Dutch's Girl

Chapter Eleven

Chelsea

I looked suspiciously at Arthur as he stared at me expectantly. I bid Karen adieu and watched her walk away before looking up at the man. "What do ya need Arthur?", I asked. He shuffled his feet, and it was clear he wasn't really much of the conversationalist.

"Well uh, I think Dutch, Hosea, and I are gonna go fishin' later, and I was told to ask you, but you weren't in camp so I was about to come find you." I looked straight into his ocean blue eyes and smiled. "How kind. Well, I would love to go." He smiled at me, his gorgeous eyes twinkling a little. Sometimes his eyes are windows into a soul!

I followed him as he turned and walked in the direction of the lake we were camping by. Standing and staring out onto the lake was none other than Dutch. I smiled as we approached. He seemed to really enjoy this area.

Upon hearing us approach, Dutch turned, and when he locked eyes with me, a big cheeky smile appeared on his face. "Well Arthur, Chelsea, I think we are gonna be okay! I feel like I can breathe again, as thick and soupy as this air is, I like it here." I giggled as Dutch pulled me by my waist against him and kissed me sweetly. Arthur cleared his throat, and Dutch stopped and smirked at him. "Get used to seein' this more often, Arthur."

Arthur shook his head. "I think blindness would be preferable," he stated amusedly. "It's nice out, let's go. Hosea told me of an old creek bed somewhere filled with beautiful bass. Let's go fishin', away from here." Dutch walked in the direction of the horses, and Arthur and I followed, but not before Arthur whispered to me, "I think this thick and soupy air has gone up Dutch's ass and to his brain." I busted out laughing and started to follow.

Hosea was found next to his horse, Silver Dollar. Dutch hollered playfully, "C'mon old girl, why don't you show us this old creek you been pissin' in?" Hosea stopped and scoffed at Dutch before mounting his horse, the rest of us doing the same. "It's not a creek. It's the same lake we're camped on, just a different part," the older man said.

We travelled out of the long path that led into camp and followed Hosea down the road. I patted Nightmare as we galloped and she let out a happy whinny. "You and that horse have a pretty strong bond," Arthur said to me. I smiled. "She's a strong one, and she has such personality. I'm thankful Dutch showed her to me." I looked up and caught the man in question grinning like an idiot. So cute.

Hosea, Dutch, and Arthur began to talk about how it was just them for a long time, and I was intrigued. "We travelled all over the place so easily, but things were so much looser and carefree. When we left one area of problems, after a while, those problems went away. Now they're gunnin' for us." Hosea's voice carried with a tone of sadness.

"We're going to be okay," Dutch reassured. "I need you with me, not against me. We need to stick together. I know as long as I have you three, nothing can shake the ground I stand on." I blushed in embarrassment as he included me. I felt special, and also a little bad. It was just them for so long, surely their bond would mean more than me?

As we approached a railroad crossing, Dutch looked a little nervous. There was a prison wagon ahead too. "Looks like law up ahead. Keep your cool." I wasn't wanted, but I knew that I could be in trouble by association. Although, the thought of being an outlaw really hasn't bothered me.

We approached, and it appeared that a certain prisoner recognized the boys because he greeted them. "Well, look who it is, what have you got yourself into, Trelawny?" Dutch asked. The man, Trelawny, answered, "it seems I've gotten myself into quite a spot."

Dutch nodded and moved up and began speaking to the officers about Trelawny. Meanwhile, the other prisoners, a group of questionable men began to pick the lock. I tapped Arthur and pointed, and he tried to get the sheriff's attention, but it was too late. The blonde sheriff and his deputy both noticed and shouted, "No! We can't have more scandal!"