Chasing the country

CHAPTER THREE: The Rhodes Parlour House

The saloon is filled with the town's people when the van der Linde gang merges with the crowd. The room smells like cheap whiskey and cigarettes, floorboards are sticky from fallen liquid and the smoke is hanging around like a curtain through the room. The piano man brings up the ambiance with catchy tunes and a few people are enjoying themselves with dance steps on the rhythm. A fairly nice saloon compared to the others you traveled through before, but the insides are always the same. People who'd like to escape the rough day with some alcoholic beverages.

After coming back from the successful raid this afternoon, Dutch is in such a good mood he'd suggest celebrating with a few in the saloon. Just like old times, he said. No idea what their old times mean but I remember occasionally bar drinking and waking up with a headache days.

"Ladies and gentlemen" Dutch's voice is solid and loud when he tries to get the attention from all that accompanied. "I want to raise my glass, to our future. What we did today, and what we have worked on, so hard, is something we are willing to live and die for. Trust me, we need more money but, we are almost there."

The sounds of glasses crashing into each other end the small speech of the leader. The mood changes in a festive and uplifting settlement and on the faces, all I can see is the joy. Despite the fact that I don't feel like I am a part of the reason they are celebrating tonight, they make sure to make me feel included. A refreshing and warm feeling to be honest.

"Didn't I see you this afternoon" the blued eyed cowboy from before takes this moment to address me.
His low voice caught me a bit by surprise "yeah you did..."

He is leaning against the bar with his back and goes on "Evalyn, right? Dutch told us you are helping us with the hunting and such. That is very kind of you"

"That is right. I'm sorry, but what is your name? I think Sean already told me but I am seeing so many new faces tonight" no word of a lie in there. I already thought the group was big but these men doubled the size.

His kind face is looking down, dark hair swept back from his features. The black over shirt that he is wearing has three buttons down and the sleeves are rolled up showing the dirt on his arms. A small smile on the corner of his lips before he parted to exchange words

"Arthur, I'm an easy forgettable man I know" mocking himself

"No! that's not what I meant, i... " looking worried as it was not the intention to embarrass him in any way.
"It's fine." he cuts me off to jump on to another subject "So Sean brought you in? Are you two close?"

Close? that's an odd word to choose. Does he think I am involved with Sean or something?
"He found me on the side of the road " I laugh "Got me this job"

Breaking our conversation, Sean joins in with an unopened whiskey bottle.

"So you met Arthur huh?" Sean fills my glass up "He is a bit simple in the head but generally a nice lad"

Arthur rolls his eyes as he is seeable irritated by Sean's mention and jerks the bottle from his hand. "Yeah well..., ain't you something special" a grumpy reply towards the red-headed man.

"Ah come on now Arthur, just trying to let her know who's around here" He fills the glass with the whiskey from the bar.

"Only when it's in your favor huh" Arthur uttered

Sean puts his elbow on the bar next to him, not feeding the annoyance of his friend.

"and what do you mean by that" peeking under his hat

"you got a weird sense of humor, Sean. Must have left you hanging like a pinata when i had the chance "

"seriously what? " he playfully pushes Arthur against the bar
"Are you trying to embarrass me in front of your lady..."

Lady? Not shaming Sean into not being an attractive human, but nowhere near partner material for that matter. Sean and I share a chuckle after the accusation. Arthur folds his arms and tries to look away, making his last words the end of the conversation.

"Right Arthur, as she would fall for an Irish drunk like me " Sean puts his arm around me pulling closer "to make a good couple, don't we?"

"Really funny" I laugh

The bottle in his hand is slowly filling up my glass again

"I just finished mine! Are you trying to get me drunk"

Arthur looks questionable towards me when I take the glass to my mouth.

"I'm sorry miss, didn't mean to offend you" Arthur takes his arms out of the closed posture and smiles towards the ground.
"Pfff like you're e the lady killer around here" Sean scoffed at Arthur

"You boys are really sweet on each other aren't you. Good, I don't fall for outlaws" I joke and while my laugh is still heard they both look at me as if I said something offensive.

It was not the intention to do so, but there is some truth in there. The type of man, I usually end up with is with a particular background, and that is exactly what I wanted to change from now on. Someone without a violence environment and who earns his money the right way. Sure wasn't going to find that in here.

Some time went on and I end up with Karen at one of the tables. Listening attentively to the stories about her being a dramatic actress that uses her skills to get anything she wanted. Such joy sparkles in her eyes how successful her scams and robberies are and brings out the outlaw in herself.

Now I understand why Sean has an eye on her, being a perfect female version of him. Not to mention the same taste in drinking. Even though her bold bold behavior there is something of a broken girl hiding. She doesn't say it exactly with words, but I feel it when she jumps from a sad to a brave note in just a second to not reveal any insecurities.

My thoughts are being stopped when Arthur and Sean abruptly move into the seating area.

"Ladies, let's go" Arthur has a serious look in his eyes.

"Trouble?" Karen asks with a little hint of a smile on her mouth. She liked a little bar fight now and then and she sure ain't backing out of any.

"Not now," Arthur says under his breath, stopping her for making things worse.

"Those Lemoyne raiders are being tough. Dutch already left out the back with some. We got to go before they recognize any of us" he says leaning into the table looking at the men that stepped closer to the bar now.

Our horses gallop us towards safety in the camp. That was sure a hasty end of a sociable evening getting to know the people who I am living with at the moment. The rush and excitement is still pumping through my blood and before I head to my tent I stop by the firepit. The fire is still burning nicely, without anybody presence. I take the card from my satchel and read the words again:

"Remember the times - I"

A clear reference to the time traveling together through Tumbleweed. An adventurous time where I learned so much in comparison to the time I spend alone. There has been no contact at all since his departure and how things ended, there is really no reason to. It was a habit for him to send me cards in his absence. A way for him to let me know he is fine and that his mind is with mine. That is exactly how I declare this one...