Wildfire Creek by Shirleen Davies

Author:Shirleen Davies [Davies, Shirleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avalanche Ranch Press LLC
Published: 2015-01-25T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Moosejaw, Montana

“Maybe we’ll be able to head out tomorrow.” Luke let go of the curtain in the front window of the hotel. They’d been stuck in the eastern range of Montana for three days, waiting for the storm to pass. The last few hours had been the first signs it might be letting up. It would take at least two days to reach Big Pine, then one more for Luke to make it to Splendor.

Tom looked up from the piece of paper he held in his hand—a telegram from Sheriff Sterling. “At least we made it here before the worst of it started.” He handed the message to Luke, who read through it.

“No more robberies since you left. Maybe the gang has moved on.” Luke folded the message and tossed it on the table.

“Perhaps, or they may be laying low, waiting out the winter.”

“Except gold must be moved all year, not just when the weather’s clear. You would think a gold wagon, moving in thick snow, would be a prime target. Whatever the reason, I’d wager they’ll start up again, unless they’ve left Montana.” Luke’s words triggered a memory of Flatnose Darvis and his gang targeting gold transport wagons. They’d mentioned a ranch in Montana, but not the town. Could there be a connection between the robberies in Bison Basin, Idaho, and those near Big Pine? “Did you get a response from Dutch?”

Tom had sent a message to Dutch, wondering if he’d gotten a new assignment or still sat in Denver, as they sat in Moosejaw, biding his time.

“He’s waiting to hear from headquarters. Gus Salter offered him a job, taking over for Bob Bray.”

“Dutch, a ranch foreman?” Luke smiled at the thought of Dutch moving from Confederate spy to Pinkerton man to head wrangler. “I don’t see him working cows all day.”

Tom chuckled at the vision it made. “He turned Salter down.”

“Salter’s offer is positive in one way. Seems as if the family is moving on.” Luke thought of the stricken look on Gus’ face as he watched his friend die.

“He’s a tough one. My gut tells me they’ll be fine, including Nell.” Tom stood and walked to the window, looking on to the main street. “You’re right. Seems to be clearing up. It might be we can head out at first light.”

“We’ll need to wait until the telegraph office opens,” Luke said.

“Why’s that?”

“I need to send Dutch a message. It may be Pinkerton will want him to travel to Big Pine.”

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