The Marshal Takes A Bride (6 page)

She was going to believe that he had asked Sarah to stay because secretly, deep down, he wanted to marry her, and Eugenia would spend the next two months doing everything in her power to unite them in wedded bliss.

Was he crazy to give his mother this opportunity?

But what choice did he have? Without a doctor in Fort Worth, there would be no one to supply medical attention if anyone became hurt. And what about his sisters-in-law? Didn’t his new niece or nephew deserve a doctor to take care of its arrival in the world?

The town needed a doctor. Sarah was a beautiful doctor, who he considered to be a great friend. And it felt good to have her back home where she belonged. But friends were all they could ever be.

If he were inclined to settle down, Sarah wouldn’t be a bad choice, but he had no intentions on tying the knot with any woman. He was a rootless man, and from what he remembered, Sarah was a forever-after kind of woman. The kind who wanted commitment, wedding rings, babies and roots. And the last time he checked, he wasn’t a damn tree.

But how was he going to convince his mother he hadn’t asked Sarah to stay because he was in love with her? Words never seemed to have much effect on Eugenia. In fact, she gave new meaning to the expression falling on deaf ears.

He rode his Appaloosa up to the hitching post and saw Travis sitting there on his horse, waiting patiently for him.

“What brings you to town?” Tucker asked. “Everything okay at home?”

“Everyone is fine. No baby yet. Had to make a trip over to the mercantile for Rose and the ranch,” he said, stretching in the stirrups. “Rose doesn’t feel much like getting out right now. Got time to get a beer?”

“You bet. Hell, I could drink the entire keg right now.”

“Troubles?”

“Just with women,” Tucker replied.

They turned their horses and headed down the street to the Cowboy Saloon. A cold northerly wind whistled down Main Street sending a chill down Tucker’s spine.

“Damn, but it’s been cold this year,” Tucker said, shivering in his coat “I’m ready for spring to get here.”

“You and me both. This baby needs to get here. Rose is miserable, and I ache with sympathy every time I look at her,” Travis replied.

“Well, when your stomach starts protruding, then I’ll get concerned,” he told his brother.

Tucker sighed. He had done the right thing in encouraging Sarah to remain in Forth Worth. Rose and Beth needed her, but what a price to pay for his sisters-in-law and the townspeople. Putting up with his mother’s matchmaking just to keep a doctor in town didn’t seem quite fair. That was the reason he had asked her to stay, the only reason.

They arrived at the saloon, tied their horses outside and walked into the establishment. Tucker glanced around at the patrons as they took a seat at the bar. The usual crowd of ranchers and cowboys filled the saloon. Upstairs, one of the finest brothels in town operated. Most of the time he left them alone; but occasionally the mayor and the city council would get their dander up, and he would be required to shut them down and run the girls into the city jail.

“I heard about Doc Wilson. How’s he doing?” Travis asked, while they waited for the bartender to bring their beers.

“Not so good. He broke two ribs, a leg and has a concussion. Sarah says he’ll be unable to work for at least two months.”

“Hey, I’ve got a baby coming in the next month. Who’s going to deliver him?” Travis asked.

“Calm down. I thought of that. And I’ve talked Sarah into taking on the doctor’s responsibilities for the next two months.” He paused, lifted his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “My biggest concern is that Doc Wilson won’t be back to work, that he’ll go straight into retirement. Or even worse, Sarah says he’s still not out of the woods.”

“That bad, huh?”

Tucker gazed at his brother, his hat pushed back on his head. “Yep. So I coerced Sarah into staying for two months, and then either the doctor will be back or I’m supposed to have someone else lined up to take her place.”

“You scared me for a moment. I know we could get a midwife, but I want a doctor to deliver my son.”

“You’re awfully damn certain this is a boy.”

“Of course.”

“What are you going to do if it’s a girl?”

“We’re having a boy.”

“You’re pathetic,” Tucker said, shaking his head. “So could this woman trouble have anything to do with the doctor?” Travis asked, as the bartender set their beers in front of them “Our matchmaking mother.”

“What’s she done now?” Travis asked, sipping from his beer.

Tucker glanced at his brother, resisting the urge to accuse him of being stupid. Couldn’t he see the problem that Sarah’s staying in town presented?

“Mother is going to see Sarah’s extended visit as her golden opportunity. That fate has given her a chance to bring us together.”

Travis started laughing.

Tucker glared at his older brother. He wasn’t trying to be a comedian. He needed his brother to defend him. Hell, he needed all the help he could get to win this battle with their mother.

“I’m sorry for laughing. But you are so right. She’s going to jump on this like a bass on a June bug,” he finally said.

“It’s not funny. The city needs a doctor. Hell, your own wife needs a doctor, but I’m scared to death that mother is going to run Sarah off with her antics.

I’m telling you this woman won’t put up with our mother’s interfering.”

“Then, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one she’s trying to saddle with a wife. She’s already gotten you leg-shackled.”

“You know I didn’t think anyone besides myself could be so stubborn when it came to settling down. But you’re more bullheaded than a bull at branding time.” Travis shook his head, a silly smile on his face. “The more you resist, the more Mother is going to hone in on your fears. You better throw her off track somehow or you’re looking square in the face at a speeding locomotive, and you’re tied to the railroad track.”

“Thanks! But if I act interested in another woman, then she’d just turn her attention to that lady. Then I’ll still have the same troubles, except it won’t be with the good doctor.”

“What about Sarah?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, what if Sarah had someone else she was interested in?” Travis asked.

Tucker stopped for a moment, taken aback by the question. Someone started to play the piano in the background, and he blocked the tune from his mind.

Maybe someone else for Sarah was the solution. Maybe it would at least derail Eugenia’s train for a little while.

Sarah with another man...

It didn’t have to be anyone that would be permanent Just long enough to keep Eugenia from trying to throw them together.

“You know, Travis, you might be on to something here.” He sipped from his beer. “What if I introduced Sarah to someone else? They could have dinner, and maybe she would fall for him, and the mystery man might even convince her to marry him and stay here.”

“Now you’re carrying this a little far. Isn’t Sarah the woman that you kept reminiscing about? Isn’t she the one you told me about?” Travis asked.

“Yes, but we’re just good friends. She knows I’m not interested in forever. I need her attached to someone. . .

“Why can’t you promise her forever?” Travis asked, eyes questioning.

“Because I don’t want to be tied down to anyone. Not Sarah or any other female I know,” Tucker said, with as much determination as he felt.

“Tucker, I’m here to tell you that settling down with Rose has been the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Well, I don’t want to get married. I want to see the rest of the world, find out what’s over the next ridge of mountains, and see how other people live. I’ve only been home since Father died. It’s time I left again.”

Travis nodded. “You’re right, you don’t need to settle down if that’s the way you feel. It’s just a shame though, since I think in your case Mother just might be right. But it’s your life, and I’m not about to interfere.”

“Thank you! Sarah is not the only female in town, and when I need companionship, I know where to find it.”

Though Tucker would never admit it to his brother, there had never been a woman he enjoyed being with quite like the good doctor. Their one night together had frightened him so badly, he had run as soon as Sarah fell asleep. But he reminded himself again that they could never be.

Travis shook his head. “It’s not the same and you know it.”

“Maybe not, but it offers relief without all the promises and commitments for tomorrow.”

“So what are you going to do about Mother?” Travis asked, sighing.

“I’m going to warn Sarah about Mother. Then I’m going to explain to her how it would be beneficial for her to meet an eligible suitor while she’s visiting,” he said, thinking what an awkward meeting this could be.

Oh, by the way, would you like to be courted by some men I know?
If the good doctor didn’t throw him out on his ear, he would be lucky.

“Do you think she’ll be very receptive to the idea?”

“I don’t know. Our friendship has been strained since she came back into town. It’s just not the same as it was when we were in Tombstone.”

Travis glanced at his brother, his forehead furrowed in a frown. “Why do you think that is?”

Tucker sighed and looked away from his brother. His fingers did a tap dance on his beer mug. “Friendship is a strange thing. Sometimes the least little thing can change it forever.”

Travis sighed, and held up his hand. “Don’t tell me. There are some things that are better left unknown.”

***

Sarah chased Lucas around her grandfather’s suite, his excited giggles making her feel warm and fuzzy. No matter how busy her schedule became, she always made sure she spent time with her son every day and attempted to tuck him into bed each night.

A knock sounded on the door, and she wondered who would be calling this early in the morning. “Who is it?”

“It’s Tucker,” he replied.

She reached up and checked her hair, pinched her cheeks and smoothed her skirt. When she realized what she was doing, she frowned. Why was she primping for this man? He couldn’t care less how she looked. And no, it didn’t bother her.

Crossing the room, she opened the door and gazed at the man she had tried to forget all these years. He stood with his arm braced against the door frame, the tin star twinkling on his chest. His golden brown eyes met and held her gaze, until Lucas ran to the open portal.

“Hi.”

He greeted his father, a big smile on his baby sweet face. His eyes, so much like his father’s, twinkled at Tucker.

Sarah felt her heart swell, and she wondered how long she had before someone realized the truth. How long before someone recognized the likeness of father and son. Or was she the only one who could see the resemblance?

“Well, hello there, young man,” Tucker said, then raised his eyes back to Sarah.

His gaze was warm as he took in the sight of her morning gown. “I thought that you would be at the doc’s this morning, but you weren’t there.”

“I haven’t left yet. I was playing with Lucas while Grandfather took care of some business. Later he’s going to take Lucas for a ride in the buggy, and then I’ll go down,” she said, her voice deliberately restrained. She could not afford to let herself get too closely involved with Tucker for any reason.

“That’s nice. I guess your grandfather is enjoying spending some time with the boy,” he said.

“Yes,” Sarah replied. “So why are you looking for me?”

“Can I come in?”

“Of course.”

Tucker stepped into the room from the hallway, his hat held loosely in his hand. He strolled across the hardwood floor, his gaze nervously scanning his surroundings.

“Have a seat,” she invited.

“Thanks, I think I will,” he said, sitting down on the sofa.

“So what’s wrong?” she asked, noting how nervous he appeared.

He cleared his throat and twirled his hat in his hands. “Uh, we need to talk.”

Sarah sat down across from Tucker. “Okay.” “Remember how I kept complaining about my mother and her matchmaking shenanigans the other day?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I wanted to warn you, I think she’s trying to put us together.” He took a deep breath and slowly released it. “One of the reasons my mother sent you that telegram was to bring you home to marry me.” Sarah’s heart skipped a beat, and then she laughed, the sound strained. It was a wonder Tucker was still in Fort Worth. It was a wonder he hadn’t bolted for his horse the moment he realized what his mother was up to.

“She doesn’t know you very well, does she?” Sarah said. “Even I know better.”

“I’ve told her over and over that we’re just friends, but she refuses to listen.” His hat was becoming misshapen in his nervous grasp. “We’ve been friends since we were kids. Nothing’s changed that. But we both know we could never marry.”

Did he really believe their friendship hadn’t changed? Did he think he could just crawl into her bed, dizzy her with his incredible lovemaking, leave in the middle of the night, and still be good friends the next time they saw each other? God, he was a stubborn, foolish man.

That one night had changed her life forever, and if he would let himself, he would know how much it meant. But he refused to acknowledge to anyone the importance of that night. “Of course we’re just friends,” she said, feeling like a liar. How could they ever be just friends when they had a child together? A child he knew nothing about a child he was too blind to recognize.

She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the unjustified anger that always seemed to be present when she thought of Tucker. She was being illogical, but she couldn’t help it. She saw Tucker everywhere in Lucas, and that frightened her. From the color of his eyes to the sound of his laughter and even his persistent nature, he reminded her of his father.

Lucas giggled and handed Tucker his favorite toy, a wooden soldier. He took the toy from Lucas and, much to the child’s delight, acted as though he was playing with it.

The child grabbed the toy back and ran across the room giggling.