Page 32 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas
Chapter Fifteen
The bank’s doors swung open, cold wind and snowflakes swirling inside. Spencer held the door for Eliza, touching her elbow lightly as she passed, her wool coat damp with melting snow.
“I’ll just be a few minutes,” she said, unbuttoning her coat.
Spencer nodded, his eyes lingering on her flushed cheeks. “Take your time. I’ll be at McCall’s, with a cup of coffee waiting for you.”
Eliza smiled briefly before joining the line inside. Spencer stepped back into the biting wind, pulling his hat brim low. Two doors down, he spotted the carved door of McCall’s and made his way along the boardwalk, eager to escape the cold.
The warmth and clamor of the restaurant enveloped Spencer as he stepped inside. He spotted Deputy Cash Coulter sitting alone at a table, nursing a coffee.
“Mind if I join you?” Spencer asked.
Cash gestured to the empty chair. “Have a seat.”
He sat, unwinding his wool scarf. “Sure is coming down out there.”
“Snow won’t stick around long. The cold might, though.” Cash took another sip of coffee.
They sat in companionable silence until Betts Jones brought Spencer’s coffee. He took a sip, savoring the heat. “Betts, I’ll need one more for Doctor Gladstone.”
“I’ll bring it out when she gets here, Spencer.”
“Thanks.”
Cash lowered his voice. “Been keeping an eye out for any of Tom Wolf’s men drifting through town. With the weather changing, seems likely they’ll hole up somewhere nearby.”
Spencer nodded grimly. “Assuming they’re somewhere nearby.”
Tom Wolf was a notorious outlaw who’d been moving through the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Montana, robbing banks, stagecoaches, and the occasional larger ranch. His gang was vicious and unpredictable.
“I know Redemption’s Edge would be a tempting target,” Spencer said. “Dax has already mentioned the outlaws to everyone. He increased the number of men watching day and night to make sure no one comes around looking to cause trouble.”
“Dax and Luke are good men.” They finished their coffees hastily as the wind howled through the streets.
Spencer looked outside at the increasing storm, his thoughts clouded with concern. He hoped Eliza would reappear soon so they could get back to the ranch ahead of the worst of the coming blizzard.
As Spencer watched those outside fight the wind, he spotted a man on horseback outside the bank, trying to keep three horses steady. He kept looking around as he pulled on the three sets of reins. His behavior didn’t make sense to Spencer. Unless…
Eliza waited patiently in line at the teller’s window, keenly aware of the worsening weather outside. She glanced around the nearly empty bank, taking in the gleaming countertops and ornatelycarved woodwork. It was a far cry from what she expected in an isolated frontier town.
Her thoughts drifted to Spencer. In the short time she’d known him, he’d proven himself trustworthy and capable, if somewhat ill-tempered at times. Eliza realized she’d come to rely on his steadying presence more than she cared to admit. She wondered if her initial resistance to him was born more of caution than true dislike. It was something to consider.
“Ma’am?” called the teller, shaking Eliza from her reverie. She stepped forward, opening her reticule to pull out a small, slim journal.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. How can I help you today?”
“I’d like to make a withdrawal, please,” She slid the journal across the counter.
The teller nodded, checked the booklet, and opened the drawer in front of him. She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited. The snow was now coming down hard, reducing visibility. She wanted to get back to the ranch before the roads became impassable.
The teller counted out her withdrawal, and Eliza tucked the bills into her reticule. With business complete, she bid the teller good day and turned for the door, mindful of the need for haste.
Surprising her, the door burst open. Eliza jumped back with a gasp as three rough-looking men rushed into the bank, their faces obscured by bandanas.
“Everybody freeze!” The apparent leader was a burly man with cold, flinty eyes. He held a six-shooter aloft. The two other outlaws fanned out on either side of him, holding similar six-shooters.
A shocked silence gripped the bank, broken only by a few frightened whimpers. The leader stalked toward the counter, his spurs jangling with each step.
