Unexpected by Lietha Wards Read Free Book Online Page B

from you.”
    “That’s not necessary,” Cogan finally spoke up from behind her.  “I can protect her just fine.”
    “Now just a minute—” Gus started to protest but he was interrupted.
    “Unless you have any further business Gus, I’d like you to get off my property,” Josephine cut in.  Josie would have never spoken to Gus like that a year ago, but she was fed up with the bullying that Butch was getting away with and no one doing anything about it.
    Gus ’s eyes went over the two of them.  He really couldn’t blame Josie for her opinions.  He was a coward.  He was all about saving his own skin and he knew it, she knew it, and so did the large stranger.  Finally he nodded and turned his horse heeling him into a gallop.
    When Gus out of sight Josie turned to Cogan.  He was still standing directly behind her.  Her eyes came level to his chest.  He was wearing a white undershirt and it was soaked in sweat down the front with black soot from the blower clinging to it.  Slowly her eyes went up to his just to see him staring down at her. “Thanks.”
    He gave a slight nod returning his eyes to the receding sheriff. “They’ll be back.”
    “I know.” She breathed.  “I shouldn’t ask you to stay.  Butch has a lot of men that—“
    “All the more reason.” His eyes remained on the horizon.
    Josie turned to look in the same direction, not able to see anything, but it was as if he could.  Mind you he was a good foot and a bit taller than her. There was this look in his eyes too. It was just like the day before when he heard the doctor arrive outside the house.  This man must have amazing hearing.
    Cogan cocked his head slightly and felt himself smirk.
    Elroy and his men stopped just out of view over the rise, but he could hear them.  They were thinking of coming back tonight.  Well, he’d be waiting.
    “Is something wrong?”
    He looked down at her and instead of immediately answering, found himself studying her upturned face.  She was pretty, well, more than that.  She was beautiful.  She had rare shade of dark reddish brown hair. At the moment it was in a single braid down her back. Her eyebrows were slightly darker as were her lashes, but they just set off those stunning sapphire eyes.  Her mouth was enticing, full, bow shaped and the color of pale pink roses. Her nose was petite, and slightly upturned at the end with a spray of light freckles across the upper bridge. She had high cheekbones and a beautifully sculpted face, and when she was done maturing in her twenties, Cogan was certain she would be a very handsome woman. “No.”
    His eyes were dark, the darkest she’d ever seen .  Moments ago, and yesterday she’d seen them turn menacing. Today, they seemed warm and deep.  Still, meeting his gaze made her oddly uncomfortable. She tore her eyes away from his.  “The sheriff is a good man Cogan.  He just isn’t strong enough to stand up to Butch. I was hard on him.”
    “ That’s all fine, but it doesn’t matter.” Cogan said.
    Now what did that mean? “It doesn’t?”
    “No.  Elroy still thi nks he can take what isn’t his.  The sheriff can’t be everywhere, good man or not.”
    His eyes met hers again as if his meaning was deeper than the need to obtain their land. She also noticed that he said Elroy, not Butch.  “I’d better go check on Thomas.” She murmured as she stepped by him and walked away.
    Cogan’s eyes followed her until she went up the front steps into the house .  Then he turned and stared out over the horizon again.  Elroy wanted her.  So did the sheriff. He could see why, but unlike Gus, Elroy wouldn’t wait for her permission.
    Yes, he’d be waiting for them tonight.  If they thought that Miss Hamilton was vulnerable because her brother was laid up, they’d be in for a big surprise.
    After she shut the screen door, Josie turne d to watch Cogan.  He was staring over toward the rise the men disappeared over again.  Hattie was right,