Page 28 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Daxton smiled. “Go put on some shoes and brush your hair, at least.” When Andrew walked back to his room, Daxton’s eyebrows pulled together with concern. “I’ll clean the fish when I get back.”

A smile curled her lips as she shook her head. “No, I’ll take care of it. I’ll have the fish cooking by the time you get back.”

Daxton arched an eyebrow, one corner of his lips curling into a smile. “You know how to clean fish?”

She chuckled. “Yes, of course. My papa didn’t raise a weak girl.”

Daxton pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right back.” Then his voice turned serious. “Lock the door after we leave, and don’t open if for anyone but me.”

She nodded, knowing that he probably meant to protect her from her husband, not Logan’s brother. But how could she tell him that she had killed her husband in self-defense? Although it hadn’t been her intention, she did it just the same. No, that conversation would have to wait for another day.

“Be careful, Daxton.”

He smiled. “I will. Don’t worry. Remember what I said: Lock the doors.”

“I will.”

A few minutes later, he and Andrew left, leaving her in the house alone. And as promised, she locked the door behind him, along with the backdoor.

Josie sighed, determined to make the best of the evening. She just hoped that nothing happened to ruin it. She placed herhands on her hips and looked down at the fish. “Well, if we’re having company, I guess I’d better get to work.”

Josie found a sharp knife and set to work cleaning all nine fish. When they were ready, she went out to the henhouse, gathered a few eggs and brought them inside. Then she went down into the cellar for some milk and flour. Once the fish was popping in the skillet, she covered it and set to work peeling potatoes that she found in the cellar.

When she was almost finished, there was a knock on the front door. Her heart fell. But she squared her shoulders, wiped her hands on the apron she had found in a kitchen drawer, and headed into the living room.

Bang, bang, bang!

Oh, my God! Please tell me that Austin hasn’t found me!

She walked slowly to the door. A man wearing a cowboy hat stood on the other side.

“Josey, it’s me.”

When she opened the door, Daxton was standing on the other side. She flung her arms around him, elated to see him.Even though it had only been a short while, his time away seemed like an eternity.

Daxton pulled her back with strong hands and looked into her eyes. “Josey, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Behind him stood Andrew, his eyes wide, and beside him stood a little girl wearing a blue dress with a matching ribbon, and a man and woman holding two toddlers.

Josey stepped back, quickly recovering herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” She smoothed her hand absentmindedly over her hair and motioned for them to come in. “Please. Do come in.”

The couple—a man with long brown hair and a woman with blonde hair pulled up neatly, much the same color as hers—looked at each other and then back at her, their eyes wide.

“Where are my manners?” Daxton asked. “Colton, Ella, this is Josey Denning. Josey, this is Colton and Ella Hill.”

Josey gave them a warm smile as she extended her hand but pulled it back when she realized they couldn’t shake her hand because her hands had flour on them. “Please, come in. It’s truly a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Colton gave her a broad smile and then stepped forward. “The pleasure is ours.” Then he turned to Daxton. “Now I know why he took off from work this week. Daxton, I don’t blame you. I would have taken off, too.”

Giving her a warm smile, Ella stepped in next and pulled her in for a one-armed hug. “It’s truly a pleasure to meet you.” She gave Daxton a quick smile. “You’ve been holding out on us!”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” Josey replied, reaching out to shake the little girl’s hand in Ella’s arms as everyone laughed.

“Josey,” Daxton said, claiming her attention, holding the shoulders of the girl in front of him. “I’d like you to meet my daughter, Lillian. Lillian, this is Josey Denning.”

Lillian took a step forward and then wrapped her arms around Josey, giving her a big hug. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Josey patted her back, biting her lower lip in an effort to hold back the tears. “I can assure you. The pleasure is mine.” Josey dabbed at her eyes. “Well, what do you say we get this shindig rolling?”

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