Good women like Sarah normally expected a marriage proposal the next morning. Most women would expect him to be over there promising them the world. While Tucker admitted they had been good together, he wasn’t ready to send out the wedding announcements. But if marriage wasn’t the reason Sarah had been with Tucker, why had she risked her reputation to have sex with him?
What was in it for her besides the pleasure? And could this be the reason for her tears?
Puzzled, he continued walking, trying to figure out what made a woman like Sarah function. She was different from any woman he had ever met, which was probably why they were still friends after all these years.
Yesterday had been more fun than he could ever remember having with a woman. But then again, he always seemed to enjoy spending time with Sarah. With Sarah he could let down his guard. He could play. And yesterday he’d played like a kid once again.
So what had happened while they were having great sex? Why had she suddenly reacted so negatively? He recalled their conversation and went over it word for word for the thousandth time. What had he said that upset her so?
He thought he’d given her a compliment, when he’d said she was the best. He had tried to put his pleasure into words, but somehow his language didn’t express how he’d really felt. But then, he’d never been good at expressing his feelings, and Sarah knew that.
There was no other way to find out what was troubling her than to see her. He walked the last few steps to the doctor’s door and pushed it open. The bell tinkling above announced his arrival.
She was standing at the window, watching him from the street. As he entered the door, she turned and glanced at him. Her eyes appeared dull and lifeless. There were dark circles beneath them.
“Good morning,” he said, trying to judge her mood.
“Good morning,” she replied, her tone brisk and all business.
“I trust you slept well,” he said, taking his hat off and twirling it in his hands nervously.
“Fine.”
There was an awkward silence that seemed to stretch into forever as he tried to think of anything to say that would give him a clue as to what he had done wrong.
“Did you break something after I left last night?” he asked. “I heard a crash, and came running back to check on you; but the door was locked.”
She shrugged and then smiled, the emotion not quite reaching her eyes, which weren’t the vibrant blue of yesterday.
“I broke a vase.” She turned her attention back to the window, dismissing him.
She would hardly look at him, and when she did it was almost as if she looked right through him. The passionate woman from the night before was gone. And his fear that her reaction would be for them to marry appeared totally wrong. Even though he should be feeling relieved that she didn’t insist on marriage this morning, he felt oddly insulted.
“Are you mad at me about last night, Sarah?” The words were out. He had to know.
She walked from the window and picked up a stethoscope lying on the desk, polishing the metal. “No. If you’re worried I would be expecting promises this morning, you’re in the clear. You’re still free to wander the countryside with no ties or commitments.”
“Then, what’s wrong? I can tell something is different between us.”
Her eyes would hardly meet his. Finally she glanced up at him. “I don’t think we need to repeat what we did last night, knowing how we both feel regarding a permanent commitment. I thought I could just have sex with you, but I can’t.”
“Oh. I was kind of hoping ...” He cleared his throat. “I enjoyed last night and was hoping that we could ... we could maybe do it again?”
Her head jerked up, and her eyes appeared to flash with annoyance. “Why? Because the sex was good? You found a good woman who doesn’t expect anything from you, so why not visit between her sheets on a regular basis?”
He ran his hand through his hair nervously. Yes, the sex had been great, but he also had enjoyed being with her yesterday. And he certainly didn’t regret being with her last night. “Yes, the sex was good. Why not? You’re my friend and I like spending time with you.”
She bristled as if he had insulted her, but he didn’t mean it that way. He was torn. Sarah represented everything he had never wanted, yet he wanted her. He wanted both Sarah and his freedom. And after last night he had been hoping that maybe he could have Sarah without a commitment. But if he wasn’t careful, he was going to lose both the woman and her friendship.
“Like you said, last night was the best. I think we should leave it at that,” she said, her voice tightening. “We both know that you don’t want forever, and I’m not willing to be your mistress.”
“Sarah.” His voice was wistful. She was right, he knew it, and yet he didn’t want what they had discovered to end. He didn’t know what he wanted anymore. He was about to take a new job. He would be gone, and he certainly didn’t need a woman, any woman, attached to him. But this was Sarah.
He twirled his hat in his hand. An awkward silence filled the room. She began to pick up things, tidying the room as if he weren’t even there. And he got the distinct feeling she didn’t want him here.
“I guess I better go. Tell Lucas I said hello,” he said, not wanting to leave her, knowing she was upset.
From outside, the sound of gunshots blasting in the street sent him scurrying to the window.
“What is it?” Sarah asked, following closely behind him.
He looked out and saw a single man on horseback riding through the streets, firing his pistol in the air as people scurried to get into a building off of the street.
The man was laughing as he sent people running for cover.
Tucker opened the door, once again mindful of his job. Sarah ran out behind him.
“Get back inside,” he said, motioning with his hand.
“Oh, my God,” Sarah said, her hand going to her mouth, clearly ignoring his command.
Tucker glanced up straight into the eyes of Kid Lansky, the only man to ever outgun him. The man who had almost killed him in Tombstone.
“Well, well, well.” The man leaned over the saddle horn of his horse. “Look who’s the marshal, and if it ain’t the doctor. Looks like we’re going to have us a reunion.”
Chapter Twelve
Tucker laid his hand on the handle of his short-barrel Colt Peacemaker .45. “Get back inside, Sarah.”
“No ” she said, the tone of her voice emphatic.
Damn! Of all times for Sarah to suddenly show she could be not only stubborn, but completely disagreeable. He stepped in between Sarah and the Kid, his eyes never wavering from the gunfighter’s face as he tried to shield her with his body.
Though the man sat casually on horseback, his hands were not far from his own guns, his appearance relaxed yet alert.
“Marshal Tucker, you ain’t being very friendly. I thought you’d be glad to see an old friend.”
People walked up and down the street, staring at the two men and the scene playing out before them. Tucker focused on the gunfighter who sat before him.
“You’re not my friend,” Tucker said, his voice deep and rough. His blood pounded fiercely through his veins.
“You’re wrong, Tucker. We were friends right up until the day I shot you in Tombstone. You’ve never gotten over the fact that I outdrew you that day,” he said, tossing back his head, his jet-black hair peeking from beneath the wide brim of his stained cowboy hat.
Tucker stared at the man hard. The years had not been kind, and the evidence of his hard living lined the outlaw’s rugged face.
“I don’t draw on my friends.” Tucker wiped his hands on his pants and flexed his fingers.
The gunfighter laughed, his voice mocking, his eyes dark and cold.
“Why are you here?” Tucker asked bluntly. “I know it’s not our friendship that brought you to town.”
“Got a job, Tucker. Right here in your little piece of the world,” he said, shifting in the sad
dle, causing it to creak.
Tucker frowned, not happy with this news at all. “Doing what?”
“That’s my business, not yours.” The gunfighter sent Tucker a knowing smirk. His clothes wore the dirt of a man who had ridden hard and fast to reach his destination.
“Since I’m the marshal, I’m making it my business. Whatever it is, Lansky, I don’t want to see you in town. The sooner you leave, the longer you’ll live.” The gun handle felt smooth beneath his touch as he let his fingers glide over the cool metal.
“Ooh, is that a threat, Marshal?”
“I don’t make threats.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong, so I’ll stay as long as I like.”
Tucker shrugged. “Go ahead, but I’ll be watching your every move. You won’t be able to take a breath without me telling you you don’t know how to inhale.”
“I don’t mind,” Lansky said, leaning even closer, dropping his voice. “Might even give me the opportunity to show you you’re still too slow.”
The man was trying to bait him into pulling his gun, but it wouldn’t work. He would never get into a draw with Lansky as long as Sarah stood at his side. Tucker stared at the gunslinger for a long moment. “That’s just a chance I’ll have to take. This is my town, and no one comes in here and threatens me or the people who live here.”
“I didn’t threaten,” Lansky replied, his irritation slipping into his clipped words.
“You didn’t have to,” Tucker said. “Just your being here is a threat to the people in my town.”
The man grinned and shrugged, his hands not far from his guns. “That’s a chance you’ll have to take. I’m here to stay until the job is done.” He paused and glanced over at Sarah, his eyes giving her a quick perusal. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Doc. You’re looking good, real nice. Heard you had a son.”
Sarah glared at the gunfighter and stepped from behind Tucker. “Who told you about my boy?”
He smiled and leaned back on his horse. “Just heard it from a friend. You might even know him. Wo Chan.”
Tucker heard Sarah’s deep intake of air. It wasn’t quite a gasp, but enough that he knew the words had frightened her. He resisted the urge to glance at Sarah. He didn’t dare take his eyes off the gunfighter. Not while the gunfighter’s hands were within easy reach of his Starr Army revolvers.
“He’s who you’re working for,” she concluded. The gunfighter shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Why did he hire you?” she asked, her voice startled.
“He wanted a fast gun and a man who had beaten the marshal here.” Lansky grinned. “I’m both.” Tucker had an uneasy feeling in his midsection.
Lansky was here to kill him. And unfortunately, he had ridden into town without Tucker even knowing he was here, until he had made his presence known by shooting off his firearm.
God, Tucker felt like an idiot. He had become too laid back in his job, and that could only get him killed. He was too obsessed with Sarah.
The thought completely stunned him, and he had to force himself to pay attention.
“You may have shot me the first time, but you’re older and you’re naturally slower. There’s no guarantee that you won’t die this time,” Tucker said calmly.
“No, there’s not. That’s just one of the hazards of the job. But I’m not afraid. I almost killed you that first time. If not for the good doctor here, you would have died.”
Tucker shrugged. “You’re right. But you’re not the first gunslinger to ride in here and think that I’m sitting in a rocking chair. When you think you want to meet me in the street, set the time and place.”
“Whoa!” the gunslinger said, leaning away from Tucker, his hands still close to his sides. “You may be anxious to die; but I have a job I’ve been hired to do, and I aim to get it done before I leave town.”
“Just what has Wo Chan hired you to do?” Sarah asked. Her voice brooked no argument. “It’s obvious you want us to know.”
He grinned at her. “I always thought you were a smart lady. And you’re right, I want you to know what I’m here for.”
“Just spit it out, Lansky. You’ve played your games long enough,” Tucker said, wishing he could just go ahead and draw on the man now and get it over with. But Sarah was beside him, and he wouldn’t risk her life.
The Kid laughed. “Though it’s been fun chatting with the two of you, I think you know why I’m here.”
Tucker didn’t reply, but just stared, determined to outwait the man. Horses clopped down the street, and people continued on unaware a shooting could erupt any moment.
“Mr. Chan hired me because one of his girls is missing. A pretty little Chinese whore about sixteen years old. She was one of his favorites. Earned him a lot of money, and he thinks that maybe the doctor here had something to do with her disappearance.”
“You’re wasting your time. You can go back and tell Mr. Chan that nothing’s changed since the last time he visited my office regarding that young girl,” Sarah said. “I still don’t know where she is.”
Wo Chan had gone to Sarah’s office more than the one time she had told him about? When? Why hadn’t Sarah said anything? Damn! How was he supposed to protect her if she didn’t confide in him and tell him when the man was bothering her?
“What about you, Tucker?” Lansky asked.
The man was not stupid, and something in Tucker’s face must have come to his attention. “I haven’t seen the girl since she disappeared.”
The gunfighter smiled. “Well, I just thought I would mention it to the two of you. Let you know that I’m in town for a short visit and some quick cash. I will find the girl.”
“Let us know when you do. I’ve been worried about her,” Sarah said, with a relaxed shrug. “In the meantime, we need to get going, Tucker, if we’re going to check on Rose.”
Tucker frowned. They weren’t going to the ranch today. What in the hell was she talking about?
“Lansky, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll be gone by sundown.”
“I’ll still be here long after dark.”
“I just bet you will.”
Tucker waited until Lansky pulled the reins on his horse, heading the animal down the street at a slow, leisurely pace, as though this was his town, his place.
Damn, but Tucker didn’t need this complication. Not now! Not with Sarah involved.
***
Sarah watched as Tucker drove the wagon around to the front of the building, past the mercantile, the bank and the cafe. The urge to take her reticule and bounce it off his skull was strong, but she resisted. Violence of any kind never solved problems, but sometimes it was tempting just to get his attention. Just to see if he would notice there was a problem.
He had practically issued the challenge himself while he was standing there talking to Kid Lansky. He must have some sadistic death wish to continue to put himself at risk by taking chances. Did he think that she could piece him back together again and again? That he was invincible?
He pulled the wagon to a halt in front of her, and before he could help her, she climbed in and plopped down on the hard bench. She deliberately ignored him as she gazed at the people bustling down the street, oblivious that the marshal was a fool.
With a flip of the reins, the wagon began to roll down the street. Dust kicked up by the animals’ hooves floated behind the horses. Sarah grabbed on to the side to keep from falling out as Tucker snapped the reins and urged the horses to a faster clip, the wheels taking them closer to the edge of town.
Finally, he turned and gave her a questioning look. “I didn’t know you were going to the ranch today.”
“I wasn’t going to tell you. I must check on Rose,” she said, her voice short and clipped.
“So what changed your mind about asking me to go? Our little run-in with Lansky?” he questioned.
The frustration and anger that had simmered just beneath the surface since last night, when he had openly admitted they were good bed partners
, but never acknowledged it could be anything more, exploded. She faced him, the air in her lungs rushing out in a hissing sound.
“Do you want to die? I was afraid to leave you in town with Lansky for fear I’d come back to a corpse,” she said, venting her anger.
He laughed, the sound of his voice loud and confidant, irritating Sarah even more. Death wasn’t funny, and neither was a man who couldn’t face his feelings or admit that something more existed between them than sex.
“Oh, Sarah, I thought after last night, I was just another pretty face, but you really do care about me.”
Why did she get the feeling he was deliberately pushing her away, putting as much distance as he could between the two of them. And why did comments like that hurt so much?
“Damn you, Tucker Burnett. I’ve already patched up your sorry hide once. Next time you may not be as lucky.”
He smiled, and she wanted to swipe it from his face.
“I don’t want to die; but I’m the law, and I know his kind. He’s not welcome in my town. The sooner he leaves, the better.”
“Understood, but what were you thinking? You practically issued him a challenge,” she said, her voice rising, while he appeared so calm, so collected.
“Don’t be so dramatic, Doc. We haven’t met yet,” Tucker said, frowning for the first time.
“Tucker, you’ve as much as admitted to me that you enjoy meeting gunslingers. This is just another chance for you to continue living out your past. You still haven’t given up the danger, the excitement. I watched you while you spoke with Lansky, and you were intrigued. I could see the challenge reflected in your eyes, your stance. You were excited.”
He glanced over at her, an irritated expression on his face. “Yes, I’m a man! This is my job. No one gets away with disturbing the peace in my town. But especially not Kid Lansky.”
“Is it worth dying over, Tucker?” she asked.
“If it’s my time, then yes, I’ll die. But I’ll die doing my job, protecting the town,” he said.
“Your pride is not involved in this at all, then. You’re doing this strictly for the town and not to avenge the fact that he almost killed you three years ago?” she said, knowing the answer before he uttered a word.
The Marshal Takes A Bride Page 17
