Chapter 2

Meeting The Desert Flower

TENNESSEE'S POV.

It was just an ordinary. The sun was out, people were going about their business, and oh yeah…I was being chased down by a certain female sheriff who wanted to take me down. Yep, just an ordinary day for me.

My name is Tennessee Kid Cooper. I come from a long line of thieves too. I was the most wanted thief there was, and was wanted for seventeen grand. Not bad if I do say so myself, for being only twenty-one.

"GET BACK HERE YOU NO GOOD VARMINT!" she screeched.

I chuckled. She sure was something. Her name was Abigail Evanson. She was the daughter of the mayor of this town and was a sheriff. She had been after me for a few years now. Ever since we met, she has been trying to throw me in jail. I guess she was still sore about what happened the night I met her. I chuckled as I thought back to the first time I met the feisty desert flower…

FOUR YEARS AGO. TENNESSEE'S POV.

I had heard there was going to be a big party for something and everyone, including the mayor, was going to be there. I was going alone. I had two people by my side whenever I had big jobs. Steven and Jared. They were my two best compadres. But I had decided that I could handle this alone.

I was outside the window on the sill. I looked and saw everyone having a good time. It would be funny to see their faces. I had noticed that sheriff Fox and a few of the other sheriffs. But I also noticed that none of them had their rifles. This must have been a big but private event for them to not think thy would need weapons.

I was about to go in, when I spotted a female raccoon. She had grey fur with her black stripes, and had fawn brown hair in a single braid going down to her mid back, but with a wavy/curly bang on either side of her face. She also had chocolate brown eyes. She had on a long light blue dress with white gloves and brown heeled boots.

She was…beautiful. As beautiful as a desert flower. But still I had a job to do.

I watched as she went to the ladies room and decided to make my move. I quietly opened the window and pulled the trigger on my cane riffle, making a shot rang out. I jumped down in the center of the room. People began to gasp and speak quietly. I smirked when I saw Sheriff Fox fume, seeing how he couldn't do anything.

I pointed my rifle at the crowd, which was now in one spot, all huddled together.

"Alright, now just hand over all your valuables and no one gets hurt." I said, smirking.

They each began to take off their necklaces and gold cufflinks and anything valuable on them, and put them in the bag. I then heard a rifle being cocked and my ear twitched, before I turned, still pointing my rifle at the crowd.

I turned and saw the girl, a revolver in her hand pointed at me.

"Drop the gun and get out of here, Tennessee." she stated with venom. I smirked.

'I like her already.' I thought to myself.

"Well, it seems that you know who I am-" I stated, but she cut me off.

"Who doesn't? You're the lowliest thieving varmint there is." she stated.

"Woo, you are a feisty little thing aint you?" I said, smirking still, making her glare and growl lowly, a faint blush on her cheeks.

"As I was saying, you know who I am, but I haven't a clue as to who you are, little lady." I said.

"It's Abigail Evanson." she said, her glare never faltering.

My eyes and smirk widened. She was the mayor's daughter. This must have been my lucky day. Then I walked over to her, she steadied her hand, but I came closer still. I knew she wasn't going to just shoot me. I could tell, she was a girl with morals. I could respect that.

"The mayor's daughter? Well, it's certainly a pleasure to meet you." I said, now right in front of her.

I took her other hand and kissed. She was surprised, I could tell. I felt her stiffen. Then I looked closely at her necklace, that now was in between my fingers, but still around her neck. It was a golden locket, with a simple tribal rose engraved on it.

"It's mighty pretty, just like you miss Abigail. So just for you, I think I'll let you keep it." I said smirking.

She had been able to get her nerve again, and lifted up her revolver, that had slowly been lowered by me while she was distracted.

"Give back everyone's belongings and turn yourself in!" she stated.

"Sorry, but I can't do that." I said, loving the angered look on her face. It made her look even more feisty.

She shot at my feet, but I dodged easily. I side stepped me and then kissed her cheek. I knew she was shocked, because she lost her footing and fell to the ground. The revolver went sliding away from her. No one moved.

"Enjoy the rest of your party Miss Abby!" I said.

I jumped out of the window and when she went over to see where I went, I was already gone. I his behind a nearby building and watched as she tried to spot me, until she went back inside.

I went back to the window sill and listened and watched, without being spotted.

Sheriff Fox began to make sure everyone was okay, despite the other things that had happened. I just watched. Abby's family was around her. They were trying to console her from the look of it. Then Sheriff Fox, came over and spoke to her. I could just here what he was saying.

"It's nothing to feel ashamed about Abby. We've been trying to catch him for years. Don't worry." he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

But it looked like it didn't help very much, because she had the same look on her face. It was a look of embarrassment and shame. I guess I felt a bit bad, but, she would get over it…right?

That night, I lied awake in my bed. I stared at the ceiling, the events of what happened, kept replaying in my head. I smirked at the ceiling before turning on my side and closing my eyes so I could go to sleep.

'You certainly are something Miss Abby. I know that I'll be seeing you around quite often…' I thought as I went to sleep.

PRESENT DAY. TENNESSEE'S POV.

Well, I was wrong about her getting over it. But I had to admit, this was much more interesting. She was getting pretty close now. I jumped onto a rooftop and she followed suit. Just then, she slipped and fell, getting tangled in the clothing line. I smirked and headed down to her.

"Well, I see you aren't in uplifting spirits today, miss Abby." I said smirking.

She growled at me and glared. I could see her face turning shades of red out of anger and see smoke coming out of her ears.

"Well, I'll be seeing you, Miss Abby." I said, before jumping onto another rooftop and making my escape.

Once I was far enough away, I stopped and listened.

Three, two, one…

"COOPER!" she shouted so loud, it echoed.

I chuckled to myself. I smiled to myself as I heard her shout my last name while I fled. That was our routine. She chases and I always get away. It was fun to see her all riled up. But I got to hand it to the girl, she was persistent.

I made it back to the old clock tower in no time, greeting Steven and Jared as I came in. the two of them were playing cards. I threw the bag of gold into the corner with the other bags there, and went to my room and laid on the canopy. I got comfy and put my hands behind my head and closed my eyes. Deciding to take a rest.

A bit later, I decided to step out. It was night, so would be fine. I was on one of the roof tops and was just looking up at the stars. Once I paid attention to where I was I noticed that I was on a rooftop across from Abby's home. I stayed down and just watched.

Her mother and father were in another town. So Abby was in charge. She was with her sister and soon was getting ready for bed, and of course I looked away when she changed. I was a Cooper, and Coopers had respect for women. After a few minutes I looked back to see her getting in bed and falling asleep. She looked so peaceful. So beautiful. I wasn't stupid, I had learned a year after I met her, that I was in love with the mayor's daughter.

But how was it supposed to work? She was the mayor's daughter and a sheriff, who wanted nothing more than to put me in jail. It would never work. But maybe it could work. Maybe if I could just get her too like me as a person first, she wouldn't want me in jail so much, that is, after she holstered her riffle and would listen to me. But only time would tell I guess.

I turned around and started back to the hideout. Maybe things would all work out…maybe…

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