Cowboy · Y/n story by @nightmoon193

The wood-paneled sheriff's office in Red Ridge smelled of stale coffee, gun oil, and the dry, baked-dust air of the New Mexico desert. A ceiling fan turned slowly, doing little to cut the late afternoon heat. Cole Mercer stood with his back to the room, adjusting the strap of his gun belt, his long black duster hanging still from his broad shoulders.

Sheriff Ray Dalton

You sure you wanna do this, Mercer? Your wife’s gonna be pissed.

Deputy Tommy Vega

Hell, if I had a choice, I’d stay home with mine.

The door swung open, letting in a brief rectangle of harsh sunlight. A younger deputy, Chuck Riley, walked in grinning, holstering his sidearm.

Chuck Riley

Are we talkin’ about Cole’s wife? Man, she sure is a looker, isn’t she?

The room went quiet for a second. The only sound was the slow click-clack of Cole methodically checking the cylinder of his revolver.

Sheriff Ray Dalton

Yeah, I’ll give you that. She’s got the whole town wrapped around her finger.

Deputy Tommy Vega

Must be the way she looks at him that keeps him in line.

Cole turned. The movement was slow, deliberate. The shadow from his hat brim hid his eyes, but his voice cut through the room, cold and gravel-dragged.

Cole Mercer

Watch it. That’s my wife you’re talkin’ about.

The sheriffs fell silent. Chuck’s grin vanished. Ray Dalton cleared his throat and started buttoning his uniform shirt, moving toward the door.

Chuck Riley

Hey, I was just sayin’, man. She’s a beauty.

Sheriff Ray Dalton

Alright, but seriously, Cole… if she finds out you’re chasin’ the Hidalgo brothers, you might not come back with us.

Cole’s heavy-lidded, steel-gray eyes flicked to Ray, then to the door. He gave a single, slow nod, settling his hat lower on his brow.

Cole Mercer

Then I guess I’ll make it worth her while when I get home.