The other men’s whistles alerted him to her approach. She watched him flick his hat back with his finger, grinning at her eagerly. The young orc used his thighs to spin his boar around, giving his thick flanks a light kick to urge him on.
“Peaches!” He called in greeting, tugging the reins to slow his approach. “Comin’ to give me a goodbye kiss?”
The young woman glanced around, considering the other gathered men. Saddling their mounts, polishing their weapons. Her own palomino nudged her stablemate, snorting and tossing her head.
“What’s going on, Jeb?” She asked him cautiously, turning to fix him with her copper brown eyes.
He followed her eyes, reaching one hand to push back his long, dark hair under his hat. “The boss put out the word; got a new job. We’ll be headin’ out soon.”
Her heart sank into her stomach. “Another one? But you just got back!”
He nodded, looking a bit regretful as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Won’t be more than a week this time, I promise Peaches.”
“Don’t call me that.” She snapped, anger rising to replace her disappointment. “Damn it, Jeb!”
His brows shot up. “Well, I’m sorry, Ellie-Mae... You always seemed to like-”
“I can’t believe you’re leavin’ me again.” She cut him off, and to her shame her voice broke off at the end. She turned away, wiping at her eyes quickly.
“Daw, don’t be like that, Ellie! It’s only for a week this time, I swear!” He leaned past his saddle, reaching out to her.
She slapped his hand away. “No! No Jeb. That’s what you said last time, and the time before that. Then I didn’ see hide nor tail of you for a month.” She closed her eyes, taking a steadying breath. “I’m done. I’m not doing it anymore.”
He was silent for a long moment after that, and she heard him shift in his saddle. “Whatcha mean, Ellie-Mae?”
“I mean I’m done,” She hissed, refusing to look at him, “I won’t sit here waiting for you no more. Won’t spend my life wondering if you’re alive or dead. If you go on this job,” She squared her jaw and her shoulders, taking a steadying breath, “If you leave now... don’t expect me to be waiting here for you when you get back.”
Neither said anything for a long moment. The silence stretched painfully between them, more palpable than the boiling hot morning sun. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but never seemed to have the words.
“Hey Jebediah, everything alright over there?” Growled the biggest orc of the bunch, coming out of the barn next to them with his hands on his hips. Both jumped slightly. “We’re headin’ out soon, son.”
“Yes’sir, I know, yes.” Jeb replied, turning to look at his boss. “I’ll be ready sir.”
It hit her in a wave, and she shook her head in disbelief. Ellie yanked the reins of her horse, kicking her flanks to have her start walking back home. Tears burned her eyes, but she would be damned if she let that ungrateful bastard see them. The sound of heavy cloven hooves and grumbling snorts followed her.
“Ellie-Mae, Ellie-Mae, wait!”
“My sister was right,” She called lightly over her shoulder, stubbornly keeping her eyes forward as he rode up beside her, “She told me you’d never put me first. I shoulda listened to her months ago.”
“Aw, come on! Would’ja just listen for a second?” He begged. When she didn’t even glance his way, she heard him growl. His hand darted out, grabbing her reins and pulling her up short. “Please, just-”
“No, Jeb!” She interrupted, finally spinning to face him. “No! I’m sick of it! I’m sick of worryin’ to death about you, out here like a damn criminal. I’m sick of thinkin’ every knock on my door is one of your boys comin’ to tell me you didn’ make it back this time. I can’t do it anymore!”
Ellie dropped off, her voice hitching. Her horse shifted beneath her, and she wrung the reins between her hands. Each breath seemed more painful than the last. She almost jumped when his hand touched her thigh.
“Listen, Peaches,” He mumbled softly, his hand scrunching up in her petty coat, “I know.. I know I dun always treat you right, and I know I leave you alone most nights... but I’m doin’ this for us! So we can have a little money stashed away! So we can get our own place!”
She shook her head, dropping her eyes. “What’s the point, Jeb, if I never get to see you? What kinda life is that?”
He leaned further, catching her hand. “I... I dun know, Peaches, but...” He ran his thumb over her fingers, “You know I love you, right? You mean the world to me-”
Ellie shook her head, trying to pull her hand back. “Stop it, Jeb, don’t try and sweet talk your way-”
“I’m not!” He argued, keeping her hand trapped in his. “Look... if that’s the way you see it...” He sighed, looking down at their hands, “I hope when I get back you’ll still be waiting for me, but... if not...” The way he squeezed her hand had her looking up at him finally, “Can I at least get that goodbye kiss?”
Her sob hitched in her throat, and she blinked back the tears again. But she nodded. He dropped her hand and reached up to catch the back of her neck, leaning as far over as he could.
“Best make it one hell of a good one,” He murmured to her as he drew close, “Just in case its our last, Peaches...”
MK So sorry for the lame lame background but I wasn’t planning on making a full picture of this I just wanted to do the lines and color. My s/o has been playing Red Dead Redemption and its got me in the cowboy mod, so I really wanted to get this project finished up.
Imagine Ye Ol’ Western, but with orcs!! :DD One-shot, not gonna do more between these two (even though I already have their life story written out in my head). Hope you guys like it.
MasterList
