Hank put his hand on Dodger's should as a sigh of sympathy and as an apology for being the bearer of bad news. The sheriff merely shook off the town cryer's hand and walked towards the house. "Sorry Dodger, but that's what the State Trooper said! You got three days to turn her in since she's in your jurisdiction. After that she State will come and get her!" The sad sheriff never look back but tensed at the words that were said to her. Hank got in his truck, backed up and drove away. The rain seemed to match Dodger's mood as it was coming down harder than usual. She took a seat on the porch swing, letting it rock her slowly while she pondered about what she should do with this fugitive in her home. She loved Carmen but she also love the law and it was her job to uphold it. "Sweet baby Jesus. What am I going to do? I love her and if I turn her in she's going to think I betrayed her. Is this what she meant by not deserving this kindness? What could this little lady have done to get the State involved?" Dodger stopped swinging and hung her head, lacing her fingers together, she silently prayed for a sign. If anyone knew the Sheriff of Rosewood well enough, then they'd know that Ashley Danielle Dodger was not a praying woman. In fact the last time she was spotted near a church was when her daddy died. She finished praying and hoping that the Lord would answer this distant stranger and ran her hand through her hair and looked up. "Hmm, it stopped rainin'."
Carmen decided to clean up the kitchen to surprise and thank Dodger for the amazing breakfast. Gathering up the dirty dishes, the sweet little blonde started humming to herself. She couldnt remember the last time she was this happy. Not even after conning her ex-boyfriend out of all his money. Forcing him to file bankruptcy and move back into his mother's house. That was her lastest heist and why she was hurring to get out of the blasted state. She'd gotten wind that her ex and his mama were filing charges against her, siccing the law on her. She could only pray that Dodger wouldnt find out any time soon. Little did she know that her life was about to be turned upside down. She shook her head to rid herself of that thought and sighed. Hearing foot steps on the wood, thinking it was Dodger, she smiled and turned around to see Speedy the pit, sitting up on a chair at the table. Carmen's heart went from fluttering to break neck speed in a single heart beat. She nearly dropped the dishes but calmed down when she noticed that the one leery dog's demeanor had change. He had a soft expression in his eyes, a relief to the blonde, and wagged the tip of his tail. "Hey..hey..there b-boy. You...hungry?" Carmen asked hesitantly. Speedy wagged his tail even faster. She took this as a "yes" and went in search of dog food. When finding nothing, she turned to him, "Where does your master keep your food?" The big dog simply looked at what was left of the breakfast, then looked back at her. Carmen put her hand on her hip and cocked her head. "Well, okay, sausage and hash browns it is. Would you like gravy with it too?" "Ruff!" Carmen chuckled and went over to fix her new friend a plate.
About an hour had passed by since Dodger had gotten the heart paralyzing news about her new love, she got up and went into the house. What she saw stopped her head in her tracks and brought a much needed smile to her face. Seeing Carmen and Speedy cuddled up on the couch, passed out, was picturesque at best, even with Speedy's strawberry stained mouth. It lifted her spirits up somewhat and decided to leave them there. She turned towards the kitchen and was even more surprised about the state it was left in. It was spotless, everything was in order. "You know if she wasnt a class A criminal, she'd make the perfect wife." Dodger mused to herself. Speaking of criminal, the lone sheriff disappeared to her office, where no one was allowed, not even Speedy. She closed the door softly and plopped down with a heavy sigh. Dreading what she may find on this seemingly innocent girl and the bittersweet task at hand.
What Dodger found out, blew her mind, and made her jaw drop. Apparently Carmen is wanted in three different counties and in one other state. The deputy face palmed herself and groaned. "Ugh, what did I get myself into?!" She got up and paced around her office in frustration. She was so torn about what to do. There was only one thing that could help her make a sound decision, a ride on Lady. Dodger rushed out of her office. She was all fired up, rearin' to go when she almost forgot about the sleeping duo on the couch. She tip toed the rest of the way to the front door. Just when she thought she was in the clear and had the door open, she heard a squeaky yawn and Speedy shake. "Damn." she muttered underneath her breath. When she turned back and looked, she sighed in relief when it was on Speedy behind her. Speedy looked over his owner and spotted those all to familiar boots that she only does one thing with, A Ride! The big ol' dog got super excited and started whining and bouncing around. "Shh...quit that dog or you'll wake her up!" Dodger whispered harshly. Speedy stopped his antics and lowered his head, making sure to give his master his best puppy eyes. The sheriff tossed her head back and blew out a breath, she then looked down at her faithful companion and opened the door, "Go'on, get. See you at the barn." Speedy took off in a flash toward the barn and his best friend Lady. They haven't spent time together since their disagreement the night before. Dodger just shook her head and chuckled before closing the door behind her. She got half way to the barn when she snapped her fingers and ran back to the house, "My hat, can't forget that." She said grabbing it off the hat rack, which were nothing more than deer antlers bunched together. She was almost out the door when she heard a soft voice, "Hey, where you going?"
Dodger froze in her tracks and searched for the right words to say without creating a sense of suspicion. What she said next wasnt the words she wanted to say, "Hey darlin'. You have a good nap. I was just going for a ride on Lady with Speedy. Wanna join me?" Carmen's sleepy eyes lit up, "I'd love too Ash, but I have nothing to wear." She said smiling, making her nose scrunch up. Dodger had no other choice but to smile at her little honey bee. She sucked her tooth and raised her brow, "You know what? You're right, come on follow me. I got just the thing for you." The deputy took ahold of the blonde's hand and pulled her through the house towards the back. Carmen could only assume it to be Dodger's room and her assumptions were right when the door was open. The sheriff's room was one of a kind. The main colors were black and gold. Gold seemed to outline everything, from her bedsheets, the curtains, even down to the cowhide rug on the floor. It might've sound like it was over the top but everything was balanced in its own way. Carmen loved it and daydreamed about what would happened if she spent a night in the lone sheriff's bed. It gave her chills. Dodger had gone through a huge chest that was at the end of her bed, pulled out the garments she was looking for and smiled. Turning she presented it to Carmen, watching the blonde's every facial movement.
"Oh, Ash it's beautiful." Carmen gave a genuine smile. She took the blue dress with a kiss of rheinstones. The top was like a corset and then about halfway down it flowed like a waterfall to the floor. The blue shimmered with hints greens, the little clear crystals help reflect it. Dodger's heart melted when she saw that the blonde was pleased with the attire and decided to help complete the outfit with a pair of light blue alligator skinned boots. The moment Carmen saw the reptile skinned shoes, she squealed. "I've always wanted a pair but everyone wore them back home and I was never one to follow the crowd. Kinda silly huh?" She said looking up into the sheriff's flickering blue eyes. Dodger just smiled, "Not at all. Go try it on, I'll step out." Ash turned to go exit her own bedroom when she was stopped by a small hand, "You know you dont have too. Besides, I'm going to need help zipping this up." Carmen said winking at the taller woman. That made Dodger's heart flutter and smirk, "If you insist."
The sheriff had only respect for Carman and turned her back while she changed into the dress. "You can turn around now, sheriff." She said with a hint of playfulness in her voice. The sight of Carmen in this dress took Dodger's breath away and not much can do that. "You look so purdy. It brings out your eyes." This made the blonde blush and giggle, "Good, now can you come zip me up?" The sheriff hesitated a second before walking over to help Carmen finish dressing. Stepping behind her, she zipped it up slowly, making sure to catch every piece of bare skin her eyes could see. She swept away the long blonde lockes over Carmen's shoulder. They both looked in the mirror, they were a perfect match. Both fitting like a piece of a puzzle. "You look perfect in my mother's dress." Dodger said in almost a whisper. When Carmen finally caught what she said, her heart dropped, whipping around facing the tall sheriff with anguish on her face. "Your mother's?
End Ch. 10