Page 14 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Daxton rewet the washrag on her forehead in the basin, wrung it out and refolded it, and then placed it back on her forehead again. She was sweating profusely and thrashing around in a fitful sleep.

The room was stuffy, so he opened the window, and a cool breeze rushed in. He just hoped she didn’t develop pneumonia from it. Then he tucked the quilt in around her and sat down on the chair in the corner. All he could do now was wait.

The afternoon wore on and he replaced the rag on her forehead ever so often, but she never woke. Several times, he almost went after Doc Morgan but decided to wait a bit. Afterall, her fever had broken, but as the day wore on, she still didn’t wake.

A little while later, he was about to drift off to sleep when he heard Andrew come in.

“Pa! I caught some fish!” Andrew announced from the back door.

Daxton hurried out of his bedroom, closing the door behind him. “That’s wonderful, son. I’ll start frying it while you go get cleaned up.” Andrew started walking away, but Daxton stopped him. “Andrew, did you have fun with Shawn today?”

Andrew smiled as he laid three huge fish in the sink. “I sure did! He caught four fish, himself! They sure were biting today.”

Daxton smiled, proud of his son. “So, the fly-fishing worked?”

“I’d say!” Andrew pumped water into the sink and washed his hands.

Daxton let out a deep breath, hating himself for what he was about to ask. But there was no way that he wanted a strange woman near his children until he found out more about her. “Andrew, would you like to spend a few days with Shawn at his house?”

Andrew jerked his head up. “You mean, spend the night?”

“Yes.” Daxton cringed internally. Here this was the first time he had taken any time off in a while and he was inconspicuously sending his children away. “Would you like that?”

Andrew nodded. “Yes, but why?”

Daxton shrugged. “I just thought you might like to spend a few days with him, is all.”

“Really, Pa?” Andrew’s eyes were as big as saucers. “I’ve never spent the night at a friend’s house before. May I go ask him?”

“Sure! I’ll start frying the fish.” Daxton pulled a cast iron pan from a cabinet, set it on the stove, and scooped in some lard.

A broad grin spread across his face. “Thanks, Pa!” He ran out the door before anything else could be said.

Even though he felt bad about it, Daxton told himself that he was only protecting the children until he had enough time to sort things out with this woman. And the children would be back within a few days. Who knows? By that time, maybe he could get the woman a room at Mrs. Jenkins’s boardinghouse. He made a mental note to speak with her, but not before he spoke to this young woman first. Daxton had no idea what trouble she was mixed up in, or who might be looking for her. The last thing he wanted was to put Mrs. Jenkins in harm’s way.

“Shawn’s parents said yes!” Andrew proudly announced as he ran in through the back door and into his bedroom.

“But not before you eat some of the fish you caught, I hope?” Daxton called after him.

“Oh, Pa!” Andrew ran out of his bedroom, carrying a bundle on the end of a stick. “Can I just take one with me? Shawn’s mother is already frying his up—”

“Say no more.” Daxton wrapped a fish in cheesecloth and handed it to him. “Is that enough or would you like to take two?”

Andrew grinned. “No, I’ll leave the others here for you. I know how much you like it.” He pulled his father in for a hug. “Bye, Pa! I’ll see you in a few days!”

“Be back by Wednesday night!” Daxton called after him as his son ran out the door. It was Monday, after all, and that would give him some time to sort things out. “We’ll go fishing Thursday!”

Daxton sighed as he cleaned the fish and started frying it. Within moments, the fish was popping in the skillet. Soon, the aroma of fresh fish cooking filled the air. Fish don’t keep, so the only time he really was able to have it was in the summertime… and he ate as much as he possibly could while he could.

Every summer, he and Andrew went fishing together in Whiskey River. He had taught his son every aspect of fishing over the years while he was growing up. Fortunately, Andrew shared his love of fishing, and it had become an activity they could do together. But over the last few years, their fishing trips had become few and far between.

While the fish was cooking, he boiled some corn on the cob and sliced some fresh tomatoes he had purchased from Mr. Carson at the Whiskey River General Store. He always dealt with Mr. Carson when he could. His wife was just too much of a busybody for his taste.

When the meal was ready, he made a plate and carried it into the bedroom, knowing that he would eat later. But he needed to see after the woman first.

“Hello?” As Daxton slowly opened the door, a golden glow filled the room, reflecting the sunset out the window. When he looked over at the woman, she was still sleeping but drenched in sweat.

He entered the room and lit a candle on the dresser, bringing light into the room. Then he sat on the edge of the bed beside her. “Miss?” he asked, his voice merely a whisper. “Are you hungry?”

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