Page 32 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

“Well! There’s nothing left for me to do, besides making the lemonade.” They both laughed. “Thank you, Ella, for everything.”

“Don’t mention it.”Ella shrugged. “I’m happy to do it.”

Josey smiled, squeezing the lemons. “Here you came over to be entertained. I’d bet you didn’t expect to be the one entertaining.”

Ella smiled. “I like this much better… us working together. It’s much more fun this way, don’t you think?”

Josey smiled, suddenly realizing just how lucky she was, hoping that it didn’t all come crashing down. And when it did, she hoped that Daxton wasn’t the one to get hurt. If things were different, she would like to have Ella as a friend.

“Time to eat!” Josey announced when everything was ready.

Colton was the first one to enter, holding the baby girl’s hand as they walked in. “Well, it’s about time. I was getting hungry smelling all this good food.”

Ella playfully hit him on the arm. “Watch your manners.”

“Why?” Colton glanced over at Josey and smiled. “The sooner she gets to know the real us, the better.”

Lillian walked in carrying the baby boy and gave him to Ella when she reached for him. “Everything smells good, Miss Denning.”

Josey smiled. “Please, call me Josey.”

Lillian smiled as she took her seat at the table.

“Wow! Everything smells good, Josey!” Andrew barreled in and plopped down in a chair at the kitchen table.

“Ella helped.” Josey gave her a smile and then noticed that Andrew was still wearing the straw hat. “Andrew, take the hat off at the dinner table, please.”

Everyone laughed.

“Yes, ma’am.” He slinked off pouting into the other room.

Daxton leaned over conspiratorially. “In case you couldn’t tell, he really likes the hat you gave him.”

Josey chuckled. “I’m glad.”

Andrew came back a moment later, frowning. But when Josey smiled at him, he returned the smile, all forgotten and forgiven.

“Let’s say the blessing,” Josey glanced over at Daxton and bowed her head.

Daxton said a beautiful blessing over the meal, once again thanking God for the good food and good company. When he was finished, he announced, “Dig in!”

Throughout the meal, no one said anything more about Josey running out and the conversation stayed light. As they ate, Josey listened to everyone laugh, have fun, and enjoy eachother’s company. At that moment, she realized that this was the closest thing to family that she had seen in a very long time and hoped beyond all hope that one day she would belong. She just hoped that she wouldn’t end up being their downfall instead.

Chapter 8

Daxton

“Colton, you and Ella be careful going home now,” Daxton said as he and Josey stood on the porch, watching them leave.

“Don’t worry. I can’t go too fast with the little ones.” It was hard to believe, but the babies were already a year old now. Colton grinned. “Ella won’t let me.”

Ella smacked him playfully on the shoulder.

“Would you like Lillian to go with you to help out?” Daxton asked.

Colton looked over at Ella and she shook her head. “No, thank you. She’s been a big enough help already.”

Daxton sighed. “Colton, I’ll go in tomorrow.”

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