Ella Walked across the camp with Sadie. "Its funny" she said, "how you and I have gone for the same sort of clothes style"
Sadie looked at Ella. The tight jeans and cowboy boots and the loose shirt covered by a silver brocade waistcoat, were more along the lines of what you might see on a man but they did suit her.
She looked at her own outfit, jeans and short boots with a shirt and jacket. With a hat that had a brim enough to keep the sun out of her eyes.
"We didn't get you a hat" she said.
Ella smiled. "Oh well, maybe we can go into town again without the men, and spend a bit more time shopping". She laughed, "and maybe hit the poker table. Its a shame we had to rush back"
Sadie frowned "Yes that was a bit odd".
They both sat down by on a log by one of the camp fires. They were alone.
"Ella, what's going on with you and Dutch".
Ella flushed. "we..we..Oh we went out yesterday afternoon and made love in the long grass" She blurted out, and then put her hand over her mouth. She giggled.
"I'm not sure if I was supposed to tell anyone" she said.
Sadie looked at her and smiled. "I don't think it will be much of a surprise when they find out."
"What about you and Arthur?" She asked.
Sadie laughed "What about me and Arthur".
"I've seen the way you look at him" she smiled.
"Oh I don't think Arthur is that interested in me" Sadie replied, "He's just a good friend".
Ella raised her eyebrows "I think you might be mistaken" she said and laughed. "I've seen the way he looks at you too".
Both women laughed. Sadie nodded towards Pearson's wagon. "Lets go have a beer" she said "to celebrate our new clothes". They walked over to Pearson's wagon and made a beeline for the beer crate.
When Dutch and Arthur arrived back at camp, Sadie and Ella were on their second beer.
Arthur looked across and saw the two woman laughing and chatting together. He was pleased, he thought Ella may need a friend in the coming weeks.
Arthur took Dutch to one side "Does Hosea know about you and Ella" he asked.
Dutch looked at Arthur. "I think he may have guessed that something is going on, but you're the only person that actually knows Arthur. I don't really want to stand on the table and make an announcement" he laughed. It was the first time he had laughed since speaking to Maxwell Rowan.
Arthur nodded towards Sadie and Ella.
"I think that maybe someone else knows now" he said.
Dutch looked across towards where the two women were sitting.
"Its probably not a bad thing, and you and Sadie, well, your almost like a big brother and sister to her"
Arthur sighed. "She's a good kid, considering alls she's been through. If its OK with you, I might fill Sadie in on what's happened today?
Dutch nodded. "Not a bad idea, If you go and grab Sadie, I can have a chat with Ella. Find out if she remembers anything, and if she does, why she hasn't told me".
Arthur nodded. "Take it easy on her though" he said.
Dutch smiled, "See, just like a big brother"
Both men laughed and headed towards the camp fire.
Arthur put his foot up on the log and looked at Sadie. "Will you come ride with me?" He said.
Ella looked at Sadie and grinned. Sadie nudged the girl and gave her a look that told her to shut up.
"Sure" She said, as she got up and followed Arthur towards the horses.
Dutch smiled at Ella, what have you two girls been gossiping about, he said. He held out his hand. Come on, lets go back to my tent.
Arthur and Sadie rode out of camp down towards the river.
"What's going on Arthur" She looked concerned.
"I've got a lot to tell you." He replied.
They hitched their horses near a tree and walked down to the waters edge where the found an old tree trunk. Arthur sat down and patted the trunk, motioning for Sadie to sit.
There was a moments silence and then they both went to speak at the same time.
Arthur said "you first"
"Did you know that Ella and Dutch are lovers?" she blurted out.
He laughed "Yes!"
"How long have you known" she asked.
"Only since this afternoon, but I've suspected it for longer. What about you?"
"Ella told me this afternoon too. I think she was desperate to tell someone." she replied.
Arthur looked at Sadie "There's more."
She looked at him and waited to hear what he had to say.
Arthur told Sadie about everything that had happened. From finding the note. Taking Maxwell Rowan to the sheriffs. To getting the bounty poster and returning to visit Maxwell Rowan, and the story he told.
Sadie grasped Arthur's hands "Oh Arthur, she gasped "What are we going to do"
He looked at her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I..." He didn't really start the sentence. He cupped the back of Sadie's head and placed his lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around him and ran her fingers through his hair. They kissed long and deep for what seemed to Sadie like an eternity, and it seemed like an eternity that she had been waiting for this first kiss.
He finally pulled away "I'm sorry" he said.
She looked at him "Why are you sorry, do you know how long I've been waiting for you to kiss me?£
He laughed nervously. "I'm not very good at this sort of thing"
She held his hand "don't worry neither am I, but I think we may need each other more than ever in the coming weeks."
Dutch led Ella into the tent. She smiled "you didn't get a chance to properly see my new outfit" she said. "Do you like it"
He looked at her "you look lovely, but then you always look lovely".
She sat down on the bed and he sat next to her, picked up both hands and kissed them.
He looked serious.
"What's the matter" she asked.
Still holding her hands he looked her in the eye.
"I know all about your Mother, your Father and the fire" He said.
All the colour drained from her face. She pulled her hands away from his and buried her face in them. She started to cry.
He moved her hands away from her face and cupped his hands either side of her face, wiping the tears away with his thumbs.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He whispered. "Don't you trust me".
"She looked him in the eye "I didn't think you'd want me if you knew I was..was...a killer" she said.
Dutch held her hand and caressed her cheek. Realising that she didn't know that she was surrounded by Outlaws.
He spoke gently Ella, I haven't told you this, but we're all outlaws, not one person here hasn't killed someone.
She stared at him before throwing herself at him and burying her head in his chest.
"I've been so scared" she said.
He gently stroked her hair. You don't have to be scared any more, your safe now.
The following morning, Dutch decided that they needed to move camp. Only Arthur, Sadie and Ella knew the real reason. He hadn't even confided in Hosea, that Ella was a wanted woman.
He took Arthur to one side.
"How did it go with Sadie?" he asked.
"Not quite as expected." Arthur replied.
Dutch looked concerned. "How so?" He asked.
Arthur explained what had happened, and the kiss.
Dutch laughed. "Its about time!" He said. "About time you got over that Mary. Mrs Adler is a fine woman."
Arthur nodded. He couldn't help but agree.