Dutch's Girl

Chapter Six

Dutch

I was fighting mad, so snapping at people to find Chelsea was the only thing I could think to do. When my eyes landed on Bill Williamson, I was positive I was going to kill him.

"You didn't see her get out of the wagon and go down one of these paths?!", I yelled at the burley man. "N-N-No I didn't! She m-must've slipped past w-w-when I was down there a ways!" The rage bubbled up inside me. I gave that bastard one job and he failed! Now she's ran off!

I wanted to scream, cry, shoot someone, definitely Bill. I wanted to be violent with anyone that tried to comfort me. How could they tell me to calm down when Chelsea is missing? And who knows where she went? "Dutch! I got her tracks!", called out the familiar voice of Charles Smith. The half Indian pointed down the path that led straight to the river. I whistled and The Count galloped to my side, almost as if he knew what was going on.

I focused on what Charles was pointing at, and it was like world went grey. The path of where she went was illuminated, and I focused solely on the tracks. Please be okay. "Want me to go with you?", Charles asked. "No son, I'm going after her alone. She'll think she's in trouble if you're with me." The man nodded, and I spurred my horse in the direction the tracks went.

Every thought in my head was negative. There was no telling what dangers she could've faced while out here, and who knows how long she was gone? I wasn't out of her wagon for too long, but it doesn't take long for a predator to track its prey, and she was unarmed. Please be okay Chelsea. I can't live if you die.

The Count and I didn't have a long ride to the river, but there were all types of trails there from different animals. My fear was that one would be an animal tracking my girl. I stared along the bank before my eyes drifted to a small form curled up against a rock. I leapt off of The Count and sprinted over.

When I approached, I was holding my breath, but I looked her over and released it. She's just asleep. I wanted to laugh at how silly she looked, sleeping on the bank of the river. All I could do was stare. I lowered myself to the ground and sat next to her. "Chelsea," I said gently. She squirmed and then opened her pretty brown eyes, and my heart melted when they looked up at me.

At first, she jumped in alarm. "Dutch! I-I'm sorry, I wasn't t-trying to run away!" I held up my hands. "Relax Miss Wolff, I'm not angry, you are not in trouble. I was just worried for you, we all were." She settled back down and sighed in relief. I forgot that she may not trust me yet considering she probably already knew who I was. I hope that's not how she will always see me.

Chelsea looked out onto the river and I followed her gaze. The soft light that shined on the water's surface was a real beautiful sight, but it could never compare to her. I looked down at my feet. "Miss Wolff, would you care to take a ride with me? I know a real quiet place that no one knows about, and we can talk. It's not far from here, but it's far enough." Chelsea nodded her head. "Sounds lovely."

I rose to my feet and offered my hand to her, which she promptly took. My trusted horse was already at my side. Chelsea took a moment to study The Count. "Your horse is an Arabian? An albino one? They are so so rare, but an albino?! I've seen a white one and a rose grey one, not an albino!" I chuckled. "The Count has been my steed for many years. He's a good horse, a true friend. He's there when I need him, but he's crazy. Have you seen a black one? There's one that lives not too far from here, and she's real pretty, but she's as wild as they come. We sold those horses from your farm, I feel stupid for not asking first."

Chelsea stroked The Count's neck softly, a sad glint in her eyes that he seemed to pick up on, and to my astonishment, he pressed his head against hers. She sighed. "The tobiano paint was mine. Her name was Matilda. I took her off some crazy man, he was starving her to death. I hope she's happier wherever she is." I felt horrible for selling her horse, but an idea came to mind. "If you want, we can go find that black Arabian and see if we can tame her. A girl like you, she will probably take to you like The Count took to me." Chelsea nodded her head quickly.

We hopped onto my horse and I galloped us at a slow pace. "So Miss Wolff, how come it was just you and your sisters and one of them's husband on your farm? Surely you had ranch hands and other family members?" Chelsea replied, "Our parents died a while back, and then it was just me and my sisters. I had a man I was sweet on that used to help, but he left for New York. Shelly met Jae and they were married not too long afterwards. John and I were supposed to be married, but I didn't want to go to New York, so that didn't happen." I wanted to kill the guy she was with before. Not because he left, but because I didn't want anyone else to have her. I hope he stays in New York.

"Why didn't you want to leave this place and go to New York? Surely your life would've been better?" Chelsea sighed. "I'm not a city girl Mister Van der Linde, I like to work in the open country, and I hate how quickly life is growin' around here. Things were quiet. Then they started huntin' down outlaws, so they all migrated down here with y'all. But I'm one of y'all now, so I guess it doesn't matter." I agreed with her, but there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. It's outlaws that got her into this mess.

We rode for a bit, not really talking. We reached where I was headed, and we entered the thick copse of trees. After trying to navigate, we came to this little clearing with a small pond in the middle. Chelsea gasped. "It's so pretty here!", she exclaimed. I smiled and helped her down before dismounting. "It is peaceful, a nice place to talk." We walked to the edge of the pond and sat down on a log. Silence fell over us once again, just like the darkness, but the moon was starting to shine brilliantly, as well as fireflies.

I cleared my throat. "So, what are your thoughts on the gang? You haven't really met anyone proper, but I know you probably observed us a little while inside that wagon." Chelsea sighed. "I guess you guys are alright. I'm just not really happy with how our meeting happened. You're not as scary as everyone made you out to be Dutch Van der Linde. You are very kind." I beamed at her.

I felt so nervous around her. "Chelsea, I just met you, but I really really care for you. You are someone that I can connect with. You have a fire in you, and I have wanted to get close to feel its warmth." She blushed madly, and I looked away. Chelsea chuckled. "I have the same feeling too Dutch." I whipped around to face her, shock written on my face. She smiled shyly and looked up at the moon. "Dutch, do you ever wonder what life would be like if you weren't who you are? I know things are a lot harder for a man in your situation."

I looked at the pond. "When I was young, I never really imagined being an outlaw. Sure, I had dreams of being a famous gunslinger, but not a notorious outlaw that was feared by all. But, I do not wish to leave this life. I've been in it so long, I can hardly stand the idea of civilization. If anyone gave me the chance to live that way, I wouldn't, but I do have a responsibility to my gang. I will get them to a place where they can live normal lives. I on the other hand may not be able to stay in that life. I'm an outlaw, outlaw for life."

Chelsea scooted closer to me and placed her hand on top of mine. "Bring me along will ya?", she asked, her chocolate brown orbs staring into me. I nodded my head for I could not get words to form. We stared at each other, getting closer, but we didn't lock lips like I wanted. But it did feel nice to be this close to her.

Unknown

This made me sick. Dutch shouldn't be doing this, not to this girl. He has a responsibility to the gang and to me, not some whore he met on a little homestead. She isn't even worth saving!

Guess I'll have to bring Dutch back into the right state of mind once more.