Harder Than the Rest

by Shirleen Davies

  Jake was the first to arrive. A few minutes later all the men had dismounted to form a circle around Alts.

  “Can he travel?” Jake asked Tinder.

  Tinder shot a quick look at Frank, but mercifully, the man had passed out. “Far as I can tell. The wound is to his shoulder. It looks like the bullet went through and bleeding’s stopped. How do you want to handle this, Jake?”

  The foreman looked at all the men before his eyes returned to Tinder. “You’re the lightest weight. Let’s put Alts in front of you. Can’t risk him riding alone. You and Johnson take him back to the ranch, while the rest of us continue north. And be sure to take good care of him. Like I said before, he’s a friend of Jamie MacLaren’s, and most likely out here with the Rangers. But, keep watch on him. Just because he’s with the rangers doesn’t mean he ain’t dirty.”

  “Don’t worry, Boss, we’ll get him back in one piece. I want to find out how Johnny got involved in this mess as much as anyone.”

  ******

  “Father, you’d better get out here.” Amanda poked her head into Grant’s office where he and Jamie were meeting. “It’s Tinder and Johnson. Looks like they’ve got an injured man with them.”

  “Come on, MacLaren, let’s see what’s going on.” Grant pushed himself out of his chair and led the way outside.

  Recognition hit Jamie as soon as the three pulled up to the house. He hurried the short distance down the steps to help Tinder.

  “What happened?” Jamie asked.

  “Don’t know. We found him this way a few miles north, not far from the ranch boundary. He’s been shot.” Tinder helped carry Alts into the house.

  “Johnson,” Grant looked at the other ranch hand. “You ride into town and bring the Doc. Don’t stop to talk to anyone, understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” Johnson responded and started for town at a crisp gallop.

  “Put him in the small room behind Father’s office,” Amanda directed. “Mother and I will do what we can until the doctor arrives.”

  “I’m staying,” Jamie stated. The tone of his voice told her that his mind was set.

  “All right, but let us get him settled before you try to hammer him with questions.”

  The dried blood formed an adhesion that made Frank’s clothing difficult to remove without causing more damage, but the women managed it in just a few minutes. It was obvious to Jamie that they had cared for gunshot wounds before.

  “What’s going on?” Frank’s pain-filled voice broke the silence.

  “Frank, it’s Jamie MacLaren. You remember me?”

  “Yea. What’re you doing here?” Frank’s words were thick but as his eyes opened Jamie could see recognition.

  “My brother, Drew, got me out here when he learned Will had located Hawley. But you already know the man, don’t you?” Jamie couldn’t keep the slight accusation from his tone.

  “Look, I can explain…” Frank started.

  The doctor stepped into the room, interrupting them. “There’ll be time for questions later. Right now you all need to leave until I’ve had a chance to check him out. Ladies, I need hot water, clean towels, and some liquor. Immediately”

  Eleanor nodded.

  The doctor set his bag aside, took off his coat, and rolled up his sleeves, but stopped when he realized no one had moved. “All of you, out. Now.”

  Jamie headed outside when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned to see Amanda staring up at him. “Who’s Hawley?”

  He considered her question for a moment. It wasn’t his place to explain about Will’s past. “You’ll have to ask Will. It’s his story to tell.”

  Amanda’s protest died on her lips at the sound of riders approaching the house. “All right, I’ll ask him,” she said and hurried outside.

  Will and Tinder had their heads together when she walked up. She could hear “Alts,” and “gunshot,” but that was all before both turned to acknowledge her.

  “How’s Frank doing?” Will asked.

  “Don’t know yet but he recognized Jamie. The doctor’s with him now, so we’ll just have to wait a bit. Tinder, would you give Will and me minute?”

  “Sure,” Tinder looked at Will. “Johnson and I are going to grab some food then head back out to meet up with Jake. Let me know if you hear anything on Alts.”

  “I’m going to ride back out with Tinder, Amanda. What is it you want to talk about?”

  “Who’s Hawley?”

  Hawley’s name coming from Amanda was the last thing Will expected. Besides his family, no one at the Taylor ranch knew that name or the true reason for Will coming to Cold Creek. “Why do you ask?” His terse tone and rigid stance told Amanda this was not going to be an easy conversation.

  “Jamie mentioned the name to Frank. Your brother said I’d have to ask you if I wanted answers,” she paused a moment, hoping Will would explain, but continued when he remained silent. “So, who is he?”

  “Just a man. A man who leaves death and misery wherever he goes. He’s not someone you ever want to get to know. The man is pure evil.” Will grabbed Justice’s reins and turned to follow Tinder.

  “That’s not good enough. I want to know who he is to you and why Jamie would mention his name.”

  He stopped. His words were soft but hard as granite. “The man is my business. Not yours, not Jamie’s, or anyone else’s. I’ll not talk about him with you.” He tried to walk away again, but the next words stopped him.

  “Does he have anything to do with your wife?”

  Will closed his eyes. He didn’t want to talk about Hawley, nor about Emily and her brutal death. His goal was simple. Find the man and kill him. If it meant his own life, then so be it. At least he’d finally be at peace, knowing he’d done what he could to avenge his wife.

  “Will?”

  He felt his chest tighten at the memories as well as the bone-deep ache that was always just a thought away. In one fluid move, he mounted his horse. He debated for just a moment before turning his pain-filled eyes toward Amanda. “He murdered her.”

  Amanda’s heart clenched as she absorbed his words. She watched in silence as Will turned his back and rode off, taking the rest of his secrets with him.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Once more, Tess.” Drew stood behind Tess as she loaded the six-shooter Grant had given her a few years earlier. She’d wanted one of the smaller guns available in town but Grant had said she needed to get used to a real gun that would provide real protection. It was hard for her to handle, but she was determined to prove she could help if there was trouble.

  “The same target?” She started to aim at the old bucket filled with rocks he’d set on a stack of deadfall a few yards away.

  “Same target. You’re going to shoot at it until it’s filled with holes.”

  Drew watched her take aim and fire. The bullet grazed the side of the bucket but didn’t pierce it. “Again, Tess.” They’d been at it for over an hour and he knew she was tired. He also knew trouble could come at any time and she needed to be ready.

  The next shot went straight through the target. “I got it!” Tess’s broad smile made Drew chuckle. He couldn’t fault her enthusiasm even if her aim needed work.

  “Good shot. Now empty the rest of the gun into that bucket and we’ll finish up.” He watched as she continued to aim and fire. “You’ve done real well today, but we should practice again tomorrow. That is, if you’re up for it.” To Drew’s surprise, he was actually enjoying his time with her. She didn’t get frustrated and wouldn’t give up.

  “Of course I want to practice again tomorrow. I’ll practice until I get as good as Amanda.” The last was said as she raised the pistol once more and aimed. She hit the bucket three of the next five shots, the last one toppling the bucket to the ground. Her eyes danced with pride. Not bad for someone who hadn’t shot in years.

  “Okay, that’s good for now.” Drew reached for the gun, checked the cylinder, and handed it back to Tess. “Let’s get back to the house. I want to
see if Jake or Will found any more cattle.”

  It was a short ride. The sky was clear, but that could change in an instant. The Colorado mountain area was notorious for fast mood swings that would blanket the area with rain or a dusting of snow with little warning. It was one of the reasons Tess loved it so much. It was wild and unpredictable, two traits the young woman wished she possessed.

  “How long will you be staying, Drew?” she asked as the house came into view.

  “Anxious for me to leave?”

  “No.” She clamped down on her impulse to ask him to stay longer—just to help at the ranch, of course. Her eyes moved from him to the house ahead. She didn’t want him to know how much she enjoyed his company. “I just wondered if you’d stay until the missing cattle are found.”

  “That so?” Drew watched her squirm a little in her saddle and wondered if she wanted him to stay for reasons other than finding the herd.

  “Well, yes. I know we can use the help and with your brothers here…” her voice trailed off as a rider approached. Will pulled Justice alongside Drew’s horse and tipped his hat at Tess.

  “Heading to the west border, then riding north to see if I missed anything,” Will informed the pair. “They found Frank—Doc’s with him now. I’ll be back in a few hours.” He nudged his horse into a gallop and was a good distance away before Drew made his decision.

  “Tess, I’m going with him. Let Jamie know, will you?” He started off at a brisk pace to catch his brother.

  ******

  “You think the cattle are still in the canyon, north of the ranch?” Grant asked Frank. The doctor had made quick work of the wound, declared that the man would live, but admonished Grant and Jamie to give him time to rest. That hadn’t happened.

  “Don’t see how they could move. Where would they go unless they started driving them to Slider Junction? That’s where they talked of taking them before Hollis shot me.” Frank struggled to a sitting position. “Another thing. I think there’s someone else involved. Chet kept referring to ‘the boss,’ and having to meet with him.”

  “Any idea who the man might be?” Jamie asked.

  “None. He never mentioned his name or if he’s from around here. You want to hand me that water, Jamie?”

  Grant walked to the window to peer out at the ranch he’d built with his own sweat over many long years. He wouldn’t let anyone steal from him. He sure hoped the man involved wasn’t who he suspected. It had been years, but grudges die slowly, especially between two proud men.

  “I can show you where the cattle are, but think real hard about it, Grant,” Frank said. “Hollis is determined to take your remuda with him and he’s a man who doesn’t give up what he wants. The horses are here. My guess is they’ll come for them soon, and anything else they can grab. Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow—but they’ll come.”

  Grant considered Frank’s words. The loss of the cattle would be hard, but losing the remuda would set them back even more. “Tinder and Johnson already left to find Jake and search the north border. Jamie, you mind going after them? Tell Jake I want to stop the search until we can make sure the extra horses are safe. Once everyone is back, I’ll send three or four to find the location Frank gives us and keep watch on the cattle.” He turned as the door to his office opened and Eleanor walked in with Tess.

  “Will and Drew rode toward the west border. They didn’t tell Tess how long they’d be gone,” his wife informed the three men.

  “The west border, huh? Toward Bierdan’s ranch. Well, I guess we’ll just have to send someone after them,” Grant said.

  “I’ll leave now,” Jamie volunteered. “How long since they left, Tess?”

  “Not long at all. Drew and I met Will as he was riding out. They couldn’t be more than a few miles from here.”

  That was the last Jamie heard as he dashed out the front door to follow his brothers. He had a bad feeling about all of this, and it wasn’t just the missing cattle. His gut told him this would not end well.

  ******

  “Amanda, are you out here?” Tess headed off to find her sister. Sister. The word sounded so strange but at the same time so right. A smiled curled her lips as she walked around to the back of the house. Sure enough, Amanda was sitting on their old swing, idly rocking back and forth as if nothing extraordinary was happening.

  “Amanda, I’ve been looking for you.” One look told Tess something was wrong. “What is it? Are you all right?”

  Amanda paused the swing to look up at Tess. “His wife was murdered.”

  “Murdered? Whose wife? You’re not making any sense.”

  “Will’s wife. Some man named Hawley murdered her and he’s somewhere around here. That’s why Will came to Cold Creek. I’m sure of it.” She continued to rock at a slow pace. She still felt the pain of his words and wished she hadn’t pushed him so hard.

  “I didn’t know he had been married,” Tess said. “Was it a long time ago?”

  “He hasn’t said. In fact, if I hadn’t pressed it, he wouldn’t have told me about Hawley, either.” She realized how little she knew about their ranch hand. But the lack of information didn’t seem to stop her rebellious heart from wanting him. “Will rode out to find him. I think he means to kill the man.”

  “Drew went with him, and Jamie is following. Grant…our father…wants everyone back at the house. They think the rustlers plan to come after the horses and he wants all the men here. It’s Hollis, Amanda.”

  “Hollis?”

  “Frank said Chet Hollis is the one leading the rustlers.”

  The news should’ve shocked Amanda, but for whatever reason, it all seemed to fit. She’d known the man wasn’t what he pretended to be, but she hadn’t thought of him as a thief.

  Something in Amanda’s brain clicked and she jumped from the swinging seat. “Wait, you said Frank told Father it was Hollis? But he also spoke with Jamie about a man named Hawley. Did he mention that name to Father?”

  “Not that I heard. Why?” Tess got the words out just as Amanda dashed for the back door of the house.

  “Father!” she said as she flew into the office.

  Grant and Eleanor turned, alarm written on each face. “Amanda, what is it?”

  “Where is he?” Amanda looked around the office.

  “Who?”

  “Frank, where is he?” She couldn’t control the panic that had set in when the pieces began to connect. She hoped the fear she felt wasn’t justified and that the man they called Hollis wasn’t Hawley, the man Will sought.

  “Why, he’s upstairs, dear. He needed a bed, so…” Eleanor began, but her daughter was already out of the room, running past a surprised Tess, and flying up the stairs. Grant and Eleanor recovered in an instant to follow Amanda.

  “Is it true?” Frank’s door burst open and he looked up to see a red-faced and agitated woman staring at him. At least he’d pulled the covers up and wasn’t completely exposed.

  “Is what true, ma’am?” He would’ve laughed except for the pure panic he saw in her eyes.

  “Are Chet Hollis and this Hawley fellow the same man?”

  He didn’t know where this conversation was heading, but it didn’t seem good. “Well, now…” he began.

  “Is he?” Amanda’s voice rose as she walked closer to the bed, arms folded across her chest, cheeks as flushed as if she been sitting in front of a raging fire.

  “Yes, ma’am. Chet Hollis and Chad Hawley are the same man.”

  Grant, Eleanor, and Tess had been standing at the open door, listening, but without a bit of understanding. They watched as Amanda’s arms fell to her sides and she sat down on the edge of the bed to stare at the floor.

  “Amanda,” Grant’s voice penetrated her thoughts and she looked up to see the concern on her father’s face. “What’s this about?”

  “Hollis and Hawley are the same man, Father.” At Grant’s continued look of confusion, Amanda explained. “Will came to Cold Creek to look for a man named Hawley. The man who mur
dered Will’s wife. He’s going to kill him, Father, or at least try. Isn’t that right, Mr. Alts?”

  Frank was uncomfortable discussing Will’s past and long sought vengeance. He didn’t know what MacLaren had planned with Hawley, but he knew it wasn’t good. “I don’t honestly know for sure, ma’am.”

  “But you know Hawley killed Will’s wife?” Grant asked while Eleanor tried to comfort Amanda.

  “If Hollis and Hawley are the same man, then yes, Mr. Taylor. From all the information I know, Hawley murdered Wills’ wife, five years ago near Fire Mountain. She was pregnant at the time. MacLaren took it real hard—never got over it and has sought vengeance ever since.”

  The room was silent, each person hearing the words but unable to respond. What kind of man would murder a pregnant young woman?

  “Will rode out to find him, Father. Hollis works for Bierdan, and that’s where Will was heading.” Amanda’s voice was flat and laced with defeat.

  “Drew’s with him, and Jamie may have found them by now. Surly they’ll talk sense into him. Don’t you think so, Grant?” Eleanor asked as she sat next to Amanda, arms around her daughter.

  “God knows I’d like to think so, but if it were me, God knows I’d be doing the same thing as Will.” His words sent a chill through the room.

  “Well, we’ll just go after them and make sure nothing happens,” Tess said from her position just inside the bedroom.

  “No,” Grant, Frank, and Eleanor replied at the same time.

  “At least you’re not going, Tess, and neither is Amanda.” Grant stopped at the sound of horses. “That must be Jake. I’ll go talk with him and we’ll figure this out.” He turned to Amanda. “I’ll do whatever I can to make sure he’s all right. That’s all I can promise.” He bent down to place a kiss on his daughter’s forehead before leaving to find his foreman.

  Chapter Twenty

  It was dark by the time Jamie caught up with his brothers. They’d ridden to the west property line all right, but instead of veering north, they’d made their way toward the Bierdan ranch, trying to find Hollis. It was getting late but Will and Drew continued their vigil. The killer was nowhere in sight. Neither heard Jamie behind them until a gun being cocked got their attention. Each started to pull their own weapons.