Chapter Eighteen
The Penderville gang sat around the campfire, sharing a bottle of whiskey as they waited for another man to join them. He’d been sent to Splendor a few months before to learn which locals had been involved in killing Chet and the rest of his men. Milt wanted to send a message, even if they couldn’t kill every man involved. Rustling in the bushes had the men standing, drawing their guns.
“Who’s out there?” Milt held his gun toward the sound, then relaxed as a lone figure stepped forward, hands in the air.
“It’s just me, big brother.” Monty Penderville lowered his hands, flashing the cocky grin he had used to get out of trouble since he was a boy. Slapping Milt’s back, then Harry’s, he glanced at the others. “About time you all showed up.” He grabbed the bottle Louis held out and took a long swallow.
“Sit down and tell us what you’ve learned.” Milt lowered himself onto a nearby log, leaned forward, and rested his arms on his knees.
“It was a smart move having me get a job at the lumber mill. Silas Jenks knows details about everyone in town.”
“And he was there the day of the bank robbery?” Harry asked, his gaze narrowing on his younger brother.
“Yes.” Monty took another pull from the bottle, then handed it off. “He didn’t participate, but saw most of it.”
“What happened? How did Chet die?”
“From what I learned, Chet was the second to die. They rode into town using wagons as cover. He took up a position behind the third one. When shots came from the bank, one of our men inside a wagon was shot first. Silas told me one of the local men, a former sharpshooter in the Union Army, picked off Chet next. The others died in the bank or as they left. Bobby was the last to die at the hand of one of the deputies. It happened fast.”
All the men had liked Bobby. The youngest in the gang, he’d been the quietest and most hesitant to use his gun. Naïve in most ways, none of them ever understood why he’d joined them, except to follow a man he’d fought with during the war. The man had grown up with the Pendervilles, understood their anger when General Lee surrendered, and wanted revenge as much as anyone. Bobby had followed him into the gang.
“The sharpshooter. Who is he?” Milt asked.
“Noah Brandt. He runs the livery.”
Milt repeated the name, committing it to memory. “And the deputy who shot Bobby?”
“Cash Coulter.”
Cash sat at the back of the church. Unlike Gabe and Beau, he didn’t attend every Sunday, preferring to keep watch on the town. This morning, he’d woken up, made coffee, and carried a cup to the jail. Stepping onto the boardwalk, he glanced up to see Alison walking toward him, a bible in her hand. She came to an abrupt halt when she saw him.
“Mrs. Burns.” He touched the brim of his hat, his greeting mocking her.
Stepping closer, she clutched the bible to her chest, not breaking eye contact. “Deputy.”
He knew he should keep quiet. Instead, the insult poured from his lips. “Going to church? Trying to find forgiveness for your transgressions?”
She stepped closer, trying to control the anger his words caused. The effort failed.
“Who are you to judge me, Cash Coulter? You refused to listen, hear my reasons for having people believe I’d been married.” Her chest heaved as the anger took hold. “I came hundreds of miles for a reason, and it’s a dang good one. One I believe you’d understand.”
“If it’s such a good reason, why didn’t you say something before we…” His voice trailed off as a vision of them together flashed through his mind. “You should have warned me, Allie. It could’ve been so much different if I’d known.”
Her blank expression told him how much she didn’t know about being with a man, making love.
“Tell me now. What was your reason?”
Shaking her head, she stepped away. “It’s too late now, Cash. You’ve lost your chance to learn the truth.” Turning her back to him, she dashed away, as if she couldn’t put him behind her fast enough.
Alison’s brisk dismissal didn’t surprise him, although it created a profound ache deep in his chest. He’d been wrong to walk away from the cabin, leaving her the way he did, refusing to listen to her explanations. Cash would have never imagined learning about her deceit the way he did, during what he’d expected to be one of many times making love to her. The knowledge stunned and angered him. It might have been different if he hadn’t allowed Alison to work her way past his defenses and carve a place in his heart.
As if pulled by an unexpected force, his feet moved toward the church. She’d been wrong to lie, but he’d been wrong to shut her out. Cash had intended to return to Alison’s shop, learn the reasons why she felt it necessary to lie to him and all her friends. Instead, he’d busied himself with work at the jail, took on some of Beau’s rounds at night, and offered to ride to outlying ranches to check on distant families. Before he knew it, a week had gone by.
Now he sat in the back of the church at the end of a pew across the aisle, a few rows behind her. She’d taken a seat next to Noah and Abby, who held Gabriel in her arms, rocking him back and forth as Reverend Paige spoke. Today’s message was about redemption and atoning for one’s misdeeds.
Staring straight ahead, Cash thought of his own actions during and after the war, knowing Alison wasn’t the only one with secrets. His might be discreetly tucked away so he could deal with them alone and in his own way, but they did exist.
Losing track of time, Cash startled at the sound of the choir singing the closing hymn. The people around him exited the pews and began to file past. He stood a moment, watching as Alison spoke to Noah and Abby. Shoving his hands in his coat pockets, he forced himself to leave, knowing he had unfinished business.
First, he’d send one more telegram to his source back east. And second, he’d find a way to get Alison to tell him what he’d refused to hear at the cabin. After all, he reasoned, there had to be a good reason for her to build a tale of deception. Once he learned it, perhaps they’d be able to put all the poor choices behind them…maybe finding a way to move forward.
“I’m so glad you could come, Alison.” Ginny hugged her, then turned to Noah and Abby to do the same. “May I hold him?” Nodding toward Gabriel, she reached her arms out.
Abby tucked the blanket closer around him, then slid the baby into Ginny’s arms. She and Luke had been wanting to start a family. Each month, Abby watched Ginny try to hide her disappointment. Then she’d push it aside and draw upon the hope she’d learned to lean upon since arriving in Splendor.
“Did you ride out with Noah and Abby?” Ginny asked Alison as she rocked Gabriel in her arms.
“Yes. They offered when I sat next to them in church.” Looking around, Alison recognized most of the people, relaxing when she failed to see one specific face. She didn’t believe he’d seen her taking quick glances at him over her shoulder during the service.
The brief triumph she felt at displaying her anger didn’t last long before being replaced by guilt. Lashing out at Cash would achieve nothing. It had been her deception that caused his ire and hurtful words.
“There they are now.” Rachel dashed outside as Bull pulled the wagon to a stop, then helped Lydia down. She’d never seen such bright smiles on either of their faces, feeling a spear of warmth rush through her. “It’s good to have you back here, Lydia, if only for one day.” Hugging her, then Bull, she grabbed Lydia’s hand, leading her up the steps.
With the arrival of the guests of honor, the noise level increased as the men slapped Bull’s back, offering their congratulations, and the women broke into groups to discuss the upcoming wedding.
“She’ll need a dress, Alison.” Abby’s enthusiasm showed, even though it meant she and Noah would need to find someone new to help with Gabriel.
“What a wonderful idea,” Caro agreed.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Lydia interjected. “Bull may not have the money for such an extravagance.”
Abby shot a quick look at Rachel, Ginny, and Caro, all smiling. “Then it will be our wedding present to you.”
“And I’d be glad to donate my time.” Alison couldn’t think of a better gift than designing a dress guaranteed to take Bull’s breath away.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“I want to, Lydia. Please. Let me do this for you.” Alison’s eyes glowed with satisfaction when Lydia nodded, then began to fade when she heard a familiar voice coming from behind her. Her stomach plummeted when the ladies turned to greet Cash, who walked in with Gabe and Lena.
“Good to see you.” Dax shook hands with Gabe and Cash. “Beau stay behind?”
Gabe glanced at the group of women who stood together across the room. “We needed to leave someone in town and he volunteered. I don’t think he wanted to take a chance of seeing Caro. He’s not taking her leaving too well.” Gabe had known Caroline since they were children and understood her need to pursue her dreams. As a widow, she had the means. She also had the temperament and sense of adventure to travel alone.
“What man would?” Luke asked as he and Bull joined them.
“How are you doing? Changed your mind yet?” Gabe asked, clasping Bull on the shoulder.
“Never. I finally have all I want.” He shifted his gaze to Lydia, whose face lit up when she saw him watching her.
Cash watched the two of them, an odd sense of longing passing through him. Then he saw Allie standing next to Caro at one end of the dining room. Caro’s hands flashed in an animated fashion as she spoke to Alison, who kept glancing toward him, then looking away.
Forgetting their earlier encounter, Cash excused himself from the group of men and walked toward her. Ignoring the warning in her eyes, he continued forward.
“Hello, Cash.” When Caro looked behind him, he wondered if she had hoped Beau had come along.
“Caro,” he greeted before turning his gaze on Alison. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Burns.” His voice lacked the smug tone of earlier.
“Deputy Coulter.”
Cash watched as Caro glanced between the two of them. Most of the town knew they’d been seeing each other, and he was certain their cool tone had her confused.
“Doesn’t Lydia look happy?” Caro gestured toward the living room where Lydia had joined Bull, her hand clutching his. “It’s so good to see them together.”
A sadness tugged at Alison’s heart as she watched the two of them laughing at something Luke said. She didn’t know them well. She’d helped Lydia only once, with a dress she’d purchased at the general store, yet felt more of a connection with them and the people in this house, than she had with anyone in Kentucky. The anger and need for revenge, which had brought her to Splendor, no longer held her captive as they once did.
“I have the perfect fabric for her dress. It is embroidered silk…” Alison’s voice trailed off when she saw Cash watching her. Thankfully, Rachel chose that moment to join them.
“What color is it?” Caro asked.
“What color is what?” Rachel glanced at Alison.
“I thought the fabric you liked so much in my shop, the green silk, would be perfect for Lydia’s dress.”
“Oh my, yes. It’s perfect for her. Do you have a design?” Rachel asked, glancing at Cash, who didn’t seem to be put off by their conversation.
“Yes. It’s in my head.” Alison looked at her empty punch glass and shrugged. “I believe I’ll get some more.”
Without a word, Cash left with her, taking the glass from her hand and filling it.
“Is it good?”
“The punch?” Alison asked. “I’m guessing you wouldn’t find it as satisfying as the whiskey you prefer.” She held the glass up. “Try it and tell me what you think.”
Reaching out, he clasped his hand around hers on the glass, feeling the same surge of sensations he did each time they touched. His eyes didn’t waver as he brought the glass to his lips and took a sip, grimacing at the taste.
“I concede. The punch does seem more suitable for the ladies.”
Tugging slightly, she drew her hand away, her expression resigned. “Then I’ll let you join the men and pour yourself a more suitable men’s drink.” As she began to turn away, Cash’s hand settled on her arm, stilling her retreat.
“Walk with me, Allie.”
Her brows knit together as her head tilted to one side. “Why? I don’t believe we have anything to talk about.”
He leaned toward her, lowering his voice as he spoke in her ear. “I need to know why. You had reasons for pretending to be a widow, for traveling so far from your home. I want to know those reasons.”
Alison’s lips drew into a thin line. She’d offered to explain, almost begged him to listen to her. He’d chosen to walk away. Afterwards, her relief had been great. She had no idea how she could have explained the true reasons for being in Splendor without creating a new circle of lies.
Something inside nagged at her to come up with a confession he could accept without giving away the truth or making the situation worse. She needed time.
“All right, but not here at Bull and Lydia’s party. I’ll be working long days to finish some orders. After I close the shop on Thursday is the earliest I could meet you.”
As much as he wanted to learn the truth today, he didn’t want to push. She’d agreed to give him answers, which was more than she’d offered that morning.
“I’ll come to the shop on Thursday.”
“All right, everyone.” Dax stood in the center of the room, a glass in his hand. “Whatever you’re drinking, it’s time to make a toast to Bull and Lydia.”
Dax’s voice faded into the background. Agreeing to meet with Cash had only increased Alison’s anxiety. She needed to come up with a story he’d believe, one close to the truth that didn’t paint her as a woman out for revenge…and she had four days to do it.