Page 43 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Josey placed her hand on his shoulder. “Daxton, you’re a good man. You deserved better than that.”

He gave her a slight smile. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.” Just then, the water sounded like it was heating. “Well, it sounds like the water’s ready.” He turned around when he was halfway to the kitchen and nodded at the sewing box. “You can go through that with Lillian when she gets back, if you like.”

Josey nodded, understanding. He had kept his wife’s things that she had left behind for his children, even though she had left them for another man. At that moment, she realized what a good man Daxton really was. She just hoped that she wouldn’t do anything to hurt him, too. It was the last thing that she ever wanted to do.

Chapter 10

Daxton

After Daxton poured some water into the basin, he took the rest to the tub. “Now, don’t empty this when you finish.” Daxton poured the last of the water into the bathtub. “I’ll take care of it when I get back.”

Josey smiled. “If you’re sure, but I’m sure I can—”

“No argument.” Daxton smiled, enjoying having someone around to look after. “If you’re okay, I’d better hurry out to help Andrew. He was so excited about going hunting that there might not be any chores left to do when I get out there.” One corner of his lips curled into a smile. “On second thought….”

“Go.” Josey laughed. “I have this. You two enjoy yourself.”

Daxton slid on his cowboy hat and smiled. “We’ll be back in a while.” Daxton’s expression suddenly turned serious. “Lock the doors and don’t let anyone in.” It was quickly becoming his parting words every time he left the house.

Josey nodded, lost in thought.

Daxton placed his hands on her shoulders. “Hey, are you okay?”

Josey smiled. “I’m fine. Now, go! I’ll take care of everything here. Don’t worry.”

“Just rest—”

“Daxton, Andrew’s waiting,” she cut him off, pushing him playfully toward the backdoor. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Daxton smirked and then walked out, giving her one last glance over his shoulder. She waved and then closed the door. He walked out to the barn and Andrew was already milking the cow.

“It’s about time you came out here.” Andrew smiled, lifting an eyebrow.

“Hey, now.” Daxton headed over to the feed bin and began scooping it out for the horses. “I just lifted the heavy buckets of water for Josey. That’s all.”

Andrew laughed. “Well, I like her.” He went back to milking the cow as the sound of liquid hitting the metal bucket filled the air. “Where did you two meet?”

Daxton sighed as he filled a bucket with sweet feed. He didn’t want to lie to his son, but he didn’t want to tell him the complete truth, either. “She was sick and needed to be cared for, so I helped her.”

Andrew nodded.

Daxton was glad that his son was satisfied with the answer.

“Pa,” Andrew said as he milked the cow. “Shawn was talking about a rodeo coming into Laramie. Can we go?”

Daxton shrugged. “Well, I don’t see why not. When is it?”

“This weekend, I think.” Andrew continued milking the cow. “Do you think Josey and Lillian would want to go with us?”

Daxton scooped the feed into the horses’ bins, ready for when they come in from the field. “I don’t know if Josey will want to go, but I’m sure Lillian will.”

“I hope she does.” When the bucket he was working on was filled, Andrew set it aside, and then grabbed another. “I like Josey.”

Daxton smiled. “Now, don’t get too attached to her. I’m not sure how long she’s going to stay.”

“Well, I hope she stays forever.” Andrew began filling the new bucket. “Don’t you like her, Pa?”

Daxton nodded. “Yes, I do.”

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