Chapter Five
JOHN TUCKER, THE TOWNblacksmith, clapped Luke on the back as he left the general store. “Congratulations, Chandler. I just heard the good news.”
Luke frowned. John was easily the fifth person who’d congratulated him on his impending nuptials since he’d arrived in town. “I’m not getting married.”
“What a pity.” John grinned and scratched his groin. “I hear she’s quite a looker. Mind if I court her? She’s gonna need a man to protect her.”
John Tucker was well over six feet tall, burly as a bear, and had a mouth full of rotten, stinking teeth. His late wife had constantly borne marks of his abuse, and he had five or six filthy children at home. The thought of Sarah Montgomery at his mercy sent a stab of protective rage through Luke’s gut.
“She’s a lady, John. Leave her alone.”
“A lady, huh?” John held up his hands in mock surrender. “Hell, Chandler. Either marry her yourself or let the rest of us have a go at her. You can’t have it both ways.”
“You’re right.” Luke set two bottles of whiskey on top of the rest of his supplies, resisting the urge to throw them in the bastard’s face. “I’m grouchier than a grizzly today. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. She’s none of my concern. Court her if you like.”
John laughed. “It don’t take a genius to figure out what’s wrong with you, son. You’ve lived up there alone on that mountain for years, and now you’re sending away a perfectly good woman? Nope, it don’t take no genius.” He turned away, shaking his head, still laughing.
Luke glared at his retreating back, then walked next door to the telegraph office. He gave the young man behind the counter his most withering stare, silently daring him to say a single word about Sarah.
The boy swallowed, obviously wondering what he’d done to deserve such a look. “Can I help you, sir?”
Luke nodded. “I need to send a telegram to Denver.”
“All right. I just need you to fill this out.” The boy handed Luke a pencil and a piece of paper.
Luke stared at the blank page for a moment, trying to think of a way to convey his anger to Matt without being profane. Finally, he scribbled a terse message asking for the pleasure of his brother’s company and then handed it back to the clerk.
He paid for the telegram and left the office, intent upon getting out of town. He needed to leave before he made an even bigger fool of himself. The gossips already had enough ammunition. Stories would fly tonight about how one-legged Luke Chandler had sent away his mail-order bride, and then become furious when another man had mentioned his desire to court her.
Unfortunately, the bank lay between the general store and the edge of town. Sarah stood on the steps, looking rather dazed. Luke suppressed a groan. He couldn’t leave without making sure she was all right.
“Hello, Sarah.” He pulled his wagon to a stop and stared down at her, wondering how one small woman had managed to disrupt his life so thoroughly. “How did it go?”
She blinked. For a moment, there was a hint of quiet desperation in her eyes, and his heart plummeted. She hadn’t gotten the job. Damn. What was he going to do with her now?
“Luke,” she said with false brightness. “I’m sorry. I guess I was lost in thought.”
