Guns and Flames (RDR2)

15 - Not so far away

As John looked at Charlotte, he noticed how red her face was. He kept himself back from asking: why are you so into that man?!
And it was better that he didn't ask this. A second later Charlotte looked up at him.
"S-sure, let's go." -she turned around and hopped up on her new horse. John did the same and they rode out of the campsite.

Charlotte was riding next to John when he asked...
"You know why Arthur had decided that you was worthy for the gang?"
"You tell me."
"Well, it's not only Arthur who had decided this way but me as well. I influenced him because...I saw how confident and straightforward you was when you asked if you could join us. No other folk would've dared to do that. I...really look up to you. Even if it's been just days since we've met." -John explained as he gave Charlotte a loving smile.

Charlotte was astounded. She hasn't heard anyone say anything like this to her before.
"I...this is the most wonderful sentence I've ever heard in my life. You flatter me." -she giggled.
"Oh, do I, now?" -he laughed.

'Yes! My charm is working!'

John thought as he stopped his horse.
"I think we just passed by some mints! Hold up, I'll get them for Javier." -he said as he got down from his horse to get those mints. Charlotte looked at John and thought...(in a good way)

'Why are you messing with my feelings, huh?'

When he got the herbs he hopped back on his horse.
"There's still something I want to show you. C'mon!" -he explained as he motioned with his hand to follow him. She did what she was asked to.

After some time of riding, John spoke up...
"Wait here for me." -he said as he got down from his horse. Charlotte nodded in agreement as she saw John walk into the woods, disappearing behind the bushes.
She felt uneasy that he just went into the trees, all alone. But after all, he said to wait for him to be back.
She fell into deep thoughts, thinking about Javier and what possibly could he be doing back at camp without her. She shook her head gently and looked around, no sign of John anywhere.

She started to feel more and more uneasy as time flew by. When she was about to get off her horse, she heard rustling from one of the bushes. She then placed her hand on her revolver, in case the situation got dangerous.

She felt relieved to see that it was John who had just emerged from the bushes.

"Finally you're back! I was getting worried." -she said as she got down from her horse. John lovingly smiled as a reply.
"Here, I got these for you." -he said as he extended his hand out to give her the hummingbird sages. Charlotte was surprised by John's acts but accepted the sages.

"You went out of your way to find- and then give them to me?" -she asked jokingly.
"Yes I did." -he laughed.
"I love them. Thank you." -she smiled. John smiled back at her.
"Should we...spend some more time together?" -he then asked.
"Sure! I'm up for it. I'm following you." -she replied confidently.
"Alright then. Let me get up on my horse."

John then got up on his horse and both of them rode quite a distance.
The sun was setting down on the horizon, painting the sky in every shade of orange. The calm breeze hit their faces gently, making Charlotte's hair fly in the wind.
The more John looked at Charlotte, the more he realized he was falling even more deeply in love with her. When she caught him staring at her, she giggled and then continued to speak. John couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed that he got caught staring at her.

Eventually, they started heading back to camp. After some time, they had made their way back, put their horses to rest, and walked into camp. Then they heard footsteps from behind them.