Unexpected (12 page)

“
Which is fine in a fair fight. The problem is that men like Butch don’t fight fair.  And if I’m not mistaken, I’m pretty sure neither you or Josie killed anyone before.”

“No.”
Ryker winced as he adjusted himself again. “I will though.  I know I can.”

“After what happened to you, I
’m sure there’s enough hate in you for that, but you are still in no shape to protect her.”

Ryker didn’t disagree, because Cogan was right.
“You’ve done so much, but I’m incapable of even putting my Goddamn boots on at this time, I can’t protect her like you could. I know you said you’d stick around, but I just want to make sure you can until I’m healed.  The pay will be decent, and well, you already know how Aunt Hattie cooks.”

“Consider it done.”
  He’d already made a silent vow not to let Butch or any man near Josie.

“Thank you.”  He went to stand up and shake his hand again, but Cogan raised his own as he stood himself.

“No need to get up Ryker.  I think we can forgo the appreciative gesture.”

Ryker smiled.  It was the first time in a long time he felt the need to. “Thanks. I owe you.”

“Hell yes, you do.”

This time he chuckled then winced.

Cogan had to get ready and escort Josie to church. “Just so you know, I told Butch I’d kill him and anyone else who touched her.  I meant it.”

“I appreciate that.”

“If it makes you feel better, I frightened what was left of his men.”

“That does make me feel better.”
Ryker managed a smile.  He was certain it didn’t take much for Cogan to do that.  His size alone was intimidating.

Cogan turned to leave. “I’ve got to get washed up.  I promised Josie and Thomas I would take them to church.” 

Ryker sat there for a moment longer after Cogan left.  He knew the climb back up the stairs was going to be twice as difficult as coming down, but he needed to show his appreciation to Cogan and sit with his family for a meal. After all the hell they’d been through this last year, he was really thankful for the stranger. It was as if God was on his side for once, sending him such a man when he was just about to lose his life.

An hour later
, Josie came down the steps with Thomas and paused.  Cogan was standing by the buckboard wearing a dark grey vest, matching frock coat, black Stetson and pants.  He looked like wealthy gentry.  His hair looked damp and he was clean shaven.

She had found herself taking extra care to get ready
, more than she normally would. She wore a light green cotton day dress with dark green stripes. It was conservative but still bulky and it could get quite hot.  She was never fond of the latest styles because of that, and was quite happy with a simple skirt and blouse, but going to church meant you had to wear your best, and certainly Cogan believed that because he was incredibly handsome. Then he smiled appreciatively when he saw her and she felt her heart skip a beat.  Those dark brown eyes were riddled with approval and she felt her cheeks warm up.

Thomas,
as usual raced forward and scrambled into the back of the wagon. She was grateful for the distraction because she was able to break eye contact with him.

The ride to the church was mostly in silence.  She really wanted to ask what her and Ryker spoke about, but she couldn’t help but see his half naked image in her mind
from the night before whenever she tried looking at him.  It caused that familiar heat to rise to her cheeks and she would be even further embarrassed if he noticed it.  It’s the reason she hardly looked at him over breakfast.

Cogan on the other hand seemed to have forgotten the whole incident, and she was grateful for that.  He never mentioned anything, but she still couldn’t erase the memory.

She had seen partially clothed and naked men before like when their ranch hands removed their shirts or stripped down to their undergarments for a wash in the creek.  It was nothing unfamiliar to her especially being raised around men all her life.  Then there was when the Doctor had to come around due to injuries from an overzealous bull, or protective cow. It was either her or Hattie to assist him. More than once she’d seen them stripped bare while he patched them up.  She was shy about it, but managed to be indifferent. Yet, Cogan was nothing like the men she’d seen.  He was thick with muscle and well proportioned.  Even if a woman was a nun, there was no way on this earth she wouldn’t react to such a masculine form.

The church was on the other side of town and by the time they got there, it was already surrounded by horses and wagons.  People were walking down the street to make the sermon on time.

Cogan always remembered this town being religious, but what he didn’t expect was Butch standing on the steps in front of the church shaking hands with the priest. “Well, I’ll be dammed,” he murmured. He was flanked by two of his men.  All of them wore their Sunday’s best.  As far as he was concerned, you could dress a snake up anyway you like, but it was still a snake.

Josie heard him. “He contributes heavily to the church.
I’m certain Father Sampson isn’t fooled by him.”

“Trying to buy
a sainthood most likely.” 

“I don’t disagree
.  Although it doesn’t seem proper, Father Sampson accepts the money because he helps others with it.  Butch just likes to show off his wealth.”

Cogan reined up near the church
and set the brake before he got out and turned to help Josie down.  The whole time he knew Butch watched from a distance.  When he faced the church, he purposely placed Josie’s hand on his arm. He knew he grated him, but as he said before, Josie would be under his protection. Butch gave them a long assessing look before he, and the two men with him, went through the front doors. 

“Isn’t California mostly protestant?” Cogan was referring to the
Catholic robes the priest wore.

“Yes, we’ve actually gone through several p
astors.  Butch doesn’t like Protestant for some reason and ran them off. When the Catholic priest showed up to take over the church, he seemed fine with it.  People need a place of worship and Father Sampson is quite open with accepting everyone despite their beliefs.”

Now that was a first.  Cogan wasn’t too keen about this religion either.  Yes, he believed in God, but he had his reasons
for being apprehensive.

“Are you okay with this?”  Josie sensed his hesitation.

“I’ll be fine.  I’m just not a big fan of Catholicism.”

“Why is that?” Now that made her curious. Cogan was a good man, and she could tell that he was a religious man too.  The other night when she went into his room, she saw the gold cross he wore around his neck.
  It was hard to miss while it lay against tanned skin.  It distracted her from looking at the rest of him, well, not for long. Cogan didn’t answer, but Father Sampson spoke then.

“Ah the stranger, and savior to the
Hamiltons,” Father Sampson said as they came up the front steps.  He gave them a genuine smile in greeting. “I’m so glad to finally meet you.”

“
Good day Father,” Josie returned.

Cogan said nothing.
  It didn’t discourage the priest.

“Are you
staying with the Hamiltons for a while?” He directed the question at Cogan.

“It depends,” was all he said.

Father Sampson cast a glance through the double doors of the church checking to see if anyone was listening.  He then addressed Cogan in a low voice. “I would like some time with you after the sermon Mr. Reid.”

“I have to—”

“He would be most agreeable.” Josephine cut him off purposely. She didn’t miss his hesitation earlier. She shot Cogan a look daring him to defy her.  Maybe the priest could give him something more on Butch.  Despite his misgivings about the religion, he should take the opportunity to listen.  She knew Father Sampson only accepted Butch into the church because he could help others with the donations he gave.  As far as she was concerned, Butch’s sins left him beyond saving.

“I would be pleased to meet with you,” Cogan repeated after catching Josie’s look.
Though, his tone wasn’t as enthusiastic as hers. Apparently she thought the man could help them.  He didn’t think so at all, yet Josie’s smile when he agreed, made it worthwhile.

Once inside,
Josie watched in concealed surprise as Cogan genuflected and made the sign of the cross before he entered the pew.  He’d also dipped his fingers in the stoup at the entrance and made the sign of the cross there. For a man who seemed hesitant about the religion, he knew a lot about it.

“I thought you didn’t like Catholicism?” she whispered when he took his place beside her and Thomas.

“It’s not really the religion itself Josie, but those who represent it.  I am a man of faith.  I believe in God.”

“That doesn’t make sense.  You wear a cross
of the Catholic faith.”  It was unmistakable the Celtic cross was an old symbol of early Catholicism.  Her grandfather was an Irish immigrant and had one much the same.  It’s the only reason she knew this.

His eyes went over her.  “
My cross is a symbol my desire to keep my faith close to my heart.  I was betrayed by men of the cloth of this religion years ago.  It near caused my death.”

Her mouth fell. “I’m
so sorry.  If I had known I wouldn’t have pushed you to meet with Father Sampson.”

“I’m fine with it.  I just have difficulty shaking the betrayal when I see the
other familiar symbols associated with it.”

Obviously this affected him deeply and Josie almost felt privileged that he let her in on it because he didn’t seem to strike her as a man that talked about himself easily.
  Cogan was a very complicated man.

It was almost an hour wait for an audience with Father Sampson
after the sermon because of the other parishioners that wanted to speak with him.  He also stood outside and gave his blessings as people left the church.  Cogan had to refrain from walking across the aisle during the sermon and strangling Butch with his bare hands.  Not once did he pay attention to the sermon, but took the opportunity to stare at Josie.  He didn’t even bother to hide the lust in his eyes.

He was impressed that she maintained her calm demeanor, because he was sure she could feel that evil man’s eyes on her. 

Josie, Thomas and Cogan waited patiently inside until Father Sampson came back in, shut the doors and bolted them.

“I apologize for the delay.”

“No need father,” Josie offered casting an unsure glance at Cogan.  As usual, his expression was stoic.

“Would you care to join me in my private chambers Mr.
Reid.”

“Cogan,” h
e interrupted. “I won’t be long, stay here,” he told Thomas and Josie.

“We will,
” Josie offered. She knew he was concerned that Butch was waiting outside for them.

He stared at her a moment longer before he turned and followed the priest.  He just wanted to make sure she understood what he meant, and she seemed to. 

Father Sampson closed the door of his private office behind them.  “I’ve heard that you are here to help the Hamiltons.” He started to remove the heavy cloth vestments while he continued speaking. “I wish to let you know that we are grateful that you saved Ryker’s life.”

“Is that all?”

Father Sampson gave him a cunning look. “I used to be a man with no direction.  I found my true calling again.  I was raised in this faith but strayed for a while in the war. I’ve killed people too, Mr. Reid, defending what I believe in. I know a man who has had a hard life just by looking at him.  Yet, you show up here, in my church.” He splayed his hands out. “Are you seeking some comfort, or advice?”

“Neither.”

He nodded like it was no surprise.  “I assume then, it’s for Miss Hamilton’s sake.”

This was a subject he didn’t wish to speak about, so he changed it.  The Father gave him that grace
.
“Josephine stated you give back to the community?”

He nodded.
“Mayor McAllister is a big contributor, if that’s what you’re referring to.”

“
She also told me that Butch ran out two preachers before you.”

“
I’m not clear on the circumstance.  I assume it has to do with his upbringing.”

“He attends confession
then?” It wasn’t really a question, but Cogan shouldn’t be surprised.  Confession was confidential so it gave Butch the chance to brag without repercussions.  He doubted very much a man like him felt remorseful about anything.  More than likely he liked to shock the factor the confession created with the priest. It was also the only way the priest would know about Butch’s childhood.

“He does.”

“You claim to be a man of God.  Any good man of God, would not take contributions from a murderer, thief, and rapist.”

Father Sampson was sympathetic to Cogan’s accusations,
and they were well founded. “My son, when there is such strife, we find a way to work within the system.”