Stronger Than the Rest (29 page)

At the use of that word she placed her hands over her face and tried to turn from him. He grabbed her arm and spun her back around to face him.

“Yes, passionate. You were before what happened. The opium did nothing to change your response to me, our love making.” He pulled her close, not letting her pull back. “I love you, Tess, and I’m not losing you. Ever.”

He lifted her from the chair and settled her on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. “Where?” he asked.

His question confused her. “Where?” she whispered.

“Are we getting married here or in Fire Mountain?”

Her heart pounded so loud she almost couldn’t make out what he’d said. Almost.

“Here.”

Drew let out a breath, then tightened his hold. He never planned to let go.

Epilogue

Eleanor, Alicia, Amanda, and Kate pulled off a beautiful wedding three days later. Since most everyone was already at the Big G, Drew and Tess decided not to wait. Besides, Drew didn’t want Tess focusing on the past. He wanted her firmly in the present, with him.

How the women got a small band, decorations, food, and the minister together in that short amount of time astonished the men.

Tess was stunning. Eleanor brought her wedding gown down from the attic. It took very little to adjust it. The women added pearls and small amounts of lace. It was perfect.

Grant surprised Drew with the gift of a beautiful chestnut stallion with a wide white blaze. “To help your breeding program,” Grant said. Drew named him Freedom.

Tess danced with Drew as well as the other five MacLaren men. She saved a dance for Jake, Frank, Jericho, and Louis Dunnigan. The best one, however, was with her father.

“I’ll miss you, Tess,” he said as they danced slowly on the small floor. “But I’m glad you’ll be with Amanda. It’ll give Eleanor a place to go when she wants to get away from me.” He smiled down at her.

“And you. You’ll come to visit also, right?”

“Of course.”

Grant handed Tess to her new husband and stepped back.

Drew took her in his arms and spun her around the floor, then pulled her away from the crowd. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her face, nuzzling her neck. “It won’t be long before we can disappear upstairs,” he whispered.

Tess pulled back and ran a finger up his arm, over his chest, and behind his neck to pull him down for a beautiful smile. “Don’t keep me waiting,” she whispered back, then started to laugh.

Drew laughed with her as he took her hand to return to the party. “Vixen,” he murmured.

******

It was dark and the guests had gone home. The women helped Tess change her clothes and pack her things. The MacLarens would be leaving tomorrow for Fire Mountain.

Afterwards, everyone gathered in Grant’s office as Drew explained the complicated transaction that had brought Louis to Cold Creek.

Eloise had agreed to sell her land to a new entity called Taylor-Dunnigan Cattle & Timber. That got the attention of all in the room. Louis had agreed to buy the land with his cash, including purchase of a home for Eloise in Cold Creek.

Grant had agreed to merge his ownership of the Langdon ranch into Taylor-Dunnigan. Most surprising was that Grant accepted Dunnigan’s offer to purchase half of the Big G. The three ranches sat side by side, creating the largest cattle and timber property west of Denver. Taylor-Dunnigan Cattle & Timber would do just what the name implied. Raise cattle, provide timber to the mills, and within a year, build the largest lumber mill in this side of the state with distribution throughout the country.

Grant would be in charge of the cattle business, Louis in charge of the timber and lumber mill operations. Dunnigan had an idea about selecting and cutting timber in a planned method, with re-planting following soon after the trees were removed. It was something he had heard about while back east, and he was anxious to try it. He called it the never-ending-supply-of-timber concept.

The best news to all was that no jobs were lost. There was be a place for everyone who wanted to stay, and that included Connor and Pierce. Both Grant and Louis saw a place for both men in their business. It was up to them to decide.

One surprising offer was to Drew, after everyone else had left the office. “I know you’ve given me your resignation,” Dunnigan said, “but let Grant and I make you a counter offer. One I think you’ll like.”

“All right.” Drew was willing to listen to them. He respected them both. Hell, one was his father-in-law.

“We need a lawyer for Taylor-Dunnigan. This will be a big operation. We’ll need someone who knows cattle and understands business. You can do it from Fire Mountain and it shouldn’t detract from the horse breeding business you and Tess have planned. In fact, we may even find a way to combine the breeding program here with yours. What do you say?” Dunnigan sat back and waited for Drew to digest the offer before adding, “And you’ll make the same pay as at Dunnigan Enterprises.”

Drew’s eyes widened. He was a good negotiator, used to keeping a straight face. The first offer was a coup, the second...Well, he’d have to be a fool to pass it up.

“I’ll accept, but under one condition.”

The two older men looked at him, waiting.

“You pay me as part of the MacLaren Ranch business, not to me personally. You do that, and we’ve got a deal, gentlemen.”

Louis and Grant looked at each other then burst out laughing.

“Best damn deal I ever made,” Louis said and held out his hand.

Louis spotted Connor as the three left the office. “Excuse me, there’s one more person I need to speak with.”

Louis walked outside and down the front steps.

Connor stood by the barn, holding a piece of rope, tying and retying knots, killing time. He was glad to have met the other MacLarens. They were a good group—one he’d be proud to be associated with if he were a different man. But he wasn’t. He’d understood years ago that the demon that haunted him could only be extricated in one way—by finding Meggie. Except that dream had died a little more with each passing year. He looked up to see Dunnigan walking toward him.

“Connor,” Louis greeted him. He hoped the man would consider the offer from Grant and him to work for Taylor-Dunnigan. He was a good man, even if he wouldn’t acknowledge it.

“Mr. Dunnigan.”

“You and I discussed a deal if you helped me with Ira. You did and I’m here to make right that deal.”

Connor’s eyes lit up.

Louis pulled out a slip of paper and held it out. “It’s as of two days ago.”

Connor took the telegram and read it through. “They’ve tracked her to Salt Lake.” He looked at Dunnigan. “That’s only a couple days ride from here.” He took a couple of steps away, then turned back. “It’s sounds like they’re sure.”

“Yes, it does,” Louis answered.

“I need to let Pierce know.”

“You’ll stay in touch?” Dunnigan asked. He knew Connor would be gone now that he had news. And Pierce might go with him.

“Yes. And thank you, Mr. Dunnigan.” Connor shook the man’s hand then left to find his brother. Pierce was in the back, talking with Jamie and Will. He’d told Connor that he planned to go back to Fire Mountain with their cousins, maybe work at the ranch. He wanted to give it a try. Connor didn’t know if the latest news would change his plans or not.

Connor nodded at his cousins as he joined them. “Pierce, you got a minute?”

They walked a few feet away. Connor handed him the telegram.

Pierce’s eyes grew wide. “Damn, they’ve found her. After all this time.”

Connor stood, watching Pierce, deciding how to phrase his thoughts.

“I’m leaving in a few minutes, and I’m going alone.”

Pierce started to protest but Connor stopped him.

“Don’t argue with me. This is my quest. I know you love her, want to find her, but I’m the one who lost her. It’s my fault she’s been missing all these years.”

The pain Pierce saw in his brother’s eyes cut through him. Connor had blamed himself too long, and it had never been his fault. Finding Meggie was the only thing that could bring him peace.

“You have an opportunity in Fire Mountain. I want you to go. I’ll find Meggie and come to you.”

Pierce felt his eyes water—for his brother and for his missing sister. He knew he had to let Connor do this his way. He held out his hand and when his brother took it, he pulled him into a hug. “Swear to me you’ll make it to Fire Mountain,” Pierce said in a low voice.

Connor pulled back. “I swear.”

About the Author

Shirleen Davies
began her new series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain, with Tougher than the Rest, the story of the oldest brother, Niall MacLaren. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance.  She grew up in Southern California and now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona. Between them they are the proud parents of five grown sons.

Shirleen loves to hear from her readers.

Write to her at
[email protected]

Visit her at
http://www.shirleendavies.com

Check out her blog at
http://www.shirleendavies.com/blog

Thank you!

Other books in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain series

by Shirleen Davies

Tougher than the Rest – Book One

“A passionate, fast-paced story set in the untamed western frontier by an exciting new voice in historical romance.”

Niall MacLaren is the oldest of four brothers, and the undisputed leader of the family. A widower, and single father, his focus is on building the MacLaren ranch into the largest and most successful in northern Arizona. He is serious about two things––his responsibility to the family and his future marriage to the wealthy, well-connected widow who will secure his place in the territory’s destiny.

Katherine is determined to live the life she’s dreamed about. With a job waiting for her in the growing town of Los Angeles, California, the young teacher from Philadelphia begins a journey across the United States with only a couple of trunks and her spinster companion. Life is perfect for this adventurous, beautiful young woman, until an accident throws her into the arms of the one man who can destroy it all.

Fighting his growing attraction and strong desire for the beautiful stranger, Niall is more determined than ever to push emotions aside to focus on his goals of wealth and political gain. But looking into the clear, blue eyes of the woman who could ruin everything, Niall discovers he will have to harden his heart and be tougher than he’s ever been in his life…Tougher than the Rest.

Faster than the Rest – Book Two

“Headstrong, brash, confident, and complex, the MacLarens of Fire Mountain will captivate you with strong characters set in the wild and rugged western frontier.”

Handsome, ruthless, young U.S. Marshal Jamie MacLaren had lost everything—his parents, his family connections, and his childhood sweetheart—but now he’s back in Fire Mountain and ready for another chance. Just as he successfully reconnects with his family and starts to rebuild his life, he gets the unexpected and unwanted assignment of rescuing the woman who broke his heart.

Beautiful, wealthy Victoria Wicklin chose money and power over love, but is now fighting for her life—or is she? Who has she become in the seven years since she left Fire Mountain to take up her life in San Francisco? Is she really as innocent as she says?

Marshal MacLaren struggles to learn the truth and do his job, but the past and present lead him in different directions as his heart and brain wage battle. Is Victoria a victim or a villain? Is life offering him another chance, or just another heartbreak?

As Jamie and Victoria struggle to uncover past secrets and come to grips with their shared passion, another danger arises. A life-altering danger that is out of their control and threatens to destroy any chance for a shared future.

Harder than the Rest – Book Three

“They are men you want on your side. Hard, confident, and loyal, the MacLarens of Fire Mountain will seize your attention from the first page.”

Will MacLaren is a hardened, plain-speaking bounty hunter. His life centers on finding men guilty of horrendous crimes and making sure justice is done. There is no place in his world for the carefree attitude he carried years before when a tragic event destroyed his dreams.

Amanda is the daughter of a successful Colorado rancher. Determined and proud, she works hard to prove she is as capable as any man and worthy to be her father’s heir. When a stranger arrives, her independent nature collides with the strong pull toward the handsome ranch hand. But is he what he seems and could his secrets endanger her as well as her family?