Tennessee re-entered his hideout in the clock tower above the town's library. The familiar oak furnishings welcoming him home after an eventful 12 hours. The raccoon laid Ol' Blue gently into her case, pulled off his gloves; he slumped into a nearby chair with his hat covering his eyes.
He sat for a few seconds before he noticed a sound; or rather lack thereof. An alarm. Even after being so bold in order to get Ol' Blue back, she hadn't alerted her father? He let out a low chuckle as a grin split his lips; well, no lass could resist his charms, heartbreaker was his middle name after all.
His cocky grin faded however upon her face appearing behind his lids. He realised then that he could still smell her on him; fresh laundry mingled with the burning tobacco of his cigar. A simple yet pleasant combination. His eyes slowly opened, he slid forward with a long sigh. One hand taking off his hat, the other rubbing though the long fur on his head. After a few deep calming breaths, he slowly licked his lips. She was still there, tantalisingly close. Strawberries and mint leaves.
He sat for a long while. Saying nothing. Only slowing his rushing mind and racing heart.
A small sound broke him from his stupor. A bell. The library door's bell. Normally he would ignore such an insignificant occurrence. However it was his friend Joseph McQeen's words that drew his attention.
"Ah, Mz. Tyler. What're ya doin' here so soon after yer introduction?" His deep baritone voice echoed through the virtually empty library.
Her alto english voice tinkled though his floorboards soon after. "Oh, you see I had to leave most of my reading material back in New York. So I figured I could find something here to occupy my time.
A throaty laugh followed. "I-I got ya ma'am. Anything specific ya have a hankerin' for?"
There was a pause in their conversation and Tennessee took the opportunity to slip into the library below him. Joseph, a rather scrawny wolf, despite his voice being deeper than mostly everyone in town; seemed entranced by the beauty that stood before him. A blush on his cheeks and a squirm in his stance. And she sure noticed, tilting her head in an innocent naive way that caught the sun just right; making her eyes sparkle like emeralds.
She looked at him with a sugary smile, leaned over the counter just enough so he could catch a glimpse down her bodice; while pretending to inspect the scratches on the desktop. "Do you have any books about America's interaction with England or Japan?"
He saluted her as she stood back to full height. "Y-yes ma-am I'll be right back with every thing I have! You can borrow them for as long as you like! No charge!"
She feigned surprise. "Oh! Well aren't you sweet!" She then leaned back over the counter and planted a kiss on his grey cheek.
Tennessee swore he saw an explosion of steam above Joseph's head. He sputtered and stumbled about, promising to retrieve her books. Making sure to avoid her gaze this time, Tennessee landed with a thump beside his wolfy friend.
Before the flustered wolf could let out a yelp of surprise, Tennessee pinned him against the bookshelf; a forearm pressed harshly against his throat and a hand roughly covering his mouth. The blush drained from Joseph; until seeing the familiar smirk that covered the raccoon's face, making the wolf's tension disappear. However Tennessee did not uncover his mouth, instead speaking to him in a harsh whisper.
"What's she doin' here Jo?"
The wolf spoke without a gasp for air after Tennessee uncovered his mouth. Blush back on his cheeks. "I dunno Kid she's here aft'r all. Lookin' for books maybe? Nothin' suspicious 'bout that. More than I can say for you; yer livin in ma attic Tennessee! At least learn yourself with some books!"
The raccoon shook his head with a low chuckle; taking a step back to give the wolf his space. "This 'learning' hasn't helped yer speakin much."
Deciding to let the comment fly with a simple dirty look and a growl in Tennessee's direction; Joseph scratched his chin in thought. "Ya know though, books on matters between countries... What on God's good earth could she want with that? I reckon, she might want some kinda cloths-makin-how-to book.
Tennessee gave him a hum of agreement. "Oi, I met this choir boy last night. Goes by Phillip, green eyes, light fur. You met him?"
The wolf cycled through his memory; which had long since memorised every book in the library, including archives and the city census. When a man is ostracised by all but a bank robber, he tends to have a lot of extra time with nothing to do.
In the end, the wolf shook his head. "No Phillip. Not lookin' like that anyway."
With an aggravated sigh, Tennessee tried a different approach. "He was takin' money for fights in the saloon yesterday, you don' get that kinda respect in a night. Ringin' any bells Jo?"
The wolf smacked himself in the forehead. "Dang-nabbit Tennessee! I done told you ev'ry day the past week to lay low! I told ya 'bout the new marshal!"
Realisation smacked Tennessee in his own forehead. "That's what ya'llve been goin' on about?! I thought it was about another one of yer books!"
Joseph chuckled quietly. "Tennessee yer 'bout as sharp as a bowlin' ball."
A grin graced the outlaw's features. "Yeah well at least I ain't one of the pins."
The wolf gave Tennessee a joking jab in the arm. "Pleeze Kid, you couldn't hit me if we were tied together with a stretched bungee and I was glued to the ground."
"Mister McQueen?" Was accompanied by echoing clicks of heeled shoes.
When Priscilla came from around the corner, Joseph McQueen stood alone with a blush on his face and five well worn books in his hands.
"These are all the ones I know of Mz Tyler. If you came back later I could find sommore."
Priscilla smiled gratefully, taking the books gracefully from him. "Thank you sir. These shall suffice for the time being. However if you come across any more; please send them to me with all due haste."
Joseph lifted his hat to the lady as she walked from the library; the bell tinkling in her wake.
"Tennessee?" He called. "Wher'd ya go?"
When he returned to the isle, he saw the Kid roll out from the bottom shelf of books with a sigh of relief. The wolf slapped his knee and hooted. "Tennessee yer slipperier than fish ice cream in the desert."
Chapter 3 after the longest wait ever! I'm so sorry but the wait after this is probably gonna be even longer. You see I know the plot of the story but I need a bit of filler to get there. And nothings harder than writing filler and making it interesting. So if you want to help, P.M me or Review your ideas! If I use it? I'll mention you in the respective chapter.