Unforgiven Sins

The days at Mountain Man Ranch served as a reminder of the potential life Arthur had walked away from when he lost Mary. Despite everything going well, he felt a sense of regret knowing that he could have had this a lot earlier in his life, with a woman he once loved. Had he done that though, he wouldn't have John by his side. He always saw him as a younger brother, even when he had returned from his year away from the gang.

The sun was warm and the nights were cool. Sadie had been helping around the ranch more, she enjoyed keeping herself busy. John and Arthur were grateful for the help. They went into Strawberry and Valentine on a weekly basis selling eggs, milk, meat, and crops, while also stocking up on their own needs.

"Prices like that, and we'll only be breakin' even!" John said as the three rode back to the ranch. The increase in population in the New Hanover region had brought an increase in goods prices to most stores. It became increasingly difficult for small-time farmers to make their profit. With some more volume to their weekly visits, Arthur felt they'd be alright.

Upon arriving at the ranch, Arthur noticed a few men on the outskirts of their fence. Not thinking much of it, they unloaded the goods they purchased into the house.

Some time later, Arthur and Sadie set out for a deer hunt a few miles north. Arthur, a skilled hunter, found Sadie to be quite impressive in the woods.

"I reckon the mere sight of you would terrify any animal we come across," Arthur had said in a light yet reassuring tone.

"You callin' me an unpleasant sight, Arthur Morgan?" Sadie asked playfully.

"More like terrifying, milady." Arthur gazed at her leading the way. This woman is astonishing, he thought to himself.

He followed her path for a short time when she stopped and drew back her bow. A deer had been drinking from the river, unaware of it's predators in sight.

"Easy... don't forget to breathe." He whispered into her ear. "You got the shot." She drew a deep breath and released the arrow. It had been a clean hit through the head.

Walking up to the carcass, Sadie said, "I've hunted before, Arthur." She wore a smile, no doubt happy with such a clean kill.

"I know," Arthur replied, "Ain't nothin' wrong with a lil' encouragement… Don't think you ever had a kill this clean. I should come out with you more often." He smiled at her, and she had pushed him away, only to bring him back in. They rode the deer back home.

After a big dinner, the men had gone outside as they usually did in the evening. Abigail and Sadie had called them back inside though-it had been cold and they wanted some company by the fire. The night was spent reminiscing over their time in the gang, and how they'd miss those who were gone or killed. In the heart of their discussion, two gun shots from outside drew them to their feet. Arthur and John had their revolvers out as they entered the porch.

"Get ou' here, ya yellow bastards!" yelled a man on horseback. He was accompanied by two other riders. The man who yelled had been tall, light skinned, and wore a thick mustache.

"Get the hell off our land 'fore I blow you in two!" yelled Arthur. He and John each had a pair of revolvers out and loaded. Four guns on three men.

"Mm, now you see, that ain't a way you talk to a guest." said the tall rider. "See, I know who you are, Arthur Morgan…" he stopped for a moment, then said, "...and John Marston. Two for one! Imagine that, boys..!" The other two hadn't said a word. They had their shotguns drawn on John and Arthur.

"Who the hell are you?" asked John with no attempt to hide his rage. He looked between the three of them, and didn't recognize any of them.

"Let's jus' say, you upset some pretty powerful people… People that would pay well to see your corpse rot.

"Remember Agent Milton?" he asked. The air grew quiet. Arthur and John gave each other a quick glance, then Arthur spoke. "He had it comin' and so will you if you don't lower your gahdamn guns!"

At that moment, Sadie kicked open the door with her shotgun pointed directly at the man who had been speaking.

"Take your guns off my boys and get the hell off this land!" she yelled, waiting for any reason to pull the trigger.

"My, my," said the rider, "name's Jefferson Callahan, and who might you be?"

Sadie had cocked the shotgun into condition one, placing a round in the chamber. The two stared for a moment, then the rider spoke again. "I have a deal for you, Miss. You give me these two men, and I let you go, of course only if you let me come and visit you again…

"Of course, we could just kill each of you, turn you in, and take our money. But why waste such a fine woman like yourself?"

Arthur's blood began to boil, and before he could look over at Sadie, she had shot him straight in the chest. John and Arthur unloaded on the two riders who were caught off guard. Sadie went up to the man she shot, looked him in the eyes and said, "Burn in hell, you damn coward."

"Think they're feds?" asked John, as he looked at the men he'd just shot.

"No, I think they may have been hired by them though… Let's get these bodies out of here." said Arthur. He went up to Sadie and grabbed her arm. Both were inches from each other, just like the night in Valentine. Arthur looked her in the eyes, and rested his forehead on hers.

"You are quite the woman, Mrs. Adler." said Arthur softly.

"I know." responded Sadie. They both smiled and held one another..

"Let's get these bodies moved first…" said John, as he grabbed one of three bodies.

Hey thanks for getting to the end of chapter six! I'm sorry for the long delay (well, for those of you who remember this story exists!) I started this 10 chapter journey during my first week of deployment, and as you can imagine, things got pretty busy. I have up to eight chapters done, and plan to conclude it with 10. I'm still deciding on a few plot decisions. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

It was only a matter of time until outside interference came to John and Arthur. Things will begin to wrap up in the next few chapters. Hope you stay til the end!