Saving Arthur Morgan | rdr2

Chaptef 17

I waited a moment, watching the water wave and falter. The camp died down, only a small fire near Dutch's tent lit a warm glow.

I made my way back to my tent, watching for Arthur but no trace of him at the moment. That made my anxiety spike madly, where could he be?

"Oh Dutch! Why don't you ever pay attention to me!? I saw you. Lookin' at her!" Milly cried as I walked passed Dutch's tent. She came bounding out, crashing into me. She looked at me with tears and disgust on her face and hurried off.

Dutch looked exhausted, staring after her then his eyes switched to me.

"Isabella." He called, I could hear the sorrow and aggravation in his voice.

"Hello Dutch." I greeted.

"I- sorry you had to hear that."

I shook my head. "Don't worry, I only heard the end. She seems very upset."

He sighed, walking to a barrel beside his tent and leaned on it with a sigh. "Crazy woman.. I don't have time for her dramatics." He waved a hand. "What are you doin up so late?" He eyes me up and down. My stomach dropped at the look.

"Um..I was just walking." I smiled slightly.

"Mmmm." He made a sound of approval as he stared at me. "Well..I'll leave you to it." He smiled charmingly but I dont like it at all.

"Okay.. Goodnight." I dashed off towards Misty, she was standing off in the shadows where the woods loomed over the hitching posts. A small lamp lit the area but just enough to see where you were walking.

I looked back at camp, catching Dutch's dark eyes watching me. I shook the creepy feeling and hurried to Misty. When I knew he couldn't see me any longer I sighed with relief, burying my face into her neck as tears stung my eyes. The overwhelming change and events finally hit me.. I wipe them away quickly, Misty turns her head nudging me tenderly.

"Thank you girl, here." I reached into my saddlebag for a sugar cube, offering it to her. She lapped it up quickly, nodding her head happily. "what do I do Misty?" I rubbed her muscular neck, fighting the strong emotions that threaten to overcome me.

Twigs crunch behind me, I jump when a large shadow came over me. I turned quickly to see blue eyes this time. The same blue eyes that haunt me.

"Hello." Arthur's smooth voice greeted, his eyes looked dark with sadness.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"I saw Dutch talkin to you. He seems to...uh like you." He said suddenly.

"Yeah..I guess so." He sat down on a hay bale, staring at me with a straight face.

"Trust me. I know Dutch. Almost 20 years of my life with him." He pulled out a pistol, soaking a rag with gun oil and rubbing it down gingerly.

"That's a long ass time." I sat on the hay bale closest to me. "You're a good shot by the way." His eyes met mine, a small smirk on his lips!

"Yeah I'm alright." He continued cleaning.

"Trust me. You are." I laughed. "I couldn't shoot if you paid me." He finished cleaning it, pushing it back into the holster, eyes meeting mine again.

"I can teach ya. If you like." The comment almost sounded..like a challenge.

I smiled. "Of course Mr. Morgan. Your expertise would be most appreciated."

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck roughly. "You say that now."

_____________

"Take a deep breath girl." Arthur's aggravation grew. I swung around to tell him to chill but threw his hands up shutting me down. "Damn, you tryin to shoot my head off." He chuckled, taking the revolver from my hand quickly.

"I've shot a gun before." I defend myself. He stared at me as if he couldn't believe that. "I just ain't...well equipped like you."

"Well if ya tryin to kill someone, you're doin it right I guess." He handed it back. "Now keep it pointed down to the ground, away from your foot when you ain't ready to shoot. Make sure the hammer ain't cocked back when your done." He pulled out a cigarette, lighting it quickly and taking a long drawl. "Now get at it."

I turned, pointing at the glass bottle he set out for me. I aimed at it, taking a deep breath. I slowly pulled the trigger, shot ringing out and glass shattering. I felt marvelous.

I turned to Arthur but the look he gave me looked far from impressed. "I did it."

"Yeah barely. Look," he walked over to me, reaching his big arms around my torso. He straightened my arms out, his chest pressed against my back and his warm breath fluttered on my neck. "Don't be so stiff, now take a deep breath." I did as he said, he moved his hands to my shoulders squeezing the tender muscles of my neck. "Now shoot." I aimed down the barrel, taking a deep breath. I relaxed my muscles and finally pulled the trigger. Once again glass shattered.

"Good job. This time ya hit it perfectly, you barely hit the other one." He smiled, taking the gun.

"I think I've done pretty good."

"Yeah..better than most." He agreed, putting the gun away. "Now lets get back to camp."

As we walked back to the horses, Arthur talked about where he was from, out west.

"Do you have any family?"

He shook his head. "Well...I had a son." The shock hit me like wave.

"Had?"

"Yeah...he died. Bad business." He said sadly but his shortness spoke volumes.

"Oh I'm so sorry." I stopped him, his eyes widened slightly. "You can tell me if you want to. I know how it feels to lose someone you love."

He shook his head, suddenly reaching out to touch my jaw and rubbing tenderly. "I think it's best if we..leave that behind. He died in a real bad way."

He dropped his hand suddenly. Taking off towards Persephone and Misty.

"Arthur..you don't have to be so guarded with me." He mounted his horse, staring down at me with a neutral face.

"But that's where you're wrong."