Page 59 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Josey beat against his chest, trying to free herself, but then went limp in his arms, defeated as passion and love rushed through her, a love like nothing she had ever known before. At that moment, she knew there was no one that she would ever want more than Daxton Clark. But it could never be. She allowed herself the luxury of this one kiss, for it would have to sustain her for a lifetime. The dream was gone. Shattered into a million pieces. When she pulled back, tears ran down her face. “Daxton, it could never work out.”

“Shh....” He placed a finger gently to her lips. “Once their gang is put behind bars, you won’t have anything to fear. We could start a new life—”

“Daxton, I can’t.” How could she tell him that she would never want anything more than him? That he had ruined her for all other men? “If knowing you has taught me one thing, it’s knowing that not all men will treat me... disrespectfully. I thank you for that.”

“So, this is it?” Daxton had tears in his eyes, too.

“I don’t know any other way it can be.” This time, when Josey walked past him, Daxton let her go.

Josey walked into the house and the children came slowly down the stairs, their eyes wide, unsure. The last thing she ever wanted for them, or her own child, was an unsteady environment.

Josey went straight into the kitchen. The pot roast would be nothing but charcoal if she let it stay in the oven too long. As it was, it had been cooking for a while, but she knew that it would be fine. At that moment, Josey could have cared less if the potroast was cooked to perfection, over cooked, burned to a crisp, or anything between. This would be her last meal here. Probably her last decent meal for a while. And even though it was his food, she had cooked it. She had to eat even if she had to choke it down… for the sake of her baby.

Daxton came in and watched her work but said nothing.

“Would you mind if I eat one last meal here?” Josey asked out of courtesy without turning around, unable to look into his eyes.

Then she felt Daxton’s hands on her upper arms. “Have many meals here. Have every meal here for the rest of your life.”

Josey shook her head. “Can’t.” She had to keep her responses brief to hold back the tears. She had already cried in front of him, and she wasn’t going to let it happen again.

“Here. I’ll get that.” Daxton gently moved her aside and then lifted the heavy iron pan from the oven. “When did you do this?”

Josey shrugged. “While you were away. I wanted to surprise you.” Instead, he got a surprise that he didn’t want when he went to Laramie. She was sure he had had enough surprises to last a lifetime… and so had she.

Lillian jumped up and wrapped her arms around Josey’s waist. “Don’t go, Josey. Pa won’t let that bad man hurt you.” Then she looked up at her father with pleading eyes. “Will you, Pa?”

“It’s not that simple,” Josey responded before Daxton could answer. Then she stooped down to look into her eyes. “Sweetie, I would never leave you, if I could help it.”

“Then don’t,” a voice came from behind her.

Josey turned around and Andrew was standing there.

“Children,” Josey forced a smile through her tears, touched by their kindness. “Let’s make the most of the time we have together.” She ruffled Andrew’s hair to lighten the mood, the way she had seen Daxton do countless times. “I’ll tell you what.Let’s eat and have fun tonight. Let’s not waste time being sad. I want to remember you smiling.”

Daxton took a step closer and whispered, “If you like, Harrison Curry has plenty of rooms at the hotel. He’s strong enough to keep you safe. Or you can stay here, and we’ll figure something out.”

She shook her head, knowing that she couldn’t let him put her—or anyone—before his own children. That much, she understood. In the short time that she had been pregnant, she knew that she would do anything for her child... including giving her own life.

“No, but thank you,” she whispered. “Let’s not do this in front of the children.” She looked over at the children and they were hanging on every word.

“Andrew,” Daxton interjected. “You and your sister set the table for Josey.”

“Yes, Pa,” Andrew replied and then took his sister’s hand, who was watching with wide eyes.

But Lillian quickly pulled away. “I can set the table. You go get washed up.” She glared at Josey, still talking to her brother. “I’ve been doing this for a while now.”

Pain ripped through Josey’s chest. She had hurt Lillian and Andrew... and she hadn’t intended to hurt anyone… least of all them.

For a moment, she thought of staying. But how could she endanger their lives like that? If Austin found out that Daxton had hidden her, he would kill not only Daxton, but the children, too. No, the only thing for her to do was to leave.

She just hoped that one day, they’d understand.

Josey waited until she was sure Daxton was asleep, taking only just the clothes on her back. Opening the door slightly, she peered into the living room. Daxton was asleep, snoring loudly.He must have been exhausted. She was sure that her leaving hadn’t helped matters much. But then again, he hadn’t objected. But the last thing she wanted to do was to put Daxton or the children in harm’s way.

Josey crept around Daxton and then out the front door, closing it softly behind her, careful not to wake him.

Then, she ran.

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