Daxton’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Yes, I do. If your husband comes for you, I’ll take care of it.”

She was about to tell him that her husband was dead, but she couldn’t say the words. “Okay.” Technically, she wasn’t lying to him, just withholding information. But it felt as if she was lying by not telling him the complete truth.

Daxton must have seen that she was giving in a little, because he started talking quickly. “Listen. You don’t have to figure everything out right now. Let’s just go inside and enjoy the evening without pressure. We don’t have to have all the answers right now.” A slight smile lit his lips. “Besides, you can’t leave right now in the dark…”

He didn’t know her very well.

“And the fish will go to waste…” He leaned down and looked into her eyes. “Come here.” Daxton pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back. “Josey, you’re not alone. You don’t have to go through this by yourself.”

She nodded against his chest and stepped back, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Daxton. You’re a good man.”

“And you’re a good woman.”

When she looked away, he placed a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Yes, Josey, you are. Give yourself a chance. The people of Whiskey River and I will help you… if you let us.”

She nodded, placing her hand on his cheek. “I’m so glad I met you, Daxton Clark.”

He smiled as he kissed her forehead. “I’m glad I met you, too.” Then he pulled back to look into her eyes. “Now, let’s go inside and have that fish before it gets cold. It smells delicious.”

She chuckled, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “I hope you like it.”

Daxton wrapped his arm around her waist. “I’m sure I will.”

“It’s probably burned by now.” Josey sighed. “But at least half of it is okay.” She remembered that she had cooked half of the fish before running out the door.

Daxton smirked. “No, Ella took over and cooked the rest.”

Josie nodded. “I’ll have to thank her. She seems very nice.”

“She is… both she and Colton.”

“Just in time!” Ella smiled as they walked back in, acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

“Thank you, Ella, but I can take over from here.” Josey crossed the room and took the skillet from her hand.

Ella gave her a quick, one-armed hug. “I really don’t mind helping out.” She clapped her hands together. “So, what would you like me to do?”

“Would you mind setting the table?” Josey took the last of the fish out of the skillet and laid them in the pan with the others. “Ella?”

Ella stopped halfway to the cabinet and raised her eyebrows. “Yes?”

“Thank you.”

Ella smiled. “Don’t worry about it.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “We’ve all had our moments.”

Josey gave her a small smile and turned her attention back to preparing the meal. Ella had already fried the potatoes, had set some corn on the cob on the stove to boil, and had even sliced some fresh tomatoes. “Ella, it looks like you’ve thought of everything.”

“Well, not everything.” She held up the empty pitcher of lemonade.

Josey laughed. “Here. I’ll make some more.”

“Daxton has some lemons down in the cellar.” Ella said and then whispered, “I saw them down there when I went down for the tomatoes.”

“Thank you.” Josey felt much better as she walked down the stairs. Whiskey River sure was a unique place. Josey thought that it was probably because in a small town, everyone had to pull together to help each other or they wouldn’t make it.

Someday, Josey knew that she would have to trust them with her secret, but tonight wasn’t the night. She gathered the lemons and headed up the stairs, closing the door behind her.

In the kitchen, Ella was working away and had already set the table.