Settling in

With the help of Charles, we put my tent up next to Arthur’s who despite his annoyance of having someone next to him stated, “He could keep his eyes on me” but Hosea who coughing saw the profit of me being around but as I slid my spare pair of hidden blades under the bunk and sat on the edge opening a bottle of rum that we stole from the general store heard an match be struck I looked up to see Dutch walk in next to Hosea, “Some rules: 1. You keep your gun holstered in camp unless necessary. 2. You give a share of what you earn to the camp box. 3. Don’t betray us to anyone. 4. Some of us have women so stay away from them. 5. Stew one portion every two days. 6. Leave each other’s horses alone. 7. Stealing... stealing from others in camp isn’t respected...” “I get it behave inside of camp, secondly I ain’t going to blab that I am associated with you since I am meant to be after you...” I got up passing Hosea the bottle before looking over to Dutch spoke, “Here’s my promise to you! I will say nothing about anything or anyone until I ensure every single one of the non-active members are safe and out of here!” he nodded before turning to walk away was met by me stating slinging my shotgun on my back, “You have Molly...” he nodded causing me to state, “Then stay away from Mary-Beth!” Dutch nodded before walking off I looked over to Hosea who smiling spoke, “Is that the reason or do you just want to ensure Mary-Beth isn’t caught in the crossfire?” “Why not both Hosea? Why not both? Either way the hounds are closing in on you all and maybe it’s time to let them go and you to lead the law away!” “I think about it every moment of the day... Abigail and Jack. They shouldn’t be caught up in this but John...” I nodded before pulling out the latest newspaper threw it towards him, “Read the first two pages when you get the chance and then tell me they should all stay!” before walking out sat against the chairs at the table observing everyone’s actions. Mary was hard at work repairing the socks of the men with Tilly and Karen. A woman with red hair there next to Dutch writing clearly above the rest and even Susan didn’t tell her to work. A new woman sat their depressed and deep in her thoughts whilst the cook did his job, Dutch sat there in his tent reading whilst Hosea tried to talk to John begging him to listen. Abigail was with Jack whilst Charles sat on guard with Bill doing the same. Javier was riding out looking for work and Micah Bell tried to antagonise some of the other members and writing down my observations sighed studying the letter addressed to me from the hand I was familiar with.

I sighed opening the letter and studying the image nodded knowing it was from Rebecca. “My Dearest James.

Father has informed me of his intentions and I am both eager and nervous on our next visit. We have met only twice before but I liked our short interactions, momma has spoken of how this will elevate my position in society, on our marriage will come your promotion to Sheriff of Blackwater and I must say you deserve it, even now hunting the Van Der Linde gang, please stay safe my beloved.

I eagerly wait your response,

Your beloved,

Rebecca”

I put the letter down before shaking my head studied the picture of the young woman again before looking over to Mary, who stood there writing in her book before hearing her be confronted by Susan who snapped, “What have I told you! No wasting time in your fantasies, now get to work!” and slapping the book from her hand pushed her back towards her sowing, “Time you lived in the real world instead of this dream where you will be a famous writer!” “Yes Miss Grimshaw!” before getting back feverishly to work as Grimshaw picked the book up and spoke, “I will destroy this to stop you wasting anymore time!” Mary wept causing me to get up and follow Susan to the fire.

“Oh James, you have me at a startle!” I nodded before studying the book spoke, “Mary’s book?!” “This damn thing. She is having ideas above her station, she is here to work!” “I agree...” “You do?” I nodded before stating, “However, rule 7 of the camp is: not stealing another members belongings. You are technically stealing off her!” she sighed before nodding handed it back, “You are right unfortunately, just have a word with her!” I nodded taking it back before wiping the excess mud off of it walked back to my seat to see Mary sat at my seat reading the letter before looking up at me could see her slightly upset to both my shock and yet happiness to see she cared. “Miss Gaskill!” “James!?” “Reading my mail now is it?” “I just came to sit down, Susan has been a bitch again, took my book. Months of work!” I nodded before sitting next to her spoke, “So what do you think?” “You shouldn’t marry her if you aren’t sure! Clearly you aren’t!” “No... I was wondering on how I should write no. I am sort of sweet on another!” “Will you confide in me?!” “If you help me write my refusal then I will indicate who is this person is!” she nodded before seeing Susan eye her up I spoke defensively, “She is just helping me write an letter then she will return to work!” Susan groaned before walking away I open a bottle of rum and sliding over a glass she thought about it and spoke, “Dear Rebecca, I am touched by the offer of marriage and it’s with an heavy heart that I must decline. I am not ready to marry... no change that to I am not in position to marry you and my work preoccupies me and would provide unnecessary risks to your life; as for the promotion I understand what this refusal will cost me and the **** and I must stress my apologises to both the department and specifically to your father. Yours sincerely, James!” I nodded before querying, “Leave out my love for another?” “I would but is your feelings actually love or just an crush?” I shrugged before sighing spoke, “Anyway thank you!” she nodded before seeing me pull out her book she smiled thankfully at what was saved, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” I nodded hugging her before feeling her kiss my cheek slightly blushed before looking back heard the chef snap, “Arthur we need provisions!” “Well I am busy!” Charles grabbed his bow before stating, “I will go but someone should come with me!” I nodded before standing up spoke, “Got a spare bow?” he nodded before throwing me his one I stated, “Come on then let’s get some food!”