Chapter 5

Josey

Josey turned over and opened her eyes. It was dark, except for the dim candlelight flickering in the room. She woke with a start as the events of the last few days rushed into her mind. Logan coming for her... her warning him to stay away… and then shooting him.

“Yah!” Josey sat straight up in the bed in a cold sweat.

“Shh,” a kind male voice cooed, gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

“Get away from me!” She pushed him away, terror filling her voice and her eyes.

“Shh,” the man repeated. Josey looked at him, trying to focus, but everything was blurry. “You were hiding in my barn, and I found you and brought you in here. Remember?”

Suddenly, everything came back to her… the barn… being tired and hungry… vomiting everything she had inside her until there was nothing left.

Josey also remembered him.

“I’m so sorry,” she moaned as she lay back down on the pillows. “Let me rest for a bit and I’ll be on my way again.”

The man placed a cool, wet rag on her forehead, and this time, she didn’t stop him. “You’re not going anywhere until you’re feeling better.”

Austin would surely find her if she lingered for too long in one place. She had to get out! Leave! “No, I can’t stay…” Josey croaked, trying to sit up, but she was too weak to sit up for long. Despite her urge to flee, she plopped back down onto the pillow. “I’ll just rest a bit and then I’ll be on my way.” Then, her stomach growled, loud enough for Daxton to hear.

Daxton rose from the bed where he had been sitting beside her. “I’ll be right back with something to eat.”

Food. Yes, she needed food. Maybe food would make the nausea go away. As she lay back on the pillows, she couldn’t understand why she was so nauseous but so hungry at the same time. Despite her best effort to stay awake, she started drifting off to sleep until the door opened.

“It’s me… Daxton… Daxton Clark.” He walked into the room carrying a plate of food and the scent wafted toward her, causing her stomach to churn.

“I think I might throw up…” She tried to sit up and placed a hand over her mouth.

Daxton grabbed a porcelain basin off the table. “Here you go.”

It was too pretty to violate, but she had no choice. She wretched, but nothing came up. When she was sure that she was through, she used the rag and wiped her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Daxton took the rag from her and smiled. “Feeling better?”

She lay back onto the pillows and shook her head.

“Hungry?” Daxton set the rag aside and then sat on the edge of the bed beside her, holding a plate filled with food.

The scent of fresh fish surrounded her. Heavenly. Josey looked up from the plate and into his eyes, trying to read him. Even though Daxton seemed nice enough, she was leery. “What do you want with me?”

A crease formed between his eyes. “Right now, I want you to rest. Later, you can tell me why you were hiding out in my barn.”

Josey recoiled, sliding back away from him until her back hit the headboard. “I can’t.”

Daxton reached out to touch her hand, but she pulled back. “Not now. You can tell me when you’re ready.”

Suddenly, the thought of Austin catching up with her came to mind. If he found her here, not only would he kill her, he’d kill Daxton, too. “I have to get out of here.” She pushed up from the bed on shaky arms, but Daxton gently pushed her back.

Daxton shook his head. “Not until you feel better.” He handed her the plate, and she tried to take it but was too weak.

“Wait a minute.” Josey sat up against the pillows the best she could and then reached for the plate again.

Daxton smirked as a kind look came into his eyes. “Here. Let me help you.” After cutting a piece of the fish, he held it up to her lips.

She was about to protest, but it smelled too good. As she took a bite and chewed, the taste of fresh fish filled her mouth. She moaned involuntarily and swallowed. It had been a while since she had had fish, especially rainbow trout. “This is delicious.” She opened her mouth again and he slid another bite into her mouth.

“Thank you,” Daxton replied, cutting another piece for her.

She was not accustomed to anyone caring for her like this. It had been so long—since she was a child—and here this stranger, who didn’t know her at all, was caring more for her than Logan ever had. Tears came to her eyes as she took another bite.

“Hey, now.” Daxton gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re safe now. No one’s going to hurt you here.”

Tears streamed down her face as her body shook uncontrollably, wracked with sobs. This kind man wouldn’t be saying these nice things and treating her so well if he knew what she had done… what she had become.

Daxton set the plate on his lap. “What happened to you?”

Could she tell him? What would he think of her? No, she knew she couldn’t tell him or anyone for the sake of her child… not now… not ever.

When he saw that she wasn’t going to answer, he looked down at the plate and then back into her eyes. “If you don’t want to talk now, you don’t have to. But you really need to eat something. It’ll make you feel better.”

Without saying another word, she took the plate and began feeding herself.

“I’ll be right back—”

She reached out and grabbed his hand. “No! Don’t leave me.” It was the strangest feeling. Wanting him to go yet wanting him to stay.

A crease formed between his eyes. “I’m only going to get you some more lemonade. I’ll be right back.”

Slowly, Daxton released his hold, and she watched as he walked out. Josey looked over at the window and it was still open. The breeze was cool, feeling good after such a hot summer day. But if Austin knew she was there… if he found her… no, she couldn’t endanger this nice man like this. At that moment, she resolved to eat, get some rest, and then be on her way when she was able.

Josey pulled the plate from the nightstand onto her lap and took another bite. But this time, it went down easier. Her stomach grumbled, wanting more. Not caring how unladylike it was, she picked up the fish with her hands and took big bites. Soon, she licked her fingers, the fish gone.

There was a slight tap on the door, causing her heart to stop. Daxton cracked open the door. “It’s just me.” Then he walked in, sat down on the edge of the bed again, and held out a glass. “Here’s your lemonade.”

She nodded and then took a sip. The sweet tartness traveled down her parched throat and through her chest, tasting so good that she guzzled the whole glass without stopping.

One corner of Daxton’s lips curled into a smile. “You must have been thirsty.” He studied her for a moment and then asked, “How long have you been traveling on foot?”

She bit her lower lip, willing the tears to stay at bay, but they trickled down her face anyway. Tears of exhaustion, tears of relief mixed with grief. Daxton was the first person that she had talked to since she ran. After enduring so much cruelty at the hands of her late husband, it was hard to believe that she could find such kindness in a total stranger. “What day is it?” Her voice broke.

“Monday.”

She looked down as a fresh wave of tears forced their way to the surface and spilled over. “A week.”

Daxton’s lips parted slightly. “Look.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, his eyes sincere. “I don’t pretend to know what you’ve been through, but you’re safe now.” He looked down at her plate. “Why don’t you finish eating and get some rest? We can talk later.”

“Okay.” If she told him, he wouldn’t understand. He would surely throw her out, or worse, call the sheriff and hand her over. Josey wiped the tears from her cheeks, and then eyed the corn on the cob. It looked and smelled delicious, but in her current state, she just couldn’t manage it.

“Would you like me to cut it off the cob for you?”

She nodded, unable to speak, willing the tears to stay at bay… at least until she was alone and could let it out.

Daxton gave her a kind smile. “I’ll be right back.”

With the plate lying on her lap, she leaned back against the pillows behind her and closed her eyes. But the image of Logan’s fixed eyes appeared before her mind again. She gasped. For when she opened her eyes, Daxton was holding a knife.

“Shh,” he murmured, unaware of the effect seeing him with a knife had on her. “It’s just me.”

Josey pushed herself back against the headboard, her body rigid, her eyes wide.

“It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” He reached for the plate resting on her lap.

Josey slowly handed it to him and watched as he cut the corn off the cob.

Within minutes, he gave the plate back to her, set the knife on the small nightstand next to the bed, and then scooped up a spoonful of corn.

Josie relaxed a bit and shook her head. “No, thank you. I can do it.”

But her hands were shaking too hard, and the corn fell off the spoon. Josey guessed it was from shock. She just needed something to drink and rest. So, she set the spoon on the plate and handed it back to him.

“Would you like more fish?” He smirked. “It appears that you liked it.”

She gave him a weak smile. “It was good. Maybe later.”

Daxton patted her leg as he rose from the bed. “I’ll be right back.”

Once her was gone, she tried to lean back and relax, but the wind howled through the window and her imagination had her seeing images in the twilight.

When Daxton came back in, he handed her another glass of lemonade. “Here you go.”

She let out a sigh of relief and took a sip. It tasted so good that she downed half the glass and handed it back to him, her hands still shaking.

He placed the glass on the nightstand and then gently pushed her shoulders back. “Now, get some rest.”

Josey resisted at first, but then relented and relaxed against the pillows, snuggling into the down feathers of the soft mattress. A moment later, her eyes began to close.

She felt Daxton tuck the blankets in around her. When she opened her eyes, he was picking up the plate. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.” He started to walk away, but she stopped him.

“No, don’t go.” She bit her lower lip, choosing her words carefully. “Could you stay until I fall asleep?”

“Of course.” A crease formed between his eyes. “I’ll be right back.”

Josey nodded, hoping that he understood. She didn’t want him in her bed. No, of course not. She just wanted him in the room with her. Somehow, she felt safe with him, although she wasn’t sure why. Josey willed herself to keep her eyes open until Daxton returned. Although she knew she shouldn’t, there was something about him that she trusted.

Daxton walked back in, carrying two blankets. “I thought you might need this.” He covered her with another blanket and tucked it in around her. Then he crossed the room to the window and closed it, leaving it open slightly. Leaving the candle burning, he sat on the chair and covered himself. “Get some rest.”

Although Josey’s eyes began to close, she willed herself to stay awake for another minute. “You won’t leave me, will you?”

A faint smile curled his lips as he shook his head. “No, I won’t. I promise.” He pulled the blanket up over himself, staying fully dressed. “Get some sleep. I’ll still be here when you wake.”

She nodded and then settled onto the pillows once more. The soft down of the featherbed felt so good, wrapping around her weary body.

“Daxton?”

“Yes?”

She paused for a moment. “Thank you… for everything.”

He gave her a concerned smile. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

Josey sighed as her eyes began to close. But she wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow. What would he say when he found out that she killed Logan Slater? No, she had to leave when she was able. Daxton could never know.

Faint rays of golden sunshine streamed through the window the next morning. For a moment, Josey looked around, having no idea where she was. Panicked, she looked over and a man was asleep in the chair, covered with a blanket. And then she remembered. His name was Daxton.

Josey sighed as she leaned back against the pillows, listening to the birds chirp outside. She was still weak but felt much better than she had the night before. It seemed that her fever had diminished, but she was still weak. Trying to be as quiet as she could, she sat up on the edge of the bed. Her head spun, but she picked up the half glass of lemonade and drank it. It went down much smoother this time.

Her head began to spin again, so she laid back onto the pillows and snuggled into the down featherbed.

“Feeling better?” Josey looked over and Daxton was stretching. “Good morning.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Good morning.”

Daxton rose from the chair and folded the blanket. Then he laid it on the top shelf of a small armoire sitting in the corner of the room. “I’ll make us some breakfast.”

“I can help.” Josey tried to get up, but she was still weak. Then, her head began to spin, and she rushed over to the basin on a small round table and unloaded the contents of her stomach. When she was finished, she gripped the edge of the table.

Suddenly, a wet washrag appeared before her eyes.

“I’m so sorry.” She took the rag and wiped her mouth. Then she splashed her face with water from the pitcher and rinsed out her mouth. Josey picked up the basin and was about to dump it outside, but Daxton’s strong arms stopped her.

“Leave it. I’ll take care of it.”

“I can’t let you clean up after me—”

“You can and you will.” Daxton led her back to the bed. She sighed and climbed back in under the blankets, defeated. It was warmer this morning, so she pushed off one of the blankets. “Here. I’ll take it.” He folded the blanket and laid it over the edge of the bed.

“I feel so bad… you waiting on me hand and foot like this.” But Josey couldn’t deny that she needed more rest. Although she had just vomited, she was hungry again. “I’m so sorry.”

Daxton tucked the blanket in around her. “Don’t worry. You’ll feel better soon. You’re just exhausted and need to rest.”

She nodded, giving him a slight smile.

“Now….” Daxton walked over to the window and opened it wide. “Get some rest and I’ll fix us some breakfast.” He stopped at the door. “I’ll bring a plate in when it’s ready.”

Josey shook her head. “No, I can come out to the table.”

“I’ll bring it in.” A small smile lit his lips. “Just relax and I’ll be in to check on you in a bit.”

Unable to argue, she nodded. “Thank you.”

Daxton smiled. “Don’t worry. Just rest.” Then he walked out and pulled the door, but left it open a bit, letting the warm summer breeze blow through.

As she waited, she listened to Daxton clanking the pots and pans in the kitchen and the birds chirping outside the window. She was lucky that it was summer. Had it been winter, she surely would have frozen to death before Daxton had found her.

Daxton.

She was lucky that he found her and not a man like Logan. Or worse yet, a man like Austin. Josey willed herself not to think about it. She needed to build up her strength so she could move on. There was no way that she was going to stay here long and endanger this nice man. He didn’t need to get mixed up in the mess that had become her life. He had done enough.

Josey was nearly asleep when the door opened, and Daxton walked in carrying a plate of food.

“Here you go.” He set the plate on the table. “Ready to eat?”

She nodded. “It smells good.” She reached down and tried to sit up, but Daxton pushed her back down onto the pillows.

“Just relax.” Concern filled his eyes as he walked back to the table to retrieve the plate, and then sat on the edge of the bed beside her again. “The only thing you need to do for the next few days is rest.”

Josey shook her head. “No, I can’t do that to you—”

“Do what?” Daxton shrugged. “Be sick? After what you’ve probably been through, you’re lucky to be alive.”

She nodded and reached for the fork, but he was quicker. Daxton cut the pancake for her and held a piece up to her lips. She took a bite and chewed.

“So, what’s your name?” Daxton asked casually.

Josey stopped chewing mid-bite and stared at him.

“Oh, come on. At least tell me your name.” He handed her a glass of lemonade and she swallowed, but almost choked.

He was right. The least she could do was to tell him her name, but she wasn’t going to tell him her married name. What would happen if he found out who she was, who she had been married to, and what she did? No, if she wanted a fresh start, then she had to start clean… and leave the past behind. “Josey. Josey Denning.” She gave him her maiden name, her name before she had met Logan, before her life went awry.

One corner of Daxton’s lips curled into a smile. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Josey Denning.” He held up another small piece to her. “Now, how about taking another bite?”

Josey returned the smile. “I can feed myself. I’m feeling better than I did last night.” Or the night before, or the night before that… She sat up against the pillows, reached for the plate, and he slowly handed it to her. It was true. Although she still felt weak, she was beginning to feel better. At that moment, she knew that she might live after all.

Daxton sat back and smiled. “More lemonade?”

She nodded. “Yes, please.” She took another bite and swallowed. “Did you make it? It’s delicious.”

“My daughter….” He stopped short, as if wondering how much to tell her. And she understood. He didn’t know her, after all. “My daughter, Lillian, made it.”

Josey nodded, understanding. “How old is she?”

A crease formed between his eyes. “She’s nine and my son, Andrew, is eleven.”

“Are they here?”

Daxton shook his head. “They’re away for a few days—”

“Until you know who I am.” She nodded, understanding. She handed him back the plate. “I’ll be on my way now. Thank you for caring for me in my time of need.”

Daxton looked at her, confused. “What are you talking about? You’re in no condition to travel… especially on foot.”

She sighed, unable to fight with him in her condition. “I can’t impose—”

“It’s not an imposition.” He handed her back the plate and smiled. “Eat. I’ll be right back with the lemonade.”

She nodded, unable to resist the delicious scent. While he was out, she took a big bite and chewed, relishing the taste of the sweet syrup and pancake. He really was a good cook.

A few minutes later, Daxton returned with the lemonade and handed it to her.

“Thank you.” She downed half of it and set it on the nightstand beside the bed. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been single for a while. With two small children, I guess you could say that I learned out of necessity.”

She let out a deep breath and went back to eating.

He patted her leg over the quilt. “If you’ll be okay for a minute, I’ll go do the dishes. You rest until I come back.”

Josey looked into his eyes. “Thank you… for your kindness.”

“Don’t mention it.” Daxton gave her a kind smile as he stood. “I’ll be right back.”

After he was gone, she resumed eating, listening to the birds sing outside. It really was a beautiful day. She had been sleeping during the day and traveling at night. Now, it was nice to be awake during the day and enjoy the sounds of the birds outside, the bright morning sunshine… something Logan would never experience again. Even though he had beat her and did unspeakable things to her, she had robbed him of a future.

Now, she was no better than him.

Josey sat back against the pillows, thinking about what she had done. But then again, she had warned Logan, and she was holding a gun in plain sight. He had come after her again and wouldn’t stop. But this time, she had stopped him and now she was probably doomed to hell. But what other choice did she have? She knew she would go through hell and back to keep her baby safe. She didn’t want him or her to go through the beatings that she had endured. Worse yet, she didn’t want her child to grow up and become like him.

Silent tears streamed down her face as she watched the signs of life outside. She hadn’t heard Daxton walk in.

“Are you all right?” He took her empty plate, set it on the nightstand, and handed her the lemonade.

She took a sip and handed it back to him and swiped her hands across her face.

“Better?”

She nodded, the lump in her throat preventing her from speaking.

Daxton set the glass back on the nightstand and looked into her eyes. “What happened to you?”

Josey bit her lower lip as tears filled her eyes again. How could she tell him? How could she tell anyone?

He waited and then let out a deep breath. “Look. I don’t expect you to tell me. You can just answer yes or no. Okay?”

“Okay,” she croaked. It was the least she could do, since he had been so kind.

Daxton thought for a moment, and then asked, “Did someone hurt you?”

She nodded.

“Is that someone a man?”

“Yes.”

“Has he been hurting you for a while?”

“Yes.” Tears came to her eyes.

Daxton patted her arm. “I know this is hard for you, but this is the last question.”

She bit her lower lip.

“Was he your… husband?”

Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed. Letting out the years of abuse she had endured at his hands.

“Shh,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms. “He’s not going to hurt you again. I can promise you that.”

“But—”

“Shh.” Daxton rubbed her back, letting her cry on his shoulder. “I’ve seen it before. But I can assure you. Not all men are like that.” He pulled back her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “I promise that he won’t hurt you again.”

Tears streamed down her face. “How can you make such a promise? You don’t know—” She was about to tell him that he didn’t know what she had done, that she knew he wouldn’t hurt her again because he was dead.

“I know about men like that.” Daxton handed her a handkerchief. “I know enough.”

She let out a deep breath as she dried her tears. “Thank you.”

After she was calm, he rose from the bed and tucked her in. “Now, get some sleep. You’re safe here. I promise that no one will hurt you.”

She nodded and then watched as he took the plate from the room. Josey curled up on her side. She wasn’t worthy of such kindness.

Josey slept throughout the day, but images of Logan coming after her filled her dreams and she woke up screaming in the night.

“Shh….” The bed dipped as Daxton sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her to him. “You’re safe. Now, go back to sleep.”

When she opened her eyes, it was dark. Only the flickering light of the stars streamed in through the window. “I have to go.” She tried to sit up, but he gently pushed her back against the pillows. “Daxton, I can’t endanger you like this—”

“I promised you that I’ll keep you safe, and I intend to keep that promise.” Daxton brushed her hair away from her face but made no other move. “Now, go back to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.” But when he rose from the bed, she grabbed his hand.

“Please. Don’t leave me,” she begged. Although she wasn’t sure what she wanted, she just knew that she didn’t want him to leave her alone.

He studied her for a long moment and then let out a deep breath. “Scoot over.”

She did as he asked. Daxton took off his shoes and then laid down beside her, fully dressed, on top of the blanket. Then he reached out for her. Josey knew that she shouldn’t, but she curled up beside him in the crook of his strong arm, finally feeling safe and secure.

Daxton leaned his head against hers. “Now, get some sleep.”

She nodded against his chest. And for the first time in a very long time, she fell into a restful sleep, feeling safe in Daxton’s arms. Josey just hoped that she wasn’t making a mistake.