by Faye Byrd
Arthur finally catches me staring and straightens up right away. “What do ya got here, Nathan?” he asks, tilting his head in my direction.
Nathan meets my gaze and his eyes soften. “Well, Art, that right there’d be everythin’,” he says easily while still holding my eye.
Art’s eyes widen, but so does his smile. It stretches as far across his face as it can with deep dimples accenting each side. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he says, cutting his eyes to Nathan. “Ya done went and found yourself a woman? A right pretty one too.” He slaps him on the shoulder and turns back to me, eyes twinkling in the barely there light. He nudges his beast of a horse closer and looks me up and down. When he’s satisfied, he tips his hat. “How ya doin’, little lady? I’m Arthur.”
I smirk and hold out my hand. “Nice to meet ya, Art, you can call me Josie.”
“Ah, so ya know who I am then. I’d say ya have me at a disadvantage,” he says, lifting a knowing brow.
“Aw, Art, cut it out,” Nathan says, trotting back our way. “Let’s get to the house, and we can tell ya all about it. It’s been years, and I can’t wait to meet Little Arthur, or is it Emma?” Nathan smirks at him.
Arthur barks out a huge belly laugh at that one and turns his horse down the drive. “Let’s get to it then.” With that, he rides off, not waiting for us to catch up.
Nathan shakes his head and takes off, knowing from the past day out on the trail that Star and I ain’t gone have any problems keeping up. With a gentle nudge to her sides, I take off after my outlaw and his cousin.
When we get to a fork in the drive, Art brings his horse to a halt and tilts his head to the one that veers off. Nathan raises a questioning brow. “This here’s new.”
Art chuckles and nods. “Sure is. Ya didn’t think me and Birdie would still be livin’ with Ma and Pa, did ya?”
Both Nathan’s brows rise then, but he slowly thinks it through and moves his head up and down. “I guess I ain’t really thought ‘bout it at all, but shoot, Art, that’s right nice. A place of ya own.”
Arthur’s chest puffs out with pride. “Sure is. So …” He angles his head back toward the second drive. “Is it okay if ya go see Birdie first? She’d have my hide if she knew I took ya anywhere but to our house, even to Ma and Pa’s.”
I can’t help it, I bark out an unladylike laugh at this big oaf of a man worried ‘bout what his wife thinks. But I also love it. Nathan once spoke of men who loved their families more than anything, and I have a feeling, I’m just fixing to see that firsthand.
Nathan smirks my way and Arthur looks at me like I’m crazy. “Sorry,” I apologize and nudge Star forward. “Lead the way.”
Nathan grabs my hand, and we make the rest of the ride side-by-side, his strong hand holding mine tightly. When we stop in front of a ranch house, modestly bigger than my cabin, a woman and three little kids come out to the porch.
Nathan beams and hops down only to grab my waist and stand me right beside him.
The woman on the porch is beautiful. She’s a statuesque brunette with eyes so shiny that even in the low light, they reflecting back at me. She studies first my outlaw then her eyes cut to me, paying special attention to our clasped hands.
After a beat longer, she looks back up and lifts her skirts, scampering down the steps. The little kids stay behind and watch their graceful mama in awe. So does my outlaw. A shy smile curls his lips and the tips of his ears turn pink as she approaches.
Only, it ain’t him her arms encircle.
It’s me.
Chapter Twelve
The Meet and Greet
JOSIE
Warm, sturdy arms warp ‘round my neck and hold tight. I stand stiff, unsure of the sudden affection. But as she begins swaying me side to side, I loosen up and find myself returning her hug. It feels good to be held by this complete stranger who so obviously is happy to see me.
When she finally pulls back, she leaves her hands on each of my cheeks. “Let me look at ya,” she says, studying my face, her dark eyes searching me. “I prayed for this nearly every day and boy did he do good.” She turns, her eyes seeking her husband. “Look at her, Art. She’s perfect.”
Arthur chuckles. “She is a right pretty one, but, Birdie, ya probably scaring her.”
Birdie pulls her hands back with a shake of her head. “Oh, sorry.”
I grab them before she can move too far away. “No need.” I smile. “Ya done made me feel more welcome here in the last five minutes than I think I ever felt in my life.”
She smiles and comes in for one more, quicker hug then holds out her hand. “The name’s Birdie.”
I beam back at her. “Josie.”
The subtle clearing of a throat breaks into our meeting, and my eyes cut to my outlaw. He’s standing there, looking a little miffed if I had to guess. I smirk but not Birdie. She whips ‘round in his direction, her hand planted firmly on her hip.
“And you,” she says, poking him right in the chest with her other finger. His hopeful smile turns into confusion and his brows rise high on his head. “How dare you! Ya leave here six years ago and nothin’. We ain’t heard a peep out of ya.”
He goes to open his mouth, but she cuts him off. “Then, then, we hear there’s been a shootout with Virgil West and he’s dead and you ran off with a bullet wound.” She waves her hand in the air as if that’s nothing, but continues, “Surely at that point we expected ya to show up, right? I mean, course ya gone come here and let Roy fix ya.” She’s back to poking him in the chest now. “But no, no Nathan. It’s been weeks, weeks I tell ya. We thought ya done went and got yourself killed.” She ends her rant with one final hard poke to his chest then crosses her arms and starts tapping her foot, waiting on an explanation.
My outlaw is stunned silent, and I’m doing everything I can not to burst into a fit of giggles. He was standing there so expectant, just a waiting on Birdie to greet him and now he’s all confounded. Not the greeting he expected, I suppose.
After a minute of his gaping jaw that can’t get out any words, I finally give in and come to his rescue. I step forward and drape my arm over Birdie’s shoulders, she softens minutely. “That’d be my fault, Birdie.” She turns to give me the side-eye, not sure whether I’m just taking up for my man or not. “No, it’s true. He was heading here and wound up in my barn for the night. I caught his ass and well, the rest, as they say, is history.” My eyes cut to Nathan to find him looking at me with an appreciative, but also love-filled grin.
Birdie trails her eyes back to him and must see it written all over his face ‘cause she steps forward, arms open wide. “Com’ere, boy.” She grabs him and hugs him tight. His eyes close, savoring her forgiveness, then open and seek me out.
When she lets go, he steps to my side and puts his arm ‘round me. “I’m sorry, Birdie.” His head tilts to the ground.
She lets out a big ole sigh and says, “If that side trip is what brought this on”—she motions between the two of us—“then who am I to complain.” She then hooks her arm to mine and starts for the house. “Come on, we got a lot a catchin’ up to do.”
After plenty a talking and laughing at Nathan’s expense, Birdie and I head to the kitchen to see ‘bout supper while the men tend to the kids. Three of ‘em. There’s Emma, who Birdie was pregnant with when Nathan was here last, then there’s Lil Arthur, and finally, Lil Nate as they call him.
To say my outlaw was touched would be an understatement. When he heard they’d named a kid after him, he had to go out on the porch for a minute to quell his emotions.
I’m pulling a pan of bread out the oven when I hear a throat clearing at the doorway. Turning my head, I catch the sight of an older lady standing there with a barely restrained smile. This must be May, I surmise.
Placing the pan down, I stand and smooth my button-up. “Hello, I’m Josie.” I hold out my hand.
She completely bypasses it and grabs me in another one of ‘em warm hugs I’m getting used to around these parts. “
You can call me Aunt May,” she says into my ear while giving me a hearty pat on the back.
The immediate acceptance I’m receiving here is foreign to me. I spent my whole life searching for this kind a connection. I grew up out east with a Mama who only cared ‘bout my step-dad and how much money he was making. As soon as I was old enough, I took my savings and caught a train as far west as I could afford. Back to my roots.
That’s where my real father was, and even though I ain’t seen him since I was a little girl of six, I’d always hoped I could track him down one day. Mama always said I was too much like him, and I think she’s right. Ain’t either one of us made for the big city life. I got fuzzy memories of a red-headed man teaching me to hold a pistol, and I know we share the same last name.
Or did, ‘fore I married that low-down, cheating, dead husband of mine.
Chester Hess was ten years my senior and had been nice to me. Sure, he didn’t light a fire in me like Nathan does, but I could a been happy with him. I was happy with him for over a year. He was a decently kind man who made an honest living and put a roof over my head.
What more could a girl like me ask for?
Faithfulness, that’s what.
The first time it happened, I asked him about it, and he blew me off. Said I must a been imagining the smell of perfume on his clothes. The second time, I just kept my mouth shut. But the third time, I was done.
I’ll never forget the look on his face when he realized his sweet little wife was fixing to take his life ‘cause he done laid with the whores in town. At first, he thought it was a joke, but then, he realized his mistake and tried to demand I put the gun down right that second. I had to laugh at that. Finally, he resorted to begging, crying and pleading for his life.
But it was too late, my mind was set.
And die he did.
“Can I help ya girls with anything?” Aunt May says, jarring me from my memories.
Birdie places a big ole pot of stew on the table and turns to Aunt May. “Nah, May, we ‘bout done in here. Can ya get the kids washed up though?”
Aunt May looks back to me for a minute, her eyes twinkling with something I can’t quite name, before nodding. “I sure can. I can’t wait to sit and chat with ya more, Josie.”
“Likewise.” I smile and grab some plates from the cupboard.
Dinner’s been ate and the kids are in bed while us grown folk sit out on the porch reminiscing. Well, me and Nathan are anyway. They wanted the whole story and while Nathan wanted to protect my image, I laid it all out there. I got no intentions of leaving his side, and being’s that the case, there’s no point in pretending to be all innocent when I ain’t—far from it, even ‘fore Nathan came into my life.
The men are still chuckling heartily over the whole tale as the women smirk at me with appreciation. “Josie,” Birdie says, snagging my attention. “I don’t think I could a picked a better woman for Nathan if I’d picked her myself.”
“I’ll be honest, Birdie. He ain’t had much choice with me.” Arthur and Roy eye my outlaw and break into another fit of belly-shaking chuckles.
“And that’s exactly why ya perfect for him,” Birdie concurs.
“She is perfect for me,” Nathan agrees loud enough to silence the men some. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to have that.” He eyes the other couples at the table. “What y’all have. And I’d already accepted it. So, I apologize, Josie, for my resistance. Had I ever imagined there’d be a woman so perfect for me out there waitin’, I’d have come sooner.”
“Aww,” Birdie coos, reaching over to bump his shoulder. “I just can’t with the sweetness.”
Nathan chuckles and shrugs. “It’s true, though.”
Aunt May smiles and reaches out, motioning for his hand. When he places it in hers, she closes it between both of her aged ones. “When ya left here last time, I always wondered if I’d ever see ya again.” Her eyes fill with wetness, but it don’t spill. “And here ya are, which makes me so happy. But seeing ya like this, in love? It’s all I could ever ask for.” She reaches up and brushes his cheek with her fingers. “Ya ma would be so proud of the man ya done become.” Tears roll down her cheeks with the mention of her sister.
Nathan swallows deeply. “I don’t know ‘bout that, Aunt May.”
She grips his cheek, rougher this time, and directs his eyes to hers. “She would, son. So proud. Don’t ever forget that.”
He don’t say nothing but just stares at her as if he’s trying to decide if she’s telling the truth. Finally, he concedes with a small nod. “Yes, ma’am.”
Uncle Roy clears his throat to get everybody’s attention. “How long ya planning to stay this time?” His eyes glance between Nathan and me, but I got no response. My outlaw is running this show, and wherever he goes, I’ll follow.
Nathan glances at me and back to Roy. “Not long honestly. I stayed too long last time, and ain’t no tellin’ who’s out there lookin’ for me now. I can’t risk y’all like that again.”
Uncle Roy nods pensively while Aunt May and even Birdie tear up a bit more. He clears his throat before speaking again. “Ya know how I feel about the life ya leadin’, but I wanted to make sure ya also know how proud I am to call ya nephew. Ya got supporters out there, not everybody wants ya caught, and for that I’m thankful.” He leans forward and props his elbows on the table. “Now that bein’ said, if ya interested, I heard of some people needin’ help. It’s not right away or anything, but I think it’s something you’d want to do.”
Nathan’s brows rise and he leans forward, too, fully interested in what Uncle Roy may have to say. Birdie shakes her head and with a wave in the guy’s direction, she stands, making her way to the front door.
Aunt May and I follow behind. When we’re inside, Birdie goes straight for the liquor. “This night right here deserves a toast,” she announces, holding up a bottle of light brown liquid.
Aunt May grabs a glass and holds it out for the first pour. As soon as Birdie’s filled it, Aunt May pours it back and gulps it down with nary a thought. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and passes me the glass.
I hold it out, eagerly awaiting my own shot. No sooner than the glass hits my lips do warm, lean arms encircle my waist. I lean back into the body behind me and pour the burning liquid down my throat. As soon as I’m done, I pass the glass to Birdie and spin to face my man.
“Hey there, Outlaw.” I smirk all warm from the alcohol flowing in my blood and the arms that encase me.
“Cowgirl.” He tilts his head, and I watch his eyes dance like flames as they move over me. “Ready to bed down for the night?” he asks; a knowing grin curves his lips.
I place a heated kiss right at the corner of his smirky mouth. “Don’t ya know it.”
He releases me and turns to our family, I sigh, ‘cause damn, our family. “We hate to be killjoys, but Josie and I been on the trail all day. We’d like to get settled in the barn if that’s all right.”
Aunt May steps forward. “Nonsense. Now that Birdie and Art live here, we have plenty room at the main house.”
My shoulders sag a little at that information. A big ole lonely barn seemed a more appropriate place for the things I had in mind tonight.
Nathan must be of one mind ‘cause he rebukes May’s offer. “Sounds invitin’, Aunt May, but I think me and Josie might be better off in the barn. Wouldn’t want anyone sneakin’ up in the middle of the night.”
Aunt May studies Nathan for a second before smirking. “Yeah, I suppose ya right.”
He grabs my hand and we make our way out the front door, headed toward the barn, cat-calls echoing behind us.
‘Til we hear Birdie’s voice. “Shut it, Art.”
Chapter Thirteen
The Roll in the Hay
NATHAN
Fingers entwined, I guide Josie into the barn and up the stairs to the loft. I smirk when I realize someone has left a lantern on low and blankets spread over a bed of hay, anticipating this would be where
we’d spend our night.
Josie’s hand tightens on mine and she stops walking. “Looks like somebody knows my outlaw well.” Her teeth dig into her bottom lip as she surveys me in a way I know well enough to send a lightning bolt skidding through my body.
“Seems so,” I reply, my voice low, the heat from her gaze penetrating.
Her tongue peeks out to wet her lips and I step forward, unable to resist her lure, pulling me to her like a moth to a flame. Green so sexy and beguiling stares at me, through me, burning me everywhere they touch.
“Cowgirl,” I rasp. “I don’t know if I can be slow tonight.”
Like lightning, she’s on me. Her tongue forcing my lips apart to wrestle with my own. She tastes of whiskey and Josie and heaven all rolled into one. My hands grip tight, pulling her closer, dragging her deeper inside. I wanna consume her, starting with her mouth and covering every inch of her heavenly body.
I pull away panting, my lips moving down to continue they path. Her head falls back and her hands grip my hair, leading me to where she wants my mouth. Her buttons open under my nimble fingers as she pushes my head lower and lower.
I crave the taste of her skin, my tongue seeking to lave every inch. Pert buds cry for my mouth to cover ‘em, and I oblige, sucking them between my lips eliciting sexy as hell mewls from my hellcat.
Her shirt hanging open, her brassiere pulled low, I raise my eyes and stare as her hands slide from my hair to the buttons of my shirt. The sensation of her quick fingers skimming against my stomach as the shirt falls open is enough to send chills racing over the newly exposed skin.
Her nails dig a path on the way back up ‘fore she grips my shoulders and pulls me flush against her. Heat explodes between our naked flesh, and I grip her ass, grinding my hard into her soft.
“Goddamn, Cowgirl, I can’t wait to be inside ya,” I pant into her neck. “I’m gone love you so good.”
She starts pushing, guiding me backward until the blankets are right there. Then she takes a step back, her eyes burning with desire. “Strip.”
