Ghosts of the Past [ RDR2 - Arthur Morgan ]

Chapter 13 - Not In One Place Too Long

WORD COUNT - 2547

Morning announced its arrival with the gentle tweets of birds outside and the mumbling of a mulling camp. It took Rosemary a moment to fully remember what had happened, that she was not waking up in her wagon in the lonely mountain expanse north of Strawberry. Her bed felt the same. The same lavish pillowed and pelted blankets that she spent too much money on, and in the same cramped space surrounded by apothecary drawers filled with herbs and remedies.

But it was not the same. Talking outside told her as much. As her brain fully flooded with consciousness, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, wiped the sleep from her eyes, and stood up in her cramp wagon to dress for the day.

Although the exact expectations of the day were less than clear, the fact that it would, if nothing else, be far more active than her normal work in the saloon made her choose riding jeans over dresses, and loose fit shirts over corsets. Once dressed, she took a moment to steel herself, before opening the door, and stepping out into the sunny cliffside camp of Horseshoe Overlook.

Perhaps her next action was a little obvious, as she scanned the camp for Arthur Morgan. This did not go amiss to Hosea, who was sat by the fire, stoking it casually "He went out with John this morning." His voice was kind and caring. An odd vocal tone for a man that should be hardened by his years on the road. "G'morning, Miss Levenson." He tacked on after a moment "You're a late riser."

Upon being caught, a light red blush crawled over her cheeks as she attempted to excuse herself "I wasn't..." But was there any point in denying the obvious. She was looking for Arthur. Instead she simply sat down on the sideways log as Hosea had indicated. "Shut up." She added stupidly.

With a short looked up and down, Hosea considered Rosemary for a moment, before a small smirk quibbed the edges of his lips and his eyes returned to the fire, pulling a bubbling pot of coffee from the cinders and pouring two mugs as he spoke "Don't you worry, I won't tell anyone. Looking for Arthur ain't a crime."

The coffee she was given was bitter, but had the intended effect of waking her up almost immediately as she hummed a little 'thanks' to Hosea. "And I ain't a late riser. Sun's barely up."

A low chuckle rose from Hosea, as he took a draught of his own coffee before replying "The sun came up two hours ago."

"Shut it." Another rather lame response, but gained her a little laugh from Hosea nonetheless. "I ain't so sure what to do with my time here. Someone cooks for us. There's so many ladies there to do the cleaning." Rosemary paused and looked around the camp "I mean, I'm so used to doing it all myself."

"Oh, Mrs Grimshaw is sure to have plenty for you to be getting on with." Hosea waved off her concern with a gentle flutter of his hand. "She'd have you working all day, down to the bone if she could." He paused for a moment "Once word of advice; always look busy. Or if you're willing, get shot in the leg and you've got an excuse to not work for at least a week."

A gentle laugh escaped Rosemary, who shook her head and placed her now empty coffee cup on the ground "Let me take a look at that leg, Mr Matthews." She offered "Make sure it ain't infected."

With a motion of his hand he nodded "Be my guest." He lifted his leg to a position she could reach easier. "Though I think it's fine to me. Healing nicely."

Kneeling down beside his leg, and gently peeling back the bandages from his calf, Rosemary smiled in and spoke jokingly "Well as the camp doctor, I believe that's my call."

Eye brows knitting together, Hosea attempted to look perfectly fine and at rest from the two day old bullet wound. "Camp doctor now, are ya?"

"So Dutch says." Rosemary's quick response gained a joking eye roll from the older man. Her attention, however, drew back to the wound as it appeared behind the bandages. Lowly humming as she inspected it, there was a positive little nod that told Hosea she was happy with it "Look at that. No gangrene. Stitches are taking well." she added "Looks like your excuse for not working is wearing thin."