Unshaken

Americans At Rest

Liam woke up around six that morning according to his watch. Arthur and Abigail were standing and sipping their coffee by the pot, Mrs. Grimshaw was finishing her cup and started to clean a table, Pearson was chopping meat and vegetables for that day's stew, Dutch was standing on his platform observing camp, Molly was applying her makeup, and Strauss was going through a book writing something down that Liam had no idea about. Most of the camp was still asleep. He was sure Charles was already on guard duty. He'd aspired to be as hard of a worker as Mr. Smith.

He walked over to the pot and greeted Arthur and Abigail. "You're up early. Most youngin's tend to sleep in." Arthur said with a drowsy tone in his voice. Liam replied, "Well, when you're robbing and running from the government, you usually ain't got time for beauty sleep." Abigail laughed. "I hope you ain't takin' a jab at the women in this camp!" She said jokingly. The three busted out laughing at her comment and enjoyed their morning.

Liam moved hay stacks, carried sacks of provisions for Pearson, chopped wood and did any other things needed doing until there was nothing left. Work kept him busy. He liked being distracted by something.

He saw Javier and Bill heading out. He walked and petted Colter softly. "I'm gonna have to take you to the stables sometime. Get you another brush." He softly said to him as he fed him an apple. Colter leaned into his hand enjoying the petting. He patted the horse again and walked off.

Liam walked to his tent and found a freshly-made bow with some arrows sitting near his bedroll. He almost yelled in excitement as he picked it up. He examined it. He admired the craft. He looked around to see Charles by the main camp fire smiling as he was poisoning the tips of arrows. He knew that Charles was watching. He walked up to him. "This is really great of you. I can't thank you enough, sir." Charles smiled and looked up at him. "No problem. Get me some oleander, and I can poison the tips. It'll take anything down in a matter of seconds." Liam raised his brow in interest. "Definitely." He said as he walked back to his tent. He couldn't wait to start carving a design into the bow. He couldn't decide what he was gonna do. He thought for a minute, of his home, his upbringing and his new environment.

While lost in thought, he noticed Arthur at his tent grabbing his things. Liam walked up to him. "Where ya headed? Anything fun?" He asked. "To the damned saloon in Valentine. Call it what you want." Arthur replied putting on his gunslinger jacket. Liam thought about that night he, Arthur and Lenny had. "Will it be another "quiet drink"?" He asked sarcastically. "I ain't never having one of those again!" Arthur laughed. "Say, you wanna join? I ain't doing much but I figure you wanna get outta camp." Liam contemplated his request. "Sure." He said grabbing his hat and placing it on. They walked to their horses and headed off to Valentine.

They arrived later that day. Most of Valentine's citizens were getting off their long day of labor and heading to the saloon. Arthur and Liam walked in to find Javier and Charles leaning on the bar seducing two worker girls. "Charles sure got here fast." Liam said to Arthur as they walked up. "Oh, Arthur, Arthur! Come up here! I want you to meet our new friends!" Javier said to him. "Pleased to meet you." Arthur said in a rough tone. "Well ain't you just a tough-as-teak mountain man?" The red-headed woman said to Arthur. Liam watched in interest as to what Arthur was gonna say next. He himself had found the women to be quite attractive and didn't plan on saying anything to not embarrass himself. "Oh you be quiet, Anastasia. Anyone right here can tell this one is a pussy cat." The dark haired one said. Liam rolled his eyes at their comment. "Exactly, yes. He's a pussy... cat. Ain't that so, Arthur?" Javier asked. "Whatever you say. How much you cost, anyway?" Arthur asked looking the two up and down. Liam looked away trying not laugh. "Well ain't that a nice way to talk to a lady?" Anastasia asked. "Oh, well I didn't know I was talking to a lady." Arthur said sarcastically with a hilarious facial expression that had Liam smirking. "Excuse me." She said as the two women said as they stormed off. He saw Charles reach for them longingly as they left. "Well, I must say, you got a fine way with the women, amigo." Javier said in disappointment. "Yeah, a regular dandy and charmer." Arthur replied sarcastically. Javier laughed as the four leaned on the bar. "Where's Bill?" Arthur asked. "Oh, man. I dread to think about it." Javier replied.