Page 34 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas

“We’re fine,” Spencer assured him.

Eliza went to Rachel, giving her friend’s hand a reassuring squeeze. Though still shaken, she was glad the danger had passed. Then she turned toward the young teller still huddledbehind the counter, his eyes wide with shock. She walked to him and knelt down.

“It’s over now,” Eliza said gently. “The danger has passed.”

The teller blinked rapidly, seeming to return to himself. “Oh…oh my…” he stammered.

“Just breathe deeply. Take your time.” She rose, still watching him.

After a few moments, the teller’s trembling eased. “Thank you, ma’am. I thought for certain those men would…”

“But they didn’t,” Eliza said firmly. “You’re safe now.”

The teller managed a small, grateful smile. Eliza stayed with him until he stood, placing a hand on the counter to steady himself.

She crossed the lobby where Spencer, Dax, and Rachel spoke to each other in low voices.

The three surveyed the chaotic aftermath of the attempted robbery. The air was hazy with gun smoke, the floor littered with splintered wood and broken glass.

Gabe’s gaze swept the room, quickly taking in the situation. He strode toward the man sprawled out at the door to get a closer look, his expression grim.

“It’s Tom Wolfe,” he said with a sigh.

Hearing the name, Spencer rushed outside and looked around.

“What is it?” Eliza asked.

He shook his head, walking past her to stand beside Gabe. “There was a fourth man waiting outside the bank. He’s gone, and so are the horses he was holding.”

“From what I know, Wolf had a lot of men riding with him. He’s probably on his way to wherever the others are waiting. Nothing we can do about it now.” Gabe turned to speak with Horace.

“Eliza.” Spencer walked toward her. “Let’s get you out of here.”

They, along with Dax and Rachel, made their way outside into the cold, late afternoon. The snow had stopped falling, leaving behind a glittering blanket of white. It crunched under their boots as the small group walked back to the community building.

Dax helped Rachel up onto the seat of the wagon. Spencer did the same with Eliza, his hands lingering a few seconds longer than necessary.

Eliza shivered as a chill wind gusted down the street. “Let’s go home.”

Home. The word settled between them as the men mounted up and turned toward the ranch.

Eliza rode in thoughtful silence, processing the day’s harrowing events. So much had happened in such a short span of time. She thought back to the terror she’d felt when those outlaws burst into the bank, shouting and waving their guns. The deafening crack of gunshots ringing out.

She shuddered at the memory, her breath catching in her throat. If not for the deputies’ brave intervention, things could have ended tragically.

Glancing over at Spencer riding beside her, she felt grateful for his solid, reassuring presence. The warmth and strength she’d felt cradled against him made her cheeks flush, even now.

What did it all mean? She wasn’t sure what to make of the growing connection between them. Yet she could not deny what her heart told her.

Chapter Sixteen

Eliza sorted through the wardrobe in her room, events of yesterday still weighing on her mind. The attempted robbery, the gunshots, the deaths of the outlaws, and the realization she might very well be needed here as a doctor. A possible future was opening up to her in this frontier town.

And then there was Spencer. Kind, hardworking Spencer, who’d somehow become important to her in these past weeks. She couldn’t deny her growing affection for him, though she hardly knew what to make of it yet. This was all so new to her.

Eliza turned from the window with a soft sigh, smoothing her hands over her apron. She had pies to bake this morning, along with Rachel and some of the other women. As she made her way downstairs, the rich aroma of apples and cinnamon wafted up to greet her. The women were already hard at work in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Rachel greeted as Eliza entered. “I’m so glad you could join us this morning. We can use every extra pair of hands with all the baking to be done.”

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