The Last Love Of Arthur Morgan

We only have now

Riding into camp filled Arthur with sudden dread, he knew Lorna would be angry with him for bringing Thomas back, but they weren't going to risk their lives for a half assed plan.

They were greeted by Charles and Lenny who were on watch, they both seemed surprised to see Thomas, but eager to know the reason he was still with them.

"Goddamn storm turned us around." Dutch griped, sliding off The Count.

"I was wondering about that." Charles shook his head.

"It got real bad here." Lenny chimed in.

Arthur jumped down from Walker and stomped through the knee high snow over to Bess. Thomas' face was still pretty swollen and cut up from the night before - Arthur even felt kind of bad, but the kid deserved it, a hundred times over. He untied him and helped him down off the horse, the boy was obedient and followed Charles into the barn.

The door to the main cabin opened and Lorna hurried out, covered in her many layers and a blanket. Arthur met her half way so she didn't have to go far, she jumped up latching her arms around his neck. He'd never been greeted like this before, but he wasn't complaining.

"I missed you!" She exclaimed.

He chuckled."I see that."

He set her down in the snow and she stared up at him, smiling, but he wasnt. She took notice and her smile slipped into a frown.

"What's wrong?"

Arthur heaved a sigh."We uh, we couldnt take him back."

Her brow furrowed."Why not?"

"The storm, Lorna. Couldnt risk our lives for him."

She bowed her head and nodded. She turned to leave, but Arthur caught her arm, pulling her back. He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him.

"He ain't gonna hurt you no more. I'll make sure of it."

Lorna closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest. Arthur wrapped his arm around her, as he moved them into the cabin. Inside the fire was crackling; Mary-Beth and Karen sitting near the hearth, knitting and chatting.

Jack jumped up from his Mother's lap and ran clear into Arthur's legs, Abigail scolded him but Arthur laughed it off, picking up the small boy.

"Gotcha somethin'." Arthur fished in his coat pocket and pulled out a shiny new rock with an odd white marking.

"Thank you, Uncle Arthur." He hugged the outlaw's neck.

Arthur set the boy down on the ground and he ran back to his Mother boasting about his new rock. Lorna unbuttoned Arthur's coat and pulled it off him, despite his protests that he could do it himself. She hung it up by the door and ushered him to the table.

"You're lucky you didnt get yourself killed out there with that storm." She scolded.

Mary-Beth handed Arthur a bowl of stew and a cup of coffee, he nodded his thanks to the younger woman; she smiled in return.

Lorna took a seat across from him and watched as he scarfed down the stew, then taking a moment savor the coffee.

"Is it good?" She asked.

"Nah, I'm just hungry." He sat back and heaved a sigh.

Lorna smiled.

Jack walked up to Lorna and handed her his rock."Look Aunt Lorna!"

She gasped."That's beautiful, Jack. Your Uncle Arthur has good taste."

The rock was black with a white jagged line down the middle. Very strange but interesting nonetheless. She handed it back to Jack and ruffled his light brown hair, to which Abigail always commented on, saying she hadnt a clue where the color even came from. She imagined John's side, but no one could be certain - least of all, Abigail.