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Chapter 11

Josey

After dinner, Josey stacked the dishes and put some water on to heat.

“Here. I’ll get that.” Daxton took the other bucket from her hand, filled it, and then set it on the top of the stove for the children’s baths and dishwater. His eyebrows pulled together in concern, and he suddenly seemed distant. And Josey herself had grown quiet at dinner after the mention of going to Laramie.

Daxton had probably noticed.

But she couldn’t go to Laramie. No matter what. If Austin Slater or a member of his gang saw her, it could get Daxton and the children killed… as well as herself and the baby. No, Daxton and the children would be safe, as long as she wasn’t seen with them.

As she stacked the dishes, she knew that she should tell Daxton about Logan and Austin, but how could she tell him that she had killed her husband? Would he believe that it was in self-defense? Deep down inside, she wondered if she even deserved to live. After all, she had taken a life, no matter how despicable that life had been. She sighed, thinking. Could God forgive her for what she had done, or would she be condemned to Hell for eternity?

Josey pushed the thought from her mind. What she had to think about right now was her child. She owed it to her baby to live. The child had nothing to do with who his or her father had been… or what her mother had become.

For a split second, she wished that the child had been Daxton’s and not Logan’s. She could never tell anyone who the real father of the child was, for fear of it getting back to her child later in life. No, this child was no longer Logan’s. It was hers and hers alone. And she would do anything to protect it, to give him or her a good life.

“Are you all right?” Daxton asked, taking a dish from her hand.

She nodded. “Just a little tired.”

Daxton sighed, but didn’t smile. “Why don’t you go lie down? I’ll take care of the dishes and the children.”

“No, I can—”

“Josey, go get some rest,” he whispered, his eyes kind as he placed his hand gently over hers.

Normally, she would have insisted that she do the dishes, but she was just so tired… and she also needed time alone to think. She was living in a make-believe world with the family that she had always wanted… but they weren’t hers. And it was too dangerous to her heart to pretend that they were.

“If you insist.” She handed him the dishtowel and headed toward the bedroom.

“Night, Josey,” Lillian said as she passed.

Josey stopped and smiled. “You want me to show you some things tomorrow?”

Lillian’s eyes brightened. “Like what?”

Josey shrugged. “Like how to sew, crochet, or embroidery.”

Lillian jumped to her feet. “You know how to do all of that?”

Josey smiled, nodding. “Yes, of course. And I’ll be glad to show you, while I’m here.” Josey thought for a moment. “Every young lady should know these things.”

A smile spread across Lillian’s face. “Yes! That would be wonderful.”

“Tomorrow, then.” Then Josey glanced over at Andrew, who was helping his father clear the table. “Good night, Andrew.”

He looked up and smiled. “Night, Josey. I hope you feel better soon.”

“Thanks, hon.” She walked into Daxton’s bedroom and closed the door behind her, grateful to be with this family… no matter how long it may last. She was just glad that she had a taste of a normal family before she had to leave. But she planned to stay until the baby was born. She had promised Daxton. And she planned to make the most of it and to help them out as much as she could… while she was there.

Alone, she sat on the edge of the bed, wondering how she had gotten herself into this mess. She rubbed her stomach that was now starting to protrude ever so slightly. She had always had a flat stomach and no one else would notice the change... not yet. But soon, people would. How was she going to explain her pregnancy to everyone? She could tell them that it was her late husband’s and that he had died, which wasn’t entirely a lie. Yes, he had died... but at her hands.

But it had been an accident, after all. She hadn’t walked into the room where he was and gunned him down in cold blood. She had warned him to stop, to leave her alone, but he hadn’t listened. And she still hadn’t shot him, even when he had lunged for her. But in self defense, thinking of the baby’s as well as her own well being, was when she had finally pulled the trigger.

God help her. She just hoped that her child never found out who his or her real father was. No, that secret was better kept and taken to the grave. She just hoped it wasn’t the later.

After a while, she leaned back against the pillows, but she wasn’t able to sleep. She had too much on her mind.

Then she began to think. At the fish fry with Colton and Ella, it had been mentioned that they had hired a young man named James as a deputy. Then she sat bolt upright in the bed as she put two and two together. One of Logan’s men was named James. But then she let out a deep breath and settled back down, knowing that the chances of it being the same man were slim to none. She was just being paranoid.

But then again, Austin was cunning, even though he was vicious. That was how he and Logan had eluded the law for so long. Josie wouldn’t put it past Austin to plant people in towns in the area on the lookout for her.

She smirked, knowing she was being ridiculous. He didn’t have enough men to place one in every town, unless his men scouted the surrounding area, as well.

Josie knew she’d never get any sleep at this rate, letting her imagination get away from her.

As she lay in Daxton’s bed, she missed him. Even though she had slept in his arms just over the past two nights, Josie had already gotten used to it. Now, she missed him.

But it wasn’t fair to lead him on.

Daxton had cared for her in her hour of need. She owed him more than that. Even though she felt her heart going out to him, she couldn’t let herself fall for him. Not until this mess with Logan and Austin was over. But in her heart of hearts, she doubted it ever would be. Josie feared that she would be looking over her shoulder, having to keep moving from town to town for the rest of her life and not get attached to the residents, just to survive.

Unable to sleep, she decided to get a glass of lemonade or maybe a cup of hot tea. When she opened the door, it was dark except for the faint embers glowing in the fireplace. Since it was summer, it was cool and not too cold, so it wasn’t as important to keep the fire going all night.

Not wanting to disturb Daxton, she crept into the living room as quietly as she could.

“What are you doing up?” Daxton’s voice resonated throughout the room, piercing the silence, causing her to jump.

“Oh! You scared me!” She placed a hand over her heart. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Daxton sat up and smiled. He was fully clothed, with the exception of his bare feet. And she couldn’t help but notice that even his feet were attractive. “Sorry. I couldn’t sleep.”

He rose from the sofa and placed a log on the fire. The fire rose up again, filling the room with warmth.

“Neither could I.” She motioned toward the kitchen. “I was about to make myself a glass of lemonade. Would you like some?”

“Would you mind if I make us some coffee instead?” He headed back to the sofa, folded the blanket, and laid it over the arm.

“That’s okay. I’ll make it.” It was the least she could do for all that he had done for her. As she started making the coffee, Daxton’s voice suddenly boomed in her ear.

“You know, you don’t have to feel obligated to me.”

“Oh!” She jumped, chills going down her spine. She hit him playfully on the chest. “Stop doing that!”

Daxton chuckled. “I’m sorry. It seems that I’ve been scaring you a lot tonight.”

Letting her heart settle, she scooped the coffee into the metal coffee pot. “It’s not you. I must be a little jumpy tonight.”

Daxton waited for a moment, as if pondering something, and then asked, “Could we talk?”

Her heart sank. Although she knew it was coming, Josey had been dreading this moment. But at least it would be over with. “Yes, of course.” She set the coffee pot on the stove and turned on the fire.

Daxton walked into the dining area and pulled out her chair for her. After she was seated, he sat across from her. Her heart pounded, knowing what was coming, and dreading every moment of it.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I need to know what caused you to go on the run.” Daxton bit his lower lip and released it. “I know your husband was abusive from the questions I asked when you first arrived. But I need to know if my children are in danger.”

Josey nodded. “Fair enough.” She took a deep breath, summoning her courage. “When I first met my husband, he was a sweet talker, good looking, and told me all the right things. I heard rumors in town about him and his family, but I didn’t believe them. Thought of them as vicious gossip.” She shrugged. “I guess the old saying that love is blind is true. I had fallen in love with him, and I didn’t believe the rumors.

“Then after we were married, he started beating me and worse. When I said no....” Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she continued, “he would tell me that I was his wife. His property to do with as he saw fit. The last time he came after me, I swore that I’d never let him touch me again.”

“So, you ran,” Daxton interjected, not letting her finish.

She was about to tell him everything. But somehow, she just couldn’t bring herself to say the words. That she had killed him in self-defense. Instead, she nodded.

Josey’s head was down, and her eyes were closed, so she didn’t see when Daxton reached over and gently squeezed her hand. She looked up into his eyes.

“You don’t have to tell me more, but I have to know something.”

Josey’s heart stopped.

“Will he come after my children if he finds you here?”

Josey shook her head. “No, but his brother is vicious, and I know what he’s capable of. But he would only come after me, not your children.”

“But if my children get in the way—”

“Don’t worry,” Josey cut him off as her heart sank. This dream of living with a family and pretending they were hers was over. “I’ll be gone by sunup.” She tried to release his hand, but he held it tighter.

Daxton’s eyebrows shot up almost into his hairline. “What? No! That’s not what I was talking about.” He held her hand, not releasing her. “I just needed to know what I’m up against so I can protect my children.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gazed into his eyes. “Daxton, I don’t want to put your children in harm’s way.”

“I was just going to tell you that I’m not leaving you this weekend. Not until this mess is settled.” He placed his other hand atop hers. “I hate to have to leave you and the children alone tomorrow, but please keep the doors locked and the children inside until I get home. I’m sorry to put you through that, but I needed to know how to protect my children.”

Josey nodded. “I know they’re your first concern.”

“Yes, they are....” Daxton placed a finger under her chin and raised it until her eyes met his. “And so are you. You are my concern now, too. I don’t want anything to happen to you, either.”

Josey nodded. “I appreciate that, but I’ll be moving on—”

“No. Not in your condition.”

She sighed as she looked into his eyes. “Why are you doing this, Daxton? You don’t even know me.” Or what I’ve done.

“I know enough.” Daxton held her hand, not letting her go. “You’ll be safe tomorrow. No one knows you’re here, except for Colton and Ella… and I’d trust them with my life. So, stay in the house and no one will find you.”

Josey nodded. At that moment, she wanted to tell him everything, but she just couldn’t bring herself to. How did she get into this mess? More importantly, how was she going to get out of it? Josey just hoped that Daxton and his children weren’t the ones to pay the price.

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