“Sure enough, Jamie. Good to see you, Will,” the bartender grabbed two glasses and the bottle.
“Sam been in?” Jamie asked as he poured the drinks.
“Two to three times a day,” Ross chuckled. “Those two are about inseparable. But it’s good to see Gloria happy. I hope to hell that deputy ain’t planning to break her heart. I’ll tell you the truth. If that happens, there’s more than one of us who won’t take it well.” The tone was joking, but the look Ross gave Jamie indicated the man was as serious as they came.
Jamie raised an eyebrow and nodded at the bartender. “I hear what you’re saying. I got to say, I’ve never seen Sam this way. He’s crazy about her. If any heart is going to break, it’ll be Gloria doing the damage.” Jamie turned to Will, who’d been standing wide-eyed at the exchange, toasted his brother, and downed the first of many whiskies.
They had a good time. The brothers played cards, sang along to the piano, and enjoyed the company of the other men as they talked about ranching, politics, and life in a small town. As usual, Will was the life of the party, cracking jokes, teasing the ladies, and laughing more than the rest of them. Neither had accepted invitations to go upstairs. Jamie didn’t know if Will had ever ventured in that direction, but at twenty, Jamie guessed he had. Regardless, he doubted his brother’s future included any further visits upstairs.
At midnight they said their goodbyes. Their journey required them to ride by the Wright place, and as they neared the house, Jamie noticed a solitary figure sitting on the porch, staring into the night. He recognized Victoria, and pulled Rebel to a stop.
“Will, why don’t you ride on to the ranch? I’m going to stop a spell. See if I can visit with Victoria for a minute.” Jamie glanced at his brother, who nodded his understanding and turned his horse toward home.
******
Victoria enjoyed this time of night. It was her time alone, when she could think and make decisions about her future. And she loved staring at the stars. Some nights she walked up the hill to the knoll, but tonight she’d decided to sit on the porch and rock.
She turned her gaze away from the sky and he was there. She couldn’t face Jamie, not yet. But looking at him, her heart surged and she wanted more than anything to run to him, throw her arms around his neck. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him, missed him, and was so terribly sorry for what had happened years ago. But she couldn’t. He was a proud man, always had been. Over the years, she’d convinced herself that he’d reject her once and for all if he knew the whole story.
It was too late to go back into the house. He’d dismounted Rebel. She watched as his long, measured strides brought him closer to the house and up the steps. She’d just have to face him.
“Hello, Victoria,” Jamie said as he joined her on the porch. “Mind if I sit a spell?”
She just looked at him as he held his hat in his hands, worried the brim, and waited for her response.
“Please. Have a seat and stay as long as you’d like. I was just going inside.” She started to stand but Jamie’s words stopped her.
“Don’t leave, Torie. Please, stay a bit. We don’t have to talk. Just let me be near you for a while.”
His words surprised her and tugged at her heart. He seemed so lonely, perhaps as lonely as she felt. She sat back down and pulled a blanket over her legs. It’d been getting colder. Summer was moving to fall with the chillier weather following.
They sat in silence for a long time, both lost in their own thoughts, both too scared to voice what burned in their hearts.
“I’m so sorry, Jamie.” Victoria spoke first, saying the only thing she could.
“Me too, Torie,” Jamie reached over to take her hand in his. He squeezed lightly, but didn’t let go. He never wanted to let go.
It was several minutes before Jamie spoke again.
“I went crazy when you married Wicklin. Did things I’m ashamed of, but I finally realized that you just never loved me, and needed something else. Things I couldn’t give you and would never be able to give you.”
“That’s not true, Jamie,” Torie protested softly. “I did love you. Loved you more than you could ever understand. But I had no choice.” Her voice was filled with remorse.
“You had choices, Torie, Wicklin or me, and you chose him.” He clasped her hand tighter, afraid this might be the last time he’d ever get to touch her. She was free to leave for California, if that’s what she decided. He still loved her, but had no hold on her. “You should know I found out about the plans your parents and his aunt had for you to wed Wicklin. That’s why I never came after you. It became clear to me that I never had a chance.” His voice was calm but full of regret.
It surprised her that he’d learned that much. Few people knew of the letters or the real reason behind Hamilton coming to Fire Mountain. “I never knew about the arrangement, Jamie, and Mama and Papa never agreed to it. They wrote his aunt, but never approved of a marriage. He came anyway, at his aunt’s urging.” She fingered the cloth in her pocket. It’d been her constant companion for years, her only connection to Jamie. It was threadbare, but still she clung to it, refusing to break her ties to the past. “When I told them I’d decided to marry Hamilton, my parents tried to talk me out of it. But it was too late. I couldn’t change what had happened.”
“What happened, Torie? Tell me what happened to make you decide for Wicklin and not me.”
The tears came unbidden even as she sought to control her raging emotions.
“Oh, Jamie, I wish I was stronger, more like you. But I’m not. I’m weak, just as I was that night. I can’t undo any of it. If I could, I would.” She pulled loose of Jamie’s grip and buried her head in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
Jamie stood and lifted her into his arms. Sitting back down he settled her on his lap, while she continued to sob. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder.
“It’s all right, honey.” Jamie tried to sooth her, rubbing her back with slow circles and keeping her close. Although she still hadn’t provided a reason for her change of heart, he now felt certain there was more to it than he’d always thought. Maybe it was the money, but perhaps it wasn’t. He’d give her time, let her tell him when she felt ready. It’d been seven years since he had lost her. He could wait a little longer if it meant getting her back.
Her body relaxed as the crying slowed. She lay very still in his arms, her breathing steady as she continued to clutch at his shirt. He never wanted to let her go.
“I do love you, Jamie. I’ve always loved you.” Her words were muffled against his chest.
Jamie placed a kiss on her hair, then her forehead, and moved to her temple before caressing her cheek with his lips. She lifted her face to his and his mouth closed over hers. It was a soft caress at first, but became more demanding as she parted her lips to give him access.
He deepened the kiss and their tongues tangled, causing her to burrow closer to him. Her arms wrapped possessively around his neck, and both moaned at the intimacy they were creating. He pulled her closer as one hand moved to her stomach, then up to cup the underside of her breast through the fabric of her dress. He stroked it gently before moving to cup the other one. A deep sigh escaped her lips as he continued to caress her.
Jamie came to his senses first and pulled back, taking a deep breath, while settling her back against his shoulder.
“Torie, sweetheart, I want you as much as always. But, if we keep on like this, I’m going to take you right here on your parents’ porch, and I don’t want our first time to be that way. When we make love, and we will make love, it’s going to be right. And, it’s going to be soon.” He paused to place another kiss in her hair. “Make no mistake. I’m not letting you go this time.”
If only that could be true, Victoria thought, as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
******
Morning came early for Jamie, but he hadn’t felt this good about life in a long time. After Victor
ia fell asleep in his arms, he sat on the porch for a long time, not willing to let her go. An hour passed before he stood, opened the front door, and carried her into the house. He laid her on the sofa and covered her with a blanket before placing another kiss on her forehead. He wished he could take her up to her room, but he’d already gone as far as he dared. She was sound asleep when he left.
There was still much she hadn’t told him. He knew that whatever the secret, her fear of telling him seemed worse than her fear of losing him. That had to change. They could never have a future if she didn’t reveal the truth of the past. She said she loved him, had always loved him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d spoken the truth.
Today he’d help his brothers finish painting, cleanup, then head into town to see if she’d allow him to escort her to supper. He knew he may be rushing her, and if she just wanted to sit outside for a while, that was fine too. Whatever she wanted was fine with him.
Chapter Twenty-One
“What do you mean, she’s gone?” Jamie was stunned at Hen’s words. Victoria had left. Packed her things and taken the morning stage. She had refused to confide in her parents, just said she had to leave. There were things that needed tending to, she’d told them.
“Did she leave any word for me?” The pain started, deep in his chest. His stomach clenched, and all he could think was that he’d lost her again.
“No, she didn’t. I’m sorry, Jamie.” Hen scrubbed a hand over his tired face. It was obvious he was as upset about her leaving as Jamie.
“I see.” Jamie plunged his hands into his pockets and walked back to Rebel. He couldn’t come to grips with her leaving him, again. The pain turned to anger, then to resolve. She couldn’t run again. This time he knew with certainty that he wouldn’t let her go so easily. He’d leave for San Francisco today.
******
Victoria sat in the train’s passenger car on her way north to San Francisco, and again berated herself for being such a coward. This time she was running because she was scared that once Jamie learned the truth, he’d walk away from her as she’d once walked away from him. Had she made another mistake, leaving Fire Mountain and a possible future with him?
Aunt Bea had always said she’d turned out to be a very strong woman. She’d tolerated Hamilton’s abuse, but still held her head high, and had found a place in the hearts of their friends. They’d embraced her, even while shunning her husband.
She already knew what her life would be like with Jamie. He was the man she’d always wanted—strong, capable, smart, and devoted—everything she’d ever desired, and he was offering himself to her, at a price. Tell him the truth about why she’d married Hamilton. What if she did tell Jamie the truth, and he rejected her, walked away? Would she be any worse off than she was now? No, she decided, she wouldn’t.
Victoria ticked off what needed to be done when she arrived in San Francisco the following day. First, she’d work with Mr. Dunsford to file divorce papers and get the estate in order so that she could handle it from Arizona. She’d find someone to help her sell the restaurant, close the house, and find positions for the remaining staff. All were within her power and she was certain Mr. Dunsford would support her on these decisions. Then she’d run home to Jamie and pray that he’d take her back this time.
******
He sat near the rear of the train, in the furthest passenger area available, able to check on her a couple of cars up. She never looked back or suspected he was there, with her, protecting her. She slept in her seat, as did he, but took her meals in the dining car. He was careful to stagger the meals so she never saw him. But he watched everything she did, and knew he’d made the right decision.
“Next stop, San Francisco, main station,” the conductor called as he made his way through the cars. Jamie sat ready. As soon as she got off, he’d already be on the walkway, waiting to follow her. He needed to know what she planned to do. Surely she wouldn’t go back to Wicklin. No, she wanted away from him, Jamie was certain of it. She had other plans. He just needed to discover what they were.
“Hello, Mrs. Wicklin. It’s so good to see you again and know that you’re safe. Are you well?” It was an older gentleman reaching out to take her bags and escort her to a waiting buggy. Damn, why hadn’t Jamie thought that she’d have someone waiting for her? He needed to find transportation, but where?
“Would you be MacLaren? Jamie MacLaren?” The voice came from behind him. He turned to see a medium sized man with thinning, light colored hair walk up and extend his hand.
“Jefferson Delaney. You may not remember me. Sam Browning wired that you’d be coming in and asked that I watch for you.”
Jamie clasped the man’s hand, glad to know that Sam had contacted the ex-Pinkerton agent.
“Delaney, good to see you again. It’s been a long time.” Jamie looked behind him in the direction Victoria had headed.
“Don’t worry. The man is Silas Dunsford, the attorney, and I bet I know just where they’re going. Come on, we’ll follow far enough behind so they don’t see us, but close enough to make sure of their destination.” Delaney grabbed Jamie’s bag and headed to a waiting carriage.
******
Thirty minutes later they watched as Victoria and Dunsford disappeared into a stately building in the central business district.
“Dunsford’s office is on the third floor, looks out onto the street. They released him from the hospital a week ago and the man has scarcely left his office since. I’m guessing he’s trying to reconstruct the aunt’s file, but I can’t get in to see him. The assistant has him locked up tighter than if he were in jail.” Delaney continued forward and motioned for Jamie to follow.
Not long after, they were seated in an empty office next door to Dunsford’s, listening through an old opening that had once connected the two offices.
“He’s been working alone most of the time, so nothing to hear except the rustling of papers.” Delaney’s voice was barely above a whisper. “But today, with Mrs. Wicklin joining him, perhaps we’ll hear something useful. Not that we need anything more as she’s been cleared of the charges. Nonetheless, maybe you need to learn more to move on, if you get my meaning.” It was said in such a casual tone that Jamie almost missed the implication. This was about helping Jamie make a decision, nothing more.
Jamie looked at Delaney, nodded his understanding, and thanked Sam again for connecting with his old friend.
“Victoria, your idea to keep a copy of Beatrice’s will at the bank was brilliant. Wicklin had no idea of its existence. We must work with one of the few bankers that isn’t in his pocket.” Dunsford sounded simultaneously pleased and disgusted. “I don’t know how so many people were taken in by your husband. They all must have speculated he was the sole beneficiary of the estate. Just plain greed, that’s what I believe.”
Jamie and Jefferson looked at each other upon hearing that a copy of the will had been hidden from Wicklin. And it had been done at Victoria’s suggestion.
“Regardless, here it is and the time has come to share its contents with you.” Dunsford said. Jamie and Jefferson could hear the rustling of papers through the small opening.
“Wait, Silas. First, please tell me how you’re doing. Are you well, and recovered?” Victoria had always held great affection for this man. He’d done his best to educate her on handling financial matters. On numerous occasions he’d placed himself in danger by acting as a buffer between Victoria and her husband.
“I’m doing quite well, Victoria. Once I regained consciousness, I healed quickly and was released within a week. In the end, this was perhaps the best solution for everyone. Wicklin’s in jail, you’re free to live your life in San Francisco in the style you deserve, and I’m free of an obnoxious, disreputable individual. All is as it should be.” He smiled as he sat down and began his review.
In the next room Jamie grimaced at the revelation that Victoria planned to stay in California, permanently severing her ties with him.
&nb
sp; “Beatrice was a very practical woman. She worked hard, expecting others to do the same. However, she was also a forgiving soul and understood that not all people were meant to achieve to the same level. The provisions of the will provided for many people. Those bequeaths were made upon her death. The bulk of the estate was set up so that if you stayed married to her nephew for seven years, you’d receive everything that remained, and it’s substantial.” He adjusted the wire-rimmed glasses. “No additional provisions were made for Hamilton. It’s completely up to you how you proceed with the estate. Beatrice was quite firm on that language.”
Victoria sat quietly with her hands folded in her lap. She didn’t know what to make of it. Her acquaintance with Aunt Bea had lasted a few short years, yet she’d left her so much. Why? “I don’t understand why she would leave it all to me.”
“She had great respect and empathy for you, Victoria, and she was deeply ashamed of what had happened as a result of her reckless demand that Hamilton marry a woman of quality. She also regretted her communications with your parents that ended with Hamilton traveling to Arizona. I won’t go into specifics, as we both know the trials you endured, but you need to know that she wasn’t oblivious to your situation. She regretted all of it most ardently in the last months of her life. I believe those were the main reasons for the directions in her will.” Dunsford stopped to take a drink of water.
“I see,” she said in a voice just above a whisper. Her mind raced at the implications of Aunt Bea’s decisions.
“This is an accounting of her estate.” He handed her a set of documents. “It is quite current. I’m sure you’ll need some time to review all the details, but let me say that you’re quite a wealthy woman, Victoria.”
Jamie sat stone still in the next room. He felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the small space he occupied. He couldn’t get a breath, couldn’t comprehend the extent of what he’d heard. She was now a wealthy, independent woman who was accepted into the highest social circles of the city. Now that she was free of Hamilton, there’d be no reason for her to return to Arizona or him.
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