Unshaken

Pioneering for Beginners

"If we're checking the ranch out, we should probably check out Pike's Basin where they're also holed up. Charles, you and John come with me so we can scope out the basin. Liam, take Sadie and you two snoop around there." Arthur said as he, John and Charles rode west to Pike's Basin. "If we wanna get a good look at the place, we're gonna need a distraction." Liam said. "You're right." Sadie agreed. Liam then looked to Sean who was laughing as Karen huffed in annoyance. "I think I know just what to do." Liam said as he walked up to the two.

"Little English, how are ya?" Sean greeted him, cracking a smile at an annoyed Karen. "Arthur needs us to scout a ranch out. We need a distraction. Think you can help us out?" Liam asked. "Oh yes, you know me, Parker, I can talk a dog off a meat wagon." He boasted. "I know you can." Liam laughed. "Alright, well I'm headed into town to see if I can't find some bounties, or some lost souls to rob." Karen said with a smirk. Tilly and Mary-Beth ran up to her. "Can we come too?" Tilly asked. "Please, I'm dying to see other people." Mary-Beth told her. "Yeah, just get Uncle and the wagon ready so we can find some mischief to get into." Karen said walking to the wagon.

He looked at Sean and Sadie. "Let's get this show on the road." He said as the three climbed on their horses, riding through the trees to the small ranch. "Mrs. Adler, you and me never really talked all that much, have we?" Sean asked. "Fortunately, we haven't." Sadie growled. "Aw, come on now, you'll fall in love with me sooner or later. The ladies always do." Sean nagged. "Only thing I'd fall in love with is your mouth being sewn shut." Sadie shot back. "Oh, a right barrel of laughs, aren't ya Sadie?" Sean asked. "Oh please, I love a good joke. Try telling me something funny and maybe I will." She said. "Don't worry, Sadie. I will, you just watch. Am I right, Liam?" He asked. "Don't drag me into this." Liam said as they rode along. "You're right. Don't wanna make Sadie mad. I heard things, ya know." Sean said. "And I saw things. Don't wanna be on her bad side." Liam joked. He saw Sadie roll her eyes and laugh under her breath at his remark, causing him to crack a smile himself.

"Alright, here we are." Sadie said as the ranch came into view. Two burly men sat on the porch, rifles laying over their laps, sharing a cigarette. Others walked around patrolling the area. "Alright, Sean, you work your magic. Liam and I will poke around here." Sadie instructed. "Oh, don't worry Mrs. Adler. I'll give them the ole Irish Charm." Sean said, rearing his horse and riding off towards the front of the ranch. Liam and Sadie watched as Sean got off of his horse, hands up, starting to talk. The other men noticed and started over towards him. "Alright, now's our time." Sadie said as they ditched their horses and made their way quietly to the back of the ranch.

They looked at the ground. "This soil good enough to farm on?" Liam asked quietly. Sadie rubbed the ground. "A bit drier than what is preferred, but we got a body of water nearby so I think it'd be alright." She told him. They heard Sean talking loud from the front of the property. "Let's go into the house." Liam said. Sadie nodded her head and the two went up through the back porch and slowly crept through the back door. Liam took one room while Sadie took the other. Liam found letters and small stacks of cash throughout the room. The men started to grow agitated with Sean. "You find anything good?" Liam asked. "A pocket watch and some ammo." Sadie shrugged. "Alright, let's get the hell outta here." Liam said as they crept back through the exit.

They checked and made sure nobody was watching as the ran to their horses. Sean saw them in the corner of his eye. "Alright then, gentleman. Decline my offer. You don't know what you're missing!" He yelled as he walked to his horse and rode off towards camp. Liam heard him riding up behind the two. "How'd you fellas got on?" He asked. "Land seems alright. Better than what I've seen around these parts. I think we can make it work." Sadie said. "Found some letters too, apparently there's some drama with the Twins and the money down in Pike's Basin." Liam said as they rode back. He split the cash with the two and kept the other half for camp.

The three arrived in camp. John, Arthur and Charles were back already. "What y'all find?" Arthur asked Sadie and Liam. "Land's alright, but good enough to build a place on." Sadie said. "Found some letters too, them Twins seem to be growing greedy. Pissed off the local sheriff too." Liam said handing the letters to Arthur. "Hmm. Good find." Arthur said, scanning the documents. "What y'all find over in Pike's Basin?" Sadie asked. "Whole bunch of boys down in there. Seem to be guarding something real valuable. Now if that sheriff needs a little help, maybe we can offer that." Arthur said. "Another Rhodes situation?" Liam asked. "No. Nothing like that. We ain't playing the law, just helping out. Maybe if we can get on their good side, we won't have to worry about Pinkertons sniffing around these parts. We help them, they help us." Arthur said. Liam saw the advantages to the situation. "Karen and I can help out with some bounties too." Sadie said. "Good. Just know the west is wild out there, Sadie. Don't get yourselves killed." Arthur said. "You know me, Mr. Morgan. That's the least of my worries." She winked as she walked off. "That woman." Arthur said, shaking his head as watched her go.

The sun started to set and everyone seemed in good spirits again. "How about a little party?" Uncle proposed. Everyone cheered and grabbed any alcohol they could find. Liam sat by the fire most of the evening. Smiling drunkenly as he listened to the gang sing songs and laugh. He felt glad to be alive, around people he cared about. He started to fall asleep near the fire until Charles walked him to his tent for the night. "You know, Charles? I can't thank you enough for saving me that night in Saint Denis. I'm real grateful." Liam said, hugging him. Charles laughed. "I know you are, now let's get you to bed." Charles said as Liam climbed into his tent, smiling as his surroundings faded away into the night.