I watched the men who found me ride away towards the west. It was possible that the sheriff was suspicious and shuttered towards everyone. The pioneers had a rough life, from what I recalled. They had no driver's licenses or biometric identification systems here, either. It wasn't like he was able to run my fingerprints to verify I was their Josie.
Maybe this was his issue: the sudden reappearance of John's daughter was suspicious.
I hope that's it. That there were more people in the past that didn't belong, time travelers like me, was an idea that seemed likely to blow my mind.
I trailed John inside and into his study. Unable to move past his expression at seeing me, or the guilt it caused, I felt like I had to tell the kindly man that I wasn't really his daughter. His emotion was too pure, his heart too good for me to lie to him. After all, once I found Taylor Hansen and Running Bear, I was leaving. My heart was kind of squishy. I didn't like hurting people.
John was seated in the sitting area, and I made an effort to prepare what I was going to tell him.
However, my first challenge was making it to the low, low settee across from him without cutting off my air supply. I struggled to sit without pitching over or asphyxiating.
"It is very fortunate you returned this week, my daughter," John started. His voice was warm. One of the house servants lit his pipe for him. "Your timing is perfect."
I watched the servant, uncomfortable about an era that included slaves and servants. Settling on the settee, I waited, uncertain why now mattered and too curious to hijack the conversation. If he noticed the awkward way I sat, leaning to one side to breathe decently, he said nothing.
John waved the servant away, and the two of us were left in quiet. He puffed on his pipe. When he didn't expand on his declaration, I decided to speak.
"I need to tell you something," I started.
"I imagine you have much to say about where you've been," he replied, smiling. "Much I don't want to know. I am simply grateful you're back. This week is special."
"Really? Why?"
"It is the week I was to revise my will. But I've sent word that I no longer need to do so. All my property and goods will go to you, as planned, rather than your cousin, Philip."
"Oh." What does this have to do with anything? He was gazing at me expectantly. "But, I mean, you have many good years of health left, so I think maybe Philip might be a good choice, especially since I … um, am young." My words sounded forced and awkward to my own ears. Heat crept up my neck.