Chapter 2

Daxton

Whiskey River, Wyoming

Sheriff Daxton Clark sat up abruptly in his bed out of a sound sleep. Sweat poured down his bare muscular chest, breathing heavily as he looked around the room. Disoriented, he slowly began to recognize his surroundings… his bedroom… the room he used to share with his wife, Priscilla.

Trying to catch his breath, he ran his fingers through his dark brown, wavy hair in the dark room, illuminated only by the moonlight streaming in through the window. He had been dreaming of her again. The dream was always the same. She was leaving with another man, leaving him and their two children behind.

In reality, she had asked Mrs. Jenkins to watch the little ones for a while and had left. Andrew and Lillian were small then, only four and two. Mrs. Jenkins said that Priscilla had kissed them both goodbye, told them to be good boys and girls, and then left, never to be heard from again.

Daxton had gone home to an empty house with just a note on the table, saying that she could no longer take it, she never wanted to be a mother, and that the children were with Mrs. Jenkins. She had said that she was going to start a new life… with another man.

He waited for her to come back, but after a few years, he went to Laramie and filed for divorce, knowing that she wasn’t coming back, not sure what he would do if she ever did.

But in Daxton’s dream, she was always telling him goodbye with sorrow in her eyes, touched his cheek, and then headed toward a buckboard… driven by a faceless man.

He screamed after her, begging her not to leave, but she never turned around. She just stepped into the buckboard, and they drove away. Although he chased after her in his dream, he could never catch her and then she finally disappeared into the setting sun.

Now in the dark room, he rose from the bed, concentrating on steadying his breathing, when his bedroom door opened.

“Pa, are you all right?” Andrew asked, now eleven, cautiously peering into the room. “I heard you screaming again….”

Daxton smiled. Although his wife had left, at least she had left him the children. He didn’t know what he would have done if she had taken them with her. Of course, he would have fought her for them… no matter what it took.

Daxton scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m fine, son.” He stood, slipped on a cotton shirt, and ruffled his son’s dark brown hair. “Go on back to bed and try to get some sleep. It’s not morning yet.”

Andrew’s eyebrows pulled together, worry prominent in his deep green eyes, his mother’s eyes. “Are you sure, Pa? I can make some coffee—”

“No, I’m fine, son,” Daxton cut him off, not wanting to alarm his son. “Go on back to bed.”

Andrew nodded and hesitantly did as his father had instructed, slowly closing the door behind him.

Daxton headed into the dark living room, cool in the night air. It was early June, and the cold days of winter and spring were now behind them. When morning came and the sun rose high overhead, the thermometer outside the house would register in the 70s, only to become warmer in July, August, and September. Then it wouldn’t start to cool down again until October. But as hot as it had been in the afternoons, Daxton knew it would only get worse as the months wore on. They were in for one hot summer.

Daxton let out a deep breath, knowing he wasn’t going back to sleep any time soon. So, he guessed he should start the day early.

He headed into the kitchen, lit the stove, and put some coffee on to boil. While he was waiting, he walked out onto the front porch, not bothering to slip on his boots, and sat at the top of the stairs as thoughts of Priscilla filled his mind.

They had married in Arizona and had a good life there in the dry arid desert, when a man approached him and said that he was Calder Williams, the mayor of Whiskey River, a small town in Wyoming. He said the town needed a good sheriff and had offered Daxton the job.

At the time, Daxton had been a deputy in Arizona. Although he enjoyed his job, he didn’t make much money. So, when Calder Williams offered him the job as sheriff and more money than he was currently making, he jumped at the chance. He packed up his family, and together, he, Priscilla, and the children moved to Whiskey River.

Priscilla had liked Whiskey River at first, but then became disenchanted when the cold winters came. From there, things started slowly getting worse. He came home from work one day and Priscilla and the children were crying. He had lifted Lillian into his arms, took Andrew by the hand, and had led them into the kitchen and fed them, while Priscilla had broken down in tears, telling him that she didn’t want to be a mother, that it was just too hard for her.

At first, he told her to give it time and that she would feel better soon, but it never happened. Then one day, he packed her up along with the children and went to Laramie to see a doctor before Doc Morgan came to Whiskey River.

At first, Priscilla wouldn’t open up to the doctor, but eventually, she told him everything, that she wasn’t cut out to be a mother. The doctor had listened attentively, gave her a bottle of tonic for the nerves, and sent her home, telling them that she was just a “bit agitated” and needed to rest.

The “tonic” turned out to be glorified whiskey. Daxton came home from work a few days later to the children screaming bloody murder, with Andrew trying to wake her while she was passed out drunk on the sofa. Daxton took care of the children, calmed them, fed them, and put them to bed again. Then, he fixed her a bath and dropped her in the water, clothes and all. She squealed and started wailing that she wasn’t cut out to be a mother again.

Daxton wasn’t sure, but he thought that Andrew still remembered trying to wake his mother.

Unable to take any more, Daxton started taking the children to Mrs. Jenkins to babysit during the day while he was at work. At least this way, the children would be looked after properly.

Mrs. Jenkins never said a word or asked why, nor did she tell another living soul. She just said that she was happy to help out.

After that, Priscilla started to get better. The house was clean when he came home with the children, she was bathed and dressed, and dinner was ready. Daxton thought that maybe she just needed a little time.

Then one day out of the blue, Priscilla said that she would keep the children with her and Daxton was elated, thinking that maybe things would go back to normal again. But on that day, she had spent the day with the children, and then dropped them off at Mrs. Jenkins, never to be heard from again.

Daxton realized that she had kept the children home that day so she could spend one last day with them.

After she left, Daxton was devastated at first. Mrs. Jenkins continued to keep the children for him during the day while he was at work, but when they were older, Daxton let them stay by themselves at the house. Andrew walked with his sister to school and then took it upon himself to learn how to cook. As the children grew older, they pitched in and took care of the house and each other. And, sometimes, they even took care of him, too.

Daxton asked Andrew once if he missed his mother and the boy grew angry, telling him that he didn’t want to talk about her. It was then that Daxton regretted not divorcing Priscilla before things got so bad. But divorce was unheard of. When one married, you married for life... for better or for worse.

The scent of coffee wafted toward him through the open door, bringing him back to the present. He had left it open to let the cool air in, knowing the house would warm up soon enough, along with the day. Daxton rose from the porch and went into the kitchen, poured himself a cup of coffee, and started making breakfast for the children.

Lillian came out of her bedroom, rubbing her eyes, still dressed in her nightgown, her long, auburn hair a disheveled mess. “Pa? Is it time to get up yet? I’ll make breakfast.”

“No, darlin’,” Daxton cooed, going down on one knee beside her. “Go on back to sleep. I’ll make breakfast this morning.”

Lillian smiled. “Thanks, Pa.” Then she turned around and went back to bed.

Daxton sighed. Watching her walk away like that pulled at his heart. He felt guilty for having to leave the children alone to care for themselves so much. One day he had asked Andrew if he would rather have Mrs. Jenkins come over to look after them, but his son was quick to tell him that he was old enough to care for the house and to look after his sister.

Yes, his children were growing up way too fast.

During the winter months, Daxton took his children to school on his way to work at the sheriff’s office, and then picked them up afterward on bad days. On pretty days, they walked home or to his office. When he came home, they were fed, their homework completed, dinner was always ready, and they never complained.

His children were very special. Daxton knew he was a lucky man.

He went down to the cool cellar, picked out some ground sausage, and walked back up the stairs and into the kitchen. The children liked biscuits with sausage gravy. And since he was up so early, he thought he’d surprise them.

The new deputy he had hired a few days before, James Hardin, was young and eager.

Lately, Colton Hill had his hands full with the ranch and his twins, so Daxton thought it was time to hire a new deputy. James was new to town and had seemed trustworthy enough, so Daxton decided to give him a chance.

In the few days since Daxton had hired him, James got to the office before him and was already making his rounds, checking on the town—no matter how early Daxton came in. He had proven himself trustworthy.

So, Daxton wasn’t worried if he went in a little later, knowing that the office—and the town—would be well cared for when he arrived. The town was in good hands with James Hardin.

After the sausage was brown, Daxton added the other ingredients, making the sausage gravy, removed the biscuits from the oven, and set it all on the table. Then, he set the table with his best porcelain dishes. The set had been Priscilla’s—the only material thing of value that she had left behind.

Lillian came out of the bedroom, fully dressed. Her hair was combed, pulled up, and tied with a blue ribbon that matched her dress. “Pa, may I help?”

Daxton smiled as he finished up, feeling guilty for her not having a mother to look after her and teach her the ways of women. But he had vowed long ago to do his best. “No, sugar. Just sit down.” He gave her a wink. “Let me take care of you for a change.”

She smiled, sitting in her place at the table.

“Why are you up so early?” Daxton asked, finishing up.

Lillian shrugged. “I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep.”

A pang of guilt grabbed his chest. She had probably heard him scream and it woke her and Andrew. Now, she would be awake for the rest of the day. “Later on, I want you to lie down and take a nap, okay? You need your rest.”

She nodded, smiling, her cheeks rosy.

Andrew came out of his room a moment later yawning, fully dressed.

Daxton shook his head. “What are you still doing up?”

Andrew sat in his place at the table. “Couldn’t go back to sleep.” Then he smiled. “Besides, how can I sleep smelling the biscuits and gravy?”

Daxton laughed as he took his place at the head of the table and folded his hands. “I guess you’re right.” The children folded their hands, too. In their family, it had become customary for the youngest to say the blessing. “Lillian? Want to say the blessing?”

She nodded and then said a beautiful blessing over the meal.

“Let’s eat!” Daxton announced when she finished.

They spent the next hour having breakfast together. No matter how busy he was, Daxton had always tried to have meals with the children, especially breakfast. He usually worked long hours in the evening, so breakfast had become their designated family time. This was the time when Daxton was most content. He had given up finding another woman to love a long time ago, but he had his children and that was enough.

“Thanks, Pa. That was good,” Andrew gushed, wiping the corners of his mouth. “I’ll do the dishes.” He started gathering his dishes, but Daxton stopped him.

“Son, it’s summertime.” He took the plate from his hand. “You need to get out and enjoy yourself. Why don’t you and Lillian go fishing?”

Andrew frowned, leaning back in his chair. “She always has me bait her hook for her.”

“Na, uh!” Lillian rose from her seat and planted her hands on the table, leaning toward her brother. “Not when we use dough balls!”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Daxton announced, bringing their bickering to a stop.

Lillian started gathering her dishes, stacking them a bit too hard. “That’s okay. I’d like to go help Mrs. Hill today anyway. She’s going to teach me how to sew.” Then she froze and glanced over at her father. “After I finish my chores, of course.”

Daxton smiled. “Why don’t you both leave your chores and have fun today. I’ll do them before I go in.”

“Really, Pa?” Lillian and Andrew asked in unison.

Their father laughed. “Of course! Besides, I have time.” Daxton took one last sip of his coffee and set the cup in the sink. He looked outside, and the sun was just coming up. “Andrew, if you go to Whiskey River now, the fish might still be biting.”

Andrew hurried to place his dishes in the sink. “Thanks, Pa! Maybe Shawn can go, too!” Then he ran out the back door. Shawn O’Malley and Andrew had become fast friends ever since Shawn and his family moved to town.

“Make sure not to wake his family!” Daxton called after him as he stepped outside, watching his son go.

Andrew waved, already almost to the barn. “Don’t worry! I won’t!”

Daxton laughed as he headed back into the house and closed the door. Lillian was already in the kitchen, doing the dishes. “Lillian, go on and have some fun! Go… play with your dolls.”

Lillian scoffed. “Really, Pa? I set all of my dolls on the shelf last year.”

Daxton’s eyebrows pulled together in concern, pain filling his heart. “Really? But you’re only nine.”

“Yes.” She rinsed a dish, obviously trying to look grown up. “And I’m a woman now so I need to learn how to do ‘lady things’.”

“Oh, no you don’t.” Daxton pulled the plate from her hand. He sighed as he looked into his daughter's big, brown eyes. “Lillian, enjoy your childhood while you can. You only have a few more years left before you’re an adult.” He offered her a towel. “Believe me, you’ll be an adult a whole lot longer than you’ll be a child, God willing. So, enjoy it.”

She wiped her hands on the towel, folded it, and laid it across the counter, just like a lady would. Watching her, Daxton realized that she was growing up way too fast. “I’ll tell you what. Go play in your room for a bit while I do this and then I’ll drive you over to see Mrs. Hill on my way to work. Okay?”

Lillian’s eyes lit up. “Really, Pa?”

He nodded, enjoying his daughter’s enthusiasm. He guessed that her days of playing with dolls and crawling into his lap were over. What she needed now was a woman to teach her the fine points of being a lady. “Yes, I’m sure. Now, go! I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

A broad smile spread across her face. “Thanks, Pa!” She raced into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.

Daxton pumped the water into metal buckets and placed them on the stovetop to heat. After the dishes were done and the kitchen clean, he announced, “Lillian! Ready to go?”

“Yes, Pa!” she called from the other room. “I’ll be right there!”

Unable to resist, Daxton crept over to her bedroom door, which was ajar, and peeked in. Lillian was sitting on the floor, playing with her doll, talking to it. Not wanting to invade her privacy, he backed quickly away and tiptoed back to the kitchen.

She walked out a moment later, smoothing her hands daintily over her dress.

“Ready?” Daxton asked casually. Lillian nodded, trying to look like a lady. “Aren’t you taking a sewing kit with you?”

She shrugged. “I don’t have one.”

“Well, there’s your mother’s sewing kit,” he replied, broaching the subject carefully. “I guess it now belongs to you.”

She let out a deep breath and shook her head. “Let me think about it.”

Daxton gave her a weak smile as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Come on. I have to get to the office before James drives everyone crazy checking on them.” The young deputy was taking his job to heart so much that it was comical, walking through the town, peeking his head into the shops, nearly driving the shopkeepers crazy. But then again, Daxton thought they were happy that the young man was taking his job so seriously.

Daxton patted his daughter’s shoulder. “Wait here and I’ll hitch up the team.”

“Okay, Pa,” she answered, trying to sound grown up. “But if you don’t mind, I’d rather wait on the porch.”

Daxton shrugged. “Whatever you want.” He started toward the door and then glanced over at her over his shoulder. “Just promise me one thing.”

Lillian raised her eyebrows. “What, Pa?”

“Just promise me that you won’t grow up too fast,” Daxton teased.

“Oh, Pa!” she said as she followed him out the door, pulling it closed behind her.

Daxton skipped down the wooden stairs and headed toward the barn. Within minutes, he had the team hitched to the buckboard and pulled it around to the front of the house. “Ready?” he asked his daughter who was swinging on the porch swing.

She skipped down the steps and was on the seat beside her father a moment later. “Yes, Pa.”

“Then, let’s go.” When they were settled, he made a clicking sound with his tongue and the team lurched forward, headed toward Colton and Ella’s ranch.

It was a beautiful morning in the forest. The sun was coming up in the east, sending shoots of golden light across the spruce, oak, maple, and redwood and a number of other trees, now full and green. Summer in Whiskey River was truly breathtaking. Even though he had lived there for a number of years, he never grew tired of the ever-changing landscape.

“You know, if you like sewing, I’ll take you to the General Store in town and I’ll get you a new sewing box.” Daxton shrugged. “One of your own. Then, you can pick out what you want to put in it. I think it’s time you have your own sewing things.” He thought that the reason why she hadn’t taken her mother’s sewing box was because she felt that wasn’t hers. Lillian was so young when her mother left that he doubted she remembered her.

Lillian bit her lower lip and then released it. “Well, Mrs. Hill told me that she might have a wooden box that we can fix up for a sewing kit. But could we go to the store later so I can get what I need?”

A broad smile spread across Daxton’s face. “Yes, of course.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

Lillian raised her eyebrows. “You won’t be mad?”

Daxton shook his head. “No, not at all. It’s really nice of Mrs. Hill to help you.”

Lillian let out a deep breath. “She’s a very nice lady.”

“Yes, she is.” Since Lillian didn’t have a mother figure in her life, Daxton was glad that Ella had taken his daughter under her wing.

He sighed, worried about both of his children growing up without a mother, especially his son. Daxton was glad it was summer. At least he would have a little break. During the school months, Andrew seemed to continually be in trouble at school, becoming more and more unruly. Mrs. Nash had tried to work with him, but he needed more. They were big shoes that a teacher couldn't possibly be expected to fill.

“Well, here we are!” Daxton happily announced, pulling the team to a stop in front of Colton and Ella’s house. “Would you like me to pick you up this afternoon?”

Lillian shook her head, suddenly infused with energy as she gave her father a kiss on the cheek. “No, Pa! I’ll walk home. It’s not far.”

“Well!” Daxton said, surprised by his daughter’s excitement. “I’ll see you tonight, then. Have fun!”

Lillian jumped down out of the buckboard and waved to her father. “Thanks, Pa! See you then!”

Daxton watched as she walked up the steps, wondering where her childhood was going. She seemed to be growing up much too fast… along with his son. And he didn’t want to miss it.

Ella opened the door, gave Lillian a hug, and waved to him. Daxton nodded his thanks.

Guilt filled his chest as he turned the team around and headed toward Whiskey River. He worked too much, and his children were growing up too fast. But he had no choice; he needed this job. He was the sheriff, and he was good at it. He didn’t know anything else.

As an alternative, Daxton knew that he could always farm. He had the land, but the money in farming wasn’t always steady. He had seen plenty of his farmer friends who had suffered in the winter when drought or other catastrophes hindered the harvest. Daxton couldn’t go through that. He wanted—no, needed—a steady income for his children.

And his children were troopers about it, never appeared to mind him having to work long hours. Daxton loved his work, but he loved his children more. It was funny the things people had to do, and the sacrifices one had to make, in order to make a living to support their families.

Within minutes, he pulled up in front of the livery stable.

“Hello there, sheriff!” Dirk Price smiled, wiping his hands on a rag as he walked out of the stable. “A nice Friday, huh?”

Daxton pulled the brake on the buckboard and wrapped the reins across the front bar. “It’s lovely but getting a bit hot already.”

Dirk reached for the reins. “Well, at least it’s still cool in the morning and at night… for now.”

“You want me to unhitch the team?” Daxton took off his cowboy hat and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, then slid it back into place.

“No, need.” Dirk smiled as he climbed into the buckboard. “It’s the least I can do for all you’ve done for me.”

Daxton chuckled. “Hey, what are neighbors for?”

“Thanks.” Daxton knew how lucky he was to live in such a wonderful town, and he intended to keep it that way.

“Don’t worry about Betsy and Bees, I’ll take good care of them.” Dirk sat on the bench, reins in hand, and took off the brake.

Daxton nodded. “Thanks, Dirk. I’ll see you later tonight.”

Dirk nodded and then clicked his tongue. The team jerked forward, and he took them around to the back of the barn. Dirk let Daxton park his rig in the back out of the way and he cared for his horses while he was at work. Daxton chuckled to himself. Betsy and Bees. His children had named them years ago and the names stuck.

Within minutes, he walked down the wooden walkway, nodding to the bank owner as he passed.

“Sheriff.” Dallas King smiled. “You and the kids coming to the ranch this weekend?”

Dallas had made a complete turnaround since he married Megan, a lovely girl from Ireland. Not only was she beautiful, but she was strong enough to handle Dallas, which he needed. And look out when she was mad! Whoo wee, did she have a temper! She probably needed it to keep Dallas in line. “Not sure if we’ll make it out or not, but we’ll try.”

Dallas smiled. “Well, we hope to see you there.”

“Thanks for the invitation, though.”

“You bet.” Dallas tipped his hat and then headed back into the bank.

A bell rang when Daxton walked into his office. He installed it after Colton Hill—his friend and a sometimes deputy—almost shot Dallas when he barged in unexpectedly one time.

“Afternoon, sheriff!” James chirped, a bit too eager.

Daxton nodded as he sat down at his desk. “James.” He looked over at the jail cell and no one was there. “Haven’t arrested anyone yet?”

James’s eyes opened wide. “No, not yet, but it’s still early.”

Daxton laughed. “It was a joke.”

“Oh, yeah. Right.” He walked over to the wall where all the Wanted posters were kept. “The post rider delivered the new Wanted posters on his way to the post office this morning. I took the liberty of hanging them up.”

Daxton clasped his shoulder. “Good work, James. You’ll make a fine sheriff one day.”

James blushed. “Thanks, sheriff.”

Daxton perused the Wanted posters and stopped when he came to two men. One was obviously younger and handsome, with light brown, wavy hair. The other was older, rugged looking, with a mean look in his eyes. “The Slater Boys.”

James let out a deep breath as he looked over Daxton’s shoulder. “Yep. It says here that they’re brothers.”

Daxton crossed the room to his desk and started shuffling papers. “Yes, but don’t let the younger one’s appearance fool you. They’re both meaner than snakes. Every lawman in this county has been after them for years.”

James leaned closer to the poster. “It says here that they’re both wanted for murder and armed robbery.”

Daxton sat back and looked out the window, taking in the bright, golden sunshine. It was welcome after the long winter. Looking outside now during the summer, it was hard to believe that in six more months it would all be covered in snow again.

The sheriff crossed the room to the door and looked out. “They did more than that, I’m sure.” He glanced over at James. “Well, I’m going for a walk to check on the town and take in the morning sunshine before it gets too hot. Stay here and keep an eye on the office.”

“Yes, sir!” James was a bit too quick to answer and way too chipper.

Daxton smirked. “And don’t go arresting anyone without good cause before I get back.”

An eager smile spread across James’s face. “Don’t worry. I won't.”

Daxton rolled his eyes as he stepped onto the porch and strolled along the covered wooden walkway headed toward the General Store. He tipped his hat as two women passed. “Ladies.”

One of the ladies inclined her head, batting her eyes. “Sheriff.” Although some would consider Daxton one of the most eligible bachelors in town, none of the ladies had struck his fancy. No, he was content with just his children to love.

Daxton let out a deep breath as he crossed the street to the hotel, the only restaurant in Whiskey River.

“Afternoon, sheriff,” Harrison Curry, the owner, called to him, smiling as he passed.

“Afternoon, Harrison.” Daxton enjoyed living in this small town. It was quiet, peaceful, and family oriented, and he intended to keep it that way.

As the day wore on and night fell, Daxton was thankful that it had been a quiet day. That evening, Daxton sat in the rocking chair on the front porch outside the Sheriff’s Office beside James, rocking back and forth, watching the sun set. “James, go home. There’s nothing going on today.”

James smirked, motioning across the dirt street to the hotel. “Well, sheriff, I don’t have far to go.”

Daxton chuckled. “You should really think about getting your own place. It’s probably costing you a fortune, living in the hotel.”

“Nah, Mr. Curry gives me a good rate.” James folded his arms across his chest, leaning back. “Besides. I’m single and have no one to go home to.” James had moved to Whiskey River not long before andwas still establishing himself within the community.

Daxton rose to his feet and clasped his hand on James’s shoulder. “Well then, if you’re not going home, I am.” A smile lit his lips. “Don’t stay too late and be sure to lock up when you leave.”

“I will, Sheriff!” James’s smile lit up his face. “You can count on me.”

Daxton rolled his eyes. He couldn’t wait until James settled down a bit. As he headed toward the stables to get Betsey and Bees, the sun began to set in the distance, casting a golden glow over the town. He was glad that they were having a quiet summer. He just hoped it stayed that way.