Deadlier Than the Rest Read online

  He tore open the telegram and read the brief contents. Connor had found Meggie! He stepped back into the telegraph office. “He found her, Tom. Connor found our sister! He hopes to be in Fire Mountain within the month.”

  “That’s wonderful news,” Tom said, walking around the counter to slap Pierce on the back.

  Pierce folded the message, stuffing it in his pocket. They’d been disappointed so many times in the past, but this time Connor had found her. His brother had never stopped searching, never given up, even when Pierce had been afraid the search would drive Connor mad. But his brother had been right to keep up his crusade. It had finally paid off.

  He should ride back to the ranch, share the news with his cousins. Instead, he looked toward the saloon. He wanted a drink—to celebrate, before the restaurants and saloons became crowded with ranch hands and local townspeople.

  Pierce pushed the door of the Desert Dove open and took a seat at a table in the corner. He’d been here a couple of times with his cousins—Niall, Jamie, Will, and Drew. It made sense that it was their favorite saloon. A few years earlier the oldest brother, Niall, had bought the place from the previous owner, Gloria Chalmette. She’d been a close friend of Niall’s before he met and married Kate Garner. Now Gloria was married to Sam Browning, the town sheriff. Niall’s ownership of the saloon hadn’t been made public until last year.

  Pierce signaled for a whiskey from the longtime bar keep, Ross, and then sat back to watch the people. It was a good town and a great place to raise a family. Trouble was, with all the single cowhands and other locals, most of the good women were spoken for.

  “Here you go, mister.” The soft voice flowed over him, breaking his thoughts.

  “Thanks, uh…”

  “Mollie. I just started yesterday.” She didn’t look like she could be more than eighteen or nineteen, with dark golden hair laced with strands of soft red. Mollie’s soft, golden brown eyes looked him over. It wasn’t provocative, more her way to really see and remember him.

  “Nice to meet you, Mollie. I’m Pierce MacLaren.” He saluted her with his glass and took a sip.

  “Yes, I know. Ross told me you were one of the MacLarens. Well, I better get back to the bar. Good to meet you, Pierce. Just wave if there’s anything else you’d like.”

  He watched her slow walk and swaying hips, almost choking on his drink. Hell yes, there was more he’d like—and it was wrapped up in the bundle that had just left his table. Pierce continued to follow her until his eyes caught Ross’s knowing smirk. Smart-ass, but the man sure knew what he was doing when it came to hiring women.

  Pierce started to stand when the door flew open and a group of businessmen came strolling into the saloon, headed for a large round table near his. One he’d met, Jerrod Minton, an attorney. He handled most of the business matters for the large ranches and more prosperous property owners. According to Niall, Minton had handled the legal affairs for the MacLarens for years. Honest, hardworking, and didn’t tolerate any bull is the way Niall had described him. Jerrod saw Pierce and extended his hand.

  “Hello, Pierce. How are you settling in?”

  “Good, Jerrod. Learning things, helping the cousins as best I can. It’s a new life, that’s for sure.”

  Jerrod chuckled. “I’m sure it is. Niall invited Madeleine and I out for supper next week. Hope there’s plenty of food because that boy of ours sure can eat for being only four.” Jerrod had married Madeleine Rutherford, the town’s school teacher, a few years ago. They had a four-year old boy and three-year old girl. Jamie MacLaren had courted her for a brief period before the woman he’d loved all his life had returned to Fire Mountain. Torie and Jamie were a perfect match. “If you have some time in the next few weeks, I’d like to learn more about what you’ve done for Connor. Investigation work and such.”

  “I’ll make time.”

  “Better get back to my meeting.” Jerrod tilted his head to the waiting table.

  Pierce watched Jerrod take his seat, then let his eyes roam over the other occupants. He recognized the banker, but the others were strangers. One in particular caught his eye. He was about Pierce’s height at over six feet, with thick blond hair. The clothes were what distinguished him—black trousers and coat that fell to within six inches of his knees. His white shirt had a stand-up collar with an emerald green silk ribbon tie that matched his brocade vest. It was unusual for Fire Mountain, but he’d seen the style often back East. The one difference was the western style black hat he’d placed on a hook behind his chair.

  “Anything else, Pierce?” Mollie had come up beside him, eyeing the man the same way Pierce did. “I’m thinking back East with money,” she said in a quiet voice.

  Pierce grinned. “Probably so. Nothing more for me, Mollie. See you next time.” He favored her with a wicked smile, waved to Ross, and started back to the MacLaren ranch.

  Mollie walked back up to the bar, leaning against it as she watched Pierce mount his horse. She’d met quite a few men the last couple of years, but none that had made such an immediate impact on her. Pierce MacLaren. She’d sure like to get to know him better.

  Chapter Twenty

  Salt Lake City

  Ruth had been delighted to offer her house to Meggie and Connor, and two days later Meggie found herself settled into a guest room at the Dix home. She’d never met Ruth before, but after only a few hours, felt as if she’d known the older woman her whole life.

  Meggie had fought Connor about carrying her into the house, but she’d ultimately given in when it had become apparent there was no chance of winning that argument. Now she was fidgety, ready to move around, and get back to a normal life. Normal, she thought. What was that? She’d had so few choices over the years that the thought of being able to do whatever she wanted was a little daunting.

  She and Connor had said their goodbyes and thanks to Fred Helms and Roy Crowley, who’d been called back to Denver now that Meggie was out of danger. Jericho had agreed to return with them to Fire Mountain, saying that—even at their older ages—he felt both Connor and Pierce needed looking after. Meggie remembered meeting Mr. Jericho a couple of times before being kidnapped and thanked God her brothers had kept him as their friend.

  “Supper will be ready in a few minutes,” Ruth called from the kitchen. Meggie heard the back door slam. “Hey, MacLaren, wipe those boots before you track mud into my kitchen.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Sorry about that,” Connor replied. Meggie could hear the chagrin in his voice and almost laughed. “I’ll let Meggie know about supper.”

  As he walked through the front room the entry door swung open.

  “Good evening, Connor,” Grace said.

  Connor moved toward her, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her toward him for a welcoming kiss. Her hands grasped his strong forearms, steadying herself, then relaxed into the kiss.

  “All right, that’s enough, you two,” Ruth said as she stood in the kitchen doorway.

  Connor and Grace pushed apart. “Uh, good evening, Ruth,” Grace managed. “I hope it’s okay that I came by tonight?”

  “Of course it is. In fact, you can help me set the table while Connor gets Meggie.”

  Jericho showed up just as Grace was placing the last of the food on the table.

  “I set a place for you, Mr. Jericho, just in case you decided to join us,” Grace said and smiled at someone who’d become a good friend in a short time.

  “I never pass up an invitation for home cooking.” Jericho smiled and placed his gun belt on a nearby table as Connor and Meggie walked in from the hallway.

  “Look at you, missy. No one would even know how sick you’ve been by looking at you tonight,” Jericho said and meant every word of it.

  “Thank you, Mr. Jericho. I feel wonderful and it’s so good to get out of that hospital.” Meggie took her seat as Connor held the chair. He did the same for Grace.

  “Mrs. Dix, this sure is a good spread,” Jericho said as he pulled out the chair for their hos
tess.

  “It’s a celebration, Mr. Jericho. Meggie being home and those three murderers out of our lives. Overall, it’s been a real good week,” Ruth replied. “Mr. Jericho, would you say the prayer?”

  “It would be my honor,” Jericho replied and bowed his head.

  Connor looked at Jericho. He’d never known his friend to bless his food before eating. You just never knew everything about anybody.

  “Dear Lord, thanks for bringing Meggie home, keeping us safe from those miserable varmints who tried to kill Connor, and introducing us to Ruth and Grace. You’ve been mighty generous, Lord, and we thank you. Oh, and bless this food. Amen.”

  “Amen,” everyone said and tucked into their supper.

  The table was quiet as the food was passed around. After a while, Connor looked toward his sister.

  “They told us you ran away from your husband, Meggie. Is that true?” Connor asked in a gentle voice.

  She looked at her brother then down to the table. “Yes, it’s true.”

  “And the reason?”

  “It’s hard to explain.” She looked at Grace then back at Connor. “It’s complicated.”

  He looked around the table. “We have time. Tell us.” Connor settled back in his chair.

  Meggie told them of the kidnapping, being sold to Eugene Jackson, and then being taken in by his close friend, Dodge Delaney. She told them of the robbers who killed Dodge and took her hostage, leaving out the part where she and Dodge had fallen in love and he’d asked her to marry. Finally, Meggie talked about being sold to Edgar Skanks, working for the man until he’d sold her to her husband, a Mormon.

  “A Mormon. So Ada and Nina are also his wives?” Connor was sickened at the tales coming from his sister. He’d failed her in so many ways, and had a lot to make up for.

  “Yes, I’m wife number four.” Her voice had grown small.

  “And your husband is Jeremiah Moser.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “Yes, our husband,” she gestured toward Grace then looked back at Connor, “is Jeremiah Moser.”

  Grace flinched at Meggie’s words and looked down at her plate waiting for the consequences she was sure would come.

  Connor couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. He turned a stunned expression on Grace. “You’re married? Married to Jeremiah Moser?” His voice was hard, incredulous.

  “Well, I guess you could say that,” Grace managed, her voice weak and unsteady.

  “You guess? Are you married to the man or not?”

  Grace and Meggie could see his anger rising at the realization that not only his sister, but Grace were married to the same man.

  “Yes, but I can explain,” Grace added, hoping he’d give them each a chance to share what life had been like in Jeremiah’s home.

  “Shit,” he ground out, threw his napkin down, and pushed from the table. He paced away, turned his back to Grace, and ran both hands through his thick, wavy hair.

  Ruth and Jericho sat quietly, absorbing the news for the first time, just like Connor.

  He could hear the legs of a chair scrape against the wood floor. Grace walked up behind him, touching his back lightly with her hand. He spun toward her.

  “Let us explain, Connor. Please.”

  He took a deep breath, stepping away from her, but sat back down, listening as they told of life with Moser.

  Connor tried to push away the anger he felt toward Grace as he listened to them explain. She’d lied to him, if not outright, then by omitting the fact she was still a married woman. He had only two firm rules when it came to women—no innocents and no married women. Ever.

  He suspected they each left out important details about life with Moser, but it was plain that it had not been a willing marriage for either. They’d had a roof, food, but the marriage itself was something Connor couldn’t imagine.

  Did all this excuse Grace from lying to him, letting him believe she was free to be with him? What else could she be hiding from him?

  When they’d both finished, Grace continued. “Divorce is easy here, Connor. I’ve read some and heard people at Jasper’s talk about it. All I need to do is file and give the reasons. Most divorces are granted. I was waiting until I’d taken Meggie from him. I thought it best if we did it together.”

  Connor sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “And if he tries to stop you?”

  “He won’t,” Meggie said. “Ada, wife number two, heard several men talking at a meeting. With the ruling against plural marriages, many men are considering divorce so they’re not arrested. It’s the family situations that stop them from doing it right away.” She stood and walked over to stand by Grace. “Ada said Jeremiah planned to divorce Grace and me. He felt he owed us nothing and there were no children. He hadn’t made up his mind about Ada, but I know she wants to leave.”

  “Why would he do that if he’d already made the decision to hideaway and keep the marriages?” Jericho asked.

  “I don’t know for certain, but Ada thinks his half-brother, Parley Smith, encouraged him to rethink his marriages. Parley is going to divorce also rather than face arrest. He told Jeremiah the church would work out housing and other needs for the divorced women. I didn’t quite believe what she’d heard was true, but now it makes sense. If I’d stayed he probably would have divorced me anyway, but I couldn’t live there any longer. I wanted to get away, like Grace did.” She grabbed her friend’s hand and squeezed.

  The room fell silent. Jericho watched Connor, knowing how his friend felt about deceit of any kind, and his strict avoidance of married women. His gaze switched to Grace and the misery he saw etched in her face. He hoped his friend could move beyond this. In Jericho’s opinion, Grace was the second best thing to ever happen to Connor. The first was finding Meggie.

  Connor pushed from the table and looked at Meggie, avoiding Grace’s pleading stare. “Tomorrow, we do whatever is needed to file for divorce, Meggie. Then we leave for Fire Mountain.”

  “And Grace?” Meggie asked.

  “She can do whatever she wants. It’s up to her.” Connor turned and walked outside, leaving them all to stare at his retreating back.

  Meggie reached over and grabbed Grace’s hand. “He didn’t mean it, Grace. Anyone can see he cares a great deal about you. Right, Mr. Jericho?”

  Jericho took a deep breath, looked at Meggie then Grace, before answering. “I’ve known that boy a good, long time. When he cares about someone, like you, Meggie, he’ll move mountains to do what he can for them. He never stopped searching, which meant he never built a life of his own. His focus has been on finding you.” He stopped to consider his next words. “Yes, I do believe he cares about you, Grace. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him open up to a woman, ask her to follow him. But, you’ve got to understand—Connor’s beliefs are very black and white. No lying, no deceit, and no married women.” Jericho stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Grace, you should’ve told him about Moser. My guess is he would’ve waited, understood, and helped you. Now? Well, now I just don’t know. I’m sorry, Grace.” He didn’t follow Connor out front, but made his way out the kitchen door, preferring his own solitude.

  Meggie squeezed her friend’s hand tighter. “You can’t give up, Grace. You must go with us tomorrow, file for divorce, and leave for Fire Mountain. I won’t leave without you.”

  “You saw the look in his eyes. He hates me.” Grace swallowed hard and lowered her face to hide the tears that threatened. “I should have told him.”

  “Yes, but you did what you thought was best at the time. We’ll figure it out and move on. Give him some time. Let him work through it and figure out how much he cares about you. Please?”

  Grace took a ragged breath. “I’ll go tomorrow with you to file for divorce. After that, well, I don’t know.”

  ******

  Connor walked the perimeter of Ruth’s property, coming to terms with the fact that Grace hadn’t been honest with him—and it was no small omission. He’d sus
pected she’d been married but thought her a widow. It never occurred to him that the woman he’d fallen for, hard, was still married. He needed to get away from Grace, forget how he’d been duped, and move on.

  Leaving for Fire Mountain without her was the best thing for both of them. She’d meet someone else, a man she could be honest with, and go on with her life. He and Meggie would join Pierce at the ranch, then he’d figure out what to do next, without Grace. The sharp pain in this chest should’ve been a warning that his line of thinking wasn’t the answer, except he had no experience with a woman running a knife through his heart. He turned at the sound of a horse approaching.

  “I’m going to the saloon for a drink. You care to tag along?” Jericho asked as he reined his horse to a stop in front of Connor.

  “Not tonight.”

  “All right. I’ll be back here in the morning to go with you to the file the papers. You plan to leave tomorrow or the next day?”

  “Tomorrow. The sooner I get out of here, the better.”

  Jericho studied him a moment before speaking. “You make sure that’s what you want, laddie. Women like Grace don’t come into your life every day.”

  Connor gazed up at his friend, taking in the words, but knowing they held no meaning for him. “She stays here. It’s over.” Connor turned back to the house and sat down on the front step, not ready to face the women inside. He watched Jericho ride out, wishing circumstances were different.

  A door slamming around the side of the house had him standing. He saw a lone figure walk down the drive toward the street, open the gate, and leave. Grace. She never lifted her eyes from the ground, never looked for him. She just kept walking until she was out of his sight. The stabbing pain returned to his chest, stronger this time, more intense. He knew he might never see Grace again, hold her or make love to her. Connor knew he had to live with it the way he had so many other things in his life.

  He opened the front door, his hand gripping the handle much tighter than needed, and turned to look once more over his shoulder. Grace was gone. Out of his sight and now, out of his life.