Reckless Hearts

Chapter 32

You arrived back at camp, mid afternoon. Once you'd both hitched your horses, you removed the deer pelt, and the majority of the meat, from your saddlebag, leaving a little behind for you to cook later.

Arthur did the same, and handed you his pelt and meat.

"You might as well take the lot over to Pearson as you're heading that way," he suggested.

You did a mock salute, "yes sir," you scoffed.

Arthur rolled his eyes, and walked away.

You headed over to Pearson's wagon, and chucked the meat and the skins on his table.

"Well well, haven't you been busy," he chuckled. He took a closer look at the deer hides, "these are almost perfect," he added, "I could make something for the camp, with these."

You thought for a moment, "could you knock up a rug, for Dutch's tent?"

Pearson smiled, "of course, do you want me to give it to you when its done, or sneak it in."

You thought for a moment, "just sneak it in, it'll be a nice surprise."

You headed back over towards the tent, as you approached, Dutch was standing there with his arms folded across his chest.

He stared at you, "Good day?" he huffed.

You nodded, "Pearson is happy, he has plenty of meat, and Arthur introduced me to Seamus."

Dutch looked at you, and narrowed his eyes, "sounds as though Charles enjoyed himself too!" he scoffed.

You sighed, "Arthur told you."

Dutch scowled, "well it doesn't appear that you were going to." he growled. "and the way he's looking at you, doesn't seem that you've complained about it too much either."

You rolled your eyes, "Your jealous!" you exclaimed.

"I have every right to be, when you go off flirting with everyone, all I want is a little loyalty!" he snapped.

You stared at Dutch and shook your head, "I don't believe you just said that, I'm not Micah!" you retorted.

You saw the look on his face as you walked into the tent, it was like you had just poured salt on an open wound. But you didn't care. How dare he accuse you of being disloyal.

You quickly changed your clothes, as the ones you had been out hunting in had blood on them.

You stormed out the tent, and strode across towards where you had hitched Lucky.

"Where are you going?" Dutch yelled after you.

You ignored him, and mounted Lucky.

You rode out of camp, tears pooling in your eyes. "As far away from you as possible," you muttered under your breath.

You headed into Rhodes, and made your way to the saloon. You paid for a room, and headed up the stairs. The rooms in the parlour house, were quite pleasant. You didn't really care though. Anywhere would be better than being near to Dutch right now. Let him see how he liked it, when you spent the night away. It wasn't like you accused him of cheating or being disloyal, when he didn't spend the night with you, or when he disappeared off for the day.

You threw yourself on the bed, and started to sob. How could he think that of you. When he knew he was the only man you had ever been with, or even kissed.