Stronger Than the Rest by Shirleen Davies Read Free Book Online Page B

speak more with Tess, but now wasn’t the time.
    Drew found he was looking forward to seeing the doctor in Cold Creek again. He was the one who’d operated on Drew to remove the bullet and had encouraged him not to give up when feeling had not returned within a few days.
    Drew had not given up on walking. It had now been several weeks. The doctors in Denver had told him they’d seen people go as long as five to six months before feeling returned and they regained the use of arms or legs. It was rare, but possible. That’s all he asked—for it to be possible. Drew suspected the Cold Creek doctor knew more about paralysis than he’d shared. Drew hoped the doctor would consent to help him walk again.
     
    ******
     
    “Welcome back, Drew.” Grant Taylor extended a hand to help Drew from the carriage and into the waiting chair.
    “It’s good to see you, Grant. This is Mr. Jericho, my traveling companion.”
    Grant nodded to Jericho before turning to help Alicia and Tessa down. He pulled his daughter into a hug. She returned the hug before moving to embrace Eleanor. Although she’d only been gone a little over a week, it felt good to be home.
    “How was Denver, Alicia?” Eleanor asked as they walked up the front steps.
    “It’s a wonderful town but much larger than I realized.” Their voices faded as they walked into the house with Tess right behind.
    Grant turned to Drew once he knew the women were out of range. “Not that we’re not glad to see you, but what’s going on that brings you to Cold Creek?”
    “Louis Dunnigan heard about the troubles that Eloise Bierdan has been having and sent me out. He’s had an interest in her place since before Gordon died.” Drew paused to look down at his useless legs, the results of a bullet from Gordon Bierdan. He raised his eyes back up to Grant. “Dunnigan wants to see if she’ll agree to sell the ranch to Dunnigan Enterprises.”
    “Won’t be easy. That woman’s determined to make it on her own. She has a new foreman, some good wranglers, and about as much stubbornness as you’ll ever see.” He chuckled remembering her accusation that Grant had sent men to rough up her ranch hands. She stood about five-feet-four-inches, but she had been like an angry bull that day.
    “Well, I’m here to see if some type of agreement may be reached. Put something together before any more of her men leave or go missing.”
    “You know about that do you?” Grant was surprised to learn that the news had traveled to Denver. “Alts believes one man was murdered, but hasn’t been able to find the men responsible.”
    “I heard. Greed and power are high motivators for a lot of men. They’ll do just about anything to get what they want.”
    “Does that include Louis Dunnigan?” Grant had only met the man briefly when Dunnigan had come to Cold Creek to accompany Drew back to Denver after the shooting. He’d seemed honorable, but one never knew for certain.
    “No. Louis Dunnigan is as honest as they come. He’s no fool, but he’ll walk away if a mutually acceptable agreement can’t be reached. Make no mistake, he wants the Bierdan ranch, but not at the expense of human life.” Drew sat back in his chair and pondered whether or not to ask his next question. In the end, it was fair to get it out in the open.
    “Dunnigan is interested in the Langdon spread, also. Any thoughts on that?”
    Grant’s gaze drifted to the young man who’d helped him save his ranch from cattle thieves. He liked him, and suspected his youngest daughter liked him even more.
    “Well, you need to know I’ve spoken to Langdon about his place. Made him an offer which he said he’d consider.”
    “I see.” Drew thought as much. It made sense, even if it was further away than the Bierdan ranch. “But no offer to Eloise Bierdan?”
    “No, not yet. Don’t doubt that I’d like that land, Drew, but taking on both ranches right now would stretch me a little thin. I can pay cash for Langdon, but need