The Last Love Of Arthur Morgan

There's always a Price

Sadie and Lorna rode up on Mr. Lowe's small shack out in the middle of nowhere. They'd been riding a good while now and the sun was finally setting, the night time air crisp and still. They didn't have much time to waste before having to get back to camp.

Sadie was the first to jump off her gelding, he snorted as she tied him to the hitching post. Lorna went to slide off Bess, when the blonde held up her gloved hand.

"Stay here."

She walked to the door and before she could even raise her fist to knock, it swung open and the barrel of a shotgun inched its way out the door. Sadie raised her hands up, afraid that this would be her end. Lorna slowly pulled her gun from the holster on the saddle, as she nonchalantly slipped her feet out of the stirrups and slid down.

"Mr. we're just here to collect a debt. You owe a Mr. Strauss some money." Lorna tried, cautiously approaching the man.

"I don't know a Strauss!" He spat.

Sadie squirmed."Sure ya do. He said yous met him in Rhodes. Said yous needed money real bad, even promised to pay him back."

"Lower the gun, Mr."

"No!" He turned the gun on Lorna.

She gasped and raised her hands. Sadie lunged for the man knocking him down, the gun firing up into the night sky. Lorna ran over and wrestled it out of his hands, as Sadie shoved his face into the dirt. Lorna grabbed the rope off Sadie's horse and began tying his wrists together.

"You fucking pull a gun on us again, yous best pray for good aim!"

The man groaned. Sadie stood up, hoisting him up by the arm and suspenders. Lorna slung the shotgun over her shoulder and followed them inside the house.

It was a cozy setup. Nice fire roaring, a pot of something sitting on the hearth. A few bowls sitting on the table. A woman heavy with child in the kitchen. Sadie stopped short and swallowed, Lorna peered around her and saw the reason. She frowned.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Ma'am." She offered a smile."We're just here to collect a debt that your husband owes."

She eyed the rope around his wrists."Does it really require him to be tied up?"

"It does when he tries to shoot us." Sadie shoved him in the chair."Now, you gonna tell me where the money is?"

"Nick, just give her the money. You shouldn't be borrowing money anyhow, it's dangerous, especially with the baby coming." She placed a gentle hand on her belly.

Lorna couldn't stop staring at the woman. She vaguely remembered what Sadie was even saying to the man. She guessed what they said was true about pregnant women, they had a certain glow about them. This woman happened to shine like a bright light at the end of a tunnel, even with this horrible intrusion she and Sadie laid upon them.

"In the lock box on the fireplace mantel." He turned to his wife."Get the money, Samantha!"

The dark haired woman spurred into action, waddling over to the hearth, she reached on top and slid it off. Laying it on the table, she opened it and there fifty bucks waited for Strauss. She handed the money clip to Lorna, she offered a smile but the pregnant woman quickly averted her gaze to the floor.

"That'll be all." Sadie sang as she cut the rope from his wrists.

Lorna shrugged off the shotgun and laid it on the table. The man gave her a curt nod before she followed Sadie out of the house.

They both mounted their horses and rode back the way they came, praying like hell that they made it back before Arthur and the others did.

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