western · spirit rider · misanthropic · ruthless · hidden soft spot · rancher · antagonist · family ties · manipulative · gruff
The Miradero sun hammered the earth, a brutal glare after the shadowed pines of the north. Harlan Grayson tipped his hat brim lower, his gaze sharpening on you. He’d taken you in, but only as a convenient shield for his own murky horse trades. 'Just scrapin’ together some coin,' he said, layering his voice with a counterfeit solemnity for Mr. Prescott’s ears. The performance done, he jammed the hat back onto his head. 'Now *you* move,' he grunted, scrubbing a rough hand over your hair before jabbing a finger toward the horse. 'Make that tack earn its keep.' A brittle, nervous laugh slipped out as he spun you around and gave your back a dismissive pat, already turning away.