Chapter 9

Josey

Faint rays of morning sunshine streamed in through the window, alerting Josey to the start of a new day. Daxton was still sleeping, so she quietly slid out of bed, careful not to wake him. When she got to her feet, she stopped, noting his dark brown hair that fell lazily over his forehead just right while he slept, and his muscular physique, strong, but gentle. He was a good man. Who else would have taken in a sick stranger—armed, no less—and cared for her? No man she had ever met would have done such a thing, unless he had an ulterior motive.

She gathered her clothes and rushed into Daxton’s bedroom. His wife had left behind a few nice clothes and a few work dresses, too. Josey could tell that Daxton had taken good care of her while they were married. How a woman could ever leave such a man was beyond her understanding.

She chose a brown dress from his closet and slipped it on over her corset. Even though it was obviously a work dress, it was much nicer than most of the dresses she had ever owned.

Josey would have made herself some nice dresses, but when she did, Logan accused her of prettying herself up to attract another man. After a while, she just tried not to provoke him… until she decided to change things… to prepare… hoping that one day, she would have a new life.

Josey tried to forget about it as she walked into the kitchen. She was nauseous, needing something in her stomach. She made coffee and then went down into the cellar. To the right were slabs of bacon, smoked ham, salt-cured country ham, and more. She hadn’t had country ham in a while, so she cut some off. When she had enough for the family, she also picked up some potatoes and headed back up the stairs. In the kitchen, she found a mixing bowl in the cabinet and got to work.

While the potatoes and country ham were cooking, she quickly made biscuits and slid them into the oven.

“Um, smells great,” a male voice said, causing her to jump.

Josey turned around quickly. Daxton was standing barefoot in the kitchen, wearing jeans and a white shirt, open at the neck. She tried not to notice how nicely the white flattered his tanned skin and how his muscles played under the thin fabric.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Josey gave him a small smile. “No, it’s okay. I just scare easily.” Josey pulled a cup out of the cabinet, poured some coffee, and handed it to him. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how you take it.”

His eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Thank you, but you don’t have to wait on me.”

She shrugged as she turned the country ham in the skillet. “I wanted to.” Then her eyes met his. “It’s the least I could do for all you’ve done for me.”

He smiled as he took the coffee. “Happy to do it.” Then his lips curled into a heartbreaking smile, taking her breath away. “But if you really want to know…” Daxton stepped closer and whispered into her hair. “Black, two sugars.” Then he kissed the top of her head and spooned in two sugars.

It was an innocent gesture, but one that carried the weight of the world. Her heart was pounding as he stepped away to fix his coffee.

“Can I do anything?” Daxton leaned back onto the counter and took a sip of his coffee, causing his arm to flex without intending to.

Josey smiled, shaking her head. “No, just relax. I’ll have it on the table in just a minute.”

“Um… something smells good.” Andrew came into the kitchen. Then he looked around her shoulder and into the skillet. “Country ham? My favorite!”

“Good.” Josey turned a piece of ham in the pan as the scent filled the air. “Coffee?”

Andrew laughed. “I’m only eleven.”

Josey smirked. “Yeah, I guess that’ll have to wait a few years.”

“And do me a favor,” Daxton interjected. “Don’t grow up too fast.”

Andrew smiled as he hugged his father’s shoulders. “I’ll try not to.”

“Andrew, why don’t you go get cleaned up. Breakfast’ll be ready when you come back.” Josey took the last slice of ham out of the skillet and laid it on the plate with the rest.

Andrew reached around her and stole a piece.

“Hey, now!” Josey smiled as she called after him.

“I’ll be right back!” he called out, hurrying into his room.

Daxton laughed. “That’s my boy.” He rose from his seat and gathered some plates and silverware, and then set the table.

“I can do that.” Josey tried to take it from him, but he playfully held it over her head, out of reach. “I’ve got it.”

She accidentally fell into him as she reached for the silverware, but he caught her. Josey looked in his eyes and saw the attraction there. She took a step back and wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m sorry.” She turned around and pulled the biscuits out of the oven.

“For what?”

She shrugged.

“Josey, look at me.”

She slid the biscuits into a towel-lined bowl, covered them with another hand towel, and then set the empty pan in the sink.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. “Josey, I’m sorry. I was only playing.”

“It’s okay.” She took off her apron and then smoothed her dress. “Breakfast is ready.”

He smiled encouragingly. “Looks great.”

Andrew walked in just as Daxton was finishing setting the table. “Um… smells good!”

Daxton held out the chair for Josey and she sat. “I agree. Is there anything you can’t cook, Josey?”

She shrugged and relaxed when he took his seat at the head of the table. “I’m not sure. I guess if you kill it and bring it home, I’ll try to cook it.” She was so hungry that she could have eaten breakfast, plate and all, when a wave of nausea came over her. “Excuse me.” She held a hand to her mouth, ran out the back door, and emptied the contents of her stomach behind a tree. When she thought nothing more could come up, she held onto the tree for a moment, hoping the nausea would go away soon.

“Here.” Daxton held a wet rag up to her. “Morning sickness?”

Her heart sank. She was hoping to keep it to herself for a little while longer, but the cat was out of the bag now. Josey nodded and then took the rag and wiped her face and mouth. “How did you know?”

Daxton placed a hand on the small of her back to steady her. “Priscilla, my ex-wife, used to get it when she was pregnant with the children.” He looked out over the farm, obviously seeing images of long ago. “How far along are you?”

She shrugged as she sat down on a nearby stump. “I’m not sure. I’m not showing yet, though. I just found out a few weeks ago.”

Daxton’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Is it your first pregnancy?”

“Yes, it is.” Josey wiped her mouth and bent over, willing the ground to stop spinning. “It’s not the best time, but I love this child already and will do anything to protect it. It’s one of the reasons why I left.” She let out a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “Don’t worry. I’ll be gone by nightfall.”

Daxton turned around so quickly that it startled her. “What are you talking about? You can’t leave in your condition—”

“You’ve already done too much for me.” Josey stood. “I can’t ask for more.”

Daxton placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “You’re not asking. I’m offering.” He stooped down beside her and played with a blade of grass, obviously thinking. “Josey, why don’t you plan on staying with me and the children until after the baby’s born? You can decide what you’d like to do then.”

Josey narrowed her eyes at him. “I hate to ask this, but what do you want from me in return?” In her experience, no one was this nice. Not without wanting something from her.

His eyes widened, but he recovered himself quickly. “Nothing. Josey, I just want to help.”

“I’m so sorry. It’s just that—”

“Shh….” Daxton reached out and took her hand. “You don’t have to explain. You haven’t had kindness in your life, and you’re surprised to find it in others.”

She sighed. “A complete stranger is caring for me more than my own husband ever did.” At that moment, Josey saw him in a new light. Not only was Daxton willing to care for her, he was willing to care for a pregnant woman and her baby until the baby was born… and was asking for nothing in return. “Thank you. I can pay you back—”

“No, you won’t.” He smiled. “Just be happy… and take care of that baby.”

Josey smiled. “Oh, I will. You can count on it.”

Andrew opened the back door. “Josey, are you all right?”

She nodded as she took Daxton’s hand that he offered her. “Yes, I’m fine. Thanks, Andrew.”

“Good, because breakfast is getting cold and I’m hungry.”

“Andrew!” Daxton reprimanded.

“Well, it is!”

Josey laughed. “That’s okay. I’m surprised you didn’t go ahead and eat already. We’ll be right in.”

Andrew nodded. “No, I’ll wait.” He thought for a moment and then asked, “Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t look so good.”

Josey smiled as she let Daxton help her up the hill. “I’m fine, sweetie. You go ahead and eat. We’re coming in now.”

“Okay.” Andrew disappeared back into the house, closing the door behind him.

“Daxton….” Josey pulled him to a stop. “Would you mind not telling anyone that I’m pregnant just yet?”

A smile lit his lips. “My lips are sealed. But I think that the truth will come out soon.” He smiled as he looked down at her stomach.

She chuckled. “Of course, I’ll tell everyone eventually. But not just yet.”

Daxton pulled her to a stop. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re married, after all.”

“Was,” Josey corrected, turning her head away. “Let’s go inside.”

Daxton said nothing as they walked up the slight hill to the house. Being the perfect gentleman that he was, he led her up the steps and opened the door for her.

“Daxton, thank you… for everything.”

A smile lit his lips. “No thanks are necessary, my lady.”

He had only been joking, but she liked the sound of being called his lady. But she couldn’t allow herself to think that way.

When they walked inside, Andrew was still waiting.

Daxton smiled proudly. “Son, you didn’t have to wait for us.”

Josey liked the sound of the word “us” on his lips a bit too much.She could tell that being around his family was much too dangerous… for her heart.

“I wanted to.” Andrew jumped up and then held the chair for Josey as she sat.

Josey patted his cheek. “Thank you.”

Andrew looked in her eyes, pleading. “Now, can we eat?”

Josey laughed. “Ask your father.”

“Yes, of course.” Daxton shook out his napkin and laid it across his lap. Then he bowed his head, folded his hands, and said a wonderful blessing over the meal.

Josey liked this, being in a Christian home, saying the blessing before meals, caring about one another. When she was married to Logan, she spent most of her time by herself. Then he would come in, plop down and eat, and would demand things from her, or would go straight to bed without a word. Those nights were a blessing. Looking back, they hadn’t had many “good times” worth remembering. Their good times had only consisted of their time courting. After they were married, he showed his true colors, and it all went downhill fast.

“Let’s eat,” Daxton announced when he had finished saying the blessing and reached for the biscuits. “Everything looks great.”

Andrew laughed. “And you made enough for an army again.”

Josey smiled as she slid a piece of country ham onto her plate. “I just wanted to make sure that no one goes away hungry.”

“I don’t think there’s any danger in that,” Daxton teased.

Andrew opened a biscuit and placed a piece of country ham inside, making a sandwich. “Umm… this is good. We haven’t had this in a while.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Daxton gently admonished.

Josey ate hers like a sandwich, too. And he was right: It was delicious. Before long, she had devoured it and made herself another. This time, she savored the salty flavor of the ham along with the flaky goodness of the biscuit.

“Wow! You must be hungry.” Andrew reached for a biscuit and made himself another sandwich.

Josey smiled. “I think you are, too. Go ahead and eat. The fish won’t wait, and I’d like to have fish for dinner again tonight.”

His eyes widened. “Can we, Pa?”

Daxton took a sip of his coffee and set it down. “I was thinking that maybe we could go hunting, instead. While it’s summer, we could bag a buck, cure the meat, and have enough to last us all winter. What do you say?”

“Yippee!” Andrew yelled and then stuffed the last of his biscuit into his mouth.

“After we do the chores.” Daxton took a bite of his ham biscuit and swallowed. “The cattle won’t wait to be fed, and we need to milk the cow, too.”

“I know,” Andrew said, still excited. “Can I get started now?”

Daxton laughed. “I’ve never seen you this excited to do your chores before.”

Andrew shrugged. “I figured that if I get an early start, then we can go hunting sooner.”

Daxton finished the last of his biscuit. “I’ll help with dishes, and I’ll be right out.”

“Nonsense,” Josey replied. “I’ll take care of the house. You two go ahead. The deer won’t wait for you.”

Daxton smiled appreciatively. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.” Josey took his empty plate. “Now, git. I’d like to have venison for dinner tonight.”

Andrew laughed. “A minute ago, you said you wanted fish again.”

Josey took Andrew’s plate, too, smiling. “Well, I’ll cook whatever you bring in the door.” Then she leaned in conspiratorially. “Just don’t bring home a skunk.”

Andrew laughed. “Don’t worry. We won’t.” Andrew started to get up, but his father stopped him.

“What do you say?”

“May I be excused?”

Daxton smiled. “Yes, you may. We don’t want to forget our manners.”

“Yes, Pa.” Then Andrew headed out the back door.

“He’s a good boy.” Josey stacked the dishes on the table and carried them to the sink.

Daxton caught her hand, sending chills over her body. “Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

Josey chuckled. “Oh, heavens no! You two go enjoy the day and I’ll take care of the house. I might just take a bath while you’re out.”

Daxton’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “I’ll heat the water. I don’t want you lifting the heavy buckets.”

“I can do it—”

“No, I want you to take care of yourself.” Daxton placed his hands on her shoulders as he looked in her eyes. “Please, don’t fight me on this.”

A smile lit Josey’s lips, enjoying someone taking care of her for a change. “If you insist.”

“I do.” Daxton lifted the buckets, filled them with water, and set them on the stove to heat for her bath and dishwater. “When they heat up, let me know and I’ll lift them for you.”

She chuckled. “I can do it, Daxton. Really.”

He shook his head and narrowed his eyes. “Promise me.”

“Okay, I promise.” He headed into the bedroom as she finished stacking the dishes. Then she went into the living room and sat in the rocking chair to wait for the water to heat. Josey looked over and saw a sewing box sitting on the writing desk in the corner. She opened it and inside were needles, thread in all colors, a thimble, and more.

“It belonged to the children’s mother,” Daxton said behind her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snoop.” Josey hurried to place the lid back on top.

“No, it’s okay.” Daxton walked over to it. “Lillian has taken an interest in sewing lately and I thought she might be able to use something out of it. But Ella made her a sewing box of her own because she was reluctant to use her mother’s.”

Josey nodded, understanding. “What happened to her… your ex-wife… if you don’t mind me asking?”

Daxton sighed. “She left us for another man.”

Josey’s eyes opened wide in surprise as she gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

Daxton shrugged. “Don’t be.” He looked over his shoulder to make sure Andrew wasn’t within earshot. “Priscilla never wanted to be a mother. When the children came along, she had a hard time coping. I guess it was a blessing when she finally left.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Josey placed her hand on his shoulder. “Daxton, you’re a good man. You deserved better than that.”

He gave her a slight smile. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.” Just then, the water sounded like it was heating. “Well, it sounds like the water’s ready.” He turned around when he was halfway to the kitchen and nodded at the sewing box. “You can go through that with Lillian when she gets back, if you like.”

Josey nodded, understanding. He had kept his wife’s things that she had left behind for his children, even though she had left them for another man. At that moment, she realized what a good man Daxton really was. She just hoped that she wouldn’t do anything to hurt him, too. It was the last thing that she ever wanted to do.