Not what she expected

“…And so I says ‘Listen lad, I understand yer upset and we can hash dis out like gentlemen. But it be a cold day down below before some pompous braggart, barely away from his mother’s tit, can come toward me home, insults me family, and expects an apology.’ Needless sayin', he didn’t take it kindly.” Rory said, telling a story from back home.

“Ah would imagine so, all things considered.” Annabelle replied, leaning against the bar counter, smirk on her face and drink in hand. She then cocked an eyebrow. “Although can you really blame him? Ah mean, ah’d be right upset too if someone drew a full-size, nude portrait of my significant other. Ah’m sure you had quite the time though?”

The fox gasped in shock, leaning back with a hand to his chest. “I was ever da gentleman! And she asked me because me work spoke for itself. And it was a gift for him! How was I knowin’ dat cat was ornery than a bull?!”

The large cow chuckled as Rory tried to defend himself. Glancing up, her mirth soon dropped as her mouth thinned.

“Well Mr. Gilligan, it seems your ‘guest’ has arrived.” She monotoned, pointing a finger toward the entrance.

The fox looked in the direction and a wide grin broke out across his face. “Dat she has, welcome sheriff! Come on over, da drinks are just grand!”

Texas just stood there, slack-jawed and dumbfounded. She didn’t know what stunned her more at that moment: the town’s newest resident chatting casually with Annabelle of all people or the state of the bar and its patrons.

Chairs and tables were knocked over, some even damaged. Some of the patrons were either on their backs or faced down in their own puke while others were helping their drunken friends stand back up, only to fail miserably. The two standouts were a bull, she thinks it was one of the Longhorn brothers, laid out in the middle of a broken table and a rat in the corner possessively hoarding a pile of money.

‘What in tarnation happened in here?’ So lost in her thoughts and surroundings she didn’t notice movement in front of her.

“Nice finally meetin’ ye, sheriff. I’ve heard plenty about ye.” Rory walked in front of her, hand stretched out in front of him. “Rory Gilligan, pleasure meetin’ ye.”

Blinking, Texas looked at the hand and owner. Finally, face to face, she noticed that the male fox stood a few inches taller than her, 6ft she guessed, and she noticed a slight musky smell from him. Aside from the green eyes, he seemed okay. Thinking back to Amy’s words, she took the hand and shook it.

“Texas Stanton, Gold Springs’ sheriff.” She responded.

Rory grinned. “Nice finally puttin’ a face towards the name! And a right pretty one!”

“Flattery won’t get you any perks from me.” She spoke. Glancing around, she gestured at the saloon’s current state. “Mind explainin’ what happened in here.”

The fox chuckled nervously as he rubbed the back of his head. “Heh, well dat’s a tale worth tellin’. It basically be one thing led on towards another.”

He walked back to the counter and motioned to follow. Texas cautiously followed, carefully stepping around or over passed-out patrons. She had a small close call when one drunkenly made a grab for her but missed. They reached the destination and the sheriff stared flatly up at the owner.

“Anna.”

“Texas.”

“Ah, so ye two know each other?” Rory mentioned, unaware of the tension.

“Oh yes, Ms. Stanton and ah have quite the history.” Annabelle replied.

“Yeah, she’s just another in the long line of headaches ah deal with in this town.” Texas spoke angrily.

“Why Texas, you wound me.” Annabelle moaned, feigning innocence. She looked to Rory. “See how she accuses me. Ah’ve paid my debt to society and simply wish to run my bar in peace.”

“Then explain why every no-good varmint in this town makes this place their waterin’ hole, plottin’ and schemin’ their next plan! And you allow it!” The sheriff snapped back.

“Client secrecy.” The cow leaned down to look Texas in the eye. “A gal’s got to have a solid client base. We can’t all be sittin’ secure financially, little miss do-gooder.”

Texas was starting to fume in anger. “Ah’ll show you do-gooder, you no good-”

“Okay! I think dat’s enough.” The Irish fox gently moved the weasel sheriff back. “I sense ye two have a complicated relationship. So, how’s about we finish da day.”

“What?” Both women asked.

“Fun as all Dis was, I should be gettin’ home. Left me shop far longer than I thought.” He explained, grabbing his cane. “Besides, I feel it best we make ourselves scarce, Ms. Stanton. I doubt any of these lads will be happy once they start standin' again.”

Texas glanced around the saloon and saw some of the patrons regaining some of their faculties and glaring at the two, more so at her.

“Fair point.” She concluded.

“And hey, how’s about I tell ye da story on da way? If ye don’t mind?” Rory offered.

The sheriff pondered the offer for a moment. She still didn’t know all that much about him and she still worried about the prospect of him being another one of Vivian’s hired thugs. But this could be an opportunity to gauge him. Besides, she was going to have to go the gallery at some point, might as well be now.

“Alright, Mr. Gilligan. You have a deal.”

“Dat’s Grand!” The fox grinned widely. “And please, call me Rory. Mr. Gilligan makes me sound like me father.”

Texas quirked an eyebrow. “We’ll see. Shall we go?”

“Right away! Just one moment.” Rory opened his satchel and pulled out a small bag. Reaching his hand in, he pulled out something and placed it on the counter. “A little something for ye, Belle. For da trouble.”

Annabelle smirked as she glanced down. “Well, thank you, Rory. But ah don’t think a couple of bills will be enou-”

The cow’s words died in her throat as her eyes bulged out when the fox removed his hand from the counter. Texas followed suit in her own reaction.

“Are those gold coins?!” She gaped.

Sure enough, on the wooden counter were three golden coins. Annabelle picked one up and brought it to her face. She looked it over, light reflecting off it. Trying a true test, she brought it to her mouth and bit down on it. The sharp pain was worth it to confirm the coin was genuine.

“I figure it be enough compensation for da damage and booze. Plus, a little something for yerself.” He said with a wink.

“And ah will gladly accept it.” She smiled widely as she eagerly scooped up the other coins. Texas stared agape as Rory placed the bag back into his satchel.

“How?” she breathed out.

“What can I say? Da art business has been kind.” He then picked what she thought was a flattened disk and gestured towards the door. “Now then, shall we?”

Texas could only head towards the door as Rory followed close behind. The fox opened them and bowed, Texas shaking her head as she stepped out. Rory righted himself and glance back at the bar.

“Thank ye for da drinks, Belle. Me offer still stands whenever ye want.”

Annabelle smirked as she leaned over the bar. Her arms pressed together to make her large breasts pop more. “Ah might take ye up on that offer. Ah just had this nice, tight dress finished for me, and ah’ve been meanin’ to break it in. Think you can handle it, foxy~?”

Rory just gave that cocky grin and winked before walking out. The owner of The Crushed Weasel glanced around her saloon before eyeing the gold coins in her hand.

“Things might have just gotten interestin’.”