Stronger Than the Rest (5 page)

Clint shrugged. “Stood and watched. Guess they knew the odds were already against me.”

“Mrs. Bierdan said their names are Luther and Vern. That right?” Grant asked.

“That’s what they told me.”

“So what did they ask you to think over?”

Clint punched both hands in his pockets and looked at the straw covered dirt floor. He didn’t want to stir up trouble, which he’d always been pretty good at. He wanted to stay on at the Bierdan ranch, get beyond his reckless past and thoughtless actions. This was the first place that felt solid, secure.

“Look, Mr. Taylor. I don’t want to stir up more trouble for Mrs. Bierdan. She’s got enough to deal with. She doesn’t need to concern herself with my problems.”

“Is that how you see this, Clint? As just your problem? Perhaps you’re forgetting that she’s lost four men in the past few weeks. She told me three rode out, and one just disappeared. Ever think their leaving wasn’t voluntary?”

Clint looked up. He shifted his gaze from Grant to Jeff, paced a few steps away, grabbed a halter, then walked back to join the two men.

“They asked me to ride out. Offered me three hundred bucks if I did.”

“That’s a lot of money. I’m guessing almost a year’s wage for you.” Grant knew what it took to get a good wrangler, and from what he’d heard, Clint was better than good.

“About right.”

“And you declined. Why?”

“I like it here, Mr. Taylor. Jeff’s a good foreman and Mrs. Bierdan is trying to make this place work. She’s already lost enough. The woman needs a break, not more men letting her down.”

Grant mulled this over for a minute. “You’d recognize them if you saw them again?”

“The two for sure.”

“Good. Let’s ride into town. That is, if you can spare him, Jeff?” Grant asked the foremen who nodded in agreement. “We’ll talk with Sheriff Alts and give him a description. At least make him aware of the threats.”

******

Denver, Colorado

Jericho helped Drew through the front door and into the large front living area of his home. A wonderful aroma wrapped around him and he smiled at the knowledge that his Aunt Alicia had already made herself at home. Stew. He knew it well. He was just approaching the kitchen when his aunt walked out to greet him.

“Aunt Alicia. I’m so glad you came,” Drew said, and meant every word. Her arms wrapped around him and squeezed as she placed a kiss on his cheek. A tear slid down her cheek but she wiped it away before he could notice.

“You knew I’d never be able to stay in Fire Mountain with the knowledge that you’d been hurt. So here I am, and I plan to stay a little while if you have the room.” Her first look at Drew in the wheel chair had jolted her. Even though she had thought she was prepared, the sight of her handsome nephew, forced to sit in a chair all day, rocked her.

“As long as you want, Aunt Alicia.”

“And me?” The soft voice came from behind him.

He closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath. Even though she visited his dreams and thoughts, he hadn’t planned to see her again unless he could walk. He wasn’t what she needed, not in his current state. Drew turned the chair towards her. She was even more beautiful then he remembered.

“Hello, Tess.” His eyes moved over her features. Her dark brown hair was pulled up into a twist. Soft, caramel-brown eyes settled on him. He could just see the sprinkling of freckles across her nose. She’d told him once that more appeared each year and she’d just accepted it. He’d laughed and told her he liked them—and he did.

“Hello, Drew.” She walked forward to stand a few feet away. “I hope it’s all right that I’ve come.” Her voice was unsteady, her nervousness apparent.

No, it’s not all right.
“Of course. I’m glad to see you.”
You look beautiful
. He cleared his throat. “Did you have a safe trip?”

“Oh, yes, it was wonderful—so majestic and breathtaking. Sometimes we forget how beautiful some things are when we haven’t seen them in a while.”

Drew drank in the sight of her. “Yes we do, Tess. We certainly do.” 

He tore his gaze from Tess and look up at his aunt. “You’ve found rooms? Unpacked?”

“Yes, we’re all set. Mr. Jericho was wonderful when we arrived. He handled the surprise quite well,” Alicia glanced at the tall, brawny man who now stood a few feet to the side. He returned her smile.

“Good. I’ve made reservations at six o’clock for supper at The Regency, if that’s agreeable. I think you’ll both like it.”

Alicia wondered at the sudden change in Drew. His words were stilted, almost formal. “We can do that, but I’ve made your favorite supper.”

Drew wanted the protection of a large restaurant, not the intimacy the family dinner offered, but he loved his aunt and would do whatever she wanted. “Of course. Mr. Jericho, please send word to The Regency that we’re cancelling tonight?”

Jericho nodded before walking outside.

“Does that mean he must ride to the restaurant?” Tess asked.

“On most nights there are one or two boys milling around this area. He can usually find one he can pay to run an errand. If not, he’ll go himself. It’s not far.” He didn’t look at Tess, but rolled his chair toward the kitchen.

Louis Dunnigan had made several modifications. Work tables were lowered as were the counters. Open shelves replaced cupboards below the counters and a sink had been placed at the perfect height for Drew’s use. Another was at a standard height as Jericho often did the cooking. Dunnigan had told Drew everything would be changed back when he was able to walk again.

“It smells wonderful.” Drew inhaled and smiled at the memories. Alicia had made stew at least once every week when he was growing up. It had always been his favorite. That and her pies. He looked toward the counter and, sure enough, one sat cooling not three feet away. “How did you manage a pie? Did I keep you waiting that long?”

“Not at all,” Alicia replied as she took down plates and found utensils. “Eleanor packed a bag of items she thought I’d need. That woman is a marvel.”

******

Drew sat in bed, reading, trying to focus. The food had been excellent. Catching up on the family had been the highlight. Will and Amanda’s wedding and the birth of Jamie and Torie’s second son, Caleb. But Drew hung his head as other parts of the supper conversation played through his mind.

Tess had taken over many of Amanda’s responsibilities at the Big G. She was learning and growing, preparing for the day she’d run the horse breeding program at the ranch. She admitted she had a long way to go, but her enthusiasm showed in her face, her smile, her eyes. She was excelling, doing what she loved, and he was languishing, stuck in his damn chair.

He threw the book he’d been reading across the room. Why had she come? He didn’t need or want her here. Aunt Alicia, yes, but not Tess. He needed to concentrate on his recovery, walking again. He couldn’t do that with her consuming his thoughts, her image flashing through his mind. She couldn’t stay.

First he’d make arrangements for her return to Cold Creek, then he’d tell her.

******

The following morning Drew arrived in the kitchen to find his aunt and Jericho laughing, working together to prepare breakfast. He rarely saw Jericho relaxed, joking like he was now.

“Good morning, Drew.” Tess came up behind him and placed a hand on his arm, feeling a slight tensing of his muscles. “Looks like those two are enjoying themselves.”

Drew saw her eyes sparkle as she watched them. He’d felt the jolt the instant Tess had touched him. Her soft voice flowed over him as he glanced up to see her amused face taking in the scene in the kitchen.

Jericho wore an apron similar to Alicia’s, with slim straps that went over his shoulders. Jericho’s ties hung loose—his girth just too much for the shorter ties. Alicia made another comment which caused Jericho to laugh again. It was a deep, rolling sound.

“May we join you?” Tess asked.

Alicia glanced over her shoulder. “Of course. We’ve just finished. Hope you’re both hungry.”

Drew backed up the chair and spun the wheels as much as they’d allow, then headed toward the large dining room. “Starving. Come on, Tess. We’ll get settled at the table while the cooks finish up.”

Tess looked around. The house was quite large for just Drew and Jericho. “It’s such a nice place, Drew. Mr. Dunnigan set it up so well.”

“He’s been more than generous. This is what I found when I came back to Denver. I’m guessing he had Terrance select all the furnishings as they’re more east coast than Colorado, but that’s fine. I didn’t have to figure anything out. It was already finished and ready for me, including appointments with the best doctor in the area.”

“I guess it makes the accommodations in Cold Creek seem rather pale.”

Drew looked up at Tess. “I don’t understand?”

“Well, you have this wonderful home all setup for you, Mr. Jericho to see to your every need here, Terrance to make sure you have what you require at the office, a job you love, and Miss Dunnigan is obviously quite fond of you. I suppose nothing in Arizona or Colorado would seem sufficient after this.”

Drew studied her for a long moment. He had every intention of leaving Denver, going back to Fire Mountain, and working with his brothers. Even if he never walked again he knew there would always be a place for him at home. But he would walk again, and when he did, he would ask Tess to marry him, not Patricia Dunnigan.

“None of this is what I want, Tess. I’m grateful for it, but it’s not what I dream about.”

“What do you dream about?”

“Ok, here you go,” Jericho said as he placed heaping plates in front of Drew and Tess. “I made the eggs. I checked the flapjacks, and must admit that your Aunt Alicia does a darn fine job, Drew.”

The moment broken, Drew tore his gaze away from Tess. “Yes, Mr. Jericho, she does.”

******

Two days had passed since she and Aunt Alicia had arrived in Denver.

Tess pulled the brush through her long hair and separated it into three strands. It had been the same routine every night since she’d first met him and every night after he’d left Cold Creek. Braid her hair, crawl under the covers, and think of Drew. She’d hoped her constant thoughts of him would diminish once they’d seen each other again. Perhaps her memories were flawed, her attraction to him temporary. But it had only gotten worse. Now his image haunted her every minute of every day.

He’d barely had time for her since she and Alicia had arrived. They ate meals together, made small talk, but after that first morning, the easy banter they’d shared before was gone. He had closed up as if he’d erected a wall around himself. She mourned the loss. Drew had become important to her in the brief time he’d been at the ranch. Although he’d never expressed it, she’d thought he had feelings for her also, but apparently she’d been wrong. The words her sister, Amanda, had said the day of her wedding to Will MacLaren flashed through her mind.

“You go as a friend, not as someone expecting anything from him. His focus is on walking and I’ll bet he could use a friend, someone he knows wants nothing from him but to help. That’s you, Tess, not Louis Dunnigan and not Patricia. Go to Denver, be his friend. You’ll never know what could be until you take the chance.”

But she hadn’t gone right away. Alicia’s decision to visit her nephew had provided Tess with the push she needed to see Drew again. Now she was in Denver, in his house, three doors from his room, and she’d yet to make a move that would express what she felt. Well, that was about to change. She’d find a way to get him alone, talk with him like they used to, and start to be the friend she had been in Cold Creek.

Chapter Five

Cold Creek, Colorado

Grant and Clint walked into the sheriff’s office as Frank was pouring a cup of coffee. “Would you gentlemen like some?” He nodded at the cup in his hand. Both men declined. “Looks like you had some trouble, Clint. Have a seat and tell me what brings you here.” Frank studied the man’s battered face and waited.

“Clint, why don’t you tell Frank what happened last night,” Grant said.

Frank sat and listened without interrupting, but his mind worked double-time as some pieces started to come together. When Clint was finished, Frank set down his cup and stood. “Come with me.” He grabbed his hat and opened the door for the two men.

“Where we headed?” Grant asked as they made their way down the dusty boardwalk. The winds had started, stirring up sand. Clint watched as a tumbleweed made its way down the street, bouncing from one spot to the next.

“Through here.” Frank opened the back door to the doctor’s office, then led them to another locked room. He pulled a key from a wall cabinet, unlocked the door, and pushed it open. The room smelled of death. Inside were two tables. One appeared to contain a body, covered by a course sheet. Frank walked up and pulled the sheet down. He looked at Clint. “Recognize him?”

Clint looked at the corpse then quickly pulled back. “Yes. It’s Dave Dawson. He worked for Mrs. Bierdan. What happened?”