Chapter 2
You make your exit from the saloon just as the customers begin arriving. It’s close to dusk, but not quite dark yet. Being a deputy and all, Bill is typically out rounding up outlaws during the day, so you hoped that by coming later you’d catch him at a convenient time.
You always tangentially knew Bill. He was a few years older than you, but you had seen him at school and around town of course. He was a controversial figure these days, on account of his attitude. Bill was the type whose shit didn’t stink, as your dad would say. Regardless, you had no personal gripe with the guy.
And so you enter the sheriff’s office, looking around curiously. It’s not exactly a place you frequent. It is mostly composed of one large room with six desks, three on each side. At the back, there are several holding cells with thick, metal bars. Only one of the desks is occupied, by an older officer you recognize from around town but don’t know by name. He’s busied himself with some paperwork and doesn’t hear you come in.
“Excuse me?” you say softly after a moment. He looks up warily, then, recognition dawning in his eyes, smiles at you warmly.
“Well, ain’t you a pretty thing. You’re Winter’s girl, the schoolteacher, right?” he asks.
“Yes sir,” you say politely. The officer stands and offers you his hand, which you shake.
“What brings you in today, miss?”
“Well,” you say, feeling yourself blush, “I was hoping to speak with Deputy Anderson, but I don’t see him around…” What a shame, truly.
“Ah, Bill!” The officer claps, grinning at you. “He’s out on business, but he said he’d be back this evening. I can pass on a message if you’d like-” Just then, to your dismay, the door swings open and Bill Anderson thunders in. “Well, speak of the devil!” chuckles the older officer.
“Y/N!” cries Bill, clearly surprised. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” He shoots you a confident, toothy grin.
“Well, I was hoping to speak with you, since my father said you stopped by earlier today while I was at the school-” you begin, but he cuts you off with a pat on the back.
“Of course, dear, just give me one minute. I have a criminal cuffed outside that I, unfortunately, must attend to.”
“I see,” you say, fighting back the urge to wrinkle your nose in response to him calling you ‘dear’. Who the hell does he think he is, anyway? He shoots you another smug grin, then exits. He walks with this entirely unearned swagger that you absolutely hate.
“Well, I’m about ready to head home,” declares the older officer. “Feel free to take a seat while Bill books this guy though, it might be a few minutes.” You nod appreciatively, but secretly, you wish he wouldn’t go. The last thing you want is to be alone with Bill Anderson and whatever outlaw has been unfortunate enough to run afoul of him.
Bill returns a few minutes after the older officer leaves. You’re seated at one of the desks, trying to come up with what you’re going to say to Bill when you look up and see him. The stranger.
He’s much taller than Bill, with a strong, stocky build, dark curly hair, a long leather coat, and a challenging spark in his warm brown eyes. His dark, wide-brimmed hat, which matches his coat, has been knocked slightly askew. And of course, those curious metal arms. His skin is tanned, and his lips are full and smiling mischievously. Your eyes are fixed on him, you can’t look away. You feel a heavy blush come to your cheeks as you examine the stranger, and your heart hammers in your chest. You’ve never seen a stranger so handsome, so mysterious.
Luckily, neither Bill nor the stranger seems to notice you. Bill is red in the face, slightly winded, though the stranger looks cool and collected.
“...Now, if you just cooperate for me, we can have you in and out of here before-”
“I told you kiddo, I’m no outlaw. I’m a bounty hunter,” he says nonchalantly. Huh, so he’s not an outlaw after all, at least if he’s to be taken for his word anyway.
“Is that so, Mr. Octavius?” Huh, so that’s his name. Octavius, you like that name. You sit up slightly, trying to catch all the details of their conversation and learn more about Octavius.
“Ask the county sheriff, he’ll confirm my story.”
“I will, tomorrow. As for tonight, I’m putting you in a cell, and I don’t want no funny business, you hear?” Otto chuckles, then shrugs.
“Fine by me, no funny business here!” As he says it, one of the great metal arms shakes around his chest, rifles in his front pocket, and produces a cigar, which another of the giant metal arms lights deftly. Then, a third arm rightens the stranger’s hat.
“Why you-” bristles the sheriff. Octavius laughs again, blowing a cloud of smoke in the deputy’s face. “That’s it!” roars the deputy. “You’d better tell those, those… THINGS-”
Octavius looks up from his cigar with a grin, suddenly noticing you. “What’s she in for?” he asks, nodding his head at you. Deputy Anderson, apparently having forgotten you were there, whips around. “Horse theft? Or did you just bring her in to look at her pretty face?” Octavius shoots you a wink, and you feel your face go crimson. “Ah wait, you’re the saloon owner’s daughter, aren’t you? Winter's girl, isn’t that right?”
You’re frozen on the spot, speechless. Luckily, Anderson pipes up on your behalf. Unluckily, he’s a dumbass.
“She’s here for me, actually, and you have no business speaking to her…”
“Oh, she’s your girl then?” he asks slyly. “Didn’t think a sweet little creature like her would go for, well, you. No offense, Bill.”
“I’m not-” you pipe up, but Bill cuts you off.
“You’re really starting to piss me off, Octavius. You’ll keep your damn mouth shut if you know what’s good for you.”
“Language like that,” sighs Octavius, “is exactly why a lady like her-” Bill, angry beyond measure, abruptly reaches out and punches Octavius in the face. Hands cuffed, unable to defend himself, Octavius takes it. Blood sprays from his nose. You cry out, leaping up out of the chair, knocking it to the ground with a clatter.
“Bill!” You rush over to Octavius and retrieve a handkerchief from your pocket, carefully holding it up to his nose. “What is wrong with you?” you ask, dismayed. “He can’t even defend himself!” You look up into his eyes, and wow, they’re even more beautiful up close. The kind you could easily get lost in-
“Y/N, are you daft? He’s a dangerous outlaw!” scolds Bill, yanking you back from Octavius. The bloodied handkerchief falls limply towards the floor, but just before it hits, one of the metal arms quickly snatches it from the air and holds it out to you.
“Thank you, darling,” says Octavius warmly, fixing you with a smile that makes you feel all warm and giddy inside.
“You keep it,” you urge.
“Octavius! I told you not to speak to her!”
“Ah right, sorry deputy,” says Octavius, his tone dripping with condescension. “In that case, would you tell her that her kindness is much appreciated for me?” You giggle but quickly cover your mouth.
“I don’t want to hear one more word out of you, Octavius. You’ll be spending the night in a holding cell since you can’t keep your damn mouth shut and mind your manners. I was willing to work with you, you know! I was willing to hear you out! But you have crossed the line now, buddy. We’ll see what the county sheriff has to say in the morning…” Bill rages. His face is bright red, and there’s practically steam puffing out of his ears.
“Fine by me. I’m willing to stick around, I’d like to see the look on your face when the county sheriff tells you just how incorrectly you’ve judged me. Plus, I’m rather enjoying the company of this young lady- What was your name sweetheart?”
Before you can answer, Bill does. “You don’t need to know! Now get in that cell and shut your motherfucking mouth.” You gingerly step aside as Bill parades Octavius back to a cell. Bill pulls the iron door to the center cell open. Octavius enters, and Bill slams the door in his face with a loud clang. Then, with a smirk of satisfaction, he turns the key in the lock. “Take that, you bastard.”
Octavius shrugs good-naturedly and plops down on the bench inside the cell. “Now,” says Bill with a sigh, turning to you. “Was there something you needed?”
“Ah, um, well my father mentioned you stopped by today-” you begin, but Bill cuts you off. Huh, you’re sensing a theme here.
“Oh, that. Don’t worry about that for now, it’s getting late and I’m sure your father will want you home soon,” he chuckles awkwardly, taking you by the arm and practically yanking you out the door.
“Alright, Deputy, if you’re sure-”
“Thanks again for stopping by, I’ll have to catch you some other time, perhaps! Goodbye now!” You turn back to look at Octavius just as Bill pushes you out the door. He grins at you, giving you an exaggerated wink.
“I’ll hope to see you soon then!” you say, and delicately return Octavius’s wink.