Faster Than the Rest Read online

  The contents of these documents were a complete surprise to Victoria. She was staggered at the provisions Aunt Bea had made for her. Everything went to her, to do with as she pleased. She could sell everything and move wherever she wanted, or continue to live in the city. Aunt Bea had simply wanted her to have the freedom of choice, something she’d lost when she married Hamilton.

  “So it’s true then.” She stared at the papers Silas had handed her. “What I was told is true. After seven years, if I remained married to Hamilton, it all came to me.”

  “It’s true, Victoria.”

  “But what if I hadn’t stayed with him, or if something had happened to me? If I had gone to jail, or died?”

  “Oh, that was quite simple. In the event anything happened other than you staying married to him for the full seven years, the entire estate was to be divided between her favorite charities. The woman was quite thorough. By the time the will was finalized, she had made up her mind that Hamilton should get nothing. Ever.” Silas smiled as he recalled the endless meetings his client had requested to be sure everything was just as she desired.

  “Why am I learning of this now? Why not earlier?”

  “Unfortunately, the provisions of the will stated that you not to be told until the seven years had elapsed, and then only if you were still married to Wicklin. I cannot give you a good explanation of her decision on the matter or why the seven years. But now you’re under no further obligation to that miserable piece of humanity.”

  Dunsford paused as if trying to decide how to phrase his next words. “But what’s always been a curiosity to me, Victoria, is why you stayed with him. He couldn’t have been easy to live with.”

  There was complete silence, leaving Jamie to wonder if she planned to answer.

  “It’s really quite simple, Silas. Hamilton threatened to kill my parents and Jamie MacLaren if I ever left him. It was the same threat he’d made when he forced me to marry him. He had contacts and wealth. I knew he could do as he threatened. They are the three most important people in my life. I couldn’t take a chance he’d do as he said. He made sure I understood he always knew what they were doing. His connections seemed endless. It was his way of keeping me in my place, by letting me know he could get to any of them whenever he chose. It may have been the only positive thing to come out of the marriage. I learned that my parents were doing well, and that Jamie had become some type of hired gun before joining the U.S. Marshal Service. It was hard to learn he’d moved on, without me. But, what else could he do? At least he’s alive.” She twisted the small cloth she clutched in her hands and looked up at Dunsford. “So you see? What other choice did I have?”

  Jamie’s fists clenched as he listened from the other room. She had left him to save his life. To save his damned life, and it had almost killed him anyway. He was both relieved and furious with her for not trusting his ability to take care of her and himself. He needed time to decide how he felt about the two of them and their future now that the truth was out.

  “Mrs. Wicklin is quite a wealthy woman, MacLaren, and innocent of the knowledge about the seven years. Her statements to you and Sam seem to have been proven true.” Delaney said as they continued to sit in the second office.

  Yes, Victoria was a very wealthy woman and he was a U.S. Marshal. It was a good living, but he’d never be able to provide for her in the style her new wealth allowed. Even the ranch, which did well and was expected to grow substantially, had to support all the MacLarens plus all of the hands. If he left the Marshals Service as he’d planned, he’d be added to the list of people the ranch supported. And if he married…No, that wasn’t a remote possibility now. Not with what he knew of Victoria’s new financial position.

  “You okay, MacLaren?” Delaney whispered in his ear.

  “Yea, I’ve heard enough. Let’s go,” Jamie said through clenched teeth. He needed air, a drink, and time to think through everything he’d learned. He had come to San Francisco to fetch Torie home, but now he understood that he might be making the trip back alone.

  ******

  Victoria was exhausted. She’d been with Silas until late in the night, discussing her plans to sell the business properties, close the house, and move back to Fire Mountain. He understood and helped her map out a strategy so that he could take care of selling the business while she concentrated on her move. Dunsford estimated it would take no more than four to six weeks, then she could leave. It wasn’t as soon as she desired, but at least everything had started to move in the direction she wanted.

  Dunsford expressed concern she wasn’t giving herself enough time to enjoy her new freedom, to see if a life in the city might make her happy, but she’d been firm. She’d never been more sure of a decision in her life. The man she loved was in Arizona, and she was running back to him as fast as she could.

  All but one of the few servants she’d employed had left, not knowing the outcome of her fate, but Dunsford had notified her personal maid, Penelope, of her return. At least the house was clean, there was food available, and her bed had been turned down with her nightclothes set out. Penelope had always been efficient.

  She walked into her room and closed the door. Her eyes moved slowly around the room, settling on the glow from the fireplace. Victoria set her small satchel down and walked toward the flames. It was over, truly over, and now she was free to make her own choices. Free to build her own life. And the life she wanted was with Jamie.

  ******

  He’d had several drinks more than he intended before taking a carriage to the address Delaney had provided. Jamie asked the driver twice if he was certain the house in front of him belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Wicklin. The driver confirmed the address and Jamie got down, not quite sure why he’d come.

  She lived in a mansion. It spanned a full city block with gardens all around and fountains on two sides. There were at least two stories and balconies all around. He walked, unseen, through the property, wincing with each new revelation of Torie’s wealth. The lights were on downstairs and he could see a light in one of the upstairs rooms.

  At the sound of horses, Jamie walked to the corner of the house and peered around. Torie. She’d just descended from the carriage. A door opened and a slight, young maid appeared to take her mistress’s belongings, gushing at how much Victoria had been missed. Servants. Jamie hadn’t even thought of the servants she’d have to leave behind if he took her back home. The door closed. He watched as several lights downstairs went dark and more lights on the second floor were lit.

  He sat on a garden bench, his head in his hands, staring down at his dirty boots and work pants. He hadn’t even taken the time to change before following her. His heart felt heavy. Jamie knew there’d never be another love for him like Victoria. The seven years without her had already proven it to him. Looking up, he stared at a house he could never expect to own. A lifestyle he couldn’t provide. Resigned, he stood and walked out the gate to the street.

  He’d leave tomorrow without her ever knowing he’d come. It would be better this way. Better for both of them.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Weeks had passed since Jamie had returned home. The trip hadn’t gone as he’d anticipated. The disappointment at not bringing Victoria home with him had worked on his heart much more harshly than expected. Perhaps because now he knew she was available to marry again, just not to him.

  Hen notified him that since Wicklin and Victoria had been married in Arizona, Jerrod Minton was handling her divorce. Jerrod saw no reason it wouldn’t be granted, but he’d heard nothing of her returning to Fire Mountain. Neither had Hen nor Anna. Jamie resigned himself to accept her decision.

  Jamie needed to move on. He’d tendered his resignation, gotten drunk several nights in a row, sat up until dawn talking lies to Sam, Will or Niall, or whomever would listen, and was now back to being a part-owner of the largest spread in northern Arizona.

  Maybe his older brother was right. The weeks since coming home had given him time to
think about marrying someone else, raising a family, and doing his best to find what Niall and Kate had found. He decided he wanted that life, wanted children. Jamie was ready to finally cut the ties from his past and start fresh.

  ******

  “Where you off to, Jamie, all gussied up and smelling good?” Will nearly fell over himself at the sight of his older brother. It was Saturday night, but he didn’t look like he’d be heading to any saloon.

  “Oh, he didn’t tell you, Will?” Alicia walked in from the kitchen drying her hands on a soft cotton towel. “He’s having dinner in town with some woman he met. Can’t believe he didn’t mention it to you.” Alicia winked at Niall and Kate who were sitting together playing with Adam, trying to suppress their laughter. It was good to see Jamie get out, get on with his life.

  “He surely did not. Who is she, Jamie? Do I know her?” Will was still sizing him up.

  “Will, you know just about every pretty female between ten and forty in this town, so I’d guess you know this one,” Niall teased as he picked up Adam, laying the baby carefully over his shoulder to burp him.

  “Hey, I’m getting married. I don’t look at all the pretty women any more. Don’t be spreading lies about me, big brother.” Will laughed along with his family. He’d never felt so good and it appeared the rest of the family felt the same.

  Jamie just smiled at the scene. Yes, he’d made the right choice, coming home to be with his family. And he was looking forward to tonight. She was a pretty thing, and new to town. He’d been lucky to spot her as she emerged from the stage. Took him all week to talk her into letting him escort her to dinner. He actually felt nervous.

  “Well, I’m heading out,” he said to the others as he donned his best hat to leave for town.

  “Hey, you didn’t tell me who she is,” Will yelled after him. “I’m going to see Emily. We could go with you to dinner, meet the woman.”

  “Another time, Will. Tonight it’s just me and the lady.” Jamie mounted Rebel and started for town.

  ******

  Jamie and the very pretty woman sat across from each other in the dining room at Hen’s hotel. He’d been trying to figure out the color of her hair. It seemed the color of a deep red sky at sunset with streaks of sunlight. Her dark green eyes reminded him of the local pines, and her porcelain skin glowed in the candlelight. He guessed she was about five- foot-seven inches, just the right size for his six-foot-one frame. She was a teacher and had just taken the local position after the last teacher had married a rancher down near Phoenix.

  “So, Madeleine, how do you like it here so far?” Jamie asked as he looked at her over the rim of his coffee cup. They’d finished dinner and were working on the last bites of dessert.

  “I’ve not had much opportunity to see the sights but I’m sure I’ll like it just fine.” Her green eyes focused on his as she spoke. She knew full well that he was interested in her even if she’d only met him a few days ago. Madeleine had learned he was an ex-marshal from a much respected ranching family. They were well off, but not wealthy. He was one of the most gorgeous men she’d ever met. His rugged good looks complemented his strong, muscled body. He wouldn’t have any trouble attracting women, just like her ex-fiancé hadn’t. She was interested in getting to know Jamie MacLaren better, but her heart told her to take it slow. No sense making the same mistake she’d made before. It’d been two years, but the pain still reminded her to be cautious.

  “Well, we can change that quick enough. If you have no other plans, I’d like to bring the buggy into town next Saturday and take you around the country, show you the sights, maybe head over to the ranch. How does that sound?”

  “That would be lovely, Jamie,” she said, mentally reminding herself that she was going to take this one day at time.

  ******

  “No, Silas. I’m not staying another two weeks. I’ll be on the train tomorrow. I won’t change my plans one more time. The papers can be sent to me in Fire Mountain. I’ll work with Jerrod to finish it all up and send everything back to you.” Victoria had planned to leave over a week ago, but delays had interrupted her trip. Now she was determined to leave no matter what Silas said.

  “Fine, Victoria, if you’re sure that’s what you still want to do. But I don’t see how a few more days could impact your plans with Mr. MacLaren. Believe me, the man will never be able to find a woman to replace you, no matter where he looks, and certainly not in a small town in the territory. He’ll be there, still single, and waiting for you.” Silas had grown quite fond of Victoria through their years of working together. He’d miss her, but understood her desire to go home and be with the man she’d always loved.

  “I wish I had the same confidence, Silas. You haven’t met Jamie. Believe me, he’s someone any single woman would want. Mama told me he’s resigned his position to become a part of the family ranch. Now all the available women are trying to attract his attention. I don’t plan to let anyone else have him, Silas. Not as long as there is a single breath left in me.” She smiled at one of the best men she’d ever had the privilege to meet and hoped their paths would cross many more times in the future.

  ******

  “Another date with the lovely Madeleine so soon, Jamie? You do move fast when you put your mind to it.” Niall slapped him on the back as he walked past to saddle Zeus.

  “Just a buggy ride to show her the sites. She hasn’t had time to see much, and as far as I know, doesn’t own a buggy or horse. I’ll be back by mid-afternoon if you need help with anything.” Jamie climbed up into the buggy and snapped the reins lightly.

  It turned out to be one of those beautiful fall days without the cold wind of winter. They’d have some snow off and on for a few months, then the weather would turn warm again as the mountains changed to the bright green of spring. That was Torie’s favorite time of year. His heart still ached a little when he thought of her or someone mentioned her name. Jamie needed to put every trace of her firmly in his past.

  He was glad he’d made the decision to go on with his life. No doubt she’d already forgotten him in favor of one of the rich available gentlemen in her social circle. At least she no longer haunted his every thought, keeping him awake at night and messing with his mind during the day.

  The sunrise didn’t remind him of her golden hair quite as often, or the way he’d always loved running his hands through the long, silky strands. Aunt Alicia’s Sunday dress with shades of violet didn’t induce images of Torie’s beautiful eyes, or how they lit up whenever anyone told a lie or made her laugh. She’d always been a fireball when you got her going, and he used to love teasing her when they were young. But they weren’t young any more, he reminded himself. And she didn’t seem to be the fireball he remembered. Stronger, more determined, still as beautiful, but the spontaneous, carefree girl of his past was gone. She was a woman now, settled in her opulent mansion in the city, enjoying a life far removed from his.

  ******

  By the time he reached Madeleine’s cottage behind the schoolhouse, the day no longer looked so beautiful and his enthusiasm for the ride had subsided quite a bit. At this moment he just wanted to show her around for a couple of hours before heading home. Jamie didn’t want to analyze it too much but something had changed.

  He jumped down from the buggy as Madeleine came out the front door carrying a basket.

  “Morning, Madeleine. You look lovely today.”

  And she did. She wore a green dress that matched her eyes, with long sleeves and lace cuffs. The lacy bodice showed just enough to let him know that God had not skimped in that area. Her hair was pinned up with a silver clip and a few strands of curls flowed down her back in soft cascades of several shades of red. He wanted to take the clip out and run his hands through it to see if it felt as soft as Torie’s. Jamie stopped his train of thought to focus back on the women in front of him. She carried a parasol and shawl, and also had a large blanket slung over her arm. The lady came prepared.

  “Good morning, Jamie. I
t’s a beautiful day. Thank you so much for offering me a tour. I brought a picnic, if that’s all right.” She smiled up at him. It was a beautiful smile filled with warmth, but it wasn’t the face he expected.

  “Jamie? Is everything all right?” Madeleine asked as he stood staring at her.

  “Uh, yes, everything’s just fine. A picnic sounds good. Let me help you up and we’ll be on our way.” Jamie shook off, once again, his thoughts of Torie, and forced himself to concentrate on the woman in front of him. He liked her and wanted to get to know her. She could be just the woman for him. He needed to give her a chance, give himself a chance, but he realized this transition would take more time than he’d thought.

  “Jamie, would you mind if we stopped at the mercantile for a couple of things? Won’t take long.”

  “Of course.” He guided the buggy to the mercantile located next to the hotel. Jamie helped Madeleine down, and escorted her inside. She started down one of the aisles as Jamie continued to the counter. He spotted Hen instantly. Although he and Anna owned both the mercantile and hotel, it was seldom you saw either at the small store.

  “Morning, Mr. Wright. I’m surprised to see you here and not at the hotel. How are you doing?” Jamie held out his hand, hoping his old friend would not refuse it.

  Hen took Jamie’s hand in a warm grip. “Real fine, Jamie. Real fine, indeed. Needed to check some things here at the store and Walt wanted some time off, so here I am. Had a surprise passenger on the stage late yesterday. Just got in and was about to head out to…” that’s all Hen got out when Victoria walked out from the back. She stopped mid-stride, eyes coming to rest on Jamie’s, all the wind rushing out of her lungs. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

  He was in shock. She was here, right in front of him and he couldn’t move a muscle if he tried. It was worse than being confronted by a drunk with a loaded gun. That he knew he could handle. He wasn’t as sure about this. His heart was racing so fast he thought it would jump out of his chest.