What If's | Arthur Morgan x Reader

One

With your hair done up out of the way, you grabbed your bag of money, and your revolver. You never went anywhere without it. Critter, your dog, watches as you rush around, making sure you had prepared everything for your leave. You hoped to return before the day ends, but if it got too late, you'd opt to stay rather than deal with the multitude of gangs and thieves. One run in was more than enough. Your father was coming over to watch over your home while you were gone. You didn't want to risk a break in. Things were troubling enough as it was, in this day and age-in-transition. There was a knock at the door. You father was here. You hurriedly opened the door and gave him a big hug

"Daddy, I'm so glad you made it okay," you said in happy relief. You had very little family left, and it was a blessing you still had your dad. You weren't religious, but it was a miracle anyone was left. When the Lemoyne Raiders made themselves known, they'd already managed to gun down several of your relatives because of their tendency to be hard headed.

"Of course," he said, hugging you back tightly and giving you an affectionate pat on the back. "Wouldn't dream of leaving you alone." You smiled at him. Way back when, he was a charmer, your mom loked to say. It shone through. He strives to make his family happy. You parted.

"I promise I won't be out too late, daddy." He nodded, crossing his arms.

"You be safe, now." He turned you around and ushered you out of your home, a smile on his face. He was happy that you made it so far by yourself. You were his pride and joy.

"I will, no need to worry." With a quick kiss on the cheek and goodbyes said, you mounted your horse, and galloped off to Valentine. Your favorite part of the trek from your home to town was most definitely the scenery. You could see animals of all kinds scurry around, and watch as the trees pass, accompanied by the sound of hooves against the ground. Some strangers offered the occasional greeting.

As you rode up to Valentine, you slowed the pace to a trot. You've seen a few people be knocked out or die from being ran over and hit by a horse or a horse drawn carriage. It always made you sad at how a great deal of people hadn't cared, even if the town was so close knitted. In such a small town, everyone knew everyone, to some extent.

The first stop in Valentine was the stables. It was a shame that your best work horse was stolen, but the inly thing you could do was move on, and replace her. You hitched your horse on a nearby post and made your way across the dirt road to greet the stable master, your longtime friend and old employer before you had started your own small farm like back in Rhodes.

"Mister Green," you called out inside the stables. He popped his head out from behind a rather large horse he was grooming.

"Miss (L/N), how's the days treatin' ya?" He pocketed the grooming tool and led the horse to a stall with ease.

"Busy, thank you. One of my horses was stolen a few nights prior. I'm in the market for a new work horse." You shuffled in place. You hadn't been back to the stables in months, and you felt rather awkward not working.

"A work horse, huh? I think I got one for you." He motioned you to follow him and led you to a big, gruff looking horse with rich chocolate fur coat with the occasional white on the snout and lower legs. You gave the horse a once over.

"Wonderful! It's exactly what I need." You went to pet it's neck, but it reared his head and it's ears went flat, almost dancing uneasily.

"Careful," the stable master called out. He's not entirely used to being around people." You nod your head, promptly returning your hand a d fidgeting with your fingers. With a bit of thought, you decided he'd be the best fit, and warn others away with his massive size.

"How much, Mister Green?" The stable master paused for a moment before answering.

"For you, lets say $220. That's almost half off." You shook your head.

"That's bad for business, Mister green. You sure about that?" He gave you a curt nod, opening the stable and letting the jittery horse out of the stables.

"It's worse for business if you don't take care of the hard working people in Valentine." You smiled kindly at the man.

"Thank you, really." You pulled, and counted out, $227 from your satchel, and forked over the money. "Keep the change." With the deal done, you decided to go ahead and ride him home. You figured that now would be a great time to start bonding with him. You started the trek home, the sky darkened at dusk.

Out of nowhere, a man ran in front of you, intending to cross, spooking the already on edge horse. He reared up, and with a loud yelp, you fell off, landing on your back, and your new horse ran a few yards away.

"God dammit," you groaned out as you sat up and rubbed a soar spot on your lower back. You look where you landed. You managed to land on a sizable and sharp rock. It was certain to leave a large bruise. The man that appeared out of nowhere, offered you his hand to help you up.

"Sorry miss," he said. He didn't sound or seem apologetic. It sounded to you like he was just saying such to be polite. At least he tried. You took his hand and hoisted yourself up with his help, and dusted yourself off, and held the sore spot that you'd discovered was sticky. Sticky and bruised was never good.

"Watch where you're goin' next time," you hissed out. "I could've cut my back open on that rock down there 'cause of you." At your words, he had actually looked sorry this time.

"I'm sorry miss, I really didn't mean to. How- How can I make up for it?" You shook your head, dismissing his offer, before an idea popped in your head.

"Yeah, I think I got something for you to do."