Page 9 of Far From Sherwood Forest (Far From #3)

Marley shifts beneath me, hooves crunching over dried leaves on top of the highest point of the ranch—a hill that has a view of the quiet town nestled in the valley below.

The first light of dawn spills over the jagged peaks of the mountains and gilds the edges of the world in gold.

Warm rays brush the rooftops in amber and catch the mist hovering above the river in the distance.

Orange maples dot the landscape like fading fire.

I have to admit that I find the time to soak in the beauty of this world more than I ever did back in Sherwood Forest.

It’s been several days since I’ve seen or heard from Henry. I’ve been tempted to call up to the park and ask him what’s taking so long with my destruction, but I figure it’s best not to poke the bear. At least for now.

I’ll probably see him today, so I’ve been saving it.

Once the sun clears the ridge, casting its full yellow light over the town and chasing the mist into shadows, I tug gently on Marley’s reins.

She lets out a low snort, and we head back to the stables.

Before I return her to her stall, I give her a good brushing and make sure her water bucket is full.

When I get back to the bunkhouse, I’m not surprised to see that my truck is still gone.

John cashed in on the favor I owed him for rescuing me from bleeding out in the park and took the truck last night for his date with Bethany. He never came home. He at least texted me to let me know; otherwise, I may have gotten a bit worried, what with the Sheriff out there and all.

I mostly hate not knowing what his plan is.

Fortunately, Spencer’s been staying at the ranch for the past few days while Brian’s been out of town for a job he occasionally works at another park, so I’m catching a ride with him for the wildlife tour we have scheduled today.

Spencer is already ready to go, sitting on the porch, drinking coffee, and talking on the phone. It’s probably his morning call with his boyfriend, so I don’t bother him. He gives me a smile as I pass him on my way inside, glad I’m no longer limping at least.

After I get a shower, I pull on a pair of jeans, the green volunteer park shirt, and my dark gray jacket. It’ll warm up later today, but the early morning chill is still enough to bite at any exposed skin.

By the time I head back outside, Spencer’s off the phone and is sitting in the driver’s seat of his truck with the engine running, letting the cab warm up. I grab the large duffel bag I had packed earlier and toss it into the bed before getting into the passenger seat.

“Thanks for driving us.”

“Of course,” Spencer says as he shifts into drive. “I don’t mind at all. It’s nice being around friends while Brian’s out of town. Especially if I run into that one ranger up there.”

Judging by the way he grins and grimaces at the same time, I have a feeling I know who he’s talking about.

“Let me guess. Henry Faulkner?”

He goes by the same name here as he did back in Nottingham. I might’ve looked him up to see what he’s been up to for the past five years. There wasn’t any record of him until three years ago.

“Do you know him? Sorry. Didn’t mean to be rude if you do.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I tell him, waving it off. “I totally understand what you mean. We knew each other a long time ago.”

Spencer glances at me with an arch of his brow like he’s interested in hearing all about it. “He’s prickly for sure, but—don’t tell Brian I said this—he’s a sexy bear if I ever saw one.”

I laugh. “A sexy bear ?”

He shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “Oh, you sweet child.” Keeping one hand on the wheel, he holds up a finger with his other.

“He’s big. Like, tall and…hella muscles.

I swear I thought his biceps were going to rip the sleeves of his shirt.

” He holds up another finger. “Hairy. Granted, I only saw his face, but he’s got a nice beard. I’ll bet he’s hairy elsewhere too.”

“Well, I have no intention of finding out.”

“If you do, I want every detail.” He glances at me again and winks.

“Don’t hold your breath,” I tell him with another laugh.

I completely ignore the fact that I was definitely staring at his legs the other night. I might’ve made fun of how tight his jeans were, but…hell. I don’t know. I’m not gay, but they looked good, I guess?

Henry could probably pop a giant watermelon between his thighs. Or my head, which I’m sure he’d rather do.

I need to stop that train of thought before it completely derails.

“When’s Brian getting back?” I ask Spencer as an excuse to change the subject.

“In two days. You cool with me crashing at the bunkhouse for another couple of nights?”

“Of course.”

I think it’s kind of cute that Spencer doesn’t like to be without Brian in the place they share, so he stays at the ranch when he’s not there. Or maybe Spencer just doesn’t like being alone at all. Either way, I’m happy to spend time with him.

“Brian asked me to pick something up from his office while I was here,” Spencer says as we pull into the park. “You okay if I swing over there first?”

“No problem.”

That’s perfect, actually.

Spencer pulls into a spot outside the park offices, and we both get out of the truck.

“I’ll just be a minute. You don’t have to come in with me.”

“Figured I’d say hi to Henry while I’m here.”

There must’ve been something in my voice that gave away my rather mischievous mood because Spencer grins and nods like he’s in on it.

We head inside, and while Spencer goes straight to his boyfriend’s office, I stop at the receptionist’s desk.

“Good morning, Laura,” I tell her with my best charming smile. “Is Ranger Henry in?”

“He is,” she says, her voice urging caution as her eyes dart to where I’m now certain Henry’s office is. “He’s not exactly a morning person, and he only went in there with his coffee two minutes ago. I doubt it’s down to the appropriate level for visitors.”

“Well, I’ve never wrestled a bear before, but how hard could it be?”

She lets out a little snort as I turn away.

I consider just barging in, but I’m not sure how much I want to push my luck this early in the day. Besides, it’d be a shame if he killed me before I could pay him back for that night in the woods.

Raising my fist, I knock on the door.

A few seconds pass that I assume Henry is using to decide the most gruesome and painful way to kill the person on the other side of his door.

Finally, his gruff, irritated voice calls out, “Come in.”

I throw the door open wide. “Morning, Henry!”

His face immediately turns red upon seeing me, and his nostrils flare. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Catching him off guard feels like a win.

“Wildlife tour,” I answer with the widest, cheesiest, most obnoxious smile as I watch the vein in his temple throbbing so hard I swear it’s close to bursting.

Placing my hands in the pockets of my jacket, being careful of the one that’s still wrapped in gauze and medical tape, I step further into his office.

“You’re the ranger. Shouldn’t you know that? ”

His left eye twitches. “Get the hell out, Robin.”

“Oh, but this is too much fun. Besides, you shot me twice.” Since I left the door open, I make sure to keep my voice down as I slowly approach his desk. “I know you didn’t think I’d just lie back and take it. Because that’s not what you really want, is it?”

His jaw ticks. No matter how red his cheeks get, he doesn’t move, remaining in his seat, his scowl permanently etched into his face at this point.

Reaching his desk, I take my hands out of my pockets and place them on the wooden surface as I lean forward. “You don’t really want justice. There’s a difference between that and revenge. And you, Henry, are nothing more than a lost, bitter man with a badge and a grudge.”

He shoots up out of his chair, his hand flying forward.

I’m not sure if he was about to hit me or choke me, but he stops before he does, eyes darting over my shoulder to the open door as his hand balls into a fist. I take that as my opportunity to swipe my own hand across his desk before standing up straight and shoving both hands in the pockets of my jacket again.

Playing his anger issues to my advantage is a skill I’ll gladly practice and perfect.

“Careful, Robin,” he growls as his gaze returns to mine. “I’m more than happy to shoot you as many times as it takes until you shut the fuck up.”

“That’s gonna have to be the bullet that kills me, Henry.”

“We’ll get there. I’m not done with you yet.”

With a smug smirk, I start backing away toward the door. “Catch me if you can, Sheriff. I mean… Ranger .”

His glare full of heat and hate follows me all the way out of his office. I leave his door open just to burrow an inch deeper under his skin.

After giving Laura a farewell smile and wave, I head outside to see Spencer opening the door to his truck.

“Ready to do this?” he asks.

“Of course.” Removing my hands from my pockets, I toss the set of keys I stole into the air, unable to control the grin still taking up half my face. “Henry actually let me borrow his truck, so I’ll meet you down at the visitor’s center.”

Spencer narrows his eyes, and I have no doubt if he had to guess the truth, he’d guess correctly.

He throws his hands in the air before getting behind the wheel. “I don’t wanna know.”

Laughing, I grab my duffel bag from the bed and walk over to the newer black pickup. I throw the bag into the bed of Henry’s truck and climb in.

Hopefully, he doesn’t come after me until after the tour.

After that?

I kind of hope he catches me.