Stronger Than the Rest by Shirleen Davies Read Free Book Online

ownership.”
    “Any other help with the ranch operations if she decides to stay?”
    “No.” Dunnigan replied and pushed away from his desk. “Be ready to leave in two days. I’ll have Terrance make the arrangements. Mr. Jericho will accompany you.”
    “And my aunt and Miss Taylor?”
    “That’s up to you.”
     
    ******
     
    It had been a long two days. After the first morning Drew had rarely been at home—there was too much to do in preparation for his trip to Cold Creek. Dunnigan commissioned a second wheelchair for the trip. Terrence worked non-stop to pull together the travel arrangements. Jericho packed what he and Drew would need for the trip. Drew worked with Henry Thompson to transition his responsibilities. The young man was new at Dunnigan, but had worked for a firm in Philadelphia before traveling west. Drew was comfortable that he’d do well with the additional workload.
    It would be a full day’s journey by train and carriage to Cold Creek. Drew had given his aunt and Tess the choice of waiting for him in Denver or going back. Both had made the decision to leave. Tess had mentioned something about the train ride giving them a chance to catch up.
    Tess . His thoughts had rarely strayed from her since she’d arrived in Denver. His decision to send her home had fallen aside with the plans for the three of them to travel to Cold Creek together. It was a blessing. He didn’t want to hurt her. She’d been the one to stay by his side those first few days after the shooting, when his brothers, Will and Jamie, had been focused on finding the man who’d shot him and returning the stolen cattle to the Big G. He and Tess had spent hours together. He liked her. Hell, he more than liked her, but she deserved better than a man with useless legs. Her goal was to breed and raise the finest horse stock in Colorado. It was a dream he shared, but now might never realize. She needed someone who would pull his weight, not lean on her for support.
    “Mr. Jericho has the carriage ready. Mrs. MacLaren and Miss Taylor are waiting for you outside,” Terrance announced as he entered Drew’s office. “The train just arrived and they’re attaching the Dunnigan cars. You should arrive in Cold Creek late tonight. Are you certain you don’t wish me to come along, sir?”
    “Thank you, Terrence, but I’ll be fine. I know the town and several people, including the sheriff. As long as I have a carriage and Mr. Jericho, I’ll get around without a problem.”
    An hour later Aunt Alicia, Tess, and Drew settled in one of the opulent private cars, and headed west through the middle of Colorado. It was some of the most spectacular scenery he’d ever seen. No matter how many times he saw it, he never tired of the view. Tall peaks rose on both sides of the train during much of the journey. A wild, fast-moving river partnered with the moving machinery for much of the trip. He sat back, closed his eyes, and thought about the last few days.
    He spent time thinking about Dunnigan’s daughter and her desire to marry. Even though a relationship with Tess was out of the question, a union with Patricia wasn’t what he wanted. He’d scheduled a meeting with Patricia before leaving Denver to tell her of his decision.
    She’d been devastated by the news that he’d decided not to pursue an engagement. She’d thought they fit very well, while he thought two people couldn’t be less suited for marriage.
    Patricia smoothed her custom fitted dress then clasped her hands in her lap. “I know I met Tessa only once, in Cold Creek, but she simply does not seem to be the type of woman who would interest you. She’s a ranch woman with little understanding of city life. You have an education and are sophisticated. How could you possibly choose someone like her?”
    Drew looked away. Patricia was correct but in a different way than what she meant. While she was glamorous in her curls and stylish gowns, he found her to be stilted, detached, with