Page 14 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas (Redemption Mountain #27)

The clatter of hooves and wagon wheels on frozen ground followed Eliza and Rachel as they made their way to Splendor.

The back of the wagon was filled with handmade gifts and donations for the town’s orphanage, collected by the women at Redemption’s Edge.

Riding alongside on horseback were Spencer and Dax, who’d volunteered to accompany them, and help unload the precious cargo.

As they rode, Spencer found his gaze drifting to Eliza.

Her dark hair peeked out from under the hood of her heavy coat.

She held the reins surely in her slender hands, guiding the horses with a confident and gentle touch.

He’d been surprised when learning she’d known how to drive a wagon, buggy, carriage, and phaeton since she was a child.

Her family may have had money, but it didn’t stop her father from insisting she was competent at several tasks.

As an only child, she felt it her duty to do anything to please her parents.

Admiration stirred within Spencer as he watched her. Even if her manner sometimes poked at him the wrong way, her determination and strength of character impressed him each time they interacted.

When they arrived at the community building, a stately woman, with streaks of silver in her brown hair, greeted them.

“Good morning,” she said. “Thank you so much for your help.”

Together, they unloaded the wagon, bringing the gifts inside the simple clapboard building.

Spencer and Eliza carried in armfuls of hand-sewn quilts, knitted scarves, whittled toys, and more.

The generosity of the Pelletiers brought a smile to Ruth’s face, knowing how these donations would brighten the orphans’ Christmas morning.

After unloading the last crate, Spencer and Eliza lingered behind as Ruth left for an appointment, and Dax and Rachel left to gather more donations from around town.

Spencer suggested they set up some tables for sorting and organizing, starting with the items they’d brought from the ranch.

As they worked, Spencer found himself stealing glances at Eliza’s profile, hoping their time together might become an opportunity to learn more about the intriguing woman who’d landed in their small town.

Eliza could feel Spencer’s gaze on her as they got to work, a slight flush rising to her cheeks. She busied herself setting items on the table, avoiding his eyes.

Inwardly, she chided herself. She needed to get ahold of herself. She barely knew this man. Still, Eliza couldn’t deny her growing curiosity about the rugged ranch hand.

As they continued sorting the gifts into piles, she ventured a tentative question. “So, Spencer, what brought you out to a ranch in Montana? You mentioned your family has a farm back in Utah?”

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “My family had a farm near Salt Lake City. When they converted to the Mormon faith, it changed everything. After a time, I found the change wasn’t for me, and I left.

Working at the Pelletier ranch has been a real blessing.

I never knew I’d enjoy ranching this much. ”

“Do you think you’ll stay here permanently?”

He paused, glancing around the room. “I might. I know I’ll never live in a big city.

Too cramped and too many people. The openness out here has a way of getting inside a man, making it hard to leave.

” His gaze met hers. “What about you, Doc? You plan on setting up shop in Splendor, or are you just passing through?”

She busied her hands refolding a quilt, considering. “I hadn’t planned on staying. The longer I’m here, the more unsure I am about what to do. The people here have been so welcoming. And according to Clay and Drake, the town could use another doctor.” She shrugged. “For now, I’ve yet to decide.”

Their conversation trailed off as Dax and Rachel returned, their arms laden with more donations.

Spencer and Eliza worked side by side, sorting the donations into piles on the tables.

Girl’s clothes in one stack, boy’s shirts and trousers in another.

Eliza hummed softly as she worked, a faint smile on her lips.

“You seem happy,” Spencer commented, watching her from the corner of his eye.

Eliza’s smile broadened. “I am. There hasn’t been much time in my life over the last few years to volunteer. It feels good to help out.”

Spencer nodded. “I know what you mean. Getting to be part of something other than every day work.” They shared a look of understanding.

After a few moments, Spencer spoke again. “Eliza, I was wondering…” He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “A lot of us come into town for Christmas Eve service, I thought maybe you’d like to ride in with me. If you don’t have other plans.”

She blinked in surprise, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. “I’d love to,” she said softly.

Spencer’s face lit up. “Yes?”

“Yes,” Eliza confirmed, her eyes bright. Spencer grinned back at her.

The sound of a door opening drew their attention. Dax and Rachel had returned with a load of donations. Spencer and Eliza hurried to help unload, both wearing smiles having nothing to do with Christmas.

Eliza’s heart fluttered as she and Spencer unloaded the new donations from Dax’s wagon. She couldn’t stop thinking about his invitation for Christmas Eve. A chance to get to know him better, away from the constant activity of life on the ranch.

As she carried a bag of children’s toys into the community hall, she noticed Spencer watching her. He gave her a small, private smile before turning back to his task.

“More toys and clothes,” Dax announced, dropping another crate on the floor with a thud. “Folks have been real generous this year.”

“It’s wonderful to see,” Rachel said. “This will make Christmas special for the children at the orphanage.”

Eliza nodded, touched by the town’s kindness. Her gaze drifted back to Spencer as he and Dax conferred over the remaining items in the wagon. She admired his strong profile and the way his shirt pulled across his broad shoulders.

Eliza carried a sack of wooden toy horses of varying sizes to the table designated for toys. As she set them down, she chanced a look at Spencer, who worked with Dax across the room. He turned, catching her watching him, and smiled.

She felt her cheeks flush and glanced away, busying herself by organizing the toy horses. Spending time around him the last few days, she’d come to appreciate Spencer’s thoughtful nature and rugged capability. Beneath his stoic exterior, she sensed a deep well of compassion.

Dax dropped another large crate on the floor with a thud, causing both Rachel and Eliza to jump. “Sorry, ladies. More toys and clothes.” He shrugged.

Spencer hefted another crate from the wagon and carried it into the community hall, his muscles straining against the weight.

He set it down on the floor next to one of the sorting tables.

Prying off the lid, he saw it contained more carvings, including horses, barns, cabins, a church, and other buildings.

Eliza joined him to examine and set each piece out. Her chest squeezed as she moved the pieces around. “It’s a town. Well, a town, at least one ranch, and a farm.” She looked up at Spencer. “Isn’t it marvelous?”

“It’s Splendor,” Spencer answered. He picked up one piece. It was a building. Up high, above the bat-wing doors, were carved two words. Dixie Saloon .

The rising sun found Lucien Hunt miles away, pushing his horse across the frost covered open plains on a northwest trail used by deer, elk, bear, and sometimes, members of the Blackfoot and Crow tribes.

He rode not toward something but away. Away from the rundown ranch, the first place he’d felt a spark of belonging in longer than he cared to recall.

It was the same spark of hope urging him to leave Splendor weeks earlier. Lucien told himself he’d done what he could, more than anyone expected. The ranch was now owned by a family with the means to restore it to its previous glory, and he had enough money to get another chance somewhere else.

Lucien didn’t believe he deserved another chance, not with blood staining his hands. Better to disappear like smoke in the wind before he brought violence and pain to the generous townsfolk in Splendor.

As the ranch faded into the distance, Lucien ignored the hollow ache in his chest. Maybe this was his fate.

Perhaps he was destined to wander alone, seeking absolution from a past he’d rather forget.

With a grim smile, he tipped his hat against the morning sun.

The past could not be outrun, but he would certainly try.