Page 22 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

“I understand.” Josey set down her fork and looked into his eyes. “I promise I’d never hurt them.”

He reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I know, but I had to be sure.”

Josey smiled. “I appreciate you taking such good care of me.... in my time of need.”

Daxton smirked. “Happy to do it.”

Then Daxton’s eyes traveled over the table, taking in all the food. “Well, I think we’d better eat before this goes to waste.”

Josey scooped some eggs onto her plate. “I hope you don’t mind scrambled eggs.” When she was finished, she handed the bowl to him. “I didn’t know how you liked them.”

A smile lit his lips, trying to encourage her to relax. “Scrambled is just fine.” For a moment, he was glad he had sent the children away. He didn’t know how they would have reacted to waking up to a strange woman in the house.

“More coffee?” she asked, having made herself at home, as if she had been living there all along. She certainly knew her way around a kitchen.

He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”

Josey stood and poured herself more coffee and set it back on the stove to keep warm. “So, what do you have planned today?” She sat back down at the table and resumed eating.

Daxton couldn’t believe how comfortable she appeared to be in his home. “Well, I need to milk the cow and take care of the horses.”

Josey gave him a small smile and took a sip of her coffee. Although she was putting on a brave face, he could see that she was fighting back tears.

Daxton let out a deep breath, his eyebrows pulling together in concern. “Josey, you can relax and make yourself at home while you’re here. I truly don’t mind.”

She nodded as she stared at her plate but said nothing.

Reaching over, he softly patted her hand. “Don’t worry. No one will hurt you here.” He placed a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “As my promise to you, I’ll keep you safe.”

“Thank you.” Josey pushed back from the table and set her plate in the sink, along with her coffee cup. “But I promise to be on my way soon.” She reached for the metal buckets setting on the other side of the stove and placed one in the sink.

“You don’t have to leave. Not yet.” Daxton walked up behind her and gently took the bucket from her hand. “Go get some rest. I’ll do this.”

She froze. “Later today, I’d like to take a bath, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” He placed his hands on her shoulders as she faced the sink. Not wanting to push her further, he let out a deepbreath. “My ex-wife left a few dresses behind. She was about your size. If you like, you’re welcome to them after you bathe.”

She turned her head. “You were married?”

“Yes, a long time ago.”

She turned around to face him, sincerity in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“As I said, it was a long time ago.” Daxton sighed. “Why don’t you go lie down and rest. I’ll let you know when the water’s ready.”

She blinked back tears. “You wouldn’t mind?”

He shook his head as he wiped a tear away from her cheek. “No, it’s fine. I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise.” He gently pulled her to his chest and let her cry. “Josey, just because you didn’t find kindness in your husband doesn’t mean that you won’t find it in others.”

She nodded against his chest and then pushed away, headed into the bedroom, and closed the door behind her.

Daxton let out a deep breath, trying to understand why he felt so protective of this woman. He shrugged as a smile lit his lips. He always had been a sucker for a damsel in distress.

Needing to get out for a moment, he set the buckets back down on the floor beside the stove, donned his cowboy hat, and walked outside, closing the door behind him. Daxton was sure she’d be safe for a little while. If her husband came for her, Daxton would be ready.

He walked through the chickens, listening to them squawk and fuss. “Yeah, yeah! You’re not hurt.” One bravely strutted over, clucking louder than the rest. “And if you keep that up, you’ll be the next one in the cooking pot come dinner time.”

As if understanding what he had said, the chicken quickly ran back to the rest of her friends.

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