I thought I would mix it up a little this chapter so here it goes.
(Matthew's Pov)
I watched from the window as Maria walked off after Jake said something to her.
"Hey Matthew oh sorry Sheriff," Hank said causing me to glare over at him.
"What Hank?"
"I was just wondering how your date was, was it as sweet as mine with Maria?" I glared at him again as I stood up and stomped over to his cell.
"What are you talking about Hank?" I snapped.
"Why should I tell you but I will say this her hair smells of lilies oh, and her favorite fruit is blueberries." He said smirking causing me to punch the bars which made him laugh.
"Shut it, Hank! You're lucky she decided she ain't pressing charges against you" I snap
"Ha, of course, she ain't she's got a thing for me ya know I bet all I gotta do is say I'm sorry and she'll believe me and poof she'll be right back in my arms I might even cry while I apologize." He said chuckling.
"You better just stay away from her," I growl out punching the bars again I stomp back to my desk as Hank starts to laugh again.
"Ah but sheriff I think she might just be the girl for me," Hank says with a smirk. His remark made me want to punch him in the face until he could no longer see but I knew that that was what he wanted, and I refused to let Hank get a rise out of me.
Later that evening:
A sharp knock on the door followed by it opening pulls me out of my thoughts, I look up to see Sully standing in the doorway. "What's up Sully?"
"Dr. Mike and Maria, were wondering if you were coming to the homestead for dinner tonight?" Sully asked with a small smile.
"Not tonight I'll just get some dinner from Grace and then I'm gonna head home," I say looking back down at the papers I was going through.
"Alright then don't work too hard ya hear," Sully says leaving.
"Ah, Dr. Mike still can't let you go huh little boy?" Hank said chuckling.
"Shut it Hank I'll be back in a moment with food." I snap as I leave the jail locking up behind me.
The walk to Grace's thankfully was a quick one, however on the way back I saw everyone loading into the wagon and thought I say goodnight I walked over waving, Maria was the first to see me which caused her face to brighten. "Hello, Matthew did you change your mind?" Maria asks with a smile which falters when I shake my head.
"Matthew, did you stop by to say goodnight?" Dr. Mike says smiling.
"Yeah, so night ya'll," I say nodding my head before heading back to the jail I turn to see Maria still staring at me a small smile on her lips.
"Well took you long enough boy where's the grub?" Hank snaps as I enter.
"Hold your horses, Hank, here it is," I snap back opening the bars and shoving the plate in his hands. "Night now Hank see you in the morning," I say as I head out locking up as I leave, the ride back to the homestead was short but hard it had been about ten months since Ingrid and it still hurt but if I was being honest it was getting better. When I finally got home, I sighed as I fell onto my bed, I saw Maria's smile in my mind just before I fell asleep.
(Maria's Pov)
Matthew's decline to coming over for dinner made me sad in a way I was not use to so that night before bed I questioned Colleen. "Colleen, what does it mean if you feel bad but not bad about someone not wanting to come to dinner?"
"What do you mean Maria?" Colleen asked as she sat on her bed. I sighed as I sat next to her.
"I feel sad about Matthew not wanting to join us for dinner but not the same way I felt sad whenever one of my friends back home would decline to join me for dinner."
"Oh, well it means... well you see it means, uhm it means you have a crush on my brother." She said the last sentence so fast I could barely understand her.
"Wait, what? No, I have not known Matthew long enough to have a crush on him, have I?" I asked feeling my cheeks grow warm.
"A crush can form overnight Maria how long did you know the boy you had a crush on back in your hometown?"
"Well, it took me at least a month to realize I had a crush on him," I mumbled my cheeks growing warmer.
"Oh well trust me you have a crush in Matthew oh I don't know whether to be happy or not my new friend likes my brother hmm." She laid down basically saying she was tired so I withdrew to my own bed that night before I fell asleep Matthews smile entered my thoughts.
The next day:
I arrived in town with Dr. Mike to see everyone crowded around the jail. "Hank must be getting out this morning." Dr. Mike said as she grabbed her bag and headed toward the clinic. "Maria, are you coming?" She asked catching my attention.
"In a moment I have to go see Matthew and Hank," I said as I walked over to the jail before she could reply.
"Alright everyone back it up I'm getting him right now!" I heard Matthew shout above the crowd about a minute later Hank came sauntering out.
"Maria so glad you came to see me be released," Hank said the moment he saw me.
"Hello, Hank I am not here to see you I came by to see the sheriff," I said as I went to walk by.
"Well hold on a minute please I wanna apologize, Maria, I made a promise to you and I broke it I'm sorry I hurt you." Hanks words made freeze I turned to see what looked like a tear roll down his cheek.
"It is alright Hank I forgive you but that does not mean I trust you now if you will excuse me, I am going to see the sheriff for a moment," I said as I hurried into the jail.
(Matthew's Pov)
I'm staring out the window as Hank walks back over to the Saloon with Jake after his fake apology to Maria just then Maria rushed into the jail so fast she almost tripped. "Maria are you alright?" Maria smiled and nodded.
"Yes, sheriff I am fine however I was wondering since yesterday's lunch was ruined by attituded on both our ends if you might be free for a picnic this after?" Her tone when she said sheriff was a teasing one.
"I would like to go on a picnic with ya sure Maria." Maria smiled and then left to see Mr. Bray about some pens.
Next chapter: A proper picnic or not?
Please let me know what you think of switching from Matthew and Marias Pov this may be the first and last time I do this, and thank you to all have read my story for your support.