Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) (7 page)

Her words cut as if a sword had sliced clear through him. She’d changed her mind, no longer wanted him or a future together. He should be glad and not feeling as if his world had come crashing down. In his heart, he knew Abby deserved better. She’d just made it clear her conclusions were the same as his.

“I’ll take you to Splendor, help you in any way possible to build your dream, but I will not accept your apology.” He turned, walking toward his horse.

“But, Noah…” She ran after him, touching his arm, trying to get him to stop.

“I won’t accept it because there’s no need for one. You’ve made your decision, which is how it should be.” He settled his hands on his hips and took a slow breath. “I need to get more supplies. We can buy a horse and saddle for you, or you can ride with me, whatever you prefer, but we need to leave soon.”

Abby flinched at his cold voice and hard expression. She’d seen him angry, attentive, relaxed, laughing, but never the look of indifference he offered now.

“I’ll ride behind you.”

He nodded. “Then be ready to leave within the hour. It will be hard riding with few stops as we need to cover as much ground as possible. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Without another word, he grabbed Tempest’s reins and walked to the general store. She watched his retreating back, wishing a life with Noah had been possible. All she had to do was get through the next few days. Perhaps by the time they reached Splendor, she would begin to believe the words she’d spoken, leave her feelings for Noah behind, and start a new life.

“I’m sorry to lose your company, but understand Mr. Brandt’s concerns,” Beau said, preparing to enter the coach for the final part of his trip.

“I have the same concerns. If my father’s men find me, I’ll have no choice but to return to the ranch. If that happens, I fear I’ll never be free to make my own decisions.”

“It seems you’ve made the right choice. I hope to see you in Splendor, Miss Tolbert, and wish you a safe trip.”

“You, as well, Mr. Davis.” She waited for him to board the stage, watching as the driver slapped the reins. She raised her hand to wave before covering her face from the dust, hoping she would see him again.

“Are you ready?”

She’d been so focused on Beau, she hadn’t noticed Noah standing beside her, an impatient hand on his hip.

“I wanted to tell him my plans. I’m ready now.”

He swung up on Tempest, then steadied him as Abby placed her foot in the stirrup and mounted.

“Hold tight, Abby. I don’t want you falling off.”

It didn’t take long for Abby to realize her mistake in riding behind Noah with her arms wrapped around his waist, her chest tight against his back. She could feel each shift, every constriction of his muscles, every breath. When she’d try to ease back, he’d grab her arms and pull her closer, then rest one large, calloused palm on her joined hands.

She didn’t know how long they rode, turning south a few miles, then west before veering north. By stage, it took several hours to reach Big Pine from Moosejaw. On horseback, it should take less. When the sun fell behind the western horizon, she leaned forward, close to his ear.

“How long?”

He glanced over his shoulder. “How long what?”

“Until we stop.”

Noah had been so focused on ignoring the woman whose body aligned perfectly with his that he’d lost track of time. He winced at the discomfort she must feel.

“We’ll stop up there.” He reined Tempest toward a stand of trees, then pulled to a stop, letting her slide off before he dismounted. Reaching into a saddlebag, he pulled out a water sack and small pouch, handing them to Abby. “I’ll set up camp.”

“We’re staying here?” She looked around, seeing nothing for miles.

“Did you expect a hotel?” he shot back, then walked away, leaving her standing alone.

Abby didn’t try to reply. Instead, she took a drink of water, then opened the pouch, biting into the hardtack and retrieving a section of jerky. She watched him walk several yards before descending a slope. His head bobbed up and down as he bent, then straightened, loading his arms with stray bits of broken branches and anything else they could burn. Setting down the water and hardtack, she walked toward him, mimicking his efforts at rounding up enough wood for a fire.

“I can handle this. Why don’t you pull down the bedrolls?” Noah asked, not looking at her, doing his best to calm his agitated body.

She tried to do the same as she walked back toward Tempest, dumped a few branches on the ground, and pulled the ties on the bedrolls. She shook them out, placing them side by side under the trees, then sat down, tucking her legs beneath her.

Noah came over the rise and stopped when he saw how she’d laid out the bedding. Lying so close to her wouldn’t work, at least not for him. He’d take care of Tempest, start a fire, then move his bedroll a safe distance away from hers.

He untied the saddlebags, tossing them to her. “I didn’t bring much besides the hardtack, jerky, and some dried fruit Suzanne packed for me.” He tossed her the pouch full of apples. “There’s another one, so eat as much as you want. We’ll get an early start tomorrow and be in Splendor by midday.”

Once the fire glowed and Tempest grazed several yards away, Noah grabbed his saddle and bedroll, moving both to the other side of the fire and away from Abby. Although almost dark, enough of a moon remained for him to scan the hills. In country this wide open, it would be hard for anyone to sneak up on them, but he wouldn’t take chances. He sat, then propped himself against the saddle, stretching out his legs and crossing his arms, facing away from Abby.

It had been harder than he thought to ride all afternoon with her tucked behind him, trying to reconcile what he believed to be right with what he wanted. For so long he’d told himself he wasn’t the man for her and he’d finally thought he believed it—until she’d told him what she felt had never been real. Maybe it hadn’t been real for her, but it sure as hell felt real to him.

Knowing he wasn’t right for her meant little when the ache in his chest grew with each mile. He’d be glad to get to Splendor, leave her with Suzanne, and vanish to his cabin. Toby would be fine running the store, and the smithy work would just have to wait.

Chapter Six

The rain started a mile before Splendor, sheets of water blowing toward them and slowing their progress. Noah pulled out his duster several miles back, wrapping it around Abby. Even so, he knew she’d be drenched by the time they reached Suzanne’s.

Black clouds turned the sky dark when he reined Tempest to a stop. Letting Abby go would be much tougher than he imagined. Having her arms wrapped around him for hours, holding tight, had been both heaven and hell. Cursing under his breath the entire ride, he’d shifted in the saddle several times to relieve his discomfort.

The reality of the unexpected change in her feelings hit hard. He’d still see her in town, but it wouldn’t be the same. She’d find work, meet someone, and build a life without him. Noah experienced worse setbacks in his life, although he couldn’t recall what they were at the moment.

“Good heavens.” Suzanne ran outside as Abby slid to the ground and ducked under the shelter of the building’s overhang. Engulfed in Suzanne’s waiting embrace, they dashed inside where a fire burned in the parlor.

Noah debated what to do next. First, he’d grab the small leather satchel Abby used for her personal belongings. He’d drop it inside, then ride off—leave for the cabin before the storm got worse. Grabbing the bag, he stepped up to the boardinghouse door as Suzanne pulled it open.

“I wondered if you were coming in.” She motioned him inside. “How about coffee?”

“Another time. I’ll leave this and be on my way.” He held out the bag, then turned to leave.

“Absolutely not. You aren’t going anywhere until you’ve had a decent meal. Now, follow me to the kitchen.”

He groaned, but did as she asked, finding Abby seated at the table Suzanne reserved for herself and close friends who visited.

They’d spoken just a few words since starting the last part of the journey at sunup and Noah didn’t want to start a conversation now. He’d eat and then leave, knowing all would go well now that Abby had been safely delivered to Suzanne’s.

Abby stood next to Suzanne washing dishes, trying to hide the misery she felt at Noah riding away. He’d kept his promise—getting her home without running into her father’s men. She’d thanked him as he walked out the door. He held her gaze for a moment, then left without a word.

With any luck at all, her father wouldn’t learn of her return until she’d had a chance to speak with a few people about work, starting with Horace Clausen at the bank.

“Did you and Noah talk?” Suzanne dried the last plate, wiped her hands, and turned toward Abby.

“Of course we talked.” She tossed the dish towel on the counter without looking up.

Suzanne crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “I mean about the two of you.”

Abby slid her hands down the front of the apron, then turned her gaze to Suzanne. “I told him the truth.”

“Which is?”

She sat down at the table, repeating the discussion she had with Noah in Moosejaw, leaving nothing out.

Suzanne let out a breath, not saying anything for several moments as she absorbed Abby’s words. She knew Abby had strong feelings for Noah that had nothing to do with her age. By twenty, most women in the frontier were married, many already having children. Abby was past that age, even if not by much, and knew her mind.

“Why did you lie to him?” The desolate expression on Abby’s face broke Suzanne’s heart.

“Because I had to let him go. I’m not what he wants or he would have made his intentions clear long ago. He had a chance to tell me at the church. Instead, he set me aside, acting as if…as if…” She stumbled over the words as her voice shook. “He just doesn’t want me.” She rocked to and fro as her voice broke.

Suzanne placed a comforting hand on Abby’s arm. She knew enough about Noah to understand his feelings for Abby ran deep, suspecting he didn’t feel worthy of her. She supposed his misgivings were understandable given the way King Tolbert treated him, as if he were too far beneath Abby to even consider courting her. However, she also blamed Noah.

At this point, the two were at an impasse. If Abby found a job, a way to support herself and stay in town, the two might find a way back to each other. They could also find that what they felt for each other wasn’t deep enough to forge a lifetime bond. For now, Suzanne comforted herself with the knowledge Abby was safe and Tolbert would no longer be able to control her every action.