Page 29 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

“Sounds good to me,” Colton replied, walking in. “Something smells good.”

“Oh! I guess I’d better get back in the kitchen before it burns!” Josey ran into the kitchen just in time to turn the fish.

Ella followed and sat in a kitchen chair, one of the babies on her lap. “Would you mind if I feed the babies while we talk? I didn’t know we were coming over.”

“No, not at all.” Josey began pulling open kitchen drawers and found a lightweight dishtowel and handed it to Ella. “Here. You can use this… just in case the men come in.”

“Thank you,” Ella replied and then covered her and the baby to breastfeed. “So, how did you and Daxton meet?”

“We met a few days ago.” Josey answered vaguely, a bit nervous. “He’s letting me stay here until I get on my feet.”

Ella nodded. “Where are you from?”

“Laramie.” Josey wasn’t expecting a lot of questions, but she thought that the truth was best… or at least the closest thing to the truth that she could manage at this point. “I won’t be staying long.”

“Oh, I hope that’s not the case.” Ella rocked the baby under the dishtowel. “Daxton seems very taken with you.”

Josey smiled, glancing over at her as she worked in the kitchen. “He does?”

Ella nodded. “Yes, he does. He told us about you when he came over and he spoke very highly of you.”

Josey let out a deep breath. “That’s good to hear.” As the fish cooked, she took it from the frying pan, breaded more, and laid them carefully in the skillet, the grease popping.

“Be careful, there.” Daxton walked in and poured glasses of lemonade. “Josey, Ella, want some?”

“Yes, please,” Ella and Josey said in unison and then both laughed.

“Well, it looks like you two are hitting it off.” Daxton poured the lemonade and handed one to each of them.

“Yes, we were just having a discussion.” Josey glanced over at Ella and smiled as Ella giggled.

“And that means gossip,” Daxton corrected. “That’s my cue!” He set the other glasses of lemonade on a tray and headed back into the living room.

Ella laughed. “He’s not far off the truth.”

Just then, Lillian walked in, carrying a glass. “May I join you?”

“Yes, of course!” Josey pulled out a chair. “You’re a lady, aren’t you?”

A broad smile spread across Lillian’s face as she sat down, obviously glad to be included as a lady.

“But wouldn’t you rather be playing?” Josey asked, placing the lid back over the fish.

Lillian shook her head. “No, I’m a lady and I need to learn how to do more lady things.”

Ella chuckled. “And a lady, you are.” She looked over at Josey. “Do you know that this little lady was a very big help to me over the past few days?”

A broad smile spread across Josey’s face. “Is that right?”

Ella nodded. “Yes, since Colton took over Daxton’s duties this week, I could really use the help.”

A crease formed between Josey’s eyes. “Duties?”

Ella nodded. “Yes, as sheriff. Daxton’s the sheriff of Whiskey River.” She let out a deep breath, not noticing Josey’s posture go ridged. “Of course, Daxton just hired James, but he needed to make sure that he didn’t drive the shop owners crazy. You see, he’s a bit too—” Ella stopped when she looked up and saw the expression on Josey’s face.

Josey was frozen in place, her mouth open, her eyes wide with horror. “He’s the sheriff?”

Ella nodded, a crease forming between her eyes. “Yes. Why? Didn’t you know?”

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