Ruinous Love Trilogy, #3
Scythe & Sparrow
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Ta-Da
Overview
After receiving her permanent cast, Rose ventures into Weyburn and overhears Eric threatening Naomi on the phone. Determined to act, she buys a hunting knife, stows away in Eric’s truck, and follows him out of town. The chapter ends with Rose revealing herself and launching an ambush, escalating her vigilantism.
Summary
Leaving the hospital with a new fiberglass cast and aftercare from Fionn, Rose insists on exploring Weyburn while Fionn returns to work. She struggles on crutches and ducks into a hunting and fishing store to rest.
Inside, Rose overhears a man, Eric, berating Naomi over the phone and threatening her with revenge and leaked photos. Recognizing Naomi as a frightened nurse she recently read for, Rose confronts Eric with veiled sarcasm. He dismisses her with an insult and buys ammunition.
The shop owner warns Rose that Eric is trouble and, without comment, sells Rose a Damascus hunting knife. Spotting Eric across the street, Rose decides to act. She hides in the back of Eric’s messy truck, clutching the sheathed blade under a blanket as he loads beer and drives out of town while drinking and calling Naomi to continue the abuse.
As the road turns rough and secluded, Rose steels herself to do what she failed to do with Matt by using surprise and a better weapon. When her phone rings—Fionn calling—Eric hears it and swerves. Rose seizes the moment, throwing off the blanket, revealing herself, and attacking with a taunting “Ta-da,” ending the chapter mid-ambush.
Who Appears
- RoseProtagonist; gets a permanent cast, identifies Eric as Naomi’s abuser, buys a knife, hides in his truck, and ambushes him.
- EricLocal man; verbally abuses and blackmails Naomi, buys ammo and beer, unknowingly transports Rose before she attacks.
- NaomiNurse heard over the phone; frightened target of Eric’s threats and coercion with compromising photos.
- Shireton shop ownerGruff clerk who dislikes Eric; warns Rose and sells her a Damascus hunting knife.
- Dr. Fionn KaneDoctor and protector; removes Rose’s stitches, fits her cast, and calls her during the ambush setup.