Surprise! I didn't move yet.
I'm going back to school, and it turns out the classes that I needed to take over the summer all had online options available. I am very thankful for that. While moving fast is theoretically possible, I was not looking forward to rushing the whole process. Now I can take my time, and I used my extra week to write a little ahead so I can take days off from writing if I need to.
Here is the start of Part 2! I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 15: Indiana
Bessie wasn't sure what woke her at first. She shut her eyes again and snuggled closer to Hosea, hoping to be back to sleep soon. Then Hosea shifted, groaned. His lungs shuddered, and he mumbled a few words.
Bessie squeezed his shoulder and said, "Hosea, darling, wake up now. It's just a dream."
Hosea gasped, his eyes flying open as he tried to sit up. Bessie moved with him, keeping a hand on his shoulder. "You're alright. We're safe, remember?"
"Arthur?" Hosea asked.
"Arthur is sleeping in the other room," she continued, wrapping him up in a hug as Hosea got his breathing under control. "Colm doesn't know we're here."
"I know," Hosea said. "I just… I need to see him."
Hosea slipped out of bed, trying to be quiet as he opened the bedroom door and stepped into the hall. Bessie was right behind him as he pushed on the door across the way. Copper looked up, his tail thumping against the bed. On the other side of the room, Isaac was asleep, too.
Arthur stirred as he felt Copper move next to him. "What's going on? Hosea?" he muttered, sitting up.
Hosea sighed and whispered, "Sorry, Arthur. Didn't mean to wake you?"
"Everything alright?"
"Everything is fine, we're perfectly safe."
Arthur was unconvinced. Bessie stepped up next to the bed and said, "He just had a nightmare, honey."
"Oh," Arthur said.
Hosea gently pushed him back down in the bed, keeping a hand on his shoulder. "Go back to sleep, son."
As Arthur closed his eyes and relaxed, Bessie guided Hosea back to their own bedroom. "This is the third time in a week," she said. "Maybe we should try that tea."
Hosea rubbed his eyes and nodded. "I thought I had a handle on them. Hell, it's been over two years!"
"I know. Is it the same one?"
"Yes."
For the first few months after Hosea and Dutch rescued Arthur from Colm, Hosea had the same nightmares over and over. Every night, he saw Arthur's pale, unmoving body in the coffin, and there was no pulse when Hosea moved to check him. Or worse, the one that plagued him more lately, he and Dutch dug and dug and dug, never reaching Arthur as Colm laughed in the background.
Bessie knew which laugh. She heard it, too.
After the gang finally put the desert behind them and arrived in California, they began making their way up the coast. They were gaining both a reputation and higher bounties, at least Dutch and Hosea were. They picked up a few new folk as well, a scam artist named Karen and a man who only referred to himself as Uncle, before they crossed the border into Oregon in early 1891.
Which was where they ran into the O'Driscoll gang.
Dutch, Annabelle, Hosea, and Bessie were enjoying a day in town, a nice double date with dinner and a show, when Colm approached them. He had a long scar across his cheek and through his eyebrow, and Bessie couldn't help but be a little proud of Arthur for giving him that. Colm let out that awful laugh and said, "I haven't seen a bounty for your boy lately. How is Arthur? Still in Colorado?"
The next second, all four of them were diving for cover as multiple O'Driscoll boys in town opened fire. They'd been lucky. They were on the edge of town, close to the horses, and were able to escape before any of them were injured. Dutch wanted to go after Colm, but after scouting their hideout, Hosea convinced him that the O'Driscoll gang was too large to attack.
The best way to keep Arthur safe was to get as far away as possible.
So, plans were made to cross back over the Grizzlies. Arthur, Isaac, Hosea, and Bessie left first by train, figuring they could spend a few weeks visiting Bessie's sister before meeting the caravan down in Missouri. She just hoped that Arthur hadn't been spotted at the train station. She didn't want him running from Colm for the rest of his life. Then again, if Arthur didn't have Isaac to look after, Bessie was pretty sure Arthur would have been right next to Dutch looking to put an end to the O'Driscolls.
Fortunately for Isaac, Arthur had dedicated himself to raising that boy as well as he could.
He joined Hosea in teaching Isaac how to read, how to do chores. Arthur was using their time at the ranch to teach Isaac how to ride horses, planning to officially gift Daisy to him as soon as they met back up with the others. In a year or two, he wanted to introduce Isaac to shooting as well. "Just a varmint rifle, I promise!" Arthur said when she asked about it. "We can start with rabbits and birds. You know he's interested in what I do."
Isaac was very proud of his father's role in the gang. Arthur provided most of the meat they ate, and now some of their clothing. He was getting much better at crafting, and was even making a small profit on the side. Arthur set up shop in whatever town they were robbing, taking orders for different clothing items. He used his position to scope out leads and inspect potential robbery targets. But unlike the gang's investment schemes, Arthur actually followed through on his orders, sometimes mailing the items if they ended up leaving town early.
Bessie knew that Arthur was happy. And, she believed, he was happier than he would have been working as a rancher.
"You alright now?" she asked Hosea when she returned with the tea.
"Better," he said, taking a sip. "I hope this helps."
"Being back with everyone else might help, too. I'm sure you are worried about them. I know I am."
"They'll do fine," Hosea said. "They're all good guns, even the new folk. That Karen Jones isn't afraid of a little gunsmoke, and Uncle can handle himself."
"As long as he's sober," Bessie grumbled, causing Hosea to almost choke on his last sip of tea. "Want me to take that back to the kitchen."
"Please, thank you!"
Bessie took two steps towards the door, then suddenly swayed. Dark spots overtook her vision, and she was forced to grab the doorframe.
"Bessie, darling, you alright?" Hosea asked, at her side in an instant.
"Yes, I think so. I just got dizzy all of a sudden."
"You sit. I'll take this back," Hosea said, grabbing the cup from her hands. He returned in a minute, by which point she felt back to normal.
"I'm fine, Hosea," she said as he fussed over her. "Let's just get back to sleep."
"As long as you're sure," he replied, but joined her in crawling under the blankets.
"Sleep well, Hosea," Bessie said, snuggling into him again.
Aside from the reasons, Bessie was glad to be able to visit her sister again. Amy had been understanding but disappointed when Bessie decided to go west with the gang rather than spend the winter at the ranch. But Bessie hadn't wanted to leave Arthur just as he was getting back on his feet.
And after, well, it was such a long journey. She didn't want to be away from her boys and Isaac for such a long time.
"You think it's too late to steal Arthur for ranch work?" Amy joked, gesturing to Arthur and Isaac out in the paddock. Isaac sat on one of her Kentucky Saddlers, trotting around the small ring under Arthur's watchful eye.
"Unfortunately, I think it is. But at least you get to put him to work now."
"He managed to wrangle Achilles earlier," Amy said, referring to the high-strung colt that Amy's husband Harry had been having trouble selling. "I can't explain it. Horses love him."
"At least he has a career to fall back on," Bessie laughed. "Maybe you can get him to make you a coat as a consolation."
"I'm holding you to that."
Bessie became distracted when Arthur opened the gate, letting Isaac ride out by himself. He mounted Boadicea and followed close behind in case of trouble. He noticed Bessie and Amy watching from the porch and waved at them.
"Oh, I hope Isaac is ready for that."
"He seems fine, don't worry," Amy said. "You can't keep them in the paddock forever." Her own children were old enough to have a whole list of chores to do around the ranch. Bessie barely saw them.
"I can't help but worry," she said
"Oh, I know. I worry about my children. And I worry about you, running around the west like you are."
"Oh, stop!"
"I do!" Amy said. "I never thought I'd have to! And when you told me what those outlaws did to Arthur, I can't help but worry!"
"I know," Bessie said with a smile. "Growing up, I never thought I would leave this farm, either. But I'm happy, Amy. I love Hosea, my family, my boys."
"I know. I just wish we could keep in better contact. I know not all my letters reach you. If something were to happen…"
"I understand," Bessie said with a nod. "I'll try to visit more often. I don't know what the plan is after Missouri, but I'm sure we'll still be much closer than the last few years."
"Good. And bring Arthur and that sweet boy of his," Amy said.
"I will," Bessie replied. "Dominoes?"
"I have time for a quick game."
They both knew the game wouldn't be quick, considering their competitive natures in an all-fives game. And they probably wouldn't stop at one.
Early in Bessie's and Hosea's marriage when they tried living an honest life, they first went to Indiana. They moved into the same house they were staying at now, and Bessie both began working at the ranch while Hosea healed.
They didn't last very long.
The Matthews wanted to find their own livelihood, not try to fit into someone else's life. So, they took their wages, quite generous considering how much smaller the ranch had been at the time, and traveled until they fell back in with the gang.
Back then, it had been her with the fears and nightmares. Now, it was Hosea.
"You ever think that it would be better to settle down?" Hosea asked her.
"I haven't thought about that in a long time," Bessie said.
"Me, neither. But I want folk to be safe. Not just you and me, Arthur and Isaac, I mean everyone!"
"All of us settling down together?" she laughed. "I can't imagine it. That would have to be a pretty big property, considering how many of us there are now."
"Oh, yes. A gigantic property. I don't want to see my neighbors!"
"And how will we earn money on this great big property of ours?"
"Well, we've got Arthur's business," he said.
Bessie chuckled and said, "Does Arthur know he's going to be supporting this entire family with just his hunting and garments?"
"I'll help him with the hunting," Hosea said. "No, we'd have to raise livestock, most likely."
"And do you really think Dutch and Annabelle would go for this?"
"It was actually Dutch's idea," Hosea insisted. "He likes the idea of us having our own land, a place to truly be free, together. It sounded like a fantasy, at first. But I think we could do it."
"We tried this before, Hosea. It didn't last."
"Last time, we were alone. I loved being with you, but I couldn't stop missing Arthur and Dutch."
"I know," Bessie said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "I missed them, too."
"And we've had so many adventures, my dear. I think we could live a quiet life. As long as we are all together."
"I think so, too," Bessie said.
"Hi, Aunt Bessie!" Isaac said, running down the stairs for breakfast like he did every morning. But this wasn't just a normal day. It was their last day at the ranch, having finally gotten word that Dutch and the gang reached Missouri.
"Good morning, sweetie. Where's your Pa?"
"He went out early to get eggs with Uncle Hosea. Oh, wait," Isaac said, freezing.
"Wait, what?"
"I wasn't supposed to tell you. It's for a surprise."
"Don't worry, I'll act surprised," she said.
Bessie didn't have to wait for long to find out why Arthur had gone out for eggs. He and Hosea stumbled in, Hosea roaring with laughter. "Arthur got chased by a hen!" he said.
"I wasn't chased, you're exaggerating," Arthur huffed. "Good morning, Bessie."
"I kind of spoiled the surprise," Isaac said.
"We might as well tell you. Arthur and I are making breakfast this morning!" Hosea announced.
"Well, lucky me!" she said, kissing Hosea on the cheek. "Hopefully this goes better than your last cooking attempt."
"Hey! We're fine now. We just had a little food poisoning," Hosea said. "At least it's hard to screw up eggs. And we were able teach the boys about proper cooking, even if Arthur's idea of a seasoned steak is throwing some mint leaves on it."
"Mint is healthy!" Arthur argued. "You taught me that!"
"Each to their strengths," Bessie said, before leaning in to whisper in Isaac's ear, "We may need to go out for breakfast."
Hosea turned to them and said, "What are you whispering about?"
"Nothing!" Bessie said, giggling along with Isaac.
The kitchen was a mess by the time they were finished, but the eggs were delicious. "Thank you, boys, that was wonderful!"
"The day isn't over yet," Hosea said. "We're all going to town to see a show!"
"Really?" Isaac and Bessie said at the same time.
"Really!"
"I've never been to a show before," Isaac said. "What's it like?"
"There's all different kinds," Bessie explained as they headed out to the wagon. "There is singing, dancing, sometimes magic… and sometimes odd things you'd never thought anyone would do!"
"When it's vaudeville, it could be anything!" Hosea added.
"Hosea used to be an actor you know," Bessie said, glancing at Hosea.
"You were in shows?" Isaac asked.
"Oh, this is going to be good," Arthur said, snatching the reins from Hosea's hands. "I'll drive, old man. You tell your stage stories."
"Well, I wasn't in too many shows…" Hosea began.
They were all laughing before they even arrived in town. They spent a few hours wandering the streets and shopping before they went to the theater. And there, they laughed some more.
"Thank you for today," Bessie said as they headed back to the house. "This whole trip has been nice."
"I wish we visited Indiana for different reasons, though," Hosea said. "Let's make sure to come back, soon. Maybe we could bring John."
"I'd like that," she said.
The next morning, they said their goodbyes, almost reluctant to leave the quiet ranch. Bessie promised Amy that she would visit more, and bring John next time as well. But once on the road, they moved fast, excited to be back with the gang.
"You're back!" John said when they finally rolled into camp.
"Hey, John," Arthur said.
"Arthur, Hosea!" Dutch called them over immediately.
"No problems getting out of Oregon, then?" Arthur asked, trying to seem nonchalant. But there was a slight shake in his voice.
Dutch hesitated, then said, "We had to take a longer route. There were O'Driscolls scouting for stagecoaches and caravans along the main road."
"You think they know we went this way?" Hosea asked.
"They know we came east, sure, but not how far. This is a big country, Hosea."
"I know. I'm just nervous," Hosea said. Bessie squeezed his hand.
"I think we've found ourselves a good spot. There seems to be a few rich idiots in town who could spread their wealth to the less fortunate. Arthur, why don't you set up shop in town tomorrow and start making contacts. Hosea and I can swing by the saloon and listen to what folk are saying."
"I could help with that," Annabelle said, almost glaring at Dutch. Bessie glanced back and forth between them, wondering where the tension had suddenly come from. But it was gone as quick as it had appeared. Dutch kept talking about plans, and Bessie tuned them out as she went to unpack.
It was good to be back in camp, but something new wouldn't be bad, either. Hosea was right, it could work. As long as they were all together.