Reckless Hearts

Chapter 28

You arrived back at camp around noon. Arthur yelled out to Sean, who was on guard duty, and the three of you rode down the track to the hitching posts.

You were about to unsaddle the stolen horse, when Dutch went into full blown leader mode.

"Kieran!" he yelled.

The young boy came running over.

"Deal with the horses," he barked at the boy.

Dutch grabbed the Springfield rifle, that he had bought for you in Valentine.

"Arthur!" Dutch yelled, "take this, I want you to show Kara how to shoot, and when your done, she can relieve Sean."

Dutch then stared at you. "go change outta that bloody shirt, then find Arthur." he chucked you the package of clothes that he had bought you in Valentine. Which you caught. You winced slightly as the bullet graze was still a little sore. Dutch noticed, but said nothing.

Arthur, looked over at Dutch, "Are you sure that's a good idea, she's hurt her shoulder, and..."

Arthur didn't get a chance to finish, as Dutch interrupted him, an angry look on his face.

"Are you questioning me?" he snapped.

Arthur lowered his gaze, "No Dutch, I'll see to it."

You headed back to the tent. The trunk with all your things, was in Dutch's tent. You threw the new clothes in there, and took off the bloody blouse. So this was how he was going to assert his authority. At least he was getting you to do something useful, rather than trying to strangle you.

You took a quick look at the bandage that Hamish had put on, the wound was bleeding a little, but you ignored it.

You grabbed one of your old shirts. If Dutch wanted play tough gang leader, you were quite capable of being just another gang member.

You headed back to where Arthur was standing. Dutch watched you walk past, and glared. You completely ignored him, and continued walking towards Arthur.

Arthur had noticed.

"You really like playin' with fire, don't ya," he chided, as you approached.

You shrugged, "he said get changed, he didn't tell me what to wear!"

"C'mon," Arthur huffed, "there's a clearing on the edge of camp, I'll show you how to shoot."

"Ya know," Arthur said, as you were walking along, "You're lucky you didn't get a beatin' for that stunt you pulled in Valentine!"

You frowned, "why, does he regularly beat people for using their initiative, or didn't he really want Micah dead," you huffed.

Arthur shook his head, "It ain't that, and you know it. You could've been killed. If I'd of done that at your age, he would of beat me for sure!" Arthur sighed, "you're lucky its just extra guard duty shifts!"

You sighed, "I don't get him Arthur, why does he have to be that way. Did he beat you then?"

Arthur chuckled, "Sure, when I was about your age. Nearly got myself killed, after he told me not to do somethin', then I did it anyways. He beat me something fierce, but I never did it again. He was real sorry after, but it cured my reckless ways, and I never got another beating."

You rolled your eyes, "well he can beat me black and blue, if he wants. I ain't changing," you huffed.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "ya don't get it, do ya Kara. He don't do it because he wants to, or because he wants to change ya. He does it because he cares, and if a beatin' can stop you from being reckless, and not gettin' hurt..."