Liars And Thieves

Chapter 24

"Hosea is taking Jack and I just a bit out of camp, up by the lake more," Abigail grinned as she packed things into a saddle bag. Grace stood behind her, holding Abigail's hat in her hands as Abigail gathered their things for the day. "We both agreed that Jack should have a little bit of space from the gang."

"I'm sure you will have a lovely time," Grace chimed. Grace saw Jack run past her towards Abigail with a stick in his hand.

"Ma, can I bring Cain?" Jack asked. Grace chuckled as Abigail turned away from the saddle bags and knelt down in front of Jack.

"I think Cain would like to stay in camp," Abigail announced, pointing out to the tree Cain was digging by. Jack looked over before pouting.

"I told him to follow," Jack groaned before throwing the stick away. 

"Are you two ready?" Hosea asked, leading his horse over to them. Abigail got off of the ground, nodding at him. Hosea grinned before looking at Grace. "The camp will be quiet today," Hosea noticed as Arthur, Bill, Micah and Sean had already left. Grace nodded in agreement.

"For sure. You lot have fun," Grace added as she handed Abigail's hat to her. Abigail took her hat, thanking Grace for holding it for her. She plopped it on her head before mounting the roan horse. Abigail called for Jack and Jack approached Abigail, reaching his hands up to her. Abigail grabbed him from under the arms and placed him on the saddle in front of her. "Don't cause too much trouble," Grace spoke to Jack, giving him a small wink. Jack giggled.

"Well, we should get going," Hosea announced, waving at Grace. Grace waved at the group as they rode out of the camp. Grace watched them as they left, wishing she had got to meet her mother. Her mother abandoned her with her father after leaving them for a wealthy man. Jack was lucky to have a mother like Abigail. Grace turned back towards the camp, spotting Sadie walking in from by the lake, repeater in her hands.

"Sadie," Grace called out as she walked towards her. Sadie grinned at her, pulling the strap of the repeated over her shoulder.

"Grace," Sadie greeted her.

"How are you?" Grace asked. Sadie gave a slow yet assuring nod.

"I'm okay. It still hurts though," Sadie sighed. Grace knew she was talking about the loss of her husband.

"It would. I'm glad things are getting there for you," Grace gave her a small grin. Sadie nodded at her, looking over at Keiran who was once again with the horses.

"I keep forgetting he is... well was, one of them," Sadie muttered. Grace turned to look over at Keiran too. "He just seems too... too-"

"Kind? Respectful?" Grace asked. Sadie nodded, giving her a small smile.

"Yeah. It's hard to believe he worked under the wing of those sons-of-bitches," Sadie scolded, her rough voice coming through. Grace nodded in agreement. "But I guess life is pretty strange like that. Expect the unexpected," Sadie continued. 

"You know, Mrs Adler," Grace started, grabbing Sadie's attention away from Keiran. "You're one of the bravest and strongest people I have ever met. You could've killed him and no one would blame you, not even Keiran himself but yet you didn't."

"Trust me, I'll get my revenge," Sadie croaked. Grace nodded.

"No doubt you will. Well, I should let you get back to it,"Grace sighed, stepping aside for Sadie to continue on her way. 

"Thank you," Sadie thanked before walking past her. Grace walked towards her tent, reaching under her table for a large lock box. She unlocked it, grabbing her fishing rod out. She figured that she wasn't going to leave the camp today with it being so empty, someone needed to be here however she still wanted to provide for the camp. Grace pushed the box back under her cot before leaving her tent, resting the rod on her shoulder as she walked towards the lake. She walked onto the broken dock, remembering this was the spot her and Arthur shared their first kiss. She grinned at the memory before scanning the water for movement. She noticed the water rippling at the surface a little to her left. Grace grabbed the hook and attached bait onto the hook before casting, the bait landing in the water with a plop.