Redemption's Edge by Shirleen Davies Read Free Book Online

everything going for a long time, perhaps indefinitely if Polly and George, the married couple who ran the place, did what they promised. For the ex-slaves, profits meant ownership, the right to claim land once they’d built it to a certain level, then continued to expand. Dax and Luke had no doubt the couple would work hard to become true property owners.
    And now this.
    “What do you want to do?” Luke asked.
    “Right now? Nothing. We’ll stay at the ranch for a few weeks to make sure it’s going well and to give ourselves time to make a decision about selling.”
    “Pat said it’s a small place. Probably be easy to sell.” Luke stepped up onto the wooden walkway outside the boardinghouse, holding the rail for support, then turned to Dax when he heard him snort. “What?”
    “It’s somewhat bigger than we both thought.”
    “How much bigger?”
    “Five thousand acres.”

    After stopping at the bank so Luke could sign the necessary papers, they saddled Hannibal and Prince for the ride to the ranch, Luke insisting he could handle his horse. They arrived at the ranch in the afternoon. Luke had been able to keep up the modest pace most of the time, although a thirty minute ride had doubled when Dax made a couple of excuses to stop. No matter. They had nowhere else to go. Each had taken a leave from their jobs as Texas Rangers. Their captain had insisted on it, requesting they keep him posted about when they’d return.
    Bernice stepped off the porch, stuffed a towel into her apron, and waited for the men to dismount. She nodded to Dax, then turned to Luke. “I’m Bernice Wilson. You must be Luke, Dax’s brother.”
    He slid off Prince, steadied himself, and doffed his hat. “Yes, ma’am. I’m pleased to meet you.”
    “You still look a little peaked. Why don’t you come inside and rest. I’ll get you something to drink.” She turned toward the house, then called over her shoulder at Dax. “You, too.”
    Dax tipped his hat to Bernice, but stayed in place. “You go on in. Sounds like Hank may be in the barn. I’ll take care of the horses and let him know we’re here.” He grabbed Prince’s reins and walked toward the barn, stopping when he heard voices coming from inside.
    “I don’t know, Hank. Seems to me the man’s got no business running a ranch. Besides, I think he’s a Johnny Reb, and you know that won’t go over well with the men.”
    “As Pelletier said, you can stay or leave. Makes no difference to me what side he fought on. It’s over and time to forget about it, Ellis. But if you can’t, then it’d be best for you to pack your gear and go.”
    “How do we know they have the money to run a place like this? They were working as Texas Rangers. Those men don’t have two nickels to rub together.”
    “Seems to me you’re making a lot of assumptions. Pat wouldn’t have asked them to bring him home if he thought poorly of them and you know it.”
    “Don’t know why he didn’t leave the place to you. Seems fitting after all you and Bernice have done.”
    “You know the reason. We don’t want it. Working here is good enough for us and we hope to stay on. You’d better do some hard thinking pretty quick as I need to find someone else if you leave.”
    Dax stood his ground, taking it all in and not interrupting. He heard footsteps and guessed Ellis had decided to leave, and perhaps consider Hank’s words. Dax pulled on the reins and stepped inside the barn, passing Ellis on his way out.
    “Boss.” Ellis didn’t make eye contact as he continued on toward the bunkhouse.
    Dax nodded at Hank as he unsaddled the horses, brushed them down, and pushed open the gate to the pasture behind the barn.
    “Did your brother come out with you?” Hank pulled off his gloves and stuffed them in his back pocket.
    “He’s inside.” Dax watched as Hannibal and Prince ran around the large fenced pasture. It had been a long time since they’d been this free to run.
    “Suppose you heard