A Life Of 'Shine - Lem Fike

38

"Where's everyone going, lookin' like that?" Nora asked, approaching the girls who had finished their sewing for a day. Just as Nora arrived most the men and Abigail had left, she took notice of their attire it was fancy, far too fancy for outlaws to wear especially given their current living arrangements. Karen shrugged, her hair disheveled as she drank more of her whiskey much to the other girls' dismay.

"Robbing a bank, been plannin' it a while and today's the day they do it." Nora nodded, remembering Dutch's invitation to join them. She remembered why she didn't accept the offer then, Lem's worried face and how she was afraid of never returning to him.

"Look at who finally dropped in." Sadie called, walking across the camp towards Nora with a small smile. Nora had turned on her heel, chuckling when she saw her old friend step closer.

"Can't avoid this place forever I'm afraid." She joked hugging Sadie when she was close.

"Anyway, what brings you here now?"

"I am not quite sure." Nora shrugged, moving to sit on a crate.

"Heard 'bout you and Lem from Mary-Beth."

"Is that everyone's favourite conversation topic now? It's not that interesting in the slightest." Nora frowned, her tone bitter at the mention of the name.

"No offence, but there are far, far more better things to talk about. Rather than Lemuel Fike." She continued, sighing after the small outburst before leaning against her hand. Sadie gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder, shaking her head.

The two sat in an uncomfortable silence, listening to the noise of the swamp as they put up for the awkwardness a little while longer.

"Sorry, I uh- shouldn't have snapped." Sadie nodded, accepting the apology.

"How about you 'n' I go for a walk?"

"Why not." The two rose from their seats, walking towards their horses to remove an additional weapon from their saddles for extra protection while they went out, it was sensible to do so afterall, given the large groups of O'Driscoll's and any other bandit still roaming around thinking they could kill and take without consequences.

Nora grabbed her Springfield rifle, her favourite weapon of choice. She spared a glance at Sadie who was adjusting her gunbelt before walking back over join her friend, that same stern look on her face as she approached.

"I don't plan on going to far, gotta keep an eye on the other girls while the others are out. Maybe just a walk to the end of the path up here, should be able to stand and guard as well. If that's okay."

"Not my idea of a 'walk' but it sounds fun."

The two waved goodbye to the other female's with a smile, walking through the old gates and following the tree shrouded path. Nora listened to the soft crunch of the leaves beneath her feet, relaxed by it and distracted.

"Soo, what you been doing now then?"

"Gone back to being 'round camp ya know. Tending to the boys' wounds also cooking sometimes. Ain't really left apart from today."

"So you been distracted then?"

"Yeah, always got something to do anyway. Ain't like my life came to a stop."

Sadie smiled, removing the carbine from her shoulder as they neared the tree line. Nora remained unarmed, only choosing to pull her weapons once noticeable danger was close.

"May I ask, why did Mary-Beth stay at your camp for some time?"

Nora's mind pulled a blank, unsure of the excuse she should make up. Did Sadie know of Kieran or did she too, get told about the "leg injury" Nora had suffered.