Loyalty Divided

Chapter Twenty Seven

Arthur and Evangeline rode side by side on their horses, the crisp January air biting at their cheeks as they ventured further into the wilderness. The pair had decided to leave Copper at the house, lest he scare away any prey they would find. The sun was just beginning to break through the clouds, casting a soft golden glow over the landscape.

Glancing over at Evangeline, Arthur couldn't help but smile. "You holdin' up alright, darlin'?" he asked, his voice warm and teasing as they trotted along.

Evangeline chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, I think I'll manage just fine," she replied with a playful grin.

Arthur grinned back, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "Good to hear," he said, his voice low and suggestive. "Didn't quite get to finish our mornin', did we?"

Evangeline rolled her eyes playfully, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "No, we didn't," she replied, her tone tinged with amusement and something more.

Arthur chuckled softly, the tension from earlier replaced by a comfortable intimacy. "Well, reckon we'll have to make up for lost time later," he said with a playful wink.

Evangeline smiled, her heart skipping a beat at his suggestive remark. "I reckon we will," she murmured, her gaze lingering on him.

They continued their ride in companionable silence, the steady rhythm of their horses' hooves filling the air along with the distant calls of birds. As they rode deeper into the wilderness, Arthur and Evangeline shared stories and laughter, enjoying each other's company and the peace of the early morning.

Arthur and Evangeline rode on, the horses' hooves crunching softly on the frost-covered ground as they ventured deeper into the tranquil wilderness. The quiet solitude around them provided a stark contrast to the chaotic world they inhabited with Dutch's gang.

Glancing over at Evangeline, Arthur broke the peaceful silence. "You ever think about the children?" he asked quietly, his voice tinged with concern.

Evangeline furrowed her brow slightly, her gaze thoughtful. "All the time," she admitted softly. "John, Mary-Beth, and Tilly... they're good kids. Too good for all this."

Arthur nodded in agreement, his expression somber. "They shouldn't have to grow up around this kind of violence," he muttered, a hint of regret in his voice. "But with Dutch... it's hard to see a way out."

Evangeline nodded thoughtfully, her gaze distant as she considered Arthur's words. "John's gotten very skilled with his hands," she began, her voice quiet yet confident. "And Mary-Beth and Tilly, they've shown they can handle themselves. But it ain't right, Arthur. They're just kids."

Arthur sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging under the weight of their shared concern. "I know," he replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "They should be playin' and learnin', not worryin' about survival and bloodshed."

Evangeline reached out and gently touched his arm, offering silent comfort and solidarity. "We'll find a way, Arthur," she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet determination. "For their sake and ours."

Arthur nodded slowly, a flicker of hope stirring in his eyes. "Yeah," he agreed, a trace of resolve returning to his voice. "We will."

They rode on in silence for a few moments, the rhythmic sound of their horses' hooves grounding them in the present despite the heavy thoughts swirling in their minds.

Arthur broke the silence first. "John's got a lot of potential," he said, his tone contemplative. "He's smart and resourceful. If he weren't caught up in all this, he'd have a real shot at a decent life."

Evangeline nodded. "He's a good kid, deep down. Wants to do right.

But he needs guidance, Arthur. More than Dutch can give him."