"Anytime, Cowgirl." : Arthur Morgan X OC

Chapter 12

Arthur woke up slowly. His head and back were leaned up against something hard, but his frontside held a soft, warm figure, which he identified as Jane.

She was curled up on his lap, with her hair cast down across her face. Admiration filled him as he gently pushed it back, which made her stir. Silently cursing himself, he rubbed her back until she became still once again.

He was sitting against a barrel. People were scattered around the remains of the fire after the lively night.

His body was sore from dancing. Tightness was really the only word he could use to describe the feeling in his chest. When he learned he had TB, he thought the world was ending. He had tried to shove it away and muster up strength, for Jane, but he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep it up.

How everything changed when Jane showed up in his life. All the train and bank robberies couldn't buy the feeling he felt around her. He never felt this way around Mary. He knew it sounded cliché, but words couldn't describe how he felt about Jane. Usually, he would be hesitant to give his heart to someone so quickly, but he couldn't help himself. He knew he was setting himself up for disaster, but she gave him hope.

His heart seemed to be squeezed in a fist when he thought of what would happen when the disease claimed him. Who would take care of Jane? Would she just move on to another man?

The worries seemed to subside as Jane began to stir once again. No, He thought to himself. I'm gonna beat this sickness. I'm not going to lose her so soon after getting her.

"Good morning, darling," he said in his gruff morning voice, kissing her forehead.

She pressed her face to his chest, taking in his scent. "Morning," she mumbled.

They sat quietly for a few more moments. The morning sun was up high, but no one was awake yet. It was already warm out, but a light breeze kept it front getting unbearably hot, like it usually did.

Jane was more awake now. "You ready to go to that man today?"

He ran a hand through her hair. "I guess so."

She stretched her shoulders up before standing up. "Well, we should probably get a move on."

Following her lead, they approached the horses.

~~~~

"You sure it's here?" Arthur asked.

The stood in front a small house- shack was a better word- that sat next to a small pond. It did not appear to be in the best shape.

"This is what the doctor wrote on the paper," Jane said, slowly getting off her horse.

Arthur followed her example, and rested his hand on his holster, ready to grab his gun if necessary. He walked in front of her, slowly approaching the door. "This don't exactly look like a doctor's house. More like a crazy person, maybe."

Jane studied the dead flowers resting below the window. "Well, he didn't say he was a doctor. Just that he could help us."

"Well, let's hope." Arthur knocked the door, and stood still.

After a moment, the door cracked open. "Hello?" Said a woman's voice. Jane could barely see her, but from what she could see, she looked wary of her visitors.

"Uh, we was told someone here could help us. The doctor sent us," Arthur said.

The woman was still for a moment before pulling the door farther back. "That's me."