Free Redemption's Edge by Shirleen Davies Page B

restaurant connected to the boardinghouse and finished their noon meal. They’d been lucky. A rancher across the line in Idaho territory had sold out. The new owner brought in his own men, letting many of the others go. A group had ridden into Montana, some rode south to Utah, and others rode toward Washington and Oregon. Dax had spotted them at the livery, and after a few minutes, the five had found work. They were now on their way to the ranch, while the brothers stayed to pass the word around town.
    “We’re fortunate we saw them before they spoke with Tolbert. He might have hired them to keep the men out of our reach.” Luke placed the last bite of food in his mouth and clasped his hands behind his head.
    Dax finished his meal and leaned back in the chair, looking outside toward the livery and the Rose Saloon across the dirt street. He thought about Rachel, had been thinking about her since the day he’d taken her back to town. It irritated him that he couldn’t get the woman out of his mind. Dax had considered staying in town that night, going to the Rose, and finding one of the women to take the edge off. A couple of them were pretty enough. The trouble seemed to be that none were worth the effort and he’d still leave with an ache for the beautiful nurse. The best course was to follow their plan to get the ranch ready to sell, find a buyer, and ride back to Texas and the jobs they’d left behind.
    Luke rapped him on the arm. “Isn’t that Miss Davenport walking toward the livery?”
    Dax sat up and debated only a moment. “It is.” He stood and looked down at his brother, his jaw working.
    Luke suppressed a grin. “Might be a good idea to go say hello. You can never thank a pretty woman too much.” He ignored the contemptuous look Dax shot him as he turned toward the door. Luke had thought his brother might have something on his mind. He just hadn’t connected it to Miss Davenport. In Luke’s opinion, the time had come for Dax to show a little interest in a woman. Someone who might bring sense back into his brother’s life. Rachel Davenport might be the perfect woman to do it.
    Dax followed her toward the livery and stood back, leaning against the wall of the Western Union office next door while she spoke to the blacksmith. Dax had met the tall, bruiser of a man with broad shoulders and muscled arms. He towered over Rachel and had to lean over as they spoke. She reached into her reticule, pulled out some money, and placed it in the smithy’s hand, smiling up at him.
    “Thanks again, Mr. Brandt, for doing the work and keeping Old Pete a couple of extra days. I hope that covers it.” She nodded to the coins in his hand.
    “That will cover it fine, ma’am.” He grabbed the horse’s reins and handed them to Rachel before turning back to his work.
    Dax watched as Rachel whispered a few quiet words to her horse, then led him outside. Her eyes registered surprise when she spotted him.
    She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun and smiled up at him. “Hello, General. What brings you to town?” She fought the hope he’d come to visit her or even ask her to supper.
    Her smile speared clear through him, almost painful in its intensity. He’d never been affected by a woman to this degree before and didn’t quite know how to take it.
    Dax touched a finger to the brim of his hat. “Good afternoon, Miss Davenport. Luke and I rode in to see if we could hire some additional men.”
    “And did you find any?” She pushed aside the disappointment at not being the reason for his visit.
    “We were fortunate. Five were at the livery having Brandt check their horses. They’d just ridden in from Idaho and were looking for work. We hired all of them.” He ran a hand down the horse’s withers. “He yours?”
    She threw an affectionate glance at the horse. “This is Old Pete. He belongs to my uncle, but I’m the one who usually rides him. Poor boy threw a shoe. Mr. Brandt took care of him for me.”