I leapt out, not caring what the onlookers thought of my less than womanly behavior. I hurried around the carriage to Nell. Before I could speak, Nell did.
"I don't know what you said to convince your father of this, but marrying beneath you is a mistake, Miss Josie."
"I didn't do this!" I exclaimed. "I told him I'd take Trevor!"
"The boy? He's little better."
I can't win with this woman. I gave a sigh of frustration and crowded Nell as we walked up the stairs towards the store. "How do we stop this?"
"You do not. You do as your father says."
"But I don't want to marry him."
Nell gave me a disapproving look.
Sensing I wasn't going to win any argument with my nanny, I glanced in the direction of the sheriff's office. The door was open. "Nell, I'm going to have a word with him," I said firmly.
"What would you say to your betrothed?"
"I'm going to tell him not to marry me or at least to wait a little longer, so I can prepare myself mentally. How can Father just toss me off on some man like he's selling a cow or something?"
"Watch your tone, Miss Josie." Nell glanced at passersby who were looking at me curiously.
"I don't want to watch my tone."
"Then go take it out on your soon to be husband."
I all but ran to the sheriff's office and entered without knocking. For once, the woman didn't follow, and I assumed it was because my babysitter was fed up with me.
He was seated at his desk, long legs stretched out and his boots crossed on the corner of the desk. Loud snoring came from one of the three jail cells. I glimpsed a man passed out on the floor. Facing Taylor, I hesitated, not quite sure how to say what I wanted to without sounding mean after he took me in last night.
"If you agree, I want to wait," I told him firmly. "I don't care what my father said or how much you may want his money. We need to … court first." At least until my mission is done and I leave.
Taylor's bright green gaze settled on me, his expression one of guarded curiosity. "What're you talking about, ma'am?"
"Ma'am? Really?" I asked. "We spent the night together, Taylor."
Red crept up his neck.
"I'm talking about my father's letter. He sent it to town two hours ago."
There was genuine puzzlement on his features. He leaned back in his desk. "I've been out of my office for a few hours."
"So you didn't get a letter?"