Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) Read Online Free

to contact Allan Pinkerton, bring his agency into this.”
    “Perhaps I could convince Luke Pelletier to search for her. He used to work for Pinkerton,” Tolbert said.
    “Maybe, but he’s married now. I’m riding over to see them when I leave here. I’ll talk to him.”
    “I’m her father. I should start a search.”
    “What if she shows up here looking for you? Or sends a telegram to let you know where she’s staying? You need to be here if that happens, at least for a while—until we’ve had responses to my requests.”
    “You know I don’t work that way. I’m not used to letting others handle what I consider my job.”
    “Give me some time, see what we learn.” Gabe scrubbed a hand over his face. “You know, she didn’t leave under the best of circumstances.”
    “And whose fault was that? I’ll tell you. Your friend, Noah Brandt.” He turned away, pacing toward the window.
    “If that’s what you believe, I won’t try to change your mind. But the way it looked, you forced her to leave. Did she thank you when she got on the stage in Big Pine?”
    “That’s none of your damn business, Sheriff.”
    “I’m making it my business because Abigail may have run off. She may be trying to get away from you.”
    Tolbert spun toward him. “She’d never disappear like this.”
    Gabe rested his hands on his hips, glaring at the other man. “Are you sure?”
    “Of course. She’s a good girl. Willful, headstrong, with her own ideas, but I don’t believe she’d run off.”
    “Even if she felt angry and humiliated by the way you sent her away against her wishes?” Gabe asked.
    “You have no idea how she felt.”
    “You left her with Suzanne Briar while you made arrangements to leave town. Trust me, King. She told Suzanne plenty.”
    Tolbert’s shoulders slumped at the news. He’d been so angry, he hadn’t realized how much his actions upset Abby, perhaps pushing her into the decision to run.
    “But she has no money, no place to go,” he ground out. “A single, young woman alone. She’s smarter than that.”
    “Are you certain she has no money? From what I’ve seen, she’s resourceful. She may have harbored more secrets besides how she feels about Noah.”
    “I won’t discuss her feelings for Brandt. He’s not good enough for her and never will be. And I believe he knows it.”
    Gabe’s jaw worked, but he remained silent. He knew Noah Brandt better than anyone, knew him to be one of the best men he’d ever met, and felt proud to call him a friend.
    “My guess is she took money with her, jumped off the train, and is deciding what to do next. She may return here, or consider building a new life elsewhere.”
    “You don’t believe she was abducted?”
    “No, I don’t.” Gabe turned to leave. “I’ll send out telegrams and let you know what I learn.”
    As he rode toward the Pelletier ranch, he considered Abby’s disappearance and what he’d tell Noah. His friend would be frantic and want to ride out, the same as Tolbert. Gabe had been surprised at his success in convincing Tolbert to stay, although he didn’t know how long the man would wait.
    Gabe spotted a fire a mile from the ranch and reined his horse toward it, recognizing the ranch hands Tolbert fired. They stood when he approached—one tall and lean, the other of medium height with broad shoulders.
    “Gentleman, I’m Gabe Evans, sheriff of Splendor. Is it all right if I share your fire for a spell?”
    “I’m Jeb. This is my cousin, Robert. You want some coffee?” the taller of the two asked.
    “Thank you.” Gabe looked around. Although the sun shown overhead, the day had turned chilly. “You going to camp here tonight?”
    “Is there a problem with that?” Jeb leaned forward, handing a cup to Gabe.
    “Nope. Just asking.”
    “Truth is, we don’t know where we’ll go from here. Most of the ranches have all the hands they need right now. We’ll probably ride south toward Wyoming, then maybe Colorado. We need