Tanner snickered. “You’ve got it bad. I agree with Travis. Marry the girl.”
“But marriage seems so permanent, so final. And she’s already turned me down once. What if she does again?”
Travis smiled. “Marriage is final. But it isn’t suffocating. My life is better with Rose in it. I’m glad I married her. As for turning you down, at the time you probably deserved it. She knew you weren’t ready.” Tanner nodded. “Beth is my foundation. My rock that keeps me steady. And if you love Sarah, she’ll be your guiding influence, too. Never suffocating, just always there for you.”
Tucker looked up at his brothers. “God, I never thought I’d hear the two of you say things like I’ve heard this afternoon.”
“And if you repeat any of it, we’ll kick your ass,” Travis teased, and then grew serious. “I would recommend that you consider your words carefully the next time you see Sarah, because I’m afraid this will be your last chance with her.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Try looking at the last three years from Sarah’s perspective, Tucker. You spent one night with her, and she became pregnant. She carried your son for nine months all alone, with no one to help her. She comes home, and once again, you show your lack of commitment. Tread lightly, little brother.”
Tucker frowned. He hadn’t really given that thought much consideration. But Sarah had been alone and pregnant. She had probably felt used and abandoned. Shame filled him. If only he had known. “So how do I convince her I love her?”
“I don’t know; but you better do something, and you better do it quick or you can forget about Sarah.”
“I’ve been the biggest damn fool in Texas. But I don’t know how to be a husband, let alone a father.”
Travis chuckled. “You have been pretty stubborn, so you’re going to have to do some major groveling. But do you think either of us entered into this knowing what we were doing? You’ll learn just like we did. One step at a time.”
“I think I’ll get cleaned up and then go into town to see Sarah.”
Quiet descended upon the men as his brothers glanced at each other, a troubled look passing between them.
“What’s wrong now?” Tucker asked.
“Sarah left town the week after you. She’s gone home to Tombstone.” Travis quietly informed him.
“Damn! Well, I guess I’ll be making a quick trip to Tombstone,” Tucker said, putting his hat back on and hurrying down the steps to his horse.
“Aren’t you going to at least stay for supper?” Travis asked.
“Nope. I’m in a hurry. Wish me luck!”
***
Sarah had been home little more than two weeks, and already she had fallen back into the routine of working four days and spending three with her son.
Lucas had recovered completely from the kidnapping, and she was grateful he hadn’t suffered any lasting effects.
Though her days had returned to a familiar pattern, she had no energy, and nothing excited her. Many days, all she wanted to do was sit quietly and cry, but she refused to give herself that luxury. She knew what the problem was, but she refused to acknowledge that Tucker had left her heartbroken once again. At least this time she would make certain it was the last time he had the opportunity to wound her soul.
She sat in her office trying to concentrate on a new medical book Dr. Wilson had given her in Fort Worth, but the words kept blurring before her eyes with a wet, dewy substance that continually leaked from the comer of her eyes.
She was not going to cry. She was not.
The bell jangled above the door, and she looked up to greet her next patient—and blinked her eyes, trying to remove the dream of Tucker in her doorway from her vision. But after she cleared her eyesight, he was still there.
Oh, my God!
She stared up into Tucker’s brown eyes and swallowed. What was he doing here? He was clean-shaven, his clothes were neater than she could remember and he smelled of peppermint.
“Hello,” he said, holding his hat in his hand which was visibly shaking, surprising her even more. He was never one to show nervousness outwardly.
She stood and came around her desk, her knees quaking. Something about him was not the same. His expression- seemed different, tense and uncertain, as he stood there.
“Hi. I’m surprised to see you. Do you have a case here in town?” she asked, wondering how she was going to deal with seeing him every day.
There was no one else in her office this morning, and somehow she was suddenly glad they were alone. “No. I came to see you.”
Her heart began to race, and she stared at him, flabbergasted.
“Me?” she asked. “I thought we’d said everything in Fort Worth.”
“We did at the time. But when you’re sitting up on a mountain all alone, a man can do a lot of thinking.” He twirled his hat in his hand.
“Is that so?” she said, feeling confused. What was he doing here?
He cleared his throat nervously. “I ... I had to come tell you, you were right about a lot of things, Sarah.”
“I was?” she asked, suddenly trying to recall everything they had said to each other at that last meeting.
“Yes. We’ve been more than friends for many years, and I just haven’t had the courage to face the truth about us.”
She swallowed, suddenly feeling almost giddy. “You haven’t?”
“No. I guess one of the reasons I left this town so abruptly three years ago was the fact that being with you was the most wonderful night of my life. It scared me so bad that I ran.” He paused. “I’m not exactly proud of my actions, but I ran that night because I didn’t know what else to do. I never even considered that we might have conceived a child that night.”
“I was rather surprised myself.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you then.”
She nodded, speechless for a moment that he was apologizing. She hadn’t expected him to say he was sorry.
“It wasn’t an easy time,” she offered slowly, remembering her feelings of loneliness and despair.
“I’m sure it wasn’t But I had no idea you were expecting our son. And to be honest, I don’t think I was ready. But ...” He took a deep breath. “Sitting up on that mountain I had a lot of thinking time. I’m no longer working for the government, Sarah.”
She managed to hide her startled response except for the widening of her eyes.
“I was miserable in that job. Being a wandering man was a kid’s dream. I’m no longer that kid.” He stepped closer to her. “The reason I was unhappy was because I missed you. I know I’ve been a complete jerk to you since you came home to Fort Worth. Hell, since before then. I haven’t been there for you in years past. I’ve come to realize that you make my life complete, and when you’re not in it, I’m lost.”
Sarah felt her heart start to melt, and the tears that had earlier been so near the surface slipped down her cheek.
He reached out and swiped a tear away. From outside the window, she heard a band playing and glanced out to see the entire town gathered, listening to the music in the early morning sun.
While the band played, Tucker bent down on one knee.
“Oh, my God,” she said, laughing and crying at the same time.
“I love you with all my heart, Sarah. I promise I’ll spend the rest of my days trying to make you happy if you’ll do me the honor of being my wife. I promise from now on I’ll be there at your side and not a wandering man, but your man.”
She stared outside through the window, at the band that was playing, wanting to capture this moment in time for the rest of her life.
He had returned for her. He was asking for her hand in marriage. He had hired a band to serenade her while he asked her to marry him. But most of all, he had said he loved her.
Was this the same man she had grown up loving, yet fearing he would never settle down?
She gazed down at him, looking for outward signs of the changes that she sensed must have ta
ken place within him.
“You know, Tucker, you’re right. You have been an insensitive cad. I’ve loved you for years, and you thought we were only friends. How do I know you’ve really changed?”
Tucker looked up at her and sighed. “You don’t. You’re going to have to take a chance on me, Sarah. But . . .”
He paused, and she could tell he was carefully considering his words, which was a first for him.
“I’ve been afraid to let you close to me. I’ve been frightened of committing myself to you. Deep down I probably knew that I loved you, but I was so scared of those feelings. Now, I’m willing to try. I can’t say I will always get it right but for the first time in my life, I want to try to be a good husband to you.”
“How do I know if you want to marry me for me or for Lucas?”
“I don’t know how to be a father. Fatherhood is new to me. But I know how to love you, Sarah. I’ve probably loved you for years and just didn’t admit it to myself.”
Sarah could hardly believe what she was hearing.
The old Tucker would never have admitted he might make a mistake.
“I should really give you a hard time. I should make you wait, like I’ve waited for so long. I should give you hell. But I can’t. I love you, Tucker Burnett, and it’s taken you way too long to say those words to me. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Tucker jumped up from the floor, and Sarah stepped into his arms, her lips caressing his in a kiss that was hungry and promised so much more. She leaned back, breaking their kiss.
“You’re a damn fool, Tucker Burnett, but I love you with all my heart.”
“Oh, Sarah, I was so afraid you’d given up on me. It took me a while to figure out what was really important.”
“I’d say. But now that you have, I don’t want to wait a moment longer. Did you happen to bring the preacher with that band you hired?”
Tucker laughed. “No, but I think I did manage to find the justice of the peace, and he’s outside waiting. If you happened to say yes, I didn’t want to wait a moment longer either.”
“Grab him,” she said. “Before you change your mind.”
“I won’t change my mind, Sarah. My life is incomplete without you in it. And this time, I want to be there when our children are born.”
“And you will be,” she said with a sigh as she leaned into his kiss.
Outside the band played on. . . .
Chapter Nineteen
Tucker glanced around the room at his siblings and their spouses. Baby Desiree was crawling on the floor, and the newest member of the family, baby Carter, lay sleeping in his mother’s arms.
“So when are the two of you moving back to Fort Worth?” Travis asked.
Tucker glanced at his wife, and she smiled. Just the fact that he had looked in her direction, before he spoke, had her grinning at him. They were a team and consulted each other through private signals, reading each other’s thoughts from across the room. It was odd, but since they had married, they had this silent communication. With just a look, he knew what Sarah was thinking.
“I’ve accepted the job as marshal of Fort Worth again, and we’re back for good. Sarah is going to take over Doc Wilson’s practice now that he’s retiring, so we’ll be moving into town just as soon as we find a house in a respectable area of town.”
“How exciting!” Beth exclaimed, rocking the baby gently as little Carter stirred in her arms from the unexpected noise.
Travis glanced out the window. “Have you told Mother yet?”
“No, we were going to wait and tell her and Mr. Kincaid tonight at dinner”
“Where are those two?” Sarah asked. “They took off with Lucas, and I haven’t seen them in a while.” Travis pointed outside. “They’re outside watching Lucas play with his new ball.”
Beth started to giggle.
“What’s so funny?” Tanner asked.
“I suddenly remembered when we were all sitting around together trying to find someone to match Eugenia with.” She laughed and pointed out the window. “The perfect person for Eugenia has been right before us all the time.”
Everyone glanced out the window at the couple, who were busy playing ball with Lucas.
“Of course. My grandfather! We could fix Eugenia up with Grandfather,” Sarah said, and then laughed.
Travis smiled and shook his head. “Oh, no, here we go again.”
“So how do we get these two together?” Tanner asked.
“The same way she helped us find wives,” Tucker replied. “Whatever it takes.”
The women glanced at each other and giggled. “Ah, sweet revenge,” Tanner said.
“God help us,” Travis replied.
____________
Author Bio
Sylvia McDaniel
Sylvia McDaniel and her very supportive husband, Don live in Texas with their teenage son, Shane; Putz, the klutzy dachshund; and Ashley our shy dachshund. During the day Sylvia works for a small insurance agency helping clients with their commercial insurance coverage.
Hooked on romances at a very young age, she is now hopelessly addicted to writing and gets up at 4:30 A.M. four mornings a week to write for two hours before going to her day job. Plus she spends at least three evenings a week in front of the computer working on her dream of publishing a best-selling romance.
The weekends are spent working out in the garden until the temperature climbs above ninety degrees. Recently, with the help of her husband, she learned to make homemade blueberry and blackberry jam. Cooking is not her favorite past-time and she prefers Don’s cooking any day of the week.
Currently, she’s written fourteen novels and sold nine. A 1996 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist, 1995 President of North Texas Romance Writers of America, and the 2012 President-Elect of Dallas Area Romance Authors. You can write to Sylvia at P.O. Box 2542, Coppell, TX 75019 or visit her Web site: http://www.SylviaMcDaniel.com
Preview The Burnett Brides Series:
The Rancher Takes a Bride
EXCERPT:
Texas 1874
Rose Severin made her living speaking to the dead. Or at least she pretended to, until she could fulfill her real dream of becoming a famous actress on the New York stage like her mother. But dreams couldn't put a roof over your head or ease the gnawing ache of hunger, and New York was more than a carriage ride from Fort Worth, Texas.
Rose peeked between the curtain separating the two rooms and watched her black manservant, Isaiah, settle tonight's customers. She'd drawn an interesting group. A fairly young woman, a matron, a swanky gentleman, and a cowboy whose burnished hair and rugged good looks certainly caught her attention.
Isaiah stepped behind the curtain and whispered, "Mrs. Florin, the lady who will be sitting next to you, lost her twelve-year-old daughter, Sally, in a carriage accident. She wants to contact Sally and make sure she's all right. The other lady, Miss North, wishes to speak with her brother who was killed in a bank holdup. He was a law-abiding man, just in the wrong place at the wrong time, according to the newspaper."
Isaiah frowned and shook his head. "The gentleman in the brown suit, Mr. Thompson, said very little. The other man, Mr. Burnett, is here because of his brother."
"Burnett. That name sounds familiar." Rose tried to remember where she had heard the name before.
"His mother came in earlier this afternoon. She's the lady who wanted to speak with her missing son. He disappeared during the war and she didn't know if he was dead or alive."
"Yes, I remember her." Rose glanced out the curtain. "What does he want?"
"He wouldn't say."
"I guess we'll find out," she said shaking her head and frowning at Isaiah.
"Are you ready?" Isaiah asked.
Rose brushed back a lock of her dark, wayward curls, checked the bodice of her loose-fitting blouse, and smoothed her skirt. Dressed more like a gypsy than a lady, she took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Madame Desiree is ready."
Isaiah amble
d out of the kitchen and turned toward the group of people now gathered around the table. "Let me present Madame Desiree Severin, Voice of the Dead."
Rose swept through the curtain. Holding out her full skirt, she gave a little twirl then curtsied to her audience. "Good evening."
She pulled out a chair and took a seat between the cowboy and Mrs. Florin. She glanced around the table at the four customers who had come to speak with their departed loved ones.
Madame Desiree offered her clients a chance to ease their conscience, say the words they'd meant to say, resolve a disagreement, or for a brief moment feel close to the dead once again.
Whatever reason brought them to her, Rose tried her best to give them their money's worth, and if it eased their pain, then she'd more than fulfilled her job.
She lowered her head as if praying, then raised her brows, gazing at each person sitting around the table.
"Alors, commencon." She paused dramatically, letting her customers absorb the French words and then repeated them in English. "Let us begin."
With a flick of her wrist, she snapped her fingers at Isaiah, her bracelets jingling. From the back of the room, he turned the knob of the lantern until the light slowly faded and a faint glimmer remained, casting the room in an eerie twilight.
The rough scratch of a match striking flint echoed in the darkness as she lit the mixture of cedar, thyme, rose petals, and vanilla. A cloud of smoky perfume drifted upwards, leaving a faint glow in the metal bowl.
"Close your eyes and hold the hand of your neighbor as I call upon the spirits to heed our summons," she commanded in a French accent that she'd practiced.
Isaiah plunged the room into darkness. Like an invisible bond, nervous tension flowed through the room, weaving a seductive spell over her clients.
A quick glance at the cowboy showed the corner of his mouth lifted in amusement. So, he thought this was entertaining, did he? She lifted his hand, rough callused but warm and strong as he clasped her small hand in his.
The Marshal Takes A Bride Page 26
