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"God, I wonder if Ryan really is in Casa Madrugada."
Selina almost seems to be talking to herself at the given moment. She seemed pretty interested in finding her older brother, I was thinking he was about thirty eight given the two year age difference and all. I'd never met this guy, he wasn't at our wedding, none of it. Selina spoke about him every so often but it wasn't ever anything major. Just a mention here and there.
"So why don't we go check?" I suggest as she looks over at me a bit confused.
"You want to go check and see if my brother is there? Really?"
"Well I mean, it's up to you, Sel. Not me. He ain't my brother."
"He's your brother-in-law that you've never met. Ain't that something?" She questions with a slight grin. I'd never met my father-in-law either so that was a bit of the most something I could get.
"I wanna go though." She finally admits a bit shyly before I narrow my brows for the moment. Trying to think if it would be a smart idea to have this girl see her brother again after so many years. Ryan Hinton, a man I had never seen before but was the blood uncle to my children. Truly did make me wonder what he was like. "Days not getting any longer, Selina. Guess let's go meet this feller."

Following along a map for the most part, we make our way to Casa Madrugada. Not much there honestly, seems like an older hotel or something of the sort with barely any people around except for some Mexican gunslingers who didn't look too happy to have some random people in the area. We're walking into the bar area before Selina spots the boy she was thinking of. Her older brother, the one and only. She seemed nervous, the man is literally just sitting at the bar with beer in his hand, Mexican poncho around him. He's about the same pigmentation as Selina, black hair and brown eyes. Muscular fella too, know he'd beat me senseless if I wasn't careful.

"Ryan?" Selina simply states out loud before the other whips himself around. "Selina? Sis, how did you find me?"
"You'd be surprised to know these people of Mexico talk a lot huh?" With that the two embrace, Ryan seems to nearly take up her entire body as he wraps his arms around her. "You look amazing, Selina... Little bit---"
"Don't say it. I know. I'm pregnant."
"Really? No way ! Who's---" Then he looks over at me with a slight tilt of his head. "Wow... You didn't marry Buck huh? Who's this guy? The pa huh?" He comes forward and holds his hand out for me to shake. "Asher Sanders, it's a pleasure to meet you, Ryan." The handshake is firm, I knew this man could hurt me if he really wanted to. He gives me a smile though so I know he's not hostile in anyway. I could also tell he was blunt given what he was about to say to his younger sister. "Likewise, Selina Sanders, that's the new name? He's quite the interestin' lookin' fellow, you are Asher. Attacked by a bear or somethin'?" He questions with a laugh passing his lips. "Quite the opposite, I've been shot and stabbed, what's your story?" Ryan seems to stop laughing before he looks back at his sister.
"What? How long have you and Buck been divorced?"
"We never got married, Ry. We separated shortly before I met, Mr. Sanders."
"That so huh? Heard he was dead."
"He is... I would know. I was there..."

Ryan looks a bit confused before he looks around for a table for us to sit at. "Tell me more, Selina. I haven't seen you in nearly fifteen years. Can't believe you still recognize me and me with you, but--- Guess maybe we is family. Can't never forget you, Sel."
The girl rolls her eyes as we take a seat, I order a beer for myself and a water for Selina as I lean back within the seat. I knew that this was going to be a lengthy conversation. Selina begins to explain to her brother about everything that happened from when their parents were divorced. How her and their mother moved to West Elizabeth amid the illness crisis going on down in New Austin at the time. Everything with Buck and how she came to find me and all. She did seem a little apprehensive to admit she was in the gang with me but nonetheless, is open about it with him. He seems surprised, his facial expressions saying it all. "My little sister... In a gang of all things. Wow... I mean, least there was some way to toughen you up. Always been a pure and innocent soul." The man shrugs before he raises his brows. "So this is your first baby?" God, he was in for so many surprises when it came to the girl. She shakes her head to the man who tilts his head, taking a sip of his own beverage as he blinks.
"How many you got, Sel?"
"We have three children together, this one is our fourth. I know what you're gonna say, Ryan, why didn't I try to find you sooner. Truth is, our lives have been so crazy since our first son was born. Can you believe it though? I have a son, I have two, and I have a daughter. I know I'm completely different from the last time I saw you. But I truly believe this was how it was meant to be in a sense."
Ryan looks his sister over for the moment, he's surprised, he also seems confused and a bit frustrated as well. I know it was a lot to process for him. Not seeing her for such a long and all. Swear if I had a sister who I hadn't seen since I ran off, I'd be a little flustered with all this news too. Ryan lets out a sigh before he chuckles a bit.
"My little sister... A mother now, a girl who knows how to handle a gun, a strong woman too. Ya know... I had to hear the story from you. 'Cause, way back when--- What? Eighteen ninety nine, a 'Wanted' poster of yours drifted down here. Well, I wasn't down here all too often 'cause I know at one point, the border was closed. Found my own way across though, just wanting to get a lick of the land. Anyway, found that poster, spread all over New Austin, Mexico, anywhere. Two grand, for my own sister's head. You murdered people, kidnapped them, robbed them too. Now, how was I supposed to believe my twenty two year old sister--- Who, mind you, I thought was just gonna be some army wife, sittin' at home all day with her future kids, was sittin' there, doin' things like that to folk huh? I could've found ya then... But--- When I saw the 'armed and dangerous' part as well... I just didn't think you'd be all too thrilled to see me. I look at you now, I hear your story, and--- Makes me thrilled to know that you're the way you are now. This John Marston fella, heard of him out here too. Doing some work with both sides of the Mexican Army, and the rebels. Who, I'm helping as well. What I guess I'm hoping for you, Selina, is you realize that this life you lead, gonna have to let it go at some point. Be a normal person for the rest of your days after this alright?"
Selina doesn't really understand, I can see it within her eyes, but, she gives her older brother a nod nonetheless. "I get it Ryan. I know... I hope when this is all said and done, you can meet your nephews and your niece."
"I hope so too, Selina. What are their names? Full ones, sure I ain't made the cut yet to be apart of one but I wanna know."
Selina looks over at me, as I look at her and then back at Ryan. I clear my throat as I'm leaning forward, not expecting to be apart of this conversation at all. "Our oldest son's name is Arthur Alexander Sanders, second oldest is named Andrew Robert Sanders, and our daughter is named Sadie Abigail Rose Sanders." Ryan smiles a bit at our daughters name. "I like all their names, but your daughter's--- Sure momma was thrilled when you told her that name. Must be a strong girl." We both look at one another as we nod. "Well, Sel, Asher, it's been nice catching up. If you do find yourselves helping the rebels at all. Please do give me a holler and when you go home, I'd be more than happy to join."

Wrapping up our evening, Selina and her brother share some heart-to-heart hugs and laughs. I knew she was happy to see her brother again. Maybe that was all she did need, since this really was the first time I saw the genuine Selina I had fallen in love with. But, she still had a while to get back where she once was.

𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 ♦ 𝐑𝐃𝐑Where stories live. Discover now