Tougher Than The Rest

by Shirleen Davies

  “I’ve said all I’m going to say about it, Jamie.” Niall turned to go. Jamie reached out, grabbed his arm, and spun him around.

  “Swear, damn it.” Jamie exploded, his rage getting the better of him.

  The punch to his jaw came so fast that Jamie had no time to react. It spun him sideways, but his reflexes were quick as he shot a fist straight into Niall’s stomach. Niall bent over trying to catch his breath. Jamie landed another blow to his face and Niall fell to his back.

  “What’s going on in here? Are you two loco?” Gus bellowed as he walked over and knelt next to Niall to survey the damage. “Get your butt over here, Jamie, and help your brother up. Home a few days and already you two are at each other. Alicia’s going to have a fit.” Gus couldn’t hide his disgust. Three damn days and they were back to fighting. When they were younger, Stuart would have thrown both of them into the water trough, but that wouldn’t work any longer. They were men and had to work out the anger between them on their own. Thank God, neither was bleeding. There’d be bruises, but those they’d be able to hide. Blood would be another matter.

  Niall was up, brushing himself off while Jamie located his hat and pressed it back on his head. Neither spoke, just continued to glare at each other. Disgusted, Jamie turned first and walked out of the barn, and right into Trent. One look from Jamie silenced him. He glanced at Niall. Well, something happened, Trent thought, but he wasn’t about to get into the middle of at it at this point. Whatever had set them off was still hanging out there. This wasn’t the end of it, that was for darn certain.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The celebration in town was a success by anyone’s measure. Hen and Anna had a wonderful anniversary, and Trent spotted someone entering the Riley residence about an hour into the party. The intruder didn’t see Trent standing in the shadows of a house across the street as he opened a side window and climbed through with little effort. Whoever he was, he was slight of stature and nimble.

  Trent motioned to Niall as he came up the street, and together they hustled to the Riley’s, Niall standing outside the window while Trent went through the back door. Trent could hear movement upstairs. He snuck up the steps as he drew his revolver from its holster without making a sound. Luck was with him. He was able to get to the landing without the stairs squeaking to give him away. He rounded a corner and was staring right at the thief, who was rifling through a box of jewelry and pocketing a couple of items. I’ve got you, the marshal thought. He raised his gun.

  “Hold it there, mister, and raise your hands.” Before Trent knew what was happening, the intruder turned, ran at him, and dodged right past, elbowing him while knocking him against a wall. Trent recovered and sent a warning yell to Niall, who jumped through the window and caught the thief head-on. Tackling him, Niall attempted to secure his arms behind him, but a kick to the stomach forced Niall to turn the thief over and plant one solid blow to his face before the intruder surrendered. By then Trent was beside them, turned the thief over onto his stomach, clamped handcuffs on him, then turned him back to face them.

  “You recognize him, Niall?”

  That’s when they both realized what they were looking at wasn’t man, or a boy, but a young woman. How had they missed that? Her hair was secured on her head with a cap pulled snug on top. It’s a wonder it hadn’t come off in the fracas.

  “Never saw her before,” Niall replied, still in shock. “Christ, Trent. I slugged her damn hard after she kicked me. Can’t be more than fourteen or fifteen, do you think?”

  “Doesn’t appear to be, but it’s dark. Let’s get her up and out of here, then head for the jail. We’ll let Sam have a try at finding out what’s going on. I’d appreciate it if you’d get Doc Minton to come and check her out.” Trent had seen plenty of young boys and girls turn to crime out of desperation. Most stole food, clothing, and blankets. He couldn’t remember a time he’d heard of them breaking into homes for jewelry. Stealing cash, yes, and begging or pick pocketing, as they sought enough change to eat.

  Neither Sam nor Sheriff Rawlins recognized the girl, and neither did Doc when he arrived a few minutes later. She’d gained consciousness but refused to talk. The thief glared at each man in turn, then rolled to her side, ignoring them.

  “What do you plan to do with her, Sheriff?” Niall asked as the men walked to the front office area.

  “Think I’ll get Reverend Blanchard and his wife over here. See if they recognize her, get her to talk some. I don’t believe she’s local but sure as hell don’t know how she’d come to be here unless she was traveling with someone. You boys find anything else on her besides what she took tonight?” The sheriff looked at Trent and Niall.

  The men just shook their heads.

  “All right, then. I’ll go get the Reverend. Try not to let her escape while I’m gone, boys,” the sheriff drawled as he headed out the door.

  “Why do you think she’d take jewelry, Trent? I can understand the cash, for food and such, but jewelry? What would she do with it?” Sam leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head and closing his eyes, as if trying to figure out a puzzle.

  Trent leaned his large frame against the deputy’s desk and crossed his arms. “Don’t know, Sam, unless she already has a buyer somewhere.” He paused to ponder what he knew. “Except, if she needed the money, why would she leave any of the cash at each place? Makes little sense to me.” He uncrossed his arms and pushed away from the desk.

  “One thing’s for sure,” Sam continued. “She’s going to tell us her story, or she’ll stay in jail until she does.”

  Trent and Niall regarded Sam, then smiled at each other. Sam’s doggedness was what made him an exceptional deputy. They both knew if anyone could get her to open up it would be Sam.

  ******

  Niall and Trent sat out on the porch the following night, drinking coffee and talking between themselves. “What are your plans now, Trent?”

  “Fact is, I’m retiring at the end of the month. I’ve been doing this for over twenty years, which is long enough for any man. I think I’ll take up ranching.” Trent said, not looking at Niall, but gazing up at the stars on what was a beautiful northern Arizona night.

  “Ranching, huh? Didn’t know you ever had a desire to do that. What kind of ranching? Where?” A future with Kate might still be possible if Niall could talk Trent into settling down near Fire Mountain.

  Trent kept staring up and smiled. “Well, I already own a place. I bought it before Stuart died. He helped me pick it out, negotiate the deal, and hire a foreman to run it. Man’s done an excellent job the last few years. I’m hoping he’ll stay around.”

  “Here? Your place is here in Fire Mountain?” How did Niall not know this? He knew all the ranchers and all the spreads.

  “It’s the old Parson place. Butts up to your property on the east,” Trent explained as if the information was insignificant. Niall was stunned at the news.

  “Well, I’ll be damned. I heard some rich easterner bought the place and hired Josh Jacklin to run it. Never occurred to me it was you, and I never asked Josh.” Niall couldn’t contain how much this pleased him.

  “Well, I’m not wealthy, but my wife comes from money. It came to me when she died. We’d talked about a place out here for years but hadn’t done anything. Before she died I promised I’d go ahead with our plans, and I did, but never had the heart to move into the place without her. Now it’s time and I’m hoping Katherine will stay with me, at least for a while. By the way, doesn’t the van Deelin place run along your border?”

  “That it does, for quite a ways north of yours. It’s good property, too, with water and excellent grass.”

  “Got to say, I was surprised to see Mrs. van Deelin at your place when we arrived. What was she doing there anyway?” He glanced over at Niall, knowing full well what Niall had planned. It had taken Will one day before he’d laid out the whole courting story to Trent, including the fact that no one, especially Beth, liked Jocelyn. They’d a
ll been hoping something would develop between Kate and Niall. Trent’s reaction to that had been surprise, but truth be told, he thought it a terrific idea.

  “Well, I guess it’s no real secret.” Niall muttered.

  “What’s that?” Trent enjoyed Niall’s discomfort.

  “Damn, Trent, I’d planned to ask Jocelyn to marry me. We’d combine our lands and money, and grow the ranch. Seemed like a good idea—my land and ranching skills, her land and political connections. Now, well, I just don’t know.”

  “And love?”

  “Not a stitch. It’d be a business arrangement with no emotions involved. I loved Camille and have no interest in living through that kind of pain again. No, Trent, I have no feelings for Jocelyn and she has none for me.” He shook his head and thanked God the past week had happened. Now that he’d accepted his deep affection for Kate, he didn’t see how he could go through with his intent to marry Jocelyn. But, he owed it to Jocelyn to tell her before he told anyone else.

  “What changed your mind?”

  “Well, you and Jamie showed up when I was about to propose. That’s why she came over to the house for dinner on Sunday. I was seconds away from making what could’ve been an enormous mistake, but again, you saved me.” He smiled, stood from the chair, and walked to the porch rail. Niall asked himself how he could’ve been so blind to so many things the last few weeks. Was there any bigger fool?

  “Hmm, I see. So that was it? We walked in and you changed your mind, just like that?” Trent knew there had to be more to it. Could this be at all related to what was going on with Katherine? His gut told him there had to be a connection between Niall’s change of mind and his daughter.

  “Not exactly. Other things entered into it, too. I had doubts even as I was about to ask her. Your arrival, and Kate regaining her memory, made me realize I wasn’t quite ready to go through with it. There were other things I wanted.” Niall hoped he hadn’t said too much. Kate still avoided him and he had no doubt this would continue for a while.

  “And what’s that, Niall?”

  “Trent, Niall, I’m headed to bed. Anything more you two want?”

  Niall breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you, Aunt Alicia. She may have just saved him from Trent’s continued questions. “Nothing more for me. I’ll follow you up as I have another long day tomorrow. Trent, I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “I’ll see you in the morning then, Niall. Goodnight, Alicia.” Trent knew this conversation would continue another time. He’d bet money Niall’s change of plans and Katherine’s continued silence were connected. He needed to find out how.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Here? You own a ranch here, in Fire Mountain?” Kate couldn’t hide her surprise. A ranch in Fire Mountain could mean she might be able to work out some type of arrangement to stay as Beth’s governess. At least if Alicia made the decision. She knew Alicia didn’t want her to leave and had concocted all manner of schemes to entice her to stay.

  “Right here, Katherine. Our land shares a portion of the east property line with the MacLaren spread. It takes a while to go between the two by buggy or wagon, but by horse it’s a short ride.” Trent could see the excitement in his daughter’s face.

  “When can I see it?”

  “Today, if you’d like. I saw our foreman, Josh Jacklin, in town, and told him to expect us. He’s got the house open and had someone come out to clean. Nothing fancy. I’m sure there’ll be things to do before we move in. Maybe you’ll like it enough to consider staying with your old man.” Trent didn’t want to get his hopes up, but he did want Katherine to consider staying on for at least awhile, maybe forever if she met someone and got married. Niall’s image broke into his thoughts.

  “Today is great. I’ll go change so we can ride over as soon as you want.” Kate was out the door before Trent could answer. That went well, Trent thought as he donned his hat and made his way outside to saddle their horses.

  He met Niall in the barn, going over a supply list with Gus. Trent grabbed his gear and headed for Champion, a large appaloosa he’d owned for many years. They’d been partners enforcing the law, and now they’d be partners on his ranch.

  “Going someplace, Trent?” Niall finished up with Gus and walked over to Champion, running his hand down the large flanks and admiring the horse’s lines. This was one fine horse.

  “Katherine and I are riding over to my place to meet with Josh. She’s quite anxious to see it.”

  “Mind if I tag along?” No way would Niall let Kate come face to face with Josh Jacklin before he had a chance to talk with her. What better way to start than during a ride to Trent’s place? Plus, Josh had a reputation with the women that rivaled anyone else’s. Tall, lean but muscular, Josh had dark blonde hair and a slow, easy manner that was deceiving. People thought he was a little slow in some things, but Niall knew different. Josh was as sharp as they came. He possessed a good eye for stock, both cows and horses, had a savvy business mind, managed the men well, and had a good reputation for running a clean operation. And women practically threw themselves at him. Nope, he was definitely riding over with them.

  “Okay by me.” Trent had to suppress a smile. He had a pretty good idea what was going through Niall’s mind. Trent already knew about Josh’s reputation with the ladies, and if something was going on between Niall and his daughter, Niall wouldn’t want Josh anywhere near Katherine. Plus, this would give Trent a chance to see how Katherine and Niall interacted. He’d been surprised at how little they’d spoken since his arrival, but perhaps that was normal. His gut told him otherwise. Yes, this could be the perfect opportunity to see if he could determine what was troubling his daughter and if it involved the oldest MacLaren.

  “Ready?” Kate rushed into the barn. She was eager to see the ranch and hear her father’s plans.

  “Niall’s saddling up now.” Trent saw Katherine’s smile fade but ignored it. Whatever was going on between them would work itself out, one way or another.

  “He’s going with us?” Kate wasn’t up for a day with Niall. They’d spoken little the past week, and only when necessary. From what she could tell he hadn’t asked Jocelyn to marry him, but she knew it was simply a matter of time. It was too painful to be around him. She knew the hurt would fade, but what she needed now was space.

  “Yes. Is there a problem with that?”

  “Uh, no, it’s fine.” Kate’s enthusiasm had lessened in just a few seconds. She had to get over it. Niall was, after all, her employer, and she did want to keep her job if she stayed in Fire Mountain.

  Niall rode up from the back of the barn, met the others, and tipped his hat to Kate. “Hello, Kate. You don’t mind if I join you, do you?” He hoped to get a conversation going with her, but she just shook her head in response. “All right. Let’s get going.”

  They rode in silence for most of the trip. Kate held back, several yards behind the two men. She needed to come to terms with her feelings for the oldest MacLaren, accept that he’d never be hers, and go on with her life. Maybe find someone else who could fill her thoughts, and with time, her heart. Niall wasn’t the only man she could love, was he?

  Niall wanted nothing more than to ride beside Kate, but she refused to nudge Captain forward. Trent made it a point to ferry between the two during the short ride, and encouraged Niall to drop back with him, but when he tried, she slowed her horse even more. It was obvious Kate wanted no part of him. He’d have to find a way to get her to talk with him, about anything. He needed to hear her voice, her laugh, and to see her smile.

  Niall pointed out various landmarks, watering areas, and places where cows liked to disappear. These were long expanses of large rock formations and narrow valleys. “Cows wander into these areas. It takes a good deal of patience to locate them. But, I’m sure Josh will go over all this with you if he hasn’t already.” Niall knew a lot about Trent, but not the least about his knowledge of running a ranch.

  “Tell you what, Niall. You’re welcome to tutor me w
henever you have the time. I worked my folks place in Texas until I left to join the marshals. Since then, nothing. I’m an open book.” Trent knew when he needed to follow the guidance of others, and he thanked his friend Stuart, Niall’s uncle, for helping him find this place and hire Jacklin.

  “Well, Josh is a good man, one of the best. Tried to hire him away a few times, but he refused to budge.”

  “Yeah, Josh told me about those times. Hard to find loyal men, but he sure seems to be one of them.” Trent laughed, recalling each time a message from Josh would arrive saying MacLaren had offered him another position. Trent made sure to pay him what Niall offered and gave Josh a free hand to run the ranch. Not much more a foreman could ask from his boss.

  “It isn’t much further to our place, Katherine. A few more minutes and we’ll be on Garner land,” her father said as they continued around an area of rocks and trees. There wasn’t as much cactus as Kate had imagined. Pines and scrub oak were more prevalent at this elevation.

  They rode over one last hill and were starting down when Niall reined in Zeus. “This is it. The Garner ranch,” he said to Trent and Kate as they joined him.

  The Garner ranch. The thought of it gave Kate chills. All this time and she had no idea her father had purchased land to practice his second profession. The thought of him being away from the constant danger that was expected as a marshal was a tremendous relief. She and her mother had always supported his chosen job, but it was good to see him leave it behind and settle in one place. And a beautiful place at that, where she could join him.

  It wasn’t much longer before a white house appeared in the distance with a barn not far behind it. Out buildings, one that appeared to be a bunkhouse, were off to the left. Horses grazed from piles of hay in a couple of corrals near the barn. The trio had reached the house when a tall, very good-looking man came out from around a corner and walked up to them.

  “Trent, how are you doing?” The man extended his hand to her father.