Sorry about the short chapter. I think this story will be full of them until later on, but that should mean quicker updates!
Thank you so much to Red Dead Romance for the review! If you turn out to be my only reader, well I'm still happy! :p
Any recognizable dialogue belongs solely to the creators of RDR.
John wasn't quite sure what to make of the woman who'd saved him. He recognized her instantly as the pretty woman from the train. He wondered briefly if he'd died and gone to some sort of heaven, but then Abigail would be the one to greet him, wouldn't she?
He'd woken up in a room he didn't recognized, the pain in his side sharp and lancing. He took a few breaths, studying the ceiling as he tried to remember where he was, or how he'd gotten here. He heard footsteps approaching, turning his eyes to the door as the woman entered. His breath caught for just a moment as she spoke to him.
The entire conversation was odd, underscored by the woman's probes and sarcastic replies. He found he didn't mind it one bit. Abigail had been harsh in her sarcasm, often openly antagonistic. This woman's tone was dry, yet almost teasing. He wanted to prolong the conversation but he had to remind himself he was on a mission.
It hurt like a bitch to stand and introduce himself so he sat back down immediately. When he stood again, he finally realized that his hat, a thing that was almost apart of him, was missing from the top of his head. When he put it on, something in him settled at the familiar weight. Her name, Bonnie MacFarlane, suited her and he felt a moment's relief when he realized that whoever the man at the train station was, he wasn't her husband. He readily agreed to her demand for his help, knowing that he owed her far more than just his life, but also a chance to save Jack's.
When she left the cabin and walked away, he couldn't help but watch the subtle sway of her hips.
After securing his gun belt and making sure he had his weapon, he went out to search for Miss MacFarlane. He tried the main house first, certain to find her there, as this seemed to be her property. When he approached she was leaning against the column on the front veranda.
"Mr. Marston," she greeted him. "Good to see you up and about." She sounded genuine and he appreciated the concern.
"I figured it was time I tried to pay back what I owed you."
Bonnie nodded, walking away from the house and led him to where she had the horses tied up and waiting. She pointed out the building they were approaching, remarking, "There's the foreman's office. It's also where we lock up good for nothing criminals such as yourself." She spoke with a hint of playfulness, but he took her words at face value, responding seriously in kind.
"I'm happy enough with my current quarters, Miss MacFarlane."
Bonnie shook her head at him and pointed to the dark horse that stood idly beside her own. "This one's yours." At John's hesitation she smirked. "He won't bite."
John nodded, jumping easily into the saddle and waiting patiently for Bonnie to mount her own horse.
Bonnie nudged her horse into a walk, calling over her shoulder. "Come on, it's time for you to see what a real ranch looks like."
John followed slightly behind her as she pointed out the general store. "Very convenient," he noted. "Don't think I've ever seen a ranch with it's own store before."
When she asked him about his opinion on the corral he responded truthfully, "I'm no expert but it certainly looks like a very fine corral."
Bonnie looked back at him with a smirk. "I suspect you've stolen more horses than you've broken."
John felt a moment of chagrined surprised at her blunt words. "Now where'd you get such an idea?"
Bonnie responded carefully, thinking of Amos' warnings the first time she'd seen John Marston. "First impressions are hard to erase." A first impression that had led her to seek him out.
They rounded the corral, Bonnie leading him to the train station. "Things sure have changed when the line got finished. Bringing in all sorts of new people, such as yourself."
"Is that such a bad thing?" John wondered. If he was here to get rid of Bill, surely it was a good deed, despite the misdeeds of his past.
"Change is only good when it makes things better." Bonnie spoke with an air of superiority, but he found that he didn't disagree with the sentiment.
They circled the rest of the ranch quickly, Bonnie pointing out the barn with pride. "Pa built it himself when I was just a little girl."
Finally, they were back where they started. John tried to hide his labored breathing, his side still aching sharply from his wound. Bonnie noticed and guided her horse back to the hitching post. "Why don't we take a rest before we head out on patrol?"
John hitched his horse to the post gratefully. "You'll get no complaints from me, Miss MacFarlane."
When he slid from his horse, Bonnie was watching him with expectation. "Well, how bout a cold drink Mr. Marston?" She started walking towards the house, John falling into step beside her.
"Thank you, ma'am." he paused. "Getting shot and then ridin' a horse seems to take a lot out of you."
He was rewarded with a small laugh from Bonnie. "Come on in," she invited. "I can show you the house and then you can sit for awhile."
"Thank you," he stated simply, eager to be off his feet after even a short ride.
He saw a lot less of the house than he might have hoped, some part of him curious at the chance to see Bonnie's home. It was simply decorated but homey in a way that made him wish Jack was with him. This was a house Jack would have liked. She showed him to the room closest to the front door, urging him to sit as she prepared them some iced tea. John settled on a chair, exhaustion making his eyelids heavy.
Bonnie brought the glasses in on a tray, humming softly to herself and found John sleeping soundly. His head was resting awkwardly against the back of the chair and she realized she should wake him. But he looked like he dearly needed the sleep, his snores making her smile. She hadn't been oblivious to his heavy breathing from their ride, or the way he held his side when he thought she wasn't looking. So she turned around with the tray, leaving him to wake up on his own.
Bonnie was forced to wake him up after night had already fallen,
"Mr. Marston." she called. He was still in the same position she'd left him in and he jolted awake, getting to his feet.
"Miss MacFarlane?"
Bonnie wasted no time. "Remember the trouble I mentioned we've been having with the rustlers and other undesirables?" At his nod she continued. "Will you help me keep watch on the property line this evening?" She held out one of the rifles she was holding.
"Sure," he took the rifle from her, inspecting it carefully.
"I want to see just who is trespassing on our land." Bonnie smile was full of mischief. "Let's head out then. The country's really beautiful at around this time."
When they were mounted on their horses, Bonnie admitted, "I feel a lot happier someone's along with me. Thank you Mr. Marston."
John brushed off her thanks, "I feel a lot happier now I got a rife."
Bonnie smiled ruefully, her features hidden from John in the dark. "Well, with your trigger itch and my feminine intuition, we should make quite the team."
The night was less eventful than he'd hoped, but that was probably a good thing with his injury. They shot some rabbits and coyotes, Bonnie ever grateful for the small help he'd provided. There didn't seem to be much else going on that night so Bonnie offered to see him to his room.
"You know, you can actually handle a rifle." she observed with interest. His shots at the quickly fleeing rabbits and coyotes had been dead on.
"It's something I've had some experience in." John admitted.
Bonnie smiled. "Maybe Bill Williamson did get lucky after all."
"Luck didn't really come into it, miss."
"You're a useful man to have around the ranch, that's for sure. Don't think I've forgotten what brought you here though. We'll do whatever we can to help you."
"I sure appreciate that, Miss MacFarlane."
They arrived at the cabin Bonnie was currently lending to John and he hitched his horse before slowly sliding off the saddle.
"Thank you for your help, Mr. Marston. Makes me kind of happy I saved your life." Bonnie kept her tone light, but the sentiment was a genuine one. She still wasn't sure what she would have done if she'd found him dead on the side of that road. "Get some sleep and I will see you in the morning." She lifted her hand in farewell as John moved to the cabin.
He lifted his own in return. "Goodnight, Miss MacFarlane."
Thanks for reading!