Unexpected (20 page)

She gasped.
“Oh gosh Cogan, I’m so sorry.”

“It was a long time ago Josie.  I barely remember it.”

“But you were probably around Thomas’ age.  I can’t imagine how horrible that would be for him to witness.”

“Yes, but family friends
hid me—sent me off before any of this happened.  I got word later.”

“But—how, I mean how did the people know?”

“Who knows?  Maybe someone saw him killing livestock.”

She reached over and clutched his hand.

His eyes met hers.

“You aren’t as
unapproachable as people think Cogan.  I’m not afraid of you.”

He reached up and caressed her jaw with his other hand and she closed her eyes against the touch of his large warm, calloused hand. “You have the heart of an angel Josie—yet you are fearless.  I admire that in you.”

She smiled slightly and opened her eyes to meet his.

He leaned toward her, hesitated, flicked his eyes to her lovely mouth, then met her gaze again before he moved
forward lowered his head and kissed her.

Josie hadn’t even thought about stopping him.  In fact, she wanted it.  There was something about this man, his touch, the feel of
him, that set her on fire.  There wasn’t once in her life that she felt this way before.  She wasn’t completely naïve.  There were stolen kisses from boys when she was younger, but she never ever, felt anything remotely close to the heat this man could create in her.

He moved her back so she was
laying down on a pile of fresh straw. His body moved over hers and she moved her arms around his neck all the while their mouths never separated.  There was no hesitation in her and it was just another thing that surprised him.  Oh, she had some reservations, he could sense that, but her desire seemed to have won that battle.  It was a blessing to him, because he didn’t know how he could handle it if she wasn’t attracted to him.  He knew he couldn’t go on without her now.

Cogan’s body was hard, heavy and
warm.  He could have easily consumed her, but he was gentle and patient.  He was almost savouring—tasting the physical and emotional responses she was giving him, and she was definitely responding.  The stubble from around his mouth and jaw was rough on her soft skin, but if anything she found it pleasant.  Cogan was definitely all man.  A man that she could easily give herself to.  He was everything her heart wanted.

Suddenly he lifted his head and stared down at her. His eyes were dark with desire.

“What is it?”

“Lunch bell.”
  He smirked.

“Oh, I didn’t hear anything.”

“I wouldn’t have either if it wasn’t for my acute hearing.”

She smiled.

“Jesus Josephine, you are possibly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever set eyes on.”

She felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment. “I guess that’s a lot considering your longevity.”

“It is.” He reluctantly sat back on his heels and pulled her up. “They’re going to come looking for us.”

“Yes, or send Thomas.” Her eyes popped wide. “I don’t think I could explain this to him.

“Soon, you won’t have to.” He took her hand and stood up pulling her to her feet.  He then pulled bits of straw from her hair and clothing.

“Why?”

“Because you’ll be my wife, and I can kiss you on a pile of straw without worrying about your reputation.”

She blushed to the roots of her hair with that comment.  Did that mean he fully expected her to be a true wife?  Somehow she
knew she could get along fine with that despite who he was.  She glanced up at him through her lashes, but he was staring at the house.  She really wanted to ask him about the annulment.  She already knew, she didn’t want it. Especially now, seeing that handsome profile and knowing how he felt under her nervous fingertips.

When they sat down for lunch the sheriff rode in to the yard. Cogan was up out of his chair before the dogs started barking.  Josie and Ryker exchanged and amused look.

“It’s the sheriff, no worries.” He said before he even rose up from the table. Cogan recognized the sound of approaching horse hooves.  Each is distinct like a voice pattern.  No one else would know this and he didn’t mention how he did.

“How does he know?” Hattie asked watching Cogan head for the front door.

“Maybe he saw him through the window,” Ryker lied. He didn’t like to, but it was better than telling her that they had a six hundred year old werewolf living with them that was going to marry his sister. 

Cogan came out onto the porch as the sheriff trotted into the yard and up to the front of the house.  He tipped his hat in greeting.

Ryker came out of the house behind him.  “Lunch is on the table Gus.  You’re welcome to it.”

“I appreciate that Ryker, but I’m not here on a social visit.”

“What’s going on?”

Cogan never said anything but he could easily read Gus’s expression.  It wasn’t good news.

“Deak’s body was found in an alley early this morning.  It looks like it’s been there a few days.

“Ah hell,” Cogan said
placing his hands on his hips and bowing his head.  “He was just a kid.”

“Yeah.
  Elroy’s pretty shook up.”

“Is he willing to testify in front of a marshal?”
Ryker interjected.

He shook his head. “Even though he lost his only kin, he’s more afraid of Butch, than getting justice for his baby brother.
  He said he’s going into hiding.”

Cogan grit his teeth but remained silent after that. 

Gus turned his attention on Cogan just as Josie came to the door.  “Butch says you work for the railroad. He’s been spreading rumors all over town.  Is that true mister?”

Josie
stepped out onto the veranda then. “Of course it isn’t.  What a ridiculous story!”  

“It is.” Cogan said directing his attention to Josie
who’s expression fell into disbelief.

“Butch said he got word that you’re a hired gun for the owners.”

“I’m not a gun for hire,” he corrected coolly.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Ryker asked.

“You didn’t trust anything or anyone that had to do with the railroad.  I knew if I said anything you’d tell me to leave.  You needed help.”

“You don’t know what we need,” Josie said angrily. Then she turned and went back into the house.

Cogan watched her thoughtfully.  He didn’t lie to her. He just didn’t tell her the whole truth.  He also had an obligation to his employers. 

“What exactly is it you do then Mr. Reid, if not a gun for hire?” Gus asked.

“I’m a consultant—basically.  I scout the territory—the demographics and report back to my employers.” He was reliable, smart, and could survive extreme conditions.  His reports were flawless, accurate, and he was well sought after. People paid him a lot of money to do this, and he already was really wealthy, but it was something for him to do that kept him sane.  He got to travel the land, be alone, and not worry about anything else.  It was an ideal life for a nomad.

“I find that hard to believe with your talents as a gunman.”

“As I told Butch, I’m not a gun for hire,” he repeated with the same collected calm.

“Well, he’s got the townsfolk thinking
you are some big corporate gunman, and you basically are no better than he is. That you came to finish the job he started. He says you’ve taken up residence with the Hamiltons, to gain their trust, so you can take their land away. They’re not sure they can trust you now.”

“I don’t need their trust.”

“That’s a shame Mr. Reid, because they sure as hell needed yours.” He pulled the reins on his horse, gave the stranger a final glance and rode out of there.

Cogan took a deep breath and met Ryker’s eyes.

“You should have said something.”

He nodded.

“People like Gus stood up to Butch thinking that you were bringing changes to this town.”

“Ryker, I never promised anyone anything except for you
r family.  People are free to draw their own conclusions.”

“Well, you sure as hell didn’t correct that.  Faith is hard to come by here Cogan.  You of al
l people should understand that,” he countered.

“I do.”

“Then,” he waved his arm
toward the door of the house, “You’d better figure out where my sister is in all of this mess.  If you leave, she’s vulnerable.  If you stay, she’s vulnerable.  You say you’re not a gun for hire, yet keeping your true intentions from us and others, is no different from having another hidden agenda.”

“I understand why you feel that way.”

“Do you?” His brows arched.

He nodded. “My employers still intend to push the railroad through despite Butch’s actions.  I tendered my resignation when we went to town a week ago.  I couldn’t be a part of that anymore.”

That was a surprise.  Ryker’s anger subsided somewhat.  Right there Cogan was showing him how loyal he was to them when he really had no reason to be.

“I told you
before, I was alone for a long time.  I had lost myself in what I did because I had nothing else.  Your family reminded me what it was like to have a cause again.  Ryker, you’ll have to forgive my secrecy, but I’m not used to sharing my thoughts or my actions with anyone.”

He had a
point.  Yet, do they trust him?  Is what he said true?  Again he had to recall that this man had saved his life and killed Butch’s men to save his family.  Of course Ryker could trust him.  He knew, in his gut, that Cogan was telling the truth.

Chapter Six

Josie was still fuming by the evening, but Cogan didn’t come back in the house.  She helped Hattie tidy up after lunch and then with laundry.  She scrubbed the sheets on the washboard with visible anger.  She honestly didn’t expect him to spill everything about himself, but he could have at least given them a heads up about who his employer was.  She probably would have been mad then, but at least she didn’t have to feel like he was deceiving them.

Hattie
noticed Josie’s tight lipped vigorous actions, but didn’t say anything.  She supposed it was toward Cogan Reid, but she no longer wanted to know anything.  She did know that Josie was sweet on him, and about the marriage, lord forgive them.  She didn’t believe that was the only solution to protecting Josephine.  It seemed blasphemous.

Supper came and went,
and still no Cogan.  Finally Josie asked Ryker where he went after Hattie and Thomas left the table.

He smirked. “
He rode out after lunch probably to give you time to cool off.”

She narrowed her gaze. “He lied to us.”

“No, he didn’t Josie, he just didn’t tell us everything.  He had his reasons.”

“You’re defending him.”

“Of course I am.  I’d be a corpse at the end of a noose if it wasn’t for him.”

She snapped her jaw shut.  How come she forgot about that in her
anger?

“No matter what he did before, or what he is, we can trust him.  I was angry too, but I understand why he didn’t tell us everything.  Trust isn’t easy for him either Josie.”

“Oh, darn it!”  She stood up and walked to the window.  She was being selfish.  He had no family, but she cared about him and somehow expected him to confide in her, but she forgotten that he hadn’t much faith in mankind.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself sis.  He’s a hard man to read.
  When he explains himself, he’s not very forthcoming either.”

She nodded and looked at the sky.  More rain, probably within the hour.  “I hate it when he’s out in this weather.”

“If a bullet can’t kill him, I doubt a few raindrops will.”

But it wasn’t a few raindrops.  As Josephine mentioned, the rain fell within the hour, along with strong winds and thunder and
lightning.

Ryker was sitting by the fireplace with Thomas, showing him how to whittle a horse from a piece of wood while they waited. 

She looked over her shoulder at them.  The sword that Cogan made Thomas lay at his feet.  He practically slept with it.  Well, he would if Hattie let him.  Ryker looked up then and she could see concern in his expression, but he never said anything and went back to the carving.  Thomas already had a few made and played with them quite a bit, but he wanted a horse like Cogan’s. Ryker agreed and said he’d help.

It was after midnight when Cogan rode into the yard.  Both his horse and
himself were saturated.  His poor mount was feeling the fall air besides the rain.  He made sure he was placed in a warm dry stall, with fresh straw and hay before he went into the house. 

He removed his wet clothing at the door except for his pants.  Hattie would probably faint if she saw him standing naked in the doorway.  He slung his shirt and duster over the
porch railing and left his shoes outside the door. 

He’d seen the light from Josie’s room at a distance and knew she waited up.  Despite her anger she was still concerned about him.  It made his heart feel lighter to know that.