Wild Fire (Book II)

All That You Need

     Arthur had walked back to his own wagon now. He leaned over the water barrel splashing his chest and face and slicking back his hair. He was beyond frustrated with Dutch. John still hovered beside him, his own worried expression masking his face. He stood with his hands on his hips looking from Arthur to Dutch's closed tent. He could see their shadows inside. See Dutch laying against the girl then sitting up beside her, two dark figures in the lamp light.

     "It don't make no sense Arthur. I ain't never seen Dutch act like that over no woman before." Arthur was rubbing a makeshift towel over his head and chest and ripping on a black open collar shirt that clung to his wet skin. "No, it don't make no sense. It's like he's afraid for anyone to get near her. He acts more like she's some damn possession of his then an actual person." Arthur pulled his hat down low on his head and struck a match against his boot, taking a long hard pull from the fresh smoke in his mouth. John shook his head. "Lilah ain't gonna like this." Arthur never looked over at him. "Lilah don't need to know John. You keep this between us, for her sake." The cowboy nodded in agreement.

     The pair had just joined the others by the fire when the lot of them watched as Dutch walked out of the tent, stowed something on the back of his horse, and turned on his heel towards them. His long swaggering stride was more a march than a walk as he came up to halt beside the fire, pulling a rolled cigar and lighting it between his lips.

     He wore a serious expression. His handsome features pulled down in a deep-set frown. "Listen to me. All a ya." he began in a stern governing tone. "I want you all to take care of the camp while I am gone. Watch over the women, keep the money flowing in. I will be taking our guest to a much deserving get away for some peace away from the lot of you imbeciles." He focused his gaze on Sean. "I trust when we return you will understand your place here when it comes to Miss Wild. Am I making myself clear?" Sean lowered his head with a sheepish nod. But Arthur was not so subservient. "Now wait a damn minuet Dutch..." He shifted his stance towards Dutch, that familiar defiance rising up in his shoulders against the man.

     Dutch could feel the hairs on his neck bristle. "What is it Arthur?" He asked flatly, drawing hard on the cigar to keep his words at bay. "Where exactly are you taking her? And don't she need to be in camp around Hosea and Miss Grimshaw just in case they are needed?"

    His stone face was hard and distrusting. Dutch lowered the cigar slowly eyeing the cowboy with menace. "It is not your concern where I am taking Miss Wild Arthur. And she will be fine under my care, or have you forgot that 'I' am the one whom has sat with her all these weeks nursing her back to health. No. Your job is to look over this camp and stop doubting me, as here lately you seem to enjoy the habit of taking too." Arthur opened his mouth but closed it again into a pressed line. "Whatever you say Dutch." He gritted, never turning from the man's coal eyes. "That is precisely What. I. Say." He threw the cigar into the fire for emphasis and looked back over the other men of his flock. "Gentleman, I shall trust you to it." He turned then on his heel, a proud peacock's prance back along the path to his tent. John and Arthur just looked at each other in dumb silence.

***

     Emma heard Dutch returning to the tent and quietly shoved the picture under the makeshift pillow on the bed. He had returned to her holding a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with rope twine. "For you." he said, setting it down beside her and standing back to watch as she opened it. She had nearly forgotten his trip he had taken into Valentine. A trip, it seemed, for her.

     She looked at it questioningly for a moment, until he shooed a hand at her to go on. She took the package between her fingers and untied the little strings letting the paper flower open to the clothing inside. When she held it up, she was surprised at the lovely blue sundress dotted with tiny flowers that hung against the lamp light. Its sleeves were ruffled straps that hung down on the shoulders, with a low lying neckline also fringed with the same soft ruffle. "It's beautiful." She said looking up at Dutch with pleased humbled eyes. "I'm glad you like it. It will be more beautiful draped across your shoulders. Go ahead. Put it on. I want you modest when you go out again in front of those beasts out there." She hesitated as he still stared down at her expectantly. But after a moment he turned his back to her, allowing her the privacy she needed to change into the simple dress.