After Jamie and the stable hand finished saddling the horse Sadie had picked, the two of them mounted up and rode out of the stable together.
Sadie had been trying to stifle her laughter ever since she'd learned from the stable owner that Jamie had dropped fifty dollars on a horse that didn't even come with gear.
"Mrs. Adler! Don't be like this! At least the man gave me a brush," Jamie said, trying to defend himself.
When she heard that all he'd gotten was a brush, Sadie couldn't hold back anymore.
She doubled over in the saddle, covering her mouth and stomach, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
"Hah! Fifty dollars for a horse and he throws in a brush? But the tack's extra! Lord help me... I ain't laughing at you, Jamie, just—hah—it's too damn funny."
Jamie looked at her, exasperated, but said nothing.
He figured it was best not to mention that Arthur had a hand in the deal—no sense giving Sadie more reason to poke fun.
The streets of Valentine were still bustling, but more strangers had appeared, casting glances at them with quiet suspicion.
Sadie's laughter carried, drawing a few looks, though most turned away once they saw the pair riding together.
At the end of the main street, they turned toward the road leading to the station. Jamie immediately spotted a worn-looking man in a tattered military coat sitting near the wall, his left arm gone.
"Spare a little change! I just need a drink! Please, five cents, kind soul!" the man called out to passersby.
Jamie slowed his horse, stopping in front of him.
Sadie frowned. "What're you stopping for?"
Jamie gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "Figure I'll do something decent."
The one-armed veteran scrambled to his feet when he saw someone halt in front of him. "Please, sir! I'm too old for work, and even if I weren't, no one'll hire a man missing an arm. Show a little pity for a soldier fallen on hard times."
Jamie swung down from his horse, reached into his pocket, and shoved the last of his coins into the man's hand. "Here. It's not much, but it's yours."
The man's eyes went wide as he clutched the money. "God bless you, sir! You're a good man. How can I repay you? Could I... could I be your friend?"
Jamie blinked, caught off guard, but managed a reluctant nod. "Sure... why not?"
The veteran's voice cracked as he spoke, tears almost forming. "Is it true? I... I can't believe it. I've had no friends for years. Not since the war. Everyone I knew died, and no one wants to befriend a broken man like me anymore."
He took a shaky breath, then looked at Jamie with pleading eyes. "Could I ask one more thing, sir? Just one hug... please?"
Sadie, still mounted, narrowed her eyes. "Now hold on, old man. Don't push your luck. We gave you money outta kindness. Don't make a fool's demand out of it."
The veteran quickly bowed his head. "I'm sorry, ma'am, forgive me. I didn't mean no harm. I'm just so lonely. If I've offended either of you, I apologize."
Jamie sighed, shaking his head. "It's alright. You didn't do anything wrong. Just a hug, then we'll be on our way."
The old soldier stepped forward and wrapped his good arm around Jamie. It lasted only a couple seconds, but when he pulled back, his face lit up like a child's.
"It feels... it feels so good. Reminds me of when the boys and I would hold each other before battle, to keep our courage up. Thank you, sir. You don't know what this means to me."
Jamie rode alongside Sadie toward the station, keeping quiet. When they rounded the corner, they spotted Arthur lounging on a bench, soaking up the sun like he had nowhere to be.
Seeing them finally show up, Arthur stood and grinned. "About time. What took you so long? Didn't find a horse that caught the lady's eye?"
Jamie muttered under his breath, thinking it best not to be mocked by Sadie, and jumped in quick, "Enough of that—what's the news?"
Arthur swung into the saddle. "I asked the conductor. There's a train coming from the capital—first to Saint Denis, then Scarlett Meadows, where folks catch a ship overseas. Trouble is, that train left New York only recently. It'll be at least a week before it gets here. That one's a no-go for now. We'll worry about it next week. For now, let's head to the place Hosea told me about."
On the ride toward Emerald Ranch, Jamie thought about the conductor's news.
If the train had just left New York, a steam locomotive's pace plus stops and passengers' business would put it at least a week out—just as Arthur said.
Emerald Ranch lived up to its name—wide pastures rolled away under a big sky.
The land sat in the heart of New Hanover; grass grew thick and green, ideal for stock.
Ranches dotted the countryside, hiring folks from Valentine to help tend the herds.
Arthur led them to a warehouse on the ranch's edge.
A man in a black apron sat on a stool nearby, cigarette between his fingers. Arthur dismounted and approached. "You Seamus?"
The man looked up slowly. "That's the name. Who's askin'?"
"Hosea sent me to find you," Arthur said, not wasting time.
Seamus squinted at Jamie and Sadie still on their horses. "Why didn't he come himself?"
Arthur nodded toward the two. "Hosea had business this mornin'. Two new hands joined the gang—figured we'd use this as a test for 'em." He kept his tone easy.
"A test?" Seamus repeated, frowning. He didn't like the idea at first. "You expect me to hand this job to a pair of greenhorns? Think I'm daft?"
Arthur put him at ease with a half-smile. "Relax. They might be new, but I'm not. I'll watch over 'em the whole time. We're solid partners—give us a shot and you won't regret it."
Seamus stubbed out his cigarette and grunted. "Everyone says that. Still, since you're here, let's try it."
Arthur called, "Jamie, Mrs. Adler—come over." The four circled up and Seamus laid out the job.
"Old Bob Crawford up northwest—Carmody Dell, near the Wallaceburg line—he bought a stolen stagecoach up north. It's in his barn. I want it back. You get me the coach, and I'll work with you proper."
"Who's this Bob Crawford to you?" Arthur asked.
Seamus snorted. "A cousin-in-law, not a close one. Don't matter much."
Sadie cut in, voice low and hard. "Where exactly? And what's the catch?"
Seamus pointed toward the northwest. "Farm out in Carmody Dell, right by the rail. He's got money stashed in the house, but that ain't your concern—just get the carriage. One thing—don't kill nobody. We're on bad terms, and if a body turns up, folks'll say I ordered the hit. You take the coach and leave the dust behind."
"We can rob your cousin, but we can't kill him? Wouldn't robbing him bring you trouble?" Jamie asked, puzzled by Seamus's logic.
Seamus bristled at the word "cousin." He snapped, "In-laws, not cousin—keep it straight. Either way, it's the same. Even if you take from him, it won't make things any worse. As long as he's alive, folks can only talk. Without proof, even if he runs to the law, the sheriff can't hang anything on me."
Arthur clapped both men on the back and laughed. "You heard the man. Let's go relieve this in-law of some silver."
They vaulted into their saddles and rode out toward Carmody Dale, following Seamus's directions.
On the way Jamie asked aloud, "This place seems huge. Why didn't they settle a proper town here? I saw a saloon and a general store when we rode by, but both were shuttered—looked like they'd been dead for years."
Sadie frowned. "Emerald Ranch has always been odd. Too many folks and trouble finds you. Folks moved the real town down to Valentine. Safer that way."
Arthur smirked. "Seems our 'Goddess of Vengeance' knows the lay of the land."
"It's just stories—everybody round here has a tale about the place. Spooky enough to keep most folk away. Don't worry; it's people we're after, not the cattle." Sadie shrugged.
Jamie felt the hush between them tug his curiosity.
'You two are being misteriously quiet on purpose,' he thought.
They crossed the tracks and soon spotted a lone farmhouse tucked among oak and cedar.
Arthur reined his horse under a low branch and pointed. "That's the place. Dismount here and we'll walk in. I'll take a look with the binoculars."
Arthur crouched, pulled a set of field glasses from his saddlebag, and studied the house. "There's a shed behind the house—sounds like a wagon or carriage might be stabled there. Looks like someone's home, but that won't stop me. I'll make enough noise up front to draw attention. You two sneak in the back and see what you can find. If there's anything worth takin', we'll grab it and move the wagon out."
Jamie hesitated. "Breaking in during the day's risky, isn't it?"
"Is night safer?" Arthur countered with a grin. "There's always risk. But I'll make a scene so they look my way. You keep quiet and quick—don't give 'em time to raise an alarm." He gave Jamie a steady look. "Any other questions?"
No one spoke. Arthur rose and strode toward the farmhouse doorway, confident.
Jamie and Sadie rode around the small rise and crept to the back of the house. Jamie eased off his horse and tried the back door—unlocked.
Relief washed through him; they wouldn't have to hunt for another way in.
Jamie and Sadie slipped quietly through the back door, careful not to make a sound. From the front of the house, Jamie could faintly hear Arthur's voice carrying—he was keeping the homeowner busy with idle talk.
Inside, the place was cluttered with crates and boxes stacked against the walls. Jamie leaned close to Sadie and whispered, "We'll cover more ground if we split up. I'll check upstairs. You handle things down here."
Sadie gave a short nod, already moving toward the cabinets as Jamie crept up the stairs.
The upper floor was little more than a loft—tight quarters with a bed pushed into the corner.
Jamie crouched low, scanning the room.
No sign of anyone.
He made his way to a row of trunks and dressers, working quietly as he pried them open. Bit by bit, he pocketed anything worth a dime: gold trinkets, silverware, rings, necklaces, even a few loose wallets.
He worked fast but kept his ears sharp for footsteps.
When he returned downstairs, Sadie was still rifling through drawers and boxes. Jamie asked in a hushed tone, "Find anything good?"
"Almost done," Sadie whispered back. She tipped her chin toward the hearth. "Check the fireplace. Folks like to hide things where you'd least expect it."
Jamie raised a brow. "In there? What else would be in a fireplace but ashes? You'd think they'd burn their money by mistake."
Still, he crouched down and slid his hand inside. His eyes widened as his fingers brushed against something thick.
He pulled out a stack of bills, flipping through them with disbelief.
"Well I'll be damned. Guess some folks really are that reckless."
He stuffed the cash into his coat, and when he glanced back, Sadie motioned with her hand toward the door—time to go.
The two slipped out and rounded the property, finding the warehouse Arthur had mentioned.
Out front, Arthur was still holding the homeowner's attention, talking smooth about men's grit and patience.
As Jamie and Sadie regrouped at the back, Arthur wrapped up his spiel, promising to return the following week with some 'toys' the man might find useful.
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