Author's Note: I don't own Red Dead Redemption nor any of the characters. I only own the plot to the story and few characters which are my own.
Summary: Red Dead Redemption 2 Au. It was Sadie Arthur had been in love with not Mary Giles all those years ago. Arthur was prepared to leave it all behind for Sadie. Sadie's family intervened lying saying that Arthur was dead killed in a shootout with the law. Heartbroken Sadie marries Jake Adler. Eighteen years later. A snow storm brings both death, destruction and a ghost from the past to Sadie's doorstep.
Chapter 2
Colter, West Grizzlies Ambarino
May 1899
Arthur rose before the sun was up. Getting out of bed he put his gun belt back on. Arthur rubbed his hands together some warm and blood circulating. The cabin he, Dutch, Molly, Hosea and Ben where bedded down in was a little warmer then outside.
Arthur yawned as he searched the draws of the ramshackle bed side table for any of use. He found a few cans of what seemed like eatable food. He placed them in his satchel.
Arthur placed some tinder on the fire burning in the fireplace. He tied his bandanna around his face for added protection from the cold.
There was hardly any wind. The only members of the gang who where awake where himself and those that where on guard. Arthur trudged through the thick snow for the barn.
"Easy Boy" Arthur spoke gentle to the Chestnut Bridle Stallion he'd ridden last night.
The stallion sniffed at his gloved hands taking the sugar cube Arthur offered. He patted the Stallion on the neck
Arthur placed a makeshift rope halter on the Stallion leading him outside, tieing him to the hitching post.
Arthur returned with the bride, saddle, saddlebags and saddle cloth. The big stallion barely moved as Arthur placed the saddle cloth on him before heaving the saddle onto the horse's back.
The big stallion snorted and shook his head after Arthur place the bridle on his broad head. Arthur checked to make sure the bridal was comfortable and wouldn't hurt the Stallion.
Arthur left the Stallion there at the hitching rail. He caught the Raven Black Shire that was a handful. Arthur was the only one could handle the headstrong Stallion. He named him Blackjack.
Blackjack followed Arthur to to the hitching rail where the chestnut bridle Arthur had earlier saddled. Arthur placed a halter on the Shire, along with a pack saddle he'd found lying around in the barn.
It thankfully fit the big Shire horse. Arthur went about finding the tools he'd need for burying Sadie's husband Jake. He tied a shovel and ax to the pack saddle.
"Hey Arthur where you off to" Lenny asked as Arthur mounted the Chestnut Dapple Stallion.
"Going up to bury Mrs Adler's husband. See if I can retrieve anything from the ruins of her cabin. It's the least I could do" Arthur answered spur the Stallion into a walk.
"When will you be back"
"Probably not till this afternoon sometime. I'll see if I can get a few deer or anything worth eating" Arthur answered as he rode off.
Arthur stopped at the stream. Letting the horses drink and filling his canteen. Arthur placed his canteen over the saddle horn before climbing back up into the saddle.
It was hard going for the horses through the snow. In some places the snow was belly deep for the horses.
Arthur tied both stallions to the hitching rails that where still standing. The smell of decomposing bodies made him gag and nearly throw up. Arthur spied a small grave yard to the left of the barn.
Arthur took the shovel and went to start digging a grave for Sadie's husband. Arthur paused in his work of digging drinking from his canteen.
Arthur recalled the first time he and Sadie spoke for first time he inadvertently meet Jake Adler as well that day.
18 years earlier
Lake Don Julio, Cholla Springs New Austin
1881
The temperature sure was rising. A hot wind blew across the plains as Arthur rode along heading to back to camp at Twin Rocks. His saddle bags full of money, a few gold nuggets and ill gotten gains from the robberies he done the last few days.
Arthur slowed Stoneclad who was lathering badly from the hot temperatures. Rather then push the Stallion in the hot weather. Arthur steered the stallion off the road towards the lake.
Perhaps a swim for both of them would help them both cool off. Arthur dismounted, unsaddling Stoneclad. He pitched the tent in such way that both he and Stoneclad had shade.
Arthur rolled out his bedroll under canvas of the tent providing shade to both he and Stoneclad.
Arthur wet his bandanna to try and cool himself off. Stoneclad lay down beside him under the canvas of the tent. The stallion sniffed at Arthur's canteen looking for water.
Arthur removed his battered old gambler hat, filling it with offering it to Stoneclad to drink from.
Even in shade out of the blistering sun it was still hot. Maybe a swim would cool both of them off. Arthur stripped out of his clothes till he was naked. Not caring if anyone riding past got a look.
It was to damn hot for Arthur to care. Arthur wore his boots to keep from burning his feet on the hot ground. Entering the water Arthur removed his boots throwing them onto the shore line.
"Come on boy" Arthur whistled.
The big stallion got to his feet before trotting into the lake with his rider.
Sadie and Jake Adler had been out riding in the heat of the day. Jake had come to call on Sadie earlier that day. Sadie wasn't blind she liked Jake as a friend or more like a brother. He was a good man. And make someone a fine husband one day.
"Perhaps we should head back to the ranch. Your mama said something about lemonade or ice tea."
"Or we go skinny dipping in the lake" Sadie laughed as Jake blushed bright red at her words.
"I….ah. Perhaps a swim in Lake Don Julio wouldn't hurt" Jake's cheeks flushed bright red at the thought of seeing Sadie bare skin.
They turned off the main road to the banks of the lake. Someone was camped on the edge of the lake, and they where swimming in the lake with their horse. It wasn't a bad way to cool off on such a hot day as it was.
Jake noticed clothes laying on the shore with a pair of boots. The man was swimming naked. Jake glanced over at Sadie to see if she'd noticed which she had. Her eyes followed the naked man as he swam in the lake.
The man's horse having had enough of swimming trotted out of the lake. Smelling He and Sadie's Mares. Nickered the ir way, before trotting over to them.
Arthur paused in his swimming when he heard Stoneclad whinny to another horse. He noticed two horses on the shoreline. One was a flaxen chestnut Kentucky Saddler the other a bay roan mustang.
"Stoneclad" Arthur called to his horse. Stoneclad ears pricked up trotting back over to where Arthur had set up camp.
Jake suddenly felt like the third wheel. " I best be getting back my Uncle needed my help with something" Jake made his excuses before riding off.
"Didn't mean to scare your fella off just cause I'm swimming in the lake naked as a jaybird" Arthur drawled looking up at Sadie still sitting on her bay roan mare.
"He anit my fella, we're only friends" Sadie rasped.
"I see you making it a habit on spy on men swimming naked in the lake" Arthur teased.
"No I….mean...we didn't know anyone was here. Seeing as it's so hot a swim in the lake probably a good idea" Sadie stammered and blushed bright red as Arthur ran his hands through his wet hair.
"Water's not bad. You can join me if you wish. I don't bite much" Arthur shamelessly flirted.
"I don't know you from Adam Mr"
"Arthur Morgan" Arthur introduced himself.
"Mr Morgan. We barely know one another. It wouldn't be proper for you and I to be swimming in the lake together naked."Sadie tried not to stare at Arthur's muscular chest
"Who said we where swimming together Miss"
"Sadie McKenna" Sadie introduced herself to Arthur.
"Well Miss McKenna we anit exactly strangers anymore then are we. So if you want me to get out so your can get in you'll have to turn around"
"I've seen a cock before Mr Morgan. I got two brothers and grow up on a ranch" Arthur chuckled at her brashness.
"Alright then Miss McKenna. If you insist" Arthur unashamedly walked out of the lake naked as a jaybird.
Sadie blushed bright red as she watched Arthur get out of the lake naked as the day he was born. She found her gaze focused on his rather impressive sized cock even though it was flaccid at the moment.
"See something you like Miss McKenna" Arthur caught her staring at his cock. He chuckled as he pulled on his boots before grabbing his pants and pulling them on.
Colter, West Grizzles Ambarino
May 1899
Ben Matthews rubbed his hands together before shoving them in his pockets and making his way across to the other building where the other members of the Van Der Linde gang where trying to keep warm.
"He anit been seen in days" Abigail said as Ben entered the cabin.
"He's strong and smart" Tilly offered.
"Strong at least" Abigail agreed.
Ben knew if Arthur where here he'd have a few choice words to say on that. He still hadn't forgiven John for running out on the gang, more importantly Abigail and baby Jack back then.
Few members of the gang save for the older members knew of Eliza and she and Arthur's son Isaac who been killed for a mere ten dollars. When they died all the goodness went out of Arthur.
Ben glanced over where Mrs Adler sat with her daughter. Huddled under blankets seated between Mary Beth and Karen. Ben remembered a little about Sadie. Though it had been some years since they'd seen one another.
He'd been five years old at the time. When Arthur had been prepared to leave the gang and everything behind for Sadie. But for some reason that never happened.
"Ben" Abigail nodded to him.
"Abigail" Ben replied.
"How have you been"
"Just fine. You asking me to go look for John. I'm sure he's fine Abigail. He's probably hold up somewhere waiting for the storm to pass" Ben replied.
"Just for a piece of mind. Why don't you, Javier and Arthur go look for him. Speaking of Arthur where is he. I haven't seem at all today."Hosea looked around for Arthur.
"Holy fuck is it cold out there" Lenny swore as he came inside. He backtracked when Abigail glared at him for swearing with Jack being within earshot.
"Sorry. It really cold out there"
"Lenny have you seen Arthur at all this morning" Hosea asked.
"Sure early this morning around dawn. He left to go bury Mrs Adler's husband and do a bit of hunting. He said he'd be back sometime this afternoon" Lenny answered
"Alright Javier. Will you and Ben go look for John" Hosea asked.
"Sure let's go brother" Javier handed a sawn off shotgun to Ben as they left the cabin.
Adler Ranch, West Grizzles Ambarino
May 1899
Arthur banged the cross into the ground he'd carved for the grave. He keep it simple saying.
In loving memory Jake Adler
Loving Husband and Father
Died May 1899
The dead O'Driscolls Arthur didn't bother burying. He'd simple dragged their bodies deep into the woods leaving the animals to feast on the dead bodies.
Arthur searched through the ruins of the burnt down cabin. Searching for anything he could salvage for Sadie and her daughter. He quickly found what he was looking for two long lock boxes.
The bastards where heavy. They most have guns or something of importance in them. Arthur wasn't going to look inside them. It was none of his business what was in them. He tied them on the pack saddle of Blackjack.
Arthur was tightening the girth on the chestnut bridle stallion. The sound of a horse moving through the thick snow caught his attention. The rider was riding a red roan quarter horse.
The rider panicked when he saw the burnt shell of the cabin and the Arthur. He wheeled the horse around spurring into a gallop.
"O'Driscolls" Arthur scoffed mounting his stallion and giving chase.
The roan had a head start on Arthur's Stallion. But the heavy snow made it hard for the roan to make a lot ground on Arthur's horse who ate up the distance between them. Arthur threw a loop of his lasso.
Pulling the lasso tight. The rider was pulled backwards out of the saddle landing heavily on the snow covered ground. His horse galloped off.
"Where you thinking you running off to O'Driscoll" Arthur asked as he hogtied the man.
"I an…..it no f...u..ck...ing O...Dri..col" He stuttered.
"Well if you anit a O'Driscoll who are you then" Arthur asked.
"Kier..na Du..ff...y. I wor..k for Mr and Mr.s Ad..ler" Kieran answered.
"Where you been the last few days"
"Valentine visiting my siste..r" He answered."
"Alright then" Arthur cut him lose
"Where are Mr and Mrs Adler" Kieran spoke without stuttering.
"Well Mr Adler's dead I buried him this morning. Sadie and her daughter are in Colter with my people."
"What. What happened" Kieran asked.
"O'Driscolls" Arthur answered helping Kieran to his feet and getting a good look at him. He was badly disfigured. He was missing one eye and looked to be half blind or partly blind in his remaining eye.
Then there was a the scar on his neck which looked like it had come from a noose.
Colter, West Grizzles Ambarino
May 1899
Both Sadie and Lex had barely moved all day and said a word to anyone of the gang. The other members of the Van Der Linde gang figured it was better to let the two woman have their space after such a traumatic experience.
The silence was broken by horses moving about outside.
"Go hitch your horse over there Duffy" Arthur's voice cut through the wall.
Both Sadie and Lex's ears pricked up. It had to be Kieran their ranch hand. He'd gone down to Valentine a week ago. His sister was having her first child.
"Nice work Mr Morgan. Just dump that one on the floor there near the table" Simon Pearson observed as Arthur dumped one of the two deer he'd shot and killed on the floor.
Kieran placed the other one on the table.
"Who's the stray you picked up Arthur" Uncle asked as he took a sip of whiskey or rum before handing it back to Pearson.
"What a surprise to see the camp rat loitering around the kitchens"
"Is that anyone to greet any old friend" Uncle asked.
"I do my upmost to avoid you. To answer your question Uncle this is Kieran Duffy he's Mrs Adler's ranch hand."Arthur answered as Pearson handed him the bottle.
"Fucking hell what is that" Arthur coughed.
"Navy Rum. The only thing the only thing. Keep you sane it does"
"Yeah seems to done a treat on you" Arthur bite back sarcastically.
"Uncle you going to make your self useful and help me skin these deer or not" Arthur asked turning to Uncle.
"I'd love to help but I got Lumbago. One false move and it could be fatal."
"I give you something that will be fatal if you don't help" Arthur had heard that excuse from Uncle more times then he cared to count.
Uncle shot his mouth and helped Arthur skin the deer before scurrying off somewhere. Arthur helped Pearson hang the two deer carcasses up for butchering.
"Not bad Mr Morgan you sell these for a decent price in any town"
Arthur was about to reply when Javier called out "Can we get some help here. To help John off this horse"
"What all tha about" Arthur turned to Pearson.
"Ben and Javier went looking for John earlier" Pearson answered.
"Can we get some help" Ben called out as he and Javier slowed their horses.
"You're alive, oh your alive" Abigail cried as she came out of the cabin with Bill and Lenny.
"Shit" John groaned in pain.
"Care you idiotas it's his leg" Javier cursed at them to be more careful.
"Thank you both" Abigail thanked them both "This is a new low even by your standards" Abigail hissed at John.
"Thank you Ben Javier"
"What you two been up to while I been gone rescuing lost maidens" Arthur joked approaching the four of them with Kieran.
Javier just snorted and left heading for th warmth of the cabin.
"So what now pa" Ben asked Hosea.
"We'll go east"
"East into all that civilization" Ben protested.
"What choice do we have son"
"What did 'golden boy' do to himself" Arthur asked as Hosea went to speak with Dutch in the other cabin.
"Got half eaten by a wolf."
"Guess we'll have to start calling him Scarface or Wolfboy"Arthur drawled.
"John's going to love those nicknames. Where you been apart from burying Mrs Adler's husband"
"Hunting got a couple of deer. Ran into Mrs Adler's ranch hand. Ben this is Kieran Duffy. Kieran this is Ben Matthews" Arthur introduced the pair.
"Kieran"
"Mr Ma..th..ews" Kieran stuttered as he shook Ben's hand.
"Where's Sadie. I managed to recover some stuff from the cabin"
"In the main cabin with everyone else."Ben answered.
Arthur made his way to the other cabin. Before going inside he removed his hat smoothing done his hair. 'Get a fucking grip Morgan. She just lost her husband. Why would she want some ugly ass bastard like you' He thought to himself.
"Sadie can I have a word" Sadie looked up. She still thought she was seeing a ghost every time she saw Arthur.
"Sure" Sadie got to her feet following her former lover outside.
"What is it Arthur" Sadie asked once they where outside.
"I figured I'd give you these. I got them when I buried Jake this morning. I found some strong boxes that survived the fire. I don't know what in them. I didn't open them."Sadie cut him off hugging him tightly.
"Thank you" She cried kissing Arthur on the cheek.
Arthur handed her Jake's wedding ring. She clutched the ring tightly to her chest. Arthur took that as his que to leave.
He went back to his room in the cabin he was sharing with Dutch, Molly, Hosea and Ben. Arthur sat on his bed pulling out his journal and pencil.
'May 1899
Went back up to Sadie's ranch to bury her husband. I buried him and brought back some things she might have wanted or what I was able to salvage. Seems I missed all the excitement while I was gone.
Drawing of Jake Adler's Grave
Javier and Ben looking for Marston who got himself lost and nearly eaten by wolves. Ran into Sadie's ranch hand Kieran. Poor bastards had the rough end of the stick of life come his way. Disfigured badly and watched his family slaughtered by those animals the O'Driscolls. Despite being half blind. He don't let that him stop him from living a full life.
He seems like a good fella.
Made a right fool of myself again in front of Sadie. Blushed like a school boy cause she kissed me on the cheek for burying her husband and bringing his wedding ring back.
I'm a damn fool to think she'd want me'