While the small town seemed quiet and peaceful, it was really on edge. Murmurs of worry and fear filled the ears of those who were willing to listen. Most of this talk went on at the saloons and often ended up in some kind of pointless fight between too men who had simply drank too much, as most topics did. Kate was keen to listen in where she could, though she usually stayed away from the saloons. She found that most the people there disgusted her in some way. Instead, she talked to a man she often sold to. His name was Alvin but most people called him by Al. Today, she rode into town driving the new wagon she had bought, since her father disappeared with their old one, hauling a fresh crop of vegetables to the store. She earned some looks from some of those walk by, a couple friendly waves from town folk. She pulled the wagon to a stop and casually hopped off it. As she was beginning to unload, she took an interest in a young couple walking by, only catching the ending of their conversation. "They're really doing that? Has anyone tried to stop them yet?" asked the woman sounding worried. "No. Only a fool would try to but it's becoming a big issue in these parts..." Kate's gaze stared after them for a moment. Of course she had heard rumors of trouble going around but some rumors usually just stayed rumors. This didn't seem to be the case anymore.

With it being mid-morning, the fairly small stretch between the Hays Family Ranch and the nearest town was a living nightmare. With the sun already beating with its intense rays, Sam already began to feel the sunburn that they would both have by the end of the day. Luckily for him, he often rode in the wagon itself, as Mary preferred to be the one riding the horse at the front. It wasn't exactly professional, but she didn't care. It wasn't like anyone in the Hays family could separate her from the white horse that had long since become her companion. Sam was almost positive that she would just take off the reigns one of these days and rode off into the sunset. Sometimes, he wished she would. "People in this town don't seem to ever stop talkin'," Mary began and Sam peered out of the dark, dusty corners of the wagon. He let out a cough from some kicked up sand before continuing, "Yeah.." Business was booming as usual and it wasn't surprise, considering it was the nearest town for ranches, farms, miners and priests for miles around. It was also the only place that a young'un could find socialization for themselves. Though, that was more Mary's field and she was very proud of it. "Looks like they're gossipin' again." "Well, Mary, it ain't none of your business anyway." He had a point, but at the same time, he knew that wouldn't stop his older sister. Especially since Mary was often the talk of the town, mostly in a negative fashion. In the frontier, everyone had to work together to survive -- Mary didn't seem to enjoy playing by these rules. So, Sam was almost thrown from the wagon when stopped abruptly in front of one of the nearby shops and hopped off to hitch her horse. "Now you stay here, darlin'," she pat the horse on the head who already buried its nose into the water basin below. She looked up to her brother who was climbing out of the wagon, "..And you can do whatever," she said non-nonchalantly while approaching a nearby couple and joining in on their conversation, "Howdy. Got any fine gossip for the mornin'?" Meanwhile, Sam stepped out of the wagon, landing in the sand below. There were other wagons unloading, likely to prepare to sell. He and Mary were expected to sell, but their crops weren't growing well due to recent drought in their area. Some of their cattle and chickens had gotten sick due to lack of water and proper food as well. It was becoming harder and harder to pay for the property. Which, leaving Sam as the man of the family, begged the question: how would they handle being in drought and in debt? He didn't know.

Kate hauled a crate off of the back of her wagon when another pulled up next to her. She glanced over at the riders and was quick to recongize the Hays siblings. She knew some things about them but not in much detail. She had heard of their issues and some rather foul things pertaining to Mary specifically. Personally, Kate had never bothered to approach either of them.

Part of that might be due to her own judgement of Mary. From what she had heard, Kate simply figured the two of them would not get along, though she never bothered to test her theory.

The couple fell silent for a moment. The woman gave an arrogant look at Mary and turned her head away. The man, however, merely grinned and decided to reply. "Word on the trail is that old crow Jenson lost his land. Got ran off his own porch without a chance of defendin' himself."

Kate, who had previously decided to continue on her own way, paused only a few steps away from the entrance to the store. Their words quickly grabbed her attention. "What?" she echoed looking at them with slight bewilderment. She had her own land to be concerned about.

The man gave a small nod as he glanced over at Kate. "That's what's been goin' 'round. Jenson's been busy drowin' his sorrows in whiskey since the sun came up."

"What, really?" Sam approached his sister in conversation with the younger couple. His shock was beaten out by the girl from a rival farm -- erm, what was her name again? Sarah, Abigail, Jessica? He couldn't remember names or faces for the life of him. "Who chased him off?"

"I'd reckon some no good bandits," Mary leaned into closer to the man's face, "Or was it those damned government 'fficials?"

"Government." The man responded with clear certainty. "Talks been goin' round about how they ain't gonna just stop at old Jenson's place. Seems we're all in for a rough time." He seemed pleased with the crowd he was gathering with this news, so his talk may have been a bit dramatized but the threat was real enough. The woman took notice of his display and gave his arm a soft hit, trying to discreetly tell him to knock it off.

"Is there any news about who's next?" Kate asked with a raised eyebrow. She tried to remain formal as she spoke to him but the concern for her little farm house was plenty visable.

Before the man could even open his mouth, his companion butted in. She had became impatient and uncomfortable with all the attention. The opposite of him. "'Fraid not. You'll have to listen elsewhere for that information." she replied curtly before hooking the man's arm with her's and beginning to lead him away.