Faster Than the Rest

by Shirleen Davies

  He’d just passed the Dove when a shot rang out. His immediate response had him looking into the saloon to see what commotion had occurred on a Monday night, an odd night for mischief, but all seemed to be calm as he peered over the swinging door entry to the bar. Then he looked further down the street to the jail. Three men, all facing towards the street, and seven horses. His gut twisted as his eyes focused on the tack and he recognized gear used most often by Mexican riders. They hadn’t seen him. Jamie turned Rebel into a side street, dismounted, grabbed his extra guns, and began to make his way down the back street behind the jail. He knew that what he saw did not bode well for Sam, Rawlins, or Victoria.

  ******

  “Miguel.” The words were spoken in a whisper, but Victoria felt panic at the sight of her former captor.

  “Si, querida, I have come for you. Did you think I would not?” The sneer on his face sickened her. She heard the keys rattle in the lock and saw the door swing open. Miguel filled the space.

  Instinctively she moved to the back of the cell, searching for anything she could get her hands on to hold him off. She wouldn’t go with him. She’d die first.

  “Ah, do not be afraid. You will go with me now, back to the ranch. We will finish what was started, si?”

  “No, Miguel. I’ll never go with you. Never let your filthy hands touch me again. I’ll die first.” Her voice sounded calm, but panic rolled over her.

  Miguel’s face turned red at her words and his eyes hardened. The gun he held in one hand now partnered with a knife that appeared in the other. “Perhaps we will not wait for the ranch. Perhaps I will take you now, here, in this gringo’s jail.”

  “You lay a hand on her, Hagan, and I’ll shoot it off.” The words were cold, unwavering. She couldn’t see him, but she knew Jamie’s voice.

  Hagan turned from Victoria. “Ah, you are MacLaren. You killed my men and you threaten me. That is a dangerous thing, señor. I take only what is mine. This woman belongs to me.” The outlaw pivoted just enough to get a shot off, but didn’t fire. A quick shot wouldn’t be the vengeance Miguel wanted from the man who’d stolen Victoria from him. No. He planned to take MacLaren with him and kill him slowly, with the woman watching.

  Jamie’s jaw hardened at the words. The lawman knew just one of them would survive this night, and by God, it would be him. He wouldn’t let the man take Victoria from him. She was his. No other man would ever have her again, except him. “I think not, Hagan. Now, drop the gun and knife before I’m forced to drop them for you.”

  ******

  The sound of voices in the back had all three of Hagan’s men turning toward the cells. It was just the chance Sam needed. He fell behind the desk, drew his gun and before they knew what had happened, two men fell to the floor. The third pointed his gun at the desk, fired, and backed through the open door. Sam heard yelling from outside along with more gunfire, but no one else came into the jail. He paused briefly to check the sheriff. Rawlins was still breathing. Sam grabbed his kerchief and stuffed it around the wound before getting to his feet to move toward the back cells.

  ******

  Miguel’s knife hand began to move, but at the sound of gunfire, his eyes flew toward the front office. Before the outlaw could focus back on MacLaren, Hagan felt pain and looked down to see blood soaking his shirt. The knife he’d been about to use dropped to the floor followed by the gun in his other hand. That split second was all Jamie needed to be sure he could get off a shot without endangering Victoria. Hagan took one last look at Victoria, then MacLaren, before dropping to one knee, then the other, and falling to his side, clutching his chest.

  Jamie moved toward the outlaw, kneeling to check the wound. It was a clean shot. Miguel would not last long. “Why did you kill him, Miguel? Wicklin. Why kill him?”

  Hagan coughed, blood spewing with the effort. “The woman, señor. I wanted his woman. She is mine.”

  “Did she ask you to kill him?” Jamie urged the man on before they lost him. But Miguel was laboring, his life oozing out of him as the blood flowed from his body. Jamie shook him slightly. “Miguel? Did Victoria ask you to kill Wicklin?”

  The man coughed but turned his glazed eyes to the lawman. “No.”

  Jamie watched as Hagan took a last shuddering breath.

  “So that’s it.” Sam stood behind his friend, glad he’d heard the outlaw’s last words. He stared at Hagan and placed his hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “I’m going for Doc Minton. Rawlins is out in front with a bullet wound in his shoulder. Don’t think it’s serious, but needs to be taken care of. You best take care of Victoria.” Sam nodded toward the woman still standing at the back wall.

  Jamie looked up. What he saw stopped him cold. Victoria stood flat against the back wall, her hand holding the only weapon she had, a writing pen, but it was positioned as a knife, ready to attack. Her face was contorted, her features set. She wouldn’t have let Hagan take her alive. The thought sent chills through him.

  He stood and walked forward, slow steps that wouldn’t alarm her. “Torie. It’s all right. He’s dead. You can drop the pen now, it’s over.” His words penetrated and she looked up into soft grey eyes full of concern. She sagged against the wall, dropping her makeshift weapon.

  Jamie reached out to catch her and place her on the cot. Victoria’s glazed eyes didn’t focus, but at least she was alive.

  ******

  “You’ll live,” Doc Minton told the sheriff as he closed his bag and stood. “A couple more inches down to the right and I’d have another body on my hands. You’ll have to take it easy awhile, but you’re one lucky man, Joe.”

  “Thanks, doc. While you’re here, maybe you could check on Victoria. She’s a little shaken up. Just want to be sure he’s okay. She’s in back with MacLaren.”

  “Sure thing.” Doc grabbed his satchel and walked to the back. “Victoria, Jamie, how you doing after all the commotion?” He sat on the cot and began to check her over.

  “I’m fine.” Victoria answered. The doctor’s eyebrows arched up. “He never touched me. The man will never be able to hurt anyone again. It’s over.” She visibly relaxed as she realized the truth that flowed from her.

  “Okay. And you, Jamie?” Doc turned toward the younger man.

  “Fine.” Jamie continued to watch Torie, concerned that she wasn’t as calm as she seemed. “How’s the sheriff?”

  “He’ll live. Too ornery to die, you know. He’s already shouting orders about removing the bodies. Well, if that’s it, I’d better get back to the office. Get the bodies ready to bury in the pauper’s cemetery, right?”

  “That’s the truth of it, doc. Those men don’t even deserve to be buried with the good people in that spot, but it’s all there is. Thanks.”

  Doc Minton’s departure left them alone once more. The cell fell silent, neither knowing what to say to the other or if anything needed to be said tonight.

  “All right, MacLaren. Time to take off and let this lady have a rest. Come by tomorrow if you want to, but get yourself out of here tonight.” Rawlins was bandaged but seemed well enough to bark at everyone.

  “All right, Sheriff. I’ll check back tomorrow.” Jamie stood, gazed down at Victoria for a brief moment, then walked out.

  ******

  “Given the telegram from Delaney, and Hagan’s confessions, I doubt the California judge can enforce the warrant. It’ll die just as Hagan did. I’ll get a message off to San Francisco in the morning. Judge Kinsdale should be back from Phoenix by then. I’m not going to wait for the warrant to be rescinded but I have to clear it with the judge before she can be released.” Rawlins said to Sam when the deputy returned a few minutes later.

  “Have you told Victoria or Jamie of your decision?”

  “Nope. Got to wait until I clear it with Kinsdale tomorrow. But I don’t see a problem. It’s clear she had nothing to do with Hagan’s attempt to murder Wicklin. Maybe Victoria and Jamie can finally work something out.” Sheriff Rawlins smiled up at his deputy. Yep,
he surely hoped they could.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “I’d like to speak with Victoria, if she’ll let me.” Jamie’s request was reasonable, but Rawlins just shook his head.

  “Can’t, Jamie.” At the marshal’s quizzical expression, Rawlins continued. “Released her this morning. She’s at her folks. Guess you’ll have to head down that way if you want to speak with her.” He wished the boy luck, because he’d need it.

  ******

  Jamie climbed on Rebel for the short distance to the Wright residence, but stopped in front of the Dove. He hesitated only a moment, climbed down and went inside. He needed a drink, maybe two, before confronting Torie and her parents.

  At Jamie’s look, Ross grabbed a glass, and filled it with whiskey.

  Jamie nodded, grabbed the glass, toasted the bartender, and let the golden liquid flow down his throat. What did Niall used call it? Liquid courage? Sounded appropriate to Jamie as he signaled for Ross to pour one more.

  “Marshal.” Gloria had come up on him without making a sound. Jamie had to admire her. She was the only saloon woman he’d ever met who wore none of the garish makeup so many of them favored. A little rouge. That was it. She was a beautiful woman, and he hoped his friend Sam understood the treasure he was getting.

  Sam had confided in him that he and Gloria were talking marriage, but that she was hesitant. She’d planned to sell the saloon and move away. Gloria wanted a fresh start, where no one knew her or her history. Sam didn’t want to leave his deputy position, but he’d do whatever was needed to make her happy.

  Jamie had listened without saying a word. He understood her concerns but also knew Sam had found a home. Jamie hoped he’d have a chance to speak with Gloria, if not now, then soon. He’d like to convince her to stay in Fire Mountain, with Sam.

  “Well, if it isn’t the future Mrs. Browning.” Jamie smiled and raised his glass to Gloria.

  She blushed, which was something you didn’t see often. “So he told you, did he?” She rested her hand on the bar and turned to face him. “We’re just talking about it you know, may not work out. We’ll see.”

  “He did, and I do believe it will all work out fine.”

  She smiled while looking around the saloon. “I won’t miss this, Jamie,” she finally said, “but the life I led here is what will make it possible for us to start fresh, if that’s what we decide. Go anywhere we want where no one will know me. I’ve already started to put the word out. Let me know if you hear of someone interested in a profitable saloon in a good Arizona town.” Her smile was so genuine that Jamie found himself wondering if the woman he loved would ever smile at him like that again.

  “No problem, Gloria, but, I wish you’d settle here.” At her look, he continued. “Look, it’s a good town, growing, and Sam has a great job that fits him. People respect him and admire you. Find a place a ways from town where you can do, well, whatever you want to do. You know there are lots of people here who like you. Respect you for what you’ve achieved.”

  “But there’s just as many who would cheer if I left,” she added quietly.

  “Those are the same ones who’d cheer if all the saloons closed down. It’s not necessarily you, Gloria. They just don’t like any of the saloons. But, we have a good number of them and no one’s shutting them down anytime soon. Alicia and Kate would be very happy if you stayed, as would a lot of other women.”

  “Look, Jamie, there’s something you should know before you go off thinking Kate would welcome me,” Gloria began but Jamie cut her off with a wave of his hand.

  “She knows about you and Niall. All of us do. She doesn’t hold it against Niall, so why should she hold it against you? Besides, it’s in the past. You were there for him when he needed someone. You were his friend, and I know he still sees you as that, even if he can’t be a friend to you now.” Jamie sipped at his whiskey.

  Gloria worked to keep her emotions in check. She hadn’t realized all the MacLarens knew of her relationship with Niall. “I never saw him even once while he was married to Camille, and haven’t since Kate,” she murmured, ashamed of what Jamie may have thought.

  His earnest look helped calm her. “We know that, too, Gloria. Like I said, think about it. You have many more friends here than you know.” He set the glass down and started for the door.

  “Jamie?”

  He looked back at her.

  “Thanks,” Gloria smiled. “And good luck with Victoria. She still loves you, you know.” She almost laughed at the surprised look on Jamie’s face. “She told me herself, but you better not tell her that.”

  ******

  “Marshal MacLaren, what can I do for you?” Hen Wright was cordial, but far from the congenial friend Jamie had known his whole life.

  “Mr. Wright,” Jamie paused, not sure how to proceed, “I, uh, know how you and Mrs. Wright feel about me, and I don’t blame you. But I’d like to have a word with Victoria, if she’ll see me.” The forlorn look on Jamie’s face softened Hen, but not enough to excuse all the pain he’d caused Victoria.

  “Jamie, I don’t know what good it’ll do for you to see her. She’s finally free. Free of the unfounded charges, humiliation and degradation she’s endured the last couple of weeks.” Hen hated the way he must sound, but it had to be said. “In our minds, we know it was your job. But, we also believe that a part of you wanted her to be guilty. To suffer a little for all the hurt she caused. But that still doesn’t make it right. We thought better of you, Jamie.” The sad tone of Hen’s voice caused Jamie’s stomach to clench. He still wondered at his motivations, and Hen’s accusations only emphasized the doubts he had himself.

  Jamie swallowed the lump in his throat, and nodded at a man that he respected more than most. But he needed to speak with Torie. He needed to find out if what Gloria had said was true. If she still loved him.

  “I understand how you feel about me. I feel that way about myself. Yes, we had a job to do, and yes, a small part of me wanted to see her suffer a little for what she’d done. But that never stopped me from trying to get to the truth. From killing the man who kidnapped her.” He stopped, took a deep breath, looked away at the clear night sky, while trying to focus his thoughts. “I love her. I’ll always love her. I don’t believe she feels the same, but I’ll never know if I don’t talk to her. Please, just let her know I’m here.” It was not quite a plea, but as close to one as Jamie would ever make.

  Hen took a long time to respond. His feelings were so mixed. He loved Victoria, but he also cared for the boy standing in front of him. “All right, Jamie. I’ll ask, but don’t get your hopes up.”

  He left Jamie standing on the porch while he walked up the stairs to his daughter’s room.

  “Victoria, Jamie …” he started to say.

  “I know, Papa. He wants to speak with me. I heard what he had to say.” Her voice was so soft that Hen had to listen closely to hear her. “I just don’t know that I can face him. He’ll want answers to things I can’t talk about, answers that’ll push him further away. Papa, I just don’t know that I can do it.” Hen wrapped his arm around his daughter, pulling her close.

  “It’s all right. You don’t need to speak with him tonight. Maybe once you’ve settled in and see that no one feels the less about you, you’ll be able to speak with him. He still loves you and deserves an explanation, Victoria. You know he does.”

  She knew her father spoke the truth. Jamie needed and deserved an explanation. It was only fair that it come from her, but not tonight. “Yes, maybe that’s for the best, Papa. Another time.” She hugged her father, turned, and went back up the stairs to her room while Hen walked down to deliver the news to Jamie.

  “Sorry, Jamie. She’s not up to speaking with you tonight. Another time, perhaps.”

  “I understand. But, you can let her know that I’ll keep coming back until she talks to me. I’m not giving up so easily this time.”

  Chapter Twenty

  It was a long, tiring week for Jamie, helping h
is brothers finish the new barn and a bedroom for baby Adam. He worked each day from dawn to late at night, pounding nails, installing windows and doors, and painting. He stopped to eat, but didn’t take many meals with the family. He needed solitude and the grueling pace that this work demanded.

  Jamie hadn’t tried to see Victoria again. He would soon, but he knew she needed time, and maybe lots of it. From what Sam had said, she took visits from Gloria, and was cordial to Sam. She understood Sam’s job had required he arrest her, and she appreciated her treatment while in jail. Beyond that, she offered no indication of what she thought or felt.

  “Hey, brother. I’m headed to the Dove for a drink and cards. Join me. Drew’s not interested. It’s pretty dull going by myself. What do you say?” Will was a good kid. Kid? No, he was a man, and there was no doubt about that. He worked hard and loved the ranch. He’d do anything for his family and had proven it over and over. Jamie owed him some of his time.

  “And Emily? How does she feel about you going to the Dove?”

  “She’s fine with it as long as it’s only cards and such. She trusts me, Jamie.” Will’s smile was broad. He’d asked Emily to marry him and she’d said yes. Jamie was pleased for his brother.

  “Sure, Will. Sounds good to me. I need a break and a night in town would do us both good.”

  An hour later they were walking through the doors of the saloon. The piano player was in the middle of a lively tune, the men were playing cards or just telling each other lies, and laughter was coming from the upstairs rooms. Will was right, it was good to get out for a night.

  “Ross,” Jamie called out as he and Will walked up to the bar, “give us a bottle and a couple of glasses, if you would.”