Page 3 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Then one day out of the blue, Priscilla said that she would keep the children with her and Daxton was elated, thinking that maybe things would go back to normal again. But on that day,she had spent the day with the children, and then dropped them off at Mrs. Jenkins, never to be heard from again.

Daxton realized that she had kept the children home that day so she could spend one last day with them.

After she left, Daxton was devastated at first. Mrs. Jenkins continued to keep the children for him during the day while he was at work, but when they were older, Daxton let them stay by themselves at the house. Andrew walked with his sister to school and then took it upon himself to learn how to cook. As the children grew older, they pitched in and took care of the house and each other. And, sometimes, they even took care of him, too.

Daxton asked Andrew once if he missed his mother and the boy grew angry, telling him that he didn’t want to talk about her. It was then that Daxton regretted not divorcing Priscilla before things got so bad. But divorce was unheard of. When one married, you married for life... for better or for worse.

The scent of coffee wafted toward him through the open door, bringing him back to the present. He had left it open to let the cool air in, knowing the house would warm up soon enough, along with the day. Daxton rose from the porch and went into the kitchen, poured himself a cup of coffee, and started making breakfast for the children.

Lillian came out of her bedroom, rubbing her eyes, still dressed in her nightgown, her long, auburn hair a disheveled mess. “Pa? Is it time to get up yet? I’ll make breakfast.”

“No, darlin’,” Daxton cooed, going down on one knee beside her. “Go on back to sleep. I’ll make breakfast this morning.”

Lillian smiled. “Thanks, Pa.” Then she turned around and went back to bed.

Daxton sighed. Watching her walk away like that pulled at his heart. He felt guilty for having to leave the children alone to care for themselves so much. One day he had asked Andrew if he would rather have Mrs. Jenkins come over to look after them,but his son was quick to tell him that he was old enough to care for the house and to look after his sister.

Yes, his children were growing up way too fast.

During the winter months, Daxton took his children to school on his way to work at the sheriff’s office, and then picked them up afterward on bad days. On pretty days, they walked home or to his office. When he came home, they were fed, their homework completed, dinner was always ready, and they never complained.

His children were very special. Daxton knew he was a lucky man.

He went down to the cool cellar, picked out some ground sausage, and walked back up the stairs and into the kitchen. The children liked biscuits with sausage gravy. And since he was up so early, he thought he’d surprise them.

The new deputy he had hired a few days before, James Hardin, was young and eager.

Lately, Colton Hill had his hands full with the ranch and his twins, so Daxton thought it was time to hire a new deputy. James was new to town and had seemed trustworthy enough, so Daxton decided to give him a chance.

In the few days since Daxton had hired him, James got to the office before him and was already making his rounds, checking on the town—no matter how early Daxton came in. He had proven himself trustworthy.

So, Daxton wasn’t worried if he went in a little later, knowing that the office—and the town—would be well cared for when he arrived. The town was in good hands with James Hardin.

After the sausage was brown, Daxton added the other ingredients, making the sausage gravy, removed the biscuits from the oven, and set it all on the table. Then, he set the tablewith his best porcelain dishes. The set had been Priscilla’s—the only material thing of value that she had left behind.

Lillian came out of the bedroom, fully dressed. Her hair was combed, pulled up, and tied with a blue ribbon that matched her dress. “Pa, may I help?”

Daxton smiled as he finished up, feeling guilty for her not having a mother to look after her and teach her the ways of women. But he had vowed long ago to do his best. “No, sugar. Just sit down.” He gave her a wink. “Let me take care of you for a change.”

She smiled, sitting in her place at the table.

“Why are you up so early?” Daxton asked, finishing up.

Lillian shrugged. “I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep.”

A pang of guilt grabbed his chest. She had probably heard him scream and it woke her and Andrew. Now, she would be awake for the rest of the day. “Later on, I want you to lie down and take a nap, okay? You need your rest.”

She nodded, smiling, her cheeks rosy.

Andrew came out of his room a moment later yawning, fully dressed.

Daxton shook his head. “What are you still doing up?”

Andrew sat in his place at the table. “Couldn’t go back to sleep.” Then he smiled. “Besides, how can I sleep smelling the biscuits and gravy?”

Daxton laughed as he took his place at the head of the table and folded his hands. “I guess you’re right.” The children folded their hands, too. In their family, it had become customary for the youngest to say the blessing. “Lillian? Want to say the blessing?”

She nodded and then said a beautiful blessing over the meal.

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