Days Pass...

A few days passed and since then, things had been relatively normal. A rarity for the weasel sheriff but she wasn’t complaining, not one bit. A small robbery here or there but nothing too major she couldn’t handle. Heavy hitters like Roxxie, Georgia, or any of the others hadn’t shown their hands. Which she was thankful for, she wasn’t in the mood to be pounded into paste (literally) or subjugated to their ‘gaseous’ artillery.

“And those are at least the tolerable ones, sad as it is.” She muttered, sitting at her desk and cleaning her gun.

The sound of shuffling prompted her to look up. April was standing on her chair, adjusting something on the wall behind her desk.

“April?” The occupied vixen yelped and nearly lost her balance at the sound of her name. She quickly righted herself as Texas got up and went over to her.

“Y-yes sheriff?” The deputy asked.

“Are you alright? What are you doing?” Texas questioned. She then looked up at the wall. “And what is that?”

“Oh, ah’m alright.” April answered. She got off the chair, dusted her pants, and gestured toward the wall. “Ah got it from that new art store. Thought ah spruce up the place a bit, plus ah got a good deal on it! What do you think?”

The sheriff looked at the item in question. It was a framed painting of green hills against a bright blue sky with a few trees dotted around and the sun placed in the upper corner. She didn’t know much about art, but she could tell those colors blended well. Whoever did this must’ve been skilled. Even the blades of grass had intricate detail.

“Mr. Gilligan mentioned he made this to call back to growing up in Ireland. It’s called ‘The Rolling Hills of Home’.” April commented. “Isn’t it pretty?”

“Ah suppose.” She replied. Tex thought for a few moments before looking at her deputy. “April, what are your thoughts? What do you think of this character?”

The vixen blinked, responding after thinking for a second. “On Mr. Gilligan? He seems ok. Greeted me really nicely when ah went into the store, there were so many pictures and paintings he did himself! He really is quite talented.”

“Yeah, but ah wonder what other ‘talents’ he has?” Tex muttered under her breath. April looked at her superior with confusion.

“You don’t trust him?”

“Ah don’t trust anyone who got Vivian’s promotion. Whatever deal they got, it can’t be good for the town. Especially us.” The sheriff cynically answered.

April looked at Texas with concern. Sure, many of the crooks and bandits she faced were in the corrupt mayor’s pocket. And maybe, any new face in town is here to stir up trouble. And sure, Vivian was always on the lookout for someone to take her out. But that didn’t mean everyone was out to get her!

She placed a comforting hand on the sheriff’s shoulder and gave a warm smile. “Just try and give him a chance. Not everyone’s a no-good varmint.”

Texas raised an eyebrow. “You trust him that much?”

“Ah just don’t want you to be suspicious of every new face you see. Whatever they have, Mr. Gilligan doesn’t seem dangerous to me. Talk to him, he might just surprise you.” April explained her reason.

The sheriff thought for a moment. Maybe it was just the constant battles and feelings she’s had towards the mayor; she wasn’t normally this cynical. She hadn’t even met this Rory personally and she already labeled him as another one of Vivian’s hired thugs. Chastising herself, she gave April a small smile.

“Alright, ah’ll give him a chance. No promises if he crosses the line though.” Her deputy gave a bright grin. She really was one of the few good things she had in this town. Tex tilted her head curiously. “It’s rare for you to trust someone you just met.”

April blinked; a small blush formed as she nervously scratched behind her ear. “W-Well, ah just figure that maybe being friendly would give a good first impression on us. Make sure he doesn't think we’re hurtin’ the town and all.”

‘Uh huh, sure.’ Texas narrowed her eyes. She then leaned forward, her nose touching her deputies’ and a teasing grin on her face. “And the fact he’s a handsome looking, city fox ain’t got nothin’ to do with it. Hopin’ to put on the ol’ feminine charm to be his next inspiration. April Briggs, you sly little vixen.”

“Wh-No ah’m n- Ah mean ah would neve-” She sputtered, barely finishing words as she backed up, a bright blush making her entire face red.

Texas chuckled as she saw her thoroughly embarrassed deputy. It was a rare thing but she truly enjoyed these calming, peaceful moments.

And of course, the calmness was broken when the door to the office was opened.