Page 9 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

The man looked at her with kind eyes, taking a step closer. “Give me the gun, miss.”

Josey pointed the weapon at him, willing her hands to stop shaking. “Stay back!”

The man stopped. “I promise I won’t hurt you—”

“Really? And what good are the promises of men?”

He looked at her, unfazed. “I don’t know what you’ve been through in the past, but not all men out there will hurt you….” He took a step closer. “You can trust me.”

“Stop!” she yelled as tears coursed down her cheeks. “Stop!” He took another step closer, but the steam was going out of her. She was just so tired…. “Stop!”

“Shh,” he cooed as he stepped closer, stopping in front of her.

“Stop….” She lowered her weapon, letting her arm fall to her side, her body shaking as sobs wracked her body.

The man caught her with one arm and took the gun out of her hand with the other.

Out of reflex, she leaned into him and sobbed on his shoulder, letting his strong arms support her.

“Shh….” he whispered into her hair. “You’re safe now. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Her legs started to shake. Josey would have collapsed onto the straw out of relief that it was over—one way or another—but his strong, muscular arms supported her, keeping her from falling.

The man tucked her gun into the back of his jeans along with his and, in one fluid motion, scooped her into his arms. She felt her body being carried somewhere… up the stairs and into the house… a bedroom. The man kicked the door closed behind him.

“No, don’t!” she yelled, but the fight was out of her. If she was going to die, she just hoped it was quick at the hands of this man and not Austin Slater.

“Shh….” he stage-whispered. “Please, keep your voice down. I said I won’t hurt you and I meant it. You’re safe here. I promise.” He stood her on her feet just long enough to pull down the quilt and sheets, and then sat her down on the edge of the bed. She tried to protest, but he murmured soft words to her as he bent down and took her shoes off, laid her down on the bed, covered her over with a warm quilt, and then tucked her in. “I’ll be right back.” Then he disappeared out the door.

Although she had slept through the night, she was still so tired. Violent shivers ran over her body, so she pulled the blankets around her face, snuggling into the soft down feather bed. She was almost asleep but jumped when the door opened.

“Shh….” a voice cooed.

She looked up and it was the same kind man.

“For now, I want you to stay in here.” The man sat down on the edge of the bed beside her., but she shrank away. “Don’t worry. I locked the door so no one will bother you. You’re safe.”

She nodded, understanding, and relaxed a bit.

“Here.” He handed her a glass of water. “Drink this.”

She raised up, feeling weak, but drank the whole glass, thirstier than she thought.

He placed his hand on her forehead. “You’re burning up. I’ll go fetch Doc Morgan—”

“No.” She placed her hand on his arm, shaking her head. “No doctors. I just need to rest.”

He watched her for a moment and then nodded. Then he left the room again and, what seemed to be a moment later, a warm washcloth was on her forehead.

“I’m so cold—”

“You have a fever. Rest and I’ll get you another blanket. You need to sweat it out.”

She nodded and closed her eyes. A moment later, the weight of another blanket fell over her, and warmth finally caressed her body. Josey ran a hand over her stomach under the blanket. She just hoped that she didn’t lose the baby because of this. No, she would rest now. She had to... for the sake of the baby.

“Thank you.”

There was a pat on her shoulder. “Get some sleep.”

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