Free Stronger Than the Rest by Shirleen Davies Page A

operations.
    The table became silent as each tucked into the meal the Taylor cook, Maria, had prepared. She’d been with them for years, had helped to keep Joey safe the day of the shootout with the rustlers. The same day Drew was shot.
    “Maybe she’ll make it, but if not, Dunnigan will offer her top dollar. I believe he may also retain some of the men, and he’ll make sure she gets settled wherever she likes.”
    “You like Mr. Dunnigan, don’t you?” Tess asked.
    “Yes, I do.”
    “And his daughter?” Tess wished she could pull back the words as soon as she’d spoken them. What was I thinking?
    Drew’s fork stopped midway to his mouth. He set it down and trained his eyes on Tess’s. “I like his daughter fine.”
    “Oh,” was all Tess could get out.
    “But I have no plans to marry her.” His eyes never wavered.
    Tess showed no response except the appearance of a slight smile. Her eyes sparkled and it was all Drew could do to contain the frustration he felt at not being able to stand and walk around the table to her. He’d never felt anything like the pull he felt toward Tess at that moment.
    Grant and Eleanor looked at the two young people, then at each other. So, their other daughter was smitten with a MacLaren. Somehow they weren’t surprised. And each noticed that Alicia didn’t seem surprised either.
    Alicia sat near them with a serene look as she watched the young people. She didn’t say a word, but prayed that her nephew and Tess could work through whatever held them back and build a future.
    “How’s the mare doing?” Drew asked Tess, hoping to move the conversation in another direction.
    “I expect she’ll deliver anytime. She’s a small horse, and it’s her first foal, but she should do fine. After supper I plan to check on her, unless you need help on the accounts, Father.”
    “No, you check on the mare,” Grant said. “Come back in and help me when you’re satisfied she’s all right. Maybe Drew could look at her, give you his opinion.”
    Tess looked at Drew. He could see the hesitancy in her eyes.
    “I’d like that, if you can use the company.” Drew wanted nothing more than to share time with her. “Mr. Jericho usually does my therapy right after supper, but I’m sure he can wait a little bit. Right?” He looked to Jericho.
    “That is fine with me, Mr. MacLaren.”
    They went to the barn right after supper. It took Drew just a few minutes to concur with Tess that the foal could come at any time. “She’s healthy. You’ve done a good job with her. I’d expect a fine foal from her.”
    “You really think so?”
    “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.”
    “No, I guess you wouldn’t.”
    Drew watched the light from the lantern she held play over her face. Over the months he’d known her, Drew had seen her scared, timid, determined, angry, resilient, and happy. But tonight he saw sadness. His gut told him he was the cause. Drew wanted to tell her how he felt, how important she was to him, but wasn’t ready to say the words, make a commitment, until he could walk. He reasoned that if he could stand, he could walk, then he could ride. Drew knew she’d wait for him. Wouldn’t she? Suddenly he wasn’t so sure. What if she was being courted? Certainly there were men in this town who were attracted to her.
    “Well, I guess it’s time to head in. Father needs some help with the accounts and I’m trying to learn as much as I can. Amanda used to do the books, but it’s been up to him since she left.” Tess walked behind Drew’s chair to help him back to the house. “I miss her.”
    “I’m sure you do, but I’m pleased for Will. He deserves some happiness after everything he went through, and Amanda’s his perfect match.”
    “Will you go back there soon? To Fire Mountain, I mean.”
    “Not as soon as I’d like, but yes, I’ll go back.”
    “You need any help, Miss Tess?” Jericho called out from the porch.
    “No, we’re doing fine, Mr.