I might be throwing a surprise ship in here lol! I couldn't help myself. I've lately been viewing Arthur as asexual/demisexual. Attraction is rare for him. It happened with Mary, and it really hasn't happened since... until now...

We're almost done with part 2! The events of Blackwater will wrap it up over the next few chapters.

Chapter 29: Blackwater

By the time the gang arrived in Blackwater, Arthur was about ready to stick his knife in Micah and sew him into a pelt. Then maybe the fool would be of some use.

It was bad enough that Micah preferred picking fights in camp to chores, but he was especially cruel towards Charles and Lenny. At first, Arthur thought he was trying to assert dominance over the newer members of the gang, which went spectacularly wrong when Charles threw Micah into the dirt like an empty can of beans. But then he saw Micah hassling Tilly, and then the look on Micah's face when Annabelle put a stop to it, and he realized.

"He's a problem," Annabelle told Dutch.

"He'll learn, Anna," Dutch reassured her. "He's got some… outdated notions, but he'll soon realize that he can't be disrespecting folk."

"Disrespect is not all I'm worried about."

"Mr. Bell is not going to hurt you or anyone in this gang. I promise."

"You sure about that?" Annabelle said. "Because just yesterday I caught him trying to tell Jenny Kirk that she had to sleep with him because he's part of the gang."

Dutch sighed. "I told him that the girls weren't here for that."

"Well, he didn't listen. And Karen, Mary-Beth, and Abigail had to chase him off for the same thing, but they've been around long enough to know how the gang works. Jenny hasn't, and he tried to take advantage of that!"

"I'll speak to Micah, I promise," Dutch said.

"I'd prefer if you got rid of him."

"Listen, let's see if we can find some work in Blackwater. Bring Micah in on it, see if he improves. Then we'll talk after, okay?"

"Fine," Annabelle said, wandering over to Arthur, who definitely hadn't hidden his eavesdropping as well as he thought. "I may need a favor."

"You need to wait until I've got two legs again, Anna. Hard to bury a man with one."

"I can dig," she said. "But maybe we should let Micah's work on a job speak for itself. I have a feeling he's exaggerating his skills."

"Hosea and I are heading into town soon to see if we can find a doctor, so we can poke around for some work. I'm going to swing by the stables, too. See if they got anything good. For Isaac."

"He's finally getting his horse," Annabelle said. "I can tell he's looking forward to it."

"I was going to buy him one back in Montana, but… well, you know."

"I do. I hope you can find a horse and someone in town for you. I know you've been missing your normal hunting routine. And you have to learn bow hunting from Charles."

"Apparently," Arthur laughed.

"You've been spending a lot of time with him," Annabelle said.

It was true. Arthur spent most of his time with Charles those days. If they weren't out tracking game, they could sit next to each other, either comfortably quiet or sharing stories about their hunts and travels. Charles worked hard around camp, doted on his horse, and treated everyone except Micah with respect. "I like Charles. He's a good man."

"He is."

"Real good with Isaac, too."

"I'm sure Charles would make a good father," Annabelle said.

Arthur chuckled and said, "Yeah, probably."

She winked at him.

"What was that about?" Arthur asked.

"Nothing. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do," she said.

Arthur rolled his eyes, still having no clue what she was going on about. But Hosea was coming over to take him into town, so he put it aside for the moment. "You ready, old man?"

"Who are you calling old?" Hosea said with a slight cough.

"Hey, Isaac, let's get going," Arthur called into camp. Isaac said goodbye to Lenny and ran over. "We're going to stop at the stable on the way, alright? It's about time you got that horse."

"Really?"

"Of course! Unless you like Rory and want to keep riding him."

"I do like Rory, but he is more of a wagon horse," Isaac said.

"Then, let's go get you a riding horse."

They hitched Rory up to the wagon and drove into town. "This place has really grown since I was last here," Hosea said. "Didn't have cobblestone streets, that's for sure."

"Or half these shops, I reckon. Hey, Isaac, maybe there's a bookstore here."

"You could get yourself a new journal, Arthur," Hosea added.

"Maybe when we're done. What do you think about this place, Isaac?"

"It's different, that's for sure."

"And I noticed you've been spending a lot of time with Lenny."

"Yeah, he's fun to hang out with. Though Dutch has him reading Miller right now."

"Oh, I'm sure Lenny loves that," Hosea laughed.

"He called Miller an East Coast academic who's never had real problems."

"I'll have to take Lenny's word on that, seeing as I didn't understand Miller when I read it," Arthur said. "Didn't Dutch have you read it, too."

"He did, but…"

"But what?"

"I… well, I had the book open, but I put hid of Hosea's books inside and read that instead," Isaac mumbled.

Hosea doubled over with laughter. "So that's why all my crime novels kept disappearing!"

"Didn't Dutch talk to you about it?" Arthur asked. "How did he not know?"

"Because I just nodded along to everything he said!"

"That would work!" Hosea said, and Arthur laughed..

"Hey, Pa?" Isaac asked nervously. "I was thinking it could be fun to share a tent with Lenny. That okay?"

Arthur blinked, taken aback. "Uh, let me think about it, okay?"

Isaac nodded, unable to hide his immediate disappointment. "Okay."

"It ain't a no, just… I'm thinking. Hey, there's the stables. Why don't you check out the horses, and Hosea and I will swing by when we're done."

Isaac disappeared into the stables, and Hosea snickered. "Your kid is growing up."

"Shut up!"

"It makes sense. He's a teenager now, he wants his own space. Lenny is the first person close to his age we've had in, well, ever, and they get along well."

"I know, I know."

"So, what's the problem?"

"Lenny bunks with Sean," Arthur said.

"Oh. I'm sure it will be fine," Hosea said. "Isaac has a good head on his shoulders, Lenny, too. Maybe they'll keep Sean in line."

"Not sure that's worth the risk."

"Kids have to fly away from nest at some point."

"It's going to be weird having my own tent again," said Arthur.

"Get someone to move in! Maybe Sean, since you are so worried about him being a bad influence on your son."

"No!"

"Charles? You two are getting pretty close."

"Maybe," Arthur said, and Hosea smiled.

The doctor was able to help Arthur out, and soon Arthur was up on a table getting measured for a new wooden leg. "I don't remember it being like this the first time," he grumbled as the minutes ticked by and the man still wasn't done.

"Of course not," Hosea laughed. "You fell asleep! Dutch and I had to carry you back to the wagon."

"Really?"

"Really. But you were going through a lot, so we didn't mind."

"Alright, that's all I need," the doctor said. "I can have it ready for you in a week."

"Perfect!" Hosea said, grabbing Arthur's crutches. But after he gave them to Arthur, he had a coughing fit.

"You okay?" Arthur asked.

"I can check that cough for you, if you'd like," the doctor said.

"No, no. I'm fine," Hosea said, "Shall we head to the stables, Arthur?"

Though Arthur didn't believe Hosea, he kept quiet about that. "Sure, let's go."

At the stable, Isaac was still looking over the horses. They didn't have many, but there was an Arabian and a Turkoman. "Oh, no," he whispered to Hosea. "They're expensive."

"Need a loan?" Hosea joked to him.

"I can afford it, but still," Arthur said.

"I guess none of us has ever bought a horse before," Hosea joked. "You see one you like, Isaac?"

"I don't know. The Turkoman is okay, but he seems kind of… mean."

"Turkomans are strong horses, with strong personalities," Hosea said. "But Silver Dollar never let me down."

"I guess."

"We can keep looking," Arthur said. "There's a town called Strawberry nearby. I want you to get a horse you really love."

"Yeah, maybe I will wait. Check somewhere else," Isaac said. "No rush, right?"

"Right."

The next day, Isaac was begging Arthur to take him to Strawberry, and Arthur obliged. "Anyone want to come with? Check out this tourist town?"

"Sorry, Arthur," Dutch said. "Me and some folk are going to see what leads we can dig up in town. You should join us when we're done. Set up your cart. You haven't had the chance to do that lately."

"True. But we have to find a horse for Isaac so that Rory can go back to pulling the wagon!"

But when they got to Strawberry, Isaac didn't find anything he wanted. Which was a real shame, in Arthur's opinion, because they had some great horses. There was a Dutch Warmblood and an Andalusian, both strong horses that would be great for hunting. Though, Arthur had to admit he was interested in the brindle Thoroughbred, even though the racehorse would probably spook easily around any wild animal. But while he did have a soft spot for Thoroughbreds, Isaac didn't like her as much.

"I still don't know," he said. "They're all nice horses. It's just weird, trying to pick one like this."

The horses all munched on their hay, seemingly indifferent to their discussion. "You want something special," Arthur said, understanding.

"I just want something like you and Bo. I love that story of how you saved her."

"Yeah, she really appreciated me taking her away from that idiot," Arthur laughed. "But bonding with a horse takes time. You kind of just… have to see something you like and take a chance. Work with them. Give them tons of treats until they like you."

Isaac laughed. "Bribery?"

"Oh, tons of bribery." As if to prove her point, Boadicea nudged his satchel for some peppermints. "So, want to take a chance on any of these horses?"

"No," Isaac replied, ducking his head a little.

"That's fine. We'll keep looking until you find one you do," Arthur said, patting Isaac on the shoulder. "Oh, by the way. I thought about it, and you can bunk with Lenny."

By thinking about it, Arthur meant that he cornered Lenny and told him that under no circumstances was he going to get Isaac drunk, pressure him about girls and sex, or let Sean do anything that might get Isaac hurt. "You may be close in age, but I know you've grown up a lot more than Isaac, and he's still just a kid, got it?"

"Okay, Mr. Morgan," Lenny said.

"Good," Arthur said. "Because I want Isaac to have more young folk to be friends with, not just some old outlaws and his father."

"Don't worry, I won't let Sean do anything to him," Lenny said.

"Oh, I'm sure. You seem like a good kid. And Sean is getting this talk next," Arthur said.

Arthur didn't tell Isaac that part, so Isaac just gave a surprised, "Really?"

"Yeah, you deserve your own space. Just don't forget to visit every once in a while."

"We all live in the same camp, Pa," Isaac said, rolling his eyes at his father.

"Now, how does that feel, sir?"

A week went by, and finally Arthur had his new wooden leg. The whole experience should have elated him, if Hosea wasn't still coughing in the corner. The doctor doing Arthur's fitting was giving Hosea side glances every time, long after Hosea's insistence that he didn't need to get checked out.

Arthur stood up, grasping the table a little as he wobbled. "Feels okay. A little unsteady, maybe."

"Is it not tight enough?" the doctor asked, checking the strap at his thigh.

"I think it's fine. Just haven't done this in six months," Arthur chuckled. He took a few steps to find his balance, then nodded. "I can always come back to adjust it, right?"

"Of course!" the doctor said.

Arthur sat back down on the table. "Now it's your turn, Hosea."

Hosea looked up. "What?"

"You're getting looked at."

"No."

"Yes."

"I said no!"

"If it were me, you would hogtie me and drop me off at the doc's," Arthur said, crossing his arms.

"I'm leaving you here," Hosea said, heading to the door.

"Oh, come on!"

"Arthur-"

"Hosea, you've got to see a doc-"

"Stop!" Hosea shouted, throwing up his arms. "I already did! And there ain't nothing that can be done, okay?"

They stared at each other in awkward silence until the doctor cleared his throat and said, "I'll give you two a moment." Once he was gone, Hosea sighed and made his way to the table, even as Arthur avoided his eyes.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Arthur asked, his voice strained.

"I didn't want to worry anyone," Hosea said. "It's my lungs. Well, the left one anyway. Some sort of disease, the doctor said, but he couldn't be sure. But I think… I know he's right."

"When?"

"In Montana," Hosea admitted. "I told Dutch, but I asked him to keep it quiet then. And I guess at the time I thought it might just go away, but I don't think that will be the case."

"But what if something can be done? This doctor could have a medicine."

"Arthur, I'm okay," Hosea said, wrapping an arm around Arthur's shoulders and pulling him into a hug. "This ain't something that can be cured. The doctor said I could live for years like this, if I'm lucky, and I always intend on being lucky. I'll help our family find our ranch, build it up, spend some time relaxing in my armchair in front of the fire, and then I'll go. To be with Bessie."

Arthur nodded, wiping the building tears from his eyes.

"You okay?" Hosea asked.

"No. How am I supposed to be okay?"

"I don't know," said Hosea.

For some reason, that pulled Arthur out of his sadness for just a second, and he let out a small chuckle between the tears. "I can't remember the last time you admitted to not knowing something."

"Cheeky child."

"Conman."

"Time to head home?" Hosea asked.

"Alright." Arthur got up carefully, still getting used to having his wooden leg again. "But this discussion isn't over, old man."

"Listen, Arthur, I'm doing all I can to stay healthy. I've been mixing myself tonics to keep me strong and help my breathing. I want as much time as I can get with you kids. And I really want that ranch."

"We're so close, Hosea."

"I know. I wish things could have worked out in Montana, but we'll make the most of Blackwater and find our way into the desert. Who knows? New Austin might be perfect for us. I know I've always held a special love for the mountains, but there is something peaceful about the desert. Remember when we traveled through there what… ten years ago?"

"Dutch loved it. He stayed up all night, stargazing with Annabelle. Tried teaching me and Isaac some of the constellations, too," Arthur said. "I guess I should practice working with snakeskin."

"I'm sure you and Isaac can take trips into West Elizabeth for your usual game," said Hosea. "The desert still gets cold in the winter."

"You're right."

"You can take Charles, too."

Arthur climbed into their wagon, raising an eyebrow at Hosea. "Why is everyone telling me to hang out with Charles all the time?"

"Oh, Arthur, we've all noticed that you like him."

"Well, yeah! He's a good man, a hard worker, really experienced in tracking and hunting."

"Handsome, too."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Hosea, what are you trying to say?"

Hosea flicked the reins, guiding Rory out of town. "I haven't seen you interested in someone in a long time. I know you've been focused on Isaac, as you should, but I suppose I always hoped you'd find someone for yourself. One day."

"Charles is a friend," Arthur said.

"You mean, you ain't been staring at his muscles?" Hosea teased.

"What? No!"

"You sure? Look, I know sex ain't on your mind like the others, but I think Charles has caught your interest."

"You are way off, old man. He's a friend," Arthur said. "I'm about to walk back."

"Fine! I'll drop it," Hosea said, patting Arthur on the shoulder. But Arthur couldn't forget his words. He didn't like Charles. Well, he did, but not like that! He'd never… the only one was Mary and that was so long ago… but hadn't Hosea teased him about Mary in the same way back then? Did Hosea see something he didn't?

No, he wasn't going to think about this. Besides, he'd come to terms a while ago that sex didn't really matter much to him. Who knew if Charles even liked men like that, either? He was perfectly happy having Charles as a friend, nothing more!

Arthur cleared his throat. "So, any leads in town?"

"Maybe," Hosea said. "I met some folk in the saloon that seemed interesting. They seemed like they were trying to get people to invest in real estate that I don't think actually exists! They are selling deeds to folk who are moving out of Saint Denis, mostly in cash. They have to be keeping it someplace, and it would feel good to rob other crooks for a change."

"That sounds promising."

"Want to join me on it? We haven't run a scam together in ages."

"You do know I'm trying to stay honest," Arthur said.

"And you've done rather well over the last ten years, but the way I see it, we'd be doing this town a favor getting rid of them! And besides," Hosea continued, slipping into his feeble old man character. "I just want to build a nice home for my poor son, who's had a hard time since he lost his leg to one of those machines in the factories up north."

"Hosea," Arthur groaned.

"They took everything from him, and the banks won't talk to either of us!"

"Alright! Fine, I'll do it!" Arthur said. "It might be fun, running a scam with you."

"I thought so, too," Hosea said, finally himself again.

When they got back to camp, Dutch looked up from the table where several gang members were standing, probably planning their next heist. "There they are!" Dutch said. "How did you get on?"

"One new leg," Arthur said. "Glad to be walking again. What's going on?"

"Our newest member, Mr. Bell, may have found something for us!" Dutch said. Arthur groaned internally. "A huge shipment of cash and gold from the federal reserve is coming to the bank in Blackwater, and on the passenger ferry. Now, it's going to take some consideration, the logistics alone of robbing a boat are an issue, but if we can pull this off, we stand to gain tens of thousands of dollars!"

"A passenger ferry?" Hosea said. "That seems like an odd choice for moving bank money, especially since so many boats come through this port anyway."

"They are trying to keep it low profile," Micah said. "According to my source."

"And who is this source?" Annabelle asked.

Micah ignored her. "And what did you find, Morgan? Or did you just spend money?"

"Screw you, Micah," Arthur shot back.

"We found a real estate scam," Hosea jumped in, pushing past Micah to get to Dutch. "Seems real promising."

"Excellent work, gentlemen," said Dutch. "I knew there would be opportunity in Blackwater. We'll investigate both, see what we can uncover."

"I feel as though one will be more lucrative than the other," Micah smirked, shoving Arthur's shoulder as he walked by. Normally, it wouldn't have been an issue. But Arthur was still a little unsteady, and realized a second too late that he was about to fall over because of Micah fucking Bell.

But he didn't hit the ground. Strong, muscular arms wrapped around his body and set him back on his feet. "You alright, Arthur?" Charles asked.

"Yeah, fine," Arthur said, unable to meet Charles' eyes. "I want to punch that bastard."

"So do I," Charles said. "Want to learn how to use a bow later?"

"Sure," Arthur said. His face was red with embarrassment. Embarrassment, and… something else. His eyes drifted up Charles' arms to his broad shoulders, then followed his dark hair down his back to his…

Just beyond Charles, Hosea was nudging Annabelle and pointing at Arthur, the two quickly descending into giggles. Arthur sighed and muttered, "Aw, crap."