Anyway, bright and early the next morning, Stephen found Arthur wearing the suit he'd picked out for him and heading off for his rendezvous.

  Stephen himself crashed at the hotel, catching up on some much-needed sleep after all the commotion of the last couple days.

  It was evening when Arthur finally sauntered back, looking none too pleased.

  He found Stephen out front of the hotel, tucking into dinner.

  Without a word, Arthur plopped down opposite him, grabbed a cigarette from the table, and lit up.

  "Hey, partner, you're not exactly lookin' your best."

  Stephen asked, peering through the swirling blue smoke at Arthur's disheveled appearance.

  Disheveled was an understatement.

  This guy had left in the morning, crisp suit, bright-eyed – a real high roller.

  Now he was back covered in dust, clothes all rumpled.

  And his face? Like a rooster who'd just lost a fight.

  "What happened? Didn't go so well?" Stephen asked, curious. "I mean, she sought you out.."

  Arthur cut him off, sounding annoyed, "She was looking for her brother."

  "Her brother? What's her brother doing here?" Stephen asked, not really understand.

  "Her brother had a falling out with her scumbag of a father, then ran away from home."

  Arthur took a long drag on his cigarette, like he was sucking the guy's brains out.

  "The poor kid wound up here and joined some ridiculous cult."

  "The type who live out in the boonies, wearing those goofy outfits with a turtle printed on them."

  Arthur gave a wry laugh. "She asked me to find him. I found him, even plugged the preacher. Brought her brother back. Then they took the train out of here."

  "That's it? Nothing happened?" Stephen blurted out. "You just got her brother back, and then that's it?"

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  That was insane. Stephen was speechless.

  You bust your tail to bring her brother back, and forget about showing gratitude, at least buy a man a meal?

  And instead you got a slap on the back and waved goodbye.

  "Yep, that's it. Nothing happened." Arthur nodded, looking bummed. "Pretty boring, huh?"

  Stephen was at a loss for words. This was pure simp behavior.

  It didn't sit right with Stephen, especially since he'd encouraged Arthur to go.

  "Alright, don't sweat it. Let's get some drinks."

  Stephen scarfed down the rest of his food, patted Arthur on the shoulder, and said, "Gotta drink away your sorrows, a couple of shots and you'll forget about all that."

  Arthur seemed eager to get the drinking underway and agreed instantly.

  The saloon was hopping as always. Stephen and Arthur found a quiet corner to sit.

  After a couple of drinks, they started chatting. Stephen made no bones about how much he admired Arthur and his crew.

  "Seriously, I've never seen a gang like yours before."

  Stephen said, spearing some of the free salad, "You, Lenny, Hosea... You're good people. I admire you."

  "Oh, you couldn't put down that damned salad while you're saying that? You came to the saloon just to eat rabbit food?"

  Arthur was not a fan of Stephen’s dinner choice, looking at him with a sarcastic expression.

  "I was still hungry, and you need something in your stomach before you drink." Stephen shrugged, "You want some?"

  Arthur snatched the salad from the table and flung it out the window.

  He then grabbed the bottle and poured Stephen a brandy, slamming the glass in front of him. "Here, cheers!"

  Stephen obliged, downing the drink.

  "Ha, I kinda admire you too, kid. Not much of a drinker, but good with a gun and knows how to fight."

  Arthur said with a grin. "Never seen anyone tougher than you. More importantly, we get along, right?"

  Stephen nodded, filling Arthur's glass. "You're good people, Lenny is too, and Hosea."

  "And the rest of the gang. I feel at ease with you all. I don't have to worry about getting stabbed in the back!"

  Stephen had unconsciously omitted Micah from his statement.

  Arthur nodded gravely. "That's right. We stick together, family. We're ready to give anything for each other, even our lives. That's our code. It'll never change."

  He looked up at Stephen. "So, you wanna join us?"

  "Are you serious?" Stephen asked, surprised.

  "Of course, you think I'm the kind of guy to joke about that?" Arthur waved his hand. "Just say whether you're in or not."

  Stephen thought about it. He'd been riding solo for years now. Never really had any close friends.

  He'd been hoping to find people he could relate to. And wasn't that Arthur?

  Sure, they were outlaws, maybe they'd done some terrible things, but what did that matter to Stephen?

  At least right now, in this moment.

  These people seemed more noble than most of the folks out West.

  Stephen nodded firmly. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm in."

  "Haha, kid, then you're one of us!!" Arthur clapped Stephen on the shoulder, laughing.

  Stephen chuckled. "That's it? Doesn't Dutch have to agree, or something? A solemn initiation ceremony?"

  Arthur waved dismissively. "My say is enough. Just gotta tell Dutch when we get back."

  "Actually, he wanted you to join back at Shady Belle, but we didn't know you too well then. And there's a reason you know all too well why he held back.”

  Stephen nodded, understanding. "That's fair. If you'd asked me back then, I would've thought you were setting me up!"

  "Hahaha!" "Hahaha!"

  They looked at each other and then threw back another round.