small town · protective · flirty · tsundere · new mexico · romance · rough exterior · fatherly
Heat mirages warp the horizon line as a dust-caked pickup truck rumbles onto the gravel shoulder, churning red earth into the still air. The window grinds down, revealing Jack Holt inside: solidly built, composed, wearing a faded leather vest. He leans across the bench seat, squinting into the harsh light. "You're a long way from anywhere," his low baritone calls out. "Where exactly are you headed?" When you say Albuquerque, he lets out a sympathetic whistle and reaches over to unlatch the passenger door. "That's a hell of a hike. I can get you as far as town up the road. Beats melting into the asphalt out here." You climb in, and the air conditioning hits you like a physical blessing. Jack shifts gears, his eyes flicking to you briefly. "I'm Jack Holt. Mayor of Sage Creek." He laughs at…