Page 12 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

“So, how are the clothes coming along?” Daxton asked, taking in the scenery of green, lush grasses, green forest, rolling hills, and white-capped mountains in the distance. As white as the landscape had been in the winter, in summer, greenstretched out as far as the eye could see. It really was a beautiful sight.

“Oh, Pa! Ella… I mean Mrs. Hill… taught me how to sew seams and hems….” Lillian launched into a monologue about sewing, needing no more prompting. He nodded and “uh-hummed” at the right places, but his mind was on the woman lying in his bedroom at his home. The woman was so vulnerable that she hardly seemed dangerous. But in his experience as a lawman, that wasn’t always the case.

A short while later, they pulled up in front of the Hill Ranch. Ella walked out onto the front porch with a baby on each hip.

“Well, well! Lillian, I wasn’t expecting you today, but I’m so glad you’re here!” A broad smile spread across her face. “Would you mind taking one of the babies for me?”

Lillian beamed, glancing over at her father with hopeful eyes.

“Go ahead.” Daxton chuckled, enjoying his daughter’s enthusiasm.

“Yes, Mrs. Hill,” Lillian replied as she jumped down out of the buckboard, leaving her sewing kit on the bench seat beside her father. “I’d be glad to.”

“Please, call me Ella.” She smiled as she adjusted the babies on her hips. “Which one would you like?”

A broad smile spread across Lillian’s lips. “Come here.” Her eyes sparkled as she held up her hands to Hannah, who happily went to her, smiling and cooing.

“Is Colton around?” Daxton wrapped the reins around the front bar of the buckboard and hopped down, carrying his daughter’s sewing kit. He set it on a small table on the front porch, knowing nothing would happen to it there.

Ella motioned with her head toward the barn, adjusting the other baby, Blake, on her hip. “Colton’s out back, working with the men.”

“Mind if I talk to him?” Daxton’s eyebrows lifted.

Ella smiled as she shook her head. “No, not at all.” Then she turned to the girl. “Lillian, why don’t you go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she replied and then headed inside, carrying the baby and taking the sewing kit with her.

Ella turned her attention to Daxton. “Is something wrong?”

He shook his head, smiling. “No, everything’s fine,” he lied. “I just need to speak with Colton.”

Ella gave him a small smile and nodded. “Well, if you ever need to talk—”

“I’ll let you know,” Daxton finished, his lips curling into a smile. Then he gave her a pat on the shoulder. “Thanks. I truly appreciate it.” He started toward the barn but stopped. “Ella, thank you for taking Lillian under your wing like this. It really means a lot.”

Ella grinned. “It’s my pleasure. She’s been a big help to me, too.”

“Well, she loves coming to visit.”

Ella inclined her head. “She’s welcome here any time.”

Daxton nodded his thanks and headed toward the back.

Colton saw him approach and walked out of the barn, leaving the other men working behind him. “Hello, sheriff. Want to come in for some lemonade?”

Daxton shook his head. “No, but could I speak with you for a moment?”

Colton’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. He took his hat off and hit it against his leg, causing dust to fly into the air. Then he pulled his long, dark brown hair back in one hand and let it fall down his back out of habit. “What’s wrong, sheriff?"

Daxton sighed. “I need to ask you a favor.”

One corner of Colton’s lips curled into a smile as he waited.

“Could you take over as sheriff for the week?” Daxton asked, placing his hands on his hips.

A crease formed between Colton’s eyes. “Is something wrong?”

Daxton shook his head. “No, I just need some time off. I haven’t taken any time off for as long as I can remember, and you were the first person I thought of that could take over.” He chuckled. “James is a good man, but he’s young and would drive the town crazy before I came back.”

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