June 18, 1899

We've been in Lemoyne for quite a while now, and I thought it would be worse than it actually is. When you lose the fear and the paranoia, you can finally rest and let your guard down…then you realize how wonderful life really is. Rhodes, the town near our camp, reminds me a lot of the places out West. The place is fine, but I can't stop thinking about the oddities. The atmosphere feels...peculiar, like we're not entirely welcome, but at the same time, they don't really mind that we're here.

A couple days ago, I visited Rhodes with Mrs. Adler; she fights like a wildcat. I didn't expect her to be so good with a gun, but she didn't hesitate. Hell, if it weren't for her, I would've been robbed by a raider and probably killed. Still, she's got a good heart, and Pearson should be thanking me for taking her out for the day.

He's still alive and released some pent up rage. It's a win-win for everyone. I gave her my carbine repeater, because if she's planning on being an outlaw like the rest of us degenerates, she needs something more than a revolver. Javier asked me on a job helping him rob some homestead; Chez Porter was the place just north of Valentine, and it was certainly an odd place. The people were some kinda backwoods hicks, among other things, I imagine.

They were so backwoods, they had their own language. It was so strange. Javier and I snuck in there, and I was lucky to get a pump shotgun. I guess now I don't feel so bad about giving my repeater to Sadie. After that fiasco, we went fishing and while I was trying to catch one, Javier caught about five. Whatever. I'm going to teach Mary-Beth how to ride a horse here soon and maybe if all goes well, to shoot too. I guess I don't like the idea of her not being able to defend herself, because–

Ethan was turning to the next page of his journal, when he saw his father approaching him. He plucked the cigarette from his lips.

He snickered. "What on earth is that?"

"What's what?" Arthur asked, looking down.

"I'm sorry," Ethan snorted. "You're wearing a badge?"

"Well it turns out Me, Dutch and Bill have become temporary citizen deputies," Arthur explained, gripping his belt. "We work for the Scarlett Meadows Sheriff's Office now, ever since we helped that Archibald fellow and the sheriff dismantle a distillery that belonged to those Braithwhites."

"That's one of those big plantation families here, right?"

Arthur nodded. "Yup, we stole a wagon load of moonshine from them before we left. Hosea thinks we can make a deal with the Braithwhites for the liquor."

"Why would you sell them what you stole from them?"

"Well, Dutch has this plan to play with both the Grays and the Braithwhites; he says he can get a good deal."

"Hm…sounds a bit risky." Ethan said, stating the obvious.

"I know," Arthur grunted. "They talk a lot about buried gold and money–"

"If we can get some of that, I guess it'll be enough to get us the hell out of here."

"I hope so. Anyway, I'll catch you later, I've got some things to do," He patted his chest. "Just wanted to show off my shiny new badge."

Ethan smirked. "Of course you did."

Arthur departed, leaving his son behind to finish his smoke and whatever he was writing. Sometimes he hated that he smoked and drank, but the kid saw him doing it all his life, so it's only natural that he followed suit. Ethan finished his cigarette just as Mary-Beth walked over.

"Hey."

He smiled. "Hey there."

"Why was Arthur wearing a badge?" She asked, smiling. "He seemed kinda proud of it."

"Oh he was–" He snickered. "It was Dutch's plan. They're Sheriff's deputies or something - my Pa said they helped out with those two families."

"The Grays and the Braithwhites?"

"Yeah, that's right," He smirked. "Heh, I guess you really do pay attention."

"Oh, that's what happens when you spend a lot of time around camp," She shrugged. "And speaking of which, what's your relationship with Sadie?"

"Mrs. Adler?" He shrugged. "She's okay, I guess. Why?"

"Oh…well I saw you gave her your rifle–"

Ethan breathed a laugh. His face was a little hot, when he realized that she was jealous. A part of him was flattered, but the other part had to clear the air.

"There's nothing goin' on with her. We're just friends. She ain't even my type anyway."

"Oh, sorry–" She blushed. "I was silly to think that, huh?"

"No, it's fine," Ethan assured, taking her hand. "It's kinda nice having somebody paying attention and lending a hand…I was just doing the same with Mrs. Adler."

"I see."

"That being said," Ethan waved his hand. "I was thinking we could go to the pasture so I can teach you how to ride. What do you say?"

"Really?" She asked.

"Gray gets along with you anyway, so it won't be nothin' to ride him."

"Yeah…sounds good. I can't wait!"

"Ethan!" Hosea called out. "If you have a minute son, I'd like to talk!"

Mary-Beth leaned over and pecked his cheek. "I have to finish my chores. Good luck."

"You too–" He stood up from the log and walked to Hosea. "Hey old man"

"Sorry to bother you, Ethan." He apologized.

"It's alright. What did you need?"

"Did your father tell you what we plan to do with the Gray's and Braithwaite's?"

"Kinda, something about playing both sides or something?"

"Yes–" Hosea nodded. "Listen, I need you to go to Caliga Hall; the Gray's, and report on behalf of the sheriff…offer your services."

"Okay?"

"Here."

Ethan frowned as he inspected the badge. It felt unnecessary and unnatural, like trying to fit a ship in a wagon; it just didn't work.

"Uh, is this really necessary?" Ethan whined.

"You're the only one I can trust with something like this. I know you won't screw it up," Hosea placed his hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Bill didn't want the badge; he was sick of it after just one job, so now it's yours. Go to Caliga Hall, put on your best smile and show these Southerners how things are done."

Ethan nodded. "Alright, fine."

When Hosea left him, Ethan pinned the badge on his shirt and mounted Gray. He left Clemens Point, his destination set for Caliga Hall, even though it was against his wishes. The humidity set in as soon as he left camp, away from the beautiful river side. As he rode through the dusty town of Rhodes, he headed northeast where he had been told the plantation was located. As he rounded the bend, he could see the tobacco fields, with many workers walking the grounds.

Crossing the imaginary threshold of white picket fences, the young outlaw trotted Gray towards the entrance, where a few men with rifles stopped him.

"What do you want, boy? This is private property, interlopers are not permitted."

"Is this the Gray plantation?" He asked.

"Yeah…Caliga Hall. And that's as close as you're getting to it."

"I understand, but I'm here on behalf of the Sheriff–" Ethan explained with a coy smile. "He says I'm to have a word with some folks on the property. I'm recently deputized, you see."

"Deputized? And I suppose Leigh was drunk when he did it," The guard sassed. "Look, you can come in, but don't cause no trouble, you hear?"

"Sounds fair." Ethan tipped his hat.

The Gray plantation loomed before him, and an older black man stood on the steps, scrubbing the porch with soap and a bucket of water.

"Excuse me sir, do you have a minute?" Ethan called out.

"Do I look like I can talk?" The man replied. "If you want a talker, try Beau Gray. He's out by the stables; man won't lift a hand, but sure can move his lips."

"Thanks–"

Ethan climbed off Gray and led him down the path, his hooves clip clopping on the cobblestone walkway. They both rounded the plantation and sure enough, behind the stables, Ethan saw a well-dressed young man with a book in his hand.

"Are you Beau Gray?" Ethan asked.

"Oh excuse me friend."

"Heh, we're friends?" Ethan replied with a smirk.

"Not yet, but here's hoping."

"I guess. I assume you must be Beau Gray then?"

"Yes. We don't get a lot of traveling men around here," Beau casually mentioned. "What're you doing here?"

"I'm just looking for some work."

"Well, we're looking for someone!" Beau beamed. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

"What secret?"

"I've got a secret of my own, too."

"Are you secretly normal?" Ethan teased.

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind–" Ethan waved his hand.

"The thing is...I don't care if you kill the whole lot of us...and the Braithwaites."

He shrugged. "I don't wanna kill anyone."

"I love her, you know?"

"Uh, who?"

"Penelope...but it's impossible."

"Well, love tends to be complicated sometimes," Ethan cleared his throat. "So uh, who's she?"

"Penelope Braithwaite. I'm Beau Gray, son of Tavish Gray," Beau formally introduced himself. "Nephew of Sheriff Leigh Gray. Grandson of old Murdo Gray. We Grays have been loyal to the State, and murderers to the Braithwaites for so long now that I'm sure no one can even quite explain why. Beyond blind loyalty and stupidity. I'm supposed to be loyal to some nonsense, while she...amazing. She's like a woman from the future. She's like...tomorrow, if tomorrow turns out fine."

"Well, I'm sorry for your predicament, partner." Ethan was sincere as he stroked Gray's mane.

"Would you help me?" Beau asked.

"Well, I don't wanna get involved in feuds–"

"I'll pay, I've got money," Beau said as he picked up his notebook. "We Grays, we've always got money. No brains or minds, but a ton of money."

"Heh…do ya know?"

He nodded as he handed Ethan a wad of money. "I know she loves to sit out in the gazebo on the edge of the property. Take her this letter, and this bracelet. Please. Look out for the guards, they're worse than ours."

He handed Ethan the letter and the bracelet.

Ethan tipped his hat. "Don't worry. She'll get your letter and the bracelet."

"So long. And good luck."

Ethan rode out of Caliga Hall, leaving the lavish estate for the dusty, dry trail. It'd been mentioned several times by Hosea and on occasion, Dutch, that it doesn't rain much in Lemoyne, but when it does, it rains hard and doesn't stop for a few days.

However, as he neared the Braithwaite plantation, the humidity grew worse. And between the sweat dripping down his back and down his face, Ethan wondered what the hell he was doing being some rich boy's messenger? He could be back at camp with Mary-Beth, teaching her to ride and shoot.

Ethan scanned the surrounding land near the Braithwaite plantation. He used his binoculars for a better advantage, seeing as there were some guards patrolling. He needed to plan his route, so he wasn't caught. He wasn't sure what would happen if he was seen, but suffice to say, it wouldn't be good.

He skirted around the property, bearing in mind that, at any given moment, the guards weren't that far away from him. He passed behind a few out-buildings, which likely belonged to the servants. As he rounded the last out-building, he saw an out-house hidden among the brush.

And as he neared the small structure, he saw chains and rope wrapped around it. He guessed they didn't use it anymore. At least, he hoped they didn't need to use it anymore. He left before anyone saw him and rounded the stables, then slowed Gray to a halt behind some hay bales.

He pulled out his binoculars again and scanned the property, until he found the gazebo Beau mentioned. And further to prove his point, a young lady in fancy clothes sat inside, fanning herself. He dismounted Gray and crouched alongside the corral, then skirted the perimeter, until he was near the gazebo.

He stood and straightened his vest, then brushed off his shirt.

"Excuse me, are you Penelope Braithwaite?" He finally asked.

"Yes, I am."

"I have a letter for you," Ethan announced, holding up the thick letter and gift. "And…this is for you also."

"A letter and a gift? Well we don't even know each other–" She teased.

"It's not from me, it's from uh, um–"

"Beau!?" She gasped and tore open the letter. "Oh, he is so–"

Ethan smirked. "Strange?"

"Well yes, he is a little strange, but also so human. The rest of our families are stuck in the dark ages, or...well, I don't know…like cave people, perhaps. Beau's different, but if they find out, they'll kill him, and send me to live in someplace awful like...Ohio. Have you ever been to Ohio?"

"Can't say that I have."

"Well, neither have I, but my uncle has a factory there. He was sort of the black sheep of the family, but they tolerate him now, because he's a vicious snob. Families are...they're something else! Have you got a family?" She asked.

He shrugged. "Just my Pa and Ma."

"Well they tolerate my uncle, because of the money...but me, with my ideas above my station, they can't stand."

"That sounds pretty complicated," Ethan wiped the sweat from his brow. "Families are troubled sometimes, I guess."

She poured him a glass of lemonade, and he accepted with the nod of his head.

"Well there's nothing to say, except I hope they all rot!" She huffed. "If you see Beau again, will you give this to him?"

Ethan watched as she extended a letter to him. He didn't want to be the go between in their relationship, but he understood and he decided to help them.

"Sure thing," He tipped his hat. "Good luck with your family."

"I'll try, thank you. And don't forget to give him the letter, please!"

Ethan left as quickly as he came, mounting Gray and skirting around the perimeter of the property. And when he was back on the dusty trail, he glanced over his shoulder at the looming plantation. It wasn't very inviting, he thought, in fact it was down right ugly and run down.

He shook his head and urged Gray down the trail back to camp. The sooner he got out of there, the better. The pair of lovers, even surrounded by luxury and privilege, were nothing more than slaves to society and their own expectations. Ethan couldn't say he totally understood, because he didn't have any of that growing up, but he understood being burdened by expectations. There was a certain expectation of being in a gang and being an outlaw.

You were expected to protect, earn and kill. And he didn't always want to do that, sometimes he just wanted a peaceful life as a farmer, with a wife and children. Ethan immediately saw Mary-Beth standing near the corrals, feeding his father's horse some carrots. It looked like she was being berated by Miss Grimshaw, but from the looks of it, she didn't care what was being said to her - she just continued ignoring the older woman.

"Hey Ethan, how'd it go?" she asked.

When she was close enough, he took her hand and pulled her closer. He pressed a quick, chaste kiss to her lips, then pulled away with a smirk.

"Oh–" Mary-Beth giggled. "Not that I'm complaining, but why the sudden affection?"

"Oh uh, well–" Ethan leaned against Gray. "I'm just glad I have you in my life."

And he meant it too. She was a little piece of heaven that he didn't know he needed until he got it. Ethan helped Mary-Beth onto Gray, then climbed up after her. They rode back down the dusty trail, off to find their little piece of heaven.