It was Friday evening. Sunday would start their fourth week, their final seven days before a decision would be made. Looking into her eyes each evening, he had no doubt Sylvia loved him. It pained him to know he could never return her feelings.
He’d forced himself to ignore Caleb’s words of warning. His friend meant well, observing the same wonderful qualities in Sylvia which drew Mack to her. Everything he ever wanted was embodied in this one woman. Without an ounce of doubt, he knew no other woman could ever fill the place she held in his life.
Still, he refused to fall in love with her. Mack’s offer would remain the same. He just hoped it would be enough to keep her.
Chapter Fourteen
Dominic stopped on the small rise, his gaze fixed on the town a mile away. Larger than he’d anticipated, Splendor bustled with activity on the clear Saturday morning. From his vantage point, he could see a church at one end and what appeared to be a lumber mill at the other. There were tall pines and smaller shrubs on the outer edges of the town boundaries, a creek meandering behind a long line of buildings. The hills surrounding the town hid everything else.
He stroked the roan stallion’s neck, the white hairs mixing with the dark coat, giving the horse a gleaming blue color. The hue inspired Dominic to name the magnificent stallion Blue. Chuckling at the simplicity of it, he kicked the horse lightly.
Spending a couple days in Big Pine gave him ample time to learn all he could about Splendor. Almost every conversation included a mention of the Pelletiers, as well as Sheriff Gabe Evans. No one knew anything about a group of mail order brides, a fact which bothered him more than a little. The confidence he’d harbored the entire journey, the firm belief he’d find Sylvia in Splendor, wavered with each conversation.
Riding down the hill, he rubbed his jaw. Perhaps four eligible women passing through the territorial capital didn’t interest the vast number of single men in Big Pine. In his experience, any unattached woman traveling through an isolated frontier town drew a good amount of notice, sometimes prompting fights between lonely men looking for companionship.
Nonetheless, Dominic refused to lose the hope of finding Sylvia in Splendor. Keeping his gaze trained on the town, he took in the scenery, including the majestic mountains rising to the west. Even in the early fall, the tops were covered in snow, a sight rarely seen where his family lived.
The Lucero ranch in central Texas was dotted with rolling hills covered with mountain cedar, sycamore, elm, and maple. Some elms had grown to over sixty feet, a few sycamores close to one hundred. The trees in western Montana were different, but no less beautiful.
His gaze had been so focused on the striking scenery, Dominic almost failed to notice he’d reached the southern border of Splendor. He first noted the church steeple before his gaze moved to a large, elegant hotel. The St. James, he read, riding down the main street. Reining Blue to a slow walk, he took his time, taking in the other establishments, thinking there was much more to Splendor than he’d originally believed.
He noted the seamstress and millinery shop, bank, law offices, general store, saloons, barbershop, gunsmith, and land office before his gaze landed on what he sought. The jail. Taking in a deep breath, Dominic reined to a stop. Looking around, he stared at the door, not quite ready to walk inside. After a while of sitting motionless, he saw a man with overly long blond hair approach, a badge pinned to his shirt.
“Are you looking for something?” he asked, staring up at him.
Dominic looked down at the man. “Someone. Gabe Evans.”
“The sheriff isn’t here right now. He and a couple men rode out to a ranch south of here. He might not be back for hours. I’m Cash Coulter, one of his deputies. Can I help you with anything?”
Sliding to the ground, he tossed the reins over a rail, hiding his disappointment. “I was hoping he could help me locate my sister. She came to Splendor several months ago.”
Cash studied him a moment before nodding toward the jail door. “Follow me inside and you can tell me about her.”
Following him inside, Dominic glanced around the front room. After stopping at several jails on his way to Splendor, he’d come to learn the similarities between them. Four walls, a stove against one, hat hooks on another, a window in the front. A desk and several chairs were scattered about. He knew the large opening in the back wall would lead to cells.
A moment before Dominic pulled his attention from the opening, a man with a star on his shirt walked out, coming to an abrupt stop.
“He’s looking for Gabe,” Cash said, pouring a cup of coffee. He looked at Dominic, nodding to the other deputy. “This is Beau Davis. I figure between the two of us, we can help you find your sister, Mr…”
“Lucero. Dominic Lucero.”
Cash’s gaze shot to Beau, the men exchanging a look Dominic didn’t miss. Lowering himself into a chair, Beau rested his arms on the desk.
“Would your sister be Miss Sylvia Lucero?”
Dominic took a step closer, eyes flashing, an unsteady grin tipping up the corners of his mouth. “She’s here? In Splendor?”
Beau nodded. “If in fact your sister is Sylvia Lucero, then yes, she is. Came into town months ago with three other mail order brides.”
Dominic’s voice rose with excitement. “That’s my sister. Where can I find her?”
Cash sat down, making no move to answer the question, preferring to ask one of his own. “How do we know you’re Miss Lucero’s brother?”
Nostrils flaring, Dominic’s hands fisted at his sides. “What would you accept as proof?”
Beau chuckled. “Do you have anything in your pockets or saddlebags proving who you are?”
Lips slipping into a thin line, he reached into a pocket, his fingers gripping the badge. “Will this help?” He tossed it onto the desk.
Beau glanced at it, his gaze meeting Cash’s.
“Well?” Dominic asked.
Picking up the badge, Beau studied it before handing it to Cash. “What do you think?”
Tilting his head, Cash shrugged. “I won’t tell you where she is—”
Dominic cut him off. “But—”
Cash held up a hand. “I’ll take you to her.”
Heading to the door, Dominic grabbed the knob before realizing Cash hadn’t moved from his chair. “Well?”
“Don’t you want to ask how she’s doing or if she’s married?”
Dropping his hand, Dominic shifted back toward Cash and Beau, cursing. “Is she?”
“What?” Cash asked.
“Married?” he spat out.
“No.”
The tautness in Dominic’s shoulders eased as he exhaled a relieved breath.
“She is being courted.” Cash watched his face tense. “He’s a good man.”
Dominic glared at him, placing fisted hands on his hips. “That’s for me to decide.”
Beau threw his head back, barking out a laugh. “I sure would like to witness that conversation with your sister.”
Removing his hat, Dominic threaded a hand through his hair, searching for calm. Looking at the ceiling, he sucked in a slow breath. Beau was right. Sylvia wouldn’t be dictated to, not after living on her own for so long.
Standing, Cash grabbed his hat, settling it on his head. “Come on. Might as well get this over with before she leaves the general store.”
Dominic’s brows drew together. “General store?”
Cash pulled the door open. “It’s a few doors away.”
His mouth twisted in frustration. “How do you know Sylvia will be there?”
Cash looked at Dominic with an amused grin. “It’s where she works.”
Sylvia dusted the remaining books, turning toward Mack. “You’ve asked me the same question two times. If I answer, are you going to ask a third time?”
A smile tugged at the corners of Mack’s mouth. “Depends on your answer.”
Straightening, she crossed her arms. “The Smith brothers walked in with their rifles raised and p
ointed them at the Millers. Ebenezer said they’d gone too far.”
“Gone too far about what?”
“I didn’t know at the time, but it became clear the Smiths blame the Millers for the slaughtered sheep. I believe they said six were killed. The Millers denied it.”
“Did either Morgan or Curtis draw their guns?”
Sylvia shook her head. “Not that I saw. Morgan moved away from Curtis. I don’t recall him saying much of anything. Curtis was the one who did the talking.” She took a breath, her lips curling as she thought. “Ebenezer said no one would run them off their land.”
“Did Eb or Elija ever say they were going to kill the Millers?”
“Not that I heard. You, Caleb, and Dutch came inside shortly after it all started.” Sylvia raised a brow. “How did you know what was happening?”
“Horace Clausen saw Eb and Elija enter the store, rifles in their hands, and ran to the jail. I knew you were here, so…” He shrugged, glancing away.
She stepped closer, resting a hand on his arm. “I wasn’t in danger, Mack.”
He released a shaky breath. “There was no way to know that, sweetheart.” Mack leaned in to kiss her when the bell over the door sounded. Both took a step away, their focus on each other and not on whoever entered the store.
“I didn’t know you were here, Mack.” Cash walked toward them.
Clearing his throat, he looked behind Cash at a man he didn’t recognize. “Gabe wanted me to speak with Miss Lucero about—” Sylvia’s shriek stopped whatever else he planned to say.
“Dom!” She brushed past Mack and Caleb, launching herself into her brother’s arms. Laughing, she kissed his cheek as he swung her around. Setting her down, he held his sister at arm’s length.
“Look at you, working in a store. You’re a clerk!” He tipped his head back and laughed. “Father and Mother would never believe it.”
Pushing out her lower lip, she frowned. “It’s an honest job.”
“Of course it is, Syl, and I’m proud of you. Sylvia Maria Pietro Lucero, the only daughter of the biggest landowner in central Texas, working in a store. You have to admit it’s rather, well…unexpected.”
Sylvia stilled, the hairs on her neck prickling the skin. Slowly, she shifted, her chest squeezing at the stunned look on Mack’s face. Within seconds, the shocked expression changed to disbelief, then anger before he walked toward her, stopping a foot away. Giving Sylvia a cursory look, he stuck out his hand to the stranger.
“I’m Mack Mackey, a deputy here in Splendor.”
Accepting the outstretched hand, he grinned. “Dominic Lucero. I’m Sylvia’s brother.” He looked at her. “I’ve traveled halfway across the country trying to find you.”
Sylvia threaded her fingers together, swallowing the awful feeling building in her stomach. Risking a glance at Mack, she shuddered at the murderous look on his face. Ignoring her, he focused his attention on Dominic.
“I’ll leave you two to catch up. I’m certain you have quite a lot to talk about.” He spared a cold glare at Sylvia. “Miss Lucero.” Without another word, he stalked out.
She felt the color drain from her face, watching him out the front window as he stormed away. Her heart sank. She’d planned to tell him the truth about her family, let Mack know she’d come from money—a great deal of money. Sylvia knew how he felt about any type of deceit and would see her inability to tell the truth about her family as a betrayal of trust. The small amount of hope she still clung to, believing they could somehow build a life together, vanished.
Dominic watched his sister’s gaze track Mack as he left the store, her features showing no trace of the joy he’d seen a minute before.
“Are you all right?” He continued to study her face.
She began to shake her head, then forced a smile, ignoring the moisture building in her eyes. “I’m fine, Dom. And so glad you found me.” Sylvia glanced at the grandfather clock against the wall. “I don’t finish work until five o’clock, then we must have supper together.”
Cash stepped next to them. “I need to head back to the jail. Stop by and introduce yourself to Sheriff Evans when you have time.”
Dom held out his hand. “Thank you for bringing me to Sylvia.”
Cash grasped it. “My pleasure.”
Sylvia turned back to her brother. “Do you have a place to stay?”
“Not yet. Do you have a suggestion?”
She bit her lip, brows furrowed for an extended moment. “The St. James Hotel will have a room.”
“Where are you living?” He hadn’t even considered her living conditions, focusing only on his elation at finding her.
“At the boardinghouse down the street. All of us are living there.” She flashed a quick look outside, hoping to see any sign of Mack, knowing she wouldn’t.
Dominic lifted a brow. “All of you?”
Placing a hand on his arm, she nodded. “There’s so much to tell you, Dom. Why don’t you get settled at the hotel, refresh yourself, then meet me at the boardinghouse at five thirty. We can eat at the restaurant there.”
Dominic stared down at his sister. She still had kindness in her eyes, and he imagined her heart to be as big as always. He saw no sign of the pampered, spoiled young woman who’d taken a stage from Whiplash to settle in a growing town in the frontier of Montana. Instead, he saw an unexpected maturity. He also saw a wave of pain in her expression, something he’d ask about at supper. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek.
“I’ll see you at the boardinghouse.”
“Yes, at the boardinghouse, Dom.”
Her joy at seeing Dominic had faded at the scorn on Mack’s face when he stalked from the store. She hadn’t missed the look of betrayal in his eyes.
A cold knot of regret coiled in her stomach, making her gasp at the pain. When she’d awoken that morning, she knew there were but a few days left to change Mack’s mind about love. She now doubted he’d give her even that much time—and it was no one’s fault but her own.
Mack walked to the back of the jail, checking on the Smith brothers still secured in cells. They’d finished the meal Suzanne delivered from the boardinghouse, saying little to anyone other than each other.
He doubted Gabe would hold them much longer. Although they’d threatened their neighbors, the rifles weren’t loaded. Neither had meant the Millers actual harm, intending to scare the men enough to stop the slaughter. Mack doubted they’d accomplished their goal.
Morgan and Curtis Miller were released a few minutes after noon, the older brother spitting obscenities at Mack and Beau before the two left town.
Mack now sat alone in the jail after Cash started another turn around town. Besides the troubles between the Smiths and Millers, little had gone on in Splendor over the last few weeks. For him, his own excitement had come from courting Sylvia.
The thought of her caused a dull ache to form in his chest. Lifting a hand, he rubbed the spot close to his heart, then dropped his arm when he recognized the location of the pain. He forced himself to embrace the anger he’d felt at Dominic’s words.
She’d lied to him. Her family wasn’t of meager means, working a small ranch. According to her brother, the Luceros owned the largest ranch in central Texas. They were wealthy, well-known, and powerful. Sylvia had been raised in a wholly different fashion than she’d led Mack to believe. Instead of a simple life, working alongside her family, she’d been born into what many would refer to as Texas royalty.
“I hoped I’d find you in here.”
Mack shook his head, shoving aside thoughts of Sylvia’s lie to focus on Dutch. “Were you looking for me?”
Dutch held up a piece of paper. “I finally received a reply from Pinkerton about your inquiry into Miss Lucero.” He sat down, leaning back in the chair. “Quite interesting.”
Mack reached out, taking the telegram from Dutch’s outstretched hand. Scanning the short message, he choked out a bitter chuckle.
Sylvia Maria Pietro Lucero. Twenty-one. O
nly daughter of Antonio Lucero. Lucero Ranch largest in central Texas. Over eighty thousand acres. Two older brothers, Cruz and Dominic. Disappeared months ago. Mr. Lucero has retained our firm to locate his daughter.
Dutch watched the expression on his fellow deputy’s face, cocking his head. “I saw Cash on my way here. He said Dominic Lucero rode in today. I’m sure his arrival surprised her.”
Folding the telegram, Mack slipped it into a pocket, letting out a breath. “Yes, it did.”
“I suppose you’ll be having supper with them tonight.”
“It’s doubtful.”
Dutch’s eyes widened, deciding to keep his thoughts to himself. Standing, he headed to the door. “Well then, I’ll get supper before coming back to take your place.”
Mack nodded, his expression bland. A few spoken words had changed all his plans. Not just for today, but for the next week. A few days remained to fulfill their agreement. He no longer looked forward to his time with Sylvia.
In fact, he didn’t anticipate any further time with the woman he evidently hadn’t known at all.
Chapter Fifteen
Sylvia’s hands shook, fumbling with the closures on the dress she’d changed into for supper. Mack had already asked her to supper in the boardinghouse restaurant. They were to meet at five thirty, the same time Dominic would arrive downstairs. She couldn’t help wondering if Mack would appear or stay away. A slice of pain claimed Sylvia, recognizing she expected the latter. Opening the pendant watch on the dresser, she checked the time. Five thirty.
Placing a shawl over her arm, she walked downstairs, her hand gripping the rail much tighter than needed. Most evenings, Mack waited at the bottom, flashing a warm smile in greeting when he saw her. Staring at the empty space before her, Sylvia’s heart tripped. No one waited.
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