That F**cking Yankee

Trip Into Town (SFW)

After a while, you put your journal away in your satchel. Awaiting for Arthur you admired the blue sky that held peachy white clouds. Few birds flew by while turkeys could be heard in the distance. 

You were brought back into reality by the creaking and shaking of the wagon. Looking over you saw that Arthur had finally returned grabbing the reins. With a flick of his wrist, the horses took off towards the path. 

The subtle squeaking of the wagon wheels irritated your ears as the horses pulled from a gallop. 

"Heard you had that nightmare again" Arthur said with another snap of the reins. 

"Oh, uh, yeah" You answered. "Dutch sat with me for a while last night" A small childish grin grew on your face.

Arthur studied your smile, you avoided eye contact as you kinda knew he had a crush on you. The atmosphere fell awkward as the trip carried on, playing with your sleeve cuff you finally broke the silence.

"How was your trip?" You asked.

"Same old" His voice was dull.

"Is that all I'm gon get, Arthur?" You asked in a childish giggle.

"Brought back Pearson some game meat, killed some O'Driscolls" He shrugged. "Just the usual" 

Again the silence fell and you two finally arrived within Rhodes. Pulling up at the general store you both climbed down and walked to the back of the wagon.

"So, what do we need, mister?" You asked.

"Provisions, some things for the ladies and some new blankets for the camp" He looked at his lists. "Oh, and some horse care items, food and a new saddle for John" 

"You get the saddle, and horse provisions. I'll get the general stuff and the things for the ladies" You took the papers he held out to you and headed off to the general store.

Arthur gave you a nod as you walked by, heading through the door of the general store you were greeted by a middle-aged man with a mustache.

"Mornin' Ma'am" He said. "Let me know if you need anything" 

"Thanks' You said as you walked over to the counter where you opened the catalog.

After browsing for a while you landed on the page that you needed, writing down to the side of you on a separate piece of paper. Double checking it, you handed the sheet over to the clerk with a smile

"Alright" He said while reading it. "I'll load it up on the wagon outside immediately" 

Grabbing some other stuff from around the store you picked up the requested items from the ladies, paid and headed out helping a few men with the load. Thanking them after they finished you tripped made way over to where Arthur was, helping him hold some items while he carried the new saddle for John.

"Why did he even need a new saddle? Didn't he just get one?" You asked Arthur sassily.

"Yep. Apparently, that saddle is not good enough for his tush" Arthur laughed.

Loading the items into the back of the wagon you began to climb up onto it before realizing you had forgotten something.

"Oh, hold up a second! I forgot to get something" You hopped down quickly before darting to the general store. "I won't be long!" You yelled back to Arthur before almost knocking the door down with your shoulder.

"Ma'am!" The clerk around towards you shocked at your entry.

"Apologies!" You said taking a breath. "I forgot to grab something"

While walking over towards a shelf, you adjusted your hat, picked up a brand new pipe that stacked up with others. Reading it you grabbed the ingredients that went with it, then made your way to the counter. Hanging over the money you gave another warm smile towards the clerk and walked out.

"Thanks" You said as you opened the door.

Climbing back on the wagon you put the pipe and herbs within it as you signed for Arthur to go.

"What ya get?" He asked in a nosey tone.

"Oh.. Just something for- uh- the girls" You stuttered flushing a little red.

"Mmmhmm" He grunted with a sassy head shake.

The ride was mostly silent, you could tell Arthur didn't really wanna talk. Something was eating at him but you didn't want to poke at the moment. Having other thoughts in mind you pondered on Dutch.

Was he just being nice last night? Was he just filling for Arthur or was he really showing connection and interest in you? Leaving you with his jacket all night, letting you sleep on his shoulder as he read, letting you know that your welcome to stay with him any night you couldn't sleep- and that wink earlier... What was that all about.

Finally, you and Arthur made it back into camp, greeted by Uncle who was impatient to get his goods.  Climbing down and helping Arthur with the shopping you brought it over to the food wagon. Soon enough Charles came over and began to help.

"Mornin' Charles" You said with a smile.

"Y/N" He nodded. 

Going around you handed the items to the women before you ran into Micah. With a jump, you sighed as he walked by eyeing you down creepily. With his disgusting smile, he stopped and admired you.

"What?" You asked bluntly stopping on the spot.

"You are quite a fine woman Miss. "Y/L" He said as his smile got wider and an eyebrow raised.

"Shut up Micah" You said frowning. 

"What" His hands flew up to both his sides. "I'm just sayin'" He laughed dirtily.

"Right.." You began to walk off to Karen.

"How about we go get a drink sometime?" He called out.

"I'd rather sleep with the pigs" You chuckled back at him.

Micah let out a frustrated grunt and walked off to do whatever he did during the day, groom his horse, bug other fellow camp mates, flex his stupid knife, disappear for a few hours. 

Soon enough, you and Arthur had handed out the items, unloaded the wagon and had time to relax. Sitting at the end of the dock you doodled and wrote in your journal, listening to the camp life, the odd fish jumping from the water. Looking at Dutches cot you hadn't even realized that he wasn't in camp. He must have gone out with Hosea for a new quest to plan out.

Digging into your satchel you pulled out the pipe that was still held in its box, reading the side and admiring it your stomach began to grow that familiar feeling. You had planned to give Dutch the pipe when it was convenient for helping you last night with your nightmare and sleep deprivation. But coming to thought, it made you scared and shy, you had never given someone a gift before. 

After sitting at the dock for a while you began to get a little sleepy, rubbing your eye you made your way back to the cot. Checking the time on your pocket watch on your walk over you realized it was only three PM. Shrugging you were happy you had some time to nap before night time fell. 

Placing your hat on one of the wooden crates, slipping off your boots, gun belt and satchel you laid down. Drifting off to sleep you turned over to the other side where you fell deeply into your nap dreaming of Dutch. His black greasy hair, his subtle tobacco smell, his rare smile that he gave every so often. The way his brown honey pot eyes glared into your soul making you feel so uncomfortable, yet so.. admired.