The Sheriff's Outcast Bride Read online

  THE SHERIFF’S OUTCAST BRIDE

  By

  Multi-Award Winning,

  Best Selling Author

  MARGARET TANNER

  Contents:

  Title

  Copyright 2015 – Margaret Tanner

  Disclaimer

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Margaret Tanner’s Bio:

  Books by Margaret Tanner

  All rights reserved

  Copyright 2015 – Margaret Tanner

  Thank you for downloading this e-book. It remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be reproduced, scanned or distributed for any commercial or non-commercial use without permission from the author. Quotes used in reviews are the exception. No alteration of content is allowed. If you enjoy this book, then please encourage your friends to purchase their own copy.

  Disclaimer

  This novella is a work of fiction.

  Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental or historical. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously.

  Chapter One

  South Dakota, 1870’s

  “Goddammit, Ryan, that gal’s no good. You’re the sheriff. Do something about it,” Vaughan Mulligan shouted.

  “Becky Tucker hasn’t broken any law that I know of. What in tarnation do you expect me to do, Pa?”

  “Your brother has been sniffing around her for years, but lately he’s been talking about courting her.” The veins on the old man’s neck bulged. It wasn’t good for a man with heart problems to get so enraged.

  “He’s a grown man, old enough to make his own decisions.” Ryan thrust his fingers through his hair. His father was driving him loco with this vendetta against the Tucker gal. “It isn’t her fault that her crooked father swindled you. The mother was a decent enough woman or Wes Carstairs wouldn’t have got hitched to her.

  “He needed a mother for Lucinda.” A sudden sly gleam lit up the old man’s eyes. “She’s back you know.”

  Ryan gave an exasperated snort. “Who?” He knew who his father meant. Lucinda Carstairs was a spoilt brat who had taken a fancy to him on one of her intermittent trips home from some exclusive girls’ school in Boston. Hell, she was only nineteen. If he was thinking of getting hitched, which he wasn’t, it certainly wouldn’t be to a gal like her even if she was heir to a prosperous ranch, and several businesses in town. He didn’t plan on being a sheriff for the rest of his life. He had dreams of buying his own spread one day, but he wasn’t prepared to wed Lucinda to get it.

  His father stomping up and down brought him back to the matter at hand. “I’ll speak to Jase, that’s the best I can do.”

  “He won’t listen,” Vaughan snarled. “He’s letting that whore lead him around by what’s between his legs.”

  Ryan gritted his teeth to stop an angry retort springing to his lips. Pa always turned crude and nasty after a few drinks, and he’d had more than a few drinks. He reeked of whiskey.

  “Go home, Pa.”

  He gave a weary sigh. It was hell being an older brother to Jase. Always having to clean up his messes. Lazy, over-indulged, and now owner of the Mulligan ranch. The unfairness of it all. Bitterness ate into him; raw, ferocious, like a starving dog on a piece of meat.

  I ought to leave Blackwood and never return. Even though he had been born here, he had spent so much time on the trail as a bounty hunter and gunslinger, the place meant little to him now. Montana or Wyoming appealed to him. He had only returned here to help his father, naturally expecting to eventually share the ranch with Jase. He would have given his brother a fair price for his share. Ranching held no appeal to Jase, too much like hard work, but while the old man was able to organize the cowhands to keep the place running, Jase didn’t have to worry over much, he just did the bare minimum.

  “Are you going to do something?” The old man pushed his face up close and glared at him through blood shot eyes. Had it been anyone else but his father, he would have swung a punch and knocked him to the ground.

  “Go home,” Ryan ground the words out. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  He watched his father stomp out of the office, banging the door behind him. With a muttered curse, he picked up a bundle of ‘wanted’ posters and flicked through them.

  ***

  “I don’t want to go to this church shindig,” Becky said.

  “Aw come on. It will give me a chance to hold you in my arms.” Jase gave her one of his devastating smiles and she couldn’t resist him.

  “All right. Will you come over and escort me?”

  He gnawed his lip. “I can’t, I have to bring my father along. Ryan is unlikely to come. He avoids social gatherings like the plague. You can go with Wes. Pa said he was going.”

  “I suppose Wes would go because of Lucinda. She wouldn’t want to miss out on something social. Ranch life bores her.”

  “So, she’s back,” Jase said.

  “Yes, she graduated from the Boston Ladies Academy.”

  “Why would a western gal want to go to a place like that?

  They stood near the creek, hidden from prying eyes by trees. Jase took her in his arms and his kisses were hot and fierce. She returned his kisses, desperate to let him know how much she loved him. Only when his hand wandered to her breast did she break the embrace.

  “No, Jase, please.” She stepped back a pace.

  “Aw come on. I’m crazy for you Becky. Don’t deny me.”

  “I can’t.”

  “If you really loved me you would.” There was a sulky droop to his lips.

  “It’s not right.”

  “We’d only be anticipating our wedding by a few weeks. No-one would know.” He grabbed her around the waist and slammed her body against his. He eased the pressure a little so he could slide his hand between them. Becky gasped in shock when he fumbled with the buttons on her gown.

  “No.” She wriggled and squirmed until she twisted out of his embrace. “You’re treating me like a whore.”

  “Goddammit, Becky. When a man is in love it’s natural for him to want his woman.”

  “I can’t, not without a wedding ring. What if you gave me a child? Wes would kill me.”

  “Hell and damnation.” He stepped back. “You can’t conceive, not when it’s your first time.” He stared into her face, his eyes blazing. “It would be your first time, wouldn’t it?”

  She felt like he had thrust a dagger into her heart, and hot tears burned the back of her eyes. She blinked them back, because ever since her mother had died, showing emotion was a luxury she could not afford.

  “Surely you don’t believe all those lies?” she whispered, her voice distraught with pain and disappointment because he had obviously listened to all the vicious gossip. He knew her better than anyone else, should have known the accusations weren’t true.

  “No, I don’t believe them.”

  His denial came too late. Her shoulders slumped. “I better get back to the house. I’ve got chores to do.”

  “I’m sorry.” He kissed her trembling lips. “When he’s aroused, a man says things he doesn’t mean. Please come to the dance. It will be a chance to show everyone that we’re courting.”

  They stayed there chatting, planning their future together. It would be hard sharing a house with a man like Vaughan Mulligan, but being Jase’s wife would afford her protection.

  “
Once Pa passes, we can sell the ranch,” Jase said.

  Arm in arm they strolled back to the ranch house. She was glad Lucinda hadn’t put in an appearance.

  “Until Saturday, sweet girl.” Jase put on his Stetson, mounted his horse and rode off.

  Slowly, thoughtfully, Becky walked inside.

  “Where the hell have you been?” Wes heaved himself out of his favorite armchair in the parlor and lumbered toward her. He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “I’ve been waiting twenty minutes for supper, while you’ve been whoring yourself to Jase Mulligan. He won’t marry you. No man will. And I won’t support any bastard that you birth. Now get out to the kitchen.” He cuffed her across the back of the head as she turned to flee.

  He was getting angrier and more violent toward her since Lucinda had arrived home. Luckily she had made a rich beef stew yesterday and there was plenty left over. It was only a matter of heating it up and adding a few extra herbs to give it a different flavor.

  The fire still burned in the stove, but she tossed on a couple of logs for good measure. If it wasn’t for the fact that she did so much work inside and outside the house, he would banish her. She held no illusions about that. He had made the position quite clear after the episode with Vaughan Mulligan, but she wouldn’t think about that. It was too painful.

  If Jase married her they could eventually leave town. He had always hated ranch life.

  “Supper is ready,” she called out. Unless they had visitors, they always ate in the kitchen. Wes stomped in and sat at the table, taking the plate of food she handed him without a word. Lucinda drifted into the kitchen looking pale and big-eyed. She wore a nightgown, and had a lacy shawl draped around her shoulders.

  “How do you feel now, Angel?” Wes asked.

  “Oh, Pa, my head aches so badly it makes me feel ill.”

  “Can’t you give her something for the pain?” He glared at Becky.

  “Why don’t you lie down on the sofa, I’ll rub your forehead with lavender oil, that might help,” Becky said, ignoring Wes. For the last few years Lucinda had been plagued with terrible headaches that sometimes lasted for a couple of days.

  “Hurry up,” she whimpered. “My head feels like it’s going to split open.”

  Becky dashed to the kitchen dresser to get a bottle of lavender oil and a clean cloth. Her food was getting cold, but when Lucinda wanted anything, she got it straight away.

  “Do you want anything to eat, Angel?”

  “No.” She glanced at the table where Becky’s plate sat. “A cup of warm milk would be soothing.”

  By the time Becky had attended to Lucinda’s needs, made coffee for Wes, her meal was stone cold. She shoveled it into her mouth rather than receive a lecture on wasting the food he had so generously provided.

  I’m nothing more than a slave. I have to get away from here. Please God, she inwardly prayed. Let me marry Jase soon, so he can take me away from this drudgery. He didn’t like the town of Blackwood any more than she did. Perhaps she should have let him have his way with her, but she was too scared of the ramifications. She bit back a bitter laugh. Many of the townsfolk thought she had already given herself to men.

  Mrs. Ferguson, the bank manager’s wife, had once told her in front of a store full of people, that she should go and work in the saloon like the other fallen doves.

  Just because Eddie Tucker was my father doesn’t mean I’m no good like him. Ma was a good woman and everyone seemed to like her. It’s Vaughan and Wes’ fault that my reputation is ruined.

  ***

  “I can’t see you anymore.”

  “But why Jase?” Becky stared into his handsome face. Tears trickled down her cheeks. “I thought we were courting,” she whispered, her voice husky with shock and hurt.

  “There was nothing official between us.” He spoke with a brutal detachment.

  “You, you mentioned marriage.”

  “Yeah, well, that was only to get you to open your legs for me.”

  Becky rocked back on her heels at his crude language. She couldn’t believe the way he had spoken to her. They had known each other since their school days. She had always thought he was a friend, a future husband, even if his father was a revolting pig. He had never condemned her like most of the other townsfolk.

  What had happened to change him? Lucinda. For as long as she could remember if she had something and Lucinda wanted it, she got it. It hadn’t been so bad when her mother had been alive, but once she died, Wes turned on her, becoming abusive. Treating her like a slave, particularly after her battle with Vaughan Mulligan.

  After Mrs. Parsons, their housekeeper, died she had taken over all the household chores, also helped out on the ranch at busy times to save money. Wes didn’t mind paying for Lucinda to attend an exclusive girls’ academy in Boston. Now she was home, she swanned around the house doing nothing, except make extra work.

  “It’s Lucinda isn’t it?” Becky waited, hoping he would deny it.

  “All right, I think I’ve fallen in love with her.”

  She flinched. “You only spoke to her in town yesterday.”

  “I know, but it was love at first sight.” A spasm of irritation crossed his face. “Don’t cause any trouble Becky, or I’ll spread the word around Blackwood that you’re a good roll in the hay.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.” She stood with her hands on her hips and stared him down, even though she inwardly cringed.

  “Try me.”

  “We never did anything.”

  “You and I know that.” He gave a cruel, mocking laugh. “But no-one else does.” He swung on his heel and strode toward the ranch house, while she wrapped her arms around a tree to stop from falling into a screaming heap on the ground.

  He had promised to take her away from Blackwood and this life of drudgery. She couldn’t leave the ranch without him. She had no money. Nowhere to go.

  Spoilt, beautiful Lucinda. What man could resist those baby blue eyes and blonde curls? It would be a perfect match. Two adjoining ranches becoming one. Two of the oldest families in the district united by the holy wedlock of their children. Despair rose up into her throat until she nearly choked on it.

  If she hadn’t been so busy with household chores she would have ridden into town to escape the confines of the ranch. Couldn’t let Wes or Lucinda wait for their supper, though. If Jase decided to stay she would have to provide for him also. Having to share a table with him would be painful after his ugly words.

  She would endure it. Bury her hurt and resentment deep inside like she always did. Her father had been a no good drunken swindler, but she wasn’t like him. Why couldn’t people believe that?

  She pounded her fists against the tree trunk. Why couldn’t they believe she was a good person? Wes fostered the townsfolk’s dislike of her because it suited his purposes. Saved him money. Ostracized, virtually friendless now that Amy and Steve were gone. He and Vaughan Mulligan made sure it stayed that way.

  Don’t think about Vaughan and Wes’ terrible deed. She shuddered, clamping down on the bitter incident that had ruined her life, broken her trust in men.

  Chapter Two

  The evening of the church dance arrived. Becky hated the idea of going now. Could she feign illness?

  Her brown curls were tied back with a green velvet ribbon that matched Lucinda’s cast-off green gown. She couldn’t remember when she last wore new clothes. I’m not wasting money on such frippery, Wes would say, but it didn’t stop him from buying Lucinda whatever she asked for.

  Becky didn’t usually care about her appearance. Men’s clothes were more practical and comfortable for working around the ranch. She much preferred outside chores to housework.

  If she had to attend this dance she intended to look well. Make Jase sorry for casting her aside. Pride was all she had left now.

  Glancing at her reflection in the mirror, she knew without vanity that she looked well, even though sorrow etched her face. The deep green gown seemed to add extra c
olor to her hazel eyes. She always wore a hat outdoors so her skin would not burn or dry out.

  Her heart pounded with trepidation. Would Ryan be there? She didn’t know why, but he always unsettled her.

  Out in the parlor, Wes puffed on a cigar as he sat in his favorite leather armchair. He didn’t stand up when she entered, didn’t comment on her appearance, either. He was letting her go to the dance under sufferance, but Lucinda wanted her to go, so she didn’t have to attend on her own.

  Becky had her back to the door so she didn’t see Lucinda enter. Wes eased his fat body out of the chair. “Angel, you look beautiful.”

  Becky swung around and the breath hitched in her throat. Her stepsister was a vision of loveliness in the palest of blue gowns with darker blue tulle around the neckline. The color complimented her enormous blue eyes. Her blonde hair was swept up from a middle parting and held in place by shiny tortoiseshell combs. Every male at the dance would just about fall to their knees in homage.

  “Thank you, Pa.” She smiled sweetly. “I want to do you proud tonight.”

  “You have, darlin’. You’ll be the most beautiful gal there. Jase won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.” He gave her an indulgent smile.

  Becky pretended to stare out the window in case her eyes reflected the hurt that cut to the bone. “You look, lovely,” she said.

  “You scrub up well, too, Sis.”

  “She is not your sister.” Wes scowled. “No blood relative whatsoever.”

  “Oh, Pa, don’t be so grumpy.”

  Becky couldn’t believe Lucinda was actually sticking up for her. As children they had been close, but once her mother died Wes had turned on her, encouraging Lucinda to do the same, and they had drifted apart.

  They were late, the dance was in full swing by the time they arrived. Wes helped Lucinda down, leaving Becky to climb down on her own. Two lanterns lit up the doorway, throwing flickering shadows out into the darkness.