Page 44 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

“Well, then maybe she’ll stay.”

“Let’s not put the cart before the horse, son.” Daxton knew that she was going to stay until after the baby was born, but he wasn’t sure if she would stay after that. And he couldn’t let himself get close to her and the baby, and then leave. He didn’t want to put himself or his family through that again. No, the first time with Priscilla was enough. “Let’s hurry to do the chores so we can go hunting. Are you sure you still want to go?”

Andrew scoffed. “Of course! I’m almost through milking the cow. Then I’ll weed the garden.”

Daxton smiled. “The garden can wait one more day. I’ll put away the milk and then we can go.”

“Yes!”

Daxton glanced over at his son. “But you’ll have to wear shoes and jeans. We’ll be going into the forest, after all.”

“Oh, Pa!” In the summer, Andrew spent most of his time barefoot. It was hard to get shoes on the boy until the cold weather set in.And even then, it was a struggle.

“You heard me.” Daxton set the empty feed bucket back into the wooden cabinet. “And don’t worry about shoveling out the stalls. I’ll do it this weekend.”

“But we’re going to the rodeo!” Andrew reminded him.

“Maybe.” Daxton lifted the full bucket of milk. “I need to go into work tomorrow and Friday. Then maybe we’ll go Saturday or Sunday after church.”

“But we have the dinner after church.” Andrew finished filling the other bucket and then let the cow go out to pasture. Helifted the pail and followed his father, and they headed toward the house.

“Well, aren’t you the social butterfly!” Daxton smiled as they walked up the slight hill toward the back door of the house.

“Pa!” Andrew lugged the other full milk pail up the hill beside his father, careful not to spill any. “We spent most of the winter inside during the blizzard. It’s nice to be able to get out now.”

Daxton sighed. “I can’t argue with that.” He stopped his son. “Josey, we’re coming in. Are you decent?”

No answer.

Daxton’s heart sank as images of Priscilla leaving ran through his mind all over again. “Josey?”

No answer.

Daxton set down the pail of milk, his heart racing. “Stay here.” He rushed inside, not sure why he was so worked up. After all, it wasn’t as if they had a relationship. But what if her husband had found her? “Josey?” He ran through the living room to the bedroom, when something caught his eye. He stopped dead in his tracks. To the right, Josey was asleep in the rocking chair. He breathed a sigh of relief. The dishes had been washed and put away, and the rest of the house was clean, as well. Daxton opened the back door.

Andrew was waiting, his eyebrows raised almost into his hairline, his eyes wide. “Is everything okay?”

Daxton nodded. “Everything’s fine. Josey just fell asleep in the rocking chair.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. “And that was a reason to think that we were under attack. Dad, sometimes you take your job to extremes.”

Daxton laughed, enjoying his son’s spunk. “Get inside.” He smiled, shaking his head.

Andrew smirked as he lugged the pail of milk inside and set it on the counter. “Pa, you want me to fill the bottles?”

Daxton shook his head. “No, I’ll do it. Go get ready and I’ll be finished when you come out.”

Andrew sighed. “Okay, Pa. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Take your time… and be careful not to wake Josey.” Daxton reached under the sink and pulled out some clean glass bottles, filled them with milk, and then sealed them. Then he took them down into the cool cellar. The milk would last for a few days down there, no matter how hot it got outside.

After everything was put away, Daxton headed into the living room to check on Josey and smiled when he saw that she was still sleeping. Knowing she would be more comfortable in a bed, he carefully bent down and scooped her into his arms. Josey instinctively wrapped her arm around his neck and snuggled onto his chest, causing his heart to stir.

As he laid her on his bed, he had to remind himself that she was married. Then again, she had said that she wasn’t anymore, but she didn’t elaborate on it. No, he put all thoughts of her staying with them out of his mind. She would be there until after the baby was born, but that would be a while, at least six months.

When he laid her in his bed, she snuggled onto the pillow and curled up on her side, looking very vulnerable and beautiful. Watching her sleep, his heart went out to her. Hard telling what she had been through at the hands of her ex-husband. If she were his, Daxton vowed that he would care for her, treasure her, and treat her with respect as a woman should be treated. As he pulled the quilt over her, Priscilla leaving him came to mind. At that moment, he swore to take care of Josey, but he couldn’t let her into his or his children’s hearts. He closed the drapes, letting her sleep, and then closed the door gently behind him.

Andrew was standing in the bedroom, ready, with his hands on his hips and a smirk on his lips. “Are you going to marry Josey?”

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