Yours Again (River City Series) (2 page)

 At
ten o’clock the next morning Samantha walked along Newbury and up a block on
Dartmouth. Most of the buildings were new and construction seemed to be
everywhere in this part of Boston. The Lawson Investment Firm was located in
the ground floor of a three-story building with John and his father having
lavish quarters on the upper floors.

She
entered and was greeted by one of several assistants that occupied the outer
office. He showed her into what had been Ty Lawson’s office. The scent of
expensive cigars permeated the room. The highest quality leather chairs and a
massive oak desk perched atop a delicate silk carpet exuding wealth and
success. Only now John sat behind the desk, a pretender to all his father had
built. She perched on the edge of one of the leather chairs.

“You
are a beautiful woman, Samantha.” John stared at her with undisguised lust.

It
was his father’s desk, his father’s office, his father’s success, but John had
taken over even before the flowers from Ty’s funeral had wilted. John looked
the part of an impeccable financial advisor but, as usual, had all the warmth
of a headstone.

“We
aren’t talking about me,” Samantha stressed, “We are talking about Mattie’s
accounts, and by my calculations more than two thousand has gone missing in the
last week alone.”

“Well
you can’t be expected to understand all the intricacies of finan-“

“Don’t
even,” she growled. “I studied finance extensively—in fact much more than you
ever have—and I am well aware of the investments in Mattie’s portfolio, so
don’t think that just because my aunt and I are female, we are stupid.”

John
didn’t react to her statement. He flicked an imaginary piece of lint off his
immaculate jacket. A new, extremely expensive jacket, she noted.

“Perhaps
once the accounts have all been settled and I’ve had time to recover from my
father’s sudden passing I’ll be able to sit and explain things to you and your
aunt.”

Samantha
rose to leave. “I’m more inclined to believe the rumors I’ve heard, and I’m
quite sure you are not exactly mourning Ty’s death.”

“I’m
surprised and hurt Samantha.” He turned his black eyes toward her and smiled.
“Now surely you don’t believe those lies. In fact I was thinking about calling
on you soon.”

She
stared at him for a moment. “What on earth for?”

“Well
as a suitor of course.” He arrogance oozed across the room. “You’d be lucky to
have a husband of my stature and I believe your spirit could be channeled into
worthwhile areas.” His gaze flitted over her curves in appreciation, but felt
like an assault.

She
shuddered. “Mr. Lawson, I have no interest in you whatsoever. In fact, you
disgust me.” She didn’t notice the change in him as she rose to leave. “Whatever
you are planning you absolutely will not get away with it.” She glanced down at
him. “I’ve already had your access to all our accounts removed and the bank
alerted to possible fraud.”

Lawson
sprang to his feet.

Samantha
continued, “In fact, my next stop is the police. I’m sure if there is money
missing from Mattie’s account, then others have been stolen from as well.”

John
came around the desk and grabbed her before she had time to react. A cold
clammy hand slapped over Samantha’s mouth from behind. She struggled to pull
away until she felt the sharp edge of a knife push into her ribs. She froze.

“Not
one word, you pretentious bitch,” He hissed. “You have no idea who you are
dealing with or what I can do, understand?” With that last word he shook her
and she felt the knife slice her dress and rest against her skin. She didn’t
move a muscle.

He
spun her around and violently pushed her back up against the door, her face
within an inch of his. He held the knife at her throat. “There is nothing you
can do to stop me from getting what I want.”

John’s
gaze settled on the pearl buttons that ran down the front of her dress. He
chuckled, his vile breath assaulting her, “And make no mistake. I will have
what is mine, and that little fainting spell of Mattie’s was just a show of
exactly how dangerous I can be.”

He
popped off one button with the tip of his knife. It hit the floor and rolled a
short distance. “I easily could have killed her, just like I can easily kill
you right now.”

Samantha
willed herself not to panic. He had put something in Mattie’s drink, just as
she had suspected. He wouldn’t think twice about killing Mattie or Samantha to
get his hands on their money, and he was clearly unhinged. She had to find a
way to calm him down and get out of this office.

“Not
a peep,” he whispered, “You will learn to respect me.”

She
nodded and he slowly lowered his hand from her mouth. Samantha forced her voice
not to shake. “You are right John. I have underestimated your shrewd financial
abilities. I apologize if I was disrespectful concerning your father.”

He
popped another button and it bounced across the rug. His eyes glinted as he
twisted the knife in his fingers, his eyes on her breasts. John slid the cold
edge of the knife into the new opening he’d made by removing buttons. The tip
of the blade slid along her cleavage. He held her eyes and leaned down,
flicking the tip of his tongue into the valley between her breasts. She cringed
and stiffened.

A
sharp knock on the door made Samantha jump.

“Yes?”
His eyes never left hers.

“Mr.
Lawson, I have a client waiting in the lobby,” a voice answered.

“I’ll
be right out.” He hadn’t moved an inch. His steely gaze completely frazzled her
nerves. “We will come to an arrangement.”

She
nodded.

“You
will not say a word to anyone about anything you suspect. Otherwise, I assure
you that you will be an orphan once again.”

She
had no doubt he would follow through on any threat he made. Of all the times
she had let her thoughts flow right out of her mouth, this time it was serious.

“Of
course, I was merely speculating. I can admit when I’m wrong, and clearly I was
wrong about you.” She managed a half smile.

“I
would expect no less from my fiancée.” Lawson loosened his grip, but the knife
remained within an inch of her nose. “And when I come for you, you will see me.
Understand?”

Fiancée?
She really didn’t care if he thought she was the next queen of England right
now, although that was more likely than her agreeing to marry him.

“Of
course, I’d be lucky to be with you.” The words tasted like bile, but she had
to get out of this office alive.

Lawson
stepped back and slipped the weapon into his pocket. He yanked his vest down
and tugged at his cuffs, once again cold and distant. “Please give your aunt my
greetings and let her know we’ll be setting a meeting to work out the details
of our engagement tomorrow.” He walked to his desk as if nothing had happened
and dismissed her with a flip of the wrist.

Samantha
ran.

Chapter 2

New Mexico Territory

The
stage rocked along the mountain trail toward River City. Samantha was much more
refreshed this morning following a night in the St. James Hotel in Cimarron.
After four days on the train from Boston to Raton, New Mexico, and then another
two on the stage to Cimarron, Samantha had been completely worn out. The stress
of constantly looking over her shoulder had taken its toll.

This
morning the stage was packed with five adults and two small children, all
headed to River City. They started out before dawn, and thankfully both
children slept soundly in their parents’ arms. She’d not slept a full night
since the meeting with John, and even now her mind was still in a daze. Mattie
had immediately called her lawyer as well as the authorities the minute
Samantha arrived back at the brownstone.

It
was clear that Samantha was in the most danger as John’s plan centered around
her. She shuddered at the thought of his vile tongue on her skin and rubbed her
knuckles against her chest to try and remove the memory. None of the other
passengers in the coach noticed or paid her any attention. She was grateful to
have her thoughts to herself for a while. Just the thought of his touch was
enough to risk life and limb to get away.

The
stage swayed rhythmically as the sun peaked over the mountains and highlighted
the small but rapidly flowing stream next to the trail. She’d forgotten how
incredibly beautiful this part of the country was, and somehow it seemed so
much more vibrant and wild than she remembered. The overly civilized atmosphere
of Boston was a far cry from this wild territory, and she liked this place. She
liked it very much.

The
decision for her to disappear until John could be dealt with was an obvious
choice. Without Samantha, John couldn’t get his hands on Mattie’s money even if
he tried; Samantha was the only heir. But if she stayed in Boston, everyone was
in danger. If he could kidnap Samantha—and she had no doubt he would stoop to
that—then he could easily do away with Mattie. They all decided that Samantha
would immediately leave until the authorities could be apprised and John dealt
with.

Only
Mattie knew she’d come here. No one else had been told in case John had eyes
and ears among some of Mattie’s other confidants or friends. At this point they
couldn’t afford to trust anyone, and they agreed that there would be no
communication between them that might tip someone off as to her whereabouts
until their suspicions could be proven and John was no longer a threat.

She
hadn’t wanted to leave Mattie, but her aunt insisted she go. The Williams’
didn’t know she was coming, but Mattie assured her they would have no problem
with a sudden arrival. At least she would be completely safe with three grown
men to protect her. It might be a month, maybe longer but she had to get away
from Boston and from John. She knew he could follow and was completely paranoid
the four days on the train jumping at every loud noise or unexpected sound.
After she arrived in Cimarron, she was reasonably sure he hadn’t followed. At
least not close enough to catch her before she reached the ranch.

The
stage from Cimarron to River City today seemed to plod along the ever steeper
terrain, and though she relished being in the mountains once again, she was
anxious to reach her destination. There was so much she’d forgotten: the crisp
clean mountain air, the streams that gurgled and bubbled their way along, and
the wildlife that seemed to be everywhere along the trail.

She
breathed deeply and enjoyed the peace for a short time. But once the children arose,
the ride through the mountains grew much more tedious. As the hours dragged by,
the day warmed the inside of the stage to an almost intolerable level, making
the children and adults uncomfortable and moody.

Large
rocks jostled the passengers until Samantha almost landed in the lap of the man
across from her. He was older, but distinguished and looked at a large pocket
watch frequently. He winked at her and she looked away, not wanting to make any
connection with anyone. Her hands strained and cramped trying to hold on until
suddenly the trail opened up into a wide valley and the road smoothed. They
picked up speed and she smiled, only a few more miles now. Her heart raced with
anticipation.

They
finally pulled into River City by late afternoon. She disembarked and nodded a
farewell to the other passengers. Grabbing her small valise, Samantha walked along
the main street of a town she hadn’t seen in more than nine years. River City
looked so different from when she’d left, although she recognized a few stores.
When she was a child they were newly built and full of patrons. Now most were
either empty or abandoned, a mere shadow of their former selves. Back then the
town had bustled with people everywhere and more than a hundred homes crowded
below the bluff at the end of Main Street. She’d played with other children
outside the small schoolhouse and had even thrown rocks off the bluff into the
creek below. The schoolhouse looked to be in disrepair, and it was much smaller
than she remembered. The weathered logs of the building sank toward one corner
as if it was someone’s forgotten project.

The
River City of her childhood was now part ghost town, part boomtown with the
saloon, hotel, and Miss Sadie’s Gentleman’s Club being the most prominent
buildings. There were still barely visible foundations from homes that had been
moved elsewhere, but she refused to allow it to dampen her spirit. She clutched
the small valise that Mattie insisted she take a little tighter. Traveling
light meant she could go quickly and mostly unnoticed as she traveled and now,
after days of getting on and off trains, up and down on stages and back and
forth to a hotel, she was exceedingly grateful she hadn’t brought anything
larger.

Samantha
walked all the way to the end of Main Street and up along the road that circled
around the bluff to the top, her breath now coming in short gasps. The
elevation was affecting her, but she continued on despite the protest of
burning lungs. Once at the top of the bluff, the cemetery took up some of the
flat ground, but the rest was still vacant. Samantha took in the view from all
directions: the mountains to the west, Baldy Peak to the north, and the valley
stretched out to the north and south. The river flowed right beside the trail that
led to the pass. The feel of this place was so much bigger, grander than she
remembered, no matter how the town appeared, and she felt excitement welling up
in her throat.

She
was home. Really home. Samantha reached out her arms and pointed her face to
the sun. She breathed deeply and spun around, still not quite believing she was
really here. Something in her heart lurched into motion once again. As if some
clock that sat dusty and forgotten had suddenly chimed once again.

A
rumble in the distance got her attention. Clouds darkened the western sky
behind the peaks and she remembered the stage driver say that rain might be
expected later. It didn’t give her much time. She could wait in town another
night, but now she was almost within sight of the ranch. She refused to wait
another minute.