Dutch, Arthur and Hosea wouldn't let me raid that O'Driscoll camp or rob the train with my hand being like it is. I hate being useless, I can still shoot with my right hand, but Mary-Beth made sure I couldn't go.

I was stuck in camp chopping vegetables for the stew with Pearson, worst ten minutes of my life... probably.

We're heading East today, into civilised land. Place called Horseshoe Overlook near Valentine. Even writing that name sends a shiver down my spine.

I haven't been back since I left there eleven years back. I wonder if anything's changed. Bet my old man is back there now from Annesburg, back to being part of the furniture in the saloon I bet.

I don't know what to do if I bump into him there. Part of me just wants to go about my day, but the other part of me wants to bash his skull against the bar for leaving Mama and me.

Don't get started on your Mama, Ellis.

Ellis sighed as he put the journal back into the satchel along side his pencil. Today was the day they'd be heading East towards Valentine. Ellis saw Arthur, Dutch and Hosea standing by and quickly joined them.

"So, we getting out of this hellhole?" Ellis heard Arthur ask when he was in earshot.

"About damn time, I hate fucking snow," Ellis grumbled, making the men laugh.

"We're gonna try, weather seems stable," Dutch said, looking around.

"And we just robbed a Leviticus Cornwall train," Hosea reminded them of his disapproval.

"We got money in our pockets... the worst is behind us, gentlemen," Dutch said, clapping Ellis' shoulder with a smile. "So the question is, where now?"

"Ellis and I know this country a little... I told you, we should set up camp in... Horseshoe Overlook near Valentine. We'll be able to hide out there no problem," Hosea pointed out to them. "As long as we keep our noses clean."

"Well then let's go... clean noses and everything else," Ellis' jaw clenched. The thought of returning to Valentine scared him a little.

"Arthur, you're in that one, bring Hosea... I know you two like to talk about the good old days... and what's gone wrong with old Dutch," Dutch grinned, pointing at the wagon. "Ellis, you and Miss Gaskill got all your stuff packed away? Good, you two can ride with your things then."

"Thank you, Dutch," Ellis nodded, showing his appreciation.

"Come on, I need a quick word with you before we head out," Dutch said, motioning for Ellis to follow him into a cabin.

Dutch quickly checked to make sure there was no one listening before he motioned for Ellis to sit down at the table, taking the seat opposite him.

"You're scaring me, Dutch," Ellis grinned nervously. The older man was leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the dying flames, lost in thought. Ellis could see the lines etched on Dutch's face, the weight of their circumstances pressing heavily upon him.

"Son," Dutch finally said, breaking the silence, "there's something I need to talk to you about before we head out."

Ellis straightened in his seat, curious yet apprehensive. "What's on your mind, Dutch?"

Dutch reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet pouch. He placed it carefully on the table between them, the fabric worn but still elegant. "This belonged to Annabelle," he said quietly, his voice tinged with pain. "I was going to use it to propose to her... before everything went to hell."

Ellis felt a flutter of emotions at the mention of Annabelle. Annabelle loved him like her own son. "Dutch, I—"

"Just listen," he interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle. "I want you to have it. I know you and Mary-Beth are meant to be together. Annabelle knew it too."

Ellis hesitated, his heart racing as he reached for the pouch. He opened it slowly, revealing a beautiful engagement ring, the diamond glistening even in the dim light. "Dutch, I can't—"

"You can," Dutch insisted, leaning forward. "You're part of this family, and Annabelle would've wanted you to have it. She always saw the potential in you, and I see it too. You've got a good heart, son."

"But I'm not ready to ask her yet," Ellis admitted, a knot tightening in his stomach. "Not with the Pinkertons breathing down our necks. It doesn't feel right."

"I understand," Dutch replied, his voice softening. "But you shouldn't wait too long either. Life has a way of slipping through our fingers, and if you keep putting it off... you might miss your chance."

Ellis looked down at the ring, the weight of it heavy in his palm. "What if I can't protect her?"

Dutch reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Ellis's shoulder. "You'll do everything in your power to keep her safe, and that's what matters. Love is a risk, son. Worth taking, even if it means facing danger."

Ellis met Dutch's gaze, seeing the conviction in his eyes. "You really think I'm ready for this?"

"I wouldn't have given you the ring if I didn't," Dutch replied with a small smile. "Just remember, it's not about the perfect moment."

Taking a deep breath, Ellis nodded, the weight of Dutch's words settling into his heart. "Alright, Dutch. I'll hold onto it. But I need some time."

"Time is all we have for now," Dutch said, leaning back again, the firelight dancing in his eyes. "Just don't let fear hold you back forever. You deserve your happiness, Ellis, just as much as anyone else."

Ellis took a deep breath, putting the velvet box into his satchel as he and Dutch headed out.

"Ready to go, darling?" Ellis asked, climbing onto the wagon and grabbing the reigns. Mary-Beth was already sat there, her nose deep into a book.

"Been ready since we got here," they shared a laugh, Ellis snapping the reigns and falling into formation just in front of Arthur's wagon.

They had been riding for a few hours now. The sun was high in the air as they crossed the river close to Horseshoe Overlook.

After taking a brief moment to stretch their legs when the wheel on Arthur's wagon broke, they continued on, trying to catch up to the others.

"Darling... I-I was wondering, what went down on that job?" Mary-Beth asked hesitantly, as their wagon pulled around the corner and out of site of Arthur, Hosea and Charles. Her right hand loosely wrapped around Ellis' left forearm, her left hand coming up to link her hands together as she felt her partner tense at the sudden question. "It's just- you haven't been the same since... you're angrier- you're not yourself."

"It was going well, we had the money, then out of nowhere we were surrounded," said Ellis quietly, his grip on the reigns tightening ever so slightly. "Dutch took a hostage, I'd never seen that crazed look in his eyes before, and he shot her in the back of the head. God, I can't even get the image out of my head."

"Micah was saying she was a pretty girl... until her eye was hanging out by a thread of tendon, and her brain was plastered over a wall," said Mary-Beth timidly, as Ellis stopped the wagon and turned to face her.

"What has Micah been filling your head with?" Ellis asked, his eyes wide with fear as Mary-Beth looked at him with sadness.

"He said you were a cold, ruthless killer with a dark soul and an evil mind," Mary-Beth admitted, watching Ellis suck in a harsh breath, turning away from her. "Look at me, Ellis," Ellis shook his head. "Goddamn it! Look at me!" Mary-Beth snapped, and Ellis gave in, never hearing her shout like that before.

"You're a good man, Sue!" Mary-Beth exclaimed, using his real name. "A good, fine man. You shoot those who need to be shot. O'Driscoll's, Pinkertons. Not innocents. That's what makes you different from Micah and Dutch!"

"I-I should've stopped him from killing that girl," Ellis said remorsefully, his eyes welling with tears as Mary-Beth cupped his cheeks, the pads of her thumbs rubbing gently against his skin.

"You didn't have a clue that Dutch would do that," said Mary-Beth.

"No, I didn't," Ellis sighed, leaning into her touch.

"Then that isn't on you, Ellis!" Mary-Beth in a whispered shout. Ellis took in a sharp, uneven breath as the faraway look in his eye disappeared, lightly leaving a kiss on Mary-Beth's thumb.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Ellis whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"And you'll never have to find out," Mary-Beth promised, kissing him. It was short and sweet. "We're a team, remember? You and I. I love you, Sue Jenkins."

"I love you too, Mary-Beth," Ellis smiled at her, snapped the reigns. They rode for a little while longer in silence, Mary-Beth's head resting on Ellis' shoulder as she calmly stroked his bicep.

"Was wondering where you two sneaked off to!" A voice called out to them. They perked up and saw Javier standing by a rock. "Mind if I jump on?"

"Sure, go on," Ellis slowed the wagon down, letting Javier jump on.

"So... what were you lovebirds talking about?" Javier asked, a smug smile on his lips.

"Never realised you took interest in our love life, Mr. Escuella," Mary-Beth said with a grin as they pulled up into Horseshoe Overlook.

"Never realised you were such a firecracker, Miss Gaskill," Javier grinned, jumping off the wagon and offering a hand to her.

"I got it from here, you greaser," Javier grinned at the nickname. It was different when Ellis called him it compared to Micah. Ellis and Javier were friends.

"Nothing wrong with helping a pretty lady off a wagon, you dirty Englishman," Javier joked back, which Ellis gasped in offence at.

"I'm Welsh, you bastard!"

"Now boys, there's no need to be fighting over little ol' me," Mary-Beth stepped between them, giving Ellis her sweetest smile. "Darling, Javier knows what a charming man you are... and just inspires to be more like you, isn't that right?"

Javier scoffed jokingly and shook his head while walking off.

"Bastard," Ellis mumbled under his breath.

"Ellis," Mary-Beth warned. "No fighting."

"Yes ma'am."

"Thank you, darling," Mary-Beth said, leaning into Ellis' side as they approached Dutch's tent just as Arthur, Hosea and Charles pulled into camp.

"Now, everyone put your tools down for a moment. Come on, gather round, quickly now," Dutch says, stepping out of his tent and gathering everyone. "I know that things have been tough... but we are safe now, and we are far too poor. So it is time for everyone to get to work."

"Get to work, but stay out of trouble," Hosea reminded them, mainly Ellis who held his hands up in surrender. "Remember, we are itinerant workers."

"Laid off when they shut down our factory to the north," Dutch grinned, as if the story was foolproof. "Now, get out there, and see what you can find. Uncle, Reverend Swanson... no more passengers. It is time for everyone to earn their keep."

"There is a town a little way down the track... name of Valentine... live stock town," Hosea told them.

"All mud and morons. You see my old man, put a bullet between his eyes for me," Ellis told everyone, getting a laugh from most except for Hosea who clipped him around the ear.

"And... we need food... real food... that means every day, one of you," Pearson spoke up from the crowd.

Dutch walked into his tent and took out a small box. "And remember, whatever it is that you find..." Dutch set down the box on a nearby barrel. "The camp gets its slice. Now, be sensible out there."