The Last Love Of Arthur Morgan

The Ugly Truth

A storm had swept through Valentine, as it had been moving that way the night before. Arthur fell asleep rather quickly, but a rumble of thunder startled him awake. He rolled over on his side and pulled the sleeping form closer to his chest. She stirred a little then fell back asleep. Arthur closed his eyes and buried his nose in her hair.

When he woke again, the sun was beginning to rise. He felt oddly cold and felt the other side of the bed where Lorna was sleeping. He cracked an eye open and moved his hand up and down, not feeling her beside him.

"Lorna?"He yawned, rubbing his eyes.

She was probably in the out house, it was about that time she usually started puking. He slid to the edge of bed and stretched his arms, blinking a few times. He pushed himself off the cot and grabbed his pants off the chest.

"Goodmorning Arthur." Charles greeted from outside.

"Mornin'."Arthur pushed open the flaps."You see Lorna?"

He shook his head."No. I just got up myself. Might want to ask Pearson, he was awake early."

Arthur nodded as he pulled on his newly mended black and grey checkered shirt. He tucked the shirt in his pants and buttoned up. He grabbed his belt and looped it through, when he heard Dutch's voice. Normally the man didnt wake until mid-morning. He slipped on his boots and exited the tent.

Dutch, Hosea, Charles and John stood around the food wagon, inspecting something. Arthur knew it must've been serious if Dutch was awake.

"What's goin' on?" Arthur asked, standing next to Hosea.

"It seems Pearson is missing. They left a note."

Javier handed Arthur the note and the outlaw inspected it with hooded eyes.

We have the fat cook.
The dame too.
If you want them back alive,
You'll listen to us.
Come to Carmody Dell by noon.

Arthur swallowed."They...t-took Lorna."

"What would they want with her?" Charles asked.

"She knows too much." Arthur whispered, his hands beginning to shake."S-She's pregnant, Dutch... we gotta find her."

The four men looked slightly unsettled with the revelation, but not nearly as unsettled as Arthur was. Hosea touched Arthur's shoulder, giving a firm squeeze.

"We ride out in 20 minutes!" Dutch announced, stomping back to his tent."Wake everyone and do a head count!"

Hosea guided Arthur over to a chair and sat him down, he handed the younger man a cigarette and his hand shook as he put it between his lips. Hosea sat down in front of him, leaning forward on his knees.

"How long have you known?"

Arthur frowned."Couple of weeks."

Hosea nodded."Why the secrecy, Arthur?"

"We wasnt sure how to tell everyone." He flicked an ash off the cigarette.

"That's fair." He nodded and tapped Arthur's knee."...We'll find her."

Arthur's body was numb, cold even. He feared what they might do to her, pregnant or not. He couldnt lose her or the baby. He refused to.

With one last puff of the cigarette, he tossed it to the ground, mushing it with the toe of his boot. He stood slowly and forced himself not to fall over, as his legs were a bit wobbly.

"Arthur.." Dutch began, stopping in front of him."Arthur, we will get Lorna back come hell or high water. She is one of us and so is that baby."

Arthur nodded and looked down, feeling his chest tighten with the mention of the baby. Dutch placed a hand on his shoulder and slowly slid it around the back of his head, bringing his forehead toward his lips. Something he'd never done before, not even when he was a kid.