“Damn, Sarah, you almost sound cold,” he said, confused by her obvious disregard of their relationship.
Her words left him stunned. She had wanted to marry him? But he wasn’t the marrying kind. She knew that. And what could he offer the doctor?
“You know you don’t know what you want.” She raised her brows. “Now you’re upset that I’m not joining with your mother to force you into marriage. Would you rather I lie and tell you that I want you desperately. I can’t live without you?”
“No, but what about that time in Tombstone?”
She glanced at him looking as if she wished she could pick something up and throw it at him.
“Tombstone was special. But you left without saying good-bye, without so much as a ‘so long’. I woke up to an empty bed and a night filled with memories. It meant very little to you if you could walk away so easily.”
He stared at her, stunned that she had expected more from him that night. He had only left in the middle of the night to avoid the awkwardness of having to face her in the morning.
“I couldn’t stay.”
Sarah was unique. She wasn’t like the other women he had known. She was his friend, someone he had known for years, and they had crossed a line they never should have gone over.
The two-story white ranch house where Tucker had spent his entire life came into view.
“I think it’s for the best if we drop this subject for now. I don’t think that either one of us wants to give your mother any more ammunition than she already has to try to bring us together,” she said, her voice very polite.
He glanced over at her and nodded. “You’re right, but we’re not through discussing this.”
“Maybe so,” Sarah said, as the wagon pulled to a halt. “But that was three years ago, and this is today.”
***
Sarah couldn’t believe the conversation that she’d had with Tucker on the way out to the ranch. Part of her had wanted to laugh, and part of her had wanted to rail at him. Was he so blind that he couldn’t see that she still cared for him? Was he so afraid of commitment that he couldn’t acknowledge the attraction they both were feeling? And he was feeling the magnetism, because she saw it in his eyes, in the way he watched her. She felt it in his touch.
Tucker came around to the side of the wagon and put his hands on Sarah’s waist and lifted her to the ground. He reached up for a sleepy Lucas and handed the boy to Sarah.
“What a nice surprise,” Eugenia called from the porch that ran along the front of the house. Sarah could see the woman’s mind filling with all kinds of thoughts regarding her and Tucker.
“Tucker was coming out today, and I rode along to check on Rose,” Sarah said, climbing the porch beside Tucker. Kira following along behind.
Sarah turned and introduced the girl. “This is Kira. I’ll let Tucker explain the situation to you.”
Eugenia raised her brow and then smiled at Kira. “Welcome to the Bar None.”
The young girl tried to smile, though her face was swollen.
“And this must be Lucas,” Eugenia said, reaching out and touching the child Sarah held in her arms.
The fear that Eugenia would recognize Lucas as her grandson seized Sarah as the older woman stroked Lucas’s face. It was all she could do to keep from yanking the boy away from Eugenia. Would Tucker’s mother recognize her son in Lucas’s features? Would she know he was her grandson?
“You look so much like your mother,” Eugenia said, as she patted him on the arm. “Come in out of this cold air. I bet Cook has some cookies hidden somewhere.”
Sarah almost sighed with relief.
“Cookie!” the child demanded.
“Yes. I’m so glad you all are here,” Eugenia cried excitedly. “Rose is upstairs lying down. She’s been so tired lately that she usually naps in the afternoon.”
“That’s good,” Sarah said.
“Come into the house and let me fix everyone something warm to drink to take the chill away,” Eugenia said, heading toward the door of the house.
Tucker touched Sarah’s elbow and guided her through the front door and into the parlor. The feel of his fingers lightly pressing against her skin left her warm and tingly. He seemed to want to touch her whenever he was close, and the feel of his skin against hers always reminded her of the way his naked flesh had felt against her own. It was a sensation that had lingered in her memory, like a warm bath on a chilly evening.
God, she didn’t need these thoughts now, not even when she was alone. He obviously was drawn to her, but didn’t want her on a permanent basis. Just another quick tumble, another baby and then he would be on his way.
“Would you care for coffee or hot tea?” Eugenia asked, bringing Sarah back to the present.
“Thank you, I think a cup of hot tea,” she replied, watching as Tucker nervously paced the parlor while Lucas explored his new surroundings.
“I’ll be back,” Eugenia said, and Kira followed her into the kitchen.
Tucker glanced at Sarah and leaned against the wall, a smile on his face. “Should I tell her we’re engaged, just to stir things up?”
“You do and I promise you’ll be limping back to town,” Sarah threatened He laughed the sound of his voice settling over her nerves like a warm balm.
“We’re trying to help her realize that we’re never going to marry, not give her more reasons to think there’s a chance. Please, Tucker, behave.”
He shrugged “I was only teasing.”
Travis came in the front door, shivering, and walked into the parlor where they were all gathered “Hey, Tucker, I thought that was you.”
He glanced over at Sarah and Lucas. “Hello, Sarah, it’s good to see you. Nice-looking boy.”
“Thank you. He’s pretty special. I hear you and Rose have a baby on the way,” she said
“We’re very excited but I’ll be glad when it’s all over with,” Travis acknowledged “I guess you came out to see Rose.”
“Yes, I wanted to check on her and make sure everything’s going okay. I didn’t want to wait until you needed me,” Sarah said
“Rose is resting right now,” Travis said “But after Tucker and I run out to the bam, maybe she’ll be up. I want to show Tucker the new foal born two days ago.”
Tucker glanced at Sarah. “Is it okay if I leave you alone with Mother?”
She smiled “Go ahead. Actually, that would be good. I’ll talk to her, and then I can go up and see Rose. Take your time.”
“Are you sure?” Tucker asked.
“Positive. Now go.”
Tucker followed his older brother out the door, leaving Sarah alone waiting for Eugenia to return. It wasn’t long before their hostess hurried back into the parlor, her arms laden with a tray that held a teapot and several cups.
She set the tray down on a table and then turned her attention to the child.
“Lucas?” she called. “I brought you an oatmeal cookie. Does he like oatmeal?” she asked. “They’re Tucker’s favorite, so I try to have some baked when I know he’s coming.”
“Lucas likes them well enough,” Sarah replied hesitantly, knowing it was her son’s favorite cookie, but not about to share that information with his grandmother.
The boy saw the cookie in Eugenia’s hand and danced excitedly. “Cookie, Momma, cookie.”
“Yes, son, you may have the cookie.”
The child took the sweet from Eugenia and smiled at the older woman.
“He’s so adorable. He reminds me of when my sons were small. Toddlers are so cute at this age.” Sarah felt her heart race with panic. Surely the woman couldn’t tell anything just by looking at Lucas. The urge to pick up the child and run was strong within her, but she took a deep breath and tried to relax. What could the woman do?
Sarah cleared her throat, anxious to change the subject. She picked up the tin box and handed it to Tucker’s mother. “Eugenia, I am returning your package to you. I cannot accept your gift.”
“Why e
ver not?” the woman asked, as she poured the tea into the cups.
“Because I have no intention of marrying your son. And if there was even the slightest possibility of us ever getting together, you are pushing him away by your constant interfering.”
“But that’s why I’m contacting you, dear, not Tucker. I think he’s always had a crush on you, though he knew you wanted to go away to that fancy school, so he let you go. But now you’re back, you’re a doctor, you have a son, and I’m sure you must want to settle down.”
Sarah couldn’t believe this woman. “Eugenia, I’m going to ask you to quit trying to force us together. He’s a man who wants to travel. He doesn’t want to settle down and have a family. I have Lucas, and I must look out for his best interests.”
“Oh, pooh, dear. You and I both know that Tucker is no more a traveling man than either one of his brothers. He’s just being stubborn, and he thinks roaming the countryside is what he wants to do. It’s up to you to show him that’s not what he really wants or needs.”
“Me?” Sarah asked, surprised.
“You’re the only one who can, dear. Haven’t you been listening? Tucker has had a crush on you for years. I’ve watched the way his eyes change and glow at the mention of your name. Today, the first thing I noticed was how different he is when he’s around you. He’s happier, more settled. And, Lord, when he looks at you, I blush to think of my son’s thoughts.”
Sarah sat stunned at her words. Was it that obvious? Seldom in Sarah’s life had she been speechless, but for just a moment she was.
“Mothers know these kinds of things, dear, just like you’ll know who Lucas is attracted to long before he does and even longer before he tells you.”
Sarah considered her words. “If it’s true about Tucker not really being a man who likes to roam, then he will have to discover that on his own. I can’t help him make that realization.”
Eugenia thought for a moment, her head tilted to the side. “That’s a very astute observation. I think that’s true. But you, dear, are the catalyst to set him in motion. I would wager that even now his thoughts are centered on you. He isn’t ready to declare himself or set the wheels of matrimony in motion just yet. He’s fighting his attraction to you with all the strength the Burnett boys are known for.”
“Oh, please, Eugenia. Why am I listening to you? Tucker doesn’t want to be with me; he proved that years ago.” Sarah stood and began to pace around the parlor. “If what you’re saying is true, then why in the world would he be introducing me to other men while I’m here? Why wouldn’t he be pursuing me himself?”
“Like I said, dear, just part of the Burnett boys’ resistance to getting entangled. Why do you think I’ve resorted to matchmaking? If I’d waited for any of my sons to succumb to marriage, they would still be single, and I’d be no closer to becoming a grandmother.”
“What if I’m not interested in him? Have you considered that I might not want to marry your son?”
“Yes, I considered it. But our meeting the other day convinced me that you are very interested in my son. So much, in fact, that I sent you my veil.”
“I’m not going to marry Tucker, Eugenia. I’ve returned your veil, and when I leave town, I want you to remember we had this conversation. Plus, I plan on taking advantage of Tucker’s idea of seeing other men while I’m here.”
Eugenia only smiled and sipped her tea. “Go right ahead, dear. I think it would be good for Tucker to see you with other men. I think it’s a great plan to push him closer to proposing.”
Sarah stared in awe at the woman. She had never felt so frustrated in all her life. Tucker’s mother just refused to see reason. She refused to even consider that Tucker and Sarah would never be together.
“I think I hear Rose moving about upstairs, if you’d like to go up and see her,” Eugenia volunteered. “I’ll watch Lucas if you want to leave him here with me.”
Sarah swallowed and glanced around the room for Kira. She had gone to the kitchen with Eugenia and never returned, leaving Lucas alone with Eugenia and Sarah. How could Sarah refuse Tucker’s mother? Yet she was nervous with Lucas and Eugenia in the same room. God, she didn’t need her to find out about her grandson, or she would never give Sarah a moment of peace.
“Okay. I’ll be back down shortly,” Sarah replied, walking out of the room, determined to return as quickly as possible.
Sarah hurried up the stairs, anxious to see her patient, not wanting Eugenia to have too much time alone with Lucas.
***
Tucker came in from the bam and noticed his mother watching Lucas in the parlor.
“Hello, son,” she said. “I’m so glad you brought Sarah and Lucas out.”
“Where’s Sarah?” Tucker asked.
“She’s upstairs with Rose, and I’m playing with Lucas.”
His mother was down on the floor with the boy, and they were playing with some blocks that Tucker remembered he had played with as a child.
“Mother, why did you send Sarah that wedding veil? Wasn’t it bad enough you scared her into coming home by sending her that telegram?”
“She told you about the veil?” Eugenia asked, placing a block on top of the tower that Lucas was building.
“Of course. I’m not going to marry Sarah or any other woman, so I wish you’d just leave us alone. Fort Worth needs a doctor, and you’re going to keep bothering Sarah until she leaves and goes home. Then who is going to deliver Rose’s baby?”
“You’re exaggerating, son. Sarah is going to be with us for quite a while. I promise you this: I won’t interfere anymore as long as you bid on her basket at the church auction.”
“Why do I have to bid on her basket?”
His mother smiled at him. “Because the church needs the money, and if you up the bid, it makes Sarah feel welcome. And you need for your loving mother to quit interfering.”
Tucker groaned, wondering how it could be so easy. He had already planned on bidding for Sarah’s basket, but if this was what it would take to make his mother quit her interfering, then he could easily play her game.
“Okay, I’ll bid on her basket, but don’t expect me to buy it. And you’ve got to promise me that you won’t interfere anymore.”
“I won’t as long as you don’t tell her why you’re bidding on her basket.” His mother gazed up at him, her eyes sparkling with merriment. “You know, Tucker, in case you haven’t noticed, Sarah is not a young girl anymore. She’s turned into a beautiful woman.”
Lucas knocked the blocks down, clapping his hands in delight at the destruction. “Momma?”
“She’ll be right back, Lucas,” Eugenia told him, as she started to build yet another tower of blocks.
“I have eyes, Mother. I can see,” Tucker reminded her.
Eugenia smiled. “I just wanted to make sure.”
Oh, yes, he had noticed the moment she stepped off that stagecoach just how much motherhood seemed to suit Sarah. She was more beautiful than even he had remembered her, and he was trying his damndest to ignore the attraction he felt simmering between them. But somehow he wasn’t having much luck. And his mother was making damn sure he couldn’t deny it.
Chapter Seven
Sarah watched as Tucker carried a sleeping Lucas to the wagon. Whenever she saw the two of them together, she always got a little catch in her throat. He should know the boy was his son, should be a part of his life, yet the deception had been set in motion so long that if she were to tell Tucker the truth now, he would be angry. And deep inside she couldn’t blame him.
But she had made the decision not to tell Tucker about Lucas when she didn’t know where he had gone or how to find him. She had been alone, pregnant and frightened when she decided not to tell Tucker about his son. It was a decision she would have to live with, even though she hated the fact that it robbed Lucas of belonging to a group of people with whom he shared a common bond.
Tucker returned from securing the sleeping boy in the back of the wagon to help Sarah.
He placed his strong hands around her waist and lifted her up onto the seat as if she weighed next to nothing, then climbed up after her.
Sarah glanced behind her to make sure Lucas was safely settled and sleeping. The child lay oblivious to the world, his small body curled on a pallet she had made for him in the back of the wagon.
She returned her gaze to the porch where Eugenia stood watching their departure along with Kira, who stood gazing at her sadly.
“Kira, you’ll be safe here,” she reminded the girl. The girl nodded, her eyes downcast.
“I’ll be back to check on Rose in a week. Or if you need me sooner, let me know,” Sarah called to Mrs. Burnett.
“We will. I’ll look for the two of you at the church luncheon on Sunday,” the older woman said, as she waved good-bye.
Tucker snapped the reins and called to the horses, “Yeehaw.”
“See you,” Tucker called, as the wagon began to roll away from the family homestead.
Sarah waved and waited until they were a ways from the house before she asked her question. “What is she talking about? What luncheon?”
“Every four months the church has an auction to raise money. The women donate food they’ve prepared, and the church sells it to the highest bidder. If the woman is single, she has lunch with the person who purchased her basket. I’m surprised your grandfather hasn’t said anything to you about it.”
“He’s been busy lately. He’s probably forgotten.”
"If you want, I’ll pick you and your grandfather up. You’d see a lot of people you know.”
Sarah shrugged. “I’ll consider it.”
The last rays of the setting sun bathed the land in an orange glow as they passed through the gate of the Bar None. Tucker flicked the reins, encouraging the horses to pick up speed, and Sarah, who felt the tension of the day catching up with her, was grateful.
When she was with Tucker she always felt on guard. Soon she could relax and unwind from the long day.
“So how did the meeting with my mother go?” he asked, glancing at her quickly before returning his gaze to the trail in front of them.
Sarah shook her head. “I now understand where the men in this family get their stubbornness. You were right, Tucker. She’s convinced we are meant to be together. I don’t know if I can persuade her any differently. It was like she didn’t even hear me.”
The Marshal Takes A Bride Page 9
