The Oregon trail

Desert storm

Alex's P.O.V

Five sets of eyes all stared back at me.

The Virginian watching me with those forever questioning eyes of his, while Larry, Jeff, Trampus and May all looked at me in a mixture of annoyance and curiosity.

After a few moments of long drawn out silence, Larry was the first to break it. "You ride a red Stallion," he pointed out.

Shit.

"Yea I do,".

"Where'd you get him from?" The Virginian was quick to ask.

"Off an old man in Carahault," I lied, "Was selling him near the train station,". Carahault was a bustling town about 160 miles east from here.

"I thought you said he was a one family horse?" Trampus asked me, "He is, we took a liking to him on the way here... we'd just come off the train and needed something with some fresh legs,".

The Virginian and Trampus shared a glance with one another.

"Do I really look like a 17 years old girl?" I asked the group, hoping that no one could hear the rapid beating of my heart. "I know I can't grow a beard to save myself, but I'm only 19!" I lied once more...."It just doesn't look right, got a couple more years left before I should start to worry about it,"

Rolling up my sleeves I leant forward, resting both my arms on the slightly sticky table.

"Do these look like woman hands?" I asked them.

My hands were rough and calloused, the creases in my palms were stained with dirt and leather oil, even though my hands were clean. My left forearm had a couple old burn marks, etched in the skin, from where I'd caught myself on a hot iron, branding calves.

Turning my hands over, my knuckles were etched with scars from the odd brawl, the most resent with Wes McGregor, in this very bar. The scabs almost completely healed.

There was a 'L' shaped scar on the back of my left hand, just in front of my thumb and forefinger, the flesh having been slit open the first time I ever worked with barbed wire.

My nails were short, and the odd random scar was placed near the joints on both hands. Their stories having long ago left my memory.

"No," Jeff admitted.

"If you want me to run down the street naked, I can, and I will-," May cut me off with a excited, "Yes please," which made both myself and Trampus glare at her, "But I don't think it's very proper, considering it's mid morning and there are proper ladies out on the streets braving the cold," my last sentence was a slight dig at her.

May gasped in offence, while The Virginian quickly interjected "That won't be necessary,".

"You wouldn't know what a true lady was if they slapped you own the face," May sneered at me, leaning towards me she brought up her hand as if to strike, which I easily dodged.

"That's enough!" Trampus warned her, quickly becoming irritated with her attitude, his voice raising slightly.

There was one last thing that I could think of, that could get me out of this mess.

Reaching behind my neck, I unclasped the chain that held my engagement ring. Holding it out in my clenched hand for all to see.

"There's a girl back home.... Her name is Josie and when all this is done and dusted, and I've found a place to call home, I'm going to bring her out and marry her," I stated confidently.

Jeff and Larry's jaws almost hit the table and even The Virginians eyes widened at the site of it.

"I've already proposed but she gave me her ring to remind me of her on my travels,".

I hoped that was enough to cement my story.

Even Trampus was in awe at the sight of the ring. "How much did that set you back?"

My mind went blank, I never did get that out of Devon. My heart clenched at the thought of him.

"More than you make in a month," I replied making him whistle. "I wouldn't even spend that on a horse!" He admitted, "Well you and I have different priorities,". He nodded in acceptance.

We all turned to face the door as we heard it open.

Steve arriving with Sheriff Ryker in tow.

"You just missed him," Larry informed the pair, Sheriff Rykers eyes landed on me, "You know much about this outlaw?" He asked, "A little," I admitted, my palms immediately starting to sweat.

"Come with me over to my office,".