The Mavericks by Leigh Greenwood

visibly staking his claim to her. Josie resented his possessiveness. It was just like a man to think a woman belonged to him once she agreed to be his wife.
    â€œWe need to be going if we’re going to get married today,” Ben said to Anna. “And we gotta get married today,” he said when Anna seemed to hesitate. “I don’t think I can stand being separated from you for another night.”
    â€œOh, Ben, I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m so worried about Laurie.”
    â€œYou don’t need to worry,” Josie said.
    Ben took Anna’s elbow and tried to steer her toward his horse. “Come on, honey, let’s go.”
    Anna held her ground. “Are you sure?” she asked Josie.
    â€œPositive. Now get out of here and be happy.”
    Anna threw her arms around Josie. “I wish you were going back with us.”
    â€œWe’ll find better jobs in Tombstone.”
    Anna released Josie and turned as Suzette climbed out of the wagon. “Promise you’ll write.”
    â€œYou’ll have to write, too,” Suzette replied. “If your first child is a girl, you can name her after me.”
    â€œI’ll have three girls so I can name one after each of you.”
    Ben smiled down at her. “We can have as many as you want.”
    â€œI’ve got to say good-bye to Laurie, and then I’ll be ready to go,” Anna said to Ben.
    â€œYou take good care of her,” Josie said to Ben after Anna disappeared inside the wagon. “If you don’t, I’ll come after you.”
    â€œI’m crazy about that woman.” Ben’s eyes were on the back of the wagon where Anna had disappeared. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure she’s happy.”
    â€œI’ll hold you to that promise,” Josie said. “Now put her on that horse and get going. We need to get started ourselves.”
    Anna emerged from the wagon with tears running down her cheeks. She cried some more as she hugged Suzette and Josie good-bye once again.
    â€œGo,” Josie said, pushing her toward Ben. “Your future husband is about to bust open with impatience to have you to himself.”
    Ben lifted Anna into the saddle, then climbed up behind her. Anna kept looking over her shoulder, waving to them, until she was out of sight. Her disappearance left Josie feeling empty. They’d been friends for more than two years, but she knew that part of the reason she was feeling so low was that Anna had found a man who made her very happy. Anna’s happiness reinforced Josie’s own sense of loneliness.
    â€œI guess I’ll have to drive now that Anna’s gone,” Suzette said.
    â€œWhy? Do you think I can’t handle a pair of mules?” Josie asked.
    â€œYou can take care of Laurie and figure out what you’re going to fix for dinner.”
    â€œYou’re better at sitting with sick people than I am.”
    Josie felt guilty about not wanting to sit with Laurie, but being strong and self-reliant, she didn’t understand someone like Laurie. She tended to grow impatient with Laurie’s dependence on other people.
    â€œYou can both sit with her,” Zeke said.
    Josie hadn’t heard him come up. “And how can we do that?” she snapped.
    â€œI’ll be driving. Hawk and I are going with you.”
    The words popped out of Josie’s mouth before she realized what she was saying. “Then I’m staying here.”

Chapter Four
    Zeke had been counting on leaving at dawn, but Hawk had decided they should stay close to Laurie until they could turn her over to her parents. She hadn’t gotten any worse, but she hadn’t gotten better either, and traveling would be hard on her. Zeke never argued with Hawk about anything medical.
    â€œDo you have everything you’ll need?” Zeke asked.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Josie snapped.
    â€œFood, something to heat water