People were always having to save Gracie, until she learnt that the only person in this type of world who can save her... is herself.
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Gracelynn Roberts, the fifteen year old daughter of Abigail Roberts. She and her mother lived from place to place...
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A few hours had passed and Gracie ended up helping out Ms Grimshaw with some chores after her mother told the older woman that her daughter needed something to occupy her. Gracie couldn't stop daydreaming about what their next camp may look like - she hoped there was no snow, that was the first thing. She wanted to be able to see the sun everyday and wake up happily, rather than cold and miserable. Maybe even a lake or a forest where she can catch a glimpse of some bunnies or birdies.
Gracie and Jack were building snowmen outside just as the men started riding towards the camp to tell everyone to pack their stuff. It was time to move. When Gracie asked what was happening she was told they were going further into the country to set up a camp near a livestock town called Valentine. It was full of cowboys, outlaws, saloons, working girls, most likely some O'Driscolls, unfortunately, and many other things.
Nearby was a piece of land called Horseshoe Overlook where they were going to stay.
Whilst sat in the cart, she admired the trees that were covered in frost, the icy ground and the mountains in the distance that they all once crossed before the air around them started to feel a little warmer. Not long after, they entered New Hanover and eventually followed a stream, which had deer, rabbits and foxes look at them with their beady eyes before running away.
Gracie felt more at home when she helped her mother set up their tent on their camp's new piece of land. It wasn't a huge tent like Dutch's, Arthur's or John's of course, but it is suitable for the three of them to comfortably rest near each other. She rolled out her sleeping bag next to her mother's before setting her bag of clothes and other necessities in the corner. Thankfully they were close to a town since she was running low on certain things, but if the teen needed to get any new stuff she would have to drag someone else along with her.
Arthur, Hosea, Charles and Javier's wagon wheel broke off so they came by a little later to see the camp being set up. They spoke to Dutch for a little bit until the main man himself gathered everyone around.
"Now, everyone, put your tools down for a moment. Come on, gather round." Dutch spoke loudly in front of his white tent. Gracie looked up at her mother for a second, putting her own stuff down and they made their way over alongside Karen and Tilly. "Quickly now. I know that things have been tough, but we are safe now and we were far too poor. It is time for everyone to get to work."
Hosea stood next to him with a nod, "Get to work, but stay out of trouble. Remember, we are itinerant workers."
"Laid off when they shut down our factory to the north. Now get out there and see what you can find. Uncle, Reverend Swanson, no more passengers." Dutch pointed at the two men with beer bottles in their hands already, earning a few laughs out of the women. "It is time for everyone to earn their keep."
Hosea pointed to the clearing in the trees after Dutch spoke, "There's a town a little way down the track name of Valentine - livestock town, all mud and morons, if I remember right. That seems a decent place to start."
