When Hearts collide (An Arthur Morgan Rdr2 fanfiction)

Part 2

Peyton's POV

Chapter 24: Speculations

Reluctantly, I watched him go. Reluctantly, I helped pack everything up, again. This should not have happened. Yet, it seemed that our gracious leader, just couldn't stop leading trouble to our door. Every now and then, I'd glance up and over at him, through my thick lashes. And eventually, he noticed it, sauntering over to me.
   "Seems that Arthur, has become rather protective of you, as of late," he says, scowling.
   "Well, duh. I'm his woman. We're dating, in case you forgot," I say, biting my tongue as best I could. What was our relationship, to him? Why should he even care?
   "I know that. But, there's speculation, that maybe something more, is goin' on," Dutch says.
   "Whatever rumors you've heard, I implore you to ignore them," I say, not wanting to talk to the man.
    "Rumor has it, that you two, have been sleeping together," Dutch says.
    "Uh, yeah. We share a bed, Dutch. You know that," I say.
    "You know, that's not what I mean," he says.
    "Well, what do you mean?" I ask, my skin starting to crawl.
    "I mean, sleeping together, as in having sex," he says.

Keeping my composure, I meet his gaze, crossing my arms over my chest.
    "You heard wrong. We're dating, yes. But, fucking? Not at all," I say, as sourly as I can muster. It needed to be believable.
    "I don't believe you. Not for a second. His reaction a moment ago, confirms that. Why else would he hide you, behind his back, shielding you?" Dutch asks.
     "Because, he lost one woman, already. Many years ago. He doesn't want to lose another. Is that good enough, for you?" I ask.
     "Hmm...," Dutch says, pondering over my words.
I wished like hell, Arthur was here right now. He'd set the man straight.
     "I'll be keeping a close eye, on you Ms. Sparks. I've a feeling, something is being hidden, from me. And, trust me, I'm going to find out, what it is," he says.

Before I could object, Hosea saunters over.
   "Leave the poor girl, alone. She doesn't need you pryin' into her and Arthur's business," he says, standing up for me.
   "Of course, you'd protect her. You always look out for them, Hosea," Dutch says, sourly.
   "Arthur's like a son to me, Dutch. You know that. Leave matters between him and Peyton, lie. They ain't your concern. Bein' a leader and figurin' shit out, is," Hosea states.
Dutch turns on his heel, and walks away. Good. The man was really starting to irk me.
   "Don't mind him, Lass. He's jus' got a lot on his mind, at the moment," Hosea says.
   "Yeah, myself and Arthur included," I say, wiping sweat from my brow.
   
Hosea notices this, and tells me to take a moment to rest.
    "I can't. Dutch won't let me hear the end of it, if I do," I say.
Hosea leans close, and whispers his next words to me.
    "You're pregnant. You need not overdo it," he says, shocking me.
    "You know?" I ask.
    "Hon, I've known for quite some time. But, don't worry. I ain't about to tell anyone. That's up to the two of you," Hosea says.
    "Thank you," I say, embracing the elder gentleman.
    "Just take care of yourself," he says.

Taking his advice, I move to sit a few feet away, under the shade of a large tree. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and reveling in the last few minutes, of being here. It hadn't been long. But, it had started to feel like home.
    "Oi, wake up. You and I need to share a few words," a familiar voice says, from in front of me.
Opening my eyes, I look up into the angered face, of Molly O'shea.
    "Alright, I'm getting back to it. Don't need you hounding me, too," I say, rising to my feet.
    "I ain't over here, because of your lack of working. I'm here to tell you, to stay away from Dutch. He's mine," Molly says.
    "Oh my god, really? Molly, I ain't interested in Dutch. I'm with Arthur. And I'm perfectly happy with him, thank you very much," I say, disgusted.
    "I seen the way he looks at you. You and Mary Beth. I don't like it. And, I'll fight you," she says.
    "I'm not the one, you should be fighting with. Dutch is. I know he has a roving eye. And you can bet your ass, I could give two shits less, about him," I say.
   "You bein' honest?" She asks.
   "Duh," I say.

She walks away, then. And, I am grateful. The woman, had jealousy issues. I couldn't blame her. Dutch had been looking at Mary Beth a lot lately. And me. I hadn't yet told Arthur about it. But, I was planning to, later tonight. I needed to talk to him, anyways. Soon, all was packed up and ready to go. We just had to wait for word of clearance to go. Lenny showed up moments later, with the all clear, and we were on our way. The ride there, was strained, but peaceful. The scenery wasn't all bad. Not in the slightest. Along the way, I noticed a doe and her fawn and it gave me a warm feeling, in my heart. Soon, I would be a mother. In eight months time. I couldn't help, but fantasize about what the baby I carried within me, would be like. Would they be like their father? Would they be like me? Were they a boy or a girl?

I hadn't even noticed we had arrived, until Arthur climbed up and offered me his hand.
   "You alright? You were zonin' out," he says.
   "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking," I say.
   "What bout, sweetheart?" He asks, caressing my cheek.
   "Later. Too many people who might be listening in," she says.
He nods, before helping me down from his wagon.
   "Did y'all have any trouble, comin' in?" He asks.
   "None. What about you?" I ask.
   "Some squatters. But, don't worry. They've been taken care of," he says.
   "Good. Hey, you got a minute? I need to talk to you," I say, tugging gently on his arm.
   "Of course. There's a gazebo, over there," he says, pointing.
   "Perfect," I say, following him over.

Luckily, none of the others bother with us, giving us the chance to finally talk.
   "So, what's up?" He asks.
   "Dutch and I had an argument, after you left," I say.
   "What bout?" He asks, immediately on edge.
   "I think he speculates, what's really going on with me," I say.
   "Let him speculate. It ain't none of his business," he says.
   "No it ain't," I say.
   "What else happened?" He asks, taking my hand in his own.
   "Molly threatened me. Said she seen me coming onto Dutch," I say.
   "As if. She knows you're with me," he says.
   "Yeah, well, she wants to fight me," I say.
   "She'd better not, goddammit. I wont slap a woman. But, I'll slap a bitch," he says.
   "Hosea knows," I whisper.
   "Knows what?" He asks.
   "I'm pregnant," I say.
   "You told him?!" Arthur asks, shocked.
   "No. He knew from the first moment I got sick. Don't worry. Our secret is safe with him," I say.

He breathes a sigh of relief, and pulls me close.
   "I got somethin' for you," he says, pulling a ring with a ruby in it, from his pocket.
   "Got this back, from Mary. It was a promise ring I gave her, years ago. But, now, it's yours. An engagement ring," he says.
   "Oh, Arthur, it's beautiful," I say, as he slips it on my finger. It fit perfectly.
   "Now, Molly can shove it," he says.
   "Exactly. Oh, Arthur, I love you," I say, my lips finding his.
   "Ahem, are you two quite done?" Dutch's voice says, breaking us apart.
   "Depends. You gonna leave my fiancee, alone?" Arthur says, making Dutch's jaw drop.
   "Fiancee?" He asks.
I flash the ring.
   "Yep. I'm officially off the market," I say.

Standing a little ways away, is Molly O'shea. And I could tell, she was smiling. She believed me, now. Which gave me one less problem to worry about.
   "Well, congratulations, I guess," Dutch says, walking away.
   "Did you see his face?" I ask.
   "Yeah, I seen it. Too bad, so sad. You're mine, babe," Arthur says, taking my hand and showing me our new home.