The reverend foolishly pushed General’s generosity away. “No, I’m afraid I cannot take that.”
The general aggressively put it in the reverend’s hand against his will, closing his fingers around the coin with his strength. “Keep it for offering then.”
General tipped his hat and walked out the door.Where are you now, Josephine? Wherever you are, you can’t hide.
Chapter Forty-One
General’sadrenalinepumpedferociously,lurking behind a tall pine tree. He found his wife at last. He restrained himself, gripping the tree bark instead of strangling her with his bare hands right then and there. Josephine, three children, and that so-called husband of hers were playing in the snow. The children’s squeals made General cringe. Josephine giggled as she shielded her face from a snowball. General hated seeing the grin on her face. He wanted to knock it off, just as he had done before. She had no right to be happy after all she had put him through the past seven years.
Josephine Wellington was a felon and an adulteress, and she would pay for her crimes. He watched as Josephine and two little girls darted behind trees while the young boy and the “husband” threw snowballs. General wished to grab his wife then and there, but he’d have to wait. He’d think of a plan she wouldn’t expect. He wanted to torture her, not only physically but emotionally.He’d continue this game just like he had with Mammy and that pathetic kitchen boy.
General’s gaze shifted to the dirty farmer husband bundled in fur like the rest of them. That smirk on the man’s face would disappear once General killed him. He’d kill him right in front of Josephine, so she could see what her actions caused. Maybe the guilt from causing the little brats to lose their father would consume her. Wouldn’t that be fun to see?
A playful squeal slipped from Josephine’s lips when the man snuck up from behind her. He lifted her from the ground, and the squeals turned to giggles.He doesn’t know how to handle her.Josephine was having too much fun with the man, and she needed to be put in her place.
“Put me down!” she demanded.
Josephine broke free, but the man’s arms came around her waist, turning her around to face him. Peering up at him with a grin, Josephine seemed to enjoy his touch. She never looked that way with General. The woman would never do anything for him willingly, unless he threatened her. General observed how easily she melted into the farmer’s arms. The couple’s eyes locked for a while, making General want to gag.
His fists tightened by his side when he fought the urge to destroy them right there with the revolver in his holster, but he had to wait. It wasn’t the right moment. Three snowballs flew towards the couple, interrupting their little moment. Josephine and the farmer man separated and threw snowballs at the children. The tiny cabin in the distance made General chuckle inside. Josephine left a large home full of riches for an old shack.
The cabin door opened and an elderly woman stepped out, holding a crying, bundled infant. The blanket was blue, making General’s core swell with pride. A son. This was the son he wanted for seven years. Now Josie could be easily disposed oflike Martha. The baby’s crying pierced General’s ear, making him huff.Little brat has some lungs.
Josephine took the child and bounced him up and down. General rubbed his scruffy chin. Perhaps he could wait to kill Josephine. He didn’t care much for babies anyways. All he cared about was the boy’s later years, when he could send him off to a military academy and make him a real man.
Maybe he could bring Josephine along to stretch out the game, making it last even longer. A smile curved at his lips. She’d suffer as she watched her son turn into his real father, and she’d grow insane not having any control. Then General would strip her of everything—a social life, motherhood, and the outside world. He’d make a prison of his own, full of twisted games. To the world she would be dead, and no one would come looking. She’d be trapped, forced to endure the rest of her life confined in a dark room with no escape.
A grin spread across General’s face. Oh, how he loved his new plan. It was getting better and better. Killing Josephine would be too easy when he could torture her for the rest of her life.
The farmer stood behind Josephine and grinned, his hand on her waist. Then, Josephine turned and handed him the little boy. He stopped crying in the man’s arms. General kicked the tree trunk hard. That man had no right to touch the boy. The child wasn’t his son! General’s heir wouldn’t grow up under the influence of a poor farmer.
The urge for revenge rushed within General, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could last before his rage exploded.
Chapter Forty-Two
Josiewrappedherarmsaround Travis’s waist, just before he left for work later that afternoon. Harsh winter days could change their lives in an instant, so she savored every moment of this embrace. The deep snow outside worried her because North Carolina winters had never been as harsh as those in the Rockies. She knew she had to learn to release her fears and trust that God would guide them through every challenge. Travis had spent his entire life in Montana and knew how to handle the severe winters, but it didn’t make letting go any easier for Josie.
Travis gently pulled away and planted a soft kiss on Josie’s forehead. The warmth of his lips sent a flutter through her. She could see herself getting used to this new life, the simple comfort of being close to him. But deep down, she longed for more—for everything that came with being husband and wife. Still, they both knew they had to wait until the timing was right. The anticipation made Josie grow restless, but she knew everything would be worth the wait.
“I’ll be back soon,” Travis promised, looking deep into her eyes. “Make sure the children behave.”
Josie gripped his suspenders, grinning up at him. “They should be fine. I’m thinking of having a painting afternoon with them.”
Travis smiled. “You are wonderful, Jo. I wish I could stay, but I need to go.”
Josie nodded, though she still didn’t like the thought of his departure. She wanted to be with him every minute of the day, but with a working farm, that was nearly impossible. “Do you have to go now? It’s freezing outside.”
Travis let out a sigh and frowned. “You know I can’t be idle.” His lips curled. “I’ll be back soon. Mr. Lynde needs me now that Ronan is in mourning.”
Josie patted his chest. “The earlier you leave and faster you get back, the more time we can spend together later.”
“That will be on my mind the rest of the day, trust me.” Travis shot her a wink. He placed a hand on Josie’s shoulder. “Please, be careful.”
“I will.”
Travis grabbed his hat and large buffalo-fur coat, then turned, stealing one last glance at Josie before stepping out the door. “Goodbye, Jo.”
As he walked out, Josie gripped the back of the dining chair, shifting her weight as she steadied herself. She rubbed her neck, her grin deepening. If only she could hold out until later. Just the thought of spending more time with Travis made her body swell with excitement. She was no longer an outsider—she was part of his family. And now, she wassoclose to having a real marriage, something she had almost given up on. They would all be one family, bound together, forever.
