Page 14 of Wannabe in Wyoming
She took a step toward the still closed screen door, keeping the barrier between them. Ethel had clamored up the steps at the sound of Willow’s voice. “Get off my land.”
“Now, Willow, that’s no way to talk to your husband.” He strode closer, clearly intending to come up onto the porch.
Before his foot hit the first step, she picked up the shotgun, not giving herself a chance to think about it. She kicked at the screen door’s frame, sending it flying, and shouldered the weapon. Her hands shook a little, but it was definitely from anger and not from the fact she was pointing a gun at someone for the first time in her life. Thechh chhof the pump action had Andrew freezing where he stood. “You’re not my husband, Andrew—you haven’t been in a very long time. Now, you’re nothing to me other than a trespasser. And around here, we shoot trespassers.”
His hands were raised, and actual fear appeared on his face. “What the fuck, woman? Put that thing down before you hurt someone!”
Taking two steps closer, she aimed the barrel to the left of him and fired into the dirt. Andrew paled and jumped about a foot straight up in the air, yelping in alarm. Quickly pumping the action again, she ejected the spent shell as a live round loaded into the chamber. “I have four more where that came from.”
“What the fuck! You shot at me!”
“If I’d shot at you, you’d be dead. I’m going to say it one more time, really slow, since you’re such a dumb ass. Get the fuck off my property before I decide you’re too stupid to live.”
“I’ll have you arrested! You tried to kill me!” he shouted as he quickly retreated to his car. “I’m calling the police!”
“Go ahead! I’ll be waiting right here.” She kept the shotgun trained on him until he was in his car and backing away in a cloud of dust.
Sure enough, twenty minutes later, the sheriff arrived at her house. She’d taken the time to put her groceries away before deciding to wait on the porch swing for him. There’d been no doubt in her mind Andrew would file a complaint against her. Sheriff Grady Minor was in his fifties and had been with the county’s sheriff department his entire adult life, having been elected to the top position after fifteen years as a deputy. Maddie Fisher had told her everyone loved him so much, he’d run uncontested during every election. He had the reputation of being firm but fair. Willow had been introduced to him briefly at the fourth of July parade but hadn’t had a chance to say more than hello to him because he’d had to run off for someone having a medical emergency. He’d seemed like the good guy everyone proclaimed him to be though, and as she waited to find out how much trouble she was in, she hoped that was true.
The lawman climbed out of his SUV and slowly ambled up to her side porch. He was dressed in his official brown uniform, complete with a badge over his heart, a duty belt around his hips, and a cowboy hat on his head. He had a strong physique that probably had most criminals thinking twice about going toe to toe with him.
“Where’s the shotgun, Ms. Crawford?”
“Inside by the door, where it’s always been. You here to arrest me, Sheriff?”
“Should I?” He took a step closer before crossing his arms and leaning his shoulder against one of the porch’s columns. “You shot at a man, trespassing or not, that’s against the law, unless he was threatening you, which he says he didn’t do.”
She tamped down her reemerging anger, remembering this man had the ability to toss her into a jail cell and throw away the key. “To be clear, I shotnearhim, notathim—a good eight-feet away from him. I’m sure I skirted the law a bit, but he got a fair warning.”
She should be afraid about being arrested, but for some reason she wasn’t. If she was still back East, she would already be face down in the dirt with her hands cuffed behind her back. But as she was learning, things were far different in Antelope Rock than Philly, and she was hoping this was one of those times where the cultural differences would lean in her favor. “Look, he’s my ex-husband, and he’s been harassing me since the divorce. I keep blocking his number, but he keeps getting new numbers to call me from. Shit, I moved across the country, Sheriff, and the bastard still tracked me down. The way I see it, if doing all that doesn’t get him to leave me alone, maybe buck shot will convince him.”
The corners of the sheriff’s mouth ticked upward, but he quickly ran a hand over his face to hide what she was sure had been the start of a smile. “Fair enough.” He pushed his hat higher up on his head and eyed her closely. “Mind if I sit?”
“Knock yourself out, Sheriff.” She scooted over on the large swing, making room for him as he climbed the steps.
“I ran your name before coming over here. You’ve never been in trouble, not so much as a damn parking ticket and now you’re shooting at a man.” He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to clarify she’d shot near him. “Jeremiah took you for some target practice, huh?”
“Yeah. He’s a good guy.” Sighing, she turned to look directly at him. “Look, if you’re going to take me in, fine, but I need to call Jeremiah, so he can come check on my chickens and cat.”
He shrugged. “As far as I’m concerned, everyone has the God given right to protect themselves and their property. Maybe more so since you’re out here all alone. No one was hurt. If you’d clipped him or his car, we might be having a different conversation. Your ex has been advised to be on his way to the airport, by the way. If you hear anything more from him, let me know. Keep that gun close. You never know what folks like him’ll do. I’ve seen situations like this go south real fast. I’d hate for something to happen to you.” He patted her leg and stood. “Remember, Ms. Crawford, I’m here to help. Call me if he shows back up before you go blowing holes in him.”
“If you’re not going to arrest me, please call me Willow. And I can’t make any promises about not blowing holes in my ex if he harasses me again, though I do promise, if he does, I’ll call you before it escalates.”
“I guess that’s going to have to be good enough, huh? Just make sure it’s justified. In fact, next time, yell that you see a rattler before you pull the trigger.” The smile he’d hid earlier appeared on his face, accompanied by a twinkle in his eyes. “Stay safe, Willow, and tell that cousin of mine not to be a stranger—I know the two of you are getting on pretty well.” At her look of confusion, he continued, “Jeremiah’s my cousin. His mom and mine are sisters, although they had a falling out years ago. He’s still kin though.” He descended the steps and strolled to his cruiser. He opened the driver’s door before pausing and looking back at her. “Oh, and Willow, welcome to Antelope Rock. Since you’ve officially discharged a weapon at someone, you get an honorary shot at Spurs & Bulls. See you later.”
Once again, she felt as if she’d fallen into an alternate reality. One where shootingnearsomeone got her a visit from the sheriff, but instead of being hauled off in cuffs, she’d been invited to go out drinking like it was a rite of passage to get a visit from the local fuzz. Apparently, times had changed in the past decade or so. From what she’d heard, it used to take years, a blood pact, and the sacrifice of a firstborn before newcomers in a small town were accepted into the fold. There were still people who talked in hushed tones or avoided her when they saw her, but they were far less than she’d expected. Antelope Rock was feeling like a home, where she could put down roots, more and more each day. Nice.
She couldn’t wait to tell Nathan.
With that in mind, she hopped off the swing and wandered down her long drive to the mailbox, hoping another letter was waiting for her.
Chapter Twelve
Dear Wannabe,
Nathan crumpled up the page,tossed it into a nearby wastebasket, and started over.
Dear Willow,
