Wilder Than the Rest: MacLarens of Fire Mountain (29 page)

“It’s complicated,” he answered and glanced over at Mollie who sat stone still, her hands in her lap, and looking like she wanted to disappear under the table.

Connor leaned back in his chair and studied the two. Pierce hadn’t confided in him why’d he’d suddenly decided to leave for Boston. He had thought his brother had finally figured out he loved Mollie and had gone to tell her. That didn’t fit with what he saw tonight. Connor knew something had been amiss, now he thought he understood what it was.

Connor let the front legs of his chair hit the ground as he leaned forward and crossed his arms on the table. “Why don’t you share with us exactly what’s going on, Pierce.”

Pierce set down his fork and looked around at the family who’d gathered to celebrate his marriage to Mollie. He wondered if it was wrong to continue acting as if nothing was different from any of their marriages or if he should tell them the truth, that this was just a trial run. He decided they needed to learn the truth.

“Mollie and I signed a marriage certificate before leaving for our assignment. Our cover was to make people believe we were a married couple.” His narrowed eyes locked on his brother. “After a while, we acted on our feelings, becoming a true married couple.”

“Oh, God,” Mollie whispered and started to stand. Amanda placed a hand on her arm, encouraging her to stay.

The room fell silent as each person absorbed what Pierce had said. Jamie sipped at his coffee, Will and Dodge picked at their dessert, Niall and Drew waited, figuring there was more to come. Connor let a half-smile cross his face and shook his head.

The women watched Mollie, knowing how hard it was to come into the MacLaren family under the best circumstances and empathizing with the young woman. Each of them had crossed through their own personal fire with the MacLarens they’d married. No one at the table could to point fingers at anyone else. They were, after all, only human.

“You’re confident the license you have is legal?” Drew asked, the attorney in him taking over.

“According to Noah, yes, it is. He filed it with the court in Fire Mountain.”

“And you’ve both decided you want to continue with it?” Jamie asked.

Pierce swung his gaze to Mollie. “Yes, that’s what we’ve decided.”

“Well, it seems all worked out fine. The only thing missing is a true wedding, which the girls and I can arrange. We’ve certainly done it enough times,” Alicia quipped and pushed from the table.

“Um, Aunt Alicia, maybe it would be best to—” Pierce began before a hard look from his aunt stopped him.

“You will have a wedding, with a preacher, Pierce MacLaren. And it will be soon. I suggest you prepare yourself for it.”

******

Pierce and Mollie sat on their bed, conflicted as to the turn of events at supper. Mollie understood why Pierce felt the need to share the truth with his family, he wasn’t the type to keep secrets. Now that everyone knew how the marriage had come about, and Alicia had made no apologies for insisting on a wedding, they had to make a decision. Somehow, walking out on a marriage based on a piece of paper seemed easier than walking out on one performed by a preacher, in front of God, and, well, everyone.

“What are we going to do?” Mollie asked and fell back onto the mattress, crossing an arm over her eyes.

“Don’t see that we have much choice.” Pierce fell back to join her.

“Marriage in front of a preacher is a little more permanent than the paper we signed for Noah, don’t you think?” She lifted her arm off her eyes and turned her gaze to Pierce.

“Oh yeah, big difference.”

Each lay there a while longer before she sprang from the bed and walked to the wardrobe where she’d stowed her luggage. Mollie pulled out one of her satchels and threw it on a chair, then opened the dresser and started to gather her clothes.

“What the hell are you doing?” Pierce sat up, watching her cram her things into the bag.

“Packing.”

“I see that. Why?”

“I’m leaving.”

He walked up beside her, grabbed an arm, and turned her to him.

“You’re leaving. Just like that? Because the family wants a wedding?” He shot her a killing glare and started to pull her clothes out of the bag and return them to the wardrobe.

“No, not just like that. I shouldn’t have come in the first place. It was wrong.” Mollie grabbed the clothing from his hands and threw it back in the satchel.

“Wrong, how?” He dropped his hands to his sides, palms facing out.

“Because you don’t love me!” she fumed, her voice rising as the tension in her peaked.

“The hell I don’t!” he shot back.

Time seemed to stop.

Her jaw dropped and Pierce took a slight step backward.

He squeezed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, accepting what he’d said as true.

“I love you, Mollie, and that’s God’s truth.”

“You love me?” she whispered.

“Yes, I do.” He took a deep breath, “Look, I know you don’t love me, but in time, maybe…” Pierce’s voice trailed off.

Mollie launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, brushing brief kisses across his cheeks, chin, eyes, and nose. She pulled back and looked into his beautiful blue eyes.

“I love you, too, Pierce MacLaren, and that’s God’s truth.”

Epilogue

One last wedding, Alicia thought as she pulled the last pie out of the oven. Everyone is married, finally. She sat down and picked up the lemonade she’d made that morning.

They expected quite a number of people at the ranch today, neighbors they’d known most of their lives, and newcomers who’d somehow discovered Fire Mountain and made it their home. She figured the next big shindig wouldn’t be until Beth, Niall and Kate’s oldest, got married. She hoped that was years away.

“Aunt Alicia, where do you want the rest of these flowers?” Torie walked up with her arms full. “Chaz sent them.”

Alicia shook her head. Now that was one man who needed to meet the right lady and settle down. He was just too darn good looking and smart to stay single. “Please put them on the table next to the hallstand in the entry.”

Torie turned to leave as Jericho strolled into view.

“Good, you’re resting, Alicia,” Mr. Jericho stood in the door of the kitchen. “You’ve been working much too hard on this wedding. Let the others do more.” He continued to stand.

“Sit down, Lawrence, you’ve been doing more than your share, too.” Alicia smiled up at the large man who’d become such a good friend since they’d first met. He’d helped Drew to overcome the paralysis he’d suffered when a bullet ripped through his body and he’d been a fixture in Connor and Pierce’s lives since their days in Red Hook. Everyone called him Mr. Jericho, but when they were alone, he preferred she call him by his first name, Lawrence.

“Won’t be long and everyone will be here. Didn’t think I’d see the day when Connor, Pierce, and Meggie would all be married.” He poured himself some lemonade and sat back. “Guess my job here is done.”

Alicia’s eyes flew to his. “What do you mean, your job’s done? From what I can tell, it’s just getting started. There’s still plenty of young ones to help with and more on the way. If you think you’re cutting out and leaving me to do all the work, well, you had just better think again.” She set down her glass with a thud. “Now, I’m going to get dressed for the wedding. I suggest you do the same.”

Alicia placed a hand on his shoulder as she walked past him to the stairs.

He watched her, glad in more than ways than he could count, that he was a part of what he considered an extraordinary family.

******

Everyone was in place, the music started, and all eyes turned to where Mollie stood. She was a vision in her stunning gown, golden hair pulled up in a soft chignon, wearing the pearls Pierce had presented her with the night before. He’d purchased them in San Francisco, hoping she would one day consent to be his bride.

Connor escorted her between the rows of guests, then stepped aside as they came to a stop in front of Pierce.

Everyone listened as the preacher spoke the same words they’d heard many times over the last several years as each of the MacLarens had married.

“Repeat after me. I, Pierce Mungo MacLaren, take this woman…”

Mollie’s eyes shot to Pierce’s. “Mungo?” she mouthed as the sounds of muffled laughter could be heard behind them.

Pierce’s face turned red. “Later,” he mouthed back and shrugged.

Several minutes later, they’d completed their vows, and he slipped a simple gold band onto her finger.

“You may now kiss your bride,” the preacher finished, motioning for them to turn toward their guests. “Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Pierce MacLaren.”

Pierce let out a loud whoop before grabbing Mollie in a tight hug and swinging her around.

******

Pierce sipped a whiskey and looked on as Mollie sat with the women and looked over the gifts that had been left for them. He’d been stunned at the generosity of the townsfolk and neighbors he barely knew.

Connor came up beside him and clasped a hand to his shoulder. “You did good, real good.” He smiled and lifted his glass in salute to his brother. “She’s a wonderful woman, which makes her an excellent match for you.”

Pierce accepted the veiled complement as he saluted Connor in return.

“Pierce, there’s a card here from Settlers Valley, California,” Mollie called and held up an envelope.

He walked forward, opened the envelope, and read the brief message.

“What’s it say, Pierce?” Alicia asked from her seat next to Mr. Jericho.

He looked up, a smile spreading slowly across his face. “Says congratulations and that they can’t wait to get all the MacLarens together to share our stories of coming to America and settling in the west.”

That will be quite a reunion
, Alicia thought.
Yes, quite a reunion indeed
.

The End

Watch for Shirleen’s continuation of the MacLaren clan

in her new series,

The MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

Book one, Colin’s Quest

Scheduled for release in early 2015

About the Author

Shirleen Davies
writes romance—historical, contemporary, and romantic suspense. She grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance.  She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.

Shirleen began her series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain, with Tougher than the Rest, the story of the oldest brother, Niall MacLaren. Other books in the series include, Faster than the Rest, Harder than the Rest, Stronger than the Rest, and Deadlier than the Rest. Book six, Wilder than the Rest, is due for release in early summer, 2014. Her contemporary romance series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary, opened with book one, Second Summer. Book two, Hard Landing, released in April 2014, and Book three, One More day, is scheduled to release in midsummer, 2014. Book one of her newest historical western series, Redemption Mountain, will release in the fall of 2014.

Shirleen loves to hear from her readers.

Write to her at: 
[email protected]

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www.shirleendavies.com

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Other Books by Shirleen Davies

Tougher than the Rest – Book One

MacLarens of Fire Mountain Historical Western Romance Series

“A passionate, fast-paced story set in the untamed western frontier by an exciting new voice in historical romance.”

Niall MacLaren is the oldest of four brothers, and the undisputed leader of the family. A widower, and single father, his focus is on building the MacLaren ranch into the largest and most successful in northern Arizona. He is serious about two things—his responsibility to the family and his future marriage to the wealthy, well-connected widow who will secure his place in the territory’s destiny.

Katherine is determined to live the life she’s dreamed about. With a job waiting for her in the growing town of Los Angeles, California, the young teacher from Philadelphia begins a journey across the United States with only a couple of trunks and her spinster companion. Life is perfect for this adventurous, beautiful young woman, until an accident throws her into the arms of the one man who can destroy it all.