Spending a little time on Hosea and Bessie this chapter, hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 7: Rancher

As the only ones who hadn't done any robbing their entire time in Colorado, the job of buying supplies from the store and checking the mail usually fell to Hosea and Bessie. To be honest, Hosea was surprised he hadn't gotten involved in any of the jobs. Usually, he'd sniff out the morons and idiots who happened to be sitting on some cash and con them out of it with an investment scheme. But he supposed the appearance of Isaac had forced him to slow down, to pay more attention to his son than potential jobs.

"Did you remember Susan's list?" Bessie asked.

"Oh, I hope so. I don't want to turn around," Hosea said, digging through his satchel. "Here it is!" He brandished the paper with a flourish.

"Good. I didn't want to turn around, either," she laughed.

"Glad to be away from camp?"

"Yes. You know I love spending time with everyone, but I needed a break. Those two new boys…"

"I know. I'm worried they won't fit in with us."

"Davey tripped and fell into some mud last night. You should have heard Susan this morning, dragging him over to the wash barrel."

"That boy can't hold his liquor!" Hosea said.

Bessie's laugh was short. She chewed on her lip, which Hosea knew to be a nervous habit. She hesitated, and said, "I heard Dutch telling John about that house robbery they went on. The owner woke up, and Mac beat him unconscious. No threats, just… ruthless. I just don't know what Dutch was thinking, bringing them here."

"I know. But Dutch has a thing for finding wayward, unruly strays, remember Arthur when he was a teenager?" Several times, Hosea and Dutch had to drag a drunk Arthur away from a fight at the saloon. Their boy was constantly brewing with frustration, anger, and fear in the first few years, and it exploded out of him towards anyone unfortunate enough to get in his way. The task of pulling Arthur aside, coaxing his emotions out of him in words rather than fists, often landed on Hosea's shoulders. And Bessie's.

"I know, but Dutch seemed… proud. I just don't want them to be a bad influence on John. That boy can be difficult enough."

"John's gotten a lot better, he's been with us three years now," said Hosea. "He takes regular baths!"

"And I'm worried about how they'll be with Isaac, especially after that first night. At least Davey seems okay around kids."

"True, but I doubt Dutch considered that when he brought them back. The timing suggests something else. It's almost like Dutch is trying to make Arthur jealous."

"Or scared of being replaced," Bessie added.

Hosea hummed, and focused on guiding the wagon around the turn into town. "You buy the groceries and I check the mail?"

"Sure!"

Hosea left her with the wagon and went to the post office. He kept his head on a swivel, looking for dark duster coats and green neckerchiefs. He didn't buy into Dutch's confidence that Colm wouldn't come after them. But he didn't spot any along the street, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Afternoon, sir," he said to the clerk. "Any mail for Tacitus Kilgore?"

"Yes, actually. I know I spotted one yesterday." The clerk shuffled through a box of mail before extracting one letter, the return address being Bessie's sister.

"Thank you," he said, and returned to Bessie to help move the shopping.

Between Hosea and the shop owner, they loaded up the items quickly. "Any news?" Bessie asked as the last box went into the wagon.

"Amy wrote back."

"Oh, good! That everything, sir?"

"That it is." The owner took the money, and the Matthews headed back to camp.

"You going to open it?" Hosea asked, pointing to the letter still in her hands.

"I suppose. I guess I'm a little worried about what Amy has to say about Arthur. She has some idea of who he is, and what all of you do."

"Only one way to find out," Hosea said.

She tugged the envelope open and slid the letter out, her eyes quickly scanning the contents. Hosea could see the moment she found what she was looking for, and her shoulders relaxed. "Amy wants to meet Arthur. She said that he can come back with me this winter, and if he does well, he can stay on!"

"Oh, good!"

"I think she's excited about the idea of having another child on the ranch. Her youngest just turned eight."

"Now we just need to convince Arthur."

"Right," said Bessie. "I don't want to just send him away, but…"

Hosea absolutely hated the idea of sending Arthur away. He loved that boy more than he ever imagined, even thought of him as a son. He knew Bessie felt the same way. But their life was dangerous, the stagecoach job proved that. Isaac already lost one parent, and he was just so young. The stability of ranch life would be good for him, and though he knew Arthur would miss their life and the gang, he had a feeling that Arthur wanted a better life for his son, too. And being with Bessie's sister made visiting easy, for some of the gang, at least.

Dutch, on the other hand, would likely never step foot on the ranch. Hosea didn't know how he was going to get Dutch to understand. He didn't know if it was possible.

Bessie must have been thinking the same thing, because she said, "I think we should see if Arthur's on board before we tell anyone else."

Hosea nodded. "I hope Arthur listens to us. He's very loyal to Dutch, even if Dutch is being an ass right now and can't see it." If Bessie had gotten pregnant after they got married, not that either of them were trying for a baby, Hosea's first thought would have been to pack up his tent, get a job, and buy a homestead. Even without a baby, he did pack up and leave once. He wondered if the thought ever crossed Arthur's mind.

"And we're not forcing him. We're just presenting it as an option, one that we support."

"Right. Even if we're more persuasive than simply supportive," Hosea drawled.

"What if we talk to Annabelle first? I think if anyone could help convince Arthur, it would be her."

"Maybe, but I worry that Dutch will think we were all plotting against him."

"Would he really think that?"

"Yes," Hosea grumbled.

Bessie just shrugged. "I think we should introduce this to Arthur as a temporary option. Just for the winter, to see if he likes it. Give Isaac and him a chance to bond better, surely Arthur didn't get much time before with his short visits. And we need to make it clear that he doesn't have to stay at the ranch if he doesn't want to. He can come back. It's his decision, even if we are encouraging him to take it."

"True. Maybe he can just do what you do, visiting for the spring and summer and leaving for winter. It shouldn't mean goodbye forever."

"You know how much he loves horses, that will help convince him. He'd be amazing at getting the young horses under saddle and ready for sale."

"Remember when he came back with that wild Morgan? And we really couldn't afford to take care of another horse at the time? Took us weeks to convince him that he was too big for it!" Hosea laughed.

"Oh, that horse turned into such a sweetheart. I hated to see her go."

"Amy ever say what kind they want to breed?" Hosea asked.

"Kentucky Saddlers. Good, reliable riding horses. Should be pretty profitable out that way," Bessie said.

They made good time getting back to camp and unloaded the supplies. Once again, Dutch sat next to the Callander boys, laughing or preaching or whatever he decided was a good use of his time. And ignoring everyone else doing chores.

"Hey Arthur, you busy?" he called out to his son, who was carrying hay to the horses while keeping an eye on Isaac playing with two wooden figurines.

"Let me just put this down, what do you need?"

"Just want to talk to you. Come here when you're done."

Arthur dropped the hay bale and joined Hosea and Bessie. They sat within view of Isaac, but far enough away from Dutch that he wouldn't hear them or, hopefully, think to come over.

"Now, before we begin, what is that boy wearing?"

They both turned to Isaac, who had on a pair of purple pants and an orange shirt that clashed horribly, and a large boater hat that Hosea was pretty sure Arthur stole from some guy in South Dakota. Arthur sighed and said, "He wanted to dress himself."

"And you didn't object?" Hosea snickered.

"Eliza said letting kids make their own choices was important!"

"To a point. At least we aren't taking him to town," Hosea said before becoming serious again. "Now then, when you first brought Isaac back here, Bessie and I had a thought. Life in a gang, it might not be best for a boy as young as Isaac. Especially if his father is risking his life on jobs like we do."

"What are you trying to say?" Arthur asked with trepidation, glancing between Hosea and Bessie.

"Arthur, you remember my sister and her ranch, right?" Bessie said. "We were thinking that this winter, you could come with me. Help them with their new horses. And maybe, if you would want a job there, permanently…"

"You don't have to decide now. Hell, you wouldn't have to decide until the end of winter," Hosea jumped in. He could see Arthur tense up, like Boadicea when she was about to bolt. "But we know this has been hard for Isaac and for you-"

"You mean I should leave the gang?"

"No! Well, maybe," Hosea admitted. "I'm not talking about riding out of here forever and never seeing us again. You could travel back and forth with Bessie, or rejoin us when Isaac is a little older. I want you to be happy, Arthur. And safe. And for Isaac to be happy and safe."

"Ranch life could be good for him," Bessie added. "And there's other kids. Older, but still."

"You really think I should do it? What about Dutch?" Arthur asked. As predicted, Arthur was thinking about Dutch in a time like this. If only Dutch could see how loyal Arthur truly was.

"You let me handle Dutch. This isn't about what he wants. It's about what you want!"

Arthur nodded, eyes dropping to the ground. Bessie opened her arms for a hug. "Come here, honey," she said.

After a moment, Arthur shuffled closer and let her wrap her arms around him. He fell into her more with a shuddering breath. "I don't want to leave," he said.

"I know, honey, I know," Bessie said. "But think about it, please?"

"Okay. I guess it could be good. Living with Isaac on a farm."

"Do you want us to mention it to Dutch, or wait?" Hosea asked.

"Might as well get it over with," Arthur groaned.

"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

"It's not your decision."

"THE HELL IT ISN'T!" Dutch roared. "ARTHUR IS A MEMBER OF THIS GANG. HE IS MY SON!"

"He is an adult who can make his own choices," Hosea continued, trying to keep the conversation civil and quiet. Not that it was working. He could see John watching from a back at camp, and Susan too. Apparently they didn't walk far enough away. Fortunately, Arthur himself had been warned in advance of the conversation, and was out of sight in his tent.

"His own decisions?" Dutch asked, his voice quieter but accusatory. "I have a feeling this wasn't Arthur's idea."

"You're right, it wasn't!" Hosea admitted. "Bessie and I just want what's best for Arthur and Isaac."

"Dutch," Annabelle started, "Please calm down. They have a point."

"A point?" Dutch started, turning on Annabelle now. "You are taking their side in this?"

"Side? What side?" she asked. "They aren't forcing Arthur to do anything. It's not one thing or the other."

"Isn't it?"

"You're being irrational."

"How am I the irrational one here?" Dutch asked.

"Because you're not, for one second, considering how difficult this must be for Arthur!" Annabelle shouted. "You're only thinking about yourself and your next job!"

"I'm only thinking about myself?" Dutch said. "Am I not trying to support a camp of people, including Arthur's son? How are we supposed to keep everyone fed, make money, get jobs done without him? What happens when he leaves?"

"And what happens," Hosea said, grim and indignant, "when something goes wrong on a job? Because sooner or later, it does, Dutch. Hell, Arthur was shot by O'Driscolls on an easy stagecoach robbery!"

"You know that was simply an unfortunate occurrence, and-"

Annabelle cut off Dutch's reply. "Hosea's right, Dutch. This life is dangerous. I'd rather see Arthur once or twice a year than explain to that poor boy why his dad isn't coming home!"

Dutch scoffed. "I see I'm being outnumbered here." And he walked away.

"Well, that could have gone worse," Hosea said.

"You think he'll come around?" Bessie asked.

"Not for a while," said Annabelle, rolling her eyes.

Dutch called out to the Callander brothers, probably inviting them out to the saloon for a drink. "Let's worry about Dutch later," Hosea said. "Arthur is the one who needs us."

Of course, on the way back to Arthur, they passed John, sitting against a wagon wheel. He didn't acknowledge them when they passed, just staring straight ahead.

"Hey, son," Hosea said, letting the women go ahead and sitting next to John.

"Is Arthur really leaving?"

"We don't know yet. He hasn't decided."

"Oh."

Hosea sat down next to him and said, "Maybe you should go talk to Arthur about it."

"I don't know."

"You know, ranch life doesn't sound so bad some days."

John didn't respond.

"I ever tell you that I left the gang for a while?"

"What?" John turned to face him, eyes wide and jaw dropped.

"Oh, yes. It as a long time ago, now. Maybe a year or two after Arthur joined us. I'd just gotten married to Bessie. And she knew who I was, accepted it, but I know it made her nervous every time Dutch and I would go after a stage or break into a homestead."

"Why'd you go?"

"I got hurt. Real bad, on a job one day." Hosea could still remember the moment right before it happened. They broke into a huge, supposedly empty mansion while the family was out of town. Unfortunately, their information was wrong. The family trip did not include the patriarch, Mr. Morrison, who wasn't afraid to confront intruders with his pistol.

Hosea didn't even have time to react, or even think. He just remembered the loud bang, the searing pain through his right thigh, Arthur screaming for Dutch. Mr. Morrison, despite his preparedness, had been a terrible shot and managed to miss the major arteries, but the wound still bled heavily. The long ride back was fuzzy, filled with Dutch's fearful whispers in his ear as the younger man held him in the saddle. He was pretty sure Dutch threatened a doctor at one point and Bessie had to kick him out of the tent, but despite the blood loss and risk of infection, he survived.

"Obviously, I didn't kick the bucket," Hosea laughed. He could laugh now, but not then. Not when he woke up with Bessie's red, puffy eyes meeting his own after days of sitting with him. He never wanted to see her like that again. "But it made me reconsider my priorities. Bessie and I tried to go straight. We traveled, went down to Ambarino, New Hanover, all the way to Lemoyne, though we didn't stay too long there."

"But you came back," said John.

"I did. I healed up, saw a lot of this country with Bessie, but I knew I couldn't settle down. I missed the life, I missed Dutch and Arthur. I was worried what Bessie would think, but we talked it out, agreed to give it another go. And I think it's worked out for the best. We got to meet you, after all."

John gave him a slight smile.

"You see John, sometimes you think your life is going in one direction, and it's all you can imagine. This life, living free, I never thought I would trade it for anything when I first met Dutch, and I'm guessing you feel the same. But there's nothing wrong with good, honest work, either. I take it you've never been on a ranch, John."

"Not one I wasn't robbing," he said.

"You ever think about working on one?"

"Hell, no!"

"Like I said, there's nothing wrong with it."

"What? You sending me away, too?" John asked, scrambling back.

"No, I know better than to force that upon you. I suppose I'm just trying to impart some wisdom. I know Dutch and I gave you and Arthur a home. You have people who care for you and look out for you, but sometimes I wonder if we've doomed you at the same time."

"Doomed me? Dutch saved my life!"

"That he did. But the more you work with us, the more likely you'll have a bounty on your head. No matter how good you are, well, this will end. One way or another. And I don't know too many old outlaws, do you? You and Arthur, even Dutch, you didn't have the best lives growing up, and you all lost family pretty young. I'm hoping Arthur can break that cycle with Isaac. And I want to remind you that you can break the cycle, too."

John shook his head. "Naw, I like this life. It's a lot better than what I had before."

"Fine. But please don't blame your brother for wanting different things."

"I'll try," John said.

"That's my boy," Hosea said with a wide smile, patting John on the shoulder.

Again, he headed for Arthur's tent, where he assumed Annabelle and Bessie were waiting, but then he noticed Annabelle whispering madly with Susan. Watching for a moment, Hosea wondered if he should interrupt, but then Susan stormed off. "What was that about?" he asked Annabelle.

"Susan doesn't like the idea of Arthur leaving."

"So the camp is split."

"Pretty much. She says he's being disloyal."

Hosea sighed and rubbed his temple, trying to figure out a plan. "Bessie doesn't leave until end of August. We have time to deal with the fallout. I might go with them, at least in the beginning."

"I understand," Annabelle said.

"I hate to leave you to deal with-"

"Oh, don't worry about that. This is for Arthur."

"Right," he said, pushing himself up and walking to the tent. "For Arthur and Isaac."