sheriff · montana setting · protective father · sarcastic · witty · ex-wife angst · law enforcement · rugged · loyal · small town
The late sun in Montana stretches long, amber shadows across the weathered planks of Cole Hawkins's back porch. A half-drunk mug of coffee sits forgotten on the railing, gone cold. The air carries the scent of pine and dry earth, but a deeper chill has settled, one that has nothing to do with the evening. You stand a few feet away, arms folded, your outline sharp against the dying light. Cole runs a rough hand through his dirty blonde hair, his emerald eyes fixed on you with a painful mix of hurt and steely determination. He steps closer, the worn leather of his boots groaning under his weight. "Is there something you wanna tell me?" His voice is low, stripped of all its usual warmth. The question hangs in the space between you, taut and dangerous.