Stronger Than the Rest by Shirleen Davies

Author:Shirleen Davies [Davies, Shirleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Avalanche Ranch Press LLC
Published: 2014-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Fire Mountain, Arizona

“How’s Aunt Alicia, Niall?” Kate asked.

The oldest MacLaren brother read the latest letter from their aunt. It was a long one. He finished, then passed it to his wife. “She and Tess are back in Cold Creek. Drew went with them.”

“He did? That’s a surprise.”

“You’ll read it, but sounds like Dunnigan sent him back on business.”

“Alicia says they’re having more trouble—at least some neighboring ranchers are.”

The door slammed open as Niall and Kate’s son, Isaac, and Jamie and Torie’s oldest son, Adam, came racing into the house, followed by a scowling Jamie.

“Stop right now.” Jamie’s stern voice had the intended effect. The boys turned to look at the imposing man who held a baby in his arms. Jamie’s younger son, Caleb, was only a few months old, but everyone already knew he’d be a handful.

“What’s the rule about boots in the house?” Jamie asked as he passed Caleb off to Torie, who’d stood watching the scene from the kitchen.

Isaac and Adam exchanged sheepish grins, but it was Isaac who spoke. “They’re not allowed in the house, Uncle Jamie.”

Adam just nodded at his father in agreement.

“That’s right. Now march back outside, take them off, and store them in the mudroom. After that, help set the table for dinner.” The boys started to protest but he stopped them. “After dinner, both of you will help muck the stalls.”

“But, Uncle Jamie…” Isaac started but was cut off by his father.

“You heard your uncle,” Niall said. “You broke a rule and you’ll muck the stalls. No argument—either of you.”

The boys bowed their heads and trudged outside. It was all the adults could do to control their laughter.

“How many times did Aunt Alicia have us mucking stalls for forgetting that rule, Niall?” Jamie asked.

“Don’t recall, but I know for a fact you cleaned those stalls a lot more than anyone else.” Niall grinned at his wife. She didn’t believe a word of it.

“What do you have there?” Jamie walked up and peered over Kate’s shoulder.

“A letter from Alicia. She, Tess, and Drew are back in Cold Creek. Guess there’s been some trouble at the neighboring ranches. Beatings, threats—mainly toward the Bierdan widow. One neighbor, Warren Langdon, had his barn and house burned down. Alicia says that Frank arrested one of the men, but the prisoner was murdered the next day while in his jail cell.” She looked up at the two men. “Doesn’t sound good.”

“Dinner ready yet?” Will came through the door and started into the kitchen but stopped at the stares from his brothers. They were looking at his feet. He looked down. “Huh, can’t believe I forgot,” Will chuckled as he walked back to the mudroom and removed his boots.

The change in him the past months had been miraculous. The once hardened bounty hunter was back to his pranks and jokes, just like he had been before the tragedy that sent him on a five year journey of revenge. Everyone believed his wife, Amanda, was the reason for his transition.

“Dinner

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