Page 58 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Daxton grabbed her arm, stopping her. “You’ll talk to me now.”

The only time she had known men to treat her this way was when they were drunk... except for Logan. It had started off to be just when he was drunk, but then graduated to all of the time, any time he chose.

Josey narrowed her eyes, staring Daxton down, refusing to show any fear. “Get. Out. Of. My. Way.”

“No, you’re not going anywhere until we’ve talked about this.”

Josey’s heart sank, fearing the worst. “Talked about what?”

Daxton let out a deep breath, releasing her arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?” Josey asked in disbelief. She knew she should have just told him everything right then, but she couldn’t bring herself to say the words... that she had killed her husband.

“That you were married to Logan Slater, that’s what!” Daxton let her arm go, but blocked the entrance to the barn, preventing her exit.

“Calm down. The children will hear you.”

“That’s why I brought you out here!” Daxton turned around, obviously trying to calm himself. He whirled around a moment later, his eyes wild. “Do you know that his brother came close to killing my children today?”

“What?”Josey asked in disbelief. “How did he know them?”

Daxton bit his lower lip, obviously trying to calm himself. “It appears that my new deputy knows your family.”

“They’re not my family,” Josey replied flatly, anger welling up inside of her. She regretted the day that she ever saw Logan Slater, let alone marry him, and she never wanted to be associated with them again. But she knew that was impossible. During her time with Daxton, she had hoped that her life with Logan would go away. But deep down, she knew that it never would. She would be branded as the wife of an outlaw for the rest of her days.

She tried to walk past Daxton, but he caught her and pushed her back, causing her to stumble. But she caught herself before she fell. She stood straight and smoothed her dress again. “Well. I’m glad I saw this side of you before—”

“Before what?” Daxton demanded, throwing his arms into the air. “Before I married you?” He took a step closer, causing Josey to step back. “Josey, you’re already married!”

Josey shook her head as tears slid down her cheeks. “No, I’m not. Not anymore.”

“Well, that’s rich,” Daxton replied in disbelief. “Logan doesn’t seem to think so! Why else would he have his brother out looking for you?”

He didn’t know. Or at least he didn’t know everything. But how could she tell him? How could she tell anyone that Logan would never come for her... because he was dead! No, she couldn’t tell anyone what she had done, not even Daxton.

She swiped a hand across her face, wiping the angry tears away from her cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll be gone before nightfall.”

Daxton shook his head. “No. I’m the sheriff and we have to get to the bottom of this. Please, tell me what happened. Why did you run?”

If she told him, Josey knew that she would hang for the murder of her husband. Who would believe the wife of an outlaw? That she had killed him in self-defense? People judged her because of Logan, thinking she was the same as him. Because of him, people branded her an outlaw, too. She now knew that escaping that life, escaping Logan, was impossible… even from the grave. And she couldn’t put Daxton or the children through that. Through the judgement and admonishment she would endure when her past caught up with her… like today.

No, she could never tell anyone. If Daxton found out, he would take her back to Laramie for trial… and she was never going back there again. Why would she? So Austin could have the satisfaction of watching her hang?

No, thank you.

Daxton let out a slow, calming breath. “I need to know how I can protect you... and my family at the same time. But if you’re married to one of them, before or now, then my children are in danger.”

“Then, tell me this!” A fresh wave of tears coursed down her cheeks. “Why is Austin still free? He’s committed murders, bank robberies... you name it and he’s done it... and he’s still free! Why?” she asked, turning the tables on him. “Where was the law when I needed them? When Logan came after me over and again? Where is the law now?” She swiped a hand angrily across her cheek to wipe away the tears. “I’ve been trying to get away from the Slaters since I married Logan, but it’ll never happen. Because as soon as I get away and try to start a new life, then as sure as I’m standing here, they will find me.” She looked away, biting her lip to calm herself, and then looked back. “I’m sorry to have involved you in all of this. May I just stay until sundown and then I’ll go?”

“No, Josey! I can’t let you do that!”

“Then I’ll go now.”

“No!”

“Why?”

“Because I love you!” Daxton pulled her into his arms and his lips crushed hers, angry at first, but then filled with passion.

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