Deadlier Than the Rest

by Shirleen Davies

  “Well, if you’re sure you’re all right, I’ll go back to bed.”

  “Goodnight, Aunt Alicia.”

  “Sleep well, Meggie.”

  ******

  “Grace, Meggie is downstairs to see you,” Maude called from outside Grace’s bedroom door.

  It was early afternoon. Even though Grace had said to come for supper, Meggie couldn’t wait any longer.

  Grace raced downstairs. “Meggie, I’m so glad you came early. We can walk around town for a while. You won’t believe all the different items for sale in the shops or the beautiful window displays.” Even though they’d walked the town a few days before, neither had taken the time to look in the windows. She linked her arm with Meggie’s and walked outside.

  They strolled along the wooden walkway, peering into shops featuring beautiful dresses, jewelry laid out on black or green fabric, and stunning hats. They were looking into the window of once such shop, Meggie pointing to a particular item, when they heard a man clear his throat.

  “Good afternoon, ladies. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Chaz Yarbrough.” He removed his hat and made a slight bow. Meggie recognized the southern inflection to his voice, the same as Dodge’s. “I couldn’t help but wonder what the two of you are looking at in the window.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Yarbrough. I’m Miss Grace Madison and this is my friend, Miss Meggie MacLaren.” Grace noticed Meggie wince out of the corner of her eye. Meggie had insisted on using Dodge’s last name ever since his death, even when married to Jeremiah Moser. To Grace’s way of thinking it was time she went back to MacLaren, especially now that she’d settled in a place where people thought of the family as almost the town founders.

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now, show me what it is that has you so fascinated.” He peered over their shoulders.

  “Do you see the cameo brooch, the one in the center with a dark rose colored background and figure of a woman in white?” Grace asked.

  “Why, yes, that one is especially lovely. It’s made of shell, you know. It is from an estate in the south. As I recall, it belonged to a woman who died very young.”

  “Really? Did you know her?” Grace asked, startled that the gentleman knew so much about the cameo.

  “No, not personally. A friend of mine was acquainted with her family. I bought it from him and brought it to Fire Mountain.”

  “You own this shop?” Grace took a longer look at Chaz Yarbrough, wondering what an east coast gentleman was doing opening up a small shop in what many would consider a frontier town.

  “Yes, I do, along with four others. Not all are jewelry or antiquity shops, however all do quite well.” He turned to his left. “You see that drug store? It has a soda fountain. May I buy you two ladies a sarsaparilla or ice cream soda?”

  “Ice cream soda? I’ve never heard of it, have you Meggie?”

  Meggie hadn’t been able to take her eyes away from Chaz Yarbrough. His clothes, his manner, and southern drawl pulled her in, allowing memories of Dodge to wash over her.

  “Meggie?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Grace. What did you say?”

  “Ice cream sodas. Have you ever heard of them?” Grace repeated.

  “No, never. Why?”

  “Because Mr. Yarbrough has offered to treat us to one at his drug store.” Grace flashed the most stunning smile that Chaz had seen in a long time. It was a smile he had a hard time pulling away from.

  “I met a man in Philadelphia a couple of years ago, a Mr. Green, and he’d invented a drink he called the ice cream soda. People loved it, so I asked him if I could purchase the recipe and bring it west. It took some coaxing, but I am now able to offer it in my drug stores.”

  They walked slowly toward the store, looking into more windows as they passed by.

  “You own more than one drug store?” Grace asked.

  “My partner and I own three, or is it four? This is the latest one.” He stopped to open the door and allow the women to pass in front of him. “Timothy, three chocolate sodas, please,” Chaz called to the boy behind the counter.

  “Yes, sir,” Timothy called back and grabbed three glasses from a shelf behind him.

  A few minutes later Meggie, Grace, and their host sat drinking the delicious beverages.

  “This is wonderful, Mr. Yarbrough,” Grace exclaimed and continued to sip on the frothy drink.

  “And you, Miss MacLaren, do you like it?”

  “Yes, very much. This is a real treat.”

  An hour later Chaz escorted them back to Grace’s boarding house.

  “Thank you so much, Mr. Yarbrough. That was the best afternoon we’ve had in a long time.” Grace looked up into the handsome face with sparkling blue eyes. She noticed some of his mahogany colored hair had escaped his hat to fall on his forehead. It gave him a boyish, mischievous look. He swept the hat from his head in one fluid motion.

  “I wonder if it would be all right to call on you, Miss Madison? Perhaps take you to dinner?”

  Grace was so stunned her mouth fell open. Regaining her composure, she fumbled with her small reticule before answering. “Why yes, Mr. Yarbrough. That would be lovely.”

  “Good then. I will call for you on Tuesday evening, if that is acceptable?”

  Grace nodded, a slight trace of color staining her cheeks.

  “Ladies, it was a pleasure. Miss Madison, I will look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.” He set his hat back on top of his head and strolled away, leaving two very surprised women behind.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Grace and Meggie dashed upstairs, hardly containing themselves from talking about Mr. Yarbrough before they entered the bedroom. They chatted about Chaz, his different businesses, southern drawl, and his invitation to take Grace to dinner.

  “I hope it was all right to accept,” Grace commented after they’d exhausted all they knew about Mr. Yarbrough.

  “Why wouldn’t it be all right?” Meggie asked, confused by the question. “You’re a beautiful, single woman. Of course you should have said yes. That is, of course, unless you find him unattractive.”

  Both women burst into laughter at Meggie’s comment. The man was exceedingly handsome, more so than most men either woman had ever met.

  Meggie stayed the night, riding home just after breakfast to a house full of people. It was Sunday morning and everyone had just come home from church.

  “Where have you been, Meggie?” Pierce said as he walked up to her. “Connor is in a state, so watch out.”

  “Oh, no. I’m so sorry.” She looked into the room to see Connor glaring at her. “I rode into town yesterday to have supper with Grace. One thing led to another and I decided to spend the night rather than ride home alone in the dark.”

  She hated causing either of her brothers to worry. They’d been through enough over the last few years without her doing something else that caused more concern. “I’ll go speak with him.”

  “Hello, Connor.” She reached up to place a kiss on his cheek.

  “And where have you been?” She could see him trying to rein in his temper.

  “I had supper with Grace last night. It was late, so I stayed at her place in town. I’m sorry if it caused you to worry.”

  “And how is Grace?” Jericho walked up and gave Meggie a slight hug.

  “Oh, she’s wonderful. And the best thing, she’s been asked to supper by a very dashing gentleman we met in town yesterday.”

  Connor choked on the coffee he’d been drinking.

  “What man?” Connor ground out loud enough that all other conversation stopped.

  Meggie glanced around the room realizing she shouldn’t have said anything about Grace and her supper engagement.

  “Mr. Chaz Yarbrough invited her to have dinner with him and she accepted.”

  “Chaz Yarbrough? Does anyone know this man?” Connor asked no one in particular.

  “I haven’t met him myself but believe he owns a drug store and a couple of other places in tow
n. He’s a friend of the new owner of the hotel,” Niall offered. “Do we need to check him out?” he asked, only half joking.

  “No! You’ll do no such thing.” Meggie’s hands were on her hips as she addressed the rest of the MacLarens. “We met him today and he took us for ice cream sodas at his drug store. He walked us back to the boarding house where Grace lives and asked her to supper.”

  “When?” Connor’s voice had turned hard.

  “Tuesday. But I’m warning you, Connor, do not ruin this for her. You walked away from her, so let her move on. She deserves to meet new people and have fun.” Meggie’s face turned red as she confronted her oldest brother. He’d already hurt her closest friend through his stubborn pride and she’d do anything she could to prevent him from interfering in her new life.

  So that was it, Alicia thought as she scanned the room seeing the looks on each person’s face. She’d guessed something had gone on between Connor and Grace, yet neither had acknowledged a thing.

  “Mr. Jericho,” Alicia said to the man who stood a foot away. “I’d like a word with you, please.”

  Connor glared at Jericho, warning him not to say anything about Connor and Grace to his aunt.

  “I’m not going to lie to her,” Jericho said as he followed Alicia into the kitchen.

  As soon as they were in the kitchen, Alicia turned to look up at the man who stood close to a foot taller than her. “I think I’d like to go to supper on Tuesday night, Mr. Jericho. Would you be free to accompany me?”

  A giant grin broke out on Jericho’s face. “Why, I’d be honored Mrs. MacLaren.”

  ******

  “Good evening. I’m Chaz Yarbrough, and I’m here to call on Miss Madison.” Chaz had removed his hat and stood erect at the front door.

  “Well, don’t just stand there, come in. I’ll get Grace for you.” Maude closed the door behind him and walked to the foot of the stairs. “Grace, there’s a gentleman here to see you.”

  Chaz heard a door open and close before he saw Grace descend the stairs. She looked beautiful in a simple cotton dress and shawl. She’d done her hair in ringlets at the back and wore a simple gold necklace.

  She stopped in front of him. “Good evening, Mr. Yarbrough.”

  “Good evening, Miss Madison. You look stunning.” He took another moment to appreciate the view then turned and offered his arm. “Shall we?”

  She smiled up at him and his long, tedious day went from ordinary to brilliant in a split second.

  He escorted her two blocks away to the restaurant in the hotel his friend had purchased from Anna and Hen Wright. Chaz had moved west to help run the operation for his friend who frequently traveled on business as well as open the other stores he’d shown Grace and Meggie.

  “Have you been here before?” Chaz asked as he seated her at their corner table.

  “No. I’ve only seen it from the outside, but I’ve heard it has a new owner.”

  “Yes, it does. He’s been out of town but returned today. Perhaps he’ll come down and I’ll introduce you.”

  They’d just ordered their meal when Grace looked up to see Alicia MacLaren and Mr. Jericho enter the restaurant. Alicia spotted Grace and headed straight to her table.

  “Hello, Grace. It’s so good to see you.” Alicia looked at the tall man who had stood when she approached the table.

  “Mrs. MacLaren and Mr. Jericho, what a nice surprise. This is Mr. Chaz Yarbrough. Mr. Yarbrough, this is Meggie’s aunt, Mrs. MacLaren and their family friend, Mr. Jericho.”

  “I believe the MacLarens have a connection to this hotel. Am I correct, Mrs. MacLaren?” Chaz asked.

  “In a way. My nephew, Jamie MacLaren, is married to Victoria Wright.”

  “Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Wright’s daughter.” Chaz glanced at Grace, then back to the older couple. “Won’t you join us?”

  “That’s very kind of you but we’ll let you two young people enjoy your supper alone. Nice meeting you, Mr. Yarbrough.”

  Chaz watched them being escorted their table. “Do they dine out often?”

  “I don’t know them well, but no, I don’t believe they do.”

  “Quite a coincidence, don’t you think?”

  It took Grace a minute to grasp his meaning before she laughed. “You don’t think…?”

  “I certainly do.” Chaz smiled at her and relaxed in his chair, glad he’d asked this beautiful woman to supper.

  ******

  “So what do you think of him?” Jericho asked after the waiter had taken their order.

  “Seems like a nice man. Very proper, yet not stiff like many who come out here from the east. We’ll see.” Alicia picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. She wasn’t much for drinking, yet she was enjoying the evening out. It had been years.

  “Connor is outside you know, over in the courthouse square.”

  Alicia turned in her seat to look out the window. “Ah, I see him next to one of the larger trees. Do you think he’ll cause trouble?”

  “No. The lad wants to be sure she’s safe, that’s all.”

  “Well, you may think that’s all, but I’m not so sure. I think he cares a great deal more about Grace than he lets on.”

  “Oh, you are right about that. The boy’s in love with her, but too stubborn to see things from her point of view and not just his.” Jericho sat back in the chair and focused on the woman across the table. He was glad she’d invited him to accompany her tonight.

  “And what did happen, Mr. Jericho?”

  He wouldn’t betray Connor but felt an obligation to explain what he could. “There was a misunderstanding, you see. Connor didn’t realize the lass was still married when he,” Jericho paused, “well, when he decided she wasn’t just someone passing through his life and how much he wanted to be with her.”

  “I see.”

  “He and your other nephews have much in common from what I can see. All take their obligations seriously, look out for the others in the family, and have strict codes of conduct that drive them. Until Grace, Connor’s code had served him well. Now? I just don’t know.”

  ******

  Meggie rode to Drew and Tessa’s house wanting to visit and to speak with her brother, and to be sure he wasn’t planning to ride into town.

  “Hello, Meggie. Please, come in.” Tess opened the door and stepped back. “We’re sitting down to dinner and you’ll join us, of course.”

  “Thank you, Tess, but I’ve already eaten. Actually, I came by to talk with Connor.”

  Tess looked to Drew who had joined them in the small foyer. Drew cleared his throat.

  “He’s not here. Rode out about an hour ago. Said he was headed to town.”

  “Oh, no,” Meggie moaned and ran outside, mounting her horse, and taking off before either Tess or Drew could say another word.

  Meggie rode non-stop, finally reining up in front of the hotel where she saw the MacLaren carriage. Sliding off her horse, she tried to dust off her dress and fix her hair—neither attempt did much good.

  As she turned toward the hotel entrance she saw Connor standing across the street, watching but not approaching her or the hotel. He was relaxed, leaning against a large tree trunk, and pulling on a cheroot. She didn’t remember him ever smoking and hadn’t noticed it on the ride from Salt Lake. There was still much she didn’t know about him.

  Meggie looked into the restaurant to see Grace and Chaz engrossed in conversation. Grace laughed at something Chaz said then picked up her cup and took a sip. Meggie walked across the street to stand by her brother. “Nice night.”

  “Yes, it is.” Connor ground out the last of his cheroot under his boot. “What are you doing here?”

  “The same thing you are. Making sure Grace is safe. Is she?”

  “Appears so. Guess I’d better head back. You coming?” Connor asked.

  “Yes.” As she turned to cross the street Meggie noticed a man walking into the restaurant. Something about him seemed familiar. The hair, his height, and the way he stoo
d. She stared for a moment, her breath caught in her throat.

  “No, it couldn’t be,” she whispered.

  “What did you say?” Connor asked but Meggie didn’t hear him.

  Her legs moved on their own, up the steps to the hotel entrance, toward the restaurant, and toward Grace’s table. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

  Alicia and Jericho noticed the scene unfolding across the room but stayed in their seats.

  “Meggie, wait up.” Connor came up behind her and grasped her arm. She shook it loose. “What are you doing?”

  “The man. The man walking toward Grace’s table. I have to look at him.” She kept moving until she stood no more than six feet away, and stared at a man she knew so well. Her stomach clenched as her breath caught.

  “Dodge?” she said on a soft whisper.

  The man turned, the shock on his face clear. He moved closer. “Meggie,” he breathed out just before her eyes rolled back in her head and his arms wrapped around her to stop her fall.

  ******

  “Who the hell are you?” Connor demanded as they waited in an upstairs hallway for Doc McCauley to check out Meggie.

  Grace stood a few feet away, next to Chaz, and wanted to know the same thing as Connor. Alicia and Jericho had followed everyone upstairs and waited for the man’s response.

  “I’m Dodge Delaney. Who are you?”

  Grace began to move toward the tall, handsome hotel owner.

  “Connor MacLaren. Meggie’s oldest brother. What just happened down there?”

  “You’re Dodge?” Grace asked. “The man who was to marry Meggie?”

  Dodge looked at the woman he’d seen at the table with Chaz but had not met. “Yes.”

  Grace hauled back and landed a blow to his jaw that any man would’ve been proud of. “You despicable piece of trash.” She moved toward him again, preparing for another blow. “You lying…”

  She was stopped by Connor’s strong arm around her waist pulling her back toward him. “Stop, Grace.”

  She kicked and tried to pull free of Connor’s grasp. “You did this to her,” she spit at Dodge. “All these years and you let her believe you were dead.”