The Ballad of Broken Vows

Chapter 5: Arthur

"Since we have Miss Bell's situation figured out, it's time we get the boys together and talk about our next job." Doc says as we walk back into the great room. The party has pretty much died down. It's probably around 3:30 in the morning, most of everyone has either gone to bed or they are just sitting around talking. "First thing in the morning, gather the boys together and I'll tell you the plan."

"What are we robbing?" I ask as we make our way up the stairs. We stop about half way and lean on the railing. I grab a cigar and offer Doc one. I light them and take a long puff.

"There's a wagon that's delivering payroll to a big tobacco farm a small piece outside of Gatlin, it's the biggest in the state. It's going to be a ride out there, but from what I heard, there's a thousand dollars or more in the back of that wagon." He says blowing the smoke out the corner of his mouth.

"That's quite a take from a wagon." I say taking a drag of my cigar. Doc nods and says, "it's one of the biggest takes from a wagon we've ever robbed."

"Well, I'll get the boys together in the old study." I say throwing the cigar down and stepping on it.

"Alright, we'll further discuss what to do with Miss Bell when we get back to camp, in the meantime, I'm sure Nancy can find her something to do." Doc says. He pats me on the shoulder and heads on up the stairs.

Poor Cassidy is not going to like Miss Nancy Robinson. They are both strong willed women who work hard, but I just have a hunch that things won't flow well between those two ladies. Miss Nancy pretty much runs all the ladies in the gang. She makes them clean, wash clothes, and make the baths for us gunslingers. The ladies pretty much makes sure us dumb men don't go out smelling or looking bad. I thank God for Miss Nancy, but I have a feeling Cassidy and her will not get along at all.

I see Eliza coming up the stairs. She is married to our cook, Mr. Richardson. Her green eyes meet mine when she notices me. Her fiery red hair is balled up into a bun on top of her head, by the way she is swaying and stumbling up the stairs, I'm guessing she is well past drunk.

"Mister Wilson!" Eliza slurs with a smile on her face. She grips onto my shoulder to keep herself from tumbling down the stairs. "Who was that lady you brought in? She's pretty! Doc was so not happy to see her." She stumbles a little and I grab her shoulders to steady her.

"Her name is Cassidy Bell, and no he was not, but we have talked and everything is okay now." I answer.

"Well that's good! I saw you take her to your room, Macie wasn't really happy about that. But, I, me, told Macie to just shut the hell up. I don't blame you at all, Mr. Arthur Wilson, for not sleeping with her." Eliza rambles, I nod and chuckle. Macie has taken a liking to me since Miss Nancy picked her up off the streets to help with the work around our camps. I've known her for about five years now, and I've told her time and time again that I can't be in a relationship due to the gang rules.

The truth is, I wouldn't be with her even if the rule wasn't there. She's a beautiful woman, don't get me wrong. She has a lovely figure with thick blonde hair and big blue eyes. Any man would drool at the sight of Macie Ross, but her biggest flaw is that she's annoying as hell. I love all the ladies in our camp, but if I could put Macie on the next train out of here, I would have done it the day I met her.

"I actually have a favor to ask of you, Eliza." I say in a hushed tone. Her eyes got big and she leans in closer to me. "Could you find Cassidy some clothes? She doesn't have anything but the ones on her back."

"Of course! I have a few old skirts that I can give her! It may not be her style, since she came in wearing jeans of all things. I about had a heart attack when I saw that girl walk in with pants on. My, my, I didn't know they had ladies around these small towns wearing pants." Eliza shakes her head.