The Marshal Takes A Bride Read online

  “Don’t give me credit for any changes in Tucker. We really haven’t been getting along all that well since I’ve returned.”

  “Well, he’s like his father. Stubborn as they come,” the older woman said. “You know, it’s been ages since you’ve been out to the house. Why don’t you bring your son and come for a visit.”

  Sarah decided it was time for some frank discussion with Tucker’s mother regarding her matchmaking and the telegram that had brought Sarah home. “Eugenia, Tucker came by and warned me about your intentions regarding the two of us. I also assume that’s the reason you sent me that telegram about my grandfather. You know, I really did not appreciate being scared into coming home.”

  “What, dear? I didn’t mean to scare you, but your grandfather was ill. I took care of him, so I would know. As for Tucker, he’s so confused about what he wants and needs right now. I hope that you can help him.”

  “Tucker does not want to marry, and I’m not about to get involved with your son again.” As soon as the words were out of Sarah’s mouth, she wanted to retract them.

  “Again?” Shock rippled across Eugenia’s face—followed by a smile.

  Sarah wanted to kick herself. Why had she let the word 'again' slip when she knew Eugenia would jump on it? She could almost see the thoughts scampering across the woman’s brain like a stampeding herd.

  “What do you mean 'again'? When were the two of you involved?” Eugenia asked.

  “I meant a man like Tucker.”

  “Oh.” She stared at Sarah. “I bet it was in Tombstone.”

  “Eugenia, Tucker and I will never be married. Please don’t try and push us together.”

  The woman completely ignored her.

  “Like I was saying, why don’t you bring your son, Lucas, out to visit with us? Tucker could teach him how to ride a pony, and you could meet my daughters-in-law, Rose and Beth.”

  “We’re really very busy,” Sarah said, trying to politely refuse the woman.

  “I insist. Rose’s baby is due in four to six weeks, and you’re going to be her doctor. So when you come out to see Rose, bring Lucas and we’ll make a day of it.”

  “If I do as you request, you have to understand that there will be nothing between Tucker and me.”

  “Oh, right, dear. That’s between the two of you. Whatever you say.”

  “I mean it, Eugenia. You sent me the telegram to get me home. Granted, I should have come long before now. But I’m here, and nothing is going to happen between Tucker and me.”

  “Well, I understand how you feel.” Eugenia held her reticule in her hands.

  “Would you like to see the doctor now, Mrs. Burnett? I’m sure he’s up to having visitors,” Sarah said, feeling the need to rid herself of this woman as quickly as possible, before she made some other remark.

  “No, dear, I just wanted to come by and tell you welcome back and how delighted I am that you’re going to be our new doctor. Tucker and I both are happy to see you.”

  “Thank you, but it’s only temporary.”

  “Well, I will be going, but I do expect you to come out soon to see Rose and be sure to bring your son.”

  “We’ll see,” Sarah said, refusing to commit herself to Eugenia’s invitation.

  Eugenia walked back to the door. “Tell Doc I said hello.”

  “I will.”

  She was half out of the door when she stopped and turned back to Sarah. “I know you don’t believe me, but you and Tucker are meant to be together. Toodoloo, dear.”

  Sarah watched as she stepped out of the door and closed it firmly, effectively cutting off any reply that Sarah might have given. This woman was stubborn enough to make Tucker look like an amateur.

  ***

  For two days Sarah kept replaying Eugenia’s visit over and over in her mind. God, if the woman knew that Lucas was Tucker’s son, she would probably have them both kidnapped and taken to the justice of the peace. Anything to get them joined as man and wife, whether they wanted to be together or not

  Funny, Sarah had never thought of herself being with any man but Tucker. Even before Tombstone he had been the friend to whom she had confided all her hopes and dreams, the man on whom she had practiced her first coquetry, and the one she had missed when she left town to go to medical school.

  Now his mother was on a mission to get them together permanently, and Sarah saw only heartache looming in the future. Eugenia’s meddling seemed to push Tucker further away, but the woman was too determined to see that her interfering did more harm than good.

  A man like Tucker only ran faster the more dogged someone nipped at his heels, and right now he was poised for the race of his life. And Sarah couldn’t help but think that maybe she should be the one to run. Maybe she should pack up and take Lucas home, right now.

  Life was full of choices, and she was not a woman who let convention stand in her way. She could leave right now and return to Tombstone without helping the people of Fort Worth. Or she could try once again to reach Eugenia and make the woman understand that she and Tucker would never be married. Or she could reconsider Tucker’s proposal of finding someone to court her while she was here.

  She tossed the ideas around in her head for several moments, thinking about each of them, searching every possible angle, tossing out the impossible ones.

  She couldn’t leave Fort Worth and the people she cared about without medical help. No matter what happened, she was a healer, and she took her profession seriously. She could not leave until either the doctor was well or someone else took her place.

  Yet trying to make Eugenia understand the futility of a relationship between her and Tucker seemed impossible. The woman was a cyclone blowing in and out of people’s lives, leaving behind damage and destruction, never intending to hurt, never intending to do harm. The woman just plain refused to listen.

  Then there was the possibility of Tucker finding her someone he thought she could marry. But she didn’t want to marry. Though the thought of two months of Eugenia pushing her and Tucker together, while his mother only drove them further apart, was not exactly appealing either.

  And though Sarah was loath to admit it, she didn’t know what she wanted with Tucker, but she certainly didn’t want the chance of them being together totally destroyed. Yet Eugenia was on a course that was destined to make Tucker run as far from Sarah as his long legs would take him.

  A knock on the hotel door interrupted her thoughts. She stood and went to the door, turning the lock slowly before she opened the portal.

  One of the hotel messengers stood before her, a package in his hand with a hand-delivered note.

  She signed for the package and shut the door. There was no name on the outside of the parcel except her own. Curious, she ripped open the tissue paper and tossed the lid aside. She reached inside the tissue-lined tin box and pulled out a white wedding veil with lace and pearls trimming the headband. Immediately she knew whom the package was from.

  She tore into the envelope, fury making her fingers tremble.

  Dear Sarah,

  I’ve always dreamed of one of my daughters- in-law wearing my wedding veil when she weds my son. I’m sending you this veil so that you will know the faith of my belief that you and Tucker are meant to be together. Though I don’t expect the wedding to be held tomorrow, I do think eventually you will marry my son. Please do me the honor of wearing this veil when that day comes.

  Sincerely,

  Eugenia

  Stunned, she stared at the white veil that had been lovingly wrapped in tissue and preserved. Oh! Sarah crumpled the note in her fist. The woman had nerve. To said her wedding veil to an almost stranger with a note regarding her son? How could she be so bold?

  Well, Sarah could be just as stubborn. She would return the veil at once to Tucker and tell him to tell his mother in no uncertain terms that there would never be a match between the two of them. Eugenia had set her sights on her goal, and she was determined she would succeed, but Sarah was sudde
nly just as determined to put an end to her matchmaking ways. Sure, at one time she had wanted Tucker. But she wanted him to love her, not make a vow because his mother imposed upon him enough that he finally catapulted into marriage.

  Maybe Tucker was right. She should meet the men he was willing to introduce her to, not to marry them, just to keep Eugenia off balance. With her involved with other men, she hoped Eugenia would give up on Tucker and Sarah being together.

  Or maybe Tucker would consider that he could lose her to another man or maybe this would keep mother and son from driving Sarah crazy while she was here.

  Whatever happened, it appeared that the next two months were going to be interesting, and Sarah was going to have a full social calendar for the first time in years.

  Chapter Five

  At the sound of the rapid knock, Tucker glanced up from the paperwork on his desk. Why did the sight of Sarah always cause his heart to give a small leap? She stood in the doorway, her face red, her body taut. Something was dreadfully wrong.

  “Can I come in,” she asked, her voice polite and brisk.

  He jumped up from behind his desk and hurried around to greet her. “What’s wrong? You wouldn’t have come here if there wasn’t a problem.”

  He could see the tension in her body in the way she walked toward him carrying a small tin.

  “What’s in the tin?” he asked, fearing her answer.

  “This is what’s the matter,” she said, laying the tin down on his desk and yanking off the lid.

  She reached inside the white tissue paper and pulled out a wedding veil.

  Tucker stood to the side of his desk, shock paralyzing him as he stared in horror at the white piece of material. Suddenly he remembered where he had seen this lacy material. He recognized the garment from a tintype of his parents’ wedding day. It was his mother’s bridal veil.

  He shook his head. This was beyond what even he had expected from his mother. Just how far was she willing to go to see him wed?

  He ran his hand through his hair. Oh, God, was he in trouble. He glanced at Sarah and noticed the tautness around her mouth, the grim determination in her features. What could he say to her?

  “I don’t know what to say,” he mumbled, taken aback.

  “She came by the clinic the other day, and I thought I had made it abundantly clear to Eugenia that you and I would never marry. She sent this veil to me to show her faith in just how much she believes we belong together.”

  Tucker cringed and shook his head in disbelief. “I tried to warn you.”

  Sarah watched him, a frustrated expression on her beautiful face. “I was bluntly honest with her, and she didn’t hear me.”

  “Did she send a note with the veil?”

  “Yes. She had the gall to ask me to wear the thing when I married you.”

  Tucker burst out laughing. “Well, she’s going to be waiting a long time.”

  “I’m glad you find this amusing. I’ve been rather annoyed.”

  “I’m sorry. Even I never thought she would go this far,” he said, wondering if anything he said to his mother would do any good.

  Sarah sighed. “I attempted to talk to her, let her know that we would never be a couple, but she obviously chose to ignore me.”

  He cringed. Sarah’s words sounded so final, yet that was what he wanted.

  “I’ll talk to her again, and tell her to leave you alone.”

  “What makes you think she’s going to listen to you?” Sarah sighed. “I hate to admit this, but I think you’re right about your mother.”

  She stared at him, the blue of her eyes reminding him of a clear bright sky, where he wanted to lose himself.

  “I’ve been reconsidering your suggestion.”

  “Oh?” Tucker said, suddenly uneasy. Maybe the idea of her courting other men wasn’t such a good idea after all.

  “Maybe it would be good for me to be seen with other men. Maybe then she would understand that there will be nothing between the two of us and leave us both alone.”

  “That’s what I was thinking,” he said, but somehow the scheme just didn’t seem quite as agreeable as before.

  The thought of her being with one of his friends made him wince. How could he look at the two of them together without remembering how it felt to be in Sarah’s arms? How could he look at Sarah without thinking even the slightest nod in his direction would have him back in her bed, as long as there were no commitments, no promises.

  She looked damn good standing here, her blue eyes sparking with indignation, her blond hair pulled up off her delicate neck. He wouldn’t hesitate at an opportunity to kiss her succulent lips. Hell, he wouldn’t hesitate at an opportunity to share her bed again.

  “Okay, I’m willing to try this idea of yours just so she will leave me alone. You line up the men, and I’ll agree to have dinner with them, be seen with them,” Sarah said “I’m willing to try this at least once.”

  Tucker stared at her a moment, thoughts racing through his mind. How could he back out of this plan? How could he admit to her that he didn’t want to see her with other men? He couldn’t.

  “I’ve already got the first one in mind. I’ll contact him and see if he’s interested,” Tucker agreed ignoring the apprehension he felt at her seeing other men. This was what he wanted. Right? He couldn’t back out now.

  “All right. In the meantime, what do you want me to do with the veil?” she asked.

  “Keep it.”

  “The veil is your mother’s. I’ll return it to her when I go to see Rose. That way I can tell her to her face just how her plan isn’t going to work.”

  Tucker picked it up and looked at the pearl headdress. “I’m surprised she didn’t send you the entire dress.”

  “Maybe we were never the same size,” Sarah acknowledged.

  Tucker couldn’t help but glance over Sarah’s body. No, he doubted very seriously if his short, plump mother had ever had as many curves as Sarah, or was ever built to make a man dream about running his hands over her generous breasts and small waist.

  The urge to wrap her in his arms and let his fingers glide across her velvety skin engulfed him. He wanted to feel her naked flesh beneath his fingertips, caress her satin skin and explore her body just like he had done before.

  He took a deep breath and tried to bring his mind back to the present Back from the memory of Sarah to the realization he was going to give her to another man. “You’re probably right.”

  “Well, I’m on my way to the clinic and just wanted to show you the latest matchmaking shenanigan your mother has pulled and tell you, I had changed my mind.”

  He put the veil back into the tin box and replaced the lid on the container and handed it back to Sarah. “I never thought she’d go this far.”

  Sarah sighed. “I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if she tries something else.”

  “Oh, no. This is her last matchmaking shenanigan.

  She started walking toward the door, and the urge to stop her and take her in his arms and kiss her full red lips almost overcame him. But instead he walked alongside her to the open portal.

  At the door he stood there and gazed down into her eyes, which reminded him of a warm spring sky. Unable to resist touching her, he reached out and laid his hand on her arm, his fingertips tingling.

  Sarah stopped and gazed up at him expectantly, eyes warm and questioning, and he wanted to lose himself in her gaze.

  “I . . . I’m sorry that this has interfered with your homecoming,” he said, watching as her tongue nervously flicked across her bottom lip. Not really caring what he said as long as she stayed for just a moment longer.

  She shrugged. “It’s not your fault. Well, I guess I better get down to Doc Wilson’s and see what’s going on there.”

  “I’ll come by later and let you know if the man I have in mind is willing.”

  Tucker had to go through with this plan; he had no choice now. He was the one who had suggested this damn scheme, and now he would be for
ced to endure it. But it was the right thing to do, he kept telling himself. His mother would leave them both alone, and maybe, just maybe, Sarah would find a man who would keep her in Fort Worth. He needed her to stay, for the town’s sake, but did he really want her to find another man?

  “That’s fine.” She stepped out of his office and walked across the hall and out the front door.

  Tucker watched her go, his mind full of images of how her skin had glowed in the moonlight, the thrust of her naked breasts and the taste of her lips.

  Was he crazy to hand her over to another man? Or just crazy for torturing himself with the memory of the feel of her in his arms?

  ***

  Sarah walked into the clinic and saw a young red- haired woman standing at the door.

  “Yes, can I help you?” she asked.

  “Mrs. James, I heard you were sitting in for Doc Wilson...and I...I thought that maybe you being a woman doctor, that you could help me.”

  She glanced at the woman, who was so nervously standing at the doorway. She tried to put her at ease. “Come in, Mrs . . . ?”

  “It don’t matter what my name is. I just wanted to see if you could help me.”

  Sarah tried to reassure the pretty young woman whose green eyes barely met her own. “There’s no one else here but me and you. Come on in and we can talk about whatever is bothering you.”

  “I work down at the Silver Slipper. I’m...I’m a calico queen, Dr. James,” she informed Sarah.

  “You’re also a woman who needs a doctor. I’m a physician,” Sarah said slowly. “Now, how can I help you?” The woman sighed and stepped into the office, shutting the door behind her. “You don’t mind me coming to see you?”

  “Not at all,” Sarah said warmly.

  “Well...I keep having this problem.”

  For the next several minutes Sarah listened to the woman describe her symptoms, knowing immediately that what she was describing sounded like a fungus. “What is it, Doc?”

  “I don’t think it’s serious, but I would like to take a look at it Why don’t you go into that curtained-off area, remove your pantaloons, wrap a sheet around you, and then I’ll come in and take a look at it”