I blame Elden Ring for not posting this for months. I was obsessed with it for months, I've started writing a story for it. How soon I'll start posting it I have no idea.

June 2nd

I groaned as I slowly blinked my eyes open and slowly crawled to the end of the wagon as the sun shined brightly upon the camp.

I grabbed my boots and banged them against the wagon to make sure nothing was in them before pulling them on. I needed to get a new pair pretty soon, these were already pretty worn when I got them but they were getting really uncomfortable now.

I pulled my gunbelt out and wrapped it around my waist letting it hang a little loose before grabbing my hat and heading to the fire.

Hosea sat at the table as usual but this time he was writing in a book rather than reading one. I walked over to Pearson's wagon and grabbed a few pieces of meat before heading over to Hosea and taking a seat. I looked around to see most of the camp bustling with activity as I chewed.

"Whatchu writing?"

"It's my personal journal, why do you think Arthur started keeping one," Hosea answered with a smile, "It's also something I use to keep track of the money we have."

"Why," I asked with a frown as I took another bite of the meat.

"We've had money stolen before, even though we had lookouts," Hosea explained.

I nodded, "Makes sense I guess."

I stood up as I put the last piece of meat in my mouth and wiped my hands off on my jeans.

"Mister Booker! Are you heading to Strawberry soon," I heard Dutch as I neared his tent.

"I was planning on it Dutch. I just wanted an extra man in case things got a lil' crazy," I answered, stopping in front of his tent. I saw Molly laying still under the covers, her shoulders bare, more than likely still asleep.

Dutch nodded as he took a hit from his pipe, "Alright son. Just hurry."

I nodded, "I know." I walked over to where Javier sat by the fire behind Dutch's tent.

"Hey Javier. You mind coming with me on a job," I asked as I got closer to him.

"What kinda job," he asked as he soaked some throwing knives with a rag with a strange tint to it.

"Getting Micah out of jail," I answered.

Javier muttered something to himself in Spanish, "Sure thing. Let's go."

Javier walked over to Boaz and started to saddle him while I brushed Quinton. Quinton knickered happily and pulled at my dark brown durham coat.

"Do you got a plan," Javier asked once we were on the road heading towards Flatneck Station and after that, Pellis.

"One of us will go in to make sure it's Micah, check around to see if there's an easy way to bust him out. The other will be scouting out around town to see the best escape rout and look for any other weak spots in the jail," I explained as we neared Bard's Crossing.

Javier nodded as we followed the trail up near Pellis. The two of us few in to silence for the next few hours as we made our way to Pellis and then from there, north to Strawberry.

It wasn't as weird that there were towns I didn't know about in this world. I mean if this really was real there would be tons of places I didn't know about here. I had heard about another town called Lundow near Emerald Ranch from Arthur on the ride back yesterday. It was only one of several places I probably had no idea of.

It was getting to be about mid morning when Strawberry came into sight. It was a beautiful little town that had a large creek running through it.

"Who's going in," Javier asked as we passed under the sign at the entrance to the town. I could see the sherriff's office straight ahead. It sat on a small hill above the rest of the town.

"You wanna? I can if you don't," I replied as we came to a stop in front of the sherriff's office.

Javier nodded and started to climb off of Boaz, "I'll see if I can get him out of there."

I nodded as I turned Quinton back towards the town, "I'll find us a way outta here."

As I followed the road at a trot I saw Baylock tied up at a hitching post.

"Hey Baylock," I said pulling Quinton to a stop beside him and patting his neck.

I turned and started down the road, there was four ways out of town. Two of them were roads away from camp, one of them was more of a detour from what my map said. So that left only one true option to get out of Strawberry the fastest.

I finished looking around the town and started back towards the sheriff's office. Javier came walking out with a pissed off look.

"You good," I asked, coming to a stop in front of him.

"Come on. The cell is back here," Javier said heading for the back of the jail, ignoring my question. Thunder rocketed across the sky as the sky started to darken as a storm started to roll in.

I climbed off of Quinton and followed after him, we went around the back of the Sheriff's office, a small cell window laid in the corner of the building.

"Javier? The boy? You two coming to get me out or what," Micah's voice demanded as a pair of hands appeared on the cell bars.

"Calm down friend. We've got an idea," Javier said as we stopped in front of the window.

"The easiest way out of town is just back the way we came. If we head that way as soon as we can, that's our best shot of getting out of here," I explained pointing towards the way we came.

"I've got something I need from this town before we leave," Micah said, shaking his head.

"Will it take long," Javier asked as he looked towards the rest of the town.

"Not if we do it fast," Micah said with a grin.

Javier looked towards me, "What do you think?"

I paused before nodding, "We'll have to be quick. Got it?"

"Sure thing boss," Micah said with a grin, "Now hurry up damnit!"

"Alright kid, you get the horses ready," Javier said, reaching into his vest and pulling out a stick of dynamite.

I hurried towards Boaz and Quinton and grabbed the leads before leading them down closer to the back of the building. A second later I saw Javier go around the corner, pressing his back to wall, his mask covering his face and two revolvers in his hands.

I let the leads go and pulled my own mask up and over my nose as I pulled out my Litchfield. A few seconds later an explosion happened right as a streak of lightning struck somewhere off in the distance.

Both Boaz and Quinton reared but didn't bolt as Javier handed Micah a gun as they sprinted towards our horses. I climbed up onto Quinton and ducked as several bullets flew past us. I turned and pointed my Litchfield at the direction the shots had come from and shot a few bullets back blindly, I could hear a yell from one of them.

"Come on boys. I know just right where to go," Micah said as spurred Baylock across the bridge with Javier and I right behind him.

Gunshots started to ring out from all different directions as we came to the other side of the bridge.

"Off the horses! We need to find some cover," Javier yelled as more and more bullets flew past us.

I climbed off of Quinton and sprinted towards the woodworks building, Micah just a step behind.

"Nobody make a move. Try anything and you're dead," Micah said, holding the four men in the building at gunpoint.

Meanwhile I climbed up the ladder into the loft and took a position at edge of one of the windows, I smashed the windows out with the butt of my gun and took a potshot at a man who stood up at the wrong time.

He was sent back onto the ground, not moving. One down, no telling how many more to go.

After I took another shot at a man hiding behind a tree bullets started to get sent my way. I heard Micah yell some curses towards someone.

I looked over the edge of loft to see a man struggling with Micah for the gun. I pointed my Litchfield at him and just hoped I wouldn't hit Micah as I fired. Thankfully the bullet hit the other man and he fell off of Micah with a scream of pain.

Micah wordlessly got up and got back to firing at the men outside. I shook my head and got back into my spot at the window but on the opposite side and took a shot at a man riding his horse across the bridge. He fell from his saddle only to be dragged by his foot caught in the stirrup. The gunshots went silent and the only I could hear was the river sloshing about and thunder as it started to rain.

"Come on kid! We got a window," Micah yelled up before running out the building.

I looked over the edge of the loft and shrugged, "It ain't that high," I muttered before jumping down.

I let out a groan at the shock that went through my feet and knees before running out the door. Javier came riding by on Boaz with Quinton just behind, I jumped and climbed on top of Quinton as we came to a small house at the end of the path.

Micah busted down the door and a muffled shot was heard as the room inside lit up.

Javier and I exchanged looks before I jumped off of Quinton and ran inside, "Micah what the hell?!"

Micah turned back towards me, a woman lay on the ground with a terrified look and a tear streaked face. A man lay on the ground, a chunk of his head missing.

"What? I needed my guns," he said holding out the two familiar looking guns.

"That's a fucking reason to kill a man," I yelled.

"It's fine, kid. I'm just tying up loose ends," Micah said looking back at the woman.

"No you ain't Micah," I said slowly, my anger rising at his flippant attitude to killing innocent people.

Micah looked at the woman for a few seconds before sighing and turning and walking towards the door.

"Let's get out of here before any more lawmen show up," Micah said walking out the door.

I walked to the door before stopping and looking at the dead man on the floor and then the sobbing woman.

"I'm sorry miss," I said quietly before walking out.

"Come on kid, let's go," Javier said as he looked around, searching for anymore lawmen.

I jumped up on Quinton and spurred him after the others as we crossed the bridge and galloped out of town.

"They're going to get a posse together soon, so if we wanna make it without anymore bullets headed our way we need to move," Javier said as he lead us back towards Pellis.

I looked towards Micah, wondering if maybe Arthur was right about Micah. If he was willing to kill people who were considered loose ends then maybe Micah should have gotten hanged. I shook my head there wasn't any use in thinking about that now.

Suddenly I felt something slam into my right arm, a second later a wave of pain hit me and I let out a yell. It registered in my mind that I could hear gunshots coming from behind us. Micah and Javier were firing back but weren't hitting anything.

I slung my Litchfield over my head and onto my back before pulling out my Cattleman with my left hand as my right arm burned something fierce.

I fired blindly not caring to try and hit any of them, just discombobulate them enough for Micah and Javier to hit them. I heard the whistle of a train as we neared Riggs Station.

"Come on! If we beat the train we might have a shot of getting out of here," Javier said before letting out a yell as blood spurted out from his thigh.

We came around a bend and there lay Riggs Station with the train slowly starting forward.

"Come on! Let's go buddy," I yelled as I spurred Quinton faster.

I just barely passed by the train before it blocked off the path. It was one of the longer ones too, it had passenger and baggage cars and stretched far down the track.

"Alright boys," Micah said suddenly as we came around another bend and saw Pellis, "This is my stop."

"Whatchu you mean 'your stop'," I asked as we slowed to a canter and Javier and I pulled our masks down.

"I've been a bad man kid. Dutch'll want a peace offering for what I've done. Tell you what, come find me up near Monto's Rest in a couple of days. I'll make this up to you," Micah said before turning down the intersection in the middle of Pellis.

"Come on kid. We need to get to camp for these bullet wounds," Javier said quietly. It was raining pretty hard so most of the town was inside but there were a few who roamed the streets.

The two of us remained silent for the next few hours as we both dealt with the pain. Eventually as we got onto Bard's Crossing the rain stopped and we could start to dry. I shivered from the wind flowing past me.

We slowed to a trot as we got on the path that led us to camp close to Flatneck Station. I looked over at Javier as he tried to keep his leg from hitting the saddle.

"I'm wondering if that was worth the trouble," I said as we stopped in the little area where the horses stayed.

I grabbed the horn with my left hand and climbed off of Quinton while leaving my right arm alone. I couldn't see how bad my arm was, all I could see was the blood that staining my coat.

I saw Javier struggling to get down and hurried over as I lifted my left arm to try and hold him up enough to keep him from hurting his leg.

"Alright come on," I muttered as he slowly climbed down and almost fell, nearly dragging me down with him but I just managed to keep us from falling.

We slowly made our way into the middle of camp, the camp was mostly empty. I saw Dutch standing over by the fire behind his tent with Uncle and Pearson.

"Kid? Javier? The hell happened to you two," Arthur asked as he walked over and took a hold of Javier from me and held him up.

"We went and got Micah out of Strawberry," I explained as I clutched my arm as the pain flared up a bit.

"Is that where he's been? I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you boys. If I had known I woulda helped," Arthur muttered that last part, "Miss Grimshaw! We need some help here!"

"Oh! What happened," Ms. Grimshaw asked walking over as Arthur sat Javier down at the table beside the chuck wagon. I took a seat beside him and tried to shrug off my durham coat but failed to as it aggravated my arm.

"Arthur will you bring one of the other women," Ms. Grimshaw said as she walked over to the medicine wagon, "I'll take care of Javier."

"Sure thing," Arthur said before walking towards the wagons with the women.

"Are you two alright," Dutch asked, walking over to us, "Where's Micah? Is he safe?"

"Got shot trying to get Micah outta Strawberry," Javier explained, wincing as Grimshaw slowly moved his pants around to expose the bullet wound further.

"He's holed up at Monto's Rest 'pparently. Said he wants to make it up to you," I answered as Arthur came over with Tilly and Mary Beth.

Dutch shook his head, "That man…I would just like to see him okay. I don't care about him making it up to me. Well, anyway thank you both. I dread to think about what would have happened if you were a day later."

Tilly walked over to me and helped slowly slide off my coat.

"You still going robbing with John tonight," Tilly asked as she set the Durham coat on the table.

A lightbulb went off in my head once she said that as I remembered the robbery was planned for tonight.

"We can do it ourselves kid, you don't need to do it if you're hurt," Arthur said from behind Tilly.

I grinned only to hiss in pain as Tilly pulled my arm out my shirt sleeve.

"Trying to cheat me outta some money," I asked with a pained grin.

Arthur chuckled, "You could say that. John, Charles, and I can handle a train robbery."

I shook my head and hissed as Tilly wiped some of the blood away from the wound, "Unless I can't move my arm, I'm helping tonight."

"Sorry, I just need to see how bad it is," Tilly said apologetically.

I nodded and winced, "I understand."

Arthur shrugged, "Well once you get done with this we need to head out. It's a couple of hours from here to the wagon."

I nodded as Tilly started to tie some string through a needle, "How bad is it?"

Tilly looked from the string to me and smiled knowingly, "It only took a bite out of you. You're lucky about that."

I chuckled, "I guess so."

Tilly shook her head with a smile, "Deep breath."

I nodded and breathed in deeply, tensing my body as I got ready to be pricked.

Tilly pinched the gaped skin together and started to stitch it back together. I hissed in pain and bit my knuckle, I doubt I would ever get used to being stitched.

Tilly threaded the string through a few more times, "Hand me your knife please."

I pulled out my knife from my gunbelt and handed it to her. She cut the string and set the knife down before tying off the stitches.

She stood back up with a nod, "That's about as good as I can do."

I smiled and shook my head, "Thanks. You know, I really should get you something sometime. You're always taking care of me when I get hurt."

Tilly smiled and chuckled, "I take care of all of you boys."

I grinned, "True but still."

Tilly smiled and looked to the ground, "Well…I would be grateful."

I nodded with a small smile as I stood up, grabbing my knife and putting it back in the sheath at the small of my back. Mary Beth and Ms. Grimshaw were still working on Javier who was now laying on the table, groaning in pain as they worked on him.

"I should go change before I head out."

Tilly nodded, "Try and be careful. I don't really want to have to pull a bullet out of you."

I feigned being hurt and put a hand to my heart, "How dare you assume I'm accident prone!"

Tilly laughed and shook her head.

"Miss Jackson! Since you're done helping Mister Booker perhaps you would give us the courtesy of helping Javier," Ms. Grimshaw snapped.

"Of course Miss Grimshaw," Tilly replied immediately, giving me an annoyed look out of the corner of her eye.

I laughed and headed towards my sleeping spot where a small chest lay with my belongings. Since only my shirt and coat had blood on them I just put on a new shirt and headed towards where I had left Quinton.

"Hey bud, don't worry I'm fine," I said rubbing his neck as he sniffed my arm, "Here you go. A sugar cube for doing such a good job today."

He greedily snapped it up and sniffed my hands for more, I laughed and rubbed his nose, "Sorry bud. I don't have any more."

Quinton knickered and booped me on the head with his head, I smiled and climbed onto him. I reloaded my guns and my gun belt before leading Quinton over to Arthur who sat on his horse.

"Ready," Arthur asked, sitting up.

I nodded, "Let's do this."

Arthur grinned, "Then let's go. Come on Boudreaux," he said, turning his horse towards the path to the road.

I blinked, "Finally named your horse?"

Arthur smiled and nodded, "Yeah. I figured he deserved somethin' other than 'Horse'."

I chuckled, "Fair enough."

The two of us settled into silence as Arthur led me to the wagon. Several hours passed by as we made our way through a livestock town near the border of New Hanover and Lemoyne called Vanover. Arthur led us off the road and down into the woods where an oil wagon sat beside an old broken down house, not far from a small ranch and stable.

Three horses were grazing near the burnt house, I recognized each of them. John, Charles, and to my surprise Sean came walking out from the back of the house.

"Everything ready to go," Arthur asked as he climbed off Boudreaux.

"Yeah. Seems we have a tag-a-long though," John said looking over at Sean.

Sean grinned, "We'll it's not my fault Arthur and Andrew invited me along!"

I blinked in a stupor while Arthur simply shrugged.

"I did no such thing," I said, frowning at the Irishman.

John sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Forget it. Least we have somebody to blame if something goes wrong."

Sean scoffed as Arthur and Charles chuckled at his expense. I grinned and shook my head.

"Tie your horses to the back of the wagon, we need to get going soon if we're gonna make it in time," Charles warned.

I nodded and grabbed Quinton's lead as Arthur grabbed Boudreaux's before tying him to the back of the wagon.

Arthur climbed into the driver's seat with John beside him, Sean and Charles climbed onto the sides as I climbed on in the back.

"We ready," Arthur asked, looking back and being met with a chorus of yes.

Arthur nodded and snapped the reins to get the horses moving, "Alright let's go."

We slowly pulled out of the woods, thankfully no one was around it would have been very suspicious if a group of men rode out of the woods with an oil tanker.

"Alright John and I went through some ideas, so here's the plan," Arthur began as we started for Scarlett Meadows, "There's a spot on the border of The Heartlands and Scarlett Meadows that's pretty remote. We're gonna block the tracks there, John will take out the conductor. Charles and I will take the front of the train, Sean and Andrew will take the back. If we move fast enough we should meet in the middle around the passenger cars. Everyone got it?"

"Got it," I answered, the plan seemed simple enough. Hopefully nobody would need to be killed.

Charles nodded while Sean boasted, "You won't need to worry about me and Andrew old man. I bet we'll be in the passenger car by the time you get done with the first car."

Arthur shook his head, "I kinda regret rescuing you."

Sean chuckled, "You know that reminds me of something my Da used to say."

Arthur, John, and Charles immediately shot that idea down. I had no clue what he was speaking of but from their reactions they must have heard it alot.

"No! Not this again."

"Not the Da again!"

"I'd rather not hear this again."

Sean scoffed, "Fine! Damn you all! Sulky, Angry, Scarface! Nothing but laughs, you three are!"

Sean looked back at me, "What about you Andrew?"

I looked at the other three, "Maybe some other time."

Sean rolled his eyes, "Ah don't tell me they're not lettin' have any fun! It's a good story I tell ya!"

I smiled, "Maybe when we get back to camp."

Sean nodded, "Fine. But I'll hold ya to that."

"We're getting close," Arthur piped up, "Everyone gets yourselves ready!"

The wagon slowed to a stop on the tracks, a sign stood on the other side of the tracks with "Lemoyne" carved on it and underneath that "Scarlett Meadows".

We all climbed off and I started unhitching the horses.

"Lead'em back a bit. In case there's a gunshot I don't want them close emough to bolt," John said pointing back the way we came, "Hurry."

I grabbed all the leads and jogged as I led them to the turn in the road. I let go, hoping they'd stay where they were.

"Get going! It's close," Arthur said from atop the oil tanker.

I ran towards the woods, where I could just barely make out the other three. I could hear the rumbling of the train as it came closer.

"Mask on kid. Remember you and Sean take the back," John said as I passed him.

I pulled the mask on and pulled my Litchfield off of my shoulder. My heart was pumping as the train started to slow to a stop.

"Remember! These are innocent people! Nobody needs to die today! No names from here on out," John called out.

I nodded though I doubt he saw it as I could see the rows of people in the passenger cars, the sleeper cars right behind it no doubt had people in it. The train stopped just in front of the oil tanker.

"Alright let's go," Sean said, leading me to the caboose.

I followed right behind him as he knocked a guard out with the butt of his rifle. I climbed aboard and stepped into the last baggage car.

"Check the baggage cars! I'll move to the sleeper cars," Sean said as I started ripping open the cupboards and pulling out the bits of money and valuables I saw.

I stuffed them into the small bag I had grabbed from John's horse. I quickly moved on to the bags when I was through with cupboards, there seemed to be more valuables than money in the bags.

After finishing the second baggage car as fast as I could I moved to head into the second sleeper car only to stumble back as someone fell into me.

I looked down to see Sean clutching his head, I looked up to see a man bringing his gun up to aim at me. My eyes widened as I snapped my hand down to reach for my revolver only to stop as a gunshot rang out and the man fell to the ground.

Charles put his gun down, "You two okay?"

I blinked and nodded, "I'm fine," I looked down at Sean.

"I-I think I'm alright. Seeing double though," Sean said, stumbling to his feet and holding his head.

"You'll be fine, Sean, keep a watch while Andrew and I finish searching here," Charles said as he started searching under the beds.

Sean nodded and winced, "I'll try me best."

I started searching the otherside of the car, mostly not finding much other than a few pocket watches and a few dollars.

"You boys done," Arthur asked as he and John walked in.

I nodded and held up my full bag, "Got quite a bit."

John smiled, "Nice. This will probably get us close to a thousand."

"We got some trouble boys," Sean called from the flat car that separated the sleeper and baggage cars.

"Aw shit what is it," Arthur asked while jogging to the other end of the sleeper car.

"Two shiteheads on horses, coming this way," Sean answered, pointing in the direction they were coming from.

"How many you say," Arthur asked.

"Just two."

Arthur nodded and looked back at us, "In that case, you three get in cover. We'll take'em."

John and I took cover behind some crates on the flat car while Charles took cover in the sleeper car.

"You men come off the train now ya hear! We'll bring ya in nice and quiet and nobody gets hurt," called one of them.

I was starting to have a bad feeling about this, only two men trying to take in five on their lonesome? It didn't make sense.

"With what men? They're only two of ya! So why don't ya skedaddle back where you came," Arthur called out.

"There's some more coming out of the trees," Sean called out softly.

I peeked over the crate to see another six or seven lanterns coming over the hill.

"Son of a bitch," Arthur cursed, "Alright! Let's deal with them and run."

"Get ready kid," John said before shots started to ring out.

I peeked over the crate and fired at one I had a clear view of, not caring if it hit or not. I ducked behind the crate for a few seconds before sitting up again and fired two quick shots into someone that was reloading. I ducked as a few shots were sent my way. I sat back up and fired in the direction I saw someone firing from before ducking back down. A few more shots rang out before silence covered the area.

"Let's go! Before anymore shows up," Arthur called out as he vaulted over the side of the car and whistled for his horse. The rest of us followed suit and quickly climbed on our horses, making sure our bags wouldn't spill as we rode.

"Come on, let's get the hell outta here," Arthur called as he took off back down the train tracks.

We rode hard and fast, mostly following the train tracks until we reached the split. One railway went to Valentine, the other to Flatneck Station and beyond that Riggs Station.

"Stop here for a second," John called, as we all slowed to a stop, "Let's split up the money here. We can sell the watches and jewelry to some shops and fences."

"Alright let's hurry though," Arthur warned as he held his rifle on his hip and looked around.

I tossed him the money I had picked up and so did Charles. John quickly counted it out and divided it up before handing it to each of us.

"That was fun boys! Real fun! I can see why you're the professionals of the outfit! And lookie here! Gotta be hundred fifty easy," Sean said with a smile.

"What now," John asked looking towards Arthur, "We gotta be getting close to getting outta here."

Arthur nodded and sighed, "We need a real big take. One that will help us completely disappear."

"Do you think that was a setup," Charles asked, looking over at Arthur.

Arthur shook his head, "I think it was just locals. I'm starting to believe the window for us getting outta here is closing…and fast. The Pinkerton's already found me when I took Jack fishing."

"Alright we need to get moving. I'm gonna take a look at Valentine tomorrow for anything," John said, tying his bag closed.

Arthur nodded, "Let's get back to camp. I'm ready to head to bed."

The five started towards camp, there was no use splitting up so close so we all rode into camp. I rode Quinton up to one of the hitching posts and tied him up.

"Here I'll take the bag to the store tomorrow to sell some jewelry," John said, holding his hand out.

I nodded and handed him the bag, I turned back to Quinton and fed him a sugar cube.

I patted his neck, "You did good boy. I'm glad 1ya didn't run."

"So you didn't get shot this time. Least I don't have to stitch you up again."

I looked over to see Tilly leaning against a post, grinning at me.

I smiled, "Not today," I said as I pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

"Has everyone gone to bed," I asked, taking a drag only to choke on the smoke as Tilly stole the cigarette and took a drag herself.

"Everyone but Uncle, Pearson, and Abigail," Tilly answered before blowing the smoke out.

I finished coughing and stood back up, "Okay. I'm gonna get some stew and head to bed."

Tilly offered my cigarette back to me but I shook my head, "It's fine, you can have it."

Tilly nodded, "Thank you. You should get some sleep."

I nodded as she started to walk away, "Wait a minute!"

Tilly turned around, "Something wrong?"

I shook my head and bit my lip, "Since I got some money. I could take you to town tomorrow and buy you something…for-for always helping me."

Tilly blinked and smiled, "I'd like that."

I nodded, "Okay. Um see you tomorrow," I said as I turned towards the fire with the stew pot.

"Bye," Tilly called back.

I grabbed a bowl and spoon and sat down at the table, I quickly dug in, thankful Pearson had kept the stew nice and hot.

"Here ya go," Sean said, setting a beer in front of me. He propped his feet on the table, "To celebrate!"

I grabbed the bottle and tapped it against his before taking a swig.

"To making it rich," I said, holding my beer up.

Sean chuckled, "To making it rich!"

I smiled and went back to eating.