Chapter 13-A date
Colt and Sean stopped at the general store in Valentine so Sean could pick up some clothes for the mountain. Colt was smoking outside when Sean came out with a bundle of clothes that he put on his horse. Sean looks at Colt. "Don't you need to get some clothes?" Sean asks.
"I used to work for Sadie's husband, Jake. I was up in the mountains almost every week. I always have winter clothes on my horse," Colt tells him.
"Okay then, shall we get a move on?" Sean asks.
"We shall. Let's head up," Colt says as he climbs up on his horse. Sean climbs up on his, and they leave Valentine.
Camp
It was getting late at camp. The sun was just beginning to set. Arthur was looking at Mary-Beth, who was reading when Hosea came over. "You look kinda creepy, Arthur," Hosea says. Arthur jumps a little and glares at the man.
"Shut up," Arthur says.
"I heard you and Colt. Stop being a baby and take the girl to town, relax, have a good time. Arthur, with the life we lead, we don't get chances like this all the time, you should take these chances when you get them," Hosea says to Arthur, who looks at him for a moment before he nods.
"Thank you, Hosea," Arthur says before standing up and walking over to Mary-Beth, who looks up from her book.
"Oh, hey Arthur," Mary-Beth says with a smile.
"Mary-Beth, would you like to come to town with me?" Arthur asks the woman, who smiles and nods. "Ok, come on then," Arthur says. Mary-Beth nods as she sets the book down and follows Arthur over to his horse. He helps her on the back before he climbs up and leaves camp.
With Colt and Sean
Sean and Colt had stopped near the bottom of the mountain for the night. Colt was cooking meat over the fire for the two of them. "So, what do you know about this gunslinger?" Sean asks. Colt looks up at him.
"His name is Flaco Hernandez. He lives up in the mountains to avoid the law, I think. He sometimes has other men there. He's a fast draw. I have done a few jobs for him. We should be careful," Colt tells Sean, who nods. They eat and head to bed.
Rhodes
Arthur and Mary-Beth stop outside the Saloon in Rhodes. Arthur hitches his horse and helps Mary-Beth down. They walk inside, and Arthur sees that the Saloon was pretty much empty. Arthur walks up to the bartender. The bartender looks at them. "How can I help you?" The bartender asks.
"Can I get a table upstairs for the lady and me?" Arthur asks.
"Sure," The Bartender nods. Arthur walks upstairs and sits down. Arthur goes back downstairs and grabs some food for Mary-Beth and him. Arthur sets the food down, and Mary-Beth smiles.
"Thank you," Mary-Beth says. Arthur nods. They start to eat.
"This is nice Arthur, thank you," Mary-Beth says. Arthur nods.
"Look, Mary-Beth, I like you, but I saw Mary a few days ago, and I have mixed feelings for both of you," Arthur says and Mary-Beth smiles.
"You take the time you need Arthur. I can wait," Mary-Beth says.
"I don't want to wait. Hosea made a good point earlier. I may have feelings for Mary, but we can never work because of the life I lead. You and I lead the same life, nothing is holding us back beside for the law. I want us to try," Arthur says to Mary-Beth, who smiles.
"I do too. Just know that if we do, Colt will tease us," Mary-Beth says.
"We'll just tease him when he and Sadie pull their heads out of their asses," Arthur says.
"The last thing is that I think Dutch has been flirting with me," Mary-Beth.
"Yeah, I heard him and Molly arguing about that," Arthur says.
"We'll worry about that later. Let's eat, and we can stay here tonight," Mary-Beth says. Arthur nods with a smile and they eat and talk. After they finish, Arthur takes their plate down and rents a room. Mary-Beth comes down, and they walk into the room.
"I can sleep on the floor," Arthur says.
"No need, we can share," Mary-Beth says. Arthur nods as he lays in the bed. Mary-Beth lays down beside him, and Arthur wraps his arm around her torso. Mary-Beth smiles as they both fall into a peaceful sleep.
Camp
Hosea was about to go to sleep when Dutch came over with a frown. "Hosea, have you seen Mary-Beth and Arthur?" Dutch asks him.
"Arthur took Mary-Beth into town for dinner," Hosea says to Dutch with a smile expecting the other man to smile.
"Arthur doesn't need any distractions. I'll talk to him when he gets back," Dutch says.
"Dutch, let Arthur be happy. He deserves to be happy. He has devoted his entire life to this gang. He deserves a life too, Dutch," Hosea says.
"Yes, he does, but not right now, I need him to stay focused, not be distracted by Mary-Beth," Dutch says before he walks away. Hosea watches after him, worried. Hosea lays down and goes to sleep.
Thanks for reading. I know this chapter is short, but it was fun to write, and it kinda showed Dutch's other side. There are a few encounters in the game. You can see Dutch flirting with Mary-Beth and Molly and him fighting. As always, suggestions are welcomed. Until next time.
