𝗖𝗨𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗜 ➳ 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗜

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟐.

"Hey Dutch," Eleanor announced her arrival. She immediately felt flustered when Dutch turned around to look at her, as he moved Eleanor spotted the rose red locks of Molly O'Shea. The woman's face was full of anger, her hands clenched into fists in her lap. Eleanor knew whatever they were talking about it hadn't been good.

"Eleanor! Perhaps you can bring some joy to my day," Dutch scoffed, stepping out of his tent. As expected, Molly huffed in annoyance at Dutch's comment before getting up from her seat and marching out of the tent, her shoulder purposely slamming into Dutch's. Dutch scolded, watching the Irish woman as she stormed away.

"Are you two okay?" Eleanor asked awkwardly, looking back at Dutch after watching the fiery woman depart. Dutch sighed, his eyes still locked onto Molly. 

"Her expectations... her needs... can she not see the pressure I am under? The noose around my neck?" Dutch growled, his anger slowly erupting. 

"Ain't no noose around your neck, Dutch," Eleanor reassured him. Dutch looked at her, a soft look falling into his brown eyes. "She's just... I don't know," Eleanor sighed, wishing she could work out Molly. Her and Molly hadn't really talked while Eleanor had been here. The only thing she knew about her was her name and that she loved Dutch. 

"Anyway," Dutch sighed, drawing his eyes off of Molly who was standing by a large tree by the edge of the camp opening. "How was the shopping?"

"That's why I'm here," Eleanor informed him. Dutch immediately tensed up in concern, remaining quiet as he listened on. "I got everything, just. Hamish followed me," Eleanor took a deep breath when Dutch's eyes widened at the news. "He didn't see me, he looked for me but I hid," Eleanor quickly finished. The man's eyes narrowed as he started to think, taking a few steps forward and pacing slowly. Eleanor watched Dutch, unsure of what he would say next. "The store owner threw him off..." Eleanor trailed off realising that Dutch wasn't listening to her anymore. 

"He knows you're here, yes?" Dutch asked. His eyes lifted up to her to see Eleanor nod in response. "Good."

"Good?" Eleanor repeated, however not in the same tone he shared. 

"Yes. He won't come here because he knows your with us," Dutch pointed out. "The Mary woman has made it clear that she doesn't want to hurt us to get to you."

"For now," Eleanor nodded. Dutch was right, but it wouldn't be long until she gets desperate. Mary has been chasing her down for a long time now. For weeks Eleanor had been off the radar, now suddenly Hamish was down here tracking her. Things didn't sit right for Eleanor, she knew Mary was starting to get impatient. 

"For now is good," Dutch ensured her with a single nod of confidence. "Gives us time. You got a plan?" He asked, turning around fully to give her his full attention.

"Arthur and I have agreed to cause a mess at a few of her bases, leave a warning and wait it out," Eleanor explained to him. "We know she's at Twin Rocks hiding. Now you boys can't get past Black Water without being spotted by a Pinkerton or such other so we might as well scare her out and then find her from there on," Eleanor shrugged as she spoke. Dutch's face however had fell as she spoke. Eleanor paused, looking at him. She couldn't read the expression on his face but she didn't like it. 

"You and Arthur?" Dutch muttered, his expression blank. Eleanor stared at him before suddenly he chuckled and threw his hands up in defeat. "Well why not!" He grinned at her. Eleanor laughed awkwardly, unsure of what to think of Dutch's sudden change in mood. "When will you be leaving? Where will you be going, just so if I have to send out a search party I know where to tell them to go," Dutch questioned. 

"We'll probably go in a day or two, give Arthur some extra rest as we'll be riding a fair bit," Eleanor explained to him, his sudden eagerness taking her by surprise. "I'll let you know the further details."