Chapter 5 - A Baby’s Cry in the Darkness
Walker wanted to ride south immediately.
Josephine stopped him.
“You'll be doing exactly what Silas wants.”
Walker tightened his saddle.
“He stole my cattle.”
“He wants you angry.”
“He succeeded.”
“He wants you separated from the herd.”
Walker stopped.
Josephine stepped closer.
“He doesn't care about your cattle. He cares about the ledger.”
Dusty nodded reluctantly.
“She’s right.”
Walker glared.
“Everybody suddenly an expert?”
“No,” Dusty said. “But she's prettier than you, so we're listening.”
Despite everything, Josephine smiled.
Walker didn't.
But he stayed.
That decision saved them.
Because Silas’s men attacked again that night.
One slipped into camp while the others created a distraction near the herd.
Josephine woke to Sam crying.
A hand clamped over her mouth.
“Where is it?”
She froze.
The man smelled of whiskey and sweat.
“The ledger.”
Josephine bit his hand.
He cursed.
She drove her elbow backward.
The man grabbed Sam’s sling.
Josephine became something else.
Not frightened.
Not cautious.
Furious.
She struck him with the coffee grinder.
He stumbled.
Then Walker entered.
The fight lasted perhaps ten seconds.
It felt longer.
When it ended, the stranger lay unconscious beside the wagon.
Walker looked at Josephine.
She clutched Sam.
Both were crying.
Walker crossed the distance.
Josephine collapsed against him.
He wrapped both arms around her.
No hesitation.
No concern about twelve men watching.
“I'm here.”
Josephine buried her face against his chest.
Sam cried between them.
Walker held them both.
And something inside him changed permanently.
At sunrise, they questioned the prisoner.
His name was Calvin Rusk.
He worked for Silas.
“How many men?”
Calvin smiled through a split lip.
“Enough.”
“Where is Mercer?”
“Closer than you think.”
Walker crouched.
“Tell him something for me.”
Calvin laughed.
“You planning to let me go?”
“Yes.”
Everyone looked surprised.
Walker leaned closer.
“Tell Silas Mercer that Josephine Vance reaches Caldwell.”
Calvin’s smile faded.
“And if he wants to stop her, he comes through me.”
Josephine heard every word.
Calvin left before noon.
That evening, Josephine found Walker alone.
“You shouldn't have done that.”
“What?”
“Made yourself his target.”
“I've been a target since somebody shot my coffee.”
“That really bothered you, didn't it?”
“It was good coffee.”
She smiled.
Then became serious.
“Walker, people close to me die.”
“So do people who aren't close to you.”
“That's not funny.”
“Wasn't meant to be.”
She looked away.
Walker stepped closer.
“Amos died. Ruth died. I understand why you're afraid.”
“You don't understand.”
“Then tell me.”
Josephine looked into his eyes.
“My parents died when I was fourteen. Fever. Amos died four years later. Ruth took me in. Then she died.”
She swallowed.
“Everybody I love leaves.”
Walker said nothing.
Josephine whispered, “I can't do it again.”
He understood what she meant.
Not Silas.
Not danger.
Them.
Whatever was growing between them.
Walker reached for her hand.
“I can't promise I won't die.”
“That's a terrible proposal.”
He smiled faintly.
“I wasn't proposing.”
“Good.”
“Josephine.”
“Yes?”
“I can promise I won't leave because I want to.”
Her eyes filled.
That was the closest either of them had come to saying what both already knew.
Then Sam reached from the sling and grabbed Walker’s finger.
Walker looked down.
The baby's tiny fist tightened.
Josephine smiled through her tears.
“He likes you.”
“He has questionable judgment.”
“Runs in the family.”
Walker looked at her.
“Family?”
Josephine realized what she had said.
Neither moved.
The word hung between them.
Dangerous.
Beautiful.
Impossible.
Then the herd began moving.
Not stampeding.
Parting.
Cowboys shouted.
A rider approached beneath a white flag.
Walker reached for his revolver.
Josephine’s hand closed around his arm.
She recognized the man before anyone else.
May you like
Silas Mercer had finally come himself.
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