#sheriff's daugher

[rambosgirl]

The Sheriff's Daughter - Chapter 3

Guys this took way too long. I'm so sorry about that but it's here now! Enjoy!

Masterlist here with the other chapters

Your mind raced as you saw your dad and John walking up toward you at the police station. Your dad saw you through the glass door, but you weren't sure if John knew you were there yet, his head hung low.

'Why is he here? What could John have possibly done?' You didn't have long to think until your dad pushed the doors open and you were met with your dad's steel blue gaze and John's soft brown eyes.

John looked at you with a quiet sadness, while your dad looked at you proudly, as if to say 'Look what I arrested today'. You knew your dad took a lot of pride in his job, especially as sheriff, but this was different. His lips were turning upward into a smirk as he walked to the front desk. He seemed to be enjoying this.

"Hey, buzz us in will ya?" Your dad quipped to a nearby officer.

"Hey, talk about your sorry-lookin' humanity," the officer responded. You grimaced at the rude comment.

Once he was past the front desk, you followed him close, not sure what to say.

"Good morning Arthur," your dad chipped, as if nothing was the matter.

"Mornin' Will," he replied, taking his headphones off.

"I want you to book this gentleman for vagrancy, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed weapon," your dad commanded Arthur, unsheathing a large knife.

"Dad, what's going on? Do you know him?" You questioned him, but your dad ignored you in response.

"He says he uses it for hunting"

"What are you huntin'? Elephants?" Arthur chuckled.

"Dad, please." You were confused, and you didn't think your dad was going to help you anytime soon. Desperately, you turned to Mitch, your eyes pleading for help from him as your dad kept talking to the other deputies. He looked back at you helplessly. While the older officers were here, there was really nothing he could do to help.

"See if you can clean him up a bit. He smells like an animal."

Arthur began testing John's knife, slicing a paper from his desk. "Hey Mitch," he called to the young redhead.

"Yo?"

"Escort this young man downstairs"

"Yes sir" Mitch responded, making his way toward John. "Right this way partner," he said softly. John gave you one last look before being led away by the young deputy.

You couldn't believe what was happening around you. You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to hear yourself think in all the chaos - both in your head and reality. You were in shock, and all you wanted were answers. You saw your dad had gone to his office, so you made your way to him.

You walked into his office, shutting the door behind you, then took a deep breath before facing him.

"You wanted something sweetie?" Your dad asked. You calmed your racing mind for a moment before responding. "Yes, I want to know what John was arrested for."

"Who?"

"The man you just brought in?" You questioned. Your dad's eyes turned colder, more stern. You knew that look. "And how do you know his name?" your dad asked, eyes narrowing. You knew he wouldn't like the answer you gave.

"I met him this morning on my run to the Danforth's," you studied his face, looking for any changes in demeanor before continuing, "He's quite nice actually, I can't imagine he'd do anything to get himself arrested."

"Are you accusing your own father of wrongfully arresting a man?"

"No, no Dad, that's not what I meant," you tried to troubleshoot the conversation, which seemed to be falling apart right in front of you. You huffed a breath of frustration, looking up at the ceiling. "I just want to know why," you spoke softly, looking back at your dad.

He thought for a moment, eyes softening. His body language shifted, taking in the words and emotions expressed to him by his daughter. He opened his mouth, then promptly closed it. It seemed like something clicked in his mind, his demeanor returning to its former coldness.

"What is it to you, do you have a schoolgirl crush on that violent criminal or somethin'?" he talked fast, in his usual style. His tone was joking, but you knew him. He was genuinely wondering. No response came to your mind, but your dad took your silence as an answer, his mood seeming to shift again into something gravely serious.

"You can't be serious sweetheart. Do you know how deranged that is to like a man like that? How deranged he is?"

"He's not deranged," you asserted.

"Obviously you didn't see what I saw. How animalistic and crazed he is," he quipped back. "Now, be a good girl, head home, and let's put this all behind us. Just forget you even met him," he said, waving his hand dismissively.

With that, he decided the conversation was over, returning to his work. You took the hint and walked out of his office, feeling dejected. You considered taking Bullet and going home but shoved the thought out of your mind. You wanted to stay for John and see if you could help him. With your dad's insistence over the matter, it felt impossible, but you determined it was worth a shot.

You noticed your dad heading down where they were processing John. You thought about following him while the door was unlocked but quickly decided against it. Your dad would kill you.

You resigned to sitting on a chair in the waiting area, not knowing what to do with yourself. You thought about finding John, but the challenge would be avoiding your dad in the process. Just as you were about to get up, you heard a commotion somewhere in the building. It sounded like it was coming from downstairs.

As you approached the door to investigate, it burst open, revealing John, his wild eyes landing on you. He quickly sprung back into action, running past you toward the front doors. Officers moved to stop him anywhere they could, but he dodged them with practiced movements and ran out the door.

You hesitated for a moment, your heart pounding in your ears. You had an idea. A stupid, impulsive idea.

You sprinted out of the building and turned towards Bullet, tied at a post a few feet away. He looked at you, ears perked, and sensing your urgency, he raised his head with wide eyes and shuffled anxiously, letting out a snort.

As you unclipped Bullet's lead rope, you saw John in the street, taking a guy off his motorbike and mounting it, riding into traffic and towards the mountainous forest surrounding the town.

You climbed into your saddle and began to ride after him when police officers burst through the door, your dad leading the charge.

As Bullet started moving into a frantic trot, your dad shouted your name, his voice carrying across the street. "Are you out of your mind? Get off that horse!"

You refused to look back and acknowledge him, urging Bullet forward after John.

You rode for a few seconds before a shot rang out, the loud, piercing sound startling Bullet as he jumped to the side and kicked out, his nose flaring from the stress. You re-balanced in your saddle and spared a dirty glance back at the officers before pushing Bullet into a gallop.

You caught sight of John, riding the motorbike on the sidewalk but transferring to the road after a few seconds. You directed Bullet toward him, keeping him in your sights.

You could feel Bullet's surge of energy beneath you, matching your own adrenaline rush. The pounding of his hooves on the pavement paired with his rhythmic breaths and the wind rushing past your ears were the only things you could hear.

And just like that, you were all in.

[letsreadwomen]

✨📚54321 tag📚✨

Tagged by the esteemed @thecasualbookreviewer, thank you (and with my apologies for the silly delay)! ✨

🌻 5 Books I’m loving / have loved:

These all received 5 stars from me when I read them recently (i.e. within the last 2 years because I’m picky about my 5-star ratings like that) 🥰

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (narrated by Kirsten Potter) - this was a reread but first time as an audiobook and it definitely holds up. Anything that’s built on the premise of “survival is not enough“ and the importance of culture and especially active culture and also remembrance and stories is all absolute catnip to me.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison - yes I picked this up because someone I’m following (who I can’t remember right now) was always talking this up. and you know what, they were right. I’ve also read the companion novel now but I prefer the focus on political intrigue with this one.

Firekeeper’s Daugher by Angeline Boulley - an absolutely unexpected joy, a thrill to read. The strength of a community can defeat most anything!!

Sitting Pretty: The View From My Ordinary, Resilient, Disabled Body by Rebekkah Taussig (narrated by the author) - by far one of my favourite non fiction reads (maybe my ambivalence about memoirs is something I made up about myself). Frank and open and openhearted, this is a fantastic read.

The Hopkins Manuscript by R.C. Sheriff - this was or book club and the first one we read since we started a year ago where everyone unanimously agreed it was a great read. Also one of my few forays into reading fiction from before like, the 80s. Amazing how much the author was able to predict about the future we now live.

🌼4 autobuy authors:

These are authors I name whenever someone can only think of male SFF authors as their favourites: Melina Marchetta, Juliette Marillier, Kristen Cashore, and Anna-Marie McLemore.

🌸3 genres i love:  

Not to be too specific or anything but: unwilling companions on a road trip by foot, timey-wimey or otherwise ~weird~ murder mysteries, and uhhhhhh queer horror sure.

🌺2 places I love to read:

RIP the reading corner at my previous place, consisting of: bean bag, little stand next to me for tea and snacks and a scented candle, fairy lights, and a mermaid tail blanket. Second place goes to the sun trap terrace with lazy chairs in my parents’ garden.

🌷1 book/series I promised to read:

I just started Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb and intend to complete at least the Farseer trilogy!

i’m not tagging anyone bc i feel i lost the right after taking so long to answer this.... byt if anyone is keen please jump in and tag me!

[rambosgirl]

The Sheriff's Daughter

Your day started out simple enough. You stood in the kitchen, preparing a basket of food, medicine, and some small blankets. Your skirt flowed against your legs as you whisked around the kitchen, gathering more supplies.

You were going to take it to a nearby rural area for the people there who needed help, help you were able and willing to provide. You weren't rich by any means, but when your dad's the sheriff of the town, well, you have more than others.

It was still dark out, but you were determined to get an early start since you had a while to walk. You quickly scribbled a note to your parents telling them where you were going before grabbing your coat and heading out the door.

The air was brisk and cold, coming as a shock to you. You started walking faster, hoping to create some sort of warmth. The full basket heavy in your hands, you were determined to get there as quick as you could. From past experience, you knew it would take you about 30 minutes to walk. Besides the ache already forming in your arms though, you really didn't mind. Helping these people you had already gotten to know was worth the effort. Many in that smaller village were affected by the Vietnam War, and that made your heart tug in several directions.

Before long, you saw the sun starting to peek above the horizon. You knew you were almost there, and making good time, too.

You arrived at the village as people were starting to come out of their homes, starting their work for the day. Children's laughs and playful shrieks filled the rural town as they ran around playing with each other. You made your way to the first few houses, distributing food and supplies at each. You liked to make sure that took time to talk with the people, getting to know and love them.

You soon came upon the house you knew the most, belonging to a widow named Mrs. Barry and her children. You could see her hanging the laundry to dry, but that wasn't the only thing you saw. There was a man you didn't recognize, slowly moving away from her before coming back to give her what looked like a slip of paper. He made eye contact with you as he started walking away again. You averted your eyes and continued down the path toward Mrs. Barry, greeting her as you got closer.

"Mrs. Barry," you called, "I'm back with more medicine!" You got closer and set your basket down. "How have you been?"

You talked with her next to the laundry, even helping her put the last of it up to dry before she invited you inside. Once through the front door, you headed to the table and set out the remainder of your basket.

"Thank you," Mrs. Barry said, "We are so grateful for your visits. God bless you, my dear."

"It's my pleasure, Mrs. Barry. Is there anything else I can do for you? Anything I can bring?"

"We're okay here, you've already done so much for us," she replied.

You chuckled before responding. "I'll be back in a few weeks then."

She was amused by your answer, helping you to the door. "I suppose I'll see you then," she said.

You stepped outside, saying your goodbyes before heading back down the path you came, empty basket in hand.

Since he had seen her coming down the path toward Delmar's old place, he was determined to know more about this mystery girl. Rambo had stuck around, sitting under a tree, just observing the town around him, but keeping an eye on her, talking with the widow of his friend.

Soon they both moved inside the house, staying there for a while. He let his mind wander. How did she know Delmar's wife? She definitely didn't look like she belonged here, so why was she here? She's probably a friend, visiting from a nearby town.

Which was good for him, he was getting hungry. He could use a nearby town.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when he saw the girl making her way on the path that lead away from the village. Rambo stood up and made his way toward her.

You started on your path down the road, preparing yourself for the trek back home. You heard footsteps behind you and turned to face a man who seemed to want to talk with you. The first thing you noticed was his height - you had to look up to see his face. He had dark brown hair, a face with a sharp jawline, and eyes that were hard, but had something in them you couldn't describe. You actually found him quite handsome.

Rambo had some similar thoughts about you, seeing you up closer for the first time. He quickly took in your soft features, your long and light hair, and the dress that seemed to hug your sides perfectly.

"Is there a town nearby?" he asked.

His voice was a surprise to you, deeper than you expected. "Oh, um yes!" you exclaimed, getting over your initial shock at his voice. "I'm heading there now."

"Can I join you?" He asked, stepping a bit closer.

"Yes, of course. Although I should tell you, it's about 30 minutes of walking." You smiled up at him as if inviting a challenge.

"I'll manage," he said, smiling softly back.

Hey people, I hope whatever random corner of the internet that's reading this enjoyed my first piece on my blog. I have another writing blog, but it's Star Wars, so I decided to make a separate one for Rambo since there's not nearly enough content for him out there :(

Anyway, Part 2 is in the works (in my head at least)

[rambosgirl]

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