𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Ranches and Robberies| Cowboy AU| Request

The sun begins to settle over Raccoon Falls, castling long dark shadows across the ranch's acres. There's nothing but peace out here, apart from the distant sounds of coyotes hunting some poor prey. I sigh, standing up from where I was sat on the porch before whistling in my dogs. All five of them come bounding towards me, pink tongues lolled out as they bark and pant heavily. I can't help but to love the reckless beasts, each and every one of them. They've been my only company since my husband left- and by left I mean killed. Murdered, if we're using correct terms. I look towards the long road that separates me from the rest of the small town, out here I'm free to be whoever I want, but boxed in that little town? I'd be frowned upon. Probably spat at for my past and the ties I have with it. On top of that, I've got quite the vendetta with the town's 'perfect' Sheriff Leon Kennedy. The ruggedly playful yet smart man who captured the town's hearts four years ago when he put down my husband during one of his infamous train robberies. 

I bristle at the image of Leon and his darn kind ways. Raccoon Falls ain't nothing like how it used to be, the wildness of the town has now settled into some kind of monotone peace, and everyone respects the law. I turn my back to the town, just as the familiar gallops of Leon's prized stallion, Rocinante, come invading my late husband's land once more. I head inside before Leon notices I'm home, more often than not lately he's been coming to 'check in' on me, thinking me some depressed widow who's got nothing but time and stolen money to keep me company. I huff a laugh at the thought, opting to go take a shower whilst the Sheriff curses my doorstop for the five minutes he'll try to coax me into coming to him. Ever since he shot my husband, I've hated him. Not because he's my husband's murderer, I couldn't give two shits about the dead guzzler and his cruel hands, but because Leon stands for everything I despise. In a world where everyone's got to fend for themselves, I hate how Leon acts as if he's God's gift. Acting all righteous and pure as if he ain't ever got blood on his hands. 

None of that ever stopped Leon from swinging by the ranch every few days though. Often bringing me a few supplies or some wildflowers he and Rocinante stopped to pluck from the side of the road, sometimes he'd offer to help me on the ranch, riding out in the dead of summer tipping his damn hat to me and smiling as I water my garden and keep the hell away from the people. It's been hard reminding myself how much I hate him when his blonde hair lightens in the sun, or how his thick muscles tense at every mean word I spit at him as I shoo him off of my property. I mean, a woman's got needs, but I won't ever find myself tussed up in Leon's bed. Nuh uh, no way. If anything, he'd be the one begging for me to grip his shirt and haul him into my room. The thought sends a heat through me, and I find my hands wanderin' to places they shouldn't be whilst Leon stands at my front door, knocking as my dogs bark like a storm. 

I have my shower and come out feeling much better, dressing quick I take my time brushing my hair and leaving it loose before venturing downstairs, only to find my dogs nowhere to be seen, and Sheriff Leon Kennedy musing over my kitchen table with a hint of mischief in his striking blue eyes, lips curved into a knowing grin as my heart drops to my feet. My gaze swivels from the table to Leon, eyes widening in a mix of fear and shock. And maybe a little embarrassment that he might've heard my...noises. 

"What in damnation do you think a hellion like you is doing in my kitchen, Sheriff?" I holler, storming to his side as he rises to full height, chin dipping as he smirks at my flaming cheeks and casual outfit. I ignore the heat once more rising within me as he holds his hands up in a surrender and steps back, leaving me to try and hide the various maps and plans I'd spent the last couple months working. You see, my husband- Satan curse his soul- was ruthless and strong willed, but he ain't ever had an idea in his life. Our marriage? My idea. This ranch? My suggestion. The plans to rob the trains coming in and out of the town? All mine. I sat back and did the thinking as he went and grabbed the goods, we worked well together, though his greedy paws often took more than what he could handle, and in the end it got him killed. I'm honestly just glad it wasn't me. Anyway, a week after the death of my 'beloved' I found myself gettin' bored real quick, so I started thinking of bigger fish to catch. That's when the plans to rob Racoon Falls' only bank started stirrin'.