Stronger Than the Rest Read Online Free Page A

was all the reply she got.
    It wasn’t long before Alicia and Tessa were walking up the stone steps to Drew’s home, leaving Connor to guard the buggy. Tessa smoothed her skirt and tried to force down a case of intense nerves that had assaulted her when they pulled in front of the house. She took a deep breath as Alicia knocked once, then twice.
    The door flew open and a deep voice greeted them. “May I help you?”
    Tessa blinked at the tall, mature gentleman who answered the door. But he was no old man. He wore tan slacks with a white high-collared shirt, thin black tie, and tan vest. His coat was black with long tails that draped to within a few inches of the back of his knees. The hand that held open the door was large with thick fingers. He stood at least six-feet-six-inches tall and appeared to be solid muscle. There was a thin, jagged scar that ran from his left ear to the edge of his mouth.
    “I believe you can,” Alicia answered. “We’re looking for my nephew, Drew MacLaren. We were given this address.”
    “Ah, Mrs. Alicia MacLaren, correct? Yes, Mr. MacLaren speaks of you and his brothers often. I’m Mr. Jericho, his manservant. And you are?” He looked at Tessa.
    “This is Tessa Taylor, Mr. Jericho. She is a friend of my nephew’s.” Alicia answered when it became apparent that Tess was still locked in her perusal of the large man.
    “Pleased to meet you, Miss Taylor. Mr. MacLaren is still at his office but I’m sure he’d want you to make yourselves comfortable. I’ll inform him of your arrival as soon as I see to your bags.”
    Alicia and Tessa walked into the spacious front room as Mr. Jericho continued outside and crossed the few steps to the carriage.
    “Connor.”
    “Jericho,” Connor responded.
    “You know who the women are, correct?”
    Connor nodded as he lifted the trunks off the wagon. “How is MacLaren doing?”
    “I work his legs every day and make sure he soaks in a hot bath each night, as the doctor recommended, but nothing yet. He’s frustrated but hasn’t given up.”
    Connor settled on the carriage seat and took hold of the reins. “Let me know if there’s any improvement.”
     
    ******
     
    “How are you doing, Mr. MacLaren? Any feeling at all?” Doctor Garland lifted one of Drew’s legs and began to poke, attempting to illicit a response.
    “Nothing.”
    Jericho had been working on Drew’s legs each day and night, applying the liniments and oils the doctor had prescribed, working them into his useless muscles. A couple of times Drew had thought he’d felt a twinge, but that was over a week ago, and nothing since.
    “Helen, help me turn Mr. MacLaren over,” Doctor Garland instructed the middle aged woman who stood by the door. Drew had seen her on each visit, but she’d always remained silent. “Everything has healed fine. Not as much scarring as I’d expect. The doctor who did the surgery had a skilled hand. You were fortunate,” Garland said as they rolled Drew to his back.
    “Fortunate?” Drew’s sarcasm escaped before he could contain it.
    “Yes, young man, fortunate. You could be dead.” The doctor turned a stern yet sympathetic gaze at his patient. He wouldn’t say it, but the doctor had a strong feeling that Drew would beat this and walk again. Few patients worked as hard at recovery as this young attorney. “As it stands now, there is still hope that feeling will return and you’ll be able to walk again, if not like before then at least with a cane. It’s only been a few weeks, well within the timeframe of temporary paralysis.”
    “Yeah, I suppose you’re right, but I expected to be up and about by now, not being taken care of by a manservant and numerous others.” Drew shook his head in disgust. “Is there anything else that Mr. Jericho or I can do to move my healing along?”
    “You’re doing all that can be done at this point. I’ve read everything I can get my hands on and have corresponded with specialists back East. Be