Chapter 4

Daxton

Daxton watched her sleep, settling into a chair in the corner of the room. His eyes traveled over her features. Even though her face was dirty, and her hair was filled with straw and leaves, she was still beautiful.

He studied her face, wondering who she was running from and why. Then he noticed the bruise on her cheek and the bruises on her arms. Daxton sighed, knowing that she was probably running away from an abusive husband or lover.

Daxton heard the clanking of dishes in the kitchen and realized that the children were up. He glanced over at the sleeping woman, having no intention of letting her near his children until he talked to her first.

As quietly as he could manage, he slipped from the room, closing the door behind him.

“Morning, Pa,” Lillian called from the kitchen. “I’m making pancakes. Want some?”

Daxton nodded, walking in. “I’m going over to see Colton Hill this morning. Would you like to visit Ella again today?”

Lillian’s eyes lit up. “Would you mind? We’re making clothes for her children.”

A smile lit his lips. “No, not at all. I have a few things to do around here, so you go ahead. I’ll take you over in just a bit.” Daxton knew it was a good idea for the children to be out of the house away from the woman until he could get to the bottom of her situation. If he needed to, he’d gladly swear out a warrant for the arrest of the man who had harmed her.

“Don’t worry.” Lillian placed a pancake on a plate. The skillet sizzled as she added more batter. “I’ll do my chores before we leave.”

Daxton shook his head, proud of his daughter. “No, I’ll take you over and then I’ll come back to do the chores. It’s summertime. Enjoy yourself. I’ll take care of the house.”

Her eyebrows rose, clearly excited. “You don’t mind?”

Daxton smiled. “You’ve been taking care of the house long enough. Now, it’s my turn.” Guilt grabbed his chest, realizing how much he had been leaving to the children lately. “Besides, I need to clean out the barn.” He had only one milking cow and a few horses. He had planned to get Andrew a horse soon, since he was getting older now, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. But what they had was enough to care for themselves without having to hire someone to help him.

Andrew came in, pulling his suspenders up over his shoulders. “What’s going on?”

Daxton waited for a minute, wondering if he knew about the woman. “What do you mean?”

Andrew took the plate of pancakes to the table, helping out without being asked. “I heard that Lillian is going over to visit Mrs. Hill again today.” He shrugged. “I was just wondering what was going on.”

Daxton set a glass jar filled with maple syrup on the table along with the place settings. As exhausted as she was, he knew the woman would sleep for a while. “You going fishing today?”

Andrew’s eyebrows rose almost into his hairline, confused. “I just went fishing yesterday—”

“And you didn’t catch any fish.” Daxton smiled. “I was hoping to have fish for dinner tonight.”

A broad smile spread across Andrew’s lips. “You don’t mind?”

Daxton laughed, enjoying his son’s surprise. “I think you two’ve been holding down the fort here long enough. Go have some fun. I’ll take care of the house and the barn this week.”

Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure? The barn—”

“Can surely survive a week without you.” Daxton motioned toward the kitchen chairs. “You’re both children. I want you to enjoy your childhood while you still can. You’ll be grown up soon enough.”

“I don’t mind.” Lillian pulled the skillet off the stove and plopped the last pancake onto the stack sitting on the table. “I like taking care of the house.”

“Well, this week, you’re going to be children.” Once his children were seated, Daxton sat down at his place at the head of the table. “I insist.”

“Thanks, Pa,” Andrew reached for a pancake, but his father stopped him.

“Not before we say grace.”

The children folded their hands at the edge of the table, bowed their heads, and waited.

Daxton said a beautiful blessing over the meal and then ended with, “Dig in!” He stabbed a pancake and plopped it onto his plate. “Lillian, this looks delicious. Where did you learn how to cook like this?”

She scoffed. “Pa, I’ve been cooking for a while now.”

He narrowed his eyes, realizing how much he had come to depend upon them. They were children and here he had been depending upon them as if they were adults. Well, things are going to change. He popped a bite of pancake into his mouth. “Andrew, what have you been using for bait?”

Andrew shrugged. “Worms.”

“Why don’t you try fly-fishing?” Daxton asked, stacking the dishes after the meal. “It’s the best way to get cutthroat and rainbow trout.”

Andrew’s eyebrows raised. “Thanks, Pa. I’ll try it,” he replied, finishing up the last of the pancake on his plate. “Wanna go?”

Daxton shook his head as guilt filled his chest. It had been a while since he had gone fishing with his son, and it was long overdue. “Maybe later. I have a lot of things to catch up on around the house first.”

Lillian took a dainty bite of her pancake. “Aren’t you going in to work today?”

“No.” Daxton sighed. “While we’re over at the Hill’s place, I’m going to ask Colton if he can take over for me as sheriff this week.”

Lillian’s eyebrows rose in concern. “Why?”

Daxton chuckled. “Because I want to catch up around the house and spend time here with you, for starters.” Then he turned toward his son. “I’ll tell you what. Let me take a day or two to catch up around here and then we'll go fly-fishing together. How does that sound?” Daxton didn’t want to go far and leave the woman unattended for too long, if he could help it. But he welcomed the opportunity to spend some time with his son, too. It had been too long.

When he was finished eating, Andrew rose from the table and set his plate in the sink. Then he reached for one of the metal buckets sitting in the corner, but his father stopped him.

“You go ahead.” He nodded toward Lillian. “Both of you enjoy yourself today. I’ll clean up when I come back from taking Lillian over to the Hill Ranch.”

Andrew’s face beamed with excitement. “Thanks, Pa!” Then he quickly grabbed his cane pole and headed out the back door, headed toward Whiskey River.Daxton made a mental note to get him a decent fishing pole soon.

“If you see a bear, get out of there!” Daxton called after his son and then glanced over at his daughter.

A broad smile spread across her face as she pumped water into one of the buckets. “I’ll be ready in a moment—”

“I said, I’ll take care of the dishes when I return. Now, grab your things and I’ll take you over to see Mrs. Hill.”

“Oh, she wants me to call her Ella now,” Lillian corrected, trying to sound very grown up. “But I’m not sure I feel comfortable with it yet.”

“Well, then. Call her what you feel comfortable with.” Daxton took his hat off the peg by the door and slid it on. “Come on. Grab your things and let’s go.”

“Pa? Guess what?” Lillian asked, clearly excited. “Mrs. Hill helped me fix up a sewing kit yesterday!”

“That’s wonderful.” He didn’t say anything about her mother’s sewing kit. After she was so quiet the day before when he had broached the subject, he had no intention of bringing it up again anytime soon. He guessed that she would bring it up again when she was ready. She was probably still angry with her mother for leaving, even though she probably didn’t even remember her. But Daxton hoped that one day Lillian, and Andrew, would come to forgive her.

“Get ready and I’ll be right back.” Daxton headed toward his bedroom, when Lillian stopped him.

“Pa, is everything all right?” Lillian asked, carrying her sewing box to the door.

He smiled. “Yes, of course. I just forgot my wallet. Go on out and I’ll be right there.”

Lillian returned the smile and then headed out onto the front porch to wait. Daxton knew that she loved taking in the fresh morning air on pretty, summer days.

When she was outside, Daxton poured another glass of water and slowly opened the door to his bedroom. Inside, the woman was still sleeping, so he walked in and set the glass of water by the bed. Her face was angelic, but troubled as she slept. Daxton wondered what her story was, where she came from, and what she had endured to bring her to his barn.

Daxton let out a deep breath. One thing was sure: He wasn’t going to get any answers until she woke. But right now, what she needed was rest. He felt her forehead and she was still burning up with fever. Daxton rinsed out the washrag in the basin and placed it back on her forehead. She didn’t even stir. A crease formed between his eyes. If her condition didn’t improve soon, he was going for Doc Morgan, whether she wanted him to or not.

But there was nothing more he could do at the moment and his daughter was waiting. So, he walked out and quietly closed the door behind him. Then he headed out to the barn, hitched up the team to the buckboard, and drove it around front. Lillian was sitting prim and proper on the front porch with her sewing box on her lap, trying to be so grown up, even though she was just nine years old. Guilt grabbed his chest again, knowing that his daughter’s childhood was quickly slipping away before she could have a chance to experience it.

“What took you so long, Pa?” Lillian daintily stood and skipped down the stairs to the buckboard, carrying her sewing box.

“I had to do something first.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the complete truth, either. But Daxton wasn’t going to tell the children about the woman. Not yet.

“So, how are the clothes coming along?” Daxton asked, taking in the scenery of green, lush grasses, green forest, rolling hills, and white-capped mountains in the distance. As white as the landscape had been in the winter, in summer, green stretched out as far as the eye could see. It really was a beautiful sight.

“Oh, Pa! Ella… I mean Mrs. Hill… taught me how to sew seams and hems….” Lillian launched into a monologue about sewing, needing no more prompting. He nodded and “uh-hummed” at the right places, but his mind was on the woman lying in his bedroom at his home. The woman was so vulnerable that she hardly seemed dangerous. But in his experience as a lawman, that wasn’t always the case.

A short while later, they pulled up in front of the Hill Ranch. Ella walked out onto the front porch with a baby on each hip.

“Well, well! Lillian, I wasn’t expecting you today, but I’m so glad you’re here!” A broad smile spread across her face. “Would you mind taking one of the babies for me?”

Lillian beamed, glancing over at her father with hopeful eyes.

“Go ahead.” Daxton chuckled, enjoying his daughter’s enthusiasm.

“Yes, Mrs. Hill,” Lillian replied as she jumped down out of the buckboard, leaving her sewing kit on the bench seat beside her father. “I’d be glad to.”

“Please, call me Ella.” She smiled as she adjusted the babies on her hips. “Which one would you like?”

A broad smile spread across Lillian’s lips. “Come here.” Her eyes sparkled as she held up her hands to Hannah, who happily went to her, smiling and cooing.

“Is Colton around?” Daxton wrapped the reins around the front bar of the buckboard and hopped down, carrying his daughter’s sewing kit. He set it on a small table on the front porch, knowing nothing would happen to it there.

Ella motioned with her head toward the barn, adjusting the other baby, Blake, on her hip. “Colton’s out back, working with the men.”

“Mind if I talk to him?” Daxton’s eyebrows lifted.

Ella smiled as she shook her head. “No, not at all.” Then she turned to the girl. “Lillian, why don’t you go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she replied and then headed inside, carrying the baby and taking the sewing kit with her.

Ella turned her attention to Daxton. “Is something wrong?”

He shook his head, smiling. “No, everything’s fine,” he lied. “I just need to speak with Colton.”

Ella gave him a small smile and nodded. “Well, if you ever need to talk—”

“I’ll let you know,” Daxton finished, his lips curling into a smile. Then he gave her a pat on the shoulder. “Thanks. I truly appreciate it.” He started toward the barn but stopped. “Ella, thank you for taking Lillian under your wing like this. It really means a lot.”

Ella grinned. “It’s my pleasure. She’s been a big help to me, too.”

“Well, she loves coming to visit.”

Ella inclined her head. “She’s welcome here any time.”

Daxton nodded his thanks and headed toward the back.

Colton saw him approach and walked out of the barn, leaving the other men working behind him. “Hello, sheriff. Want to come in for some lemonade?”

Daxton shook his head. “No, but could I speak with you for a moment?”

Colton’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. He took his hat off and hit it against his leg, causing dust to fly into the air. Then he pulled his long, dark brown hair back in one hand and let it fall down his back out of habit. “What’s wrong, sheriff?"

Daxton sighed. “I need to ask you a favor.”

One corner of Colton’s lips curled into a smile as he waited.

“Could you take over as sheriff for the week?” Daxton asked, placing his hands on his hips.

A crease formed between Colton’s eyes. “Is something wrong?”

Daxton shook his head. “No, I just need some time off. I haven’t taken any time off for as long as I can remember, and you were the first person I thought of that could take over.” He chuckled. “James is a good man, but he’s young and would drive the town crazy before I came back.”

“You got that right!” Colton burst out laughing, but his smile quickly faded. “I’d be glad to, sheriff.”

Daxton nodded. “Are you sure this won’t be a hardship on you… I mean… with the ranch and the babies, I don’t want to add to your burden.”

Colton gave him a manly slap on the arm. “Not at all, Daxton.” He motioned toward the men working in the corral with the horses, obviously breaking a horse. Suddenly, the horse bucked the man off and the rest of the men laughed. “Life’s been good lately. I have plenty of help here on the ranch now and Ella will be fine with the babies. But if you don’t mind, do you think Lillian would mind coming over to help Ella? We’ll be glad to pay her.”

Daxton chuckled. “Just getting to spend time with Ella and play with the babies is payment enough for her. But I’ll pay her. You’re doing me a favor. And, of course, you’ll receive the sheriff’s pay, as well.”

Colton grinned. “Well, in that case, I’m paying Lillian.”

Daxton laughed. “Thanks, Colton. I truly appreciate it.” Daxton thought for a moment and then asked, “If you need her to, Lillian can stay here for a few days to help out.”

Colton shrugged. “You wouldn’t mind?”

Daxton shook his head. “Not at all. You’d be making my little girl very happy.” He reached out his hand. “Just promise me you’ll take good care of her for me.”

“That goes without saying.” Colton shook his hand. “When would you like me to start?”

Daxton sighed. “James can handle it today, so is tomorrow too soon?”

“James is on duty today alone?” Colton rolled his eyes. “That means I’ll start today. Just let me get cleaned up and I’ll go in.”

Daxton laughed. “I’m sure the town won’t fall down with James on duty alone for one day.”

“Don’t bet on it.” Colton chuckled. “He’ll drive the shop owners crazy. I’m libeled to go in tomorrow and find him lynched. No, I need to protect him from the town as much as the town from him.”

Daxton laughed. “Well, this is true.” James meant well, but he was driving the shop owners crazy. “I’m going to have to have a talk with him about curbing his enthusiasm.”

“You think so?” Colton teased.

Daxton gave Colton a manly slap on the arm and squeezed. “Thanks, Colton. It really means a lot to me.”

Colton’s features suddenly turned serious. “I’m always here for you if you need me, sheriff.”

Daxton nodded. “Thanks, Colton. You’re the best.”

“Speaking of the best…” Colton’s eyes suddenly grew wide. “I’d better hurry into town before James is the one who needs saving.”

Daxton laughed. “I’ll bring some things over for Lillian later tonight.”

He walked with Colton toward the house and gave him one last wave. Then he pulled the team down the long drive, headed toward home.

On the way back, he couldn’t help but think of the strange woman at his house. He found himself hurrying home, telling himself it was just in case she woke and Andrew was in the house alone with her. But it was more than that. She was obviously a strong woman, but also vulnerable. “She’s a damsel in distress,” he muttered aloud, shaking his head. “I’m always a sucker for a damsel in distress.”

No, she was just a woman in need of his help. Any more than that was out of the question.

Deep down, he knew he shouldn’t be harboring a woman he didn’t know with children in his house. But Lillian would be at the Hill ranch for a few days. Maybe Andrew would like to stay with Shawn for a few days, too, just until he found out more about her. He wanted to know what happened to her. But from the look of her, the bruises on her face and arms, he could only guess. His blood boiled at the thought of any man laying a hand on a woman, wife or not. Daxton knew he would have to be patient with her. But first, he needed to make sure she didn’t die from overexposure to the elements. Secretly, he was glad that it was summer and not winter. If it had been winter, she would have frozen to death before she reached his barn, which brought up a whole other round of questions.

How did she come to be in his barn? Obviously, she had been running. Who was she running from? Probably a husband or a man, no doubt. She must have been traveling on foot for who knew how long. But one thing was for sure: Her instincts for survival were strong, which had obviously paid off. He was just glad he had found her before anyone else did.

Daxton pulled the team to a stop in front of his house and jumped down out of the buckboard, eager to see her again, although he wasn’t sure why. He told himself it was to make sure that she was still alive. But deep down, it was more than that. She needed his help, and he was determined to give it to her. He just hoped he wasn’t making a mistake.

Daxton skipped up the stairs, two at a time, and walked inside. It was getting hot out and the house was a bit stuffy, so he opened both doors and a breeze immediately flowed through the house, cooling it down. He peeked into the bedroom and she was still sleeping, but her hair was drenched in sweat. It was a good sign. He knew she was sweating out the fever. Daxton glanced over to the bedside table and the water glass he had set there was still full. She hadn’t woken while he was away.

Daxton sighed and hurried outside to unhitch the team, eager to get back in to care for the woman. He had no idea why he was so concerned about her, but something inside him couldn’t help himself. He had always been drawn to those in need.

He also knew he should have told Colton about her, but somehow, he just couldn’t. He needed to speak to her first.

After the team was in the back pasture and the buckboard put away, he went back inside, and put on some coffee. Then he walked back into the bedroom, leaving the door open to let the air flow through while the children were away.

Daxton rewet the washrag on her forehead in the basin, wrung it out and refolded it, and then placed it back on her forehead again. She was sweating profusely and thrashing around in a fitful sleep.

The room was stuffy, so he opened the window, and a cool breeze rushed in. He just hoped she didn’t develop pneumonia from it. Then he tucked the quilt in around her and sat down on the chair in the corner. All he could do now was wait.

The afternoon wore on and he replaced the rag on her forehead ever so often, but she never woke. Several times, he almost went after Doc Morgan but decided to wait a bit. After all, her fever had broken, but as the day wore on, she still didn’t wake.

A little while later, he was about to drift off to sleep when he heard Andrew come in.

“Pa! I caught some fish!” Andrew announced from the back door.

Daxton hurried out of his bedroom, closing the door behind him. “That’s wonderful, son. I’ll start frying it while you go get cleaned up.” Andrew started walking away, but Daxton stopped him. “Andrew, did you have fun with Shawn today?”

Andrew smiled as he laid three huge fish in the sink. “I sure did! He caught four fish, himself! They sure were biting today.”

Daxton smiled, proud of his son. “So, the fly-fishing worked?”

“I’d say!” Andrew pumped water into the sink and washed his hands.

Daxton let out a deep breath, hating himself for what he was about to ask. But there was no way that he wanted a strange woman near his children until he found out more about her. “Andrew, would you like to spend a few days with Shawn at his house?”

Andrew jerked his head up. “You mean, spend the night?”

“Yes.” Daxton cringed internally. Here this was the first time he had taken any time off in a while and he was inconspicuously sending his children away. “Would you like that?”

Andrew nodded. “Yes, but why?”

Daxton shrugged. “I just thought you might like to spend a few days with him, is all.”

“Really, Pa?” Andrew’s eyes were as big as saucers. “I’ve never spent the night at a friend’s house before. May I go ask him?”

“Sure! I’ll start frying the fish.” Daxton pulled a cast iron pan from a cabinet, set it on the stove, and scooped in some lard.

A broad grin spread across his face. “Thanks, Pa!” He ran out the door before anything else could be said.

Even though he felt bad about it, Daxton told himself that he was only protecting the children until he had enough time to sort things out with this woman. And the children would be back within a few days. Who knows? By that time, maybe he could get the woman a room at Mrs. Jenkins’s boardinghouse. He made a mental note to speak with her, but not before he spoke to this young woman first. Daxton had no idea what trouble she was mixed up in, or who might be looking for her. The last thing he wanted was to put Mrs. Jenkins in harm’s way.

“Shawn’s parents said yes!” Andrew proudly announced as he ran in through the back door and into his bedroom.

“But not before you eat some of the fish you caught, I hope?” Daxton called after him.

“Oh, Pa!” Andrew ran out of his bedroom, carrying a bundle on the end of a stick. “Can I just take one with me? Shawn’s mother is already frying his up—”

“Say no more.” Daxton wrapped a fish in cheesecloth and handed it to him. “Is that enough or would you like to take two?”

Andrew grinned. “No, I’ll leave the others here for you. I know how much you like it.” He pulled his father in for a hug. “Bye, Pa! I’ll see you in a few days!”

“Be back by Wednesday night!” Daxton called after him as his son ran out the door. It was Monday, after all, and that would give him some time to sort things out. “We’ll go fishing Thursday!”

Daxton sighed as he cleaned the fish and started frying it. Within moments, the fish was popping in the skillet. Soon, the aroma of fresh fish cooking filled the air. Fish don’t keep, so the only time he really was able to have it was in the summertime… and he ate as much as he possibly could while he could.

Every summer, he and Andrew went fishing together in Whiskey River. He had taught his son every aspect of fishing over the years while he was growing up. Fortunately, Andrew shared his love of fishing, and it had become an activity they could do together. But over the last few years, their fishing trips had become few and far between.

While the fish was cooking, he boiled some corn on the cob and sliced some fresh tomatoes he had purchased from Mr. Carson at the Whiskey River General Store. He always dealt with Mr. Carson when he could. His wife was just too much of a busybody for his taste.

When the meal was ready, he made a plate and carried it into the bedroom, knowing that he would eat later. But he needed to see after the woman first.

“Hello?” As Daxton slowly opened the door, a golden glow filled the room, reflecting the sunset out the window. When he looked over at the woman, she was still sleeping but drenched in sweat.

He entered the room and lit a candle on the dresser, bringing light into the room. Then he sat on the edge of the bed beside her. “Miss?” he asked, his voice merely a whisper. “Are you hungry?”

She didn’t wake.

The woman was lying so still that he set down the plate and checked to make sure she was still breathing. As quietly as he could manage, he took the pitcher into the kitchen and refilled it with fresh water. When he entered the bedroom again, she hadn’t moved. He placed the pitcher back on the tabletop beside the basin, and then rinsed out and replaced the rag on her forehead. He felt her cheek and she was sweating profusely but she wasn’t as hot. Daxton tucked the blankets in around her, and then sat on the chair near the wall and watched her sleep.

When his eyes fell upon the plate of food, he walked over and picked it up, and then headed back over to the chair, not wanting the food to go to waste. He would make her another plate when she woke.

The fish was already cold, but it still tasted good. Daxton hadn’t had it since last summer. He let out a deep breath. Regardless of what was happening with this woman, he was looking forward to going fishing with his son this weekend.

When he finished eating, he rose from his seat and took his plate to the kitchen. After doing his dishes, he covered the food and took it down into the cellar, where it would keep longer. He didn’t know when she would wake, but he wanted to have food for her just in case. If she had been on the run for a while, hard telling how long it had been since she had eaten a decent meal.

When the kitchen was clean and the food stored away, he went back into the bedroom to check on her. Then he slowly closed the door and went to his daughter’s bedroom to prepare a bag for her. Then he spotted the doll setting on the shelf and smiled. He took it off the shelf and buried it under the clothes at the bottom of the bag, just in case.

In the living room, he looked over at his bedroom door once more. He hated to leave her alone, just in case someone was looking for her, but he couldn’t neglect his daughter. Letting out a deep breath, he locked the front door, and then locked the back door as he walked out… something he hadn’t done until she had come along. It was reasonably safe here in Whiskey River, so he only locked the doors when it was necessary, and this was one of those times. But one thing was certain: If anyone came for her, he didn’t want his children to be a part of it.