Page 36 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Andrew pushed the cards over to him. “No, I mean deal… deal the cards.”

Daxton smiled as he picked up the cards. “The game is Five Card Stud, lady and gentleman.” Josey and Andrew laughed as he dealt the cards.

Andrew picked up his cards one by one, but his expression was unreadable as he studied them.

Daxton looked at his cards as Josey studied hers, her expression unreadable, as well. He had three aces and a pair of tens. “Well, son? How about it?”

Andrew laid two cards face down onto the table. “I’ll take two.”

He slid two cards face down to his son across the table. Andrew picked them up and looked at them, his expression, again, unreadable.In the short time that they had been playing, his son’s Poker face was getting better.

One corner of Daxton’s lips curled into a smile. “And for the lady?”

She arched an eyebrow as she laid one card down onto the table face down. “One, please.”

He dealt her a single card. She picked it up and added it to her hand.

“I’ll stick.” Daxton looked over at his son. “Well, what do you say, son?”

“I call.”

Daxton laughed. “You already sound like a gambler. What have I done?”

Andrew laughed. “I can’t wait to show Shawn how to play!”

“And Mrs. Nash will have my hide when you both go back to school.”

Josey shrugged. “It’s a way he can win some money.”

“Not from the other children.” Daxton smiled. “I can see it now: The sheriff’s son, winning all of the other children’s pennies.” They all laughed. He glanced over at Josey. “What do you say?”

“I call,” Josey replied with a straight face.One thing was certain: Josey had a good Poker face.

Daxton smiled. “You’re not going to get me this time. I call, too.” He spread his cards across the table. “Full house, aces high.”

Josey spread out her cards and there was an eight, seven, six, five, and a four of hearts. “A straight flush.” She smiled in victory and sat back, but Andrew stopped her.

“Wait.” A broad smile spread across Andrew’s face as he laid down an ace, king, queen, jack, and a ten. “I believe this is called a Royal Flush.”

Daxton and Josey looked at each other and then burst out laughing.

“It’s your fault,” Daxton teased Josey, gathering the cards. “You’re the one who wanted to play Poker.”

“Yes, I did.” Josey rose from her seat. “I’m sorry.”

But Daxton caught her hand as she passed. “Josey, come and sit back down. I was only joking. I meant no offense.”

Josey nodded. “It’s okay. It’s time for bed anyway.” She pulled back her hand. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Daxton smiled. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right.” Josey glanced over at Andrew and smiled. “You play very well.”

A smile lit the boy’s lips. “I had a good teacher.”

Josey’s smile broadened. “But promise me that you won’t take too much of the children’s money.”

Andrew laughed. “I’ll play for matchsticks.”

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