The Ballad of Broken Vows

Chapter Three: Cassidy

Joining a gang was not exactly part of my plan for the night, neither was killing my almost ex-husband. I guess I'm technically a widow now... and a murderer. I should have just minded my own business back there in the saloon. I should've just got my drink and never spoke to Arthur. But at the same time, I'm glad I did approach him. What would have happened to me if I never met Arthur and Butch came in? I believe in blessings, and I also believe tonight was one. But this could also be a curse. Why didn't I run away after I found out he was the notorious Arthur Wilson? I wanted to escape my old life, but now that it's actually happening, am I ready?

Things will never be the same after tonight, though. I killed my husband and I know I'll be taken in, no questions asked. Women are looked at so poorly in our country and the men are treated like gods. Except for the men who are outlaws. They are looked at like chicken shit, same with us women.

"You doin' okay, Miss Bell?" Arthur's voice brings me out of my thoughts. I'm hanging on tightly to his torso as he controls his horse's reins. A man that seems to be friends with Arthur is riding closely behind us. He does not look too happy about my presence at the moment. I am not too happy with my own presence either.

"I'm fine, and call me Cassidy." I respond loudly so I could be heard over the clatter of the horse's hooves on the wooden bridge. For an outlaw, Arthur has better manners than most middle and high class men I've ever encountered.

Arthur is different than most men I've ever encountered in my life. He's rugged but he cares about how he presents himself. He's unimaginably handsome at that. From his chocolate brown hair that is shaved on the sides but is longer on the top, his baby blue eyes, and his scruffy beard; down to his choice of attire of a buttoned-down blue shirt with black suspenders, dark washed jeans, and muddy boots. I could go on and on about this man's features that make me melt into a puddle.

But I'm not. I know about his kind. He is a walking target, and I know he will never settle down. Especially not for a woman. Not for me. I can't involve myself with the likes of him. I know I asked to join the gang, but I have sobered up some since we left the saloon. Now I'm realizing how much of an idiot I am.

Not that being with Arthur has crossed my mind. I just met him. I don't know him. Somehow, I managed to kill someone I used to love for this handsome stranger, but that was just out of kindness. Butch was a bad man, I wouldn't want anyone to die at the hands of that bastard.

"Who's there?" I hear someone call out to us behind the tree line off from the trail. The man is holding a gun, aimed directly at us. My heart starts beating heavily. Are we being ambushed? We can't be, I'm with the outlaws. How dumb do you have to be to look at Arthur and think 'I'm going to rob him!' You have to be really dumb, because Arthur is about six foot two inches and is built like a buffalo. I wouldn't dare mess with him. I say all of that, but yet there is still a long barreled rifle pointed right at him. I guess a bullet can bring even the scariest of men down.

My grip on Arthur tightens. I'm very obviously afraid.

"Arthur and Jimmy." Arthur shouts in response. The man quickly puts away his rifle and nods firmly allowing entrance.

Oh, I guess that was someone keeping watch. We must have reached our destination I suppose. We are oddly closer to New Water than I expected. We are a ways off the main road, probably about two miles, but it is still really close to civilization for a gang of outlaws. I see smoke rise above the trees, it must come from their camp's fire.

Arthur leads his horse off of the tiny trail and down through the tree line. A few moments later, the trees stop to reveal a large open area. I gasp at the sight I see. A large abandoned house that sets up two stories high is displayed right in front of me. The white paint on the wooden house is chipped and dirty. Moss and vines are growing on the front side of the house. The windows are shattered and the shutters have either fallen or are hanging down. the porch is falling to pieces with a gaping hole to the right of the main door.