Hello all! I hope you like this chapter! I'm so excited to get deeper into the story and Millie's and Joshua's relationship! Please review!
Chapter Five
My heart dropped to my stomach, but I jogged to Joshua's side, catching him arm as he grumbled, "He shouldn't'a touched my guns." He straightened, catching my chin with a finger and thumb, brow furrowed low over his eyes as he queried disconcertedly, "You alright?"
"I am," I replied shakily, pocketing my gun and twisting my fingers together, "they were gonna kill you."
"They were," he agreed, his gaze trailing over me appraisingly, "you were gonna save me."
"I think I mighta succeeded," I replied with a huff.
He glanced down at the mess of a man at his feet, brows high on his forehead. He offered me a sheepish smile and agreed, "I think you mighta. Sure I can't buy you a drink?"
"I owe you at least that," he continued, tilting his hat back and wiping the sweat from his forehead, "and my life. It's yours to do with what you will. Whatever you will," he added with a wink.
Laughing, I lifted my shoulders and toyed with the folds of my skirt, "Should I go gentle on you, then?"
"Lord, I certainly hope not," he chuckled, looping his thumbs through his gun belt, "you be as rough as you like, Millie; I assure you I would not mind."
"You know, just because I said Daisy's father wasn't here doesn't mean he don't exist," I noted, flushing and turning my face from him to hide it.
"You wouldn't be quite so open to my flirtation if he were," Joshua replied, catching sight of Daisy and guiding us toward her, "least, I hope you wouldn't be."
"No, I wouldn't be," I agreed, though I caught myself and backtracked hastily, "though that doesn't mean I'm open to your flirtation."
"No it don't," he agreed, though the smirk on his face and the tone of his voice showed me that he didn't believe me in the slightest. He shouldn't have, either; I didn't believe my own words. "You don't seem too concerned, havin' shot that man. Would I be right in assuming he's not the first one you've put a bullet through?"
"You would."
"He deserved it, no doubt."
A tremor ran through my voice as I agreed, "Yes, he most certainly did. But I'd rather not like to talk about that just now, if that's alright with you."
"It's more than alright," he supplied, offering me a warm grin before tipping his head toward Daisy, Teddy, and Emma, where the man in black still stood, conversing with the pair of adults, "these those friends you mentioned, before all that went down in the saloon?"
"They are," I smiled, "Emma Cullen and Teddy Q. We're lookin' for help; seems like that man might be willing to join us. He hasn't left 'em yet."
"Lookin' for men to join you," Joshua repeated, a brow quirking in interest, his light, warm eyes sparkling, "well, I wouldn't be opposed to taggin' along, if it gets me more time with you. What exactly are you-"
He fell silent, his hazel eyes narrowing and a dark scowl crossing his handsome features; his gaze was on a pen, where a large, chestnut horse bucked and whinnied, a small, redheaded man watching it from the fence. Men inside the pen attempted to wrangle the horse and Joshua bristled at the sight.
"Millie, darlin', if you'd excuse me for just one moment," he murmured, his lip curling in irritation; he shot me a fleeting smile, assuring me he would return, before stalking toward the horse.
I watched him go for a moment, eyeing him rather appreciatively before I could berate myself; his departure afforded me a moment to approach Emma and the others and inquire about the man in black. Eyeing him curiously, I stepped around him, meeting his gaze, and fell beside the redhead.
She beamed excitedly, catching my arm and exclaiming, "Millie, this is Mr. Chisholm! He's goin' to help us fight Bogue!"
Extending my hand to the man, I introduced myself with a smile, "Mr. Chisholm, my name is Millie Evans. It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you so much for your help; it means a great deal to us all."
"Likewise, Ms. Evans," he replied, giving my hand a firm shake, "call me Sam. I'm a warrant officer outta the state of Nebraska. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble for you an' your little girl. She's somethin' else, your Daisy is."
"Not in the slightest," I replied with a smile as Daisy stepped into my grasp and hugged my waist, asking after Joshua, "and she certainly is. Daisy, love, Joshua will be right back. He's askin' after a horse, I think. Maybe his own from the look of it."
Sam and Emma turned to look at him, the latter querying curiously, "Joshua who, Millie?"
I blushed lightly but nodded toward the tall cowboy who was currently staring disbelievingly down at the man, who was shorter even than me at full height. He had his fists on his hips, but he stiffened when the small man went for his gun.
"Oh dear," I muttered, catching Daisy's hand and making for the pair, "he shouldn't have touched his gun."
Sam followed, removing his hat from his head and querying sharply before any gunfire could begin, "How much for the horse?"
"Twenty-five," the small man replied quickly, his Irish accent thick, removing his hand and allowing Joshua to relax some, "for the horse and the saddle."
Before I could open my mouth, Sam beat me to it, offering to purchase both before turning to Joshua, "Got a proposition for you."
"Same proposition you were talkin' about, Millie?" Joshua queried curiously, gesturing toward the horse, "you are givin' him back, right?"
"If you help us," Sam replied easily, tossing the bag of gold that Emma must have given him to the taller man, "offerin' us a lot of money to take care of some business back in Rose Creek. Care to join us?"
Joshua peered interestedly into the bag, surprise pulling at his face at the sum inside. I hoped Emma wouldn't reveal that I had supplied most of it, and, thankfully, the woman only eyed the exchange hopefully.
"That's a lotta gold," he whistled, tossing it back to Sam and glancing curiously down at me, "where'd the three of you get that sum?"
"The townspeople collected it," Emma answered hastily, her green eyes finding mine, shining brightly, "we had to. We got us a problem and we're serious about gettin' it handled. We'd be more than grateful if you'd join us, Mr. …?"
"Faraday," he replied distractedly, his brow furrowed low over his eyes as he stared down at me curiously, "how bad a problem is this?"
"Very bad," I admitted, fighting the urge to clasp my hands together before me pleadingly, "would you help us?"
He grinned, folding his arms across his chest and laughing, "I told you, darlin'; I wouldn't be opposed if it allows me more time with you. I'm in."
Diligently avoiding Teddy's and Emma's surprised glances, I beamed and squeezed his arm gratefully, "Thank you, Joshua. Really; it means the world."
He waved a flippant hand, though there was a pleased grin on his face, "It's nothin', trust me. I done a lot worse than helpin' a beautiful lady for a lot less. Now, where's that other pretty lady at? I do believe I owe her some candy."
Daisy slipped out from around me and latched onto Joshua's leg, hugging him tightly, "I'm right here! What kind of candy can I get?"
"Well, whatever you like!" he laughed cheerily, as though he hadn't almost gotten into a gunfight with man, or killed another not five minutes before. He ruffled her hair and offered me his elbow once more, "And I am buyin' you that drink."
"Ms. Millie, we should get movin'," Teddy noted, wringing his hat in his hands, "we need to find more men. There might be others in this town that could-"
Joshua snorted and shook his head, "Nah, not in this place. Fulla cowards and snakes. Won't do you any good."
"I know of a few men, though it'd take some plannin' and askin' around," Sam continued for him; obviously the men fleeing from the saloon assured him that Joshua was more than likely right, "how soon you wanna head back to Rose Creek."
"Ideally as soon as we could," Emma replied, lips drawn to one side, her eyes falling continuously on Joshua and I, "but we have some time, I think. He won't be back for three weeks."
"He who?" Joshua dipped his head and queried softly in my ear. Fighting the urge to tremble as his breath ghosted across my neck, I tilted my head and replied, "Bartholomew Bogue."
He started at the name, but didn't back away from the prospect of coming with us. He simply clicked his tongue and blinked rapidly, "You weren't lyin', sayin' it was a very big problem. Well, that man's a no-good thief as far as I'm concerned; now, how 'bout that drink?"
"Emma, we should stay here the night," I noted suddenly, straying from Joshua's side for a moment and catching her arm. Dragging her and Teddy into a small powwow, my eyes on Daisy, who tugged impatiently on Joshua's hand. He laughed and knelt beside her, stating something and making her giggle wildly. "We should rent some rooms and allow Mr. Chisholm some time to figure out what other men may help us. We have the two of them now; no sense leaving until we have them all, right?"
"This isn't just a ploy to keep yourself closer to Mr. Faraday, is it?" she queried teasingly, though there was a glint in her eyes that told me she wasn't entirely joking, though it didn't perturb her like it might have some of the other townsfolk back home. "I do agree with you, though. But we don't have any-"
"I'll take care of that," I replied hastily, "if you could get two rooms; Teddy could have his own and you, Daisy, and I could share one. Hopefully they'll be ready to leave tomorrow and find the others."
"We couldn't do that, Ms. Millie," Teddy glanced at Emma for reassurance, "takin' your money. You've done enough for us already with what's in that bag…"
"It's alright," I replied assuredly, a grin escaping me before I could help myself, "now, if you'll excuse me."
Joshua extended his arm once more, tipping his hat and grinning slightly as I took it, "Alright, ladies, prepare to be dazzled."
He led us to the general store, where rows and rows of candies sat, much to Daisy's awe and delight. She gasped, hands to her mouth, and stared about her excitedly. She rounded on Joshua, her wide eyes pleading, as she queried softly, "Could I… maybe get two?"
"Daisy!" I scolded, hiding a smile behind my hand as Joshua chuckled loudly, assuring her, "Course you can, sweetie. Two of whatever you like. And grab somethin' for your mama."
"No, I- you're already getting me a drink, aren't you?" I queried, flustered.
He gave his arm a slight jolt, drawing me closer to him as he grinned broadly down at me, his tone low and alluring, "And dinner, if you'll let me."
"Of course I'll let you," I replied, lifting a brow and smiling up at him, unwilling to take a step away from him despite the inappropriateness of our proximity to each other, "but you don't have to."
"I want to," he assured me, approaching the counter as Daisy pranced about with her treasures, three pieces of candy in her hands. She stood on the tips of her toes and dropped them on the countertop, grinning toothily up at the pair of us. He nodded approvingly at her selection, even asking her to go retrieve another for himself, claiming it looked too good to pass up.
He paid for the treats and Daisy popped one in her mouth, nodding dutifully as I told her to save the other for after supper. He then led us back outside, toward another bar, and I chewed on my lower lip. He certainly didn't have to buy me dinner, let alone Daisy. He seemed unconcerned, though he had to be more than aware that she was still accompanying us.
"Millie, we got the rooms."
We paused a moment, turning to face a smiling Emma, her hands folded in front of her as she glanced between us, "They're also preparing dinner as we speak, so I thought I would take little Miss Daisy with me and get us a bite to eat."
I could've hugged her - and would, when I got the chance - but looked down at Daisy and queried, "What do you say, love? Want to go with Teddy and Ms. Emma?"
She looked between Joshua and I and Emma, a crease appearing between her brows before she nodded, grinning brightly. She gave Joshua a tight hug around the leg once more and grabbed my hand, kissing it, "Be good, Mama."
Laughing, I pressed a kiss to her curls, hugging her, "Of course I will, Daisy, love. And listen to Ms. Emma, alright? Don't leave her side and eat all your food and then you can have your other candy, okay?"
She nodded fervently before taking Emma's hand and waving at the pair of us. Emma offered me a knowing grin before leading Daisy away; before they left, though, my daughter wagged her finger at Joshua, a serious frown tugging at her mouth, "You take care of my mama, Mr. Faraday."
He drew his lips into his mouth to keep from smiling, pressing a hand over his heart and tipping his head, vowing, "Course I will, Miss Daisy. I'll take real good care of your mama."
The way the words fell from his mouth, with a slight, gravelly rumble and a sly curve of his lips, told me that he would indeed take very good care of me if he had the chance.
And it was an incredibly tempting thought.
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Doctowhoamypond: Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it!
Felicia2235: thanks! I definitely will; no way I could let him get love and then take it away from him ;)
Dalonega Noquisi: Thank you! I'm glad you think so! I know, he's so fun to write acting like a child! But I also love writing his exciting flirty self
Raging Raven: Thank you!
Whitelion69: thank you so much! Oh yeah, it's certainly starting between them!
Guest: thank you! I really appreciate it! I hope you enjoy this chapter too!