Sadie Adler moved with quiet ease as she followed the overgrown path to where she had left her traps. She had already caught a rabbit in a prior trap and had it currently slung over her shoulder. One more, and it would be enough meat for her and the others. Abigail had attempted to prepare dinner and had failed – miserably. It made Sadie miss Pearson's stew something fierce, but she wouldn't be the one to admit that to Abigail.
They were currently living, more like surviving, in a rundown building somewhere north of the Grizzlies. They were a state line away from wanted posters of the van der Lindes – John's face was plastered all over Lemoyne and New Hanover. He stood out like a sore thumb with his scars, and they kept traveling north to get farther away from anyone who might put two and two together.
Agent Milton was done with. Agent Ross, however… he would keep looking for them, Sadie was sure of it. She had vowed to Arthur to keep them safe, and safe she would keep them. That meant getting farther away as fast as they could.
She found her second trap and quickly killed the rabbit caught in the trap. She would have to hurry back soon. It was getting dark, and poor Abigail was going stir crazy, with John kept up at home. They bickered – a lot. But Sadie could see the unspoken love between them. It was something worth fighting for, something she had to protect. For Arthur's and Jack's sakes.
It had been a couple of weeks after abandoning Arthur on the mountainside. Sadie had tried to go back, had scouted around in search of anything leading to Arthur's well being. Pinkertons had swarmed the area and left, no doubt in pursuit of Dutch, who the papers claimed was still alive. That left Sadie free to do with what she willed – and she found absolutely nothing. No tracks, no trace of where Arthur could have gone. She spent several days combing through the dirt, only to find out nothing.
It was when she returned to Abigail and John, finding her in tears, and John in a huffing rage. They had a paper in their hands. Abigail had handed her the paper with shaking hands, and Sadie went white reading the front page.
"ARTHUR MORGAN of the VAN DER LINDE GANG – DEAD. Pinkertons found his body torched in a fiery inferno, but inside sources have confirmed that it was, in fact, the body of ARTHUR MORGAN. He had a bounty of $5,000 on his head, one of the largest bounties around!"
Numb. That's what Sadie felt. She had put dinner on the table, had comforted Jack with a hug, and had moved the family the next morning. She couldn't think. She didn't want to feel that Arthur was gone – he couldn't be. No. She wouldn't think of it. She would not resort into a fiery rage because Arthur was not gone.
There was nothing for her to do but keep the Marston family safe. And so she did.
"Can I help you boys?" Sadie asked two men who trotted their horses along besides her. She was not in the mood for discussion. She was hungry and tired, and not ready to be polite.
"We were wondering if you seen anyone mysterious about here, ma'am," one of the men said. He was around her age with a tanned, rough face, a shotgun and rifle on his saddle. There was also rope and a greedy look in his eye. He wasn't interested in her. This man was a bounty hunter, along with his friend.
"I haven't," Sadie said sweetly as she could, nearly flinching at her own voice. Best to throw them off the tracks. "I been goin' this way for quite some time now, and I ain't seen anyone… mysterious like."
His buddy, a middle aged man with a gut, smiled sweetly at her. "You sure you ain't seen someone, sweetheart?"
"Oh! As a matter of fact…" Sadie looked around, more to the direction of somewhere south, the opposite direction of where the Marstons were located. "I did catch someone cuttin' through the trees, all hurried like. Black hair, I think? They was tryin' to remain hidden somethin' desperate."
The two bounty hunters shared glances. It was probably the only tip they'd had so far. "Thank you, ma'am," the older man said, and they scuttled away to be quickly swallowed by the trees.
Sadie frowned. Those were the first bounty hunter's she'd seen this far. She would have killed them if they caused an issue, but… she and John had agreed to remain low. No killing. If they were to live a new life, they'd have to start as normal civilians. Any bloodshed would lead right to them, and then Arthur's death would have been for naught.
Death. Sadie shook her head. She refused to believe it. Not yet. Not yet.
She returned to where she had left John and Abigail, fixed them a simple meal, and had them prepare to move out the next morning. Bounty hunters were no joke, and they'd have to reach another state line to feel comfortable.
They traveled by wagon, Arthur's horse tethered to the back and Sadie following on her own horse. Before they had left, she had taken one of Arthur's horses he had left behind at a stable. It was a paint horse, white with a scattering of brown spots. Arthur had simply called him Freckles. Another horse could prove useful, and she didn't want the horse wasting away in a stable, waiting for Arthur to come back.
It was a few days before they hovered outside a simple town, simply called Roseville, eyeing it for possibilities. From the hill Sadie could point out a few different stores and several rows of houses. A bit larger than Valentine, and judging from the factory in the distance, it was some sort of lumber town or sawmill. Towns like these could always use an extra hand, she just wasn't sure John was up for the task.
They settled on the outskirts, under a gathering of trees. John took care of the wagon while Abigail and Jack began building a campfire.
A train sounded in the distance as it prepared to depart from the town, cast in a golden light from the setting sun.
"You think we far enough away?" John asked her as he worked on skinning a rabbit. The past few weeks of hard travel had been hard on all of them. Dark bags crested under John's eyes, betraying how tired he actually felt. "We ain't never been this far north before."
"I think so," Sadie said as she grabbed the basket of food. The money left over from the last mission was more than enough to last them several months to a year. Still, she had used it sparingly and had purchased enough food for traveling. "I figure tomorrow morning we ask around, see if there's a house to rent. Abigail and I will look for work. Your best shot would probably be at the lumberyard, John. You should probably head there first."
"I appreciate you stayin' with us," Abigail smiled at her in a soft voice. "We'll be back on our feet, I'm sure."
Sadie had promised Arthur they would. The last evening they had seen each other - Arthur, dressed in his best, wearing his most expensive clothing. Beard shaved, his hair slicked back. His eyes red, his cheeks hollow and discolored. What he had once been - a well muscled man, thick in arms and back and strong in strength - lingered no more. Arthur had become an empty shell of his former self, a man weak, defeated by his beliefs, his tuberculosis, and betrayed by his most trusted father figure. He was a man prepared to die.
Sadie had left him behind, praying beyond all hope he would return to them. She had seen Abigail reunited with John, with Jack, had seen their happy smiles and knew it had been the right choice.
But seeing their happiness caused a small pain in her heart. Ever since the passing of her Jake, she'd had a hole in her heart, cleanly ripped out and stomped on by the O'Driscolls. With each death of an O'Driscoll, she'd begun stitching her heart back together again. Arthur had helped with that. His friendship, his kind words, his stolen smiles when they made eye contact. It helped her keep a grasp on reality, on life.
Arthur was her best friend and suddenly lost to her, and once again, her heart had been splayed open. This time, there were no O'Driscolls to kill. She didn't know how to properly heal. So she'd focus on Abigail, John, Jack, and keep them safe until they didn't need her anymore.
The next morning, they made their way into Roseville with a simple intent of finding work. John left them for the lumberyard, and Sadie went to find the nearest restaurant. The ground was slick with mud and horseshit, reminding her very much of Valentine. The sky was spitting out a few sprinkles, but the town folk seemed used to the rain.
Despite the odd glances to her because of her pants and lack of skirts, the overall mood of the town seemed friendly. The buildings were well kept and freshly painted. Children laughed as they followed their parents in the streets, and the adults chatted lightheartedly.
"You think they'd want me?" Abigail asked Sadie as they stood outside a small restaurant, simply named Beth's Cafe, which was crammed in a row of tightly laced buildings. Through the window they could see several customers enjoying breakfast and waiters moving about hurriedly. It was a popular place, to be sure.
"I don't see why not," Sadie replied. "It won't hurt. We need to start establishing some roots, Abigail. It can't hurt to try."
Abigail stopped to look at her reflection in the glass and fiddled with her hair. She had chosen one of her better skirts and blouses to make a better impression. "It's been awhile since I been back in civilization. Do you think-"
"It'll be fine." Sadie grabbed Jack's hand and shooed Abigail in. "Off you go. I'll take Jack to the store in the meantime."
Abigail smiled hesitantly. "Yes, okay. Wish me luck." She ruffled Jack's hair and went inside the cafe.
"What's gonna happen to me?" Jack asked Sadie, confusion on his face.
"Well…" Sadie held his hand tight as they crossed the street. "You gonna go to school here soon, Jack. You gonna keep learnin' your letters and the like."
"I do like reading," Jack said. He seemed happy with her answer.
Abigail had mentioned school as they talked about settling down, about getting Jack back to learning. It seemed like a good idea… if John could keep his head cool. The instant someone suspected something, they'd have to leave, meaning Jack would have to be taken away from school, away from friends he may have made. They all would have to stay strong and vigilant.
Half an hour later, Sadie and Jack were sitting on a bench outside the store, both munching on a chocolate bar. Jack chatted away while Sadie watched the townsfolk go about their busy lives. There were a few people dressed nicely, as if they were made of money. Most folk dressed simply, but not poorly. It was a prosperous town, to be certain.
Abigail left the cafe, a smile wide on her face. "Sadie!" she called across the street. She pranced across and sat down next to them in a flurry. "You won't believe - I got the job!"
"That's great!" Sadie said, squeezing Abigail's hand. "Not cookin', I hope?"
"No," Abigail said, ignoring the tease, "just a waitress. Apparently, the last girl got pregnant and married, and deemed herself unfit to work. They'll want me five days a week, workin' nights. That way, I can be at home most of the day, and John can watch Jack at night."
"Let's hope John is just as successful," Sadie mused. "Come, let's head back."
John didn't return home until the sun was setting. He groaned as he sat down next to the fire and accepted a cup of coffee from Abigail. "Don't fret, Abigail. They hired me right on the spot. It's simple pay, but with both of us workin'..."
"What kinda work are you doing?" Jack asked him, his face stuffed full of potatoes. Abigail leaned over and dusted his messy cheeks with a napkin, much to his disdain.
"We cut trees," John said and dug into a plate of his own potatoes.
Abigail sat beside him. "Ain't that dangerous, though?"
"It can be. I'm lucky they're letting me return tomorrow, considerin' the mistakes I made. Oh, and there's a room for rent on a farm not far from here. It ain't much, but we can check it out tomorrow."
Sadie shared a glance with Abigail. So far, things seemed to be looking up for this new place. The only problem, Sadie herself didn't know what she wanted to do. She also didn't want to intrude on their space. They hadn't had a chance to live as a family on their own, and she couldn't be a third wheel forever.
It was the next morning when John was shaking hands with the farmer, standing outside a small house, simple in nature but well preserved. It merely boasted two rooms, a small kitchen with a small living room. It already had basic enough furniture leftover from the previous tenants. A house big enough for Abigail and John, but not Sadie. She helped them move in, further determining she was following the best course for herself.
"I ain't gonna stay," she said lightly as they sat at the beaten up kitchen table. John had already taken off for his second day at the sawmill, leaving them the job of unpacking. "I'll rent a room in town, Abigail. Find some work for myself."
Abigail sat across from her, disappointment on her face. It sputtered rain and a thunderstorm rumbled in the distance. "We wouldn't have made it this far without you pushin' us, Sadie. I can ask if there's some work available-"
"No," Sadie cut her off. She glanced at her rifle, propped up near the front door. It was a beautiful rifle, one Arthur had gifted her. The grip was carved with an elk, the wood polished a dark brown, and the silver gleaming in the sunlight. "I'm gonna stop by the sheriff, see if there's any wanted posters around. I'll make sure not to draw any attention."
"Just you bein' in pants draws enough," Abigail said wryly. "But you're smart. I don't know, Sadie… but I can't stop you. I just…" she turned real quiet as she looked at Jack sitting in the corner of the living room, doodling in the journal Arthur had bought him. "John don't need that anymore."
"I won't drag him along," Sadie said firmly. "This is a good town. It's prosperous. You have to keep your head low, though. I know that's tough for John and all. I'll stay another month or two… but, I might have to travel for bounties."
Abigail put a hand on her arm. "You'll always be welcome back."
She left late afternoon after she helped Abigail unpack. She hugged Abigail fiercely before she went, promising to be back as soon as she was able. They were safe, for now.. They had a future, a goal in front of them. To be a real family for once.
Sadie… well. She felt lost. There wasn't any Arthur to talk her thoughts with, or go on any adventures with. Charles had left her, as well. The other ladies went their own way. Everyone was taken care of and safe. Sadie had no one but herself.
She left her horse Bob with them. It felt right, somehow, to take Arthur's horse on an adventure. She went straight into Roseville and to the sheriffs, mentally preparing herself for the jeers of the men. A bounty hunter, not unusual. A woman bounty hunter, on the other hand… it was completely unheard of.
An older sheriff sat at the desk, writing away on a piece of paper. He looked up and lifted a furred eyebrow as he looked to Sadie's legs up to her face. "Can I help you?" he asked her, pushing up his weathered hat higher on his head.
"I'm here to look at the bounties," she said casually, her gaze stopping on a board full of papers. They were dozens of paper pinned to the board, a giant X through most of them. Clearly, the sheriff was proud to display which ones had been taken care of.
"Is your husband-"
"Just me," Sadie cut in. She pulled off a bounty and peered over it. A Frank Roberts, wanted for robbery and alive for fifty bucks. "You got any tips on this guy?"
The sheriff set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, clearly skeptical. "Those are for bounty hunters, dear."
Sadie folded up the paper, trying her best not to glare at the man. "And you got yourself one. Like I said, any tips?"
It was a moment before he answered. "Try east, outside town. Might be squatting in an old shed down there. He's been a master at avoiding us."
"It's done, I-" Sadie stilled as a certain poster caught her eye. Morgan. The rest of the name was hidden behind a stack of papers. She pushed them aside and tugged the paper off the nail. Arthur Morgan. A crude sketch of Arthur's image was drawn on it, only a glimmer of his actual face. Reward: $5,000. Her heart thumped against her chest.
"Oh, I forgot to cross that one out!" the sheriff exclaimed and stood up. "He's been killed, ma'am. He's not-"
"I understand," Sadie said, her voice thick. She took a step back, Arthur's wanted poster still in her hands. She needed air. "I'll be back with Roberts, sheriff," she muttered and stumbled out of the building. She bumped into somebody's shoulder on the way out and barely glanced at him.
She was on Freckles and racing away from the town, letting the wind caress her face and hair as they rushed away, headed in god knows where. A million thoughts were racing through her mind, yet she couldn't sort a single one of them out. It wasn't until a rattlesnake startled the horse and Freckles jerked this way and that, nearly tossing Sadie from her saddle.
They stopped once she had the horse under control, both horse and Sadie breathing heavily. She still gripped the poster, staring deeply at the crude drawing of Arthur's face. Her hand was shaking. She'd caught up to the thunder, which brought an onslaught of rain. She didn't care. The rain soaked her jacket, her hair. She'd lost her hat somewhere along the way.
A lone tear crept down her face and she wiped it away angrily. She hadn't cried once, not once, since she had last seen Arthur. The thought of him actually gone… her friend, the man she had started to care for, not only as a friend, but as a… she let out a sob, and let herself cry for the first time in weeks.