Reckless Hearts

Chapter 3

Hosea, guided you, in the first instance to the stew pot. Where you both grabbed a bowl, and sat down at the table.

"Now what brings you into our little fold?" he asked.

You took a mouth full of stew. It wasn't half bad.

"I was counting cards in Blackwater, at the Poker table, then I lifted a guys watch." You pulled the watch out your pocket, and showed it to Hosea, rather proudly.

He chuckled. "I see you have good taste, Kara. I always say, there's no point in stealing something, you wouldn't want to keep for yourself. If you don't want it, then why would anyone else!"

You laughed, but only for a moment. Then you sighed, and carried on eating.

Hosea frowned,"you don't look particularly happy to be here,"

You shrugged, "It was either here, or you're illustrious leader, was gonna let them know, I was counting cards, and pickpocketing. I've never been caught before, so I thought this was the lesser of the two evils. I think I may have been wrong."

Hosea shrugged, "He's also my friend. He has his faults, I know. But he's not that bad. He must have figured, that you were on a downward slope. He...we, don't just ask anyone to join us."

You frowned, "I'm sorry, if I upset you, Hosea. I always like to speak my mind, even if it does get me into trouble."

Hosea leaned closer, "no need to apologise, my dear. Tell me, do you get into trouble very often."

You smirked, "frequently!"

Hosea laughed, "Then you'll fit in well."

Hosea looked around the camp, and started pointing people out.

"Those two, over there. That's John and Abigail. They have a little boy. John came to us, when he was about twelve."

You raised your eyebrows, "Twelve!" you exclaimed.

Hosea nodded, "Arthur was only fifteen. Like I said, only people who we think need help."

You glanced over to the tree line, where Javier was standing.

"What about the Mexican man, Javier." you asked, "and the man standing next to him?"

Hosea smiled, "Javier was on the run, from some high ranking Mexican official. Bill, he'd just left the army, and wasn't doing so well."

You nodded, and finished eating. It appeared that everyone was somehow, in need of something, when Dutch picked them up.

"So what about you, what's your story Kara?"

You shrugged, "nothing really. I never knew my father. My mother had a string of men, who just thought I was an annoyance. I left as soon as I could. Fell in with a gambler. He treated me good, and taught me all I know."

Hosea nodded, "not an unusual story, what happened to the gambler?"

You closed your eyes, and sighed. You still missed him. "He died," you stated, you voice cracking slightly.

Hosea touched your arm, "I'm sorry. Some losses are harder than others."

You looked at his face, he had a far away look in his eye.

You both sat in silence, for a few moments, until you were joined at the table, by a couple of young men. Slightly older than you.

You looked up, as did Hosea, who smiled.

"Now Kara, these two fine young men are Lenny and Sean. Lenny is a very clever young man, he reads a lot. Sean on the other hand, is an idiot."

Lenny chuckled. Sean, gave him a friendly punch, "Now thats a little unfair, Mr Matthews." he retorted. You noted his heavy Irish accent.