A/N - I am unbelievably sorry for such the wait! D: I've just been VERY busy with life and alot has happened but hopefully things will get better now and I'll have time for this. :) This chapter isn't my best, i'll admit, but hopefully it will suffice for now, while I get back into the swing. :) Also, I've got an up-coming Red Dead story involving Jonah this time. Check out my profile for more info. Read, Review and enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not, nor will I ever own Red Dead Redemption or anything related to it. This fanfiction is purely fan made and I only own characters and places that are new. I apologise if any of this material offends any one. I assure you I don't mean to offend in any way, shape or form. This story will contain coarse language and graphic violence.
Chapter 19 – Back in the saddle.
Once Susan and I regained our composure we trailed into the marshal's office. I noticed a man was curled up in one of the jail cells, the other was empty. The marshal had sat on his desk and was riffling through some yellowed papers. Jonah sauntered up to the occupied jail cells and rattled the bars. The man startled awake with a snort. Meanwhile, Jack turned to me and chuckled. "What am I going to do with you?" I blinked at him and cocked my head.
"What? What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. Jack shook his head and glanced sideways at Jonah and the cells.
"Perhaps I should jus' lock you up in the Armadillo jails." I rolled my eyes and grinned playfully.
"You can try but ya won't succeed," I challenged, daring him with my eyes to try.
Jack's eyebrows both raised with disbelief. "Oh, really now?" he said with a grin on his face.
I nodded and tilted my head back, now regarding Jack through my lashes, "Yup." Jack fell silent and I could see as a plan was formed in his head.
"Well, you can't blame me for this." I opened my mouth to speak and ask what he meant but the breath left me as I was suddenly grabbed and pushed (gently) back into the empty cell. Then, the large hands that were previously wrapped snugly around my shoulders disappeared, leaving me stood in the prison. With a chuckle Jack pulled the door too, shutting me behind bars. Marshal Arrington casually watched with a smile as I came to, realising Jack had put me in one of the jails!
I rushed forward and wrapped my slender hands around the cool, rusty bars of the jail. "Hey!" I called at Jack. He stood just beyond my reach, relishing in my struggles. I huffed and rattled the bars, jostling the man next door. "Jack, Jack!" I called, frowning and puffing out my cheeks. "Are ya gonna let me out?"
"Would you pipe down!" the man beside me snapped, his voice rough with remnants of whisky. I looked sideways at him and scowled.
"I aint some lowlife like you, so I don't belong in here," I retorted, huffing at the man. The man growled and staggered to his feet off the iron bed he was previously slung over. "Why you insolent wrench!" he cried, stumbling to the iron wall between us. He slammed against the bars with a rattle, the loud noise startling me but I gave no ground. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the Marshal raise his head towards us, Jonah advance forward ever so slightly and Jack had suddenly appeared just beyond the bars, his revolver pointing deadly at the man. "Why don't you get back in that corner, partner," Jack said lowly. The man's eyes focused dazedly on the barrel of Jack's gun, before he backed down and slunk back into the far corner.
I relaxed my body and looked to Jack. His gun was lowered but his narrowed eyes staid on the man. "Can I get out now?" I asked. Jack's attention was brought down to me. His eyes relaxed and he smirked. "I don't know... You have a habit of gettin' into trouble."
"Aww, I didn't know you cared," I teased.
"I don't. But it's always me who has to get you out of trouble." I deadpanned at Jack's bluntness, but knew he was only teasin'.
"I can get myself outta trouble, ya know?" I replied, pouting. Jack shrugged with a smirk.
"Well, why don't you try it sometime then." He laughed and dodged my hands as I reached through the bars to smack him.
"Oi! Jus' get me out!" Still laughin', Jack finally gave in and opened the door for me, releasing me from the cell. "Thank you," I said curtly. Jack shook his head and laughed more.
-x-
The sun was just dipping behind the western hills, descending Armadillo into a cool shade. A few wagons drawled in, pulled by weary horses. I stood out under the porch of the Sheriff's office and watched the town life pass me by. The air was cool now, the blistering heat lost with the sun's relenting rays. The Sheriff's office behind me was lit up by lanterns and inside the chatter of men and a woman drifted from behind the closed door. The door creaked and spurs jingled as boots tapped against the wood. The door shut again and someone was by my side. "This evening's nice," Jack said beside me. I nodded and smiled.
"It is. The sky is really pretty when it's like this." Jack and I turned our eyes skyward, gazin' upon the swirl of blues and purples, reds and oranges. A moment passed as I tried to count the appearing stars. "Wanna go for a quick ride?" I looked down to Jack.
"Really? Sure." Jack smiled and began walking.
"We can go for a quick canter round Cholla Springs," he explained. I grinned and trotted after him.
"I don't mind where we go."
We tacked our horses and were quickly off. We cantered out of Armadillo, leaving the sleepy town behind us, and into the last of the evening light. It was warm, pleasantly warm. We turned left and began heading up a gentle slope, and soon we were running alongside the San Luis river. The evening light reflected beautifully off the water, creating an un-captured master piece. "Why don't we sit by the river for a bit?" Jack suggested. I tore my hazel eyes from the shimmering water.
"Sure." We turned off the path and trotted down through the brush to the water's edge. We left the horses a way back, allowing them to crop the tough tussocks of grass, and walked the rest. I quickly found a place to sit and dropped myself down. The gentle slosh of the water hitting the bank was soft and melodic, enough to make me want to lie down and drift off. Jack joined me and together we admired the beauty before us in silence. It was a while before either of us spoke. We both were content to sit and words need not be said. "This is lovely," I said, once I eventually did speak. Jack hummed in agreement and stretched his legs out.
"It is. Nice to jus' sit and watch."
"I wonder how many people do jus' sit and watch. I bet half the people in Armadillo don't realise this place is as beautiful as it is." I inhaled deeply and felt my lungs expand with the cool air. "This is one of the reasons why I love jus' travellin' around. I get to see all these different places that otherwise I wouldn't ever get to see."
"Do you think you'll ever settle in one place?" Jack asked with a hint of amusement.
I giggled slightly and answered, "I will, at some point. But I don't wanna be stuck bein' no housewife to some fancy pants man. I want a bit of freedom. And I aint too keen on the city, neither. I'm a country girl, through and through." Jack laughed and removed his hat, running a hand through his hair and casually draping an arm over his knee. "Hmm... I always dream of gettin' my pa's farm back in business. It's kinda been left now, since I'm away." I could hear the tone of sadness buried in Jack's voice. My face softened and I gave him a warm smile. "If all else fails I can always help ya."
Jack laughed, "I'd like that Eva. And don't worry; I won't be some fancy pants man, nor some city folk." I giggled.
"I hope so. I fear ya may forget to ride a horse!" Jack and I laughed, continuing to chat about the future, each teasing the other. The light faded now, the whole area becoming cool with the night air. The stars came out above us and an owl hooted nearby. Jack and I decided finally it was time to head back to Armadillo and rent a room for the night. The journey back was silent but relaxed and I felt the beginning of sleep tug at my conscience. When I did get to Armadillo I quickly un-tacked Dash and put him in a stable for the night, ensuring he had plenty to eat, then quickly said goodnight to Marshal Arrington and his deputies, then Jack, Susan and I slumped off to the saloon which was alight with music and light, and paid for a room. Then, as quick as I could to avoid the drunken men, I was upstairs and tugging off my boots before slipping into the bed. Springs prodded my back but it was a bed and I wasn't going to argue. My mind became hazy with sleep and I drifted off. My last thought before I was gone was, Did Jack and I just agree to live with each other?
The next morning I awoke to an empty room. I blinked the sleep from my eyes and gazed about. It was early; only a little morning light was filtering through the small, dusty windows. I laid still and watched dust dance in the streams of light before a smash downstairs startled me. I quickly pulled on my boots and walked out the room, making sure I had everything. "Oh, Dewey Greenwood! What have you done?!" A voice, clearly an elderly ladies, hollered downstairs. I walked to the rail and placed my hands on the smooth wood and peered down over the edge. The bartender – apparently named Dewey Greenwood – was busy mopping up a broken whiskey bottle. His (what I presumed to be) wife stood to the side in her white dress and apron, hands on hips, and scowled down at the man. "You've done gone and knocked over another bottle of that damn whiskey! I told you to be more careful!" the woman cried again.
A few of the working girls giggled before trotting off in their high heels. My nose wrinkled slightly before I turned back to watch the elderly couple. "Aw, he dropped another bottle." I shrieked and jumped sideways.
"Ah! Susan!" I cried, placing a hand over my furiously beating heart. Susan had appeared from nowhere and scared the life outta me! A smirk made its way onto her lips as she casually leant on the rail. "I was comin' to see if ya were awake but instead you were eavesdropping."
I huffed and replied, "I wasn't eavesdropping... I was jus' standin' out here and they happen to be talkin' pretty loud." Susan rolled her eyes and turned on her boot heel.
"Well, either way, jus' hurry and come to the front of the saloon." I cocked my head to the side curiously.
"Why?"
"The Marshal said somethin' about a job for me and you. A trial run for me, really." I grinned and quickly followed her as she slipped out the double doors to the outside balcony. I walked out into the growing morning light, awkwardly walking past the few prostitutes that stood on the balcony relaxing. One gave me a polite smile that I weakly gave back. I shot after Susan and down the stairs, boots thumping against the wood. "So, you've talked to Marshal Arrington?" I asked as I caught up with her. She nodded slightly. "Jack started it. He mentioned I was interested in becomin' a new deputy or somethin' and it kinda went from there." I smiled. Good ole Jack.
We walked round the corner and to the front of the saloon. There stood Jack, the Marshal, Jonah and Eli, gathered around all our horses hitched to the rails. "Mornin'," I greeted. Eli tipped his hat politely and replied with a, "Mornin' miss." Jonah just inclined his head and had his usual scowl in place.
The Marshal nodded and replied, "Mornin' Miss White. I have a proposition for ya." I halted and raised a brow, while Susan leant against the rail with her arms folded over her chest. "Ya do?"
"Since I've decided to put Miss Locke here through a trial run I thought you might want to tag along with us, should your wrist feel up to it." I looked at the coarse bandage that was wrapped tightly around it. I was due to see the doctor again today. I looked back up and nodded. "My wrist is fine."
"But you have to promise to be careful!" Jack interjected. I smiled and rolled my eyes.
"I will, I will." Jack gave me a stern look.
"Eva," he warned.
"I promise! Ya know I will..." I gave Jack a sincere smile and turned to the Marshal. "Where're we goin'?"
"Well, we caught wind that some of Walton's gang are holdin' up the place. We're now off to clear the place." I nodded and smiled.
"Well, what we waitin' for? Let's get goin'!"
"Don't you want somethin' to eat first?" Jack asked as I mounted Dash.
"I'll wait till we get back – c'mon, let's go!" Excitement and eagerness were bubbling up inside me. It felt like I was beginning to get back into things, and the dull ache in my wrist was forgotten about.
We cantered out of Armadillo, led by the Marshal, headin' out towards Twin Rocks. Cantering near the back of the group, Eli pulled alongside to make friendly banter. "How's that wrist of yours feelin'?" I glanced down again at my wrist and shrugged.
"It feels fine."
"That's good. I would recommend some of Nigel West Dickens' healing elixir, but unfortunately he left a while back to head over to England." I watched as Eli began to ramble to himself. "I wonder how he's doin'... I wish he came back, I'm in need of more of his elixir." I smiled as the man talked about something he was obviously passionate about. Eli's eyes had lit up and his cheeks turned even more rosy red. I wondered if my cheeks went as red when I talked 'bout things I liked...
"You don't want none of that stupid stuff," a high voice with a southern slang said behind us. Both Eli and I turned around to see Jonah behind us. "That aint no good to a man."
Eli frowned and countered, "It is. You shouldn't dismiss science so easily-"
"It aint got nuttin' to with science, it's jus' a load of hokey pokey," Jonah interjected.
"It works!" Eli cried. "I took some of Mr. West Dickens' eyesight elixir and the next day I could see as sharp as an eagle!" Jonah rolled his eyes and huffed.
"You're speakin' a load of bullshit!"
"No I aint! You're jus' sour 'cause it don't work on you..."
"It don't work on no one!"
Jonah and Eli continued to argue, so I restrained Dash and dropped back alongside Susan. She was watching the two deputies before us arguing. "Those two are fools," she commented. I giggled and shrugged.
"They have their moments..."
"Which jus' so happens to be all the time."
"So, ya excited?" I asked. Susan glanced sidelong at me.
"A little."
"A little? Gonna explain?"
"No need to." I sighed slightly at Susan's flat answers. She wasn't the chattiest of people but she wasn't this bad. I began to think, was it because she was nervous?
"Are you... nervous?" I asked carefully. Susan frowned and glared at me. A shiver ran down my spine.
"I aint nervous, we're jus' going to shoot up some mediocre gang members..." I blinked and offered her a small smile.
"Right, right. I know, I was jus' being stupid..." I laughed a little nervously, Susan's glare boring into my soul.
"What I thought," Susan said as a smirk tugged at her lips. I pouted and looked ahead.
We were beginning to slow and ahead I could see two large boulders. Twin rocks was aptly named. "All right, here we go," I whispered to myself, pushing the ache in my wrist to the back of my mind.