Flirting With The Law

“Good day,” I said, as if I hadn’t just robbed him.
I turned on my heel and walked out of the bank. Turning away from Tara and the men who were assisting her in her false swoon, I worked my way down the boardwalk, but not so quickly as to draw attention to myself. Men who passed tipped their hats to me, unaware I’d just robbed the bank.
No shouts or shots rang out. No one called or chased after me. My reticule was heavy about my wrist and I felt alive and shaky, petrified and thrilled all at once. As I collected my horse at the livery and rode out of town, I realized I’d done it. Again. With the help of Amanda and Tara, we’d gotten even more money from Mr. Rollins. Not all of it, but more. It would have to do. Just knowing Mr. Rollins’ banks weren’t as formidable as he assumed was a perk, but we’d have to rob again.
Amanda would feign surprise at being in a bank while it was robbed and Tara would have been taken to the nearest restaurant for some shade and a glass of water to recover. Neither would be associated with the robbery itself and would quickly slip out of town. We would meet in three days in Helena. While we’d hoped this was the last time, we’d planned ahead for one more if it was needed. And it was.
Once more, then. On to Helena, then we’d be done. Hopefully, they would find suitors and marry quickly. They deserved happiness, a family. Love.
I knew the same would not be for me. I’d had a husband a long time ago. While Orville had been kind and doting, we’d been young. My heart had been tender at his death, but not broken. My life had changed so much. Daddy was gone. I was alone, content I was taking back what should have been Daddy’s.
I was happy I wasn’t in jail.
I rode west, having time to get to Helena. I only had the small house Daddy and I had rented in town after the bank took the ranch. There was nothing there, only a few clothes. All our furniture, our mementos all burned. It meant nothing to me. I just had to stay away from towns with banks I’d robbed, to be ready to flee at any time. To run. Being alone was the price of revenge.
The day’s thrill of success was balanced heavily with the knowledge that I was a vigilante. I’d sought justice where there was none.
I was no longer a wife. I was no longer a daughter.
I was an outlaw.