*Author's Note*
Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.
Shakedown
Nancy POV:
I was in my last stage of pregnancy (third trimester's what Doc called it) an' I was a bit huge, but it didn't stop me from travelin' t'visit my Aunt Betty or to go to the grocery store. Truth be told, I couldn't wait t'drop my baby later this fall an' slim down back to my slender pre-pregnancy figure. I didn't like bein' fat, even if it was for a good cause.
Today I was in town shoppin' for a few items. Mostly some food items along wit' some things t'make baby clothes and blankets wit'. I had my basket filled wit' food an' just needed to get the clerk to fetch me some material an' other sewin' notions which is why I had waddled my fat ass to the counter. My sister-in-law, Allie, was there watchin' in nervous anticipation as the clerk rang up her order. Poor thing, she was livin' in shambles cause her husband refused t'divorce her an' send her ov'r to Abel an' mine's house.
But, on he other hand, Cap Hatfield was disowned for bein' a Hatfield defiler even tho he was Devil Anse's son. Squirrel had told Jefferson who'd told me that Cap's been playin' hand after hand day after day at the card tables of Pikeville's saloon to earn money. Most likely he was losin' more then he was winnin'. Like I said before, poor Allie an' her chil'ren (my niece an' nephew) were starvin' all cause of a Hatfield's pride.
I had a proposition for her, one I wanted t'seek her out t'give, but wit' her bein' in the store the same time I was, well, it seemed like the perfect time to spring my offer on her. Right as the clerk had given my sister-in-law her total, causin' her to fret an' ask him to switch out the Folgers for a lower priced (but shitty tastin') coffee, I made my presence known by sweetly speakin' up wit', "Don't listen to my sister-in-law. Keep the coffee an' add her total onto my bill."
"Yes, Mrs. Freeland." The clerk nodded his head as I placed my basket onto the counter.
"Thank you, Nancy." Allie gratefully told me, takin' her basket off the counter and loopin' it into the crook of her arm.
"No need to thank me none. We're sisters after all." I smiled at her before turnin' to the clerk an' tellin' him, "I need 2-yards of green fabric, 2-yards of blue fabric, 2-yards of plaid fabric, thread, a pack of sewin' needles, some yarn, an' knittin' needles."
"I'll get them from the back room, ma'am." The clerk told me before takin' off to get my supplies.
Turnin' to my sister-in-law, I gave her a concerned smile and told her, "I've heard some tell that money's tight at your house. I've got a solution to your money problems, if you're interested."
Her ears perked up and she asked, "What is it?"
Good, now that I've got her attention I can give her my offer. My offer's that too good t'be turned down. With a sympathetic look, I placed a hand on her shoulder and told her, "I've talked to my cousin Squirrel, who works at Adam's General Store over in Pikeville, an' he's assured me that he can secure your husband a job wit' his boss."
Her brows knitted together as she asked, "What's the catch?"
"No catch, other then McCoys like to help Hatfield defilers." I told her before quickly addin' in, "And I'm sure that I can convince Uncle Rand'l to let him help wit' the harvest, as long as your husband confirms for all that he is in fact a Hatfield defiler."
Allie shook her head and sighed, "I can't ask Cap to do that. He'd never betray his father; his family like that."
"Even tho they betrayed him; threw him out to the wolves per say?" I asked wit' a quirked brow.
"He's loyal to the Hatfield name despite what happened between him and his family."
"You're husband's a fool, Allie. Don't be a fool, if it comes down to starvin' an' feedin' your chil'ren," I told her, driftin' my eyes over the blonde lil boy hidin' behind her skirts and the baby restin' in a fabric wrap 'round sling, pressed 'gainst her chest. Placin' my eyes back onto her, I finished my sentence wit', "I hope you come t'me an' your brother for help." Rufflin' my nephew's hair, I told her, "Despite what you've might've heard 'bout McCoys family's mighty important t'us. You're 'part of that whether ya like it or not cause I'm married to your brother."
"Thank you for the offer of help, but I regretfully have to decline." She told me before snatchin' her boy's hand and walkin' off.
"Don't think you owe loyalty to a man that locked ya up in a barn for days, father-in-law or not." I called out to Allie, causin' her to falter in her steps, as she got closer to the door.
She didn't say nothin' back to me tho, just took a deep breath an' scurried outta the store. I take it she was still upset 'bout bein' locked up in a barn for only god knows how long. Can't say I blame her. I reckon I'd be shaken up 'bout bein' held prisoner too if it happened t'me. Poor Allie, if she doesn't leave 'em Hatfield lands she's gonna be one sorrowful an' miserable girl.
Shaw POV:
It was my day off, which is why I was lurkin' in the back ally of the Pikeville Saloon in order t'enter it. I very well couldn't enter the front door since it'd draw suspicion, especially since I was here to meet with Bad Frank. I walked into the backdoor an' thru the kitchen til I reached the awnin' that led to the back of the bar. I saw Bad Frank sittin' at the bar wit' a whore by his side. I snapped my fingers, makin' the barkeep look my way. I pointed to Bad Frank and motioned for the man to get the ex-Pinkerton's attention.
The barkeep just nodded his head before sayin' somethin' to Bad Frank and pointin' to me. Bad Frank looked at me and nodded. Risin' from his stool, he told the whore he was with, "I gotta talk some business. Go on, find some work.", before limpin' his way over to me. "Well, Shaw, didn't think you'd be one for lurkin' in the shadows." Frank chuckled as he stopped right in front of me.
"Yea, well, wit' Cap Hatfield playin' card shark to make end's meet I got no choice, but to lurk in the shadows." I told my business associate while pointin' out my cousin, who was sittin' at a poker table full of rough lookin' customers.
"Ah, take it you don't want him spottin' ya."
"No, not really."
"What's he to you?" Bad Frank asked as he studied Cap, who was bitin' his lip while lookin' at his hand of cards.
"Nothin' much, just a cousin of my dad's." I truthfully answered my business associate. Before he could utter a word, I quickly added in, "Might I add that I don't particularly care for the one-eyed piss ant or his bitch of a wife."
"Hmm, I sense some bad blood 'tween ya."
"No more then what'cha have for the Hatfield cause of your limp."
Bad Frank shook his head and lightly chuckled, "You're a ruthless cunnin' prick, I'll give ya that."
"I'll take it." I chuckled. "Now, I know we don't like Cap Hatfield, but don't kill the asshole. Beat him, rob him, do whatever, but don't kill him. It won't do no good, Devil Anse disowned him for takin' his traitor wife's side over the family." I told the ex-Pinkerton since I didn't want him killing somebody that didn't deserve it. I know Cap's irritating, but he doesn't deserve to be murdered cause he's Devil Anse's son.
"What'd she do that deems her a traitor?" Bad Frank asked with a curious look on his face.
"Almost got me and Johnse killed, least that how Devil Anse sees it." I dryly answered the man, causing him to just nod his head. "In all honesty, I had the situation under control. Got my hand on a loaded gun, had Tolbert McCoy in a chokehold wit' a pistol to his head, and was 'bout to walk way with my life when the Hatfields showed up with a 'rescue' party." I darkly chuckled before sighing, "Too bad they showed up, they stopped me from killin' that bastard that's always sniffin' 'round my woman."
"Take it ya don't like this Tolbert McCoy very much."
"Nope." I popped my tongue. "He's actually the reason why I wanted to meet with you. See, he owed me some money from a sue I legally won and he's yet to repay it."
"How much money?" Frank asked in a tone that was strictly business.
"Shit if I remember, but I want ya to scare him shitless so that they'll give me every penny he's got to his goddamned name."
"And what's in it for me?" He asked as his way to negotiate payment with me.
"Well, Frank, we'll half the money of course." I told him since I'm pretty sure Tolbert's got morethen enough money for us to split. Man lives at home and only sees a whore every now and then, so I reckon he's just stashin' all of his whiskey profits away for a rainy day.
"I like you. You're a man after my own heart." The ex-Pinkerton grinned.
"Yes, well you know what they say, money talks and bullshit walks."
"I'll get'cha your money and put the fear of god into your problem McCoy."
I nodded before going into a lengthy confession of, "Believe it or not, I could careless 'bout the other McCoys. My stepfather was friends with Randall, the head of 'em, so I was raised 'round them til I was 12; then my real daddy showed up and took me with him. Only one I hate's Tolbert, but reckon it's been in the works since he tried to kill me once over a card game and now, he's been lustin' after my wife ever since I've made my intentions known 'bout her." , as I leaned 'gainst the awnin' I was standin' in.
"You've got no loyalty do ya, Mr. Eldridge?"
I honestly answered the man's question with, "Mr. Phillips, the only loyalty I've got's to my wife and chil'ren."
"Noted." The weasel-faced man nodded.
"If you're lucky you might even be able to find Tolbert McCoy upstairs. He's the redhead known to visit a blonde whore named Misty from time to time." I told Bad Frank, earning me another nod from him. "I'm gonna go, but just bring my money to the house once your job's done." I stated before leaving Bad Frank all alone in the awning that separated the back hallway from the bar.
Tolbert POV:
I had walked out of Misty's door an' started down the hall towards the large balcony only for the blonde whore t'follow behind me, beggin' that I give her a chance t'be more then what she was (a whore I paid for when I needed a quick fuck for stress release). Spinnin' fast on my heel, I gave her a hard look an' barked, "Stop pesterin' me t'be my woman. Yer nev'r gonna be that, ev'r, Misty. Yer my whore an' I pay ya good, so be grateful for that."
"But I don't have t'be just yer whore. If given the chance, I'd be able t'make you happy an' maybe even help ya forget-" She began only for me to gruffly roar, "Don't ya dare even think 'bout speakin' 'bout who I think yer gonna speak 'bout!" My eyes narrowed darkly at her as I seethed, "My love life's none of yer business, whore. If ya try t'make it so 'gain I won't think twice 'bout gettin' ya fired for meddlin' in customers' private lives."
Misty had tears brimmin' her eyes as she gulped nervously. I didn't say nothin' more t'her, just spun on my heel an' stormed off down the hall
"Tolbert McCoy?" Bad Frank asked me from his spot leanin' by the balcony post a few feet from the stairway.
Stoppin' an' lookin' at him, I asked, "What'd ya want wit' me?"
"My employer, Mr. Eldridge, says ya owe him a large sum of money; I'm here to collect it." He answered me with a slick smirk on his face. Goddamnit, that Vance Bastard would sick crazy Bad Frank on me for his money.
"I don't got the money. I'm a shiner not a millionaire." I shot back at him, givin' him a narrow look so he'd know I wasn't in the mood for his horse shit.
"I don't believe ya, Tolbert. Not one bit an' you're gonna come back here in an hour wit' all the money to your name." He pulled out a gun, cocked it, an' pointed it at my head. "Or else I'll blow your shit for nothin' brains out." Bad Frank threatened me, thinkin' that he'd scare me into givin' him my money to hand ov'r to that Vance Bastard that was a bigger pain in my ass then a goddamned hemorrhoid.
"Don't threaten me, ya bounty hunter trash." I ordered the man while knockin' the gun out of my face wit' a swift wave of my hand. "I've got a bad temper an' ya don't want it aimed at'cha." I warned the weasel of a man as a way t'get him to leave me the hell alone.
But he didn't leave me 'lone. Instead, he holstered his pistol, grabbed me by the collar o'my shirt, an' pushed me ov'r the edge of the balcony. What the fuck?! This man's not crazy, he's fuckin' insane! He's gonna toss me ov'r a balcony…Jesus… I held onto the balcony rail wit' a white-knuckle an' iron grip so that I wouldn't fall. I was already halfway bent ov'r the rail an' the entire saloon was dead silent, waitin' t'see if I was thrown to my death or not by Bad Frank.
"Now, Tolbert McCoy, you're gonna bring me all the money ya have in one hour. Say no 'gain and I'll let go of ya; we'll see if you'll sprout wings and fly or crash down to your death."
"I'll get'cha the money, just don't kill me." I stammered as I felt all the blood rushin' t'my head. Oh god, I wasn't ready to die yet. If I had'a pay up t'stay alive then so be it.
"Now, see, that wasn't so hard now was it, Tolbert." Bad Frank chuckled like a mad man as he pulled me away from the balcony, settin' me to stand up on my feet. Lettin' go o'my shirt, he shoved my chest an' ordered, "Now, go and get me that money for my client."
Oh, I'm goin'. I'm goin'. I ran off downstairs so fast you'd think my ass was on fire. Hell, I only had an hour to get my money an' bring it back to the insane Pinkerton, so I had'a get a move on.
Cap POV:
I couldn't help, but snicker as Tolbert ran past me wit' the fear of god in his eyes. I'm sure he shit his pants too when Phillips was holdin' him ov'r the balcony. I don't know what went on 'tween them, but it's a shame that the Pinkerton didn't send the McCoy fallin' to his death. Would've been one less McCoy to worry 'bout.
"'Nother hand?" The fat man actin' as the dealer asked while shufflin' the deck of cards in his hands.
"Like to, but can't. Need'a head on home to the wife." I told the man while the other men at the table answered with simple head nods, a 'Sure', and a 'Yea'.
"Too bad, would've liked t'win more of your money." The lanky man on my right chuckled.
Yea, that's the main reason why I was headin' home. I only had 50 cents left of the $5 I came in with an' I didn't want to go broke. Goin' home wit' 50 cents is better then goin' home empty handed. Unfortunately, I had big plans on doublin' or triplin' my $5, but my opponents had better hands then me an' that wasn't the case. I was on a bad losin' streak that I couldn't keep goin'.
"Comin' back same time 'morrow, Cap?" Buster, the man to my left, asked me as I rose from the table.
"Yep." I popped my tongue 'fore walkin' 'way from the poker table.
After walkin' out of the saloon's double swingin' doors, I walked down the porch past a couple of whores that were gigglin' an' smokin' an' over to the hitch post my horse was on. As I unhitched Badger I heard a bootstep followed by a draggin' sound, causin' me to look up at the saloon only to see Mr. Bad Frank Phillips walkin' out and down the steps.
"Ain't ya out of your territory, Hatfield?" The one-time Pinkerton asked in a tauntin' tone.
"Tug's my territory, Phillips." I coldly answered back. Hell, who does his crippled ass think he is to suggest I shouldn't be at the saloon.
"Thought all ya Hatfields stuck t'gether over in West Virginia. Reckon I was wrong." Bad Frank chuckled as he came to a stop right next t'me. Givin' me a dark, but serious look, he told me, "Ya know I hate Hatfields for my limp. It's your kin an' land claim that caused it."
"Phillips, if you're callin' me out to a duel or fight just say so or else leave me be so I can get on home."
"Your wife know you're hustlin' McCoy friends an' kin outta their money or she think you've got a real job?"
"If ya know what's good for ya, Phillips, you won't talk 'bout my wife no more."
"Heard you're whipped by the Missus, Cap Hatfield. Take it I heard true."
"Insult me an' my wife 'gain and-" I began to threaten the man only to be pinned 'gainst the hitch-post by the crippled weasel-faced man, who was holdin' a freshly sharpened bowie knife 'gainst my throat.
"Watch your words, young Hatfield, I've sliced throats of men for their insults plenty in my imtempered youth out West an' I won't think twice 'bout doin' it t'ya." Bad Frank told me, causin' me to try an' push him off of me. Even tho he was crippled an' lanky, he had some strength t'him and held me still 'gainst the post I was pinned to. "If you don't want no problems, I advise you empty your pockets and leave these parts."
"I don't got no money."
"Too bad, with how you strut 'roud you act like you shit gold." The weasel sarcastically chuckled 'fore pullin' me 'way from the post an' tossin' me to the ground. He kicked me in the gut and shrugged, "Guess I'll leave ya be, least til you've got 'nough money worth takin'." He started to limp towards the porch of the saloon, but stopped an' turned 'round as I stood up. "I live in this here saloon, so if you want to keep gamblin' here you're gonna have to pay up or take your chances at whether or not I'll put a bullet in your skull for how your family wronged me." He told me as I walked over to my horse and mounted it.
"I think I'll take my chances. 'Sides, I'm a pretty good shot, ya know." I told him while grabbin' Badger's reigns.
"Not as good as me; I can guarantee that." Phillips smugly told me 'fore limpin' back up the porch an' thru the saloon doors.
Sam's Hill, now I gotta watch my back not just for blood thirst McCoys, but for Bad Frank Phillips too while I'm at the saloon. Hell…nothin' 'bout my life can be easy right now, can it?
Jessa POV:
I didn't need any tea or ginger candies, but Shaw insisted I was gonna need them and went out this afternoon to get them. I thought it was odd that he was going to the store when my supply was fully stocked, but I wasn't going to argue and fight with him about it. If he wanted to go buy me more stuff then so be it. I mean I wasn't going to work myself up over it and make myself sick. I was already feeling drained from my pregnancy, I didn't need anything else adding to my crappy disposition.
I was resting on the sofa, a wet cloth on my head in a vain attempt to ward off a migraine I felt coming on, whenever Shaw walked into the house. "You sick?" He asked as he hung up his hat, coat, and gun belt.
"No, I'm cooling down from running a marathon. Of course, I'm sick, why else would I have a rag on my head for." I snapped at my husband as I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him.
"Kids nappin'?" He asked as he made his way into the main room.
"Yea and your sister's out back plucking a chicken for dinner." I told him as he walked by me and into the kitchen with a small brown paper bag in his hand.
"You want me to put on some tea for ya? Might make you feel better."
"Sure, go ahead." I told him, causing Shaw to silently grab the kettle and fill it up with water.
After placing the tea kettle on the stove and firing up said stove, he took a seat in the main room in his favorite chair (which was by the sofa). "When did ya get sick, babe?" Shaw asked with concern heavy in his deep timbre.
"Shortly after you left."
"Oh…" He sighed. "Sorry I wasn't here to make you tea and help ya out."
"Don't be, Shaw. It's not your fault I'm sick."
"Well, it kinda is since you're pregnant, but I get what ya mean." Actually, if he really knew who knocked me up, he'd have a cow. No, I take that back, he'd shit a fucking brick and then go shoot Tolbert right 'tween the eyes for some kind of sick revenge and retaliation. "I know I don't have to feel bad that you're sick or try and help you, but I do. I just want to be useful to ya while you're miserably carryin' my child." Shaw told me in a very soft, but solid tone as he looked at me.
Suddenly, a loud knocked sounded at the door. Oh god, it was so loud that it made the migraine that was looming in my head come front and center. My head started to pound and echo the knock at the door. "Go get the door before my head falls off." I told my husband thru gritted teeth as my hands started to shake from the pain I was feeling from my now unbearable migraine.
"Take some deep breaths and try to calm down, it might help you relax." Shaw suggested while standing up from his chair.
"Just go get the damn door." I snarled as my head was pounding as if it was being beaten in with a hammer.
"I'm goin', I'm goin'." Shaw assured me before running over to the door.
I had no idea who was at the door since Shaw didn't invite them in, but shooed them out onto the porch with the quick remark of, "Outside, my wife's got a migraine."
Shaw wasn't gone that long, only a couple of minutes. By time he walked back into the house the tea kettle was whistling loudly on the stove. "I'll get'cha your tea, honey. Just try to relax." Shaw told me, shutting the front door before rushing across the room and into the kitchen.
"Who was at the door?" I asked my husband as the whistling in the kitchen died down, signaling that Shaw had taken the kettle off the stove.
As Shaw grabbed the teacup from the cupboard and filled it up, he answered me with, "Oh, nobody too important. Just somebody droppin' off the money Tolbert owes me from that sue."
"What? He sent a courier over with your money?" I asked a bit skeptically since I knew Tolbert pretty well and knew that he had no intention of ever paying my husband the money that he owed him and if he did repay him he'd do it in person, not send some delivery boy.
"Yep. Apparently, he did." Shaw told me a bit too nonchalantly as he brought me over my tea. "Paid me $431 too." My husband bragged as he set the steaming teacup down on the coffee table with a small clinking thud.
What? No way in hell did Tolbert willingly give Shaw that much money. I had a feeling that Shaw sent somebody (*cough* Bad Frank *couch*) to do a shakedown on him for the money. I was in too much pain to call out my husband on his bullshit so I just nodded and said, "Oh, okay.", while reaching over and grabbing my cup of tea. "That's good." I added in for good measure before taking a sip of my tea.
"The money'll be a big god send once the feud really gets goin'." Shaw assured me, wanting me to know that we wouldn't be poor while hiding out from the McCoys. I remember learning in history class that the Hatfields went high and deep into the mountains and had to rely on loyal shopkeepers and postal workers to get them supplies. At least, according to my husband, we'll have enough money to support our family with while we're high up in the mountains for years.
I didn't say a word, just nodded and continued to sip on my tea.
"Mama! Mama, I done my nappy-time!" Silas' little voice loudly sounded out from upstairs, causing me to wince since my head hurt.
"I'll get him; tell him he has to be quiet cause your head hurts." Shaw told me before getting up from his chair and heading upstairs to fetch our son. No doubt he'd be waking our daughter up too in order to save himself another trip upstairs.
AN:
Well, isn't Nancy a sly little shrew? Oh boy, so Shaw's a snake that's got a business relationship with Bad Frank. Anybody surprised by that or no? Poor Tolbert, now he's broke. Yikes, Cap needs to watch his back, doesn't he?
Next up is Sunday dinner with both families (Hatfields & McCoys).