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Tossing the rag aside, he stepped toward her. "Evening, Mary-Beth," he said, his voice carrying a warmth reserved for very few. He returned her greeting with a gentle smile of his own, then reached out and brushed the top of her head with his calloused hand. The simple, tender gesture made her blush deepen further.
Behind them, a chorus of good natured boos, whistles, and catcalls erupted from the circle of n, good natured and rowdy. Troy let out a long, exaggerated wolf whistle, while Mickey and Simon elbowed each other, grinning. Jasper tried to hide his smile by looking at his boots.
"Ooooh, boss!" Seth called.
"Sweet as honey," George teased, cupping his hands like a gaphone.
Caleb ignored them all, keeping his eyes on Mary-Beth, whose blush had deepened to a charming crimson, as though no one else existed in that mont. His tone softened as he asked, "What brings you down here, darlin'?" he asked gently, his voice barely carrying over the n's teasing. "It's gettin' on to evenin'. You shouldn't be wanderin' about alone."
Mary-Beth tilted her head up, her eyes bright despite her bashfulness. "I saw everyone working so terribly hard from the hotel window, especially you," she said gently. "I thought you all must be exhausted and hungry. So since it looked like you were close to finishing up for the day, I thought I'd bring sothing to help. I bought so food from the saloon, and a couple bottles of bourbon and beer from the general store, so everyone can sit down and eat." She lifted the baskets slightly. "You all need to replace the energy you've burned."
Caleb was visibly touched, his soft expression softening further. The thoughtfulness of the gesture, the sheer practicality laced with care, struck him deeply. He let out a quiet breath, his lips curving into sothing tender. "Mary-Beth…" His voice carried both gratitude and awe. "You didn't have to, but, thank you. Truly."
But then another thought struck him, and he frowned faintly. "Hold on now. You must've used the money I gave you for yourself while we're stayin' here in Valentine. How much did you spend? I'll return it to you."
Mary-Beth shook her head firmly, still smiling. "No, Caleb. I used my own money, like you told I could. I still have plenty left. You don't need to worry about ." Her tone was gentle but held a steel of finality he recognized well. "You need your money more, for the land deed, the rest of these construction materials, wages for the n, and to pay the workers. Don't be so stubborn about it. This is my treat."
Caleb opened his mouth to gently protest, to insist that he couldn't have her spending her money on feeding his crew, but she deftly turned away from him, addressing the entire group of n who were watching the exchange with keen interest.
"I brought dinner for everyone!" she announced, her voice gaining a little more confidence. "I hope it's enough for you all to get full. If it's not, well…" she added with a playful shrug, "I'm afraid you'll have to buy your own second helping at the saloon."
The reaction was instantaneous and thunderous. A cheer went up from the weary crew, their tiredness montarily forgotten.
"Bless you, ma'am!" Mickey said with an eager grin.
"You're an angel, Lady Boss!" Elias hollered, making her blush return.
"Now that's what I call a woman who knows how to keep n alive," Troy laughed.
George, who was the boldest along them, smirked and added loudly, "Boss, you're lucky. Real lucky. If she weren't with you, I'd be knockin' on her door myself, askin' to court her proper!"
The n howled with laughter, so clapping George on the back. Mary-Beth giggled nervously, her hand coming up to cover her mouth, her face red as she ducked her chin, though her smile betrayed her delight. "Thank you kindly for the complint, Mr. George," she murmured.
Caleb, however, turned his head slowly toward George, an eyebrow raised. His lips twitched in a half mile that didn't quite mask the protective edge in his voice.
In one smooth motion, he stepped closer to Mary-Beth and slid a possessive, yet gentle, arm around her waist, pulling her slightly against his side. He fixed George with a look that was half serious, half amused.
"You can stop your dreamin' right there, George," he said, his voice carrying a low, playful rumble. "You don't have a chance. And even if I wasn't in the picture, you still wouldn't have a chance. Not a single bit."
The group burst into another round of laughter at Caleb's blunt retort, George throwing up his hands in mock defeat. "Alright, alright, boss! No need to shoot down that hard."
Mary-Beth, red-faced but glowing with joy, leaned slightly into Caleb's side, grateful for the small show of affection.
Jasper, deciding to break up the mont before the teasing got out of hand, stepped forward and relieved Mary-Beth of the basket in her right hand. Simon did the sa with the other, both of them offering polite thanks. They carried the baskets to the n, who quickly began unpacking the food.
In short order, crates and planks of wood were dragged into a circle, forming makeshift seats. A small campfire was coaxed to life in the center, its flas crackling rrily as dusk began to paint the sky in shades of amber and violet.
They gathered around, the baskets opened to reveal roasted chicken, bread, potatoes, beans, and the bottles Mary-Beth had brought. The aroma filled the air, mingling with smoke from the fire and the lingering scent of sawdust and sweat.
The n dug in eagerly, voices rising in a chorus of gratitude. "Much obliged, Ma'am!" "You're a lifesaver!" "Best boss lady we've ever had!"
Mary-Beth laughed softly, settling herself on a crate beside Caleb, who offered her the first pour of bourbon before taking one himself. The firelight flickered against their faces, casting warmth across the circle.
For a while, the sounds of chewing and satisfied sighs filled the air. Then the talk began. Stories of botched cuts, close calls with splintered beams, and teasing jabs at each other's mistakes flew around. Laughter rolled through the night, the bond between them strengthening with each passing jest.
Caleb listened more than he spoke, though when he did, his words carried weight. He teased Seth about splitting the beam earlier, ribbed George about his terrible asuring, and clinked bottles with Elias in respect for his steady hand with the foundation.
Through it all, his hand occasionally brushed against Mary-Beth's, whether passing her a plate or pouring her drink. Each ti, her blush returned, but so did her smile.
By the ti the fire had burned down to glowing embers, the food was gone, the bottles mostly empty, and the n were leaning back in their seats with the satisfaction only a hard day's work and a good al could bring.
Jasper stretched with a groan. "Well, boss, I'd say that's as fine an end to the day as any man could ask for."
Caleb nodded, his eyes sweeping the circle, taking in the tired but content faces of his crew. "Aye. You boys did good today. Real good. This place… it's startin' to look like sothin'. And when it's finished, it won't just be mine. It'll be ours. Every one of you put your mark on it."
The n murmured in agreent, so nodding, others lifting their bottles in silent toast.
Mary-Beth leaned closer to Caleb, her voice low but filled with warmth. "They'd follow you anywhere, you know. You've given them more than wages, you've given them purpose."
Caleb glanced at her, his eyes softening. "Maybe so. But I'd be a fool to think I could do any of this without them. Or without you."
Her heart gave a quiet flutter at his words, though she kept her gaze on the fire, smiling faintly.
The night wound down, and one by one, the n drifted off, so heading for the saloon for a final drink, others to the hotel for rest. George and Seth argued amicably about whose hamr swing had been stronger. Elias walked with Simon, discussing the foundation. Troy and Mickey sang a rough tune as they staggered away.
In the end, only Caleb and Mary-Beth remained by the fire, the flas now low and whispering.
She leaned against his shoulder, the quiet night wrapping around them like a blanket. "I'm glad you're building this," she murmured. "It feels… right."
Caleb tilted his head slightly, pressing his lips to the crown of her hair. "Yeah. It does."
And for the first ti in a long while, the weight he carried felt lighter. Not gone, never gone, but lighter.
Tomorrow would bring more labor, more sweat, more setbacks. But tonight, in the quiet company of Mary-Beth and the glow of embers, Caleb allowed himself to believe in what they were creating.
They let silence settle around them once again, the kind of silence that was comfortable, warm, filled with the crackle of dying embers and the faint chorus of crickets rising in the dark. Mary-Beth's head rested lightly against Caleb's shoulder, her eyes half closed, enjoying the stillness of the evening after the bustle of work and laughter.
Caleb, though outwardly calm, was not lost in the sa easy peace. His mind, as it often did when the world grew quiet, turned toward the dangerous truths simring just beneath the surface of their lives. The Van der Linde gang carried with them not just camaraderie, but shadows, secrets that could an life or death.
And there was one secret that had gnawed at him ever since his transmigration into this world, the missing Blackwater money.
He knew from the ga that Dutch had hidden it. He knew that Hosea was too shrewd to be entirely in the dark, no matter what was said. And he knew that in the chaos of shootouts and betrayals, that chest of money and gold was the unspoken thread running beneath everything, the reason the Pinkertons bore down so relentlessly.
If he was right, then the only clue ca from that one peculiar fishing trip between Arthur, Dutch, and Hosea, where Dutch ntioned his mother's grave in Blackwater cetery. It was a line that always stuck out to Caleb. In a ga, it could be foreshadowing. In reality? It could be a signpost.
Taking in a deep breath, Caleb decided the ti was right. He would ask, gently, carefully, and perhaps Mary-Beth, sweet, observant, underestimated Mary-Beth, might know sothing, either from her own knowledge or overhearing Dutch and Hosea back in camp.
He angled his head toward her, his voice low and careful. "Mary-Beth," he began softly. "Can I ask you sothin'?"
She humd in reply, still relaxed against him.
"It's about Blackwater," Caleb continued, his tone steady but deliberate. "I was wonderin'… do you know anything about it? Heard anything, maybe from Dutch or Hosea, or the others talkin'?"
Mary-Beth stiffened slightly, blinking in surprise. She straightened up, pulling away just enough to look at him fully. Her brows drew together, confusion clear on her face. "Blackwater?" she repeated, startled by the suddenness of the question. "Why are you asking about Blackwater, Caleb?"
Caleb saw the shift instantly and forced himself into calm, slipping on his Actung skill with practiced ease. His expression sobered, his voice adopting that quiet, earnest tone that made people believe him without hesitation.
"I just want to know more," he said gently, eyes holding hers. "About the kind of danger we're facin'. Arthur and Hosea don't tell much of it. If I'm gonna keep evaluatin' the risks around us, I need to know what I can. That's all. I ain't pryin' out of curiosity, I'm tryin' to make sense of the danger so I can help."
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Na: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 7/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 6/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 4)
- Rifle (Lvl 3)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 3)
- Past Life mory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 2)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 3)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 4)
- Poker (Lvl 4)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 2)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 3)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv 2)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- ntal Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 3)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
- Acting (Lvl 2)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
Money: 1,580 dollars and 10 cents
Inventory: 5,407 dollars and 43 cents, 7 gold nuggets, 8 gold bars, 7 silver rings, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, 2 large bags of jewelry, 4 gold rings, 2 silver rings, 4 silver pocket watches, 3 gold buckles, 1 gold pocket compass, 2 platinum pocket watches, 2 Colm's Schofields, and land deed (Parcel)
Bank: -
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