Faster Than the Rest Read online

  “One afternoon he asked if I would meet him at the livery that evening and give him my opinion on a horse he wanted to buy. I was young and flattered at his request. It never occurred to me there was something strange in his invitation. I met him that night, but instead of looking at a horse, he cornered me, forced himself on me. I fought as best I could, hitting his face, pushing and kicking, but he was too big, and strong. He was rough and it hurt a great deal. Afterwards, I just laid on the floor of the livery and cried.”

  She took a ragged breath and lowered herself onto the edge of the cot before continuing in a whisper. “He just stood there, looking down on me, laughing. He laughed, Gloria. What kind of man does that? Rapes a woman, then laughs?” She took another shuddering breath before continuing. “Hamilton informed me that we would marry, and if I refused, he’d spread the word that I’d come on to him. He was only taking what was offered,” she said in a disgusted voice. “There were other threats, horrible threats that I believed he would carry out. I truly thought I had no choice.”

  Gloria was shocked at Victoria’s confession. “My God, Victoria. What did your parents say?”

  “I never told them.” Victoria worked to control her breathing and rein in the anger that threatened to overwhelm her. “You must understand that his threats were very real to me. I didn’t think I had a choice. I told Mama and Papa that I’d changed my mind about Jamie and wished to marry Hamilton. We argued, but in the end, they accepted my decision. Oh, Gloria, it was horrible.”

  “And no one else ever knew the truth?”

  “Only his Aunt Beatrice, and she guessed. She knew how callous Ham could be. Bea once told me that he’d always been cruel and self-absorbed. That’s why she asked if I would be willing to handle the annual funds that would be provided upon her death. Of course I said yes but never thought she’d pass within a few short years.” A tear made its way down her cheek. She swiped it away with her hand, then looked up at Gloria. “I grew to love Aunt Bea very much over the time I knew her. I never understood how Hamilton could’ve become the person he did with her as his guardian.”

  The two women sat in silence for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts, both thinking of the other and the broken dreams and sorrows each had endured to make it this far.

  “Have the last few years been terribly hard, living with that bastard?” Gloria blushed at what she had called the other woman’s husband, but Victoria just waived it off.

  “Not as bad as you’d think, Gloria. I came to discover that he was not allowed back into his aunt’s home unless he returned a married man with a suitable bride, preferably me. Apparently, he knew no other suitable women. His aunt’s instructions to seek me out made his task easy.” A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “After that first time, at the livery, he came to me so seldom I could count them on two hands. He was always drunk and angry when he’d seek me out. It was as if others had turned him down and he’d take their rejection out on me. I dealt with it in my own way. I found it wasn’t too bad if I just laid there and let him do what he wanted.” She smiled at the thought. “You see, it would make him even more angry if I just laid unmoving. When he was drunk and angry he was unable to—well, you know,” and gestured in a small circle with her hand. Then she started laughing. It was a small giggle at first that grew into a full, stomach-churning laugh, which caused tears to come to her eyes. Before they knew it, Gloria was holding her side, laughing just as hard.

  “What in tarnation is going on back there?” Sam yelled from the front office.

  They looked at each other, but his question just caused them to laugh more.

  Gloria wiped tears from her cheeks then looked up to see Sam standing over her with his fists on his hips and a confounded look on his face. “Will someone tell what is going on here?” he asked again in a somewhat calmer voice.

  “Oh, Sam,” Gloria said as another laughed escaped. “Sorry. But you just wouldn’t understand.” She winked at Victoria and stood. She didn’t want to leave, but she still had to work on the books and get an order ready for their supplier in Phoenix. Besides, she knew she’d be back in a few hours.

  Chapter Seventeen

  They were close. Miguel and his men had ridden for days, had asked a lot of questions, and everything pointed to MacLaren taking Mrs. Wicklin to Fire Mountain. Billy had been right when he guessed she wouldn’t return to San Francisco right away. He’d overheard the sheriff in San Diego mention she wanted to see her family, her real family, not her husband. That was fine with Miguel, as he knew Wicklin was dead. Lying at the bottom of the bay.

  Hagan had plans for MacLaren and unfinished business with Victoria Wicklin. She was his and she’d been taken from him. It didn’t matter that she’d tried to run. What belonged to him always belonged to him. He’d find her and make his claim very clear.

  “We will camp here tonight, Hector. You will ride into this Fire Mountain. Find her and come back to make plans, si? Do not drink. You must have a clear head. Do you understand, mi amigo?”

  “Si, Miguel, I will do as you ask. But…” Hector’s words trailed off.

  “What is it you wish to say?” Miguel allowed no arguments from his men. Seldom did they question him or comment on his orders.

  “The woman. We would like her when you are finished with her. It is only fair, si, Miguel?”

  Miguel just laughed. “Ah, you want to share what is mine? I will think on this. Maybe. When I am done with her I will decide if I will share her. We must find her first, si?” He had no intention of ever sharing this woman. She would belong only to him.

  ******

  “What’s it say, Sam?” Sheriff Rawlins asked. They’d just received information from Jefferson Delaney on what he’d learned.

  “As we suspected, Wicklin’s unscrupulous and corrupt, but also smart, with friends everywhere. Has a Judge in his pocket as well as the local constable. Silas Dunsford, Mrs. Wallace’s attorney, is in the hospital. Someone broke into his office, beat him, left him for dead, and may have stolen some papers. Everything was torn up. But Dunsford didn’t die. Delaney hired a couple of his associates to keep watch on the attorney, just in case his attacker reappears to finish the job. He’s working with the attorney’s assistant to identify what, if anything, was taken. Jefferson will be back in touch soon.” Sam placed the message on Rawlins’ desk, looked around the office, then motioned his head in the direction of the back cells. “What now, Sheriff?”

  “We keep gathering evidence. We can’t let her go yet, but Jerrod is working with Judge Kinsdale. He’ll get back to us as soon as they review all the information. Kinsdale knows of the judge in San Francisco. Heard nothing good about him. But, he is powerful, at least in that area. We need to be careful how we proceed.” Rawlins was a longtime friend of the Wright’s, a fair man who was determined to clear Victoria, but he wanted it done right.

  “Agreed,” Sam said as he poked his head around to check on Victoria. “Anyone brought Mrs. Wicklin’s dinner today, Sheriff?” Sam had been out of the office the last two days investigating reports of cattle thefts, leaving the office to Rawlins.

  “Not yet. Expect Gloria anytime. You want to grab dinner first?” Joe Rawlins was aware of the situation that had developed between Gloria and his deputy. Fact was, a couple of the leading citizens, both female, couldn’t wait to tell him what they’d heard about the town deputy taking up with the saloon owner. Joe couldn’t care less, but also didn’t want Sam’s private life interfering with his duties.

  “Uh, no. Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll eat later.” Sam took his hat off and placed it on the rack next to the door, then settled behind his desk. Damn, he missed seeing Gloria, being with her. Even though she hadn’t spared him a glance, just seeing her each day was worth the discomfort it caused. She could make him hard with just a look.

  The more he thought about it, the less he believed she’d taken up with Jamie. It just didn’t make sense. Gloria had always been honest with him. She’d been with onl
y two men in her life by choice. Niall MacLaren and him. After Niall remarried, she hadn’t been with anyone else until Sam. Not knowing for certain was driving him crazy. Well, there was only one way to find out. Ask her.

  ******

  Another hour ticked by before the door opened, announcing Gloria’s arrival. She carried the usual basket, but this time also had a small sack.

  She looked at Sam while walking towards the back.

  “Got to see what you have in the sack, Gloria.” The words came out harsh, not what Sam intended.

  She glared at him but opened the bag. All he saw were some clean clothes for Victoria, another book, and some cards. Cards?

  “Planning to corrupt our guest?” Sam asked as he held up the cards and attempted a smile.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Deputy. She’s bored and wants to learn how to play poker. No betting, just points. That okay with you, Deputy, or does it break your rules?”

  This wasn’t going as Sam had hoped. He wanted to talk to her, find out if she still had any feelings for him at all.

  “Go ahead, Gloria. But I’d like a few words with you, in private, before you leave.” Their eyes locked for a few seconds before Gloria nodded and broke contact.

  Gloria wondered what Sam was up to as she made her way to Victoria’s cell. He hadn’t said ten civil words to her in days and now he wanted a conversation. Probably wanted to find out if she’d learned anything useful from Victoria. She’d learned a lot about his prisoner, but nothing she felt would help the case, and nothing she would share with him.

  Gloria had returned with supper the day she’d told of her life since New Orleans and Victoria had shared her encounter with Wicklin. She found that Victoria was eager to learn more about her. Victoria’s friends apparently numbered as few as her own.

  Gloria had admitted her love for Sam. It was good to get it out, even if it wasn’t to Sam himself. She confided in Victoria that they’d discussed marriage but that he’d rejected her not long after their affair began. The rejection had stung. She suspected it was her profession. He must’ve realized there was no future in law if he was saddled with someone who’d made her living the way she had before becoming a saloon owner.

  Victoria disagreed. She didn’t know Sam well, but he seemed to be an honorable man, not one to lead Gloria on, then dump her without a thought. Victoria encouraged her to confront Sam, learn the truth.

  Gloria wanted Sam and hoped he still felt the same, but her gut told her otherwise. If his desire for her was still strong he would have come to her by now, but he hadn’t.

  Victoria spoke more freely of the difficult years with Wicklin. Of his open affairs, even bringing women to their home, into his room. His harsh treatment of her and open hostility when he’d be forced to come to her for more money were the most difficult. Ham made threats, saying if she kept denying him the funds he demanded, he’d make her life a continuous nightmare. Victoria knew he spoke the truth.

  But most significantly, at least in Gloria’s mind, was Victoria admitting that she was still in love with Jamie. Had been all these years. There would never be another man for her. Once she was cleared of the charges and her divorce was final, she planned to return to San Francisco. She couldn’t stay in the same town as Jamie and pretend she didn’t care. Gloria sighed. If Victoria left, Gloria would lose her only female friend. She lifted her chin and put a smile on her face as she entered the cell.

  “Hello, Victoria. Brought you some stew and biscuits this time. Real good, too. Hope you’re hungry.”

  Victoria looked up and smiled. “Hello, Gloria.” She sat at her small desk. “Just getting a letter ready for Attorney Dunsford. He needs to check on the house and servants. I told him I hope to be home soon.”

  She must be unaware, Gloria thought, that Silas Dunsford was brutally attacked and, as far as they knew, was still in the hospital.

  “I’ll give it to Sam on the way out.” Gloria smiled as she held out her hand for the letter.

  “Speaking of Sam, have you spoken with him yet?”

  “No, not yet, but he wants to speak with me before I leave. Must be about the saloon.” At least she hoped it was something like that and not about trying to get her to talk about her friend, his prisoner.

  “Well, that may be your chance. The way I see it, you don’t have much to lose.”

  “Oh, Victoria,” Gloria sighed and dropped her head in her hands. “I have everything to lose if he confirms what I suspect.”

  ******

  “You wanted to speak with me?” Gloria walked up to where Sam sat reading over another telegram.

  “Um, yes. If you have a few minutes.” His voice was quiet, he wouldn’t look at her, and his hands fidgeted with the pencil they held. Her heart sank, and in that instant she knew what was coming.

  “Look, Sam, if this is about you and me, and all the things we said, the plans we spoke of, I want you to know I won’t hold you to them. Sometimes men say things they don’t mean, change their mind, then want out.” Her voice was deteriorating. She willed the tears that had formed in her eyes not to fall. She would not break down in front of him.

  “Gloria,” his voice was barely above a whisper and this time he did look up.

  “No, Sam, it’s all right. I know what you want to say and you don’t need to. Please forget about our talks on sharing a life. I’d never hold you to it. The last days have shown me that a life here, with me, is something you don’t truly want. I understand.” She didn’t realized that Sam had been staring at her as she tried to accept what she thought would be his rejection. “I should get back to the saloon now.” She turned her back to him, walking for the door.

  “I love you.”

  His words stopped her, but she still couldn’t look at him. She was too afraid to hope that she’d heard him right, or his words were true.

  He moved behind her and placed his hands on her hips, drawing her back to him. “I love you, Gloria. I want you more than any woman I’ve ever known, and not just for now. I want you in my life always.” He placed a kiss at the back of her neck and heard her moan. His hands moved around her waist to settle her against him as his lips worked their way down her neck to her shoulder, pushing away the shawl she wore.

  “Sam, I thought…” she sighed as he continued to trail kisses along her shoulder. “I love you too,” she murmured as another moan escaped. She turned to wrap her arms around his neck and take what she’d been wanting for much too long.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sheriff Rawlins stood with his hands on his hips staring at the latest message from Jefferson Delaney.

  “Sam, look at this.”

  Sam struggled to calm the thrill of what had happened with Gloria earlier that day. She loved him, and damned if he wasn’t going to make the most of it.

  “Sam?” the sheriff looked up at him questioningly.

  “Sorry, what’d you say?”

  Rawlins shook his head, but smiled, picked up the message and handed it to his deputy. “It’s from Delaney. Take a look.”

  Sam read it twice before raising his eyes. “So the only item that seems to be missing from the attorney’s office is the folder with all of Mrs. Wallace’s legal documents. Interesting.”

  “That’s my thought exactly,” Rawlins nodded. “Dunsford is getting better and Delaney hopes he’ll identify Wicklin as the assailant. He also has men searching Wicklin’s home for the folder.”

  Sam shook his head. “Unless the guy is a complete idiot, I doubt they’ll find it. Says Delany’s got the information on the judge who issued the warrant.” Sam smiled. “Seems the judge may be arrested for kickbacks from more than just Wicklin. This may be the deal that seals all their fates.”

  Rawlins made no effort to hide his disdain. “You can bet if the judge is arrested, Wicklin won’t be far behind, and Wicklin won’t go down alone. He’ll squeal on Hagan, and anyone else, to get a lighter sentence. I bet the witnesses against Victoria disappear as fast as they materialized.
”

  Just as the sheriff sat back in his chair the jail door slammed open and a man neither Rawlins nor Sam had ever seen before, but recognized from numerous wanted posters, strolled into the room.

  “What the hell is going on?” Rawlins boomed as he jumped from his desk.

  “Ah, the sheriff. And the deputy, si?” The menace in the man’s voice put both lawmen on alert.

  “Hagan.” It was all Rawlins had time to say. Miguel fired, the bullet catching the sheriff off guard. He fell to the floor, not moving. Sam started to reach for his gun.

  “No, señor. I would not do that if I were you. Your sheriff, he may die this day, but you? No, you do not have to die. Unless, of course, that is your wish.”

  Glancing down at the wounded sheriff, Sam lowered his hand and let both arms hang at his sides. “What do you want, Hagan?”

  “Ah, that is much better.” The outlaw turned to motion in three men. Three more stayed outside to watch and guard their horses. “It is the woman I want. Who else? The lawman, MacLaren, took her from me. What is mine, I keep. You understand, señor?”

  Hagan indicated for his men to watch Sam as he moved past him to the cells in back. “She is here, si?” He asked but already knew the answer. Hector had found the location of the woman without much effort. The whole town talked of her arrest.

  Sam stood motionless. He expected Jamie at any time, and hoped his friend spotted Hagan’s men before it was too late.

  ******

  Jamie had left the ranch an hour earlier to meet with Sam and Rawlins. He was taking his time, enjoying the ride on Rebel, trying to clear his mind. He and Rebel had been together for years. Rebel had been born on the ranch, the foal of their uncle’s stallion and their aunt’s mare. Jamie had trained him. It was Rebel who had carried him away from Fire Mountain years before, after he and Niall had quarreled one too many times about Victoria. Now he rode his horse back into town to learn of news that might clear or convict her of murder.