Chapter 40-Returning to camp
It was the next morning. The sun was coming through the windows, which make Colm open his eyes. The first thing he noticed was the blond hair on his chest as he remembered last night. Colt lays there for a moment before he starts to shake Sadie. Sadie lets out a small groan as she opens her eyes. "Come on. We have got to get back to camp," Colt says. Sadie nods as she stands up. She puts her clothes back on as Colt does the same.
"Should we feel guilty?" Sadie asks.
"About last night?" Colt asks as he puts his boots on.
"Yeah," Sadie says.
"No, I don't. I think this is what Jake would have wanted. For us to be happy," Colt says. Sadie nods as she stands up. They leave the hotel and Strawberry quickly.
They arrive back in camp later that day. They get there by noon. Colt gets off his horse and looks at his tent, which was closed. Colt walks up to his tent and opens it. "Took you two damn well long enough," Arthur says as he sits on the bed. Colt smiles as Arthur stand up. Colt hugs his brother.
"Damn good to see you," Colt says.
"You too, brother," Arthur says. Colt lets Arthur go as Lenny comes over. Colt hugs the young man.
"I owe you my life," Lenny says.
"You would have done the same. Any problems?" Colt asks.
"We found something out outside Blackwater. We'll tell you later," Lenny says. Colt turns to Hosea.
"When did they get here?" Sadie asks.
"This morning. Mary-Beth was the first to see them, and I have never heard her so happy," Hosea says. Colt smiles as Mary-Beth hugs Arthur.
"Dutch, Micah, Bill, Javier?" Colt asks.
"We split up. I can't imagine it will take them too long to find us. It looks like things have changed. New leadership and a few of you have jobs. Nobody has really explained much to us. Told us to wait till you get here. So what is going on?" Arthur asks.
"After the bank. We moved down here. We got Sean, Kieran, and Tilly jobs at Mcfarlane Ranch. Charles found Alicia, and they sell hide for money. Cripps and Uncle are going to start delivering those hides and for more money. Sadie and I are going to a bounty hunt. We're done, Arthur. We're just living now," Hosea says.
"What about our bounties?" Lenny asks.
"I got a lead on Colm. We made a deal with Milton. We helped him get Colm. He got rid of our bounties. We got Colm yesterday. We're free," Colt says.
"Everybody besides Dutch and Micah," Charles says. Arthur looks at Colt.
"Dutch was too much, and he has lost it. Micah is understandable," Colt says. Arthur nods as they hear horses. Colt looks and sees Dutch, Micah, Javier, and Bill. Dutch stops.
"This was a great idea, Colt," Dutch says as they get off their horses.
"Thanks, Dutch," Colt says.
"Looks like you have been leading everybody. I'm good to do that again," Dutch says.
"I can't let you do that Dutch," Colt says.
"What are you talking about? He's the boss," Micah says.
"Not anymore," Alicia says.
"Who the hell are you?" Javier asks.
"Meet Alicia Carter," Charles says. Alicia smiles.
"Colt, I appreciate everything you have done, but I'm back now. We can get back to the plan. Get money and get out of here," Dutch says.
"There's no need for that anymore, Dutch. This gang, we're done," Colt says.
"What are you talking about?" Javier asks.
"Our bounties are gone. I worked a deal with the Pinkertons," Colt says.
"You did what?" Dutch asks in a low tone.
"I made a deal with Milton. We helped him get Colm, and we walk free. Most of us anyway," Colt says.
"What do you mean by not all of us?" Micah asks.
"Who?" Javier asks.
"Dutch and Micah. I couldn't get Dutch out. His bounty is too much, and Micah wouldn't stop," Colt says.
"What has happened to loyalty?" Dutch asks.
"Ask you're right hand. He's a rat Dutch. Milton told me. Everything that has gone wrong since Blackwater has been his fault," Hosea says.
"What are you talking about, you old shit?" Micah asks.
"He's a rat, and this is over. I'm supposed to take you to Milton. I won't. You can leave Dutch," Colt says. Dutch looks at them with an anger Colt has never seen before.
"You all betray me. After all, I have done for you. You betray me," Dutch says. He doesn't do anything for a moment. "You will regret this decision," Dutch says. He walks back to his horse and climbs on it. Micah follows him as Bill and Javier stand there. "Bill, Javier. Are you coming?" Dutch asks. Colt watches the two who look between the two leaders.
"We're free Dutch. We can live our own lives. I'm staying," Javier says. Bill doesn't say anything before he nods, agreeing with Javier.
"All of you will regret this decision," Dutch says. "Come on, Micah," Dutch says.
"He's a rat, Dutch," Hosea says. Dutch doesn't say anything as he rides away with Micah. Bill and Javier come over.
"You two, okay?" Hosea asks. They nod.
"If you're gonna stay. You have to help," Colt says.
"We will," Javier says. Colt nods
"Okay, everybody, let's get back to work," Colt says. Everybody nods as they return to work.
I know this is short. But that is because of the impact and the weight of this chapter. The next chapter will be an idea I got from a reader. As always, suggestions are welcomed. Until next time
