Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) (8 page)

“Abby, I saw Horace go into the bank. You might want to head over and talk to him now.” Suzanne stood at the base of the stairs, tossing a towel over her shoulder as she stepped back into the kitchen to finish the preparations for breakfast. The boardinghouse restaurant opened early, and her boarders and customers would start walking in and filling tables any minute.

“How do I look?” Abby stood still, nervous tension radiating through her body.

“Well, for wearing a dress one of the boarders left behind, you look good. As little as people have these days, it still surprises me to find what they’ve forgotten.”

“Or didn’t want in the first place,” Abby added, her tentative grin widening.

Eagerness mixed with fear coursed through her as she thought of meeting with Mr. Clausen. She knew he thought well of her, although his comments about a job may have come from courtesy rather than a genuine interest in her training. She reminded herself her father hadn’t cared a whit about the time she spent studying mathematics and bookkeeping. He’d seen her fit to act as his hostess and nothing more.

“Wish me luck, Suzanne.” Abby slid her reticule over her arm, grabbed a parasol, and stepped outside.

The storm passed during the night, leaving the street ankle deep in mud, even though the sun shown bright in the eastern sky. The bank stood at the opposite end of the main street, which posed a small problem. Abby hoped no one would recognize her during her brief walk, then send a rider to her father’s ranch. Her bonnet covered her hair, and she did her best to hide her face behind the parasol until she lowered it at the bank entrance. Glancing around, she opened the door and stepped inside, spotting Horace Clausen talking to his secretary.

“Good morning, Mr. Clausen.” She did her best to plaster a smile on her face, even as her stomach rolled with nervous tension.

“Hello, Miss Tolbert. I didn’t know you had returned to Splendor.” Clausen’s right brow raised a fraction.

“I wonder if I might have a word with you in private.”

“Of course. Please, come into my office.” He gestured to a chair before walking behind his desk. “I saw your father yesterday. I’m surprised he didn’t mention you were back in town.”

“He doesn’t know.” She cleared her throat, sliding her damp hands down the skirt of her dress.

“I see.” Clausen had known King Tolbert for years. As one of the bank’s largest depositors, he often spent several hours a month going over accounts with him. Even so, he detested the way Tolbert treated his daughter and others in town.

“I’m hopeful he won’t find out until I’ve found employment.”

Clausen folded his hands on the desk and leaned forward, beginning to understand her visit. If he were right, fate must be with both of them as one of his employees had left a week before and he’d been unable to replace him.

“When did you return?”

“Last night. I’m staying at Mrs. Briar’s.”

“I take it, other than Suzanne, I’m the first person you’ve spoken to about this?”

“One other person knows I’m in town, but he doesn’t know I’ve come to speak with you.”

“Would that be Mr. Brandt?”

“Yes, but please don’t ever tell my father. There’s already so much bitterness between them…” Her voice trailed off as she thought of what her father would do if he knew she’d spent two days and a night with Noah.

“I quite understand. Now, tell me why you’re here.”

She squared her shoulders and pulled out a small bundle of bills from her reticule. Placing it on the desk, she sat up straight, raising her gaze to his.

“For two reasons. First, I have a small sum of money. Not much, you understand, but enough to open an account.” She slid the bills toward him.

He counted them out, surprised at the sum. It was more than many of the smaller ranchers and shopkeepers were able to save.

“All right. And the second reason?”

“You once mentioned my bookkeeping skills might prove beneficial at the bank. What I need is a job, Mr. Clausen. I don’t care what, although I am trained to do books and have a gift for mathematics.”

He slowly stood, his thoughts hidden behind a neutral expression. Walking to the front of his desk, he crossed his arms and leaned against the edge. “You know, of course, what your father will say if he finds out you’re working?”

“Yes, I do, and I’m quite prepared to have words with him.”

His mouth twisted into a wry grin. “I see you understand your father quite well.”

“He can be formidable and controlling. But I’m a grown woman, Mr. Clausen, and am ready to move out on my own.”

“Most young women live at home until they marry. Few leave as you want to, unless their circumstances require it. Are you certain you’re ready for such a big change?”

“Yes, sir, I am.” She tilted her chin up in a small measure of defiance. “I’ve known it might come to this for a long time, although I hoped it wouldn’t.”

He dropped his arms to his sides, gripping the edge of the desk as he thought over her words. If Abigail came to work at the bank, Tolbert might be incensed enough to withdraw all his funds in retaliation. The bank had grown at a significant rate with the new people moving to Splendor and opening businesses or expanding their ranches, similar to the Pelletiers. Still, the loss of Tolbert’s money would be a blow.

“This may not be the smartest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m willing to hire you for a trial period. I lost my head teller and haven’t found a replacement. You have to be a quick learner—”

“I am, Mr. Clausen.” Abby’s heart pounded so hard she could almost hear it.

 Clausen stifled a chuckle at her enthusiasm. “Yes, I’m certain you are, Miss Tolbert.” He returned to his chair, opened a drawer, and pulled out a piece of paper, sliding it across the desk. “This explains your duties. I pay once a week. When would you care to start?”

Abby glanced up from the paper she held in shaky hands. “Tomorrow.”

“Aren’t you going to ask about the pay?”

Her eyes widened at the question. She been so focused on getting a job, she hadn’t thought of how much she would earn.

“I suppose whatever you paid the last person will be sufficient.”

Clausen cleared his throat, feeling his face blanch. His last teller had been a man who’d worked in a bank before traveling to Splendor. He wanted to be fair, although paying her the same was out of the question.

“I’ll do what I can, but I assure you, it will be fair.” He stood, grabbing her money for the deposit. “Welcome to the Bank of Splendor, Miss Tolbert. I look forward to seeing you bright and early tomorrow.”

Noah finished installing the door on the work shed he’d started before leaving on his search for Abby. With this task complete, he had no other excuses for his absence from town.

A week had passed since leaving her at Suzanne’s and coming to his cabin—a long time for a man to be away from his businesses. He wiped his dirty sleeve across his forehead, glancing at the sun as it dropped behind the nearby mountain range. Various shades of yellow, orange, and pink danced across the sky as the last rays shot skyward. He never grew tired of the sight.

Grabbing his empty coffee cup and rifle, he made his way into the cabin to eat the last of the stew warming on the wood stove.

Gabe had ridden out the day before to check on him and offer help with the tool shed. At least that’s what he’d said. Noah suspected his visit had more to do with his friend letting him know Clausen had hired Abby. No one had yet seen Tolbert, although Gabe expected fireworks when the rancher heard the news.

“You’ve seen her?” Noah asked, filling Gabe’s cup once more.

“I did. Spoke to her when I had supper at Suzanne’s.”

Noah waited for Gabe to continue, hoping he didn’t have to push him for more information.

“She started yesterday.” Gabe sipped the coffee and shook his head. “She couldn’t contain her excitement and can’t wait to go back on Monday. Who would’ve thought a job in a bank would mean so much to a woman who doesn’t need the work.”

Pride swelled within Noah. On more than one occasion, Abby had told him of her desire to use her skills in some fashion, and now she’d found the opportunity.

“Your woman wouldn’t be home and working if you hadn’t gone after her.” Gabe finished his coffee and stood.

“She’s not my woman,” Noah growled.

“And whose fault is that? You’re gonna be one sorry son of a bitch if you let someone else step in and take her away.”

Noah knew that, but he had no choice, not after learning she no longer cared for him.

“She made it clear her feelings for me have changed. It’s best for both of us.” He tossed the last of his coffee out onto the dirt and shot a pained look at Gabe. “Don’t you have work back in town?”

He didn’t respond before stepping off the porch, grabbing Blackheart’s reins, and swinging into the saddle. “You ever think she may have said that for
your
benefit?”

Noah’s startled expression swung to Gabe. “What are you talking about?”

“Think about it. You might come to a different conclusion.” Gabe settled his hat firmly on his head and left, leaving Noah to try to make sense of his words.

While continuing work on the shed, Noah pondered Gabe’s parting comments, wondering what his friend had meant. In his mind, Abby had been clear, letting him know she no longer found him to be the man she wanted. The pain at her declaration had been intense, ripping through his heart, never letting up on their ride to Splendor or during his time at the cabin. He’d cut boards, pounded nails, and done everything he knew to purge himself of her, yet nothing worked. And Gabe’s words made it worse, stirring up hope where none existed.

He scraped the last of the stew from the plate, shoveling it into his mouth in a stabbing motion more out of frustration than hunger. He’d planned to get a good night’s sleep and ride to Splendor in the morning, but the agitation he felt told him sleep wouldn’t come soon and he might as well head out tonight. The moon shone bright and Tempest knew the way through the trees. He’d stop at the Wild Rose, have a couple drinks, then return to the small sleeping quarters at the back of his livery.

Saturday nights were good at the Rose. Perhaps he’d see the boys from the Pelletier ranch, swap stories, and listen to the new piano Amos brought in from the east—his response to the entertainment at the new saloon, the Dixie, which opened a few months before.

As he finished tying the saddlebags on Tempest and swung into the saddle, a night at the Rose started to sound better and better. Maybe he’d even have more than two drinks and break his standing rule of not partaking in the offers by the women in the saloon. A grim smile played across his face at the thought. Perhaps tonight he’d start a new path, pushing Abigail Tolbert from his mind and heart altogether.

Chapter Seven

“Hey, Noah. I heard you were back.” Bull Mason, one of the top hands at the Pelletier ranch, held out his hand. “Also heard you brought Miss Tolbert back with you.”

Noah pulled out a chair next to Bull, signaling for a drink.

“She’d decided to come home anyway. I just accompanied her, nothing more.” He sipped the whiskey and settled back. “Haven’t seen her since I dropped her off at Suzanne’s.”

Bull narrowed his eyes and studied Noah. The whole town knew how the two felt about each other and figured they’d soon start courting openly. “That right?” he asked, trying to get Noah to talk.

Noah ignored Bull’s scrutiny. He didn’t want to discuss Abby, her father, or anything having to do with the past. “I’ve been at my cabin.”

Bull took the hint, glancing around the table at the other ranch hands who’d remained silent. “You in?” he asked Noah, referring to the ongoing card game.

“Yeah, I’m in.”

“Dax saw Miss Tolbert working in the bank when he came to town yesterday.” Travis Dixon, another of the Pelletier men and one who rarely came out on a Saturday night, tossed down a couple cards and leaned back. “You think her pa knows?”

“I believe we’d all have heard about it if Tolbert knew.” Noah tossed back the last of his whiskey, then fell silent.

“Well, look who’s returned.” Dinah, one of the newest women at the Rose, placed a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “Thought you’d left the territory.”

“Not yet,” Noah answered, glancing at her rouged cheeks and painted lips. He’d heard she was a favorite of the men at Tolbert’s ranch. Until tonight, he’d never considered visiting with her or any of Amos’ women. Somehow, trekking up the stairs held little appeal as he relaxed with his friends.

“You want to celebrate your return with something special?” She squeezed Noah’s shoulder, hoping to entice him to her bed.

The men around the table shot looks between themselves, knowing Noah’s aversion to taking his pleasure so everyone would know. Of all the men in Splendor, he kept his life private, sharing little of his past, even with those who’d known him since he first set foot in town.

“Not now, Dinah. Maybe later.”

“You let me know, honey. I’ll be waiting.” She flashed a smile around the table before moving on.

“Guess I may want to stick around for this,” Bull quipped, earning a scowl from Noah and chuckles from the others.