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

to find something.” Robert lowered his gaze, staring into the fire.
    “Do you know the Pelletiers?” Gabe sipped his coffee, his eyes glancing over the rim.
    “Never met them. We hear they own the spread next to Tolbert.” Jeb tossed out the last of his coffee, setting the cup on the ground.
    “You’re a mile from their place. I’m riding there now. Why don’t you pack up and go with me? They’re always looking for good men.”

Chapter Three
    St. Louis, Missouri
    Abby counted her money one more time, making the decision to purchase a ticket and travel back to Splendor on the next train. She felt certain the companion she’d left behind would’ve notified her father by now, who’d be frantic and already searching. Abby believed she had three choices.
    One, she could use her ticket to continue west to her aunt’s place, a woman who didn’t want her, but who would do whatever King Tolbert requested. Abby would live a quiet life, find work as a companion or teacher until a suitable match could be found, then slip away into oblivion.
    Two, she could stay in St. Louis and seek work, returning to Splendor if she ran out of funds. The problem with this solution would be to find something suitable, which she assumed would be quite difficult in a town where no one knew her.
    Living with her father, the skills she’d acquired in bookkeeping were wasted. Numerous times he’d turned down her offer to help with the business aspects of the ranch, seeing her as only fit to act as hostess and direct the activities inside the home. She groaned. Even if she did try to return home, she thought it doubtful her father would accept her. He’d put her on the first stage out of Splendor, but this time he’d send at least one of his men with her.
    Three, she could take the train home, obtain a room at Suzanne’s boardinghouse, and look for work. She grew up in Splendor, knew most everyone, and felt she could find something suitable. Her father didn’t know that Horace Clausen, president of the Splendor bank, had mentioned several times how valuable her skills would be to him. She didn’t know if he meant in a bookkeeping role or as one of the tellers, but it didn’t matter. He’d be her first stop.

    Redemption’s Edge Ranch, Splendor
    “Glad you brought those two men with you, Gabe. We can always use more help.” Dax Pelletier, the older of the two brothers, poured drinks and nodded toward a chair.
    “I can’t vouch for them. All I can tell you is they didn’t hesitate to take their pay and leave Tolbert when he became abusive.” He brought the whiskey to his lips, then stopped at the sound of the office door opening.
    “Noah’s here.” Rachel, Dax’s wife, poked her head in the office, then swung the door open. “Luke, Ginny, and Mary are putting the wagon away. Supper will be ready in a bit.”
    “How’d it go with Tolbert?” Noah asked Gabe, taking a chair next to him.
    “As you’d expect. He said none of his cattle are missing. Luke and Dax aren’t missing any, either. Right now, the rustling seems to be confined to the east of Tolbert’s property. He said he’ll notify me if he discovers any cattle have disappeared.”
    Noah snorted. “I don’t believe that for a minute. He’ll gather his men and go after whomever he suspects—and there’ll be no trial.”
    “Good evening, gentlemen.” Luke Pelletier walked straight toward the bottle of whiskey and a glass. “I miss anything?”
    “Gabe says Tolbert hasn’t lost any cattle,” Dax replied.
    “Neither have we, but I’m posting more men at night, keeping the herd together. I figure it’s only a matter of time before we’re hit.” Luke settled a hip against Dax’s desk, sipping his drink.
    Gabe leaned forward, rolling the glass between his hands. “There’s another issue. I don’t want to talk about it at supper with the children present, but there’s no reason the adults shouldn’t know.” He glanced at Noah, holding his friend’s