Chapter Text
Bandits were an annoyance.
They picked fights for no reason and were put in this world just to ruin people’s lives. That’s what Nat believed. Nat was familiar with this disposition of bandits, how similar they were to her dad.
Two of the devils minions were in front of Nat and Shauna. Testing the cowboys on who would move first. One of them was reaching for the gun on their hip. Nat stayed focus on the hand itching towards the gun.
One bandit had a black bandana covering the bottom of their face. The other bandit, sported in green, came up closer to Nat and shot. The bullet missed Nat but hit Gigi. Nat’s horse screamed and wobbled. Pushing the bandit with black into Shauna causing both of them to fall. Callie startled. Dust flew in the air as she galloped a few yards away from her rider.
Shauna grunted. Dust now peppered her hair and back. Her eyes went blurry struggling to focus as the bandit in black was digging through their belongings.
Shauna stumbled to her feet and made her way over to the thief. She took a deep breath and made her best effort to punch the bandit on the side of the head. No matter how lightheaded she was, the punch seemed to be good enough when Shauna heard the threat breathe through their teeth and saw them take a few steps back to cradle their face.
Shauna took advantage of the distraction. She pulled the bandit down on the dusty, dry ground by their maroon-colored shaw. The bandit’s black coily hair peeked through the bandanna. Shauna took one good look into the bandit’s eyes. She found no fear in them, just disdain, Shauna could fix that.
Natalie turned back to Gigi, surprised the horse didn’t run away. An old caring mistake as the green bandit’s knife cut into Natalie’s cheek and the small of her nose.
The bandit didn’t give Nat a second to think before the cowboy found herself doubling over, gasping for air. That wasn’t enough because Nat soon felt a loud crack right in the middle of her face. Shit that was definitely her nose. She tried to breathe through her nose but was met with no relief of air as blood pooled inside.
The bandit continued and grabbed one of Nat’s belt loops and a fist full of the collar of her shirt and tossed her forward. Nat landed face forward with a low thud. All her vision turned black.
The bandit in green redirected their attention to the other cowboy.
Planting a strong fist right above Shauna’s temple. Shauna hit his head on the ground again. This time his hat fully fell off his head and tumbled a few feet away. The green bandit picked up their partner, swearing at the sight of them. Shauna had left their face all bloody and bruised. Not some of his best work. He could do better.
The bandits fled, slinging a bag over their shoulders, hopping on their horses, and riding away with their steals.
Shauna sighed as she picked up her light brown hat and fixed it on her head. She cringed at her bloody achy hands. She spit to clear her mouth of blood and dust. Grounding herself she grimaced and walked over to where Nat lay. The blonde was still flat on her face.
Nat became conscious. She used all her strength to flip on her back. Her nose was filled with blood and the cut on her cheek had dripped down to her neck.
Shauna’s worried face and dusty long hair were the first sights she saw. Shauna’s head thankfully covered the sun, giving Nat a cool shadow.
“What’d they take,” Nat choked up.
“All our money, one of the horse's jewels, and your canteen,”
“Shit,” Nat tried to sit up. She could feel the dirt caked under her nails. This night would be long.
—
“Nat,” Shauna had slowed Callie down to the speed of Gigi’s fumbling walk.
They were traveling egregiously slow. Both riders were hurt, though Nat swore she’d had tougher wounds but that bullet in Gigi’s thigh wasn’t doing any favors.
“Mhm” Nat had to save her energy as she was walking Gigi from the reins. For the past 2 hours, she’s only been answering in groans. Way too tired and way too pissed to make conversation.
“The sun’s about to set, I should run ahead there could be a town or-“
“There ain’t any towns Shaun”
“But-“
“If there were we would’ve seen a sign miles ago,”
“Some of these towns just, don’t have signs Nat,”
There was silence and Nat focused on the chill of her skin as the sun set.
“Nat listen, I’m going to ride up a few miles, see if there is anything out there to get help, I’ll be back by mid-morning,”
Nat was too tired to argue about this any longer.
She watched as Shauna took a speeding gallop. Some dirt and rocks kicked up as she left.
“Well, girl I guys it’s just us,”
Gigi stirred.
——
The night had passed. It had been about an hour since the sun rose from the horizon. Shauna’s spirits were as high as the sky.
She was right after 3 miles of horseback she had found a train station. Which led to a town just like she said there would be. She would have to brag about that to Nat later.
It was early morning but the town was already busy. People crowded the streets getting ready for work, feeding animals, and doing morning chores. There was even a little gossip circle with a couple of women washing clothes.
Some of the women noticed Shauna. They turned their heads away as fast as they could, trying to signal to the stranger that they didn’t want him over there. It didn’t work, Shauna didn’t want to take the hint he was too exhausted to go and ask someone else. After all, these were the first people who looked over. Everyone else around them seemed too busy.
“Hello ladies,” Shauna was greeted with cautious eyes and judgmental stares from four women idly doing laundry. Each had a gray washboard and a bucket to match.
Shauna took off her hat and put it on her chest.
“Do yall know anyone who would help me, my friend’s horse is injured and I could use some help getting to her”
Shauna was greeted with silence again. The judgmental eyes were getting to her. She was about to give up before one of the women got up from her seat and moved in front of Shauna’s standing.
“Mm,” the woman tilted her head, analyzing Shauna's face. “You look kind-a enough,”
Shauna chuckled nervously. His appearance surely wasn’t kind. He looked beaten up, there was blood near his eye and his shirt was ruffled and filled with little rips and tears. He looks rugged. Dangerous? But isn’t that what women like?
“Mari,” a woman with black hair warned the other standing in front of Shauna.
“I bet, Ben could help,” Her eyes traveled down to Shauna’s blue shirt and then back to his eyes. “I’ll go get him for you,” her dress spun at her swift exit.
“What’s your name again,” a honey-blonde woman asked. She was still sitting but Shauna caught her curious glances up at him.
She had big eyes. That was the first thing Shauna noticed. The second was how her hair rested on her shoulders. The light bounced perfectly off her as if the sun was made for her. Just a spotlight to amplify her beauty.
The woman’s head tilted slightly waiting for the cowboy’s answer.
“Shauna, and you ma’am?”
“Jackie,”
—-
“BEN,” the sheriff's door swung wide at Mari’s entrance.
“Damn you women, can’t you see we’re busy” The sheriff and his son were sitting around a small table playing mini rounds of poker.
“No,” Mari crossed her arms over her chest.
Sheriff Martinez grunted at Mari’s appearance. She always wore dresses that cut a little too low for Laura Lee’s liking.
“Well, you ‘aught to, ‘instead of coming into my office unannounced,”
“Remember sheriff, I pour your beers,” Mari eyed him up and down. He was still as ugly as ever. “Where’s Ben?”
“Upstairs,”
The sheriff's office was small. The downstairs had a tiny jail cell and a round table with four small chairs. Upstairs was no bigger. Only a bed and a sink sat alone there. Along with a desk only big enough for a couple of stacks of paper.
Ben was up, sitting on the old creaky bed. Shining his rifle, his revolver on his side. The small room smelled of dust and peanut oil.
“Hey Mari,” he gave a polite smile. “Do ya need something”
“There’s a cute cowboy outside, says she needs your help,”
“Oh thanks, Mari,” Ben laid his rifle on the bed and went downstairs. Mari followed in toe just happy there were newcomers. New faces meant her job at the bar would get more interesting with how fast gossip spreads through this town. Through her influence or not, a few new handsome faces were always entertaining.
“I’m Ben,” the deputy reached his hand out for the brunette to shake.
“Shauna,” the cowboy tipped her head and shook the beaded man’s hand.
“So uh what did you need,” Ben's hand rested on his belt.
“Right, me and my friend, we ran into some bandits a few miles back. We got beat up pretty badly,” Shauna motions towards her eye already feeling the bruise that was settling above it.
“One of our horses is hurt and my partner needs to get her wounds clean,”
Ben thought for a second his eyes wandering up in the sky as if their answer would fall down.
“You said it’s just a few miles back,”
“Yes sir,” Shauna let a grin cross her face.
“Alright Travis and I will go get ‘em you can stay here and get your eye fixed-“
“No- No, um my buddy won’t come without a fight if he doesn’t know it’s me,”
“Got it, We’ll get you and your partner patched up right when we come back, right Akilah?”
One of the girls sighed and put down her laundry with a splash.
“Sure,” she left her laundry to go set up any medical supplies.
“I’ll help too,” the big-eyed woman from earlier stood up. Her blue dress was sprinkled with water from cleaning.
Ben nodded. “Okay let’s settle up, Mari go get Travis would ya,”
The woman in the yellow and blue dress groaned. “Can’t I come too?”
“Don’t you have work at the bar?” Ben raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, but the only one in there this early is Jeff and- and Lottie’s got it covered so-“
The woman’s rushed explanations stopped and her voice went silent.
“Mariannaaaaaaa!!”
Shauna swore she saw Mari’s hair stand on end.
A tall woman with a sea of long dark brown curls stomped towards the group. More specifically Mari.
A couple of the women in the laundry circle hollered. Mari cracked her head back to send a look of betrayal to her friends. When she turned back the angered woman was in front of her.
That couple yards power walk must have taken the air out of her because the woman’s voice was strangely calm.
“Mari?”
“Yes, Lottie?” Mari’s voice cracked.
“Why aren’t you in the bar serving customers?”
“I was just,” Mari moved to the side and motioned towards Shauna. “Helping our newcomer here,”
Lottie turned her attention to the cowboy in front of her. Just now noticing that there was a new person in her town.
“Since you have a job to do I’ll take care of our guests and you can go entertain or feed our customers,”
“But-“ Mari was stopped before she could even finish. Her boss’s eyebrow arched.
Mari sulked across the dirt road and went back to her responsibilities.
“So deputy, what's this?”
“Uh,” Ben whistled to fill the silence. “I’m sorry Ms. Matthews I don’t think your father would approve of me taking you on this-“
“Well my father isn’t here is he? And I gotta make our guests feel welcome, don’t I?”
That shut Ben up good. This woman was something of a storm Shauna could already tell.
“Sorry, but can we hurry, my partner is waiting,”
“Right, sorry, come on,” Ben began directing by lightly pushing Lottie towards his horse and then going back to the sheriff’s office to get Travis.
——
When they found Natalie she was sitting by a lonely tree. Arms crossed over her chest. One leg on top of the other and her hat tipped over her eyes in a failed effort to sleep. Gigi was tied to the tree by her reins.
Shauna walked over and tapped Nat on the arm.
“Morning partner,” Shauna saw one of Nat’s eyes twitch. He flicked Nat’s hat. “I told ya I’d be back,”
Nat was still silent. She pushed Shauna’s hand away from her face. Nat took the time to yawn and stretch and roll her shoulders before speaking.
“Took you long enough,”
Shauna chuckled as a smirk grew on her lips. Good ‘old Nat never changes.
Natalie craned her neck past Shauna glancing at the strangers.
One with a beard moved off his horse and started to lead Gigi into the wagon.
“Hey.” Nat pushed past Shauna and confronted the man who was probably a good 10 years older than her.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Nat’s stance was aggressive.
“Nat, relax” Shauna calmed her friend down with a hold on her shoulder.
Ben slowly guided Gigi into the wagon. He was careful not to upset the horse or worse her owner.
“That’s just the deputy Nat,” She looked back at Shauna. “I told ya I’d find a town,”
Nat hummed and looked at the other two strangers.
“Who are you,” Nat made sure to use the blunt end of her voice.
“You oughta be nicer, considering we’re helping you,” the woman stated with just as much attitude as Nat gave her.
“And you?” Nat turned her head towards the other guy there.
“Travis,” he was glaring at Nat.
Nat turned and got on top of Callie making enough room for Shauna.
“And do you have a name,” the woman spoke with interest in her voice.
“Nat,”
Shauna swung herself on the horse and the deputy followed after on his stead.
They all started their horses. The man called Travis was in the back with the wagon holding Gigi. Nat didn’t trust him. Nat didn’t trust most people. You could blame her parents for that.
“Uhh….Ms. Matthews?” Shauna started.
“Call me Lottie,” Nat wondered how comfortable her dress was, she wondered how much the necklace around her neck cost her. She must have a rich husband Nat thought. Why should Nat even care this is a random lady, but what is a woman as pampered as “Lottie” doing helping someone like her and Shauna?
“Alright, Lottie, why are there no signs directing to your town?”
“What?” The lady’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I put in a report for them to get the sign back up weeks ago,” Lottie’s voice strained in confusion. “Okay I'll just ask my father-“ she continued to mutter to herself.
The conversation fell as the sun rose in the sky beating down on their backs.
Nat felt the eyes of the town on his skin as Lottie led her and Shauna to the infirmary. Two women were already waiting for them. One of them was weirdly excited to see Shauna.
——
“Ow,” Nat braced his teeth as a woman cleared the wound on his cheek. “Could you be a little kinder,”
The woman gave her a blank stare. “Well good for you 'cause I’m done,” The woman closed her bag and resorted all the medical equipment.
“Thank you Akilah, I can handle the rest. I know you’re busy,” The woman named Jackie, who involuntarily introduced herself, and bounced a little at her words.
The younger woman named Akilah left with a smile. “Please remember to lock everything up, Jackie,”
“I will,” Jackie turned her head and smiled.
Nat scratched her nose. Which was a mistake because it hurt like hell. The pain a stinging reminder that her nose was indeed broken.
This Jackie lady was taking a suspiciously long time on Shauna’s eye.
Nat caught some glimpses of them when Akilah was working on her. Shauna was smiling and Nat saw the cowboy's eyes dance around Jackie’s appearance when the over-friendly woman was looking at the injury.
Something shiny caught Nat’s attention. The gleam brought her eyes to Jackie’s hand. A thick gold band rested across her finger. There’s no way Shauna hadn’t noticed that.
Natalie sighed and rested her head on the cot. If the two of them were gonna take their sweet time Nat was going to nap.
She closed her eyes and relaxed her shoulders. She didn’t get much sleep though because as soon as Nat felt the kind of bliss where you enter sleep a familiar voice made an entrance.
“Hey Jackie,” that voice from earlier this morning. That one woman who was there on that guy’s horse. What was her name?
“Hey Lottie,”
“Do you think you're almost done here? I need to talk to the cowboys,” there was a pitch in the voice that hinted she wasn’t asking.
“Well you came right on time,” Jackie patted her thighs. “I just finished.”
Nat doubted that. There was no way it took her twice as long as Nat, when all Shauna had injured, was an eye.
Once Jackie left the infirmary taking her sweet ass time to say goodbye to Shauna, Lottie threw Nat a key.
“Here I got y’all a room for the night. In that hotel right across the street. Oh and come find me tomorrow if there is any trouble.” She winked and made a quick exit.
Nat tried to think nothing of it. Maybe Shauna was right, maybe some people are just nice. Maybe some people don’t have extra motives behind everything they do.
Nat rolled the small key in between his fingers. Part of her didn’t want to take this obvious charity but the other part of her was very tired and Shauna needed to rest.
—-
Nat opened the door of the hotel. It was hot and humid but she figured that was probably just from outside. It was near afternoon but sleep was something cowboys needed.
The bed was soft enough. The covers were nonexistent but it will do for today.
“Goodnight,” Shauna chuckled. Nat gave a grumble in response. Only Shawn would find saying goodnight in the afternoon that funny.
Nat hadn’t even bothered to take her hat off. It fell to the floor when she flopped on the bed. Not a care in the world was given about her injuries right now. All she wanted to do was sleep and for the first time all day, something went Nat’s way.
-