Stronger Than the Rest (6 page)

“Don’t know. A cowhand found his body a couple of miles from town. Two bullet holes in him.”

“Murdered,” Grant said.

“Appears so.” Frank turned to Clint. “Could be the same men that attacked you last night may have been involved in this. Let’s go back to the office. You can tell me everything you know about Luther, Vern, and the men who rode with them.”

******

Denver, Colorado

“What’s it say?” Louis Dunnigan asked after Drew had read the latest message from Frank Alts.

“One of Mrs. Bierdan’s ranch hands was murdered and another threatened and beaten. Seems someone wants the Bierdan ranch enough to kill for it.” Drew passed the paper across the desk.

Dunnigan read through it once, then set it down and sat back in his chair. He’d hoped to have more time to pull some things together, but the news from Alts meant a change in plans. “It’s time, Drew.”

“You want me to go to Cold Creek, speak to Eloise Bierdan and Warren Langdon?”

Dunnigan nodded.

“How far do I go?”

“We’ll pay top dollar for the land, cattle, and horses for either place. The foreman at the Bierdan ranch can stay and some of the men. We’ll buy her a house in town or wherever she wants to resettle, within reason.” He stood and shoved one hand into a pocket as he walked around the desk and leaned back against it. “My guess is Langdon won’t take long to accept the offer—unless he’s already been approached. If that’s the case, let me know who made the offer and the price.” Louis thought for another moment. “May be different for the widow. If she insists on keeping the ranch, offer her a partnership where Dunnigan Enterprises receives timber rights on her land plus any access rights we’d need to move the timber. We would insist on first right of refusal if she decides to sell, but regardless, the timber rights must be written to survive any change of ownership.”

“Any other help with the ranch operations if she decides to stay?”

“No.” Dunnigan replied and pushed away from his desk. “Be ready to leave in two days. I’ll have Terrance make the arrangements. Mr. Jericho will accompany you.”

“And my aunt and Miss Taylor?”

“That’s up to you.”

******

It had been a long two days. After the first morning Drew had rarely been at home—there was too much to do in preparation for his trip to Cold Creek. Dunnigan commissioned a second wheelchair for the trip. Terrence worked non-stop to pull together the travel arrangements. Jericho packed what he and Drew would need for the trip. Drew worked with Henry Thompson to transition his responsibilities. The young man was new at Dunnigan, but had worked for a firm in Philadelphia before traveling west. Drew was comfortable that he’d do well with the additional workload.

It would be a full day’s journey by train and carriage to Cold Creek. Drew had given his aunt and Tess the choice of waiting for him in Denver or going back. Both had made the decision to leave. Tess had mentioned something about the train ride giving them a chance to catch up.

Tess
. His thoughts had rarely strayed from her since she’d arrived in Denver. His decision to send her home had fallen aside with the plans for the three of them to travel to Cold Creek together. It was a blessing. He didn’t want to hurt her. She’d been the one to stay by his side those first few days after the shooting, when his brothers, Will and Jamie, had been focused on finding the man who’d shot him and returning the stolen cattle to the Big G. He and Tess had spent hours together. He liked her. Hell, he more than liked her, but she deserved better than a man with useless legs. Her goal was to breed and raise the finest horse stock in Colorado. It was a dream he shared, but now might never realize. She needed someone who would pull his weight, not lean on her for support.

“Mr. Jericho has the carriage ready. Mrs. MacLaren and Miss Taylor are waiting for you outside,” Terrance announced as he entered Drew’s office. “The train just arrived and they’re attaching the Dunnigan cars. You should arrive in Cold Creek late tonight. Are you certain you don’t wish me to come along, sir?”

“Thank you, Terrence, but I’ll be fine. I know the town and several people, including the sheriff. As long as I have a carriage and Mr. Jericho, I’ll get around without a problem.”

An hour later Aunt Alicia, Tess, and Drew settled in one of the opulent private cars, and headed west through the middle of Colorado. It was some of the most spectacular scenery he’d ever seen. No matter how many times he saw it, he never tired of the view. Tall peaks rose on both sides of the train during much of the journey. A wild, fast-moving river partnered with the moving machinery for much of the trip. He sat back, closed his eyes, and thought about the last few days.

He spent time thinking about Dunnigan’s daughter and her desire to marry. Even though a relationship with Tess was out of the question, a union with Patricia wasn’t what he wanted. He’d scheduled a meeting with Patricia before leaving Denver to tell her of his decision.

She’d been devastated by the news that he’d decided not to pursue an engagement. She’d thought they fit very well, while he thought two people couldn’t be less suited for marriage.

Patricia smoothed her custom fitted dress then clasped her hands in her lap. “I know I met Tessa only once, in Cold Creek, but she simply does not seem to be the type of woman who would interest you. She’s a ranch woman with little understanding of city life. You have an education and are sophisticated. How could you possibly choose someone like her?”

Drew looked away. Patricia was correct but in a different way than what she meant. While she was glamorous in her curls and stylish gowns, he found her to be stilted, detached, with little understanding of those outside her circle. Tess was genuine with a deep caring of those around her. Her lovely but plain clothes fit well and highlighted her soft curves. The image of that softness brought heat to his face and a desire that grew with each thought of her.

He’d sat with Patricia for hours, talking of her dreams, which were few
,
and what each wanted from a marriage. If possible, he planned to have several children and raise them at the MacLaren ranch in Fire Mountain, Arizona territory. He’d teach them to ride, raise cattle, breed horses, and shoot. Although Patricia listened politely to everything he said, it was the last that got her full attention.

“But, Drew, how can you even think of teaching children how to shoot after what happened to you? Guns are dangerous and have no place in a civilized house.”

“Guns are a necessary fact of life on a ranch, as essential as food and water. It would be foolish not to teach my children how to use a gun and handle a rifle.”

“Well, I don’t understand it. There will be no guns in my house,” she stated in a firm tone.

“And that’s the major reason why we don’t suit. Our lives don’t match, not in any way.”

After a while, Patricia calmed down and her protests ceased. Drew knew the moment she accepted his decision that they weren’t meant to marry. She was stubborn but also smart. The woman knew how to back off graciously. He admired her for it but he wouldn’t miss her demanding nature or selfish ways. What a contrast she was to Tess.

Tess loved horses, reading, and her family. It was hard for her to open up and trust people, but she had a big heart, a gentle touch, and beautiful smile. How he cherished that smile. She and his aunt had been quiet during the trip, each enjoying the scenery, reading, or keeping to their own thoughts. That was fine. He’d needed the time alone to gather his thoughts.

“May I join you?” Tess stood beside his chair, ducking to look out the train window. “It’s almost too beautiful for words.” She watched the fast moving river that twisted and turned, following the railroad’s path.

Drew gestured to the seat across from him. “That’s one of my favorite sights. The river flows most of the way from just outside of Denver to Great Valley.”

Tess settled across from him.

“I wish there’d been more time in Denver for you to see the city,” Drew said, and meant it. “You and Aunt Alicia didn’t see much during your stay.”

“That’s fine. We came to see you, not the town. At least that’s why I came.” Tess didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes focused on the rushing river below.

Drew watched her, wondering how much to say, or if he should say anything. There was still so much uncertainty in his life.

“Mother and Father will be glad to see you, as will everyone else. We have a mare ready to foal. You’ll be there to watch it.” Tess’s eyes met his. “You’ve talked about how much you like watching new foals entering the world. We’re hoping for a colt.”

“I still plan to return to Fire Mountain someday, work with Will and my brothers to grow the horse breeding program.” Drew took a deep breath, letting the air out slowly. “Tess, I don’t know how long it will take these legs to start working again or if I’ll ever walk. I’m trying. Each day it’s like I’m starting over again. I still have no feeling. They’re just these useless limbs dragging me down, forcing a life in this chair. It’s not a life I want to bring anyone else into.”

Tess’s heart quickened. She wondered if he was speaking of her, but realized that no, he must be speaking of Patricia Dunnigan—working so hard to walk again so that he could be with the young woman in Denver. Her hopes plunged.

“We’re coming up to Great Valley, Mr. MacLaren. There should be a carriage waiting for you.”

Drew pulled his gaze away from Tess to look at the conductor. “Thank you.” He wanted to speak more with Tess, but now wasn’t the time.

Drew found he was looking forward to seeing the doctor in Cold Creek again. He was the one who’d operated on Drew to remove the bullet and had encouraged him not to give up when feeling had not returned within a few days.

Drew had not given up on walking. It had now been several weeks. The doctors in Denver had told him they’d seen people go as long as five to six months before feeling returned and they regained the use of arms or legs. It was rare, but possible. That’s all he asked—for it to be possible. Drew suspected the Cold Creek doctor knew more about paralysis than he’d shared. Drew hoped the doctor would consent to help him walk again.

******

“Welcome back, Drew.” Grant Taylor extended a hand to help Drew from the carriage and into the waiting chair.

“It’s good to see you, Grant. This is Mr. Jericho, my traveling companion.”

Grant nodded to Jericho before turning to help Alicia and Tessa down. He pulled his daughter into a hug. She returned the hug before moving to embrace Eleanor. Although she’d only been gone a little over a week, it felt good to be home.

“How was Denver, Alicia?” Eleanor asked as they walked up the front steps.

“It’s a wonderful town but much larger than I realized.” Their voices faded as they walked into the house with Tess right behind.

Grant turned to Drew once he knew the women were out of range. “Not that we’re not glad to see you, but what’s going on that brings you to Cold Creek?”

“Louis Dunnigan heard about the troubles that Eloise Bierdan has been having and sent me out. He’s had an interest in her place since before Gordon died.” Drew paused to look down at his useless legs, the results of a bullet from Gordon Bierdan. He raised his eyes back up to Grant. “Dunnigan wants to see if she’ll agree to sell the ranch to Dunnigan Enterprises.”

“Won’t be easy. That woman’s determined to make it on her own. She has a new foreman, some good wranglers, and about as much stubbornness as you’ll ever see.” He chuckled remembering her accusation that Grant had sent men to rough up her ranch hands. She stood about five-feet-four-inches, but she had been like an angry bull that day.

“Well, I’m here to see if some type of agreement may be reached. Put something together before any more of her men leave or go missing.”

“You know about that do you?” Grant was surprised to learn that the news had traveled to Denver. “Alts believes one man was murdered, but hasn’t been able to find the men responsible.”

“I heard. Greed and power are high motivators for a lot of men. They’ll do just about anything to get what they want.”

“Does that include Louis Dunnigan?” Grant had only met the man briefly when Dunnigan had come to Cold Creek to accompany Drew back to Denver after the shooting. He’d seemed honorable, but one never knew for certain.

“No. Louis Dunnigan is as honest as they come. He’s no fool, but he’ll walk away if a mutually acceptable agreement can’t be reached. Make no mistake, he wants the Bierdan ranch, but not at the expense of human life.” Drew sat back in his chair and pondered whether or not to ask his next question. In the end, it was fair to get it out in the open.

“Dunnigan is interested in the Langdon spread, also. Any thoughts on that?”

Grant’s gaze drifted to the young man who’d helped him save his ranch from cattle thieves. He liked him, and suspected his youngest daughter liked him even more.

“Well, you need to know I’ve spoken to Langdon about his place. Made him an offer which he said he’d consider.”

“I see.” Drew thought as much. It made sense, even if it was further away than the Bierdan ranch. “But no offer to Eloise Bierdan?”