Page 17 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Daxton gave her a kind smile. “I’ll be right back.”

With the plate lying on her lap, she leaned back against the pillows behind her and closed her eyes. But the image of Logan’s fixed eyes appeared before her mind again. She gasped. For when she opened her eyes, Daxton was holding a knife.

“Shh,” he murmured, unaware of the effect seeing him with a knife had on her. “It’s just me.”

Josey pushed herself back against the headboard, her body rigid, her eyes wide.

“It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” He reached for the plate resting on her lap.

Josey slowly handed it to him and watched as he cut the corn off the cob.

Within minutes, he gave the plate back to her, set the knife on the small nightstand next to the bed, and then scooped up a spoonful of corn.

Josie relaxed a bit and shook her head. “No, thank you. I can do it.”

But her hands were shaking too hard, and the corn fell off the spoon. Josey guessed it was from shock. She just needed something to drink and rest. So, she set the spoon on the plate and handed it back to him.

“Would you like more fish?” He smirked. “It appears that you liked it.”

She gave him a weak smile. “It was good. Maybe later.”

Daxton patted her leg as he rose from the bed. “I’ll be right back.”

Once her was gone, she tried to lean back and relax, but the wind howled through the window and her imagination had her seeing images in the twilight.

When Daxton came back in, he handed her another glass of lemonade. “Here you go.”

She let out a sigh of relief and took a sip. It tasted so good that she downed half the glass and handed it back to him, her hands still shaking.

He placed the glass on the nightstand and then gently pushed her shoulders back. “Now, get some rest.”

Josey resisted at first, but then relented and relaxed against the pillows, snuggling into the down feathers of the soft mattress. A moment later, her eyes began to close.

She felt Daxton tuck the blankets in around her. When she opened her eyes, he was picking up the plate. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.” He started to walk away, but she stopped him.

“No, don’t go.” She bit her lower lip, choosing her words carefully. “Could you stay until I fall asleep?”

“Of course.” A crease formed between his eyes. “I’ll be right back.”

Josey nodded, hoping that he understood. She didn’t want him in her bed. No, of course not. She just wanted him in the room with her. Somehow, she felt safe with him, although she wasn’t sure why. Josey willed herself to keep her eyes open until Daxton returned. Although she knew she shouldn’t, there was something about him that she trusted.

Daxton walked back in, carrying two blankets. “I thought you might need this.” He covered her with another blanket and tucked it in around her. Then he crossed the room to the window and closed it, leaving it open slightly. Leaving the candle burning, he sat on the chair and covered himself. “Get some rest.”

Although Josey’s eyes began to close, she willed herself to stay awake for another minute. “You won’t leave me, will you?”

A faint smile curled his lips as he shook his head. “No, I won’t. I promise.” He pulled the blanket up over himself, staying fully dressed. “Get some sleep. I’ll still be here when you wake.”

She nodded and then settled onto the pillows once more. The soft down of the featherbed felt so good, wrapping around her weary body.

“Daxton?”

“Yes?”

She paused for a moment. “Thank you… for everything.”

He gave her a concerned smile. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

Josey sighed as her eyes began to close. But she wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow. What would he say when he found out that she killed Logan Slater? No, she had to leave when she was able. Daxton could never know.

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