That F**cking Yankee

Following Days (SFW)

It had been a few days since the tantrum of Molly broke out that late evening. Dutch had seemed to back off from you; you couldn't help but feel upset. Sure it was a tense situation but you felt as if it had ruined the moment. You still had the same feelings, if not more for Dutch since he showed you that intimate affection.

You arose early in the morning to the noise of cricket that had ventured into your tent, groaning you got up to find where it was to shut it up. Being unable to find it in your half asleep half awake mood you gave up fairly quickly and began to get dressed. Work pants, dress shirt, a bandana that Sadie had given you, satchel, gun belt, boots, spurs, and finally your hat. Walking out from your cot you breathed in the fresh cold air. 

Today was the day that Hosea and Dutch allowed you to go into town with Arthur on a 'Business trip' Ready bright and early you walked over to where the stew was, Pearson was awake and cutting at some fish. Walking past Dutches tent the flap was open and surprisingly Dutch was fast asleep. Fast asleep in his own bed, snoring away under the covers.

"Ah, 'Y/N" Pearson mentioned in a groggy tired voice. "You're up early" 

"Stupid cricket in my tent" You grunted back in a harsh tone.

Watching him cut up the fish you realized that there wasn't much there, nor on his hanger where a deer usually was slung. 

"Need some meat?" You asked.

"I'm in dire need of some" He chuckled. "But Arthur is still asleep and no one else knows how to hunt'" He said in his southernly accent.

"What you need?" You asked crossing your arms.

"You hunt?" He asked almost shocked.

"Well of course" You replied almost offended. "I hunt with Arthur don't I?" 

"I-I didn't know you helped him, I thought you helped him with the load" Pearson almost seemed embarrassed at his assumption. 

"Well, what ya need?" You crossed your arms.

"Well for starters a nice deer, or even elk. Few rabbits, maybe a squirrel or two?" He asked.

Nodding you began to walk away. "I'll bring them to you within lunchtime, Mr. Pearson" 

"Thank you, 'Y/N'" He replied going back to his fish with a surprised chuckle.

Mounting up your horse with the saddle, you grabbed one of the other horses that were standing around.

"C' mon boy" You said patting the reddish-orange Tennessee Walker.

Putting reins around his face you gave him a quick pat before climbing onto your horse. Making sure you had your bow, shotgun just in case of emergencies, extra food, warm clothing, you were all set.

"Yah" You said with a light kick of your feet.

Galloping off towards New Handover you had plenty of time to think, Looking behind you every few minutes to make sure the Tennessee was still following. Thinking about Dutch and Molly you pondered on that may happen in the next few days. Dutch had been keeping his distance, Molly had no word on where she was or what she supposedly had planned. The other gang members seemed to leave the situation well alone, apart from Micah who kept taunting you with everything but what happened. 

You did well on ignoring Micah with anything he threw at you, you learned well from Arthur who did just the same.  

Trotting through the forest of the Grizzlies you began looking for elk tracks. The forest was chilly and biting at your skin through your coat, your breath could be seen escaping from your nose and mouth as you breathed gently.