Six Shots Deep

Broken Families

I woke up the next morning wrapped in Arthur's arms. He was still asleep. Instead of moving, I stared at this wonderful man, wondering how I got so lucky. He was passed out heavily, his mouth parted slightly. I smiled before slowly shifting, careful not to wake him up. I wrote a small note saying that I went back to the cabin and for him to join me as soon as possible.

When I walked outside the tent, everyone was still asleep besides a few of the women, including Miss Grimshaw. She greeted me with a smile.

"Good morning, Rose. How are you this morning?"

"Just fine, how are you?"

"I'm well. I didn't know you came back."

I smiled. "Unfortunately, I'm not staying. I have to get back to Ma and see how she's doing."

"Oh, well that's too bad. I hope to see you again soon, Miss."

"And you, Miss Grimshaw." I tipped my hat to her before heading over to Whiskey. I climbed onto his tall frame and turned him out of camp. Before I could start trotting faster, I noticed a man in the bushes, looking over the camp. I stopped, approaching him. "Can I help you?" I asked, dismounting.

"Get outta here, little girl." He growled.

I chuckled. "You know, the last guy who called me a little girl got a bullet to their head. So I will ask again, can I help you?"

He scowled. "I'm not afraid of some kid."

I drew my gun, pointing it at his head. "Now, I suggest you answer my question because I got a bullet with your name on it."

"Okay! Okay! I'm on a mission."

"Care to enlighten me?"

"I was sent here by a lady called Maria Louis to capture and kill Arthur Morgan! Please, I have a family, don't do this!"

"You tell anyone, I'll make sure to kill ya, understand?"

"Yes ma'am. Understood!"

"Good. Now get outta here." I holstered my pistol and watched him run off.

Ma.

*****

I bursted through the front door of my house, my gun fixated on Ma.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I yelled.

"Rose Irene! Put that gun down now!"

"Not until you tell me why the hell you would send someone to kill Arthur!"

"When you didn't come home, I knew you went back to him!"

"So you send someone to kill him?"

"Yes! He's an outlaw, Rose!"

"And I love him!"

"You love him!"

"Yes!" I threw my gun to the floor. "Ma, you're crazy! Just because I'm with an outlaw, that doesn't mean you send someone to kill him! What if that person killed me too? Then what!" I glared at her, tears streaming down my face. "I came back to you because I killed the person who killed Pa! Because it was over! I came back to you because I missed you and wanted to make sure you were okay! And in those moments, I found comfort in Arthur because he helped me! He helped me kill daddy's murderer! He's not a bad person, Ma."

"He's wanted in three different states."

I pulled the money Arthur gave me from my satchel. "Do you see this? He gave me this money to give to you!" I threw the money pile in front of her. "That's the entire loan you took. He's giving it back! He didn't know you were my mother until I led him here! Ma, he's a wonderful man who I love and cherish! You can't just hire somebody to kill him!"