“Please bring him back to me,” she said, crying.
Part of him wanted to reach out and comfort her, but part of him was so angry with her for keeping this knowledge to herself that he couldn’t touch her right now.
“Wait here,” he said. “It’ll be okay. I’ll bring him back.”
She gazed up at him. “I’m sorry, Tucker. Be careful.”
Tucker couldn’t respond. His anger was intense as he strode out the door, letting the fury flow through him. Lucas was his boy, not that of some man he had never met, but his own flesh and blood. Fear for the child shook him. Lansky, the ruthless son of a bitch, who had almost killed him, had his son!
The Chinese had several boardinghouses, a saloon, and an opium den just south of Houston and Fourteenth streets. Tucker had tried to shut the opium den down several times, only to be told to leave them alone. But not this time. This time they had crossed the line and would soon be out of business.
So many prostitutes used the opium that was readily available either at the local drugstore or from an opium den. But after today there would be one less source of the deadly opiate to supply their habit. Kidnapping a child for revenge was not something the outlaws would get away with, regardless of who the child belonged to. There were certain laws that weren’t to be broken, and this was one of them.
But the part that scared Tucker the most was that Lansky had known what he was doing when he had taken Lucas.
He knew that Tucker and Sarah were friends and that Tucker would come after him. What he hadn’t known was that when he had kidnapped Lucas, he had taken Tucker’s son. And now the knowledge the gunfighter had his child infuriated Tucker.
This feud between him and Kid Lansky would end today. No longer would he let Lansky threaten him
Yes, he was afraid. After all, the man had nearly killed him last time, but Lansky had gone too far. This time Tucker knew he had to kill the man or be killed. There was no going forward until this problem was resolved.
The three brothers stepped out of the jail and started down the street, walking in the very center so they could watch the rooftops.
People stopped and stared at the three heavily armed men as they made their way down Rusk Street, past the saloons, the cribs and shacks, and into the city’s slum district.
The wind whistled down the street, kicking up dust, a shutter banged in the distance and a dog howled his distress. At the comer of Rusk and Fourteenth Street, Tucker slowed down as he saw Lansky standing outside waiting for him.
“Looks like they’re expecting us,” Travis said, shifting his gun.
“Let me handle this,” Tucker said quietly.
“It’s your show,” Tanner said, cocking his rifle.
Kid Lansky reached through a nearby door and yanked Lucas out by the arm.
Tucker’s heart stopped. Dear God, he was going to pull the boy out into the street with them. The man had no conscience, no heart, and Tucker knew at that moment that there was no way he could meet the gunfighter if Lucas was present.
“Marshal, I thought we’d be seeing you this morning. In fact, I’m surprised it took you this long to get here. The doc must have worn you out last night for you to be this slow.” He smiled an evil grin. “It’ll be that much easier to kill you.”
Lucas started to cry and hold his arms out to Tucker. Tanner cursed beneath his breath, and Tucker steeled his expression, while his heart was slowly ripped from his chest. The child was crying, his little arms opened wide, and Tucker couldn’t go to him.
“Let the boy go, Lansky. This is between you and me.”
“Why should I? If I let him go, then you’ll turn yellow and refuse to meet me again.”
“No, I’ll meet you in the street. I’m anxious to put this behind us. I’ll make a deal with you and the Chinaman. If you kill me, you get to live, you have Kira and the Chinaman’s business will remain open.” He paused. “But if I kill you, the Chinaman loses everything. Do you hear me, Wo Chan? The business, Kira, everything. And you’ll spend as many days as I can get you in jail.”
“It’s not good enough,” Lansky said. “I’m not handing the boy over to you.”
Tucker took a deep breath. “Why?”
“Because I know the doctor and the boy mean a lot to you.”
Tucker felt hot and flushed and nervous and more scared than he had ever been before. It was up to Tucker to save them. Could he outgun Lansky this time?
“Just let me shoot him,” Tanner whispered. “I can get him.”
“No,” Tucker said to his brother. “I have to end this, but if I die, kill him.”
Travis swore.
“It’s a deal, Lansky, if you’ll let Kira take Lucas back inside. I don’t want him watching this.”
Tucker was not about to let his son witness his death if that was how it ended. He didn’t want the boy’s only memory of his father to be of him lying in the street with blood oozing from a bullet wound.
Lansky laughed. “We’ll make that your last request. And when you’re gone, I’ll have the doctor, the city and everything else of yours that I can find. But before I kill you, have your brothers drop their weapons in the street and walk away.”
“No,” Travis shouted at Lansky. “We’re not leaving.”
Kira had just about reached Lucas when Lansky grabbed the boy by the arm and yanked him back in front of him. He pointed his gun toward the child’s head, but out of the boy’s sight
Tucker held his breath, fear paralyzing him.
“Don’t do this, Lansky. You’ll be dead by the time the gun goes off. My brothers will do as you say,” Tucker promised.
Travis and Tanner threw their rifles in the street.
“Holsters, too,” Lansky yelled.
Reluctantly they unbuckled their gun belts. Lansky laughed as they hit the dirt
Tucker twisted toward Tanner and Travis, not completely turning his back on Lansky. “Take care of yourselves. Get behind a building, because if he kills me, he’s going to go gunning for you. Promise me if anything happens, you’ll get Lucas free and protect Sarah.”
“Damn it, Tucker, I don’t like this one bit,” Tanner replied. “I can kill him.”
“I know you can. But would you have liked it if I had killed Sam Bass?” Tucker asked.
Tanner shook his head. “Okay. I promise that your son and Sarah will be taken care of. But I guarantee Lansky is not leaving this street alive.”
“You know I’ll take care of them.” Travis glanced at his youngest brother. “Be careful. You’ve got the fastest arm of anyone I know, and if anyone can kill this joker, it’s you. So I expect to see you walking away.”
“Thanks, Travis. Now get out of here.”
The two brothers looked long and hard at each other.
“Be careful,” Travis said, and walked up the street.
“Okay, Marshal, it’s just you and me,” Lansky cried.
A quick glance confirmed the streets had emptied and Kira had taken Lucas back inside. Tucker started walking toward Lansky, trying not to think about what was at stake, concentrating on his draw, picturing the gun smoothly leaving his holster.
They met up in the street “Well, Marshal Burnett, this is it. Hope you’re prepared to meet your Maker today.”
Tucker nodded. “Let’s do it.”
He widened his stance, his hands out to the side, flexing his fingers. The familiar movements started to come back in a rhythm. He watched Lansky’s eyes, and when the man’s pupils widened, he knew.
Tucker yanked his pistol out of his holster, fired, spun to the right and fired again. Lansky’s first bullet whined by his head so close, he felt as if it parted his hair. The second one went through his shirtsleeve, ripping the material, but missing the flesh.
Tucker started to shake. He was still alive. His knees felt weak, and he gazed down the street The Kid was lying in the dirt, blood pouring from his chest.
Tucker ran to him and kicked his gun away from his hand. He knelt
down beside the gunfighter. Blood gurgled each time he took a breath, and Tucker knew he was dying.
Lansky gazed up at Tucker. “I guess—we’re even— Marshal.”
He closed his eyes, sighed and never took another breath.
For a moment Tucker remained kneeling by the man’s side, trying to collect himself. It was over.
The sound of a second gunshot had him jumping to his feet and spinning around as he yanked his six- shooter from his holster. His brother Tanner stood with a smoking gun in his hand. Tucker turned and saw that Wo Chan lay dead in the street a pistol in his hand.
“He was going to shoot you in the back. I guess he didn’t know Travis and I were right around the comer.”
Tucker shook his head. “Thanks, saves me from having to haul him off to jail. Now I’m going to collect my son.”
Chapter Seventeen
Tucker went inside the opium den where Kira was holding Lucas. As soon as the child saw him, he held out his tiny arms, crying. It wouldn’t have mattered that the boy was his son; his heart would have melted at the sight of any child in this situation. But the fact that this child was his boy left his heart aching, and he had to swallow the lump that suddenly rose up in his throat.
“Momma,” Lucas cried, tears running down his cheeks. “I want Momma.”
Tucker picked him up and held him in his arms, hugging his small frame securely. He blinked away the moisture that was gathering in his own eyes. “It’s over, boy. You’re safe. I’ll take you to your momma.”
Tucker glanced at Kira. “You okay?”
She nodded, watching him with Lucas.
“Thanks, Kira. You’re free,” Tucker informed her.
“I watch over Mrs. Sarah’s child. I sorry this happen,” she said with a small bow.
“It’s okay,” Tucker said, his hand caressing the small of Lucas’s back. The child clung to him, his tiny arms wrapped around Tucker’s neck, his legs grasping his waist, his crying now small hiccups. “I’ve got to get him to Sarah. She’s worried sick.”
Kira nodded. “Okay. I come see her later.”
Tucker walked out the door with Lucas still in his arms. “You were a brave boy. Now let’s get you back to your momma.”
“Momma! I want Momma!” Lucas said with a hiccupping sob.
Tucker’s brothers fell into step as they walked back up the street where only minutes before he had faced the biggest crisis of his life and won.
He had killed the man who had tried to kill him, not once, but twice, and who had kidnapped his son. And he felt no remorse, only relief it was over.
“Is the boy okay?” Travis asked.
“I think so. We’ll let his momma check him out.” Lucas raised his head and looked at Tucker. “Bad man. Bad man scary.”
“It’s over, son. He won’t ever bother you again,” Tucker reassured the boy.
Lucas laid his head down on Tucker’s shoulder as if he believed and trusted him. The gesture filled him with so many emotions at once, leaving him overwhelmed. Funny, how the days went along with nothing happening, and then suddenly, in one short span, his entire life changed and left him reeling in shock. Today was that day.
Tanner opened the door, and they walked into the county jail. He had hurried, knowing Sarah worried.
“Good shootin’, Marshal!” one of his deputies exclaimed. If he knew, Sarah must know Lansky was dead. Probably the news of what had happened on Rusk Street was all over town by now.
Tucker opened the door to his office, and Sarah stopped her pacing. At the sight of Lucas, she ran to Tucker, tears streaming down her face.
“Momma!” Lucas cried.
“Baby, oh, baby! Are you all right?”
Lucas launched himself into her arms. She held him tightly, rocking the child, sobbing. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you.”
“Bad man, Momma. Bad man, hurt Papaw.”
“I’m fine, boy. I’m right here,” Kincaid said, as he ruffled his grandson’s hair.
“Are you okay, honey?” Sarah asked, checking him while holding him close.
“I think he’s just scared, Sarah. I don’t think he’s hurt physically,” Tucker said, his voice choking as he watched their reunion.
He had never given much thought to how much a child depended on its mother or father. Suddenly he was very aware of how dependent a child was on its parents from the time it was an infant.
“I was big boy, Momma,” Lucas exclaimed. “I cried for you. Tuck went pow pow.”
“Oh, son, you’re my brave little boy,” Sarah said tearfully.
She glanced up at Tucker, the tears glistening on her blue eyes. “Thank you. Thank you for saving him. Did you ki—”
“He won’t be bothering anyone anymore.”
“Thank you,” she repeated, staring at him.
“You’re welcome. I don’t particularly enjoy that part of this job, but I do what I have to.”
She nodded. “I want to get Lucas home and back into familiar surroundings. I know we need to talk, but I can’t. Not now.”
Tucker ran his hand through his hair. She was right; now was not the time. He was exhausted, he wasn’t thinking straight and certainly she couldn’t be thinking very clearly, either.
“We’ll talk another time—soon.”
He watched as she relaxed visibly, and he knew she had thought that he was going to force the issue; but he wasn’t ready. Since Lucas was his son, perhaps he needed to rethink his plans.
“Thanks, Tucker. Thanks for bringing Lucas home safe.” She glanced at her grandfather. “Come on, I want to go home.”
Mr. Kincaid glanced at his granddaughter and then at Tucker. He frowned, nodded and held the door open.
“Bye-bye, Tuck,” Lucas said, and waved at him as his mother carried him through the door.
Tucker felt more confused than he had ever felt before. One small boy had managed to suddenly disrupt his life. One small boy whose mother continually kept his world unsettled. The two of them had left him reeling and unsure of what to do.
The room was quiet for a moment as Tucker tried to gather his scattered thoughts.
“Well, it looks like there are two new Burnett family members,” Travis said. “Desiree and Lucas.”
Tucker shook his head. “I had no idea. There was only one night . . . and I left town that same night.” He sat down in the chair behind his desk. “Oh, God, what do I do now? I need to marry Sarah and give him my name.”
“Do you love Sarah?” Tanner asked.
“What does love feel like?” Tucker asked. “I care about Sarah a lot, but I’m not certain I know what love is.”
“Then, don’t marry her,” Beth said. “Not unless you’re absolutely certain.”
“But he’s my son!”
“But if you don’t love Sarah, then you’ll only make her angry if you ask her to marry you. No woman wants to be married out of necessity or for a child.”
“That’s no help,” Tucker said dejectedly. “What about you, Travis? When did you know that you loved Rose?”
“I was stubborn as they come. I didn’t realize I loved her until after she left me. Then I suddenly noticed how very lonely and dull my life was without her. I couldn’t quit thinking about her after she was gone, and I realized that nothing else mattered but being with Rose.”
Travis walked over to stand close to Tucker. “You need some time to think things through. Give it a few days and then see how you feel. A few days will help your perspective.”
“Okay, guys, but do me a favor. Please don’t tell Mother. I’m not ready to deal with her.”
They all laughed.
“Speaking of, I have a new baby at home and a wife I’d like to see,” Travis said, scratching his head. “Our short trip into town has lasted most of the day.”
“Let’s go,” Tanner said.
They walked to the door of the office. Beth hugged Tucker’s neck. “I know you’ll make the right decision. Just remem
ber, love that makes you happy is the most important thing in life. I hope you find it.”
Travis slapped him on the back. “Take care, little brother. If you need us, you know where we are.” Tucker closed the door behind them, feeling completely drained. The image of Sarah came to mind. She had remained in town for almost two months now and had not told him the truth about his child.
His son. Those two words thrilled him, scared him and angered him all at once.
***
Tucker felt nervous as he knocked on the door to Mr. Kincaid’s suite of rooms. He had waited two days and could no longer wait to speak with Sarah.
He had worried about the boy, afraid that somehow this mishap had scarred or scared him somehow. He had worried about Sarah and wanted to come see her, but felt that they both needed some time to sort out their feelings. But he was still uncertain.
She opened the door, and for a moment they stood there staring at each other. God, she looked beautiful, and for a moment he thought he was crazy if he let her go.
“Hello.”
“May I come in?” he asked.
She nodded. “Sure.”
He walked in the room, feeling awkward and out of place, where before he had always felt at home when he visited her.
“Tuck!” Lucas cried, and ran to his arms.
“Hi, boy,” he said gruffly. God, this was hard. He looked at the boy closely, trying to see any resemblance of himself in the child.
“Papaw take me fishing. You go, too?”
Tucker smiled. “I wish I could but your momma and I have some things we need to talk about.”
He released the boy, just as Mr. Kincaid walked into the room.
“Hello, Tucker. I guess you’re here to talk with Sarah. I hope you two come to your senses and work things out.” He shook his head at Tucker and Sarah, and then took Lucas by the hand. “Come on, boy, let’s go. The fish are awaiting.”
“Bye, Momma.”
“Bye, sweetheart.” She leaned down and kissed the boy on his cheek. “Catch a big one.”
They walked out the door, closing it behind them, leaving a tense silence. Tucker felt awkward standing there. Never before had he been aware of this discomfort between them. This sense of ‘How do we look at each other now?’
The Marshal Takes A Bride Page 24
