There's No Place Like Rhodes (Book 2)

Unexpected Company

Karen hadn't worn anything new in ages and the last time she gussied up this nice musta been when her and the boys pulled off that bank job in Valentine. That had been a fun time. Hell, today had been fun, despite the danger of it.

However, the day's events hadn't been enough to push down the guilt of the past. Trying to shake it once more, Karen looked out the window as they passed Van Horn. The sight of which didn't ease her mind any as vague memories floated to the forefront.

Van Horn had been her first stop after leaving the gang. She'd been blacked out most of the time, but some images remained clear. Dancing on the saloon tables, strange men grabbing at any and all parts of her, waking up in rat-eaten beds, next to men she never remembered from the night before. She'd been surviving there until the town got shot up.

For the first time, Karen wondered if that had anything to do with the gang, since their hideout hadn't been too far off. At the time, she didn't considered it. She'd seen the law and hitched a ride south.

Here and now, she sat cleaned up a little, and, foolishly, she felt somewhat like a person again despite not being able to leave all the dark memories behind. She'd been pissed by Charlotte's maneuvering her to pick out a new outfit, but she couldn't rid herself of the warm feelings at having someone else treat her for nothing.

Behind her, she heard someone stand and then Arthur was sliding in next to her. He informed her, "Charlotte's out."

Karen glanced back, seeing the dark-haired woman's head resting against the window, eyes closed. "Makes sense. She didn't sleep none last night, fretting over your sorry hide."

"She seem alright to you?" Arthur asked in low tones.

"I guess." She shrugged. "But I ain't known her five minutes before she had a gun pointed at me."

Arthur's worried frown in Charlotte's direction shifted to Karen. "What?"

"She was mighty determined to get you out of that jail. Enough to rope me into it and I didn't plan on coming back for you." Karen grinned a little. "But it sure was worth sobering up for, I'll admit."

"You two enjoyed that mess a little too much," Arthur muttered. He lifted his chin and asked, "How did you both get on by the way?"

Karen raised a brow. "You wantin' my blessing or something, Arthur?"

"No." He chuckled. "You seem like you like each other, but I ain't never been able to tell with women."

"She seems like she's got a good head on her shoulders." Karen added cheekily, "Except she's with you."

"I've told her much the same and, thankfully, she won't listen."

She hadn't known Charlotte long, but Karen already had a feel for her personality. Her fierceness at getting Arthur back reminded her of Abigail's intensity and insistence in retrieving Jack. Her soft nature brought up memories of Mary-Beth. Lastly, her no-nonsense, but nurturing attitude at the tailor were identical to the times Tilly had been watching out for her. Damn, Karen missed those girls.

Arthur settled in his seat more comfortably and said, "Pearson was surprised to see you."

"So?"

"I thought you took off with him, Uncle and Mary-Beth."

"No. I must've left just before." His words had her tightened chest loosening. Mary-Beth did get out then. But from what, she didn't yet know besides that Charlotte had insinuated it wasn't good.

Not knowing if she wanted to hear the answer, Karen swallowed and asked, "What happened to the gang, Arthur?"

"A lot." Arthur rubbed the back of his neck. "What you remember?"