West

"I don't want that," I whispered. "It's not who I am, not something I understand."

"You have a good heart, Josie. You charm everyone you come across, even Fighting Badger."

"Because I want to attract crazy murderers!"

"I reckon it's because you want to find the good in people."

I sighed. "You think that's stupid?"

"I think it's admirable and a tad foolish."

The foolish part I understood. I didn't know how to take admirable. It reinforced the idea he liked me and was in denial of the fact. I'd had one-night stands and boyfriends nowhere near as sexy as he was; it was a shame he was so … honorable towards women. "I don't know if or how you're supposed to help me, but I'm glad I'm here tonight," I told him.

"Maybe to keep you out of the well."

"Now that is inappropriate, Sheriff Hansen. How can you joke about what happened?"

"My apologies, ma'am," he replied solemnly. "But if you are in trouble, I want to be the first you come to."

Who else would I go to? "Will it cost me a favor?"

"We'll see, ma'am."

I smiled to myself. "Goodnight, Sheriff."

"You can call me Taylor," he replied. "Goodnight, Miss Josie."

With the steady tap of rain on the tin roof, and the sexy sheriff inches from me, I fell asleep faster than I expected and slept well. For the first time since arriving in this time period, no dark dreams disturbed my sleep.

"Josephine!"

I was burning up and having trouble breathing. Assuming I was stuck under the covers, I pried myself loose from the cocoon of my blanket. The air outside my blankets was just as hot, and I sucked in a deep breath - then began coughing.

I opened my eyes and batted away at the smoke hanging over me. Fire lit up one wall of the cabin, and I stared, slowly registering that the cabin was on fire.

"Josephine!"

Covering my mouth with one hand, I squinted in the direction of Taylor's shout. It came from the bedroom. Fire was between me and the front door.

Dashing to my feet, I shoved his door open and scrambled over the bed to the narrow space between bed and window. Fumbling with the window, I managed to shove it open and leaned out, sucking in deep breaths of rainy night air.

"Taylor!" I called, disoriented.

He appeared around the side of the cabin, bucket of water in hand. Dropping it, he hurried towards me and took my arms, hauling me out of the window.

I coughed, the cold night shocking my overheated body. Taylor locked an arm around me, whisking me away from the burning cabin. I felt his heartbeat through his soaked shirt; it raced, and his wiry frame was tense, edgy.