Stronger Than the Rest

by Shirleen Davies

  Drew’s eyes opened in slits, closed, then opened fully. He stared at Will.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Drew hissed out.

  “Me? What the hell are you doing?” Will replied and tried to incline his head toward the woman in Drew’s arms.

  Will’s words hit their mark and Drew spun his head away to find Tess snuggled up next to him. She looked wonderful, soft, the most beautiful image he’d ever seen. Then reality hit.

  “Shit.”

  “Exactly,” Will almost laughed. “Look, I’ll keep watch until you can get you and Tess together. But hurry. I have no idea when someone else might be joining us. You need help getting in your chair?”

  When Drew shook his head, Will stood up and walked out, chuckling at the scene he’d stumbled upon.

  “Tess. Tess, honey, we have to get up,” Drew whispered.

  “Hmmm,” Tess responded and reached for him. Her hand settled on his neck to pull him forward for her kiss.

  This time it was Drew who chuckled. “No, honey, we have to get up, get dressed. It’s morning.” He gently pulled her arm from around his neck, then caressed her cheek once more. He heard Will talking with someone and knew they’d run out of time.

  “What do you mean I can’t go in the barn?” Grant’s stern voice penetrated Tess’s brain and she came fully awake with a start. It took Drew a moment of maneuvering, but he finally pushed himself up, stood, and held out his hand to Tess.

  She grabbed it and scrambled to her feet. Her panic was obvious as she tried to right her gown, tie her wrapper, and brush the hay from her hair and clothing.

  “What the hell!”

  Tess heard Grant’s hard voice and turned to see her father staring at her and Drew. His face red, contorted, as if he were choking on a bad piece of meat. He started toward them, but Drew stepped in front of her, shielding her, protecting her. From what he didn’t know, since he was the one that Grant wanted to kill at that moment.

  “It’s not what you think, sir,” Drew said and put a hand up to stop Grant from getting closer.

  “Oh, I’m pretty sure it’s exactly what I think, MacLaren,” Grant raged and tried to look around the man shielding his daughter, but Drew continued to block him.

  It was at that moment that it registered to Grant that Drew was standing. But that realization was over–shadowed by the rage he felt at finding them this way.

  Tess had only heard her father bellow one other time, and that had been when her sister, Amanda, had put herself in danger. He was known for his calm control, the way he could stay composed when everyone else panicked. Well, he sure wasn’t in control now.

  “I love her, Mr. Taylor.”

  Grant put his hands on his hips, looked up to the ceiling, then down to the ground. He turned and paced a few steps away, getting himself under control. This was the last thing he’d expected to wake up to.

  Eleanor raced into the barn, a worried expression marring her normally serene appearance. “Grant. We can hear you clear into the house. What in the world…” But her words trailed off when she looked into the stall. “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh,” Grant repeated. He’d calmed but his voice was still hard as he glared at the young man before him. “You’ll marry her.”

  “Yes, sir.” Drew peeked over his shoulder at Tess and smiled. “If she’ll have me.”

  At that Tess stepped forward and threw herself into his arms. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  By now, everyone in the house had made their way to the barn, and stood in a semi-circle looking at Drew, standing, in his pants, no shirt, and Tess in her night clothes. All had heard Drew’s question and Tess’s response, and everyone noticed that Drew wasn’t in his chair.

  Amanda raced up and wrapped her arms around her sister. “Oh, Tess, I’m so happy for you.”

  Eleanor, Alicia, and Kate all followed Amanda’s lead, hugging Tess, then turning to hug Drew.

  Will, Jamie, and Niall all kept their distance, still stunned at seeing their brother out of his chair, standing. Then they looked at each other and started to move.

  By the time Drew noticed their approach the three were upon him. Niall stepped behind him, Jamie to the left, and Will to the right. In one coordinated move, they lifted Drew, walked outside, and threw him into the horse trough.

  Drenched, he sputtered, but pulled himself up to a sitting position and started to laugh. A full, stomach churning laugh that brought smiles and cheers from everyone.

  ******

  Denver, Colorado

  “How’s he doing?” Connor asked the doctor who’d walked out of Chester Mayfield’s room.

  “We’ve got him on laudanum. He’s in a great deal of pain, but he’ll make it.” The doctor took a moment to jot down some notes, then focused again on the visitor. “He’s in no condition to talk to you. Maybe tomorrow. I’m sorry.” The doctor turned and walked into another exam room, leaving Connor to ponder his choices. There were none. It was pointless to stay. He’d return tomorrow and hope Mayfield would be able to talk.

  He made his way toward the saloon. Connor hoped to speak with Ira this morning to learn more about his import business. The suspicion that he wouldn’t like what he learned nagged at Connor. He’d helped Ira get the backing for the saloon, which was a legitimate business and turned a nice profit. He had made sure of both. He’d also provided contacts to Ira when he needed to expand the silver mining operations. The money had come through as Connor knew it would, but Connor hadn’t managed the Walsh side of the mine. Connor and his contacts had set someone else up to do that work—Ira just thought the work flowed from him.

  He walked into the saloon and toward the stairs, but stopped when the bartender motioned him over. The man had been one of Connor’s first hires, and one of his best. The barkeep knew his job, handled customers well, and kept the drinks flowing.

  “Something’s going on with Walsh,” he told Connor.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “He stormed in about an hour ago, which is early for him, and went straight upstairs. Not a word to anyone. He just glared at Lola and pushed past her when she walked up to him. Never seen him treat her that way. Haven’t seen him since.”

  Connor considered the barkeep’s words. Ira’s mood could mean anything. Problems with his legitimate cattle or mining operations? Connor doubted that either of those were the cause. His money was on Walsh’s obsession with Cold Creek or his expanding import business—or both.

  “Thanks for the warning,” Connor threw over his shoulder as he started for Ira’s office.

  Ira looked up at the knock on this door. “What?”

  Connor pushed the door open. “You have a few minutes?”

  “Not now.” Ira’s harsh words weren’t lost on Connor. Ira had always made time to speak with him. Whatever it was, it must be significant.

  Connor wouldn’t be pushed out. “Anything I can help with, Ira?”

  Walsh raised his head and frowned at his saloon manager, a partner in the business. Connor had carried out his duties well, and linked Ira with the money needed to buy the saloon and expand the mines. He was sharp and controlled. At this point Ira couldn’t afford to trust anyone, except perhaps Drago. However, he might be able to garner some information from Connor.

  “You see anyone snooping around upstairs while I was out of town?” Ira asked straight out.

  Connor’s features remained fixed, nothing to indicate he was surprised or upset at Ira’s question. “No one. Why?”

  “Who checked out the ladies area during that time?” Ira already knew but wanted it confirmed.

  “Pierce. The same man who checked all the areas including the hall outside your private quarters. You want to tell me what this is about?”

  “I’ve gotten news that is unsettling. Seems there are rumors about me and my business operations. Disturbing comments. You hear anything?”

  “You know I’d come to you if I had. Who told you about these rumors?”

  Ira studied
Connor. He wouldn’t give a second thought to ordering his death if he learned Connor had betrayed him, set him up. He’d read through Connor’s references and history twice last night after he’d gone home. Nothing jumped out as being out of place. He’d hired Pinkerton’s to provide whatever they could learn. They’d confirmed that Connor had spent time in prison for murder, but had been pardoned when new evidence was presented exonerating him of the crime. The whole prison experience had been a plus for Ira. In his opinion, it hardened a man.

  Walsh had also checked on Connor’s contacts, which were considerable. One was the owner of New York’s largest and most respected private detective firm. It wasn’t as large as Pinkerton’s, but handled similar work for those who held wealth in the extreme. That’s how Connor had made many of his contacts, through his work with New York firm, the same contacts that had funded the saloon and silver mines.

  “A contact back East heard about a meeting between some businessmen. One of the men was from here and mentioned that a certain Denver businessman was being investigated. He told the group that the man had interests in cattle, mining, a saloon, and timber.” Ira’s eyes turned to slits and he leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. “There are few in Denver with interests in that many businesses. My contact was sure they were speaking of me.”

  “Did your contact say who was hired or why? Give you a name?”

  “No. Names weren’t mentioned, and my contact didn’t know what motivated the investigation. Apparently the sonofabitch snooping around was a lawman.”

  Connor smirked. “That leaves everyone here out. You know our histories.”

  “I could find nothing showing any of my employees have been lawmen. That doesn’t mean much. Lawmen go bad all the time. They’re sometimes worse than the most hardened criminal.”

  Connor agreed—he’d seen it firsthand.

  Ira leaned back, his eyes still focused on his visitor. “I’ve asked one of my men to watch Pierce. Something about him is amiss. Since you hired him, I didn’t do the normal checks. I find I know nothing about his history.”

  “You’re having him followed?”

  “Starting today. Why? Do you object?”

  “No, it’s smart. He’s done well here. I’d hate to lose him.”

  “Make no mistake, Connor. If I find anything at all that ties him to the rumors, he will disappear.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cold Creek, Colorado

  It had been a long day. Grant was still shaking his head at what he’d seen in the barn that morning. If it had been anyone other than Drew….well, it wouldn’t have been anyone else. Both he and Eleanor had suspected their daughter had strong feelings for MacLaren, but they hadn’t believed he returned Tess’s interest. Now he understood why. Drew was determined to walk before he declared his intentions. Grant’s respect for the young man had grown with that revelation, even if he wished Drew had kept his hands to himself a little longer.

  After the late start, Grant and a few of his men had ridden to the Miller ranch. It was a relief when he saw Ted talking with his men, and Myrna with the children.

  Grant had spoken with Ted for over an hour, explaining the concerns and what had transpired at the Langdon and Bierdan ranches. Although Ted had heard much about Warren Langdon’s decision to sell his land, he wasn’t aware of the numerous threats against Eloise Bierdan, nor the discovery of Hap Whidley’s body.

  They’d stayed longer than anticipated but Grant was grateful when Myrna had invited them all to stay for dinner. Now he was on his way to see Eloise Bierdan, for what he assumed would be another difficult conversation. He sent his men on as they approached the entrance to the Bierdan ranch, riding on toward the house alone.

  Eloise answered the door and ushered him into the front room.

  “May I pour you some coffee or a glass of whiskey?”

  “Coffee would be great.”

  She returned within minutes with two cups. “Do you take anything in it?”

  “No, black is good.

  “Niall told you why I wished to meet with you?”

  “Said you wanted to discuss selling even though he wasn’t sure you’d made the decision to actually leave. Tell me what you’re thinking, Eloise.”

  It didn’t take long for her to go over the pros and cons of a sale, from her perspective. Grant added some additional factors for her to consider. He could see it was all quite over-whelming for the young widow.

  “Let me assure you that I’m not here to pressure you to sell. But you need to confront the realities of running a ranch. It’s hard work and requires attention twenty-four hours a day. It leaves little time for anything beyond the ranch boundaries. And there are no guarantees that anything you do will provide enough money to grow or break-even. Harsh weather, rustling, disease, disloyal ranch hands, and beef prices that fluctuate can wipe out any expected gain. It’s a brutal business, Eloise.” He finished the last of the second cup of coffee she’d poured. “But, it’s my life and I wouldn’t choose anything else. You’ll have to ask yourself how much you want this, and if it’s enough to risk everything to keep.”

  She walked to the window and pulled back the curtain. It had been a peaceful day. The weather was perfect and everyone moved about their business as if nothing odd was happening. She dropped the curtain and turned back to Grant.

  “If I sell, would you have an interest?”

  “Yes and no. It’s no secret I’d like to purchase it if you’re ready to sell. The issue is I’ve just committed myself to Langdon’s ranch and don’t know that I can manage another purchase. I’d need to check with a couple of banks. I use the one here and one in Great Valley. You have any idea what you’d ask?”

  She named a number.

  “That’s quite reasonable, Eloise. To be honest, I’d expect to pay more.”

  “I appreciate your honesty and all of your time. It’s a hard decision for me but everything you’ve said makes sense. I know you’re anxious to get back, but let me know if you’re able to arrange something. As much as I’d like to keep the ranch, have a place of my own, I lack the skills and money to continue.”

  The disconsolate look she shot Grant ate at him. He’d wondered many times how his family would do if they lost him and if he had done what he could to let them continue the ranch if they chose. He cursed Gordon Bierdan once more for his poor choices and insistence on vengeance.

  “I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, but you decide if selling is what you want. If you do, I’ll help you work something out.”

  Grant thought of their conversation all the way back to the ranch. He knew it would be hard to pull off another purchase. Most of his capital was now committed to his existing operations and improving those at the new property.

  As he glanced at the darkening sky, a new idea began to materialize, one that, on the surface, felt right. He rode up to the barn, unsaddled and groomed his horse, then took his time walking toward the house. By the time Grant entered the front door he felt certain he had a plan that Eloise would accept and that would be beneficial not only to him, but to others.

  ******

  Denver, Colorado

  Connor left Ira’s office and walked down the street to a restaurant for dinner. He sat down and looked out the window toward the street. He was surprised to spot one of Ira’s enforcers, Glen Stiles, who appeared to be following him. Walsh employed the enforcer for instances such as the one concerning Pierce. Connor watched as Glen crossed the street, walked into the restaurant, and scanned the small space. He spotted Connor and took a seat a few tables away.

  The waitress took Connor’s order, then walked over to where Stiles sat. Connor could hear the waitress laugh at something Glen said, then saw her walk away.

  Connor fumed at the realization that Walsh suspected not just Pierce, but him as well. He’d spent months building his credibility, growing the saloon business, and making Ira a handsome profit. That appeared to mean little to someone like Walsh.


  He suspected they already knew where Pierce lived, which was a problem. Connor had intended to go there himself. He didn’t want someone with an incentive to rough Pierce up doing anything before he had a chance to see him.

  Connor finished dinner and stood. He made a show of looking around until his eyes landed on Glen.

  “Stiles. Didn’t know you were back in town.”

  “Connor,” the hired gun eyed him and shifted in his seat.

  “You back for a reason?”

  “I am. Ira’s got a new job for me.”

  “And that would be?”

  “You’ll have to speak with him about it.” Stiles sat back in his chair, exposing his gun. It was more for show, not a real threat. This piece of slime wouldn’t draw in public. No, he’d wait to catch his target unaware and shoot him in the back. Fair play wasn’t the killer’s style.

  Connor’s face hardened. He bent low and spoke in a soft voice. “Stay out of my way, Stiles. I’m not like those you murder from behind. If it ever comes down to you and me, rest assured you won’t like the ending.” He straightened and walked out to the street without a backward glance.

  ******

  Cold Creek, Colorado

  “What do you see, Niall?” Jamie asked. The group was positioned behind some large boulders hidden by a stand of pine, a couple hundred yards from the Ibarra ranch house. The day had not gone as planned.

  The first hour Niall, Jamie, and Will had rotated shifts, watching Drew. They knew Jericho kept a constant watch, but they needed to know the extent of his recovery themselves. It seemed total. They didn’t know the pain he’d endured getting to this point, but they were proud of him and stunned at his recovery.

  They’d first ridden to the Rosado property, but no one was there. Not one person, nor one animal. Will and Drew checked inside while Jamie and Niall walked the property. The house was a mess. That could mean nothing given their large family. Jamie found dried blood in the barn. It could’ve belonged to an animal, but they doubted it. Beyond that, nothing. The five then rode to the Ibarra ranch.