Chapter 16 - Twelve Hard Men Came to Her Door
Three weeks later, Josephine rented a small house outside Caldwell.
Walker’s cattle sold well.
Very well.
The drive was finished.
Josephine expected the cowboys to scatter.
Instead, one morning, someone knocked.
She opened the door.
Twelve men stood outside.
Dusty held his hat.
Perry carried flour.
Ellis carried coffee.
Amos leaned on crutches.
Josephine stared.
“What happened?”
Dusty cleared his throat.
“We have a problem.”
“What?”
“The new cook.”
Josephine smiled.
“What about him?”
“He's terrible.”
Ellis nodded gravely.
“Dangerous.”
Perry added, “Biscuits could kill a man.”
Josephine folded her arms.
“And?”
Dusty looked at the others.
Nobody wanted to say it.
Finally Ellis did.
“We want you back.”
Josephine's smile faded.
“Boys—”
“Not forever,” Dusty said quickly. “Unless you want.”
Amos grunted.
“You're better than me.”
Everyone stared.
Amos frowned.
“Don't make me say it twice.”
Josephine began laughing.
Then crying.
The men shifted awkwardly.
Cowboys understood stampedes.
They did not understand crying women.
Walker appeared behind them.
He had arranged everything.
Josephine looked at him.
“You did this?”
“No.”
Dusty answered.
“He tried stopping us.”
Walker shrugged.
“They're stubborn.”
Josephine looked at twelve hard men who had once wanted her gone.
Now they stood at her door begging her to stay.
She wiped her tears.
“I'll think about it.”
Dusty looked horrified.
“Think?”
Josephine shut the door.
Then leaned against it laughing.
Outside, twelve men began arguing.
Walker remained silent.
May you like
He knew her answer already.
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