Page 19 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas (Redemption Mountain #27)

Eliza stood in Rachel’s kitchen, kneading dough for the evening’s biscuits while Rachel chopped vegetables at the counter beside her.

As she worked the dough, Eliza thought back to the times the family cook had let her help in the kitchen.

When her mother learned about her working with the hired help, she’d forbidden Eliza from doing it again.

After a few weeks, she’d start sneaking in again.

Looking back, she was glad for all the cook had taught her.

Ginny and Lydia’s laughter drifted in from the parlor as they set the table. The cheerful comradery ended when the front door banged open.

“Doc! I need the doc!” Billy’s panicked shout echoed through the house.

Eliza abandoned the dough, wiped her floured hands on her apron, and hurried to meet Billy in the foyer. His eyes were wild, his hair disheveled.

“What is it, Billy? What’s happened?” Eliza asked.

“It’s Shining Star…the baby…it’s coming early. She’s in awful pain.”

Eliza spun on her heel, calling to Rachel over her shoulder. “I’m going to Billy’s.”

She grabbed her bag and was out the door before Rachel could respond, Billy on her heels as she raced along the path to the small cabin he shared with his wife. Throwing open the door, she found Shining Star writhing on the bed, clutching her swollen belly and moaning.

She laid a soothing hand on the young woman’s shoulder. “I’m here now, it’s going to be all right,” she murmured.

Behind her, Billy hovered anxiously in the doorway as Eliza assessed his laboring wife, her experienced hands and eyes searching for clues to guide her next actions.

Rachel arrived moments later. She took in the scene with a glance—Shining Star crying out on the bed, Eliza bent over her in concentration, Billy’s worried face.

“Billy, let’s give them some room to work,” she said, steering Billy by the arm into the main room of the cabin. She settled him into a chair by the fireplace. Less than a minute later, he was up and pacing.

“Try to stay calm,” she soothed. “Eliza will take good care of Shining Star and the baby.”

Billy sat back down, his leg bouncing with nervous energy as his gaze kept darting to the bedroom door. “It’s too early. What if something’s wrong? I can’t lose them, I can’t…” His voice choked off.

Rachel clasped his shoulder. “You must have faith. Eliza is highly skilled, we’re blessed to have her.”

He dropped his head in his hands. “I know, I know. It’s just, she’s my whole world, Rachel.”

“I understand. But fretting yourself to pieces won’t help her now. Why don’t I make us some tea while we wait?”

Billy gave a jerky nod, lost in the tumult of his own worried thoughts as she moved around the familiar kitchen. The comforting ritual of preparing the tea soothed her own concern for her friend. Rachel had no doubt if Eliza needed her, she’d call out.

In a few minutes, she handed a steaming cup of tea to Billy. He wrapped his hands around it, taking a sip of the hot liquid.

“Thank you,” he said hoarsely.

They sat in silence for several long moments, the only sounds the ticking of the clock on the mantel and the occasional creak of a floorboard from the bedroom.

When the door opened, Eliza stepped out.

Billy shot to his feet. “How is she? The baby?”

She gave him a reassuring smile. “They’re fine. Shining Star did have some contractions, but upon examination, the baby is not ready to be born yet. It was false labor, nothing to be too concerned about.”

Billy sagged in relief. “Thank the Lord. Are they in any danger?”

“Not at all. The contractions are slowing and should stop completely soon. Shining Star needs rest now. I’ll check on her again tomorrow.”

As the women exited the cabin, fat snowflakes began drifting down. Spencer and a few other ranch hands hovered nearby, stamping their feet against the cold.

“Well?” Spencer asked. “How are they?”

Eliza explained the situation, leaving out private details. The men nodded, tension easing from their stances. The baby wasn’t coming yet after all.

As the men dispersed, Spencer met Eliza’s eyes. “Thank you, ma’am,” he said with quiet intensity. “We’re lucky to have you.”

Eliza felt her cheeks warm. “I’m happy I could help.”

Their gazes held a moment longer before Spencer strode off into the swirling snow. She let out a slow breath, heart fluttering. With a final glance back at the cabin, she headed to the house, the chill night air doing nothing to cool her lingering blush.

The next morning, Eliza visited Shining Star again and was pleased to find her recovering well. Billy was attentive but not smothering, bringing his wife broth and extra blankets. Eliza made plans to check in every few days until the birth.

As she left the cabin, Spencer came around the corner, leading two horses. He touched the brim of his hat in greeting. “Morning. How’s your patient?”

“Doing well.” An awkward silence fell as she searched for something else to say. “Will you be working near the house today? I could bring you some coffee later.”

“Much obliged. I’ll be mending fences on the other side of the barn.” He walked away before she could respond.

Still, her steps felt a little lighter as she made her way back to the main house. After their kiss, she knew her interest wasn’t one-sided. There was more to Spencer than she’d ever expected, and she was eager to learn everything about him.

Riding up to the Dixie, Lucien swung down from his large, roan gelding and looped the reins around the hitching post. He scanned the street, instinctively checking for threats. Seeing none, he rolled his shoulders to relieve the ache from long days of riding.

Shoving through the bat-wing doors, he leaned against the bar, signaling the bartender for a whiskey. Fighting constant snowstorms, it had taken longer than expected to travel from Bozeman to Splendor. He was ready for food, a bath, and a couple days of rest.

Sipping his whiskey, he glanced around the saloon. The threat of another storm appeared to have kept most of the boys away, which was fine with Lucien.

The door leading to the office and supply room swung open, and Julia emerged, carrying additional bottles of whiskey. At the same moment, her brother, Booker, clomped down the stairs from his rented room on the second floor.

“Lucien, you’re back.” Surprise and pleasure lit up her face. She set down the bottles to give him a quick hug.

Booker gripped Lucien’s hand. “Glad you made it. Weather hasn’t been the best.”

“I understand this is normal for December.” His voice was a low rumble.

Julia’s smile faded. “If you have time, we need to talk.”

“I have plenty of time for you, Julia. What’s on your mind?”

She leaned against the bar. “Ford came by while you were gone. He told me about a couple children who were found behind the general store a few days ago. I hadn’t heard about them, but he seemed real concerned. He wanted to talk to you. Made it sound real important.”

He took another sip of his whiskey, listening while thinking about the transaction he’d finalized in Bozeman.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Ford said the children’s last name is Weber.”

Lucien stilled and met her gaze. “Weber, you said?” He kept his voice carefully neutral.

“Yes.” Julia studied him curiously. “Do you know them?”

“Can’t say as I do.” Lucien tugged at the brim of his hat. “Did he say where these children are?”

“I know they were at the clinic, but I heard they left. You know how gossip travels around this town.”

He shifted toward the front doors. “So, you don’t know where they are now?”

“Sorry, Lucien. I don’t.”

“Appreciate you telling me, Julia.” He tossed back the whiskey the bartender had poured. “I’ll be riding out to see Ford. Do me a favor and reserve a room upstairs for me. I don’t know how long I’ll need it.”

She nodded. “Sure, Lucien.”

“I’m going with you,” Booker said as he buttoned up his heavy coat. “It’s not a good idea for a man to ride alone with a storm brewing.”

Julia watched as the two men walked outside and mounted up.

They reined their horses toward Ford’s ranch, keeping a slow pace through town before kicking them into a lope. Lucien’s mind churned over the unexpected news. What did it mean? Was it connected to his shadowed past?

He hadn’t let on, but he definitely knew the Weber name. Once upon a time, when his life was normal, it had belonged to him. Lucien Weber. Life choices had led him to make a change. He’d become Lucien Hunt to protect his family back in Missouri.

He shook his head to dislodge the vivid memories. No use dwelling on the past. This news had him unsettled. What were the odds another Weber family would end up here, in this remote Montana town?

A coincidence? Or something more?

Lucien had to know.

Lucien and Booker rode as hard as they could in an attempt to stay ahead of the growing storm. Ford and Tess’s ranch was about four miles west of town on a winding trail barely wide enough for a wagon.

They slowed their horses as the ranch house came into view. Lucien spotted Ford leaving the barn at the same time his friend looked up, noting their approach. Ford stopped to turn toward them, waving them toward the stable next to the house.

Lucien remembered when Ford had shown him a crude drawing of the structure the previous summer. He’d offered to stay to help Ford build the stable. It took them less than a week to complete the structure, meant to be used for bad weather days.

Dismounting, they traded out the bridles for halters, allowing the horses to drink from the water trough and eat from wooden feed bins. Ford met them as they stepped onto the porch, holding out his hand to each.

“Just get back?” Ford asked.

Lucien nodded. “I came out as soon as Julia said you wanted to talk. The children?”

“Are safe at the Pelletier ranch. Let’s go inside. I’ll tell you what I know.” Ford opened the door, ushering them inside. “Tess and the children are at Ty’s house. She knows nothing.” He mentioned her brother-in-law who lived a few miles south.

Lucien nodded in understanding.

Without offering, Ford poured three cups of coffee. “Sit down and we’ll talk.”

The three took seats at the table, cradling the cups to warm their hands.

“Two children, a boy, Tommy, and a girl—”

“Sherilyn,” Lucien completed for him. “Tommy should be about nine. Sherilyn around six.”

“Have you gotten word about your brother?” Ford asked.

Taking a sip of his coffee, Lucien shook his head. “I figure he and his wife are dead.”

“I don’t know many details other than your brother’s attorney sent them to live with you. It’s odd, though. Bernie Griggs told me he wasn’t holding a telegram for you.”

Letting out a breath, he stared into his coffee.

“Yeah. My brother and I made an agreement years ago, right after Tommy was born.” He removed his hat to run fingers through thick, prematurely gray hair.

“Never thought it would come to this. I don’t even have a place to live.

The ranch near Bozeman is, well…as of last week, it’s no longer mine. ”

Ford nodded. He, Lucien, and Booker understood the life of a wandering man hired for his gun. The three had played many roles but never included being hired to kill. The distinction was why the three had formed what some would call a friendship, and maybe it was.

Lucien hesitated. “You say they’re at the Pelletiers’?”

“Yep. Two deputies found them a few nights ago, huddled together behind the general store. They were freezing and hungry, so the deputies took them to the clinic. Clay, Drake, and a woman doc on her way west took care of them. From what I understand, the woman is staying at the ranch, so they took the children there.”

“They’re all right then?” Lucien asked.

“That’s what I understand.”

Lucien nodded, relief flooding through him.

“One of you want to tell me what’s going on?” Booker asked, looking between them.

Ford looked at Lucien and nodded. “It’s your story to tell, my friend.”