𝘍𝘖𝘙𝘎𝘐𝘝𝘌𝘕𝘌𝘚𝘚 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘙𝘌𝘛𝘙𝘐𝘉𝘜𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕 | ʀᴅʀ

Chapter Eighteen

1893: New Hanover

Rosalie had it in her mind that they would ride hard to Alpine Station, and ride hard they did. As soon as everyone was gathered and saddled, they took off into the trees, heading up the mountainous, and rather chilly state of Ambarino to the train station just past Moonstone Pond. They weren't traveling too far, as their current camp was already on the border of New Hanover and Ambarino.

She was determined to get this train job over with. While Dutch had tried to reassure her that Arthur would be fine and that he would get Susan to sit with him to ease her anxieties, she couldn't help the uneasy feeling gnawing at her insides as they rode through the forest, their horse's hooves beating against the ground and huffing.

Even the cool chill, a feeling that usually calmed her and kept her grounded, did not provide comfort now. The moon hung high in the sky as crickets chirped. They used the night as their cloak from any prying eyes as they moved toward the station.

Dutch's insistence on Rosalie leaving Arthur was strange, and so was the lack of care he seemed to display for him. Hosea even seemed to be disappointed in the lack of urgency Dutch had when it came to checking on Arthur after he was gone for several days longer than he originally said he would be. Never mind checking on him after his absence, but the lack of concern for his well-being during his grieving process was also unnerving.

Hell, Arthur's son and the mother of his child were dead. It wasn't some bump on the log. He was one of the strongest people she had ever met, and right now, he was broken. He needed support, and Dutch didn't seem to give a damn about that—he didn't seem to give a damn about anything other than her going out and getting some money for the gang. She knew it was important, as they needed money for supplies, especially with all the people they'd taken on recently, but was it more important than Arthur as of now? Hell no it wasn't.

Rosalie still didn't know what happened to Issac and Eliza, as Arthur had barely uttered a word to her since they brought him back a week ago. He was a zombie as he laid in his tent, drinking and barely eating. She didn't think she would be getting any answers anytime soon.

"We're close," Rosalie announced, riding at the front with John beside her.

She recognized the shape of the trees and the bend of the path. Just above was a ridge that she could easily perch herself from and watch from above as a lookout.

"And there's the train," Davey hummed, nodding toward the parked train in the distance, along with Alpine Station that was now in sight.

The station was a small building. A single light illuminated the area, where the weary clerk worked inside, receiving goods from the men unloading the parked train car. Outside, she could see only two guards standing by the car, rifles in hand, but they were clearly relaxed, one even smoking a cigarette.

Their guards were down completely, as they believed there was nothing to worry about. She was sure there were more men inside the train, but she couldn't be certain how many.

Rosalie pulled Blitz to a stop, and the others did the same, pausing just before they rode up on the bend that revealed them to those who were unloading the train.

"I'll go up top and be a lookout," she said, nodding to the ridge that overlooked the station. "Remember what I said before. Mac and John will do all the talking. If they don't put up a fight, and you decide you need me, I'll come down and help unload the car. Otherwise, just stick to the plan I told you and we'll be fine. Let's get this done quickly, boys." She said, turning Blitz and heading back up the ridge, leaving them to head over to the station.

The group pulled their bandanas over their faces, concealing their identity, and they were off, rounding the corner atop their horses as Rosalie moved up the ridge.