Unexpected by Lietha Wards Read Free Book Online Page A

more than he let on, but he was helpless under a tyrant like Butch even if it made him look like a coward in Josie’s eyes.  By rights Elroy and the stranger should be arrested until a judge straightens this mess out.  However Elroy was right about proving it. The judge is deep in Butch’s pocket and most likely the stranger would be hung.  He actually did them a favor by not pursuing this accusation.  In turn the stranger killing Butch’s men was menial.  They would be replaced by the end of the week.  Then there was the fact that Butch wouldn’t let this go.  He’d go after Josie and Ryker because of the way he was embarrassed.  Josie may not have known it but Butch had a thing for her too.  Hell, every man in town did.  She was a rare beauty, but showed no interest in any of them.  Gus had offered to take care of her but she turned him down.  It was true he was twice her age, but that wasn’t unusual around here.  She was marrying age and there were a lot of men willing to give up bachelorhood for her.
    “I was thi nking about staying for a spell,” Cogan countered unmoved by the sheriff’s threat.
    Josie could feel the heat of his body standing behind her.  She could even detect an odor of male sweat.  Yet, she couldn’t help but have that same feeling of security with him there. She knew the height difference between them and felt a sense of satisfaction with the look of fear on the faces of Butch’s men when he approached. “We hired him on to help because Ryker won’t be back to good health for a few months.” Her eyes narrowed accusingly on Elroy again.
    Gus had to accept that even if he didn’t like it.  It wasn’t just because of the trouble he knew would happen, it was the fact that this big strong man was around Josie and could protect her.  He was jealous. This was a man in his prime and he looked like he could handle anything.  His upper torso was thick with muscle and easily defined in the shirt he wore. He was good with a gun, strong, and fearless. The worse part though, was that he seemed intelligent.  Josie wouldn’t fall for anything less. No, he didn’t like him there at all.  Yet, he really couldn’t send a man away in wake of what had happened even if he didn’t like him around Josie.   Butch had run off all their help and they’d been trying to do everything on their own.  Now with Ryker laid up, nothing would be getting done.
    “You can’t just let him stay!” Elroy protested.
    “I can do whatever the hell I like Elroy,” Gus countered over his shoulder. Then he turned back to Cogan pointing a deliberate finger at him. “Two months mister and then we’ll have words again if your still here.”
    “I may be waiting for that conversation sheriff,” Cogan said meaning he might just be.
    “You stay away from them Elroy,” he tossed over his shoulder after he made a sound of protest.
    “You’re useless! Some sheriff, letting a man get away with murder.  We’ll see what Butch says!” With that he released a holler and tore out of there at a full gallop with his two men following. Trail dust lingered in the air after they disappeared over the rise.
    Gus waited until they were out of earshot.  He turned his attention back to Josie while casting a wary look at the large stranger.  “I can’t protect you all day and night Josie, you know that.  They’ll be back.” 
    “You’re the law.  You’re supposed to prote ct people like us Gus,” she argued.
    “I was a clerk be fore I took the sheriff’s job.  There’s only so much I can do.  Just be thankful I didn’t fall victim to Butch’s bribes.”
    “Bribe or not, you’re no different.  They could’ve killed Ryker.” She waved a hand furiously toward the house where her brother was recouping.
    Gus took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  He leaned forward crossing his forearms across the pummel of his saddle. His expression was defeated. “Josie, I’ll do my best to keep them away