Chapter 12

Daxton

Daxton’s footsteps resonated against the wooden planks the next day in Whiskey River. It was quiet and James had left, saying that he had to run an errand. Since he hadn’t taken any time off, Daxton felt that he needed it. Truth be told, Daxton was happy to have the time alone. There was a lot going on and he needed time to think it through.

Luckily, Josey had agreed to stay inside with the doors locked and the children inside. But a fat lot of good that would do if someone wanted to break in. It was too hot to keep the windows closed, too. It would be plenty hot enough with the doors closed as it was.

Daxton hated to make his children stay inside on such a pretty day. It was summer, after all, and the only time the children could get out of the house, other than going to school. But it would be a small price to pay for their safety. And it would only be for just one day since it was Friday.

That morning when he woke, Josey had gotten up early and had made another batch of bacon, eggs, and toast. One thing was certain: She sure was a good cook, and she always made enough for an army. Daxton chuckled to himself. If he kept eating like this, he would have to widen the front door of his house to get in. But he wasn’t complaining. It had been a while since he had a woman’s home cooking. And his house could use a woman’s touch.

He was looking forward to this weekend, to taking the children to Laramie for the rodeo. But there was no way that he was going to leave Josey in his house alone. No, he vowed to take her with them. She could use the time away, too.

“Afternoon, Sheriff,” said Mr. Carson, owner of the General Store, as he passed. “Glad to have you back.”

Daxton nodded, smiling. “Thank you. I just had to get caught up on a few things around the house.”

“I heard there’s a woman staying with you.” Mrs. Carson was sweeping the floor, but purposefully stepped closer, using her broom as an excuse to hear some juicy gossip.

Daxton laughed. “Now, Mrs. Carson. Don’t you know better than to believe the town gossips by now?” He didn’t say so, but he included her with them.

“Well! I never!” Mrs. Carson sounded indignant, but then arched an eyebrow. “So, it’s not true, then?”

“I just think you shouldn’t be meddling in other people’s business.” Daxton shrugged, his voice sounding matter of fact. He was never one to give in to Mrs. Carson’s prying.

“Well!” Mrs. Carson stopped sweeping, the ruse forgotten, and turned to her husband. “Why are you just standing there? Are you going to let him talk to me this way?”

Mr. Carson shrugged. “Well, it’s true, isn’t it? You’d think by now you’d learn to stay out of other people’s business.”

“Hmph! I never!” Mrs. Carson took her broom with her, raised her nose into the air, and stormed back into the store.

Daxton tried to keep from laughing. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be,” Mr. Carson happily replied. “I know I’ll catch hell for it later, but it’ll be worth it.”

Daxton nodded, smiling, and then he turned serious. “May I ask you a question?”

“Yes, of course.” Mr. Carson waited, nodding toward the store. “I’m sorry about her, but she doesn’t have anything else to do but worry about what everyone else is doing.”

“No, that’s not a problem.” Daxton sighed. “I was just wondering if that was what people were saying. That a woman was staying at my house.”

Mr. Carson’s lips formed a straight line, defeated. “That seems to be the consensus.”

Daxton nodded. “Just to let you know, a woman was in need and has been staying with me. She’s agreed to stay on as a housekeeper for a while.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. After all, he had asked her if she wanted the job.

Mr. Carson smiled. “I figured it was something like that. But of course, it’s none of my business.”

“No, it’s quite all right.” Daxton’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “I just wonder how word spread so quickly.”

Mr. Carson shrugged. “How does any gossip spread?” Then he gave Daxton a manly pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. It may be news today, but then something else will happen and it’ll be old news tomorrow.”

Daxton nodded in agreement, but he wasn’t worried about that. He was more worried about word getting back to Josey’s husband. He knew that a confrontation was inevitable, but he was hoping to put it off for as long as he could until Josey was strong enough to face him. She was still vulnerable, and he didn’t want her to relent and go back to the fiend just to keep from stirring trouble. She was already getting stronger, and more time would make her stronger still. But then again, it was just as well that it happened now. If he found out she was pregnant, he might try to force her to go with him against her will.

“Thanks, Mr. Carson,” Daxton replied. “For your honesty.”

Mr. Carson looked at him apologetically. “I’m sorry you had to find out from her.” He inclined his head in the direction that his wife had gone.

Daxton smiled. “No, that’s all right. I would rather know what the gossips are saying so I can deal with it, no offense.”

Mr. Carson laughed. “None taken.”

Daxton tipped his hat to him. “Well, have a great day, Mr. Carson.” Daxton started to walk away, but the balding older man stopped him.

“Say, where’s that deputy of yours today?”

Daxton turned to face him. “He said he had to run an errand and took the day off. He’s been working so much that I told him to go when he asked.”

“Sherriff.” Mr. Carson stepped closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Be careful with him. There’s something about him that I don’t trust.”

Daxton raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Why’s that?”

Mr. Carson shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I get an uneasy feeling when he comes into the store. He walks around and picks up things, as if appraising how much everything is worth. And he takes notice every time the register rings.”

Daxton narrowed his eyes. “How often does he come in?”

Mr. Carson let out a deep breath. “While you were gone, several times a day.”

“I’ll have a talk with him.” Anger welled up within his chest. He knew that James was getting on the shopkeepers’ nerves, but he had no idea it was this bad. “I’m sorry about that. It won’t happen again. He shouldn’t be coming into your store at all unless he needs something.”

Mr. Carson nodded. “Thanks, Sheriff.”

Daxton walked off, his boots pounding rhythmically against the wooden planks. As he headed down the walkway, nodding to the shopkeepers and passers by, he wondered how the town came upon the gossip of Josey so quickly. Who knows? Andrew may have innocently told Shawn and then he told his mother, and so on. Daxton sighed. It was bound to come out anyway.

When he finished his rounds, he went back to the Sheriff’s Office and sat on one of the rocking chairs out front. He decided that he couldn’t walk around the town anymore that day. With James, the shop keepers had had enough of prying eyes.

Daxton had found a piece of wood while he was walking, so he pulled out his pocketknife and began whittling. He used to whittle a lot when he was a child but hadn’t done it in years. But now, he thought he’d make something for Josey, although he wasn’t sure what.

As he whittled, thinking of her, he looked at the wood and it seemed that it wanted to be a cross. He had a knack for looking at a piece of wood and seeing what was locked inside, what it wanted to be. It sounded crazy, he knew, but each time he completed his vision and listened to the wood, the piece always came out much prettier.

Before long, he had a small, wooden cross. He vowed to sand it and polish it before giving it to Josey, but he was already pleased with his work.

Later that night, Josey had dinner ready when he came home from work. It was nice coming home to a clean house and the children dressed and clean. Although the children had done a good job of keeping the house and taking care of things over the past few years, it was nice to have a woman’s touch.

The next morning, he woke before sunrise, so as to get an early start to Laramie. It was the day of the rodeo, and the children were excited. He made a pot of coffee, and it was ready when Josey came out of the bedroom.

“Do I smell coffee?” she asked, smiling.

Daxton handed her a cup. “Yes, you do.” He poured one for himself, too. “I thought we’d get an early start to Laramie.”

“Drive carefully,” Josey replied, and then took a sip of her coffee.

“Josey, I’d like for you to go to Laramie with us today, too,” Daxton gently broached the subject.

Josey shook her head. “No, I’d really rather stay home. There’s some things I’d like to catch up on.”

Daxton liked the way she had referred to his house as her home, too. In fact, he liked it a bit too much. He lowered his voice. “Josey, I don’t want you to be here alone.” He didn’t want to say it, but in case her husband showed up while he was gone. Even though he knew it wasn’t his place, he didn’t want Josey to have to face him alone.

She nodded, understanding. “I’ll be fine. You go ahead and enjoy yourself with the children and don’t worry about me.”

“Josey, it would be nice for you to get away with us,” he insisted, taking her hands into his own. “And if you’re worried about running into him at the rodeo, I’ll be there. Actually, I’d feel better if I was there when you see him again.”

“I won’t see him,” Josey said flatly and then headed into the kitchen and started making breakfast.

Daxton walked up behind her and took the skillet carefully from her hands. “Josey, please. Come with us.”

“Yes, come with us.”

Daxton looked around and Andrew was standing there.

“What’s everyone doing up?” Lillian came out of her room, rubbing her eyes.

“Today’s the rodeo!” Andrew announced. “And Josey’s coming with us!”

Lillian’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Now wait a minute,” Josey replied, turning back to the stove. “I never said I was going.”

“Oh Josey, please?” Lillian begged, jumping up and down. Daxton smiled. He hadn’t seen his daughter this excited about anything in a while.

Josey looked over at Daxton with tears in her eyes. “Daxton, don’t do this. Please... let me stay here.” It was then that he noticed she was shaking.

Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, wanting to take away all the years of pain she had endured at the hands of that man. Holding her, he sensed there was more that she wasn’t telling him. But something inside him told him not to push it farther.

“Okay.” He nodded, taking in the fresh scent of her hair, reminding him of wildflowers. Then he pulled back to look into her eyes. “Then we’ll all stay home.”

The children groaned.

“No, I can’t do that to the children,” Josey was quick to interject, her eyes wide. “Take the children. Seriously. I’ll be fine. Plus, I could use the time to rest.”

He sighed. Although he hated to leave her alone, his children wanted to go to the rodeo in the worst way. That was all they had been talking about over the past few days since he told them.

Daxton sighed. “If you’re sure—”

“Yes, I am,” Josey quickly cut him off and then turned him around and gave him a gentle nudge toward the bedroom. “Now, go get ready while I fix breakfast.”

“Yeah!” Lillian and Andrew cheered in unison.

“Well, if we’re going, then you’d both better get ready, too. Don’t you think?” Daxton smiled, enjoying their excitement.

Josey’s lips curled into a smile as relief spread across her face. At that moment, Daxton realized that it would take a while for her to feel comfortable enough to go out of the house without looking over her shoulder.

The ride to Laramie didn’t seem to take long. Josie had made them some bacon biscuits from their leftover breakfast. He was going to have to talk to her about cooking so much. He smiled to himself. He didn’t care so much about the food being cooked, as them all gaining weight from the amount she was cooking. And at this rate, they would be out of food in the dead of winter. But he wasn’t complaining. On days like today, it was good that she had cooked so much.

“Do you think they’ll have bull riding?” Andrew asked when they neared Laramie, his eyes wide.

“I’m sure they will,” Daxton replied, smiling as he kept his eyes on the road ahead.

“I want to see the cowboys race!” Lillian announced, clapping her hands in delight.

“Actually, they probably won’t be racing as such.” Daxton shrugged. “Maybe just some barrel racing.”

The children talked animatedly about the rodeo when he stopped his rig in front of the livery stable in Laramie a few hours later.

“Hello, sheriff! What can I do you for?” Mr. Townsend, the owner of the livery stable in Laramie, approached Daxton. “So, what brings you out of Whiskey River?” Then he looked over at the children with wide eyes. “You kids here for the rodeo?”

“Yes!” Both Lillian and Andrew screamed as Mr. Townsend laughed.

Daxton had known Mr. Townsend for years. Whenever he came to Laramie on business, Mr. Townsend did a good job of caring for his horses and rig.

“Now, don’t be getting the young ‘uns any more riled up than what they are,” Daxton joked, stepping down off the buckboard. He reached up and helped Lillian down, while Andrew jumped down on his own on the other side. “It’s all they’ve been talking about since I told them were coming a few days ago.”

Mr. Townsend laughed as he handed the reins to one of his men. “Well, I hear tell that they’re puttin’ on a good show over there.” He looked down at the children, a broad grin spreading across his face. “You kids are in for a real treat!”

“Can we go ahead, Pa? I want to see the rodeo clowns!” Andrew asked, his eyes wide. “I promise I’ll look after Lillian.”

Lillian scoffed, indignant. “I don’t need looking after.”

“Oh, yes, you do.” Daxton gave his daughter a stern look. Then he saw the look of anticipation that filled their eyes and relented. “Okay.”

“Yeah!” they both yelled, running off.

“Lillian, stay with your brother!” Daxton called after them. How much trouble could they get into, after all? They were both good children and he’d trust them with his life.

“They’re good kids,” Mr. Townsend said, mimicking what Daxton was already thinking.

“Thank you. I think so, too.” Daxton watched his children race off, smiling proudly. “How much do I owe you?”

Mr. Townsend smiled. “We’ll settle up when you get back.” Then he leaned in conspiratorially. “But don’t worry. I’ll go easy on ya.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Daxton teased.

But in reality, since Mr. Townsend found out that he was the sheriff of Whiskey River, he hardly ever charged him anything when he came to town on business. And if he did, it wasn’t much to speak of.

Daxton shook his hand. “Much obliged.”

“The pleasure is mine, indeed,” Mr. Townsend replied, shaking his hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of your rig. They’re in good hands.”

“Well, I guess I’d better go follow my young ‘uns. Make sure they stay out of trouble,” Daxton joked.

The elder man laughed. “Your children? You don’t have to worry a lick about ‘em. As I said, they’re good kids.”

“Thanks, Mr. Townsend. We won’t be too long.” Daxton looked at the sky and over the town. “We’ll be on our way before sundown.”

Mr. Townsend nodded. “If you ever get caught here after sundown, I’m sure Mr. Frakes at the hotel will give you a good deal on a room.” Mr. Frakes was the owner of the Laramie Hotel, and yes, he would give him a good deal. But Daxton didn’t want to leave Josey alone in the house overnight to fend for herself. She would be worried sick and scared to death. No, he couldn’t do that to her.

Daxton tipped his hat as he walked in the direction that his children had gone, headed toward the rodeo. But the closer he got, the denser the crowd became. Daxton started to worry that he’d never see his children again. If he’d have known there would be this many people here, there was no way he would have let them wander off alone.

“Andrew? Lillian?” Daxton called out over the din of the crowd. But the more he looked, the more panicked he became. His breath quickened as he willed himself not to panic. His children were there… somewhere. Then he turned a corner, and Andrew was standing behind Lillian with his hands on her shoulders. A man was talking to them both. Their eyes were wide with fear. The man towered over them and was scruffy, with an unkept beard, wearing a dusty hat, coat, and cowboy boots, even though it was June.

“Andrew? Lillian?” Daxton asked, without taking his eyes off the man. “Go find us good seats. Go straight there and nowhere else. I’ll be right there.”

“Yes, Pa.” Andrew grabbed Lillian’s hand and pulled her away.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Daxton demanded, his blood boiling. “Scaring innocent children!”

“You’re the sheriff of Whiskey River, right?” The man drawled, moving his coat to the side, revealing a six-shooter in his gun belt.

Daxton glared at him, and then nodded. “Yes, that’s right. What’s it to you?”

The man’s beady eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t happen to know a woman by the name of Josey Slater, would you?”

Daxton donned his best Poker face and then slowly shook his head. “Never heard of her. What she look like?”

“Oh, blonde hair, real pretty face, good figure, green eyes, not very tall—”

“Never heard of her.” Daxton took a step closer, staring him down. “But from here on out, if you have any more questions, I suggest that you come to me like a man and not harass my children.”

The scruffy man stared into his eyes and smirked. “Fair enough.”

Then it hit Daxton. This was Austin Slater, the man on the Wanted poster that he just got. He and his brother, Logan, were wanted for murder and about a dozen bank robberies, dead or alive. The Slater Boys. He would have arrested him right then and there, but he had his children to think about. No, he would bide his time and would tell Harland Duffy, the local sheriff, that he saw him.

Daxton turned his head sideways but didn’t let on that he recognized him. “So, what do you want with this woman?”

Austin took a step closer, looking directly in his eyes and smirked. “That’s personal business.”

A chill ran down Daxton’s spine. “Well, I suggest you don’t start any trouble while you’re here. Everyone’s here to have a good time.”

Austin held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m not looking for any trouble, sheriff.” Then a sly grin spread across his face. “But you would tell me if you saw her, wouldn’t you?”

Daxton stared into his eyes. “I wouldn’t tell you a damned thing.” He looked him up and down, showing no fear. “Now, git out of town! No one here needs your kind.”

“My kind?” Austin shrugged. “Well, now. That’s not very hospitable of you, sheriff.”

Daxton noticed that they were attracting attention.

“I hope you’re not lying to me.” Austin’s voice was even but his eyes never wavered.

But neither did Daxton’s. “Is that a threat?” He laughed without humor. “You don’t want to threaten a lawman.”

Austin nodded, arching an eyebrow. “And you don’t want to lie to me.” He laughed, too. “You don’t want to know what I do to people who lie to me.”

“And that is a threat.” Daxton held his hand over his gun.

Austin was quick to hold his hands up over his head. “No threat, sheriff. Just having fun.” He looked around and two men were waiting a short distance away, leaning casually against a fence post, smirking. “I’m leaving.” He clicked his tongue. “Until we meet again.” Then he walked away and joined his other men.

Not wanting to turn his back on Austin, he waited until they were gone. Then Daxton hurried through the crowd and up the bleachers, looking around frantically for his children. He sighed in relief when Andrew waved at him. Lillian was sitting right by his side.

Daxton hurried over to his children and pulled them both into his arms. “What happened?”

“Dad, you’re hurting me,” Andrew said against his chest, obviously not wanting to be embarrassed in public. But Lillian clung to him for dear life.

Daxton grabbed his shoulders and shook him once. “What were you thinking?”

“Pa, it wasn’t me!” Andrew’s eyes widened.

“Pa, it wasn’t him!” Lillian mimicked. “We went around a corner and that man stopped us.”

Daxton pulled them both to his chest again. “I know. I’m so sorry. But seeing you with him… just scared me.” After a moment, he released his son and looked into his eyes. “Now, both of you sit down and tell me what happened.”

Andrew did as his father said. “We were headed for the bleachers when this man stopped us and told us he wanted to talk to us.”

Daxton’s heart stopped. “What did he say to you?”

“He asked us about Josey,” Andrew answered.

Daxton clenched his jaw. “What exactly did he ask?”

Andrew shook his head.

“He asked if we knew a Josey Slater,” Lillian supplied.

“Josey Slater?” Daxton asked in disbelief. “What did you tell him?” Daxton’s blood boiled, knowing how close his children had come to being killed.

“We didn’t tell him anything,” Andrew replied. “I wore my Poker face like Josey taught me and said that I didn’t know anyone named Josey.”

“What did you tell them?” Daxton asked Lillian.

Lillian’s eyes were wide. “No, Pa. I didn’t say anything.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” Daxton breathed a sigh of relief as he pulled his children to his chest. Then something occurred to him, and he pulled back to look at them. “Why did he ask the two of you and not someone else?”

Andrew glanced over at his sister, and she shook her head.

“Tell me... please.” Daxton looked between them. “You won’t get into trouble. I promise. But I have to know.”

Andrew squared his shoulders, releasing his breath. “James was standing behind him and nodded at us, then he walked away.”

“James?” Daxton’s voice rose about three octaves. He was attracting attention, but he didn’t care. “The James I work with? James Harding? My deputy?”

Andrew nodded, biting his lower lip. “Yes, Pa. He hurried away, but I got a good look at him. It was him.”

“I’m going to kill him.” Daxton clenched his fists at his sides. He stood and looked around the crowd but didn’t see any of them. “The next time I see him, I’m going to kill him.”

After what happened, Daxton didn’t dare leave his children alone, not even for a second. But he knew they couldn’t stay there. Not with a gang in town. He had to alert the local sheriff and then get back to Whiskey River, where he could better protect his family.

But did his family need protection from Josey? If she was dangerous, then how could he protect his family from her living in his home? Why did the Slaters want her? Somehow, knowing Josey, he found it difficult to believe that his family was in danger from her at all. She had proven herself to be a kind and gentle woman. But could he trust the safety of his children to her? If the Slaters found her... he didn’t even want to think about it. For a moment, he wondered why Austin wanted her. Then it hit him. They were looking for a Josey Slater. Suddenly, all of the pieces fell into place.

She was married to his brother, Logan Slater… and he was looking for her.

“Come on, children. We have to go.” Daxton stood and let the children go ahead of him. “Both of you. Hold my hand.” He was waiting for Andrew to protest, but he didn’t say a word.

In this crowd, Daxton didn’t want to take a chance with his children’s lives. Not another chance. He mentally kicked himself for letting them go ahead of him alone when they first arrived in Laramie.

As they hurried to the sheriff’s office, he mentally kicked himself again for letting the wife of an outlaw stay under his roof. But then again, she didn’t seem like an outlaw woman. She was vulnerable and seemed so frightened and innocent... unless that was what she had wanted him to believe.

But one thing was clear: He had a lot of questions to ask Josey when they got home... if they got home.