Loyalty Divided

Chapter Three

The next morning dawned with an air of anticipation as Arthur approached Evangeline's hotel room. He couldn't quite shake the memory of their encounter the previous night, the way she had challenged him with her piercing gaze and quick wit. As he knocked softly on her door, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of nerves mingled with something else-a quiet excitement that he couldn't quite name.

When Evangeline opened the door, Arthur's breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. She looked radiant in the soft morning light, her eyes bright with determination and a hint of mischief. For a moment, they simply stood there, the space between them charged with an unspoken tension that hung heavy in the air.

"Morning, Miss Thornton," Arthur greeted her, his voice a touch huskier than usual. "Ready to hit the trail?"

Evangeline's response was playful yet tinged with a subtle hint of something more. "I'm ready if you are, Morgan," she replied, her tone light but her gaze lingering on him in a way that sent a flutter of anticipation through his chest.

With a nod, Arthur led the way downstairs. As they descended the worn wooden stairs of the quaint hotel, the morning seemed to hum with anticipation, each step resonating with the promise of a new day. Arthur's stride was purposeful, the weight of the letter tucked in his coat pocket a silent reminder of his past. Beside him, Evangeline moved with a quiet confidence, her presence a comforting reassurance amidst the uncertainty that lingered in the air.

"Mind if we make a quick stop?" Arthur's voice broke the tranquil silence, his gaze meeting Evangeline's with a hint of hesitation. "I gotta send off a letter."

Evangeline nodded. "That's fine. I need to get Storm anyways." She dipped her head to him and parted ways, heading toward the stables.

Arthur watched her for a moment before shaking his head and focusing on the task at hand. He reached into his satchel, fingers brushing against the folded letter addressed to Mary Gillis, a name that still held a tight grip on his heart. As Arthur walked to the post office, he couldn't help but think about Evangeline. She was a mystery, a whirlwind of sharp wit and undeniable skill. His thoughts were interrupted as he handed the letter over to the postmaster, feeling a mix of relief and melancholy. Meanwhile, Evangeline retrieved her horse from the stables. Storm nickered softly, sensing her rider's contemplative mood. She patted the horse's neck, murmuring words of reassurance. Mounting up, she rode back to the rendezvous point, her mind occupied with thoughts of the gang and her place within it.

Meeting up with Dutch and Hosea, Evangeline noticed two more people with them. A woman with dark hair on her own horse, and a young boy in the saddle behind Dutch. Arthur rode up behind her and nodded to the two newcomers. "Who's this, Dutch?"

"Good to see you both back," Dutch called out, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "We've got some new company. Miss Susan Grimshaw and young John Marston."

Susan nodded in greeting, her eyes sharp and assessing. "Pleasure to meet you," she said, her tone friendly but cautious. John, on the other hand, clung to Dutch, his wide eyes taking in the newcomers with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Arthur, still feeling the weight of his earlier errand, gave a polite nod to Susan and a warm smile to John. "Nice to meet you, ma'am. And you too, John."

Evangeline's gaze lingered on the boy for a moment before shifting to Susan. "Pleasure to meet you both," she said, her voice steady but her mind still buzzing with questions.

Hosea, always quick to read the room, broke the tension with a bit of humor. "Arthur, I saw you sneaking off to the post office. Sending love letters, are we?"

Arthur scowled, his blush betraying him. "Just sending a letter, Hosea. Nothing more.

"Dutch chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Must be a pretty important letter to have you blushing like that." Evangeline, catching the exchange, felt a pang of something she couldn't quite identify-jealousy, perhaps? No. She didn't even know Arthur like that. Or was it simply curiosity about the woman who still held such a place in Arthur's heart?