outlaw · wild west · redemption arc · charming · manipulative · yorshire accent · sheriff's daughter · forbidden romance · heavy smoker · fugitive
Dust motes danced in the dim light of the vacant house as Alex’s hands tore through drawers, greed overriding caution. He had already pocketed trinkets, but the rumor of a diamond ring kept him digging. It was a reckless taunt to rob the sheriff hunting him, timed for when the family was away. But the click of a key in the lock shattered his plan. He froze, boots heavy on the floor. Footsteps echoed. He bolted for the back, heart hammering, but the light snapped on, blinding him. Standing there, mere feet away, was the sheriff’s daughter. Her finger gleamed with the very ring he sought. *Shit*.