Story to tell

“What happened after I left?” I queried handing the two women bowls for the luxurious bear meat, “It went bad...really bad! James!” Mary cried before saying, “You were right the bank job was a failure, Hosea were killed, Lenny wounded before being taking into slavery!” Karen grabbing a bottle of rum was stopped by me as I took it off her, “Story first, then drink!” Karen poured before Mary said, “Arthur grew ill, very ill! TB!” I nodded before saying, “I know, he came to me towards the end of his life to tell me something!” “You saw him?” I nodded before saying, “I’ll explain when appropriate!” causing Karen to snap, “Don’t do a Dutch, James we had enough of him!” I sighed before saying, “I was going to tell you when it was the appropriate time in the story but if you will feel more satisfied I will tell you now!” Mary shook her head before saying, “I rather you tell us when appropriate...I assume it will make more sense?” I nodded causing me to say, “It will also help with context” they nodded causing Mary to say, “Sadie moved us before in a few months the others returned as you know but we believe Molly told the Pinkleton’s about our hideout hence why we had to move!” I shook my head before saying, “That can’t be true!! I was the one who freed her fearing she would talk, she was barely in prison for a day or so!” the froze causing Karen to say, “She was innocent!” I nodded before saying, “Yes, I sent her on her way back to camp. Don’t know if she did but she went straight to the tavern!” Mary Beth looked down before saying, “She was shot by Grimshaw... that bitch Arthur protested saying that she could be innocent and just drunken...I miss him!” Karen looked down before nodding said, “We moved North but Dutch’s head was never the same...he went crazy, whether it was due to what had happened, the knocks on the head or Micah he went bad!” causing me to say, “Or he just revealed his true self!” they looked at me before saying, “I remember John saying before I left that you don’t naturally change like the way he had if those thoughts weren’t being suppressed! And Arthur when he last saw me said, that he isn’t no longer the Dutch they knew!” Mary looked down before saying, “That explains a lot. You see Dutch confined more in Micah, Bill and Javier and left the others out. They would try and intimidate us but all would shut up when Arthur came, apart for that one night where Micah tried to **** me!” I looked over to Mary Beth and growling snapped, “He did what?” she nodded causing her to say, “John held a gun to his head... he was on Arthur’s side until the end; he only joined Dutch for the money, lack of responsibility and loyalty!” Karen then staring at the bottle spoke, “Arthur tried to help us all. He sent Trelawny on his way, helped Charles to escort the Indians away, helped us to escape and even gave Abigail and Jack some money after he rescued her with Sadie from the Pinkletons, she thinks John is dead! They tried to rob the train but after the success Dutch refused to help Abigail So Arthur and Sadie went alone!” I nodded before saying, “Make sense now, Arthur came to me before the train job! Well stumbled across me, the brotherhood weren’t too pleased but looking at the state he was in choose to let him rest. He said that he was worried about everything and scared for what could happen to you lot. He said how the men were to blame not the others and he promised to help you all to escape. He wanted me to make sure you were okay, by the look of it you weren’t and when I eventually found out where you were came to help. What happened anyway?” Karen took the bottle and taking an mouthful spoke, “I killed a group of men who tried to start some funny business. Mary was there and they accused her as well; she was trying to stop me!” I nodded before seeing the tears in Mary’s clothes she spoke, “Please stop looking!” “Mary what’s those scars?” she covered them before saying, “She established a relationship with the sheriff to try and get us out, grew pregnant and he didn’t like it...she is still recovering, functions but children are a no go!” I took the bottle before looking away took an mouthful of the strong booze before hearing Mary breakdown in tears, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for it to get that serious and our dream...well it can’t happen now, please don’t resent me!” I turned back around before handing her the bottle said, “You silly girl... you think I care, your health is more important; look at me, look at me!” and wiping a tear away from her cheek said, “I didn’t fall for you because you could make children, I fell for you for your personality, sweetness, kindness and your drive to keep going and to never give up. Children?” I shrugged before saying, “If we get to that stage then we will find another way, but we are a long way off from there!” she nodded before hugging me said, “Thank you!” and snorting Karen rolled her eyes before going to her tent, leaving us by the campfire, “So what do we do now?” I thought about it before saying, “Ride north and get Sadie, we need her to help us get Lenny and Tilly, then to get Charles and finish up by getting Abigail and Jack... I expect my orders will be to find Dutch’s crew so I will have to sort that out!” “Assassin orders?” I shook my head before showing my badge said, “As Sheriff of Blackwater. A deal was made, I find criminals and I get paid a lot of money for it plus whatever I can find. Now when I hunted one gang they had a bank safe with over, $5,000 in, took a grand and returned it to the town and after hiding the money was seen as a hero where I was given $250 for it, I gave $250 to the brotherhood and kept $1000, eventually we will have enough money to buy a better house!” “You have a house?” I nodded causing me to say, “I am a rouge Sheriff/bounty hunter!” and smiling I said, “Better get some rest, you want the tent or the sleeping bag??” she smiled before grabbing my hand said, “The tent is big enough hit two!”