Unexpected by Lietha Wards Page B

hell or high water he was going to sit with his family this morning.
    “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.” Cogan could still see the rope rash around his neck but it was healing along with the rest of him.  The bruising on his face was starting to turn yellow around the edges and the swelling was going down.
    “I feel like I was run over by a stampede.   I mean, I’ve been trampled by a rogue stallion or a protective heifer delivering a calf, but this takes the cake.”
    “ I don’t doubt that.”
    “I bet I looked like shit when you found me.”
    Cogan smirked. He wasn’t going to disagree.  He’d seen dead men look better.
    “Gus give you much trouble? He’s protective of the townsfolk and Josie said you worry him.”
    Cogan shook his head as Josie and Thomas came in the room.
    “He tried,” Josie said overhearing while setting a tray of fresh baked biscuits on the table. “Cogan sent him off.”
    “Good job.” Ryker said equally impressed.
    “He’s not the one I’d worry about.”  Hattie came in and set a platter of scrambled eggs and bacon down before she seated herself.  “He’s a decent man.  He knows what’s going on.”
    Cogan seated himself next to Thomas placi ng himself across from Josie while Ryker sat at the head of the table. He spared her a glance but she bowed her head to say Grace.  When she was done, everyone dug in.  Cogan couldn’t remember having such good food. He’d been on his own for a long time.
    “Josie said Butch called you in, ” Ryker continued.
    “He did.” Cogan said sparing her a glance.  She flushed a little obviously thinking she spilled a secret.   He didn’t mind.  They were a close family and it was expected for her to talk to her brother.
    “He offer you a job?”
    He swallowed a mouthful of eggs before he answered. “Yes, he tried.”
    Silence fell around the table. Josie kept eating to try hiding her smile. She already knew the outcome of Butch’s offer.
    Cogan shifted his eyes to everyone else’s worried expressions. “I’m not a gun for hire.” His attention went to Josie. “I’ve told you that.”
    “Mr. Reid,” said Ryker drawing his attention. “If you were a gun for hire, you certainly wouldn’t be with us.  I believe we’re worried that if Butch can’t have you, he’d just as much have you killed.  He knows what an asset you are by now.  You’ve killed half his men.”
    “First of all, Cogan’s my name.  I’m not much older than you and never was much for formalities.  Secondly, I’m not easy to kill. Many men have tried , but I appreciate the concern much the same.”
    You didn’t have to tell Ryker that men have tried to kill him before.  He’d seen the man shoot. He was an ace shot. “We just want to make sure you know how dangerous this can be. It’s quite a risk for a man with no ties to this family.”
    “Your advice does not go unheeded,” Cogan said appreciatively while digging back into his breakfast. He was right about this family.  They were decent people.
    They ate the re st of their breakfast with light conversation. Ryker wanted to know what was going on in his absence and what still needed to be done.  He was impressed that Cogan had been able to deal with some pressing things that He hadn’t been able to deal with himself.  It lifted the burden somewhat.
    “We are really indebted to you.  I certainly don’t think we could pay you what you are worth.”
    “The food is more payment than I deserve.” The compliment made Hattie’s cheeks pinken up.
    After the table was cleared Ryker asked Cogan to stay for a moment so he could speak to him alone. Josie told Thomas to go and get washed up for church.   She then excused herself to do the same, but did give Cogan an extra-long look before she left.  She couldn’t help it.  There was something about him that she found herself growing increasingly attracted to. He also practically won over her resistive aunt with that charming