Reckless Hearts

Chapter 46

Dutch stood outside the house at Shady Belle, calling everyone over.

"C'mon everyone, gather round, quickly. I have news, good news," he shouted.

Arthur and Hosea, stood slightly behind him. Hosea didn't look best pleased. You stood next to Dutch, his arm wrapped around your waist. You quit arguing with him hours ago. There wasn't a great deal of point. You knew that when he made up his mind to do something, to try and change it, would be like trying to move a freight train.

Everyone gathered around, including Sean, being supported by Karen. It looked to you like they had made up, after Sean's little outburst. You wondered how Sean would feel about the decision that Dutch had made. It didn't seem right to you that he could keep you in safety by travelling with the men in the boat, whereas Karen would be on the wagon. Hosea seemed to think that the wagons would be the most dangerous place to be. What with Pinkertons, Bounty hunters and other gangs. Not that any of them knew what the gangs plans were. Also the number of Pinkertons and Bounty hunters abroad, seemed to have reduced since getting rid of Cornwall. They weren't that bothered about hunting people down, if there was no pay check at the end of it.

"Now, we have been gifted some land out west, in New Austin. Its just land, no house like this," he gestured towards the main house. "but it's ours, we just have to get there."

He paused, you were sure it was for dramatic effect, or maybe gauging the reaction of everyone.

"For some of us, setting foot in West Elizabeth is too much of a risk. For others, as long as they are calm and sensible, well they should be able to travel through without getting too much attention from bounty hunters and the like. As long as they avoid Blackwater."

He glanced at Hosea and Arthur.

"The ladies, with the exception of Kara, along with Mr Pearson, Kieran, Reverend Swanson, and Herr Strauss, will take the wagons via Owanjila Dam to the property. Once they've arrived they'll setup camp, until we can get building underway. Once the camp is setup, they'll bring the horses to Quakers Cove, where the rest of us will be waiting, having travelled there by boat, any questions?"

"How come your woman gets to travel by boat, and the rest of the women take the riskier journey?" John asked.

There were a few mumbles, some agreeing others huffing at his comment.

Dutch didn't make a big thing of it, "It's simple John, Kara was seen with me in Blackwater. She was also seen with Charles. None of the people travelling on the wagons were." He stated.

There were some mumbles of agreement.

"So..." Dutch added, "If there are no more questions, lets start packing. Arthur and Javier, I want you to find us some boats, and bring them here. The water way here leads out to the Lannahechee, which will then take us over the Flat Iron Lake to Quakers Cove."

Arthur and Javier nodded, and headed off to the hitching area. There was no time like the present.

You walked with Dutch back towards the house. He was about to walk past Hosea, and he stopped. He patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry old friend, they'll be perfectly safe. All the women know how to handle a gun." Dutch reassured him.

Hosea nodded, but there was little else he could do now. Only time would tell whether the plan was going to work or not.

Over the next few days, everyone started to pack up. Only the essentials, as everything had to be packed into a couple of wagons.

There was an electricity around the camp. A buzz of excitement, and a little nervousness.