Unexpected (13 page)

“And how would
the Almighty feel about you helping the son of the devil?”

He looked defeated for a moment before he spoke.
“The good that I do justifies that—I’m hoping. I’ve helped those that Butch has pushed off their land. The money has helped them relocate. Otherwise they get nothing. I pray every day for forgiveness and that I’m doing the right thing. I may be a man of God, but I’m also practical.  In my heart, I feel there is no other recourse.”

“
I used to feel that way when I did things in the name of religion.  It turns out the Catholic Church was more corrupt than anyone I’ve met.”

That gave the
priest pause. “It is unfortunate that you’ve had a bad experience.”

“
Bad is an understatement Father. I gave my devotion and spilled blood in the name of God.  It served me nothing.”

His brows
arched.  “You served the Church?”

“Many years ago. I won’t discuss my past with you,” he stated matter-of-factly. “I’ve since renounced my vows.”

The older man n
odded, but didn’t press him anymore.  Cogan Reid obviously had a history that was laced with mistrust towards the church, and as a man of God, he represented that.  It was unfortunate because he needed him to trust him.  Moreover, now that he knew him a little better, it was not going to be easy to ask him the question he wanted to see him about.  Thankfully it was Cogan that brought it up.

“So Father, why the private meeting?”

“After hearing your reservations, I have some of my own over asking you something.  I am concerned for my parishioners, and as you already know, I take confession regularly.  Although I will not break my vows and betray confidence no matter how misled a man is, I will do everything in my power to prevent a tragedy.” His expression became grim.  He was hoping Cogan understood his hidden messages, and he did.

“I assume we are talking about Butch?”

The priest didn’t answer him, because, as he said before it would be a betrayal. “Josephine Hamilton is of marrying age.  From the town gossip, I’ve learned that she’s turned down at
least six proposals in the last year.”

“Those were the men that were brave enough to ask,” Cogan chuckled.  He was
also sure Ryker had something to do with the apprehension of the male townsfolk.  Ryker was young, but he gave off the impression of a man that you didn’t want to tangle with.

“I suspect so,
” he said quietly not sharing his humor.

“What are you getting at?” 
The similar warning started in his chest at the priest’s serious demeanor.

“Ryker is laid up, almost an invalid, I hear.”

“He’s recovering quickly.”

“I don’t expect less
, because he’s as tough as this land, built just like his father, but Josie and Thomas need more than just a protector.”

Finally, Cogan’s legendary demeanor broke as his face registered shock.
“Father Sampson, I’ve been on my own for a long time, I—“

“The
Hamiltons need a savior. You are a man of God.  You’ve said as much.”

“
Those days are over.”

“Are they?  Why did you stay then?”

Cogan wouldn’t’ tell him why, but he didn’t have to.  The priest knew.

“
In your heart, I can see that you are a good man despite your efforts to seem otherwise. The Hamiltons, and the rest of the townsfolk are also good people, but the Hamiltons are the only ones that will stand up to Butch.  We need some inspiration for the townsfolk and run that man out. Right now, the only person standing in the way of him taking over the whole town, is you.  Miss Hamilton needs a husband.  The ranch needs stability and the town needs a savior.”

Cogan
groaned out loud.  He did not want this responsibility, but he couldn’t deny that he wanted Josie.  He wanted her fiercely, like a thirsty lion.

“I have faith that I can convince the
Hamiltons that this is a good match.  When this is over, we can have the marriage annulled.  It would be a secret between you, me and the Hamiltons—well, and God.  I know this may seem deceitful but the marriage wouldn’t be consummated.  Within Catholic law, it is reasonable grounds for an annulment.”

Annulled
.  That word seemed so horrific to him.  Never mind his religious beliefs, no honest man who was married to a beauty like Josephine Hamilton could state under God that he couldn’t keep his hands off of her. “For a man of God, this seems deceitful.”

He shrugged.
“I’m a practical man too, not just a Priest. I’ve been praying for an answer to the misery here.  Then you came.  I see it as a sign from God.”

Cogan’s mouth curled into a cynical smile. “Did you?”

“My son, you may have been betrayed, but there are bad people everywhere, some of them can’t be—“

“—a Pope
in league with a King gave the order for my death along with the death of my colleagues—my brothers, Father Sampson, not a priest, nor a bishop. It was after a lifetime of devoted service to the church.  There were no grounds except greed. ” That was the first time he’d mentioned that to anyone, and with it came the emotions of betrayal and hate he’d buried deep.  His muscles tensed, his eyes shifted lighter and he ground his teeth and swallowed to try and keep it a bay.  He turned away so the priest wouldn’t see the changes in him.

“I can’t believe that
. Pius is—”

“It was before
Pius.”  Cogan went to the door. He had to get out of there before he frightened the older man into a coma.

“But Pius has been in pontificate for nearly thirty years.”  Although it seemed as though this man has lived a lifetime, he wasn’t even thirty.
  There was no way he was older than that.

Cogan gave him a sharp intelligent look
with his eyes flashing light amber, and with a slight satisfactory smile, he opened the door and left shutting it behind him.

Father Sampson made the sign of the cross.

Josie stood up quickly when she saw Cogan. There was some worry in her expression. For Father Sampson to ask a private audience was practically unheard of, and she was more worried that her ranch hand would offend the older man if he was asking a favor. Cogan wasn’t someone who’d restrict his words even if it was toward a man of God. It was obvious he was uncomfortable there, but despite what little he’d told her, she couldn’t figure out why.

His expression was impassive as he took her arm to lead her out of the Church toward the wagon.  He gave nothing away in his expression or his demeanor. 
Yet, he was a gentleman as usual helping her into the wagon before climbing in beside her and taking the reins.

She vowed silently not to ask what the Father wanted with him, because she knew that if he wanted to talk about it, he would.  She was curious, but it wasn’t her right.
“He is a good man,” she finally said.

“Seems so.”

“Is your faith restored then?”

He smirked but never said anything.

“I guess it was too much to ask.”

“Yes ma’am.”

He gave her an amused sideways glance causing her to smile.  She was certain his sense of humor wasn’t a common sight, so she appreciated it.  When he smiled, it made him look twice as handsome and maybe even vulnerable in some way.  Possibly, that was the reason he didn’t let many people see him in this state. Her eyes went over his profile while he was watching the road ahead.  Cogan Reid was a strikingly handsome man if you could get past the hardness in his eyes and expression.  Now it was if she never even saw it anymore.  His nose was straight, and he had a nice strong square jaw which was cleanly shaven for church, most likely.  His hair was as black as night, and on occasions, it seemed as if his eyes matched that color, but now, they were a soft coffee brown.  If only he—

“Josie, when a woman stares at a man like that, it can lead to trouble,” he stated softly so Thomas would
n’t hear.  His eyes remained on the road ahead.

Josie felt her cheeks heat up and averted her gaze without saying anything. 
She certainly couldn’t deny she was, or what she was thinking. The rest of the ride was in silence.  She wasn’t sure if she was grateful for it or not, because it was a tense silence—well, for her. 

Chapter Four

Hattie brought a silver tea set placed it on the table in the sitting room for Father Sampson, Ryker, and Josephine.  She perused the crowd with an unsure look before she left, passing Cogan on the way out of the room, but not being able to meet his eyes.  The man still frightened her.

Cogan stood near the door with his arms folded across his chest. 
He spared Hattie a glance knowing how she felt about him, but he really couldn’t blame her.  She was older and her instincts were more developed than Ryker’s or Josie’s. He actually admired her.  She was a strong woman.  As for the Father’s unexpected visit, he already knew what it was about, but the other two didn’t.  He’d much rather be a spectator at the moment, not in the thick of it. Quite frankly, he was surprised the man showed up after the glimpse he gave him the day before.  He did see it, because he seemed leery of him like Hattie was, but did his best to hide it.  It was then he knew the man really did care about the townsfolk to put his apprehension aside, trust his instincts, and continue with his plan.

“It was nice of you to stop by Father,” Josephine said genuinely. “We know you are a very busy man.”
She felt out of sorts because she would much rather change into something more fashionable, not the dusty skirt and blouse she wore.  She was working in the garden when she heard his wagon come into the yard.  When she walked around the front of the house, Hattie was already out front greeting him. He’d requested her brother to join them, and Ryker took a few more minutes to make it downstairs.  She knew he probably came by to see how they were doing after the attack on Ryker now that her brother was able to get around better.  It wasn’t unusual for the priest to drop in occasionally, especially for those that had difficulty leaving the farm, like Ryker did. 

“Never too busy to visit my
parishioners.”

“We haven’t been very vigilant,” she said apologetically while pouring tea.

“I understand what things have been like. Others have similar hardships.” He cast a glance over his shoulder at Cogan who looked like forged steel. He knew he didn’t mistake what he saw the day before, and spent all night praying that he was doing the right thing.  No matter how he went over the situation, it was the correct path.  Cogan was a religious man.  He’d seen him preform the rites when he’d entered the church.  Whoever—whatever he was, he knew in his heart that he wasn’t evil.  He had to take the chance.  The townsfolk depended on it.

Ryker saw the exchange and became curious.  “Father Sampson, is there something else?”

The priest took the teacup that Josephine offered and sat back in his chair looking around at the brother and sister sitting across from him on the decorative blue flowered sofa.  “Actually there is. I have come across some information recently that leads me to believe that your life is in danger.”

“My life is always in danger,” Ryker answered
with some irritation. “As long as Butch wants what’s ours.”

“I didn’t mean you.” The Father guided his eyes slowly to Josephine.

“Me?” she blinked wide.

Ryker looked back and forth at the two
and sat straight. “If that bastard—excuse me father—that man—lays a finger on her, I’ll gut him—“

“It may not need come to that,” he interrupted
with a brief look of consternation. He turned around in his seat to look at Cogan again, who’d remained unmoved and silent throughout the conversation seemingly watching the display with interest.  Father Sampson expected him to protest or express some objection to what he was going to say next, but none came, so he turned back around in his seat and continued. “Many people in Bakersfield admire you both.  You have been the only family to hold out against Butch’s horrid attempts at taking your land. I mean, there are a few others, but he seems relentless where you’re concerned and you’ve been able to stave him off.  I fear that it is only a matter of time before he does something terribly drastic.  More than what you’ve already endured.”

“Well, we’ll put up a hell of a fight, right Cogan?”
Ryker stated with a defiant grin.

“I’ll be here,” he answered calmly.

Father Sampson set down his teacup and held up his hands. “As I said Ryker, it may not come to that.  I’ve spoken with Cogan already and I may have an idea.”

“I’m open to suggestions.”
He looked at Cogan questionably before he brought his attention back to Father Sampson.  Cogan never mentioned anything at dinner the night before.  Now he could see there was more going on here than just a friendly visit.

“If there was some
way to protect your family—especially your sister, would you do it?”

Ryker was confused
at the sudden shift in conversation. “I can protect her.”