Arthur was on his way out of camp to meet Mary once again when Dutch noticed him check his hair in a mirror, doubt himself, check again, and finally give up.

Dutch walked over as Arthur mounted his horse. "Hey, Arthur," he said, and Arthur turned his head toward him. Dutch walked up and looked at the horse, placing a hand on the horse's shoulder. "You going to see that girl, what's her name…Mary?"

Arthur tried not to stiffen so obviously at the name. "Yes, sir."

Dutch nodded. He looked back down at the horse, patting its shoulder. "I do hope she's good enough for the man I call my son. Bring her by camp tomorrow," he said looking up at Arthur. "I'd like to meet her." He smiled after he'd spoken the words.

Arthur tried to smile and instead fought a frown. What he was left with was an awkward stiff sliver which would not serve him by producing words of response. He nodded briefly and led his horse onward.

Having been in earshot of the conversation, Hosea stepped beside Dutch. "You're forcing him to tell her what he does for a living and about the gang," Hosea said. "You think he's ready?"

"I'm no dim-wit. Arthur is young. This is his first real bout with love," Dutch said as he watched Arthur ride away. "He's already told her about us. That's why he didn't object."

"That's a breach of gang code," Hosea said.

Dutch tensed his chin, causing his bottom lip to rise as he watched Arthur disappear over the far hill. "Even being 'in love,' I trust him. I'll reserve my judgement for the both of them until I've met her."

"Now don't—don't be afraid to let me know if you're ever uncomfortable," Arthur said. Mary was seated in front of him in the saddle. "We can leave at any time, you just say the word. They're a…motley bunch. Nothing you're used to."

"I'm sure they're lovely, Arthur," Mary reassured him. "If they're anything like you." She placed her hand over his clenched grip on the reigns. For the first time she realized how tense he was. She smiled. "Arthur, please don't be so nervous. No matter how it goes, it won't lessen your stature in my eyes. Is that what you're worried about?"

"Actually…no. No, it's not. It's…" he sighed. "Well, you'll see."

"You probably shouldn't say such things if you want me to remain calm and open-minded. You'll start to make me nervous!"

"Probably should be," he grumbled. "You're too sweet to realize it."

As they road through the woods and finally neared camp, Arthur slowed to a stop. As he dismounted and helped Mary down, Dutch approached them.

"So! This is Mary!" he said with his arms raised. "I'm glad to meet the girl who has so obviously captured Arthur's heart." He took Mary's hand and kissed it in a grand gesture. "Come, let me introduce you to the group and show you around." He whisked her about camp, introducing her to the handful of people who called it home.

Though Mary hadn't known what to expect, she was amazed at the capability of these rough people to thrive in such rugged living.

Eventually Dutch was called away to discuss something with a few of the men, and Mary was left to wander about on her own.

She came upon a woman she had not been introduced to before. She watched as the woman mended a tear in a dark vest. Her raven hair was tied back in a beautiful long braid. Her movements were graceful, even with something as small and insignificant as sewing. "Good afternoon," Mary said.

"Same to you," the woman nodded. "Name's Annabelle. And you are?"

"Mary."

"Mary! There's been a lot of talk about you recently," she smiled. "A lot of talk about 'Arthur's girl.'"

Mary blushed.

"You be good to him. He deserves nothing less."

Mary nodded. She had wanted to say something like, 'I will,' or 'I agree,' but her throat tightened. No one had so blatantly implied their intentions, not even Arthur or Mary themselves.

"We're one big family here," Annabelle continued. "We watch out for each other. Loyalty. That's what Dutch says matters most."

As Arthur rode Mary home, she thought back on the afternoon.

"You needn't have been so worried, Arthur. They behaved themselves just fine," she said leaning back against him.

"They did, didn't they?" he said. "Gotta be careful, though. With such a band of misfits, good behavior is usually something to be wary of."

She laughed. "Oh, Arthur. Try not to be so cynical." After a moment she said, "That Annabelle is lovely."

"Yeah, you two got on?" he said. "That's Dutch's girl."

"She was very kind to me," she said. "There's something so…almost regal about her."

"Hm?" Distracted for a moment, he kissed her on the cheek.

"Kindness and grace were the last things I expected to find."

"We certainly can surprise," he said as they approached her family ranch. "I'm just glad you had a good first impression."