“I love all of you!” Josie shouted. “Please remember that!”
Marcus yanked her arm harder. “Shut up, will ya, woman! We have business to attend to.”
They trudged with purpose through the thick snow, the ice crunching at their feet. Nathan began to wail, and Marcus groaned and handed Nathan over to Josie.
“Hold the brat and shut him up!”
Josie took Nathan, kissing his tear-soaked cheeks. Marcus grabbed his horse by the reins and hoisted Josie over the top. The wind grew colder, and she pressed Nathan’s face against her chest to keep him warm. Surely they weren’t going back to North Carolina—not in the middle of winter.God, please spare us. Give us an open window, I beg you. Save my son, no matter what happens to me.
Marcus situated himself in the saddle behind Josie. The closeness of their bodies made her shudder. She’d never feel safe again. No longer would she be in the arms of Travis Blythe. Josiehad ruined everything for them both. Their union was more dangerous than ever—it was illegal.
“You’ll have your punishment once we have the business settled,” Marcus swore, his breath hitting her neck. “Don’t think you’ve been acquitted.”
Josie’s heart throbbed violently against her ribs. “What business?”
Marcus snickered, clicking the reins. “Oh, you will see. Your punishment will be far more painful this time.”
Chapter Forty-Three
JosiestayedonTravis’smind all afternoon, and when Mr. Lynde dismissed him early, he could hardly contain his excitement. As he hoisted the last sack of feed onto the wagon, barely winded, he couldn’t help but have a quiet satisfaction. His strength had returned, far beyond Aunt Polly’s predictions. Bed rest wouldn’t fill his pockets the way a day’s work did.
Stepping back from the wagon, he grinned widely beneath his scarf. In all the months he’d known Josie, Travis hadn’t thought of her this much. He ached to be by her side, holding her close enough to feel her heartbeat against his chest like last night. Two reasons pulled him towards her—the strange longing within him and the growing concern for her well-being. He never imagined a woman like Josie could be in such danger.
Travis didn’t blame her for what she had done to her husband. Killing Marcus was an accident—an act of self-defense and desperation. If she hadn’t fought back, he might have hurt her or worse. However, without the situation, Josie would have neverfound her way to Travis. She found safety, and Travis never knew how much he needed her. She was like the air that he needed to survive.
Losing Sophie had left a deep hole in Travis’s heart, but being with Josie mended it, little by little. Now, he knew he could move forward as long as she was by his side. He never wanted to fall back into the way he used to treat her, realizing how foolish he’d been to ignore her. Now, he couldn’t resist thinking of her constantly. She had a hold on him—strong and unshakable—and he never wanted to break free from it.
The sun peeked from behind the clouds, nearly blinding Travis as he looked above. He had grown tired of the freezing weather, yearning for warmth again. The only part of winter he appreciated was Josie snuggling closer to him in her sleep. That was one thing about the season he’d always cherish. But now, standing ankle-deep in snow with the wind nipping at his face and burning his nostrils, he wished for spring.
Travis shut the back of the wagon and climbed up the ledge, pulling his scarf tighter while the sharp wind hit his ears. With a quick signal, he urged the horses forward, the reins held firm in his hands. The wagon creaked and ushered slowly, the wheels crunching through the icy ground. The streets were nearly empty with most folks choosing to stay indoors. Travis would’ve done the same if not for the supplies and work. The Lyndes were counting on his and Ronan’s help, but with Ronan grieving, Mr. Lynde was left without anyone else to rely on. Travis couldn’t let them down.
It was only a matter of time before another blizzard swept through. Mr. Lynde ordered a large shipment from Bozeman, and Travis was glad to help. He had no intention of being caught in a deadly blizzard ever again. He had a wife and five children to provide for, and risking his life in the cold wasn’t an option anymore—unless it was to save one of them.
As Travis neared the edge of town, another wagon pulled up beside him. He waved when he recognized Reverend Levingston. It had been quite some time since they’d crossed paths because church services had been canceled due to the epidemic and the harsh winter weather.
“Good evening, Reverend,” Travis said.
Reverend Levingston pulled his reins back, slowing his team to a stop. “Good evening, Travis. What brings you into town?”
Travis pointed behind him. “Just getting back from the mercantile and taking home some supplies. How about you?”
“I went to visit the Walshes, and I’m on my way home.”
Travis sighed. “It’s terrible what happened to them. Josie and I went yesterday to visit them.”
“We had the burial today. They didn’t want to risk the illness spreading more, so we went ahead since I was already there. It’s not right to bury a coffin so small.”
“You’re right,” Travis agreed. “I can only imagine how hard it is on the young’uns.”
“They don’t look good, but I believe all will be better in time. God is watching over them.” Reverend Levingston laid his reins in his lap. “I hope your surprise visitation is going well.”
Travis’s eyes narrowed. “Pardon?”
“Josie’s uncle. He came by the church this morning, looking for you. I hope Josie is enjoying time with her family.”
Travis scratched his neck. Josie’s last-known relative was her great aunt, and the idea of an uncle suddenly coming to visit was too peculiar. No one down south knew where Josie was except that lawyer. Travis’s protective instincts flared instantly, his fists tightening around the reins. He should have stayed home, especially now that he knew the truth about Josie’s past.
“Who was he? Where was he from?”
