Deadlier Than the Rest Read online

  “Three steaks, Jasper.” Grace pulled down plates and looked back out to the dining area at the three men. Besides the fact that their stares had unnerved her, something about them seemed off. She’d never seen any of them before, Grace was certain of that. Being too close made her skin crawl, the same as when she’d been around Jeremiah.

  “Order’s ready,” Jasper called.

  Grace placed the meals in front of the men. “Anything else?”

  “Yeah,” Len said. “You ever hear of a man named Connor MacLaren?”

  The use of Connor’s name surprised her but she covered it well. “I’ve met a lot of men, mister, but I don’t recall a MacLaren. Why? Is he a friend of yours?”

  “You might say that. I haven’t seen him in a long time and heard he was in Salt Lake.” Len sat back in his chair to stare at Grace, wishing he had more time to get to know her. “Well, if you hear the name, we’re staying at the Palace Hotel down the road.”

  “Sure, mister. What’s your name?

  “Len Proctor.”

  She walked back toward the kitchen, unease crawling up her spine. Grace wasn’t sure why she’d covered for Connor, she hardly knew him, but something about those three just wasn’t right.

  Before meeting Len Proctor, Grace had decided to decline Connor’s invitation to supper. Every time she was around him she felt things, emotions that frightened her. She’d made up her mind it was best to stay as far away from the cowboy as possible. Now, her thoughts had changed. Proctor and his companions were looking for Connor and every instinct she had told Grace they weren’t his friends, no matter what they professed. She’d meet with him—if only to warn him.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Come on, keep up,” Meggie laughed but kept running. Her pace was just fast enough to keep ahead of the three girls who giggled as they gained on her. She circled the house, then the barn, planning to wear them out before bedtime. After three turns Meggie stopped in front of the kitchen door. “All right, that’s enough for now. I smell supper cooking.”

  She opened the back door to allow the girls to dash in ahead of her. “Walk,” Meggie reminded them. “They’re full of energy tonight,” she told Ada and Nina before settling in a slat back chair. “I tried wearing them out, but I’m not sure it worked. Maybe they’ll be tired after they eat.”

  “If not, Nina and I will read to them until they tire. They are a handful.” Ada was a patient woman. Meggie had always thought she would’ve been happiest with a passel of children and a loving husband. Instead, she’d only been able to bring her one daughter into the world. Two others hadn’t made it to the sixth month of her pregnancy.

  Jeremiah worked longer than normal that evening, walking in tired and disgruntled. He hadn’t been able to repair a piece of equipment that was needed, and would be making a trip into town if he couldn’t fix it within a few days. Jeremiah told Ada he’d take her and the oldest girls with him.

  Meggie sat at the table silently praying that Jeremiah wouldn’t be able to fix the broken tool. All she’d thought about the last weeks was escape. Her chance may now be upon her.

  “I’ll be in the office a while.” Jeremiah stood and left the small dining room.

  “Guess I’d better check on the girls,” Nina said and excused herself. “Don’t worry about them tonight, Meggie, I’ll take care of getting them to bed.”

  “That would be wonderful.” Meggie sat a few minutes more and then helped Ada with the dishes. It had been another long day. The girls had risen early, which meant the same for Meggie. She finished drying the last plate and wrapped the dishtowel around a small hook on the side of a cabinet.

  “Why don’t you take a walk,” Ada said. “Things are fine here and I know how much you enjoy being outside, alone with your thoughts.”

  Meggie didn’t wait. She grabbed a coat and quilt, and then hastened outside. Although it wasn’t a full moon, the night was bright. She headed toward her favorite spot, walking first toward the small stream and following its path to the big tree. She’d come here as often as she could since Grace had left, but never, ever brought the girls with her. This was her private spot, away from all the obstacles standing in the way of her dreams.

  Meggie ran to the tree, turned, and leaned her back against the rough bark. She threw the quilt down and slid to the ground. The blanket was large enough to pull around her, keeping the chill away from her legs. She drew her coat tight and leaned her head back. The stars were bright with little cloud cover. Meggie thought about Nina’s two girls and Jeremiah’s refusal to let them attend a regular school.

  The two oldest had spent the entire morning working on their letters and simple addition, then helped Ada and Nina with dinner. The youngest had sat in a corner with a picture book she’d been given at one of the church meetings. The book was full of single-line drawings of animals. It was old, dog-eared and her most favored possession. In Meggie’s mind the two oldest needed to be in a regular school with other children, not stuck in a farm house being schooled by someone who’d only made it through a few grades.

  Even though Connor and Pierce had done what they could to continue her education, the need for all three to work had usually taken precedence. Survival came first. The fact that she was well-read and could write was a testament to how much her brothers pushed Meggie and her strong desire to learn—as well as the generosity of Dodge Delaney.

  Charleston, South Carolina, several years before

  The better your education, the better your prospects, Meggie. The words popped into her mind unbidden. Dodge had spoken them not long after she’d arrived at his home. It was beautiful, more imposing than Eugene Jackson’s house, but the people who worked for Dodge welcomed her.

  Dodge knew of Meggie’s desire to improve herself, find skills so she could earn a living and move out on her own. It was a concept almost unheard of in this very southern community, yet she was determined to be independent, able to support herself. As many women learned, it was a goal few achieved.

  One day, an older man appeared carrying tablets and books. Dodge ushered him into his study and closed the door. Not long afterward he threw the doors open and asked Meggie to join them. Mr. Holly sat at a table near the window. Dodge escorted her over, introduced the tutor, and closed the door behind himself as he left. That was the start of daily lessons in every subject Mr. Holly found relevant, which were many. It was the best gift she’d ever received.

  The longer Meggie stayed the more she learned about the man who’d taken her into his home. Although he appeared carefree to most, he worked hard, worried about the people who worked for him, and found every subject of interest. He was constantly working on one business deal or another—many he’d previously shared with his friend Eugene.

  She had watched Dodge leave several times a week for appointments in the city. His butler was discreet but had, at one point, confided that their employer had a special lady friend in town. At the time, Meggie thought nothing of it, conscious that many men in his circle had women they visited—paramour was the word that came to mind. As the months progressed, the visits decreased until Dodge left for town only on rare occasions.

  Instead, he stayed and worked on his numerous business ventures, read to Meggie, or taught her parlor games.

  He encouraged her to ride and provided a beautiful gelding for her use. Dodge still expected her to complete her chores, and never let Meggie leave with him without checking her progress with Mr. Holly.

  At first, Meggie had been hesitant to be alone with Dodge. She’d always been intimidated in his presence. Eugene had been the buffer, made her feel secure. After a few months in Dodge’s home her thoughts about him had changed.

  She was no longer intimidated—quite the opposite. Meggie now found herself increasingly attracted to the dashing Mr. Delaney.

  He was five years her senior, wealthy, and a sought-after escort in the Charleston social spheres. She’d watched as beautiful, single young women would visit with their families
, throwing themselves at him and fawning over the handsome bachelor. She wondered if these were the same type of women he would keep as a paramour. Probably not, she decided, but her knowledge in that area was small.

  His time with Meggie was just a diversion. She was his employee, his ward, a young woman who would, in time, leave his household and be out of his life. He was gracious, attentive and, to the surprise of many, treated her as a treasured guest rather than as a female who worked for him. Dodge never once crossed the line.

  Their time riding, walking along the river, and sharing picnics on his estate increased to the point Meggie had to concede that her intense feelings for Dodge were far beyond what was safe. She knew he’d never feel the same for her. After all, his life consisted of stunning women from wealth with impeccable manners.

  He may not be with someone now but it was just a matter of time. A man as attractive, wealthy, and driven as Dodge wouldn’t be without a woman for long.

  Meggie was determined to hide her feelings, although it became more difficult as their time together continued. She’d come to realize that once Dodge selected his next paramour—or worse, a wife—she’d never again be able to watch him ride out, knowing he would be with another woman that evening. Her heart would break. Her only recourse was to leave.

  Meggie planned to let Dodge know her decision soon and ask his help in finding a new employer.

  Present day

  She abruptly stopped her memories at hearing shouts from the direction of the house. It was Jeremiah’s fierce, deep voice, and he was looking for her. It was late, past the normal time he’d be in bed. Meggie shuddered. There was only one reason why he’d care if she were away from the house. She took a deep breath and pushed up from the blanket. Might as well get this over with, she thought, and began the trek back into her present life.

  ******

  “Hello, Grace.” Connor stood at the entrance to her small room above the restaurant. He appeared the same as always—black pants, vest, coat, and boots along with a white shirt. Tonight he’d added a thin black tie. He held his hat between both hands, rotating it, worrying the brim as if he were nervous. Grace was certain that wasn’t the case. He was one of the most confident men she’d ever met. She didn’t know much about him, but Connor was one man who didn’t back down from a challenge, and Grace believed he saw her as one.

  “Hello, Connor.” Grace hadn’t been quite herself all day. Her heart pounded each time she’d thought of the night to come. This was the first time she’d been invited to supper by a man. Jeremiah never took any of his wives to a restaurant—they’d hardly ever left the farm. Her unease had grown each time she thought of spending an entire evening with Connor.

  “You look beautiful.” He knew she was attractive, but as Connor let his eyes wander over her hair, face, and the lovely, simple dress she wore, he realized she was a stunning woman. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, let me get my coat.” Grace leaned to the side to grab her coat from a hook. Connor stepped into the room, took it from her hands, and helped her into it.

  She glanced over her shoulder at him. He felt a quick, hard punch to his gut at the radiance of her smile. He’d found himself thinking of her almost constantly. It was an irritant and confusing. His mind was supposed to be full of ways to find Meggie, and although he walked the streets of Salt Lake every day, following those who’d recognized the drawing, he still couldn’t shake Grace’s image from his mind.

  “What did you do today?” He’d gone ahead of her down the steep stair case and wondered how she made it up and down each day in the snow and ice that covered Salt Lake during many winter days.

  “Ruth Dix invited me for dinner. She lives not far and it gave me a chance to get away for a while.” Grace didn’t confide in Connor that she’d told Ruth about some of her past, as well as her plans to help her friend Meggie. What Grace hadn’t confided in Ruth was that she and Meggie were married to the same man. To her surprise, Ruth had been adamant about helping her, offering Grace whatever aid was needed.

  “You’ve known her long?”

  “Not really. She’s been coming to Jasper’s for many years. We struck up a friendship, and it’s grown.” Grace had never met a woman like Ruth, nor a man like Connor. She peered up at the hard, attractive looking cowboy. His hat was pulled low, his arm through hers as he guided her to the buggy he’d rented. “Is this yours?”

  “It is for tonight.” Connor helped her onto the padded two person seat. It was covered and drawn by a large, beautiful horse.

  “Is she yours?” Grace pointed to the deep, blood-red, bay.

  “Yes. He,” Connor paused, “is my horse. Crusader’s been my partner for several years.”

  “He’s magnificent.” Grace settled into the carriage as Connor stepped up from the other side. “Are you a cowboy?”

  The question caught him off guard. He’d been a Texas Ranger, done private investigator work, and was now a Range Detective. At least, he had been. Now he was simply a man looking for his sister.

  “No, not really.”

  “Then, what do you do?” She watched his profile, looking for signs he might seek to either embellish or lie about his work.

  Connor heard her question just as he brought the carriage to a halt in front of the entrance to a well-lit hotel. It was the nicest place in Salt Lake. He wanted Grace to remember this supper long after he’d left.

  “We’re here.” Connor jumped down and moved around the carriage, well aware he hadn’t answered her question. Grace extended her hand but he ignored it and wrapped his large hands around her waist, setting her down on the boardwalk. He let his hands linger a moment before dropping them to his sides.

  “I’ve seen this hotel, but never been inside.”

  “It’s the Templeton. From what I hear, it’s the best in the city.” Connor placed a hand at the small of her back and guided Grace inside. Even though the night wasn’t yet too chilly, warmth hit them the moment they entered the lobby. Connor helped her out of her coat and handed it to the maître d’, who showed them to an intimate table in a corner.

  Grace stared at the setting. A white tablecloth was adorned with candles, silverware, and a small vase of flowers. She’d never seen anything so stunning.

  Connor moved to her chair and pulled it out, seating her opposite him. Her eyes wandered over the room and the other guests. The women wore elegant dresses and the men were in suits. Her simple dress didn’t compare to those of the others in the room. Connor fit in well while she felt dwarfed, out of place.

  “Wine, Grace?” Connor asked after their server had returned to their table.

  “Um, yes, I think so.”

  “You think so? Is there something else you’d like?”

  “No, wine is fine. I’ve just never had it before.”

  Connor watched Grace over the candlelight which enhanced her eyes, as well as her obvious unease at being in a place such as this. He hadn’t thought about her background, if she had ever been inside an upscale hotel or restaurant. Perhaps this was the wrong choice, he wondered, then quickly discarded the thought. No, this was the exact place for her to be, with him, on a night out like she’d never had.

  “Well, then tonight is another first for you. First supper with me, first time in the Templeton, and first time drinking wine. I hope you enjoy all three.” He held up his glass to her. “To many firsts, Grace.”

  She lifted her glass and held it up the way Connor did. When Connor took a sip then placed his glass back on the table, she followed. The chilled liquid ran down her throat. It wasn’t what she’d expected. She liked it.

  “Are you ready to order, sir.” Their server stood next to Grace, waiting for her response. She picked up the menu, trying to scan it so that the man would not grow impatient.

  “Why don’t we give the lady a few minutes,” Connor said.

  “Certainly, sir.”

  Grace peeked from behind the menu and smiled, grateful for Connor’s intervention. “
What would you suggest?”

  “I haven’t eaten here either, but you can’t go wrong with a steak. There’s duck and chicken, also.”

  “A steak sounds perfect.”

  Connor motioned the waiter over. “Two steaks, medium,” he ordered, then turned his attention to his guest.

  “Where are you from, Grace? Here in Salt Lake?” He picked up his wine glass and took a swallow, waiting for her to respond.

  “No, not Salt Lake. I was born in St. Louis, but my family came out here several years ago.” Grace sipped at her wine and felt herself relax.

  “So your parents are in Salt Lake? That must be nice, being able to see them.”

  “No, they moved on, to California. I stayed behind and found a job at Jasper’s.” Her eyes shifted as she spoke, not meeting Connor’s. Grace was hiding something. He’d find out what, eventually.

  “Are you from this area?” Grace asked.

  “No, originally from Scotland. My parents sent my sister, brother, and I here when I was seventeen. The prospects in America were here, at least that’s what my parents thought.”

  “Were they right?”

  “Yes, and no. My parents died a few years after we arrived in New York. I found work at the docks, Pierce worked for a man who made small tools, and my sister took a job as a maid. Pierce and I took turns schooling her because we couldn’t afford to not have her work.”

  “So you worked at the docks then came here?”

  “Not exactly. I’ve done a lot of things. I was an investigator for a private company, took a turn as a Texas Ranger, worked for Pinkerton’s for a while. My last job was as a Range Detective. I quit that a month ago to come here.”

  “What are you doing in Salt Lake?” she asked, this time meeting his eyes.

  “Looking for someone.”

  “Who?”

  “My sister. She was kidnapped from the docks when she was sixteen. I’ve been looking for her ever since. Taking different jobs, following every lead, but nothing. Finally, last month, my last employer agreed to help me. His two private detectives, Fred and Roy, believe they spotted her here in Salt Lake, so, here I am.” He wanted to steer the questions back to Grace, away from him. “How long have you been with Jasper?”