Deadlier Than the Rest Read online

  “It’s best that you not be in the room. Stay with your friends. We’ll let you know as soon as we know anything.”

  ******

  A full day passed without much change. Connor and Grace refused to leave the hospital. Jericho got a message off to Alex McCann, and Fred sent word to Louis Dunnigan, the man paying Roy and him to help find Meggie. Dunnigan offered to send his personal doctor from Denver. Alex replied asking Fred to let him know if there was anything at all that Connor needed to help Meggie. Truth was, there was nothing more anyone could do except wait.

  The second day Meggie showed some improvement, giving everyone hope that she might still beat the disease. Jasper Bing came and went, bringing food and anything else Grace, Connor or the others needed. Ruth Dix arrived back in Salt Lake late that day, finding a note on her front door left by Jasper. She wasted no time getting to the hospital, demanding to speak with the doctor and nurses, refusing to accept that Meggie could not be saved. She’d never met the young woman, but she was Grace’s friend and Connor’s sister, that’s all that mattered.

  “Grace, you and Connor need to get away, if just for a while. Go outside, take a walk. Mr. Jericho and I will stay. Nothing will happen while you’re gone,” Ruth said later that evening.

  “I don’t know, Ruth. I hate to leave, even for a short time.”

  Connor heard the exchange. He sat a few chairs away, his arms on his knees, hands clasped, head bent. He wasn’t a praying man, never had been, not since his parents had sent them to America from Scotland. Not since learning that you could achieve your dreams in this new land if you were willing to fight, claw, and sometimes kill. Not since Meggie had been taken eight years before. Not since he’d turned from the optimism of his youth to the deadly reality of the present.

  But now, he prayed. Not for himself or the men he’d killed. All righteous, he’d stated after each one. No, he prayed for Meggie. He’d phrased his prayers every way he could think of—from asking for her recovery, to begging God to spare her. He was out of words. He figured if God hadn’t heard him by now, he never would.

  Connor stood and reached out a hand to Grace. “Come on. Let’s get out of here for a while.”

  They walked into the cool night air with no destination in mind. Neither said a word for several minutes, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Grace was the first to break the silence.

  “Where will you go once Meggie recovers?”

  Connor glanced at her and stopped walking, still holding her hand tight to his side. It was a question he knew the answer to but hadn’t thought about since they’d found her. He’d planned to take her back to Fire Mountain for a fresh start. After years without her family she deserved to be near them, surrounded by people who would accept and love her. Maybe if he voiced it the thought would become reality.

  He started walking again, still not letting loose of his hold on Grace. “Fire Mountain, where our family lives.”

  “Is it nice there?”

  He shook his head and snorted. “I don’t know, never been there. But Pierce says it’s one of the most beautiful places he’s ever seen.” Connor glanced over at Grace, wanting something, but not sure what it was. “Will you stay in Salt Lake?”

  She was quiet a long time. Her dream had been to go back for Meggie and travel south to the Arizona territory. More than anything she wanted to follow that dream, except now Meggie had her family. Grace would be in the way.

  “I…I don’t know.”

  Connor came to a halt and turned Grace toward him. “Come with us.” He was surprised he’d voiced his thoughts. He’d never asked a woman for more than a short, physical relationship—never wanted one—but one night with Grace wasn’t enough. He didn’t think a thousand nights would ever suffice.

  “What are you saying, Connor?” She stared up at him, surprised by his invitation.

  “I’m not sure what I’m saying except that I can’t ride out and leave you behind. You and I, we’re good together.” He looked up to the clear sky trying to find the words that would best convey his feelings. “I’ve never asked this of any woman, Grace. I need you with me. I can’t promise anything more than that.”

  She let his words roll around in her head. Her intent had been to travel to Arizona anyway as soon as she’d saved enough money. She had no interest in staying in Salt Lake. It would be safer to travel with Connor and Meggie than to go on her own, and perhaps his family could help her find a job once they arrived in Fire Mountain. She couldn’t depend on Connor. He’d been clear about that. He wanted and needed her, but didn’t love her. She’d realized over the last several days how much she cared for this man. Did she love him? Grace wasn’t certain, but suspected that yes, she did. She made a quick decision.

  “All right. I’ll travel with you and Meggie to Fire Mountain. She’s my friend and she’ll need someone who knows her and understands the life she’s had the last few years.”

  Connor’s relief was immediate.

  “There is a condition,” Grace added.

  “What is it?” Wariness crept into his voice.

  “I will get a job, build my own life once we get there, and not be dependent on you in any way.”

  Connor stared at her, not liking the sound of this condition. He understood her need to be independent—he’d made no promises of any kind. At the same time, he wanted her to himself. Did her condition mean that she’d let other men court her?

  “Grace, does that mean…” he started, but stopped at the sound of someone yelling his name.

  “Connor! Come quick!” Jericho caught up with them, out of breath and bending over. “It’s Meggie,” he wheezed. “The doctor says she’ll make it.”

  Connor grabbed Grace’s hand and took off at a run, never stopping until he stood outside Meggie’s room.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Even with the doctor’s news, he hadn’t allowed Connor or anyone else in Meggie’s room that night. She’d woken off and on but was weak and disoriented. He asked that Connor wait until morning, and if she continued to improve, he’d be allowed to visit for short periods.

  It was now ten in the morning, and Connor’s patience was wearing thin, as was everyone else’s. Just as Connor was preparing to insist they finally be allowed to see his sister, the doctor walked out of her room, gesturing to Connor and Grace.

  “She’s asking for someone named Dodge and for Grace. Do either of you know him?”

  “I didn’t know him, but Meggie has spoken of him often.” She looked at Connor, knowing he knew nothing about this part of his sister’s past. “He died several years ago.”

  “I see. Well, then, it should be fine if both of you go in at one time. It’s unusual for non-family to be allowed in at this point, Grace, but since she’s asking for you, we’ll make an exception.” He opened the door for the two to pass through. “Please understand, she is still tired and extremely weak. You can only have a few minutes.”

  The room was sterile, colder than Connor anticipated. Meggie was the lone patient. She was covered in thick blankets and a turban had been wrapped around her head to keep in the warmth. As they approached the bed Connor noticed her pale skin and labored breathing, as if she still had to battle for each breath. She looked to be no more than the sixteen years of age she was when she’d been abducted.

  He leaned down, close to her ear. “Meggie, darlin’, can you hear me?” He watched her eyes flutter, then stop. “Meggie, it’s Connor. Can you hear me?” Her eyes fluttered once again before a small slit exposed her pale green eyes. She looked toward Connor, then the woman standing behind him—her eyes held.

  “Grace?” Her voice was low and hoarse from lack of use.

  “I’m here, Meggie,” Grace stepped closer.

  Meggie’s glazed eyes never left Grace’s. “I’ve missed you.” She coughed, causing the nurse to walk over.

  “I’m so sorry I left you, Meggie. I was coming back for you as soon as I had enough money.”

  Connor’s gaze tur
ned to Grace at these words. It was the first she’d spoken of trying to save money to help his sister leave Moser. He wished he’d mentioned Meggie’s name to Grace sooner, perhaps they could’ve gotten to her before she tried to run.

  Meggie’s eyes closed and she took a shallow breath. “I knew you wouldn’t leave me, Grace.” She dropped back to sleep.

  Connor watched her, disappointment washing over him at the realization that she hadn’t recognized him. He was eight years older, had changed a great deal during the life he’d led trying to find her. Yet she looked the same. He would have known her anywhere.

  They nurse walked up and touched Connor’s arm. “She’ll sleep for a while, maybe a couple of hours or even the rest of the day. Why don’t you get breakfast, go outside. She’ll be fine here.”

  Connor knew the nurse was right. He needed some air and food, and to learn who this Dodge person was that Meggie had asked for.

  “Come on. We’ll get the others and grab something to eat,” Connor said to Grace and walked into the hall. Ruth, Mr. Jericho, Fred, and Roy stood at their approach.

  “How is she, laddie?” Jericho asked, stretching to his full six-foot-six height.

  “She spoke to Grace for a moment before she got tired and went back to sleep. She didn’t recognize me.”

  Grace touched his arm to get his attention. “She will. It’s been years and she has no idea you’ve been looking for her.”

  “Of course I’ve been looking for her. From the first day—I’ve never stopped searching.” Anger and frustration laced his voice. He knew he was overreacting. Of course she wouldn’t have known how hard he’d tried to find her, traveled through so many states he couldn’t name them all, and chased too many dead ends to count. But she wouldn’t know that because he’d never gotten close, until now.

  Grace turned to the others. “The nurse said to come back in a couple of hours.”

  “Let’s get out of here and grab some food. I’m famished,” Jericho said before walking outside.

  They ended up at Jasper’s.

  After he served them each an oversized portion of the special he sat down next to Grace. “Tell me how she’s doing.”

  “The doctor says she’ll pull through. Connor and I saw her for a few minutes, but she’s weak, tired, and so pale it made my heart ache.”

  Connor watched Grace as she spoke to Jasper. She’d known Meggie much better than he’d realized. He’d thought they were mere friends, acquaintances, but now he understood they were much more than that. Grace held secrets to Meggie’s past that Connor wanted to learn. He suspected there was also more to Grace’s life in Salt Lake than she’d shared with him.

  “Well, that’s all good news,” Jasper said and clapped Connor on the shoulder. “It won’t be long and you’ll have your sister back in the fold. And Grace, you’ll be able to get back here to work, where you belong.” He pushed from his seat and headed to the kitchen.

  Connor looked over at Grace, knowing it would be a difficult conversation when she told Jasper of her plans to leave for Fire Mountain.

  ******

  Meggie hadn’t woken enough to have visitors again that day. Connor had taken Grace to her room, conflicted about whether to stay or return to his hotel. He was exhausted, in need of a bath and shave, plus he needed to figure out what to do with Meggie once the hospital let her leave. He didn’t want to bring her to the hotel, Grace’s place was too small, and he had no contacts for something larger. He’d speak with Ruth the next morning, see if there was a chance Meggie and he could stay at her place a few days until she could travel.

  “Will you stay with me tonight?” Grace’s voice cut through his thoughts.

  He looked down at her and all his thoughts of needing time alone to think dissolved. “Yes, I’ll stay.”

  They took turns cleaning up before Connor slid into bed next to her. He pulled her to him, wrapping strong arms around her waist, and held tight. He’d intended to simply hold her, feeling her warmth wrap around him, and push away the pain of the last few days watching his sister hover on the edge of death. He took a deep breath, inhaling Grace’s clean scent. She snuggled back against him causing his body to respond even as his mind fought the idea.

  He turned Grace to him, kissing her with all the pent up hunger of a man who’d denied himself the basic human feelings a man felt for a woman for too long.

  Grace wrapped her arms around him, knowing her heart had already taken the dangerous step of falling in love with this man. She wanted him, returning his kiss with all the passion she felt, straining to get closer.

  He deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing her full bottom lip and coaxing her to open for him. His hands moved up and down her back, shifting lower, and pressing her to him. He dipped his head, kissing his way along the soft column of her neck, drawing a low moan from her, then moving lower. He continued until they were both feverish with need and could wait no longer.

  They made love until the early hours before falling into an exhausted sleep.

  ******

  The following morning, Connor woke early, pulled Grace closer, and thought of what he could say to keep her in his life. He knew he’d lost his heart to this woman and didn’t want to lose her.

  He finally climbed out of bed and scribbled a quick note. He kissed a sleeping Grace on the cheek, and arrived at the hospital early—wanting time with his sister before anyone else came to visit. The doctor was just leaving Meggie’s room.

  “She’s doing much better today. If this continues, you may be able to take her home in two or three days. Good thing that girl was healthy or we would have lost her.”

  Connor opened the door to her room and peered inside. She was sitting up, talking with a nurse, and had what appeared to be a smile on her face. The nurse looked up as Connor entered.

  “It appears you have a visitor. I’ll leave the two of you alone for a bit.” The nurse nodded at Connor as she walked out, closing the door behind her.

  “Hello, Meggie,” Connor said in a cautious tone as he walked toward the bed. He saw her face turn from confusion to curiosity.

  “Do I know you?” Her eyes held his, then dropped to his shirt and back up to his hair and face. “You look so familiar.”

  “It’s been a long time I’m afraid. Much too long.” Connor now stood by the bed, looking down at the most wonderful sight he’d seen in a long time.

  “Connor?” The words were soft, tentative.

  “Yes, Meggie. It’s me.”

  “Connor!” she squealed and tried to launch her still weak body from the bed and into his arms. He held her, holding her tight, still not quite believing they were in this room, together, and that she’d survived the deadly illness.

  She pulled back to look at him. “I thought you’d forgotten me,” she said as she swiped tears from her eyes.

  “Never. I’ve been looking for you all this time.”

  “Good morning,” Grace said as she entered the room to see Meggie and Connor holding hands. “So, I see you recognize your brother. Connor was afraid you wouldn’t.”

  “I wasn’t sure at first, but…” she smiled up at her brother and gripped his hand tighter. “How did you find me?”

  “It’s a long story, one I promise to tell you all of once the doctor lets you leave.” Connor sat down on the edge of the bed. “He says you might be able to leave in a couple of days.”

  “I’d like to leave today, now.”

  “Doubt he’ll allow that, but soon.” He turned to Grace. “I thought I’d ask Ruth if Meggie and I could stay with her a few days until Meggie’s able to travel.”

  “Travel?” Meggie asked, her voice wavering, betraying her exhaustion.

  “I had hoped you would want to come with me to Fire Mountain, Arizona. Pierce and I were able to find our MacLaren cousins. They have a ranch there and would like us to settle with them. Pierce is there now.” He knew this was a lot to take in all at once. “You don’t have to decide today, there’s time.”
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  “I don’t need time. It sounds wonderful,” she covered her mouth to conceal a yawn. “Anywhere you go is where I want to be.”

  “I hoped that’s what you’d say,” Connor smiled at Meggie. “There’s one other thing.” He looked at Grace. “I’ve asked Grace to come along.”

  “Truly, you’d want to come with us, Grace?” It wasn’t hard to miss the excitement in Meggie’s voice, even though her head began to bob and she fought to keep her eyes open.

  Grace glanced at Connor. Their eyes met and held, a gesture that wasn’t lost on Meggie. There was something going on between her good friend and her brother. She’d have to ask Grace about this when they had time alone.

  Grace broke contact with Connor and turned her attention back to her friend. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”

  “I would love to have you with us,” Meggie said as another yawn escaped. Her eyes began to close, and this time stayed shut.

  “Meggie, we’ll leave you to rest, but I’ll be back this afternoon.” He leaned over and placed a kiss on his sister’s forehead.

  “All right, this afternoon,” Meggie said as she drifted to sleep.

  ******

  Fire Mountain, Arizona Territory

  “Hello there, Pierce. You here to pick up the mail?” Tom had been the telegraph operator in Fire Mountain for years. He’d handled the stage lines that came through before the town got rail service to most places. Now he also handled mail for the growing town and surrounding ranches, including the MacLaren ranch.

  “Sure am, Tom. Got anything for me?”

  Tom reached behind him. He pulled a package, letters, and a telegram from the cubby-holed wall. “Here you go. Telegram just came in from Salt Lake an hour ago.”

  Pierce took the mail and walked outside, placing everything but the telegram in his saddlebags. He was still surprised how easily the MacLarens had accepted him and his brother, Connor. It was as if they’d always been a part of the family. None of them had ever met until a couple of months before when Drew MacLaren was involved in some trouble in Colorado.