Reckless Hearts

Chapter 4

As you walked out of Dutch's tent, you saw Arthur, standing outside of his own. The scowl still plastered across his face, watching you.

Dutch had said he would have a word, but you wondered if he'd just said that to placate you.

As you scanned across the rest of the camp, it appeared that no one was surprised to see you, walking back out of Dutch's tent. You wondered if this was a regular occurrence, Arthur tying people up, and marching them into Dutch's tent. You were inclined to agree with Sean. Arthur Morgan was a grumpy bastard.

You walked across the camp, looking for Susan Grimshaw. You saw her standing by a wagon, it seemed to be stacked full of medical supplies.

As she saw you, she smiled. "Are you ok dear?" she asked.

You shrugged, "I guess. Dutch said you might have something..."

She finished the sentence, "for the rope burns, yes, I do."

She pulled a tub, from the back of the wagon

"Come and sit down." She pointed towards the table, where you had sat with Hosea, the previous evening.

As you sat down, she pulled one of the other chairs a bit closer.

She started to apply the salve to your wrists. They weren't that sore, but the salve felt cold, colder than normal. You guessed that was because of the heat in your wrists.

"Arthur isn't a bad man, Kara." Susan explained, "he's just been through a lot recently."

"We all go through bad times, doesn't mean you have to shoot innocent people, and tie people up," you scoffed.

Susan stopped, and looked at you. "Is that why you wanted to shoot Micah, last night." she paused, smirking, "not that I would blame you. Most people round here would quite happily shoot him."

You sighed, "that was different."

Susan carried on tending to your wrists, "I heard you did the same with Dutch, in Blackwater?" she added.

You looked away. Staring into the distance, not really focussing on anything.

Susan continued, "I think Dutch could see you coming to a sticky end. That's why he brought you here. He has a sixth sense for that sort of thing."

You began to wonder if that was true, were you really heading into trouble. Like some runaway train.

You were roused from your daydream.

"There," Susan confirmed, "all done."

You smiled, "thank you."

Susan stood up, "Mr Pearson, has just made some stew. I'd get in there, before the boys eat it all. Do you have any other clothes, apart from the ones you're stood up in?" She asked.

You nodded, "They're in my saddle bags."

She nodded, "Then after you've eaten, I'll get a couple of the girls to help you. They'll wash anything dirty, as well."

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

Susan tutted. "Don't sound so surprised. We may not live in a house, but I certainly wont let standards drop."

You smiled and nodded. Dutch may be the leader, but Susan was the one that kept the camp organised.

You did as Susan suggested, and grabbed some food. As you sat down, you looked across where Arthur was standing. He had been joined by Dutch.

Dutch had his hands on Arthur's shoulders. It didn't particularly look like he was being given a dressing down, but it was difficult to tell, as you couldn't hear what was being said.