Page 20 of Far From Sherwood Forest

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 thewoods.

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 toswipe 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.”