Page 20 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

She took a sip and handed it back to him and swiped her hands across her face.

“Better?”

She nodded, the lump in her throat preventing her from speaking.

Daxton set the glass back on the nightstand and looked into her eyes. “What happened to you?”

Josey bit her lower lip as tears filled her eyes again. How could she tell him? How could she tell anyone?

He waited and then let out a deep breath. “Look. I don’t expect you to tell me. You can just answer yes or no. Okay?”

“Okay,” she croaked. It was the least she could do, since he had been so kind.

Daxton thought for a moment, and then asked, “Did someone hurt you?”

She nodded.

“Is that someone a man?”

“Yes.”

“Has he been hurting you for a while?”

“Yes.” Tears came to her eyes.

Daxton patted her arm. “I know this is hard for you, but this is the last question.”

She bit her lower lip.

“Was he your… husband?”

Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed. Letting out the years of abuse she had endured at his hands.

“Shh,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms. “He’s not going to hurt you again. I can promise you that.”

“But—”

“Shh.” Daxton rubbed her back, letting her cry on his shoulder. “I’ve seen it before. But I can assure you. Not all men are like that.” He pulled back her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “I promise that he won’t hurt you again.”

Tears streamed down her face. “How can you make such a promise? You don’t know—” She was about to tell him that he didn’t know what she had done, that she knew he wouldn’t hurt her again because he was dead.

“I know about men like that.” Daxton handed her a handkerchief. “I know enough.”

She let out a deep breath as she dried her tears. “Thank you.”

After she was calm, he rose from the bed and tucked her in. “Now, get some sleep. You’re safe here. I promise that no one will hurt you.”

She nodded and then watched as he took the plate from the room. Josey curled up on her side. She wasn’t worthy of such kindness.

Josey slept throughout the day, but images of Logan coming after her filled her dreams and she woke up screaming in the night.

“Shh….” The bed dipped as Daxton sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her to him. “You’re safe. Now, go back to sleep.”

When she opened her eyes, it was dark. Only the flickering light of the stars streamed in through the window. “I have to go.” She tried to sit up, but he gently pushed her back against the pillows. “Daxton, I can’t endanger you like this—”

“I promised you that I’ll keep you safe, and I intend to keep that promise.” Daxton brushed her hair away from her face but made no other move. “Now, go back to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.” But when he rose from the bed, she grabbed his hand.

“Please. Don’t leave me,” she begged. Although she wasn’t sure what she wanted, she just knew that she didn’t want him to leave her alone.

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