*Author's Note*

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Shaw Eldridge (Oh you'll find out who he is in the first scene.) - Luke Grimes

Election Day, 1878

Sully POV:

I had spent most of fall avoiding Peggy. Thankfully, she's been too busy at the diner to actually chase after me. I just ignored the notes she sent with her kids, tossing them into the wood stove most of the time. I had more important things to do then talk to Peggy about $5 worth or so of damage my cousin and the hotheaded McCoy caused. More important things, like trying to figure out how to get Anse to approve of Johnse and Roseanna along with keeping Uncle Jim alive in the years to come. So far, I didn't meddle and let the feud take root the way it was supposed to, but now I had to make some subtle changes to see the end result I wanted.

I was grading some papers after dismissin' my class for the day whenever the door opened. I looked up from the paper in my hands only to see Shaw Eldridge, the near 19-year old son of Peggy, walk into my school house. "You've been avoidin' mom for months 'bout the money owed for damages on the diner from Cap an' Tolbert's brawl."

Looking at him from over my paper, I asked dryly, "So, let me guess, she sent you over to get it?"

"Yea, since we get along, she figured I'd get the money from ya." He told me, coming to a stop in front of my desk.

"We still get along? I thought the blow up we had when you refused to go off to University and demanded to come back to these damned hills put a wedge 'tween us."

"Just cause we got into a spat don't mean we got a wedge 'tween us." Shaw told me in a heavy sigh. Shaking his head, he let out a half chortle of, "Hell, if it weren't for you taking me with you when I was like 12 or 13 Peter would've beaten me to death for not being his."

By taking Shaw back with me for his middle school and high school years I prevented his first fate of gettin' a finger cut off by a cleaver while butcherin' a cow for his stepfather. Yea, when I found that out through looking up old records on the people of the Tug River Valley I told, not asked, Peggy that Shaw was coming with me.

"Yea, your mother picked out a real jackass when she married him." I scoffed, my disgust for Peggy's late husband thick in my voice.

Shaw defended his mother's marriage to Peter with the remark of, "Didn't have much of a choice. She did what she had to for survival considerin' she was unwed and expectin' durin' wartime."

"Enough of going down memory lane." I harshly told the young man with shoulder length light golden-brown hair that was leaning against my desk. Hell, that boy was my biggest mistake and accomplishment all wrapped up into one. Sighing, I asked, "How much do I owe your mother?"

"I dunno, maybe like 5 bucks." Shaw shrugged. As I was taking my wallet out of my breast pocket, he looked at me with his honey eyes and told me, "So, why haven't you left yet? You never stay more than a month."

"You learned about the feud." Was the answer I gave him while taking the money out of my wallet and handing it over to him.

"Oh no, you're going to mess with it." He sighed, snatching the money out of my hand. "Hell, haven't you ever watched The Butterfly Effect? Messing with events that've already been in one time usually makes things worse instead of better in the future." Shaw warned me while I put my wallet away.

"That was a movie, Shaw. Real life isn't so restrictive."

"Whatever." Shaw rolled his eyes at me. Holding the money up slightly in the air, he announced, "I'll go give this to mom." Before walking away, he told me, "And don't be too hard grading Todd and Mary's papers, they're just lil kids."

"Don't worry, they'll get fair grades." I told Shaw as he reached the door.

Looking over his shoulder he told me, "See ya tomorrow at election day.", before opening the door and walking out of my classroom.

I should've never brought him back. I should've made him go off to the University of somewhere instead of caving and giving into his wishes of coming back. I don't want him caught up in this feud, but hopefully since he knows about it he'll stay clear of it. One thing the history books skim over is everyone that gets arrested by Bad Frank and given a life sentence. Hopefully, I can keep one name from ever being read in a life sentence verdict by a Kentucky judge.

Allie POV:

The election day festival was in full swing. The venue was decorated in the same way it was for the 4th of July festival. Booths were scattered everywhere for games, foods, and trinkets. Tables were set up for people to sit, talk, and eat at, while a large tent was placed in the middle of the plot for voters' privacy. A small dance floor was set up not that far from some of the food vendors. Tolbert McCoy had his shine wagon flanking one side of the makeshift food court while Johnse had his new cart, full with a few barrels of shine, one the other side. Tolbert and his brothers were manning his cart while Johnse, Robert E. and Abel were running his.

I didn't see Jessa with Tolbert, so I assumed he was giving her some breathing room and letting her explore the festival on her own. I was walking around with Cap, browsing the various trinkets that were up for sale. "Ya see anything you want for the house?" Cap asked, looking between me and a booth we were passing.

Yea, the house was done. Cap had some help building it from Skunk Hair and Abel, so it didn't take as long as he thought it would. Right now, it was move in ready, complete with furniture and everything. We decided not to move out until we got married. Our wedding this weekend, a lot sooner then originally planned, but I was happy. I was ready to move out of the main house and into our own. Yea, I know that in the future a girl my age wouldn't be moving out and getting married, but I was in the past and living life how it was in the late 1800s. Besides, my brother approved of Cap so I wasn't too worried or scared about my upcoming wedding.

"No, not really." I shook my head.

"Okay." Cap nodded before suggesting, "How bout we go find Skunk Hair and Vera?"

"Sure." I told him, causing Cap to lead us away from the trinket booths and into the main hustle and bustle of the vast venue.

After a couple of minutes, we spotted Skunk Hair and Vera sitting at a table. "Hey, how ya'll doin'?" Cap asked our friends as we went over to their table.

"Doin' good." Skunk Hair answered Cap while taking his flask out of his jacket pocket.

"Ya'll excited for your weddin'?" Vera asked with a bright smile while me and Cap sat down at the table.

"Yea." I smiled, excitement beaming in my voice, as Cap just nodded his head silently.

Skunk Hair took a sip off his flask before pointing it towards something in the air and announcing in a disbelieving tone, "Holy shit, why look at that. Shaw's approachin' Tolbert's girl."

I turned my head to see what Skunk Hair was talking about, only to see a guy with shoulder length golden-brown hair that gave me a slight case of deja vu. I swear, I've seen this Shaw guy before. I don't know where or when, but he seems so familiar.

"Hmm…" Cap hummed out, slightly nodding his head while watching Shaw appear at Jessa's side. "Maybe he's tellin' her that Tolbert needs to pay up for wreckin' his mama's diner couple months back?" Cap suggested with a shrug before snatching the flask out of Skunk Hair's hand and taking a swig off of it.

Shaw was Peggy's son? Hell, I didn't know she had a kid that old. I thought her kids were little, or at least that's what I assumed. Eh, she prolly has a few kids considering birth control didn't exist during these times.

Looking over at my fiancé, I asked, "Did Sully ever pay her for your part of the fight damage?"

"I dunno, but I doubt it since he's been doin' a good job of avoiding her." Cap chuckled, passing Skunk Hair's flask over to me.

I just nodded, grabbed the flask, and took a sip of it while watching Shaw talk with Jessa. Hmm, maybe he'll be able to get her away from Tolbert.

Jessa POV:

I was walking around, looking for Nancy after leaving Roseanna and Alifair at a craft booth since I wasn't interested in looking at ribbons, whenever I sensed a presence appear at my side. I turned my head to see who was next to me only to let out a hitched breath. "Shaw Eldridge?" No, it couldn't be. I mean it looked like the boy from my drama class last year, but instead of jeans and a Henley he was time period slacks, button up shirt, and suede jacket. Hell, I was used to seeing him with a football helmet on his head, not a black Stetson. What the hell?...

"I thought that was you, Jessa George." The man with a stunning smile and flawless light golden-brown shoulder length hair told me as he took in my appearance with a long look.

"How're ya even here?" I asked him, my hidden meaning being how are you even here since last year you were a senior at Will Rodgers High in modern day Tulsa, Oklahoma?

"How'd ya think I got here?" He sarcastically asked before telling me, "Same way you got here."

"Oh…" What the hell was Mr. Sullivan up to? He had to have some kind of motive for bringing me, Allie, and Shaw here. At different times too.

After a few silent moments he looked at me and remarked, "So, talk has it you've been staying with the McCoys."

"Yes." Was the simply one-word answer that popped out of my mouth.

With a brown brow arched, he tilted his head at me and asked, "Is that smart considering the feud?"

"Probably not, but since this is feud territory why are you here?" I asked, deflecting the attention off of my presence in 1878 and placing it onto his.

"My mom lives in Mate Creek with my half siblings. She needs help running her diner and raisin' her kids." Shaw answered as we walked around, getting close to some fabric booths.

In a low whisper I asked, "So you went from the past to the future back to the past again?"

"Pretty much." He nodded, shoving his hands loosely in his jacket pockets.

"Why?"

"That's an answer you don't need to know." He told me thru gritted teeth. Um okay then… I just noded my head, giving him a slightly wide-eyed look. Shaw relaxed his jaw and composed himself before going on to say, "So, rumors got it you're Tolbert's girl." Giving me a small side-glance of a look, he asked, "That true?"

"No, we're just friends." I sadly shook my head, my tone deflating a bit. I wish I was Tolbert's girl, but it seemed he was fine with just being friends with me. I mean the furthest our friendship ever went boundary wise was a hug or maybe a head kiss goodbye from him whenever I'd leave his house after cooking him lunch or cleaning it for him. He just wouldn't jump out of the friendzone, it's like he enjoyed the friendzone even tho we both admitted months ago to liking each other.

"Ah…" Shaw's voice rang out in a long sigh, hanging heavy in the air like smog.

Tolbert POV:

I had been workin' my shine wagon for a while now wit' my brothers. So far, I'd been makin' a good profit. Johnse Hatfield had his wagon set up 'cross from mine, so I had a bit of comp'tition for sellin' shine. That Hatfield horn dog had his future brother-in-law, the ex-calvary man, helpin' him sell his horse piss. His lil brother took off a while back, but he was a dumb kid so can't expect him t'actually stick 'round t'sell shine.

Calvin was leanin' 'gainst the side of the wagon, keepin' an eye out for the preacher's daughter. They've been seein' each other, so once he spotted her he'd be takin' off. Pharmer was sittin' on top o'my whiskey barrel while Bud stood near the back wheel of the wagon. I was leanin' gainst my barrel, a hand lazily restin' near the spicket, as I waited for customers t'show up.

Nancy walked up to my wagon with a sour look on her face. Oh lord, what hell did Jefferson get himself into? Comin' to a stop right in front of me, Nancy told me in a raspy sweet tone, "Cousin, you won't believe who's strollin' 'round with Jessa."

"Who?" I asked with a raised brow. Couldn't be anybody special. Maybe one of the McClintocks or the Barrys, hell maybe even Perry Cline. Like how in the hell am I s'posed t'know who Jessa's strollin' with, I'm workin' sellin' my shine t'make a livin'.

A sharp line crossed over my cousin's face as she spit out the name of, "Shaw Eldridge."

"What?" I choked out, not believin' my ears.

Shaw Eldridge, the damn diner boy from Mate Creek, came back durin' the summer after years away at some boys' school. Word had it he came back to help his ma, the bitch that threw a bucket of water on me, with the diner and his siblings. Hell, what was he botherin' Jessa for? Weren't there 'nough women in West Virgnie for 'im to bother with? Did he really have to go after the one I liked?

"Mhm. They seem to be hittin' it off too." Nancy revealed wit' a slight head nod.

My eyes bulged outta my head at hearin' that. "What?"

"Last I seen them was near some quilt and fabric booths." Nancy told me with a straight an' serious look on her egg-shaped face. "Anyways, I'm here to buy some shine for my brother while he's off votin'." My cousin told me while openin' her purse an' takin' a greenback out of it. I just nodded and took her money 'fore grabbin' a full bottle from the back of my cart and givin' it to her. With a polite nod of thanks, Nancy walked off.

Hell, I needed to see what was goin' on for myself. Lookin' up at Pharmer, I told 'im, "Watch my wagon. I gotta see what's goin' on with Jessa."

"Nothin' to see, Nancy just told ya she's with Shaw." Calvin had 'nough nerve to say t'me.

Pointin' my finger at him, I ordered, "Shut up, Calvin."

"We'll sell yer shine for ya, Tolbert." Pharmer assured me from his perch on the whiskey barrel while Bud just nodded his head from his spot standin' near the back wheel of the wagon.

I didn't say a word, just stormed off from my wagon. I made my way into the direction Nancy said she last saw Jessa an' Shaw strollin' t'gether. It only took me a few minutes 'fore I came up on Jessa walkin' with Shaw. They were awfully close, too close for my likin'. He must've said somethin' funny t'her cause she let out a giggle as a smile appeared on her face. The hell? How can she be laughin' an' strollin' wit' him for? Him?!

Seein' red like a ragin' bull, I marched right up to them. "Havin' a nice walk?" I snorted at them, my nostrils flarin' angrily.

Shaw smirked at me before lettin' out a smug taunt of, "We're just talkin' Tolbert. Don't get your long-john's in a twist."

"Tolbert, I thought you were selling your shine." Jessa said, movin' away from Shaw.

"I was, til I decided to take a break." I told Jessa as she appeared by my side.

Lookin' at Jessa, Shaw told her, "I'll talk to you later. Bye, Jessa."

"Bye, Shaw." Jessa called out t'him as he walked away from us.

I just scowled 'fore loopin' an arm 'round Jessa's elbow and tellin' her, "Let's go see what there is t'do 'round here."

"Are you jealous of Shaw Eldridge?" Jessa asked me, lookin' up at me with a furrowed brow and curious indigo eyes.

"No, I'm not jealous." I quickly denied. Hell, I was, but I wasn't tellin' her that. She didn't say a word, just nodded at me. After a minute or so of walkin' I spotted a popcorn booth. Pointin' at it, I asked, "Uh, ya wanna share a cone of popcorn?"

"Okay." Jessa nodded, causin' me to lead us over to the booth.

Hopefully us walkin' 'round sharin' a cone of popcorn'll keep her mind an' interest off of Shaw Eldridge. Jessa's made it known t'me in the past that she cares 'bout me; I won't be havin' that taken an' stoled 'way from me by some jackass that only just come back from schoolin' few months 'go.

Sully POV:

I was leaning against a tree, talking with Uncle Jim, whenever I noticed Shaw over near the voting tent talking with Randall McCoy. What the hell, why's that boy talking to that self-righteous zealot for? Uncle Jim must've been thinking the same thing cause he looked 'tween me and where Shaw was at with McCoy while spittin' out in a raspy drawl, "Sam's Hill, that boy of yours lost his mind? He's over there talkin' wit' Ole Rand'l."

"I dunno what's crawled up his ass, but I'm gonna find out." I told Uncle Jim, my voice low and cold.

"Hmm…ya better." My crotchety uncle nodded, spittin' a large wad of tobacco out onto the dirt and twig covered ground.

I just nodded, keeping a watchful eye on Shaw and Randall; waiting for them to end their talk and walk away from each other. After a few minutes Randall went over to where his wife was waiting for him by the tent while Shaw walked away, heading over to where the makeshift food court was at. I didn't say a word, just pushed myself off of the tree I was leaning against and followed after Shaw.

"Shaw, what were ya doing talking with Mr. McCoy?" I asked, coming up to Shaw's side, right before he reached the food court.

"Asking him about that girl stayin' with him. Jessa George." Shaw told me, stopping so that we could stand and talk.

Jessa George? Oh, good lord, was he star struck by her or something? I hope not, it's common knowledge that Tolbert McCoy's got his eye on her. Also, Jessa's with Tolbert most of the time too so I think she shares his affections. "Why?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't say something stupid like 'I like her' or 'I wanna court her'.

"So, I can see her." Was the stupid answer that came out of his mouth.

"Good god, I was afraid of that." I let out in a long sigh, my shoulders slumping a tad bit. "She's been living with the McCoys for months now, has empathy for them." I reminded Shaw before sternly adding in, "Stay away from her."

"Of course, she's empathetic, she's a nice person." Shaw told me, causing me to just roll my eyes. Any bit of sympathy for the McCoys was dangerous, especially with how that family twisted things to sound best in their benefit. His voice went real low as he revealed, "Look, I kinda know her so if I wanna see her I can."

He would kinda know her. Hell, do I even want to know how? Shaw going around Tolbert's girl is dangerous. That redhead is a hothead; I don't need Shaw getting himself hurt cause he pissed off Tolbert by sniffing around Jessa. Jessa's going to end up with Tolbert, seems that what the fates always had in store no matter how or when she ended up in the Tug River Valley.

Knowing that Shaw was hardheaded and would do whatever he wanted, I let out a long-defeated sigh of, "Just be careful, Tolbert's got his eye on her."

"I'll be careful, but it's not like I'm askin' for her hand or anything. No harm in talkin'." Shaw told me before walking off towards where Tolbert McCoy's whiskey wagon was at; where Jessa was standing at with Tolbert too.

Jessa POV:

I was standing next to Tolbert at his shine wagon, helping him sell his product. His brothers all took off to do stuff, so it was just us. I spotted Shaw walking down the path towards us, only to be stopped by Mr. Sullivan. They had some words before Shaw stormed off and continued on the path towards the shine wagon. A deep and hard scowl came over Tolbert's face as Shaw came up to us. Shaw ignored Tolbert's pissy look as he smiled at me and said, "Hey, Jessa."

Before I could say a word, Tolbert gruffly asked, "Ya here to buy some shine or not?"

"Yea, I'll take a bottle." Shaw nodded. Grabbing his money clip from his pocket, he looked at me and said, "I talked to Mr. McCoy and he's given me permission to come over tomorrow night for dinner; to spend some time with you too."

Spend time with me? Oh god, was I being handed off into a courtship or something? Shit, did Randall approve of Shaw over his own son or did Tolbert never tell his father that he liked me? Oh no, what if Tolbert plans on staying in the friendzone forever. I mean I like him, but I've been trying for months on end to get him to realize we'd be a good couple only for nothing to happen. Should I just spend time with Shaw, see how things go? I mean we had a drama class last year so we kinda know each other. He was always popular and nice, but hung around a different social circle then I did. I guess if Tolbert doesn't want I relationship I can always go with Shaw, even tho I'd prefer to be wit Tolbert.

"Oh…" Trailed out of my mouth as I took the dollar that Shaw had handed over to me.

Tolbert shoved a bottle into Shaw's chest while telling him, "Don't ya have a diner to help yer mama run; siblin's t'raise? Yer gonna be a bit busy t'spend time with Jessa."

"I can manage my time just fine, Tolbert." Shaw remarked, grabbing the bottle that was shoved into his chest. "Don't get so worked up, I'm just comin' over for a friendly dinner an' chat." Shaw gave me a smirk and said, "See ya tomorrow.", before walking off.

Tolbert POV:

Jessa smiled at that bastard and called out, "Okay, bye.", to his back as he walked 'way.

I just rolled my eyes and snatched the greenback out of Jessa's hand. She gave me an odd look as I put the money into my cashbox, but I just shrug it off. Hell, how could she be so friendly with him when she cared for me? Damnit, was she bein' nice t'him cause he was showin' an interest in her? Ah hell…I need t'make sure that she doesn't get swoon by Shaw Eldridge. Hell, I don't know what it is 'bout him, but I can't stand that bastard. Like he just casts off a presence I can't stand.

AN:

So, Sully's a shady thing ain't he? Tolbert seeing Jessa getting attention from Shaw made him jealous. (Don't worry, Tolbert and Jessa will be getting together soon). Next chapter will be Allie and Cap's wedding. Also, Tolbert's going to be confronting his poppy about giving Shaw permission to see Jessa.