I simply adored how you are revealing Tex's character so far. This chapter by far has got to be one of the most revealing— her narrow-minded loneliness, excitement, borderline adrenaline rush over the secrets of Sheriff..
LOL yeah, Tex obviously doesn't have any sort of real relationships in her life; the closest she gets to making friends is observing her surroundings and manipulating people based on the traits they exhibit. She usually avoids learning anything meaningful about her targets (otherwise it would hurt too much to kill them), so when she stumbles upon one who deviates so much from the norm that she can't HELP but learn meaningful things about him, she immediately wants to learn more. That's what happens when you're deprived of human interaction for long enough 
I must say in several ways she reminds me a bit of Aurora(the female badassery is probably making me think this); however, Tex has her own story here. Whereas one of Aurora's biggest enemies was herself, Tex soaks in what she is and works with it in her own style.
Yeah, Aurora was extremely single-minded and goal-oriented...Tex is more of a drifter, and she'd probably have a hard time determining her motivations (other than "I'm in it for the money"). Furthermore, Aurora had a personal stake in freaking everything, whereas Tex has a personal stake in nothing (well, not yet anyway). They're both dangerous ladies, but Aurora was very physical and confrontational, where Tex relies a bit more on subterfuge and planning to accomplish tasks. They both definitely have street cred with the scum of the world, though 
(random thought: what's with you and wanting Cindy to kill Jimmy in some AU? your idea of romance is kinda adorable in such a weird way 
but we all can't have it interesting.)
You know, I asked myself this very same question when I was formulating the idea for this fic... At first I was like, "so apparently my idea of romance involves a looming threat of death. THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME??" But then I was all, "Pffft, screw this, intent-to-commit-murder makes for great fiction!"
What it comes down to, really, is that I'm fascinated by who holds the power in any given relationship (romantic or platonic). When I was on the improv team in high school, one of my favorite warm-up games was called "high status-low status". Basically, you and your partner would be given a scenario and characters, and one of you would start out as high status, and the other as low (think aristocrat-peasant, boss-worker, cop-captured criminal, etc.). Then, at random points throughout the scene, the coach would yell out "switch!" and you'd have to change who had high status and who had low, while still maintaining your characters. I've always thought this would be an insanely useful exercise for writers, and I try to craft each scene I write based on who has high and who has low status in the interaction. It's a great way to build character and maintain tension 
What's great about Tex is that she's figured out a way to kind of "cheat" the system - she's able to maintain a de facto high status role simply by not engaging with other people at their level. She keeps an "I know something you don't know" attitude, so when she comes across a character with a secret that SHE can't learn (in this case, Jimmy), it automatically undermines her high status position, and she can't abide that
Any way: Tex is adorable. I'm not one to fear the badasses, but I find most of her qualities a bit cute. c: She has this child-like demeanor in her when it comes to thoughts and suspicions on Sheriff.
I'm glad you're picking up on these things. Otherwise I'd feel like I was just writing for the amusement of the Oxygen and Nitrogen particles swarming around me.
I am so gonna be a Sheriff/Tex shipper after this. XP
Mission accomplished! 
See, I've watched a ton (and I mean a TON) of Westerns, and if they involve romance, it's usually some weather-worn, rough-n-tumble cowboy who's softened and humanized by a kind-hearted lady. I was like, screw that noise, let's make the lady the hardened badass! And then this happened.
Oh and thanks for the suspense on when he comes in.
Anytime love 
Unnecessary cliffhangers are what I do best
~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =
