Tougher Than The Rest Read online

  Kate knew she’d catch Niall if Captain rose to the challenge. Her horse moved out and took his cues from Kate. Before long they were a few short yards behind Niall, who hadn’t bothered to glance back for several seconds. Kate wondered if his arrogance would keep him from acknowledging her skills. She pushed deeper into the saddle and leaned forward over Captain’s neck. The horse was pure pleasure. Kate’s connection to the animal had been instantaneous. She approached Zeus’s hindquarters and wondered if Niall would allow her to ride Captain after today.

  Niall glanced over his left shoulder to see Kate laughing as she gained on him. Zeus had a lot more in him, but Niall was more interested in what Kate could do, and so far she was doing superb. He knew Zeus and he knew Captain. There wasn’t a chance that Captain could outrun his horse, but he didn’t want to end the race so soon. Instead, he allowed Kate to come up close. For a hundred yards they paced each other, Kate relaxed and in complete control. A few minutes later, with one subtle command from Niall, Zeus shot out, flying across the valley.

  Kate knew she could never catch them. She slowed Captain and enjoyed the sight of Niall and his animal moving as one.

  Chapter Nine

  Niall didn’t know what he’d expected from Kate that morning, but it hadn’t been that she could ride or handle his Colt better than many men. She was more than competent at both. The woman was smart, funny, gracious, even-tempered, and accepted all that had been handed to her since the accident. Why wasn’t someone looking for her? Where was her husband? Alicia had commented that the wedding band she wore included an inscription that read, “Love, T.”

  Niall reflected on what he’d learned. The stage company had no record about next of kin. The ticket agent did remember the women discussing Los Angeles, but nothing more. Most people walked in, paid cash for a ticket, and boarded the stage. No other information was required. The company didn’t care about names or identities. Pay cash and get on your way.

  For a brief period while shooting, Kate had another image. She’d told Niall it appeared to be the same tall man with broad shoulders. He still held a rifle in his right hand but this time he wore a hat, just like Niall’s. Something glittered on his belt as the image turned towards her. An instant later, the image vanished. Niall could feel her frustration at not being able to pull the image in, make it mean something, anything that could give her some hope her memory was returning.

  “You think she’s faking it?” Gus asked as they walked back to the barn after dinner. He, Pete, and Niall planned to check out the bunkhouse, barn, and house to see if they spotted anything unusual. Even though Sam had said the robberies consisted of cash and jewelry, Niall wanted everything checked. He had an unknown woman living in his home without a memory. Now there had been a series of robberies. She could ride and shoot, which weren’t unusual out here, but her abilities were well above average. Could there be a connection? No. He instantly dismissed the thought as nonsense. Niall wasn’t one to be easily duped, but as far as he was concerned, there was no possible way Kate could be involved.

  “Don’t see how she could be. She hasn’t left the ranch except to go to town with Alicia. You should see her, Gus, when she almost catches a memory, then loses it. It shakes her up pretty bad. Doc says it’s a matter of time at this point. Says the visions are an indication her memory is trying to break free, which is a positive sign. It can’t come soon enough for me.”

  “Seems the two of you are getting on okay now,” Pete interjected, but paused when he saw Niall give him a questioning look. “You know, with you hiring her to teach Beth, it seems that you’ve at least begun to speak to her. You know, full sentences and all.” This was said with a slight smile.

  Niall let the comment pass. “You know as well as I do that it was Alicia’s idea to hire her on. I still don’t want her here. She’s a complication, and none of us needs more complications.” Niall didn’t seem to catch what he was saying, but Gus and Pete looked at each other and grinned.

  “What?” Niall asked when he saw their faces.

  “Nothing, Boss, just agreeing that no one needs more complications, especially female.” Pete and Gus were still smiling as they headed toward the back corral.

  ******

  The next few days passed with no new images. Beth loved to learn, and took to Kate’s teaching with an eagerness that surprised her governess. Most of the time Alicia had to interrupt them for dinner, but that was fine with Niall, as his daughter was thriving. Kate even began to teach Beth how to play the piano. Stuart had bought one for Alicia years ago, but she seldom played since her husband’s death, and no one else knew how, until Kate arrived. She played every day and Beth had worn her down by begging for lessons.

  Niall’s real concern was that his daughter was becoming too attached to her governess. He wondered what would happen when Kate’s memory returned. Perhaps she’d leave. Wouldn’t bother him, he told himself, but it might be devastating for Beth.

  Nevertheless, he had no time to dwell on Kate. Saturday was his daughter’s seventh birthday. Alicia had invited every child around to help Beth celebrate. Food was being prepared and games planned. Seven, how had it gone by so fast? God, how he wished Camille could be here to see it.

  Camille. He’d thought about her quite a bit the last couple of weeks. For the last few years he’d found himself thinking of her a couple times a week. Thoughts of her now occupied his mind more often. Perhaps he felt guilt for trying to move on and leave the past behind. Funny, he never felt guilty when he was with Gloria or visiting Jocelyn. The first time he was with Gloria after Camille died, he felt as if he’d betrayed his wife. It had been at least two years at that point, but he still felt the pang of guilt. Niall had to think his growing attraction to Kate accounted for part of it. But he’d loved Camille, and he didn’t love Kate. Didn’t believe he could ever love again.

  Kate. He refused to think of her as anything more than a short-term guest, a governess for Beth, but she was the most fascinating woman he’d ever met. He didn’t understand his fierce attraction to her. She had every quality he would want if he were searching for a true mate, someone he could love, cherish. But he wasn’t interested in those things any longer. Those needs died with Camille.

  Jocelyn. Even though she had sold most of her holdings, she still owned one good-sized measure of pastureland that abutted one corner of the MacLaren ranch. The grazing land was excellent, and there was an abundance of water. Combined, their lands would increase his holdings and further the goal to own the largest spread in the northern section of the territory. Jocelyn had the land and water to enlarge his spread, and ensure a future for Beth. She’d offered to sell it to him, and that’s when the idea of marrying her had taken shape. In Niall’s mind, the most important asset Jocelyn would bring to a marriage would be her substantial political connections. He wasn’t in love with her, never would be, and he knew she didn’t love him, but together they’d make a good partnership. He didn’t need her money, but the fact that she had considerable wealth was no deterrent. And she’d made it clear in the last several months that she wanted him. She admired his intellect, solid business sense, commitment, and his drive to grow the ranch. She’d told him more than once that he was the toughest man she’d ever met. And that, in a nutshell, was what she wanted—a tough, rugged westerner to hang on her arm and warm her bed.

  No, he didn’t love Jocelyn. Hell, he didn’t know if he even liked her much. But she knew about Gloria, and accepted the fact that he wouldn’t stop seeing her if Jocelyn married him. It would be a marriage to satisfy each other’s selfish interests, not of the heart, and it was the right thing to do. At least, that was what he told himself each time he was around Kate, and when he saw Jocelyn. It was the right thing for the ranch, for him, for Beth.

  Chapter Ten

  Niall shrugged into his grey chambray shirt, tucked it into his tight-in-all-the-right-places pants, secured his gun belt, and knelt over the bed to deliver a quick peck on Gloria’s cheek
before leaving. She liked watching him dress. She pretended to be asleep so that he wouldn’t suspect how much she enjoyed looking him over. He had stayed the night, but they’d spent as much time talking as anything else. Although each had plans that did not include the other, their friendship was close, and they had a history of seeking advice from the other when facing difficult decisions.

  “Don’t know why the rush, Niall. I understand your plans, but consider how they’ll affect Beth. It’s no secret that Jocelyn doesn’t like children and refused to have them with her husband. She prefers the social life to family life.” Gloria had repeated this in various ways, several times, over the last few weeks, and at least twice tonight, between what had turned out to be intense, almost desperate sex.

  “I don’t care if Jocelyn does or doesn’t like Beth, as she’ll have no influence on how I raise my daughter. I will bed her, but there are no plans for children, so I don’t care about her feelings on that subject. What I do care about is her land, and social standing back east. Her connections could be critical as the territory grows. As the widow of someone who was considered part of the industrial elite, her circle includes some highly influential people, people the MacLaren’s could benefit from knowing.” His logic was becoming more and more difficult to defend. Any enthusiasm he’d once had for bedding Jocelyn had diminished significantly as his mind continued to wander to thoughts of Kate. The spoken words told the story of a man committed to a marriage without love. His mind and heart kept interrupting the ending, nagging at him to reconsider what he once thought of as the perfect future for him and his family.

  “Even so, just having that woman around Beth would scare the hell out of me. Her actions will still influence someone so young and impressionable, even if you don’t allow her any input on how Beth is raised. As for her social circle, she can turn those friends of hers into enemies of yours in less time than it takes my girls to complete one round up and down the stairs. Don’t think for a moment that Jocelyn won’t insert herself into the lives of everyone at the ranch, and it won’t be a pretty sight, especially if her machinations are aimed at your family.”

  Those last words haunted Niall during the entire ride home. Gloria wasn’t one to jump to hasty conclusions, and never let emotions cloud her judgment. She had a generous heart, but Gloria Chalmette was no pushover. Plus, she was in a position to see and hear things he wasn’t. Tomorrow was Sunday, and another dinner with Jocelyn. These dinners had become an obligation, part of his plan, not something that he anticipated with any pleasure. After Gloria’s observations, he knew it would be wise to focus more on the woman he was courting instead of her connections and property.

  *****

  Niall arrived at the ranch late Saturday morning, as Alicia put the final pie on the rack to cool. Kate supervised the birthday decorations being hung by several ranch hands. Pete directed others to clean up around the front of the house and set up tables.

  “So, how’s Gloria doing?” Will asked, loud enough for Kate to hear, as he grabbed the reins of Niall’s horse to lead Zeus into the barn. Will just couldn’t let Niall’s Friday nights go by without a dig. Most of the other men, including his brother, Drew, never mentioned his visits with Gloria, but Will enjoyed provoking Niall.

  Anger flashed in Niall’s green eyes. “Don’t go there, Will,” he warned in a tight, but controlled, voice. He was in no mood to discuss his nights with Gloria, and didn’t want the subject brought up in front of Kate. He’d noticed her wince when Will mentioned Gloria. She’d stared at the two for a moment before turning to go back into the house. Niall was pretty sure she knew what his Fridays in town meant, but for some reason he felt bad about being with Gloria when he looked at Kate.

  “Hell, Niall. Maybe you shouldn’t be going there when the whole town knows you’re courting Mrs. van Deelin.” Will said this last over his shoulder as he walked into the barn.

  That was enough. In a few long strides Niall caught up with his younger brother, grabbed him by the collar, and tossed him against the barn wall.

  “That’s enough, Will. What I do with Gloria, or Jocelyn, is none of your business. You say something like that again and I’ll do more than shove you against the wall, you got that?” Niall spoke in a low voice, but his words were chilling. Niall had never punched either of the twins, but he was on the verge of unleashing now. Will could see it, and made a quick decision to back off.

  “Yeah, I got it.” Will pushed himself away from Niall, muttering something about stupid-ass, blind, older brothers, and headed to the shed.

  Niall stood there, taking deep breaths to calm his temper, staring after Will, and wondering what had just happened. He never threatened his brothers. Well, except Jamie. He and Jamie had always been at odds. That was one of the reasons Jamie had found it necessary to leave the ranch a few years ago and strike out on his own. An argument about a woman had triggered the final blow-up. Niall still felt the loss, and hoped that, one day, they could lay aside their differences, so Jamie would return to take his place on the ranch.

  But this, today, with Will, was different. The mention of Gloria in front of Kate had set him off in a way that was unexpected. Will had thrown this same thing at Niall before, and they’d been able to laugh about it. But Kate had never been present.

  Niall understood Will. He knew his brother had strong values and didn’t grasp how Niall could court one woman and bed another. Niall didn’t know if Will had ever had a woman, but guessed not. His brother had focused on one female for years, Emily Jacobson, and Niall suspected they’d marry someday. He tried to make allowances for his brother’s lack of experience. Will didn’t know what it was like to love someone so much that no other woman could take her place. Nor did he understand the physical needs a man still had, even after losing her. There was no chance Will would be able to comprehend why Niall would choose to marry without love. Instead, Will taunted and teased him about the two women. The teasing had been a source of play before Kate had arrived. Now, it had become something much more serious. It had to stop.

  His activities were no longer a topic Niall wanted brought up in public, especially in front of Kate. But why not? Why did he care what Kate, most likely a married woman, thought about his Friday nights with Gloria? Hell, he didn’t care what anyone thought about it, and most of the town, the men anyway, knew about Gloria, and Jocelyn. But it did nag at him as he reflected on the three women.

  He felt safe with Gloria, comfortable, with no demands. He looked forward to his Fridays, their talks and time in bed, as well as his ease at being able to walk away without regrets. With Jocelyn, he felt different. She was a duty, nothing more. Although he found her attractive, and he did plan to consummate their marriage, there was no chemistry, no warmth, and no sense of attachment other than how a possible marriage benefited each other. But with Kate, he saw everything he wanted in a woman—a woman his family had taken to without reservation, who touched him in some way each time he was around her. Unfortunately, she was the one woman not available to him. The gold band she wore was all the proof he needed.

  ******

  “Papa, come and help me with my presents. I can’t lift this one.” Beth had the one he, Drew, and Will had gone together to buy. It weighed as much as she did, but she still tried to push it into the center of the circle created by all the eager kids who watched.

  “Hold on a minute, squirt, I’ll get it.” Drew strolled up and lifted the package without effort, depositing it smack in the middle of the circle. “There you go. It’s all yours.”

  Beth clapped her hands then attacked the paper. What she found was the prettiest saddle she had ever seen in all of her seven years. It was bigger than her other saddle. This one had scrollwork where her first one was plain, and her name was tooled on one side, roses on the other. She loved it.

  “Papa, Papa, thank you. I love it!”

  “Sweetheart, it’s from your uncles and me, all combined, so you need to thank both of them, too.” Niall watched a
s Beth jumped into Drew’s arms for a hug, then ran over to Will and did the same.

  “Can we put it on Misty? All the kids could try it.” Her excitement was contagious.

  “Sure, Beth, I’ll bring out your horse so we can give the saddle a try.” Niall started into the barn but found Kate, already inside, putting a bridle on Misty. She’d sensed what his daughter would want before he had, and for some reason that aggravated him.

  “I’ll get her.” Niall knew his voice sounded curt.

  “Oh, it’s all right, I have her.” Kate smiled at him as she started to walk past with Misty.

  Niall moved to block her path. “I said I’ll take her out to Beth. You can go busy yourself with the other ladies. This isn’t part of your job.” Niall didn’t know what the hell was wrong with him. He sounded like a jerk. Kate just stood staring at him. His words hurt. He could see it in her eyes and posture. Niall noticed her throat working, like she wanted to say something, but instead she handed over the reins and started to turn back into the barn.

  Niall grabbed her arm and pulled her back towards him. Before he realized what was happening, he’d pulled her tight against him and covered her mouth with his. She stood ramrod straight, her arms at her sides. He gentled the kiss but not the pressure. Her hands moved slowly up his arms, rested on his shoulders, and crept up to encircle his neck. The kiss deepened. He was vaguely aware this was not the kiss of an experienced woman, but of someone who had little, if any, experience. He pushed the thought out of his mind.

  Niall needed more. His tongue moved across her sealed lips, once, twice, coaxing them to open. Her involuntary sigh achieved what he wanted, and when his tongue began to explore her mouth, Kate froze and started to push at his shoulders. His sanity returned abruptly and he dropped his hands to his sides. They stood staring at each other for a few seconds before his hand tightened on Misty’s reins, then he turned his back to Kate and strode out of the barn.