“We have a new proprietor at the hotel, plus he owns the mercantile,” Alicia commented. “Bought it from Torie’s parents. Perhaps Torie and Jamie could introduce you to him. I hear he’s been real fair to all the workers.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Aunt Alicia,” Torie said and looked toward Grace. “I’ll be happy to introduce you as soon as the new owner is back in town. I heard he had some business to attend to back east.”
“I’m ready anytime. I need to find something and get settled as soon as I can.” Grace looked around the table then down at her lap. She’d noticed Connor staring at her throughout the meal. Each time she looked up, his eyes were on her as if he were judging her and finding her wanting.
Connor had treated her the same on the entire journey. Grace knew he didn’t want her with them, had agreed only to keep Meggie from staying in Salt Lake. The truth was, she was fed up with his actions and wanted to be away from him as much as he wanted to be out of her life. She needed to get out of this house and away from him without delay.
******
Meggie and Grace helped clear the table, then excused themselves to walk outside. It was a beautiful, cloudless night and a sky full of clear, bright stars. They headed toward the barn. Amanda had told them that one of their mares had birthed a colt the day before and they wanted to take a look.
Meggie held a lantern as they entered the dark, cavernous space. “Over there,” she pointed to a stall near the back.
It was large, built for the purpose of holding a mare and her newborn foal. The women peered through openings in the slats and watched, neither speaking.
“Do you still dream, Meggie?” Grace asked after a while.
“About Dodge?”
Grace nodded.
“Yes, quite often. I don’t know why after all these years, but the dreams still come. Sometimes a couple a week.”
“You loved him and still miss him. The dreams may never go away.”
“I hope they don’t. It’s the one way he stays in my life—I don’t want to let him go.”
Grace reached over and grabbed her friend’s hand. “He’ll always be in your memories. Always.”
Meggie looked at her friend. Even during the worst times with Jeremiah, Grace stayed positive, certain a better life lay ahead. It had been rare to see her without a smile. That had changed since Connor found out she had kept her marriage a secret.
“Are you planning to stay in Fire Mountain?” Meggie asked.
“I’d like to. Your family is wonderful and they’re so committed to each other. I just need to put my feelings for your brother aside and forget he ever meant anything to me.”
Grace continued to watch the mare and colt. They were so at peace while she felt as if her insides were being torn apart. She didn’t understand how she’d developed such intense feelings for Connor after a few short weeks.
Grace glanced at Meggie. Her friend had been through so much in her short life and still she was the strongest person Grace knew. She thought back over the last few weeks and all that had happened, including dissolving her marriage to Jeremiah. She was a free woman, with a chance at a new start.
“I can’t let Connor’s inability to forgive me ruin what could be the best opportunity I may ever have. I’ll stay for now, find a good job, and a place to live. Maybe, in time, I can become a part of this town.” She smiled at Meggie. “Besides, you’re here.”
Meggie threw her arms around Grace. “We’ll have a good life here, I’m sure of it.”
******
“You want to tell me what’s going on?” Pierce asked. He and Connor had ridden into town and taken a table at the Desert Dove.
“What are you talking about?”
“You and Grace. What’s going on between you two? And don’t tell me nothing.”
Connor’s gaze shifted toward a curvy brunette who strode toward their table.
“Hello, Pierce. Who do you have with you tonight?”
“Good evening, Mollie. This is my brother, Connor. He arrived from Salt Lake a couple of days ago.”
“Welcome, Connor. What can I get you gentlemen?”
“Two whiskeys.”
“Coming up.” Mollie turned toward the bar.
Connor’s eyes followed her, moving from her head to her toes.
“Don’t even think about it,” Pierce said. “She isn’t one of the upstairs girls. According to Ross, the bartender, she serves drinks, nothing more.” He sat back and enjoyed the same view as his brother. “She is something, though.”
Connor’s head swung to his brother. “So that’s how it is.”
“No. At least, not yet.” Pierce watched Mollie walk to their table.
“Here you are. Two whiskeys. Anything else?”
“No, Mollie. That’ll do it.” Pierce held up his drink. “To having all three of us in one place again.”
Connor returned the gesture, downed his whiskey, and held up his empty glass. “A couple more, Mollie, when you have a chance.”
A minute later Mollie returned with two more glasses and a bottle. “Thought you might want this.” She set everything on their table. “Let me know when you’re done.”
Pierce tore his eyes away from Mollie and sat back in his chair. “Now, tell me about Grace.”
Connor poured another whiskey and held up the glass, studying the amber liquid. “She and Meggie were married to the same man, Jeremiah Moser.”
“I’ve already heard that part, plus that they both filed for divorce. Now, tell me the rest.”
Connor’s jaw worked as his gaze took in the saloon owned by his oldest cousin, Niall. He’d heard it was the most successful bar in a town that boasted at least fifteen drinking establishments. Niall was thinking of buying out one of his competitors. If he did, he’d need someone to manage both places. He’d asked Connor to consider it. The time had come for Connor to focus on what he’d do next—stay in Fire Mountain or leave. The last person he wanted to talk about was Grace.
“All right. How’s this for a guess. You fell for her, got involved. The first woman you’ve ever felt anything for, besides Meggie. My guess is she feels the same for you. Except something happened that went against your strict set of rules, and now you’re both paying for it. Am I close?”
Connor sat up in his chair and rested his arms on the table. He rolled the glass between his hands. “She should’ve told me she was married.”
Pierce studied his brother. Now it made sense. “She wasn’t up front about her marriage and you bedded her, thinking she was free.”
“Yeah.”
“The problem is, you still care for her. Too much.”
“Yeah.”
Pierce knew his brother well and understood this was no small issue for Connor. Trust was something he valued above all else. When that was lost, it was almost impossible to reclaim.
“Jericho says she’s a good woman.”
“She is,” Connor replied.
“Just not the woman you fell in love with?”
Connor’s gaze shifted to his younger brother. “Hell, I don’t know what or who she is. And I never said I was in love with her.”
“That’s good. You’ll be able to walk away without a backward glance. Let her pick up her life, meet someone else, and forget about you. Sounds like a wise plan.”
Pierce watched the effect his words had on Connor and saw what he expected—uncertainty and hesitation. Perhaps his brother hadn’t made a firm decision about Grace after all.
“I’ve got to get out of here. You coming along?” Connor asked as he pushed up from the table.
“Not right now. Think I’ll stay around and see what develops.”
Connor nodded, knowing the development Pierce referred to was the pretty new bar maid, Mollie.
He pushed opened the doors and stepped outside. It was another clear, crisp night. He was about to walk down the steps to Crusader when a man stopped beside him.
“You must be Connor MacLaren.”
/> Connor looked to see a tall, dark haired man with a badge offer his hand. “Sam Browning. I’m the sheriff.”
“Nice to meet you, Sam. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”
Sam didn’t respond to the compliment. “Word has it you found your sister after a long search. Must’ve been hard. Congratulations.”
“Eight years, but Meggie is finally where she belongs.”
“My wife, Gloria, and I have been invited out to Anna and Hen Wright’s retirement party. We’ll look forward to meeting Meggie.” Sam glanced up and down the street. “Well, better finish my rounds. Have a good evening, Connor.”
Connor watched Sam move down the street. He knew Sam had a deputy named Cord McAllister who’d grown up with his cousins, plus a few other deputies. His cousin, Drew, mentioned that even though Fire Mountain had little crime, everyone felt it smart to have a strong sheriff and several deputies. The town was the territorial capital and they believed it sent a message to those who might not agree with the peaceful atmosphere. So far it seemed to be working.
Perhaps, if Niall did buy another saloon, he should consider his cousin’s offer to manage it. He could always go back to being a Range Detective or an investigator for Alex McCann, but that would involve traveling and he didn’t want to be away from Meggie now that they’d found her. Niall said he could always work the ranch, like Pierce. The cousins had already deeded off a section of land for Pierce and planned to do the same for Connor. At least there were options.
He needed to decide if he could stay in this town, with Grace, and not regret his decision to walk away.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Connor joined Drew and Tess on their ride to check on the horse stock. Drew, along with his brother Will and their wives, were in charge of the horse breeding program at the ranch which was growing at a rapid pace. Niall and Jamie ran the cattle operations.
Each of the brothers had their own place. Connor was staying with Drew, the first MacLaren cousin he’d met while working for Louis Dunnigan. When Connor arrived at the ranch Drew had been insistent he stay with them. Meggie and Grace were at the big house with Niall, Kate, and Aunt Alicia, while Jericho bunked down at Jamie’s.
“What are your plans, Connor?” Drew asked as they rode toward the northern most pasture.
“Not sure yet. I’ve never been a rancher, so this is all new to me. Dunnigan offered me a position with Taylor & Dunnigan, but I’m not sure I want to go back to detective work.”
“The way I hear it, Dunnigan would be willing to offer you just about anything to get you to stay with him and Grant.” Drew turned his head toward Connor. “You’ve got a lot of skills that could be put to good use in their expanding operations. And I’ve got to tell you, the pay is good.”
Drew was the attorney for the growing cattle, timber, and lumberyard business the two men were building. Even though the business was headquartered in Cold Creek, Colorado, Louis Dunnigan and Grant Taylor had allowed Drew to work from Fire Mountain, only traveling to Colorado when needed.
“I’ll see what they offer. I’ve done a lifetime of traveling, searching for Meggie. Might be good to settle some place.”
“You’re welcome to stay here, carve out your own place on the ranch. We’d love to have you.” Tess smiled over at him. He’d met Tess when she and Alicia had traveled to Denver, before she and Drew had married. He liked her, as well as all the MacLaren women.
“Been thinking about that. Guess I need a little time to let things settle in now that Meggie’s here. She’s turned into a strong woman, yet there are things that went on over the years still causing her pain. She’s become good at hiding her feelings, covering things with a smile. I sense she struggles with accepting the events of the last eight years.” Connor paused a moment, deciding how to best say what was on his mind. “I want to be here for her, not make any decisions until I know she’ll be okay.”
“Grace mentioned Meggie doesn’t use the last name of her ex-husband in Salt Lake. Moser, is it?” Tess asked. At Connor’s nod, she continued. “Grace didn’t say what last name she uses, but it’s not MacLaren. Grace is going to use her maiden name, Madison. It’s understandable that neither of them want to acknowledge their marriage to Moser.”
Connor’s gut clenched at hearing Grace’s name. With them living in different houses he hadn’t seen her since the day they’d arrived. Meggie had told him she and Grace planned to go around Fire Mountain, look for work, and a place for Grace to live.
Drew stopped at the top of a small hill and pointed. “Those are the horse pastures, fenced off for different uses. We’ve put the mare and her new colt in the small one closest to us. Those three over in that area,” he indicated another fenced area where other horses grazed, “are all due in the next few weeks. It won’t be long before we’ll need to get them to the barn. We’re in the process of planning out a couple more birthing stalls. It all takes time.”
Time, Connor thought. He needed more time to decide his future, see how Meggie did in Fire Mountain, and forget his feelings for Grace. It would all work out with enough time.
******
“Aunt Alicia and Torie may be right about waiting until the new owner of the hotel comes back into town. We’ve been to every restaurant except the hotel and no one seems to be hiring.” Meggie was surprised at the size of the town. She’d expected a small, quiet, out of the way settlement. Instead, she’d learned that Fire Mountain was the territorial capital with new people moving in all the time and new businesses opening at a rapid pace.
“You’d think with all the building that someone would be hiring. Seems I’m either too early or too late. At least a couple of places asked me to come back in a couple of weeks.” Grace wouldn’t let herself get discouraged. A job would open up someplace and, in the meantime, Niall had fronted her the money to find a place of her own. That is, after Grace had turned down he and Kate’s third offer to let her stay with them.
“Do you want to see the boarding houses Alicia mentioned? Two are right down the street.” Meggie shielded her eyes from the sun and looked in the direction of the two homes with rooms for single women.
“Yes, I need to find out if they have any rooms available and what they cost.” Grace had every intention of paying Niall back as soon as she could. She didn’t want to be in anyone’s debt.
An hour later, Grace counted out money for two weeks at a boarding house one block from the central business area, which meant a block from many of the saloons. The one upstairs room available was large, with new linens, and included a shared bath the landlady had added a few months before. There were three additional bedrooms downstairs plus a parlor, dining room, large kitchen, and another bath.
Maude, the owner, lived in a small place behind the boarding house. She and her husband had built both, first the small home when they were newlyweds, then the larger home when they’d raised their family. Her children were now all grown and her husband had passed three years before.
“Will you stay here tonight?” Meggie asked, disappointed that she and Grace hadn’t had more time to talk over the last couple of days.
“I think that would be best. Connor needs to feel free to visit any of his cousins, and you, without believing he’ll run into me. Besides, I want to be in town to meet the hotel owner as soon as he arrives.”
Grace took her belongings off the horse Jericho had provided for her in Salt Lake. She didn’t own much—everything fit into two small bags, plus a heavy coat tied to the back of the saddle.
“Please tell Mr. Jericho thanks for the use of the horse.”
Meggie stood beside her friend, knowing the time had come to leave, yet her stubborn feet wouldn’t respond. “When will I see you again?”
“Why don’t you come into town this weekend? Maude said the boarders can have a visitor for supper on Saturdays.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Meggie hugged her friend. “You’ll get a message to me if you find work, right?”
; “Of course I will. See you Saturday.” Grace watched her ride away, waving when Meggie turned and raised her hand.
******
“Meggie. Meggie, wake up, you’re dreaming.” Alicia sat on the edge of Meggie’s bed trying to wake her from what appeared to be a bad dream.
It took a moment for Meggie to come out of whatever was troubling her. Eyes wide, she stared around the room, trying to remember the identity of the woman sitting beside her.
“Was I dreaming?”
“Sounded like more of a nightmare,” Alicia said and poured Meggie a glass of water from the pitcher on the dresser.
Meggie accepted the glass, taking a couple of swallows, and trying to clear her head.
Dodge. Another dream about Dodge—except this time he was lying in a pool of blood and clutching his chest. He was saying something but she couldn’t make it out.
She was screaming, trying to free herself from the grasp of two men who pulled her from the room where Dodge lay dying. She kicked at them and tried to dig in her heels, spitting at one who reared back and slapped her before wiping the dampness from his face.
Meggie had passed out, not waking until they’d ridden a long distance from the house. She had no idea of the carnage left behind. Her thoughts were focused on one man, Dodge, and whether he’d survived. Her brain told her it wasn’t possible, not with the wide swatch of blood spreading across his chest. Her heart, however, wouldn’t let go. It hadn’t in all these years.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Alicia asked.
“No, not tonight, Aunt Alicia. Perhaps in the morning.” Even as the words came out Meggie knew she wouldn’t talk about the nightmare with her aunt. The only person Meggie had ever shared her dreams with was Grace. “Thank you for waking me. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“Don’t be silly. I can’t tell you how many bad dreams and nightmares I’ve interrupted over the years since the boys first came to live with Stuart and me.” Alicia’s eyes wandered over Meggie’s face, knowing it had been a terrible nightmare. She wouldn’t push Meggie. It was her decision to talk about the dream or keep it locked away.
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