*Author's Note*
Thank you for the favs, follows, and reviews.
Here's another update. My muses have been running wild with this story lately. I also have the first scene of the next chapter for SWTDS (Surviving With The Devil's Son) written too. Hoping to get that finished in a few days. Anyways, have fun reading.
Plans For Hunting
Allie POV:
It's been a few weeks since my Uncle Sill brought me and my babies to his cabin in Western Pennsylvania and I'm adjusting as well as I can be, I reckon. I miss Will so badly, my heartbreak's still a raw and open wound. Captain W and Lil Levicy are adjusting to life in Monty Creek, but I think that's only because they have a cousin to play with. Talk about my cousin, Ned was a nice kid. He was very mature for his age (being almost 9 and not actually 9 like my uncle claimed), but I guess he had to be with a dad that worked long hours at an Iron Works a couple of hours down the road. He was a great help with the kids, and he seemed to like me too. Unlike my Uncle Sill, Ned didn't complain about my cooking.
I was stripping the beds, so that I could clean and change the linens, whenever my cousin ran into the room while shouting on top of his lungs, "Allie! Allie, ya got a letter!"
Poor boy didn't go to school (Monty Creek was a small, isolated town on Thatcher Mountain and didn't have enough children to warrant a school or at least that's what the census said according to my uncle), but his dad taught him how to read, write, and do enough math to get by in life. I guess since we're in the late 19th century as long as he knows enough and can do hard work, he'll be fine.
"Who's it from?" I asked, stopping what I was doing and turning towards the open door of the room that I shared with my children.
"Dunno, don't got no return address, but it's addressed Ms. Allie Freeland, Monty Creek, PA." Ned shrugged, holdin' out the letter as he walked over to me.
"Thank you, Ned." I smiled, taking the letter from my cousin. My eyes blinked in shock as I recognized the handwriting as my ex-husband's. Not tearing my eyes from the envelope, I suggested to Ned, "Why don't you just go back to watchin' the kids for me. Okay?"
"Okay." Ned nodded, his dark curls flopping on his head, before leavin' the room to continue babysitting Captain W and Lil Levicy in the main room of the cabin, where I surmise, he left them when he saw the mailman ride up.
I sat down on the half-stripped bed and tore open my letter in a frenzy. Quickly, I pulled the paper out and unfolded it. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I read:
To my dearest Allie,
I'm so sorry about what happened between us because of your uncle and pa. You have to believe me when I say that this divorce is not what I wanted. I never wanted it, which I why I busted you out of that barn and brought you home. I love you and nothing is going to change that. Some stupid piece of paper saying that we're no longer man and wife has no hold over my feelings for you. I promise, one day when the opportunity comes, I will ask you to be my wife once again.
I miss you and the children, something terrible. I hate being away from my family. I hope the children are well and that your uncle is good to them and to you. I do plan on making a trip up there to Monty Creek in two weeks' time to see you. I'll scout out the area and send you a message on where to meet me at once I arrive.
Johnse and Roseanna just up and left. Their cabin is abandoned and there is no sign of them anywhere. Pa thinks that they done gone run off to save their marriage because of them being born to opposing sides. Shaw made a remark about how they probably ran off to Oregon since Johnse was always going on and on about that place. I hate to say it, but I think our cousin might be right about that.
Jessa seems to be getting colder these days at the family meals Shaw and his family attend at the big house. She doesn't talk much anymore but is always listening. She's polite, but not very friendly anymore. Sully, Uncle Jim, Pa, and Ma all think her sudden change in mood has to do with both her pregnancy, since she is known to have rough and hard times carrying children, and you being forced to leave the family by your Yankee uncle since you've been best friends since you were little. I reckon everyone's right, she's having a hard time since both of her friends (you and Roseanna) are gone and she's alone now without a lady her age to talk to.
Also, it's become very clear to pa and some other of us Hatfields that Endor John is not Shaw's son, but is in fact Tolbert McCoy's. The boy's coloring gives away the secret of his paternity, which is something pa is a bit concerned about. Both Sully and Uncle Jim reminded pa that Jessa was vulnerable and alone at the time the boy was conceived considering Shaw was locked up in their house to sober up some. They believe that she was taken advantage of while Todd was at the livery working. They also believe that she loves Shaw and was in the process of taking him back when she discovered she was with child. At least Tolbert's dead and gone; won't be a problem for Jessa and Shaw no more.
I think she could've done better than Shaw, but at least she woke up and figured out that Tolbert was no good. That the entire McCoy family is no good. Reckon being married to Shaw is just a price she has to pay in order to be a part of the Hatfields.
I do wish that we were still married; that you were still apart of the Hatfields.
Your loving ex-husband,
Will
The letter in my hands was badly stained by the time I finished reading it. I wiped my tears and sniffed as a happy smile crossed my lips. Will still loves me and wants to see me. He was also keeping me in the loop about family matters concerning the feud. I did disagree with him about the whole team Shaw and team Tolbert debate when it came to Jessa. I was totally team Tolbert. After scheming with him to try and get Jessa away from Shaw I discovered that he truly did love my best friend. He might be a McCoy, but he was better than that lying blackhearted sack of shit Shaw Eldridge. I'll stand by that opinion til the day I die, but I'd never tell that to Cap tho.
Jessa POV:
With the threat of Bad Frank and his posse looming over our heads, the Hatfield family tended to have more family dinners lately. Like every other day, they were usually held to discuss what gossip was heard about Bad Frank along with what our governor was doing about the prices on the men's heads. Right now, Governor Wilson wasn't doing anything, but Governor Buckner was listening to the canary singing in his ear. That canary being Senator Billings Brooksdale.
This evening I found myself in the kitchen of the main Hatfield house, helping Levicy put the finishing touches on tonight's ham supper.
"Ham'll be on the table in a moment." Levicy announced as the front door opened and in walked her husband with the other men hot on his heels.
"Smells good, Levicy." Anse told his wife, coming up to her side and giving her a peck on the cheek, while the other men made their way to the table.
I was addin' heavy cream to the mashed potatoes to finish them up whenever I felt my husband's hand on my shoulder. Playin' the loving and loyal Vance-Hatfield wife, I turned to my husband and smiled. "Shaw, have a good day on patrol?"
"I suppose." Shaw nodded. He pecked me on the cheek, causing me to internally cringe since I was plotting my escape, and chuckled, "Would've been better if I could've caught and killed one of McCoy's posse while on patrol tho."
"I hear ya, boy." Jim Vance chuckled while standing by the boarded-up window near me and his nephew, placing his gun in the cross slot in order to play lookout. "Hey, you know if your pappy's gonna be joinin' us for dinner tonight?"
"I dunno." Shaw shrugged, only to leave my side and join the other men at the table.
"Wall's comin' to talk 'bout the issues with the governors, reckon he'll bring Sully along." Anse told Uncle Jim, even though everyone in the room heard him.
"Of course, he will." Levicy assured everyone in the room as she carried the large ham platter to the middle of the long table.
"Ain't it dangerous for Sully to still be teachin' in town? With all 'em bushwhackers and bounty hunters out for 'em rewards…" Lias piped up while grabbing a bottle off the table and a cup, only to fill them up, as I set the potatoes to the side and grabbed the stack of dishes from the nearby cabinet.
"Sully's armed, ain't he Anse?" Alex Messer asked from his spot peeking out of another window, one that was on the other side of the kitchen near the china hutch.
"Yes, Sully's armed." Anse nodded while pouring himself a glass of milk. "He's a fine shot too; should be able to handle himself if troubles seeks him out." He assured everyone while setting the milk pitcher back onto the table with a loud clunk as I set a plate in front of him while Levicy flitted around the table, placing napkins in front of the countless number of men crowded around it.
"But he ain't as good of a shot as me or Cap, Anse." My husband spoke up, being the joy kill of the group, while grabbing a bottle of moonshine from the table and pouring himself a large water glass of it instead of using one of the smaller whiskey glasses that were on the table.
"True that. Our boys Shaw and Cap are the best shots in the Tug Valley." Jim Vance loudly cackled as I continued to set the table with plates. "Wall's ridin' up, but Sully ain't with him." The mountain man announced as I finished with the plates and began to head back to the kitchen counters while Levicy rushed over to the table with a large pot of dumplings to scoop onto everyone's plates.
"Cap, get your gun and go get your cousin. I'm sure you'll find him in town still gradin' papers." Anse ordered his son, carving some ham as his wife plopped a large helping of dumplings on his plate.
God, this is one aspect of dinner with the Hatfields that I hated. Yea, the women serving the men all of the sides and then feeding the small children (who were seated at a smaller nearby table with Cotton, Robert E. and Todd) before even being able to sit down and eat was bullshit. I preferred how the McCoys ate family style with all the dishes and platters being passed around the table. Honestly, I can't wait until I run away across the river into Kentucky and back with my true family. I've gotta be smart about it tho and can't leave until Anse gives the order for everyone to evacuate deep into the hills. I remember reading in my history book that everyone ran off during suppertime, so I'm planning on pistol whipping my husband or his brother (whoever is driving my wagon) and leaving them on the side of the road since I know that Shaw won't be riding close to the main Hatfields (or his father even) since he doesn't really like them. By time Shaw or Todd comes to I'll be long gone in Prestonsburg with my kids and Cotton, asking Lawyer Brock Brooksdale for help obtaining a divorce and finding a place to stay that'll keep us safe from Shaw and the Hatfields.
Cap didn't say a word, just nodded and stood up from the table. As he went to grab his gun from the rack by the door, said door opened only for Judge Wall to enter the house. "Sully was still in town when I left, but said he'd be right behind me."
"Think he's down the road some?" Cap asked while I started plopping mashed potatoes on the plates as Levicy finished up at the large table and got ready to tend to the children's table.
"Reckon so." Wall nodded, removing his hat while making his way over to the empty seat on Anse's right. Levicy abandoned her task of tending to the kiddie's table only to rush to the counter to make her brother-in-law a plate of dumplings. A plate that I'd be expected to dump a heaping side of potatoes on before I could feed the kids. Yea, bullshit…
"So, Wall, hear anything new about Governor Buckner and Governor Wilson?" Anse asked his older brother while I continued my task of portioning out mashed potatoes.
"I've heard that Brenton's son-in-law, Senator Brooksdale, is always in the Kentucky governor's ear pushing him to send special deputies to invade our sovereign state to arrest any male that's our kin, friend, or employee that's of age and sound mind to stand trial for the 'murder' of McCoy and Belcher boys." Wall answered Anse while Levicy rushed over to the table with his plate. I did my due diligence and rushed over to the judge and gave him a large helping of potatoes, but that was only because I had to play the part of perfect Hatfield wife. A role that I should win an academy award for. Damn, I wish I would've done things differently at 16 and 17. Hell if I did, I wouldn't be stuck here right now.
"So, Brenton Landon, my dad's best friend, has for sure turned on us and is a true-blue McCoy? Front to back, dawn to dusk?" My husband asked in a disgusted snarl as me and Levicy made our way over to the children's table.
"Yes." Wall solemnly nodded. "It appears so." He sighed, causing Shaw to let out a disgruntled groan.
My ears perked up at that, although my face remained a neutral mask, as I continued to help Levicy at the kiddie's table. Brenton Landon drawing the line in the sand and picking the McCoys was great for me. It meant that he'd help me instead of ratting me out to Sully and in extension the Hatfields.
"Of course, he's a McCoy. His brother-in-law's Lawyer Perry Cline. He's McCoy kin and therefore Brenton is too; despite his friendship with Sully he's going to pick family over friends." Levicy spoke up as we made our way back to the counter with our pot of sides in our hands.
"That's right. Blood's thicker than water." I added in as we sat down the sides on the counter with loud clunks.
All of the men smirked at my remark and Levicy even gave me a small nod of approval. Only if these people knew where my loyalties lie… "Get yourself a plate and sit by your husband. I'll get the meat for the children." Levicy told me with a soft smile as the men continued to talk about legal matters surrounding the bounties on their heads.
I did as I was told and joined my husband at the table to eat. It only took a few minutes before Levicy was joining Anse and listening to the conversation the men were having. The meal went how most went, with everyone eating while the men bounced off different ideas and theories about what to do concerning the feud.
Uncle Jim and Alex Messer always took watch at the windows, opting to eat whenever me and Levicy were clearing the tables after sending the children outside to play with Robert E. and Todd keeping an eye on them.
"So, let me get this straight, Kentucky's governor wants our governor to send us over to the Pikeville jail?" Lias asked as Levicy began to clear the table while I went over to Alex to get him for dinner, after telling the teen boys to bring the children outside to play.
"Yes, it's called extradition, Lias." Wall explained while pouring himself another glass of whiskey.
"Alex, go sit and I'll get'cha your plate." I kindly told the man, who in my open was too nice to be a part of the Hatfield clan. Guess sometimes your job and your boss and get you into dicey situations.
"Thank you, Missus Jessa." The soft-spoken dark-haired man told me before taking off to sit at the table.
"Yes, well, my boy John B. Floyd's in the capital now and can help us with Governor Wilson." Anse bragged as I went over to the counter to make up a quick plate of sides for Alex.
"Yes, he's an assistant secretary to the Governor now. He'll help us out." The judge assured everyone in the room.
"Here comes Cap and Sully." Jim loudly announced, looking over his shoulder at everyone in the room.
"Levicy, how are we going to handle Sully's friendship with that McCoy law assistant, Brenton Landon?" Devil Anse asked Levicy as she piled leftover scrapes from various plates onto on plate and stacked them, all the while I placed a plate in front of Alex as he sat at the table by Lias. Frenchie and Lark rose from the table and went over to the windows to take their turn of after dinner watch since Alex was now havin' his meal.
"We have to make him lose trust in their friendship and hate him." Levicy firmly said while stacking up the plates.
"Yea, otherwise, dad'll blab everything to Brenton and get us all killed." Shaw added in matter-of-factly as I went over to the counter to grab some plates for Sully, Cap, and Uncle Jim.
The door opened right as Uncle Jim walked across the room and took his seat at the table. Sully walked in first and removed his hat, hanging it up on the wall hook near the door before going over to the table. Cap followed behind him, removing his own hat and hanging it up, along with putting up his gun before taking his seat at the foot of the table. The room was silent, other than the sound of me rushing over to the table and placing plates in front of the men that had just taken their seats.
The silence was broken whenever Anse lit his pipe and said, "Sully, how's it been in town? Heard anything lately from Brenton?"
Levicy rushed over to the table with the pot of dumplings while I rushed to the counter with the intent to grab the pot of mashed potatoes.
I could hear the popping of a corks going off in a chorus as the men opened flasks and shine bottles to drink and pour glasses. Great, now these men are going to get drunk and bitch about legal woes and Brenton. Just what I don't want to hear tonight. I swear, I should've taken the kids and ran off with Tolbert last winter when I had the chance.
"No, I haven't heard from him lately." Sully shook his head as his cousin-in-law plopped some dumplings onto his plate.
"Reckon not since he's up that skunk lawyer's ass." Jim guffawed as I arrived at Sully's side, placing some potatoes on his plate.
"Perry Cline's his brother-in-law, but he doesn't like him. He's treads lightly with him considering what's going on." Sully explained as me and Levicy plopped sides on Cap and Jim's plates.
"Brenton Landon's a McCoy kin and lawyer's brother-in-law, dad. That can be a big problem for us if he spills something he shouldn't say." Shaw remarked, tipping his flask as me and Levicy returned out pots to the counter.
"Brenton wouldn't do that." Sully shook his head while carvin' himself some ham. "I've known him since the war; saved his life and he's a loyal friend." No, he's not, Sully. Brenton's a McCoy and so am I. Some people just can't sit by and be loyal to a family that goes around laughing and joking about killing people.
Cutting his cousin, a hard, serious look, Anse firmly said, "Sully, what we discuss here isn't meant for McCoy ears. Brenton is an in-law to McCoy kin and lawyer; he can't know what we talk about."
"I understand, cousin." Sully nodded as Uncle Jim got himself a large helping of ham.
"You know, word goin' 'round is that Nancy Freeland nee McCoy's been hanging around the Cline law office. Could be scheming with both Perry and Brenton, she is bitter shrew." My husband spoke up as Cap took the carvin' knife and fork from Uncle Jim and started to shave himself some ham off of the large half-eaten shank.
"Heard her brother, Jefferson McCoy, killed a mailman the other day." Cap casually tossed out while placin' some meat on his plate.
"The mailman, Fred Wolford, is Jefferson's brother-in-law. I'm sure it's more then him just killing a mailman. Most likely a family issue; nobody should really be too worried about it."
"There a reward on his head?" Uncle Jim curiously asked around a large mouthful of food.
"Yea, think it's 'bout $100." Shaw nodded before takin' a swig from his flask.
"The case is complicated; Jefferson would most likely get a night in jail since I doubt his wife, the mailman's sister, would press murder charges on her on brother. I'm sure Perry would get him off on self defense as well." Sully explained in between eating his meal.
Shaw countered his dad's remark with, "Bet he's hiding out at his sister, Nancy's place. He always runs to her when in trouble, so doubt he's even able to sweet talk his wife into dropping charges."
"So, since the mailman's dead, how're we gettin' our mail?" Lias asked, his greasy long hair brushing against his shoulders as he reached across the table to grab a half empty bottle of whiskey. Goddamn, these Hatfields sure are drinking tonight. Say whatever you want about the McCoys, but at least they don't get sloshed at the dinner table.
"We ain't, Lias." Was Judge Wall's blunt reply.
"If it was anything to worry about Brenton would've told me. He hasn't said a word, so I doubt the situation's as bad as everyone's making it out to be." The teacher said in an attempt to calm everyone down.
Levicy gave Anse, Shaw, Jim, and Cap a cunning look from her spot at the kitchen sink as we did the dishes. I knew, I just knew that in the next few moments they'd be plotting Jefferson's murder. Sully might think the McCoy'll be spared since Johnse isn't married to Nancy and isn't at the dinner table tonight, but he's wrong. Shaw, Jim, and Cap will hunt Jefferson down and kill him to drive a wedge of hatred between Brenton and Sully.
"Enough talk of this." Levicy ordered, only to go on and say. "These are hard times and everyone's on edge." Going up to her husband's side, she suggested, "Perhaps, Anse, you and Sully could go on a hunting trip? Like old times, get us some more meat to for everyone we're feeding."
Shaw, Uncle Jim, and Cap all looked at each other with a glint in their eyes. Silently, they were communicating that the day they'd be going after Jefferson would be the day of Anse and Sully's hunting trip.
"I haven't been huntin' for a spell. What'd you say, Sully?" Anse asked Sully while smoking his pipe.
"Sounds good, Anse." Sully replied, causing everyone at the table to share a knowing look. Everyone in the room, but Sully, knew that Jefferson was a dead man. That the hunting trip was a cover for the cold and crazy men in the family to go after him.
I knew that I'd have to do something to try and stop it. I just couldn't stand back and let Jefferson be murdered. Not when Nancy and Abel were in a way helping me by making sure the McCoys knew I was loyal to them; would be leaving Shaw and fleeing to Kentucky soon.
Tolbert POV:
It was dark and late as I sat by the fire with Jose Luis. Like the last time I was on a drive, I was the night watchmen. The Mexican cook was too. We're good friends now, so our night watches were usually filled wit' conv'rsation. Sometimes he talked 'bout his sons or his time as a boy in Mexico. Sometimes I shared things 'bout my childhood an' other times I talked 'bout Jessa. Mostly how we met and our lives 'fore the Vance Bastard asked poppy permission to court her and screwed ev'rthin' up for us.
"So, what did you do after she left you sittin' in the wagon holdin' your head with a broken nose durin' the fireworks?" Jose Luis asked as the flames of our campfire danced orange, red, and yellow in the midnight air.
"I jumped down from the wagon an' found her sittin' by Roseanna an' my mama. Asked her t'ride home wit' me." I answered wit' a small smile on my lips. The memory of how I sorta saved my 4th of July wit' Jessa always made me smile. It was the first time I truly apologized t'her. We had a nice talk on our way home too.
"And your senorita said si?"
"Yes. She said si." I confirmed wit' a nod.
"Seems like you're always goin' after your senorita, Jessa." Jose Luis chuckled as we watched the nearby hed from our camp.
"Reckon so."
"Next stop in town you know a new newspaper story on the feud will be on sale."
"I know, Jose Luis." I sighed takin' a sip of my coffee.
The cook pointed his blue tin cup at me and said, "You should've been more demandin' wit' Senorita Jessa 'bout her and the bambinos leavin with us when we were in the Tug last winter. The newspaper stories are only puttin' your family in more danger, Senor Tolbert."
"I know that! Hell, ya think I don't know that!" I snapped, flingin' my cup in frustration. It fell to the floor wit' a loud thud as the coffee flew in the air an' landed in sprinkles by the fire.
I could see Jose Luis' mouth move but I couldn't hear any words he was sayin'. I felt frozen, as if I couldn't move. Then, the flames in the fire started to move fast an' shift 'round til I wasn't lookin' at them anymore, but instead was lookin' at a road cut in the hills back home. What the hell? Was I havin' one of 'em seer visions like mama claims t'have. Goddamnit…
What I was seein' looked so real. It was as if I was right there, back home in the hills on that road. I saw Jessa, who was 'round 7-or-8 months pregnant if I did my math correctly from what I remember her tellin' me last December, ridin' down the road on horseback. What the hell was she doin'?! She can't be ridin' horseback while pregnant. Hell, somethin's wrong. She'd never risk her baby unless somethin' wasn't wrong.
She kicked her horse's flank, causin' it to gallop faster. I sat motionless as I watched her rae down the road, only to frantically shout out, "Abel! Abel!" whenever she saw my cousin's husband on the road.
Abel pulled his horse to a halt an' turned around, only to ride up to her. "Jessa, you shouldn't be out here in your condition." He told her once he reached her horse.
"Don't worry 'bout my condition, Abel. It's Jefferson you need to worry about."
Abel's brows furrowed as he asked, "Jefferson? Why, are Hatfields after him?"
Jessa nodded. "Shaw, Jim Vance, and Cap are headed to your place to take him and kill him. They don't care about any rewards over that mess with the mailman either but are gonna kill him to drive a wedge between Brenton and Sully since they're kosher with each other."
"Jesus…" Abel sighed. "Thank you for warnin' me, but if you get caught-" Abel began, only to Jessa to cut him off with a ramble of, "I can't sit back and do nothin' about Jefferson. Not when You and Nancy are helping me get back into the good graces of the McCoy family by tellin' them the truth about how I was blackmailed by Shaw and forced into the Hatfield family."
"You better get to Doc; get checked out." Abel told Jessa, lookin' at her with concern as he began to beath in tight hitches instead of steadily.
Jessa placed a hand on her side and let out a wheezed, "I'll see Doc, just get back home before it's too late to save Jefferson."
Suddenly the campfire appeared an' I was able to move 'gain. Jose Luis was standin' over me, his face close to mine as he waved a hand in front o'my eyes. "Tolbert? Senor Tolbert, are you alright?"
Smackin' his hand away, I assured him. "I'm fine."
He gave me a tilted look. "But you didn't look fine, senor."
What the hell? He knew about my mother bein' a seer, so I don't see the harm in tellin' him the truth 'bout what just happened. "I, uh, I just had a seer's vision." Jose Luis nodded, urgin' me to go on, as he sat down next to me by the fire. I let out a sigh an' explained, "I saw Jessa ridin' down the road back home. She was lookin' for m cousin-in-law, Abel, and when she found him she warned him that Jefferson, his wife Nancy's brother, was gonna be took and killed by the Vance Bastard, Jim Vance, and Cap. That he needed to get home to stop it."
"Your senorita is turnin' on her husband's family to help yours? Oh, she must really be tired of them, senor."
"She said something about helping Jefferson cause Nancy and Abel were helpin' her get back into my famiy's good graces."
"Oh, so she's turnin' to the McCoys for help then? Cause of your boy?" He asked as if I knew the goddamn answer. Hell, I knew 'bout as much as he did an' that wasn't a whole lot.
"Reckon so, but problem is she's heavily pregnant an' from what I saw, well, she's gonna loose her baby from ridin' out t'deliver that warnin' 'bout my cousin." God, that gutted me. Even thou it wasn't my baby I didn't want Jessa to lose it. She was a great mother an' I knew that losin' her new baby would break her heart. Fuck, this feud's already taken so much from her; weren't fair it was gonna take an unborn baby from her too.
The Mexican cook gave me a sympathetic look, only to tell me, "I'm sorry, Senor Tolbert, but bein' el oracula is hard. Very hard since there's nothin' you can do to change what you seen."
I would get this damn seer shit 'gift' from my ma. Damn, as if the feelin's of dread weren't bad 'nough, but actually seein' things ya know ya can't change is worse. God, I just pray that Abel can get home in time and stop 'em Hatfields from takin' an' killin' Jefferson. I fear the backlash of that newspaper story and its effects on Jessa an' the chil'ren if my cousin-in-law fails.
AN:
So, I decided Jefferson being caught and killed by Hatfields won't actually happen until the next chapter since I wanted to build up to it to be in this chapter. I also wanted to add in an update of how Allie's doing and didn't want the chapter to be too long. The next update will be focused on Jefferson's death. So, what do you guys think about Tolbert having Sally's seer gift?