New Hanover
Three days had passed since Arthur's talk with Abigail, and he found it more and more difficult to not picture a future with Sadie. She's a good woman, a strong one certainly, he thought. Maybe the idea wasn't so crazy.
The group had decided they were ready to move from Copperhead Landing out toward Strawberry, where they would look for a couple acres to buy and build a house. Their departure marked the end of the line for Tilly Jackson, and they saw her off within the walls of Saint Denis.
"We'll write to you soon as we get settled somewhere. Please write us and let us know if you need anything." said Abigail, just before embracing her.
"Of course," said Tilly. As a tear went down her cheek, she went to Arthur and said, "Thank you, Arthur, for always looking after me. Please, take care of yourself and them. Mrs. Adler especially."
"Of course, Miss Tilly," said Arthur, as he gave her a fatherly hug. "You be safe now, y'hear? Take this." He handed her a schofield and she stowed it in her bag. She nodded and was off.
Arthur, Sadie, John, Abigail and Jack had gone North after seeing Miss Tilly off in Saint Denis. The five of them had gotten through Lemoyne territory in about a days worth of travel, and decided to stay a night in Valentine before continuing their journey. It had been a while since the lot of them had been in New Hanover together. Arthur couldn't help but remember the times when the gang was still together in New Hanover, a time that felt so long ago. Perhaps it was.
After John and Abigail paid for their room, they'd gone upstairs with Jack and their things. Arthur and Sadie were left at the desk, about to pay for their rooms, when Sadie said, "Y'know, Arthur, if we just share a room, we could save our money."
"Alright then," replied Arthur, "but I'm gonna have to insist that I let you take the bed. Ain't no man about to deprive a lady of a bed."
"You're a silly man, Arthur Morgan." uttered Sadie with a warm smile. Arthur took their bags up to the room they were sharing, and gave her a moment to change out. As he stood in the hallway, he heard what sounded like wailing from the next room over. Damn freaks, he thought.
The door had opened, and Sadie was in her nightgown. Arthur walked in, unbuttoned his shirt and threw on his union suit. Sadie had waited outside just as he did.
When she entered, Arthur said, "Y'know, I still haven't decided on a name for my horse. Been a while since I had a female. I might go with Lucy."
"That ain't the worst choice I've heard," said Sadie, chuckling while looking at Arthur.
"Arthur, I—"
"Sadie.."
They had both spoken at the same time. Arthur looked at her meaningfully and said, "All means, you go first."
"I—" she said, stuttering, "I'd like to hear what you were gonna say."
Chuckling, Arthur said, "Alright, Mrs. Adler…
"I've done some thinking—lot of thinking actually. I, well, I think very highly of you, I hope you know that.." his gaze fixed on her. She began slowly walking toward him.
Arthur continued, "It's just that, I know what you've lost, and with what I've lost, I thought it might've been crazy, but, I can't help but feel…" his words losing him, she got nearer as he spoke, "I can't help but tell you what a great woman you are, and I'm so grateful you're alive."
After he had spoken, they were only inches apart. She ran her palm across his cheek, and went in to kiss him. Arthur, not entirely surprised, kissed her back gently, slowly matching her passion.
When they broke apart, she told him, "Arthur, do you have to sleep on the floor?"
They both chuckled and went into bed together.
Later on, in bed, Arthur asked Sadie, who was leaning on him, "So, you're okay with this? We can try and make this…"
"..Work? Yes, Arthur." finished Sadie. "I've thought about it for some time now. I know I was set on not finding someone else, but I know my Jakey… he—he wouldn't want me seeking revenge for the rest of my life. I want a restart. I want a new life, Arthur. I want one with you. And when I thought you weren't coming back…"
After Sadie stopped talking, Arthur pulled her in tighter and kissed her on her forehead. "Me too, Sadie, me too.
"Y'know, you never told me what you were gonna say when we both spoke… perhaps we haven't had the chance since...:"
Sadie, laughing, said, "Looks like you said what I was gonna say, doesn't it?" They kissed once more, and Arthur leaned over to blow the candle out.
The next morning, Arthur and Sadie were up early, gathering their things so they could be off soon. They still had to travel to west of Strawberry to observe a few acres of land they'd seen in the paper. They met John and Abigail downstairs, and decided to eat at the saloon before departing.
Once they finished eating, Arthur pulled John aside and said, "John, what you said, about Sadie, I... It ain't easy, talking about stuff. Just wanted to say-"
John shot a smile at him and put his hand on his shoulder. "Don't mention it." The two exchanged a look of understanding, and John said, "This is gonna work, Arthur. You, me, our women, Jack, this land… This is the new life you talked about." And with that, the two joined their women and Jack, and mounted their horses to Strawberry.
Later that afternoon, they arrived in Strawberry in good time. The sun was still in the sky, and they planned to visit the few acres that were for sale.
They dismounted and walked up to the small house that stood in the midst of open land, and were met by a medium sized man who looked to be in his 40's. He wore a neatly kept green suit with a black hat. The man, noticing Arthur and John, said confidently, "How may I help you gentleman?"
"Uh we come to see about these few acres for sale." said Arthur, surprised he needed to explain their presence.
"Ah yes. If you would follow me outside, I can go right ahead and show you." He led them out the back entrance, where the five of them followed the man with the black hat into the grounds, and he said, "My name is JD Robinson. What I have to offer is this land of five acres, plus the house we just came from, at a price of 500 per acre."
"2500 for this?" said Arthur, looking around at the land. The grounds were nice, he thought. Half of his savings though? He felt Sadie's hand move across his back, "I think it's nice, Arthur." she told him quietly.
"Yeah, well," said Arthur. As he looked around, he caught John's gaze.
"Mr. Robinson, how fixed are you on your 500 rate?" asked Arthur, still looking around. There was a river that ran west of the land.
"Oh that's a pretty solid price as it stands, Mr….?"
"Morgan. Arthur Morgan."
"Ah, yes, Mr. Morgan. 500 per acre is a good deal and I would be foolish to go any less than that."
"Tell you what," said Arthur, "I give you 2200 right now, and this land is off your hands."
By natural instinct, John had his hand on his sidearm. He didn't plan on forcing this sale, but he had been used to a certain type of persuasion before. Abigail grabbed his arm and shot him a disapproving look.
"Mr. Morgan, I have just—-well... 2200 is a great deal of money, and to have it right now… Ok, you've got it, sir."
Arthur whispered into Sadie's ear, "Didn't even have to use my muscles for this."
Smiling, she grabbed ahold of his arm, gave him a quick kiss and said, "It's a new beginning indeed."
The beginning of the happy ending we all hoped for! Of course, we wish others those that have passed on like Hosea, Lenny, Miss Grimshaw, Sean, etc would be around too. Thanks for reading part four, stay tuned for the next chapter!
