When Hearts collide (An Arthur Morgan Rdr2 fanfiction)

Chapter 3: Peyton

"Well, are you goin' to assist me, or not?" He asks.
"Look, the sheriff got the wrong idea. She's not my woman. She's...uh... she's my sister," I say, mentally smacking myself.
"Oh, my sincerest of apologies. I thought you two were an item," he says.
"Yeah, no. I'm not one of them sicko's that's into that sort of thing," I say.
"Well, that's a relief. Can't tell you, how many people do that, nowadays. Especially that Aberdeen family, near Rhodes," he says.
"I've no idea, who you're talkin' bout. I've no idea where Rhodes even is," I say.
"Be glad, then. Them people, are absolutely nasty. But, if you ever happen to travel that way, steer clear," he says.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you," I say.
"If you'll just have a seat out in the main foyer, I'll do a check on her, and you can be on your way," he says.
"Much obliged, Doc," I say, preparing to head out to the main foyer. However, his next words stop me.
"She doesn't happen to have another set of clothes, does she? These ones, are in real poor shape," he says.
"I'm afraid not. I could run to the General store, grab her somethin'," I say.
"Splendid. I should be just about done checking her over, by the time you get back," he says.

Heading out of the doctor's office, I make my way to the General Store. Now, mind you, I'd never had to buy clothes for a woman, before. So, I'd no idea, what I was getting myself into. However, the clerk was very helpful. After giving me a few outfits to work with, I chose to go with a pair of jeans, a red plaid shirt, a pair of boots with a floral design, and a hat that had a small blue gemstone on the front. My only hope, was that I hadn't gone and made a complete fool of myself, buying this outfit for her, only for her to have a different taste. Walking back into the doctor's office, I call out to him, handing the items to him, when he came out to meet me for them.
"Excellent timing. I did the check on her, and outside of some minor cuts and bruises, she's unharmed," he says.
"What a relief. Next time, I'll be with her, when she wants to attempt tamin' a wild stallion," I say.
"See to it, that you do. Some of them wild things, have quite the temper on them," he replies.

We exchange a few more words, before I head to the back, to see the woman, who was now awake. She meets my gaze, as I walk into the room.
"So, I wasn't dreaming, then. You really did save me," she says.
"Well, of course. I ain't gonna let my "Little sister" get trampled by some wild Stallion," I say, hoping she understood and played along.
"Ah, as always, "Big brother" to the rescue. I told you I had it handled," she says, winking at me.
"Yeah, well, I told you not to go gettin' into somethin' that you ain't experienced in handlin'," I say.
"I'm sorry. I get it from Daddy. You know that," she says.
"Yeah, Dad certainly was stubborn, and hard headed," I say.
Damn she was a good actress. She was even better than Karen, when she helped pull off a robbery.

The doctor reappeared, and handed me some bottles of tonic.
"This will help get you back on your feet and back in the saddle," the doctor says.
"Ha, like my brother will let me back on a horse, after what happened to me," she says, her acting flawless.
"Got that right. I don't trust you, not to get bucked off, again," I say.
"I'll have you know, I can handle horses. Long as they're tame," she says.
"Still. You ain't ridin' again, till you brush up on your skills," I say.
"Ah, you're no fun," she says, pouting.
"I'm afraid not. I get that, from Ma,"I say.
"Alright, well, you two be well. And don't hesitate to come back, if you need any further assistance," the doctor says, ushering for us to leave.

Holding my hand out to her, I help the lady to her feet, sticking close, in case she needed me.
"Thanks, Doc. Enjoy the rest of your evenin," I say.
He nods and then closes the door behind us.
"That was some damn fine actin', in there," I say.
"What can I say? I'm smart," she says.
"I'll say. So, you got a name?" I ask.
"Of course. My name's Peyton. Peyton Louise Sparks, to be precise," she says.
"Arthur. Arthur Morgan," I say.
"Oh, I know who you are. And before you ask, no. I ain't no bounty hunter," she says.
"Really? Well, would you care to explain, over dinner at the saloon?" I ask.
"Why not? It's been a while, since I had a decent meal," she says.
"Well, then allow me, to treat you to one. Just know, I am doin' this as a friend. I ain't lookin' for a relationship. Let's make that clear," I say.
"Don't worry. I ain't either," she says.
"Alrighty, then," I say, as I guide her over to the saloon, so we can have a nice hot meal. Besides, I'd already missed out on the stew at camp.

The Saloon as usual, was bustling with business. Seemed the whole male population of Valentine, were here. If not for the drink, than it was for a game of poker, or a good night with one of the soiled doves that could lure them into bed, with their silver tongue. One spoke to us now, as we made our way to an open table.
"Well, ain't you two a handsome couple. Y'all interested in a good time?" She asks, leaning on the table, as we seat ourselves.
"We ain't interested. We're just here, for some food and maybe a beer. Find some other cowpoke, to lure into bed," I say, already wishing we hadn't come in here.
"Wow, you're a coarse one, ain't you?" The soiled dove says, moving closer to me, and running her hand down my arm. I shrug it off.
"Look, I said we ain't interested. Not only that, you're makin' us rather uncomfortable, lingerin' round here. Besides, you prolly cost more than I got in my pockets, right now," I say, smiling when the comment hit home.

Without another word, she turns on her heel, and stalks off.
"Sorry bout that," I say, feeling a tad embarrassed.
"No big deal," she says.
"It is, to me," I say..
"Let's just order our food, and forget the whole thing, okay?" She says, shifting in her seat, uncomfortably.
Smooth, Morgan. You damn fool. I think to myself, as I take a look at the menu.
Waving the bartender over, I place our order, having decided on the lamb fry special. When he walks away, to set to work on it, I train my attention, on Peyton once more.
"So, you said you knew who I was. How so?" I ask.
She shifts in her seat, seeming nervous.
"Let me rephrase that. You said you ain't no bounty hunter. So, if that's true, how is it you know who I am?" I ask, again.
"Well, it's...it's complicated," she says.
"Yeah, how so?" I ask.
"It just is. Besides, you'd probably think I'm crazy. You probably wouldn't believe me," she says.
"What makes you think that?" I say.
"Because, there aren't many people out there, that have the gift I have," she says.

The barkeep returns, with two beers, placing them before us, momentarily cutting us off.
"Your meals will be along shortly," he says, before heading back to his post.
"Here, lemme help you, with that," I say, when I notice Peyton struggling to get the cap off of her beer.
"Nah, I got it," she says.
"No, I insist. Lemme help you," I say, as I reach for the bottle, our hands brushing against each other.
The electricity that ran through my veins, at the slight touch, was one that jolted me to the core. My heart beat a little harder. My stomach, had a case of the butterflies, something terrible. Yet, I forced myself, to ignore it all. I'd made my position quite clear, before we'd come in here. We were to be friends only. Nothing more. I'd had my share of heartache. I wasn't about to set myself up for it again.

I pop the cap off her beer, before pulling my hands away. She smiles at me, before she takes a swig.
"Thank you," she says.
"Not a problem," I say, popping the cap off my own beer, and taking a swig, myself.
"I saw you in a vision," Peyton says, making me choke on my first swallow of beer, starting a coughing fit.
"You...you what?" I say, as I try to regain control of my breathing.
"I'm sorry. That was stupid. I should've waited till after you'd swallowed, before saying that," she says.
"Naw, it's fine," I reply, my voice cracking slightly.
"You sure?" She asks.
"Yeah. Anyways, what was that, you said?" I ask.
"I...I saw you in a vision. You asked me how I know you, and that's the reason, behind how I do," she says.

I ponder her words. I'd heard, that there were people in this world, who could predict a person's future. Fortune tellers, Seers. People who could see what would come to pass, before it even happened. Did I believe it, though? Not entirely. But, to humor her, I decided to play along.
"A vision, huh? That's actually kinda neat," I say.
"It is. But, it's also hard on me, sometimes," she says.
"Oh yeah?" I ask.
"Yes. Most times, the visions are accurate. But, other times, they can change, giving the mind a whole new perspective into the situation, making one think and think, till you give yourself a headache or a damn nose bleed," she says.
"Has that happened to you?" I ask.
"Once, luckily for me," she says.

At that moment, our food arrives, ending all conversation, for time being.
"We'll talk more, later. Right now, focus on enjoyin' your meal," I say.
"Right. Okay. Um, thank you, by the way," she says.
"Least I could do," I say, as we both dig in.