Chapter Twenty-Six
Heath sat there on the ridge for a long while, watching every night movement and reflecting on his many faults. The beautiful woman down below was everything he wanted. She and Eden and would make his life complete.
How long would he have to wait for her? And what if she never decided to become his wife?
God had sent the sign he’d asked for—the white dove. But then nothing.
Was he only seeing what he wanted to happen and it had all been in his mind? He rubbed his face. Doubts troubled him.
The door of Rachel’s little house opened, and she emerged holding a lantern. She clutched a shawl she’d thrown over her nightgown.
Where was she going at this time of night? He leaned forward watching as she went to the row of graves under the cottonwood tree. Though the distance blocked sound, he knew she was probably sobbing. She still missed her little daughter. He started for his horse but froze at a campfire below that was hidden from the house by the trees.
Mounting up, he made little noise as he rode down the steep trail from the rim to the canyon floor. There he swung off Buttermilk and commenced on foot. Parting the branches of a sapling, the campsite sprang into view.
Four men sat around a low fire. He made out Zeb’s face and recognized one of the others as the scarred ringleader in Singer’s store.
Well, well. Rachel was right about Thacker not riding off. It was no surprise to Heath that the charlatan uncle was involved with these other men. He crept closer.
“I tell you, that strongbox ain’t on this property,” Zeb said. “I’ve looked everywhere and it’s gone.”
“So where did it go?” Billy snapped, the scar more frightening in the flickering light.
“I think Lassiter took it and either buried it or hid it at his place. That’s what I think.”
“Then we need to search his barn,” one of the other men said.
The fourth man spoke up, “We already did, Joe. Where is your mind? Of course, we had to do it awful quick because of that sister. I’d rather face a den of snakes than tangle with her.” Chuckles swept the circle. “I have a theory if you want to listen to it.”
Zeb chuckled. “Go ahead, Charlie. Might as well speak your piece.”
“I think we should follow that stranger that rode up and spent the night. What if he was working for the North Texas Stage Lines? He collected it, and now he’s gone. That’s exactly what I think.”
Zeb snorted and uncorked a bottle, taking a drink. “That’s dumb. How would they have gotten word to the stage lines that Rachel has our money? In case you haven’t noticed, there’s no telegraph anywhere around.”
“Beats me.” Charlie licked his lips, watching the bottle eagerly.
Quiet until now and staring into the flames, Billy laid back on his saddle. “Well, there’s that girl Tillie. Maybe she either passed a note or the money to one of the ranchers.”
The more Heath heard, the more his fear grew. Someone had to warn Tillie. She could be in danger. The talk ceased and the drinking got serious. He quietly returned to his horse.
The house was dark. Rachel was probably asleep. He could tell her what he’d learned at daylight so went on to the barn to grab a few hours of sleep before he rode back to the campsite to check on the lawless group.
Morning arrived far toosoon but Rachel was dressed and at the stove. Eden was happily sucking on a bottle Rachel had propped up using a folded blanket.
At the sound of the door, Rachel turned. “Good morning. I noticed you riding toward the ridge last night and it made me curious. Did you see anything?”
His lazy smile made her heart flip. “Learned a few things for sure.” He turned to the baby. “Good morning, little beauty.”
Eden’s face lit up in a goofy smile, losing the bottle. The man had that effect on young and old.
He picked her up and put the bottle back in her mouth. “I hope you got some rest, Rachel.”
She set a cup of coffee in front of him and pushed back her hair. “Enough. Probably as much as you did. Heath, I feel a black storm coming and it’s not the weather. When will this end? I thought I’d be at peace with Austin Morgan’s arrival and the money gone but I’m not.”
“I don’t know when it’ll end or how.” He reached for her hand and pulled her into the chair beside him. “I found the outlaws’ campsite last night and they aren’t giving up.”
Rachel listened to what he’d overheard and fear rolled over her. “I have to warn Tillie.”
“The sooner the better.”
Rachel searched Heath’s eyes. “She knows nothing about my father’s criminal enterprise, and I had hoped I’d never have to speak of it.”
He squeezed her fingers. “You have no choice. She’ll be at school today, but we have to go over there when she gets home.”
A troubled sigh filled the kitchen. “I never thought the outlaws would turn their focus on her.”
He nodded and put Eden on his shoulder to burp her, patting her tenderly.
Rachel rose and moved to put breakfast on. She blinked back tears and her voice cracked. “I don’t know what’s going to happen at any given moment. This swing keeps me off balance.”
“They want it this way.” He got to his feet and came to her. “Don’t let it rattle you.”
“You’ve been very patient with me, and I appreciate that as I sort through things. I do want to make a life with you, but this isn’t the time.”
He gently cupped her jaw. “Don’t worry. Like I told you before, I’m not going away. Take all the time you need. But, I won’t ask you to marry me again. You know where I am when and if you make up your mind.”