldn’t lift a hand to stop us from taking what we want.” Louis grabbed the bottle they’d ordered and filled his glass.
“Didn’t you see the sheriff and a deputy at the bar when we walked in? That’s two who’ll try to stop us, and there could be more. Don’t forget this is where Chet and the rest of them lost their lives.” Clem watched as the sheriff stepped outside, hoping his departure meant the man had looked them over and decided they didn’t pose a threat. “Remember, we’re here to avenge Chet, not rob their bank.”
“Milt’s getting weak. We got almost nothing in Bloody Basin, then we skipped Big Pine, even though they have two of the largest banks in the territory. Now he has us sitting in a bar in a town so small you could spit at one end and have it end up at the other.” Louis leaned closer, glancing at the other men who’d ridden in with them. “I’m telling you, Clem. This ain’t right. And I don’t think Harry’s none too happy about our little detour, either.”
Clem kept his voice low, although the menace in it couldn’t be missed. “You keep your head about you, Louis. Milt’s done us good so far. It’s normal a man wants to avenge the death of his brother. If that’s what he wants, I say we get it done and get out of here.” He stopped, looking up as a shadow passed over the table.
“Good evening, gentlemen. I don’t believe I’ve seen you in Splendor before.”
Louis licked his lips, sending a warning look to the other three men. “Evening, Deputy. Me and the boys are passing through. May spend a few nights playing cards and drinking. Any problem with that?”
“Not as long as you don’t cause any trouble. If you abide by the laws and respect the townsfolk, we’re a pretty welcoming town.” He speared a look at each man, holding his gaze until all but Louis broke his stare. “What’s your name?”
“Friends call me Louis.” He kept his hands in clear view on top of the table.
“Your last name?”
“Well now, Deputy, I don’t recall ever having a real one. My daddy was a real sonofabitch. Never married my ma and took off when I was a young’un. Ma went by Jones, so I guess it’s as close as I ever got to a last name.”
Cash glanced toward the front to see Beau standing there, an amused expression on his face. Instead of joining them, he leaned against a post, arms crossed. The room had grown silent, and even from his spot several feet away, Cash knew Beau had heard at least some of the conversation. He turned his attention back to the visitors.
“Well, Louis Jones, you make certain you and your friends are out of town and on your way in three days. That gives you plenty of time to fill up on whatever it is you need. See the man over there?” He nodded toward Beau. “He’s another deputy. Truth is, he hasn’t seen much action in a while and is getting real fidgety. War kind of made him crazy, but it sure as hell didn’t hurt his aim. You understand me, Louis?”
“I understand you fine.”
“Three days, then I don’t want to see your faces around here again.” Cash placed a hand on the back of Louis’s chair and leaned down. “Just so we’re clear.”
Louis’s dark look lasted only a moment before he glanced away and nodded. “We’re clear, Deputy.”
Joining Beau near the front, Cash kept his back to the men as he spoke. “They are up to no good. I’ve given them three days to show their hand. We need to find out where they’re staying and alert some of the men in town. Feels dangerously like what happened last summer with the Penderville gang.”
“Gabe’s checking the posters now. I’ll stick around until they leave, then follow them to where they’re staying.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Beau, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Cash ground out before turning and taking his spot back at the bar.
Following him, Beau took a place beside him. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Just thought you’d want to go visit your lady friend tonight.”
“Well, you were wrong. I don’t have a lady friend. At least not anymore.”
Beau’s expression changed from good-humored taunting to concern. “So that’s how it is?”
“Afraid so. And don’t think we’re going to talk about it here. Tonight’s about those four men and working to not let this whiskey go to my head.” He took a slim sip, then set the glass down. “And all I wanted to do tonight was get drunk and fall into bed.”
Beau’s gaze swept over Cash’s face, seeing the drawn lines around his eyes, the pursed lips, and hard set of his jaw. He’d never known his friend to fall for a woman, so he had no real words of encouragement. All Beau knew was that he was about to lose the first woman he’d cared about in a long time, and he felt bad for any man going through the same pain.
“Looks like we’re both a couple of old fools. As soon as whatever these men have planned plays out, we’re going to go on one long binge and get female yearnings out of our system.” Beau picked up his glass, tilting it toward Cash. “I’m tired of fickle women who can’t make up their minds.”
“And those who lie,” Cash added.
Beau’s eyes widened a little before his face became a mask. “That, too.”
They each took a swallow, then settled back for a long night of watching the four newcomers play cards and drink.
“Alison, it’s Rachel and Ginny. Are you here?”
Hearing voices, Alison lifted her head from searching the thread box in her storage room. “I’m in the back. I’ll be right out.” She continued to look for the spool of a particular color of blue needed for Abby Brandt’s new dress. “Got you,” she muttered, picking up the spool and holding it to check the color. Slipping it into her sewing apron, she closed the curtain and walked to the front. “Sorry. I’ve been searching for something and finally found it. How are you ladies?”
She did her best to sound light, as if nothing weighed on her. In truth, each day without seeing or hearing from Cash caused her spirits to sink a little more. The fact she’d been the cause of his rejection made it all worse, and she had no idea how to turn her bad judgment around.
“We’re doing wonderfully. Getting ready for a party at the ranch tomorrow and we’d love to have you join us.” Rachel fingered a particularly beautiful bolt of fabric, wondering what she could have Alison make with it. “This is lovely.”
“I thought the same when I picked it out before leaving Kentucky. It may be a little too much for what most women need in Splendor, though.” Alison let out a deep sigh. She’d thought of making a dress from it for display in her window, yet she couldn’t bring herself to cut into it. The embroidered green silk needed to be saved for a special occasion.
“About tomorrow. Guests are coming out after church. You’ll know most everyone, and it will be a good chance for you to meet any you haven’t already.” Ginny considered Alison a moment, seeing none of the usual spark in her eyes. “Tell me if it’s none of my business, but are you feeling all right? You seem a little, well…down.”
“Do I?” She lowered her gaze, surprised Ginny had been able to detect her mood. “It may be because the shop has been quite busy, and I haven’t been sleeping well. Other than that, I’m feeling fine.” She hoped neither Ginny nor Rachel caught the slight tremor in her voice. It wouldn’t do to confide in these women. She wouldn’t know what to say, and the thought of lying made her stomach roil. “I’m not complaining. The shop is doing much better than I’d ever imagined. Losing a little sleep is a small price to pay, don’t you think?”
“You deserve every bit of success.” Rachel smiled at her. “I can’t imagine traveling out here alone to start a business. When I came, I already had a position waiting for me in my uncle’s clinic. Honestly, I don’t know if I would’ve made the trip otherwise.”
“And then you wouldn’t have meet Dax or had Patrick, Rachel. I’ve come to believe everything works out in time.” Ginny leaned against Alison’s cutting table, looking at her. “So tell us you’ll be coming to the party tomorrow.”
“I’d love to come, but I have no way to get there.”
“There will be plenty of people coming from church who’ll have room for you in their wagon,” Rachel said. “Or you can ride out with Cash. I’m sure he’d be pleased to accompany you.”
“Oh, no.” Alison’s eyes sparked at the thought of approaching Cash. “I wouldn’t want to impose on the deputy. I’ll find a ride with someone after church.”
Rachel glanced at Ginny, neither voicing what they thought.
“If you have any trouble, you’ll ride out with Luke and me. We’ll find someone to bring you home afterwards.”
“Thank you, Ginny.” She glanced at the door as the overhead bell chimed. “I suppose it’s time I got back to work.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Rachel called as they walked past the new arrival and opened the door.
“Wait.” Alison ran up to them, nodding at a woman with flaming red hair as she passed. “Are we celebrating something special tomorrow?”
“We certainly are.” Rachel’s eyes lit up, her mouth curving into a smile. “Bull asked Lydia to marry him.”