The stretch of road between Strawberry and Blackwater ran alongside a canyon's edge. The beautiful landscape of America painted below as the birds glide across the sky, riding the clouds on a sweet summer day. Despite the tension in the air. Dutch had somehow found his way riding side by side with Lady Rosalyn at the front of her carriage, leaving Arthur to spy from the middle as the vultures surrounded him asking for details and picking on him.
"You promise you'll keep me safe?" Rosalyn asked Dutch as she let go of his hand and folded it on her lap. Dutch focusing on the bull pulling them along.
"Absolutely, whatever you can give us as payment would be appreciated. Arthur was telling me something about cash."
"Well, unless you want a box full of orange marmalade. I already offered Arthur all the money I have." Rosalyn looked away from Dutch and tried to focus on the view.
"Hold on. You're telling me that you have an orange marmalade in this carriage, this carriage right behind me?" Dutch asked in a severe tone catching Rosalyn's attention.
"Oh? I might." Rosalyn said rather unimpressed until she noticed how Dutch was looking at the carriage like a hungry wolf.
"Ms Annabelle if I may be so bold. Orange Marmalade was what my mother used to feed me slathered on toast as a babe, and I would very much like to sample some." Dutch was practically pleading with her.
"R-Really! You want to try it?" She asked since no one had been so demanding to try her least desired flavour of jelly despite it being her personal favourite.
"Yes, please." Dutch pleaded again locking eyes with Rosalyn.
After ordering the entire caravan to stop and forcing John and Arthur to assist. Lady Rosalyn rearranged her carriage. The mess of clothes, boxes and hastily packed kitchen supplies had gotten sorted into their proper places and moved into the carts. Rosalyn even let Dutch into the carriage to tidy up so they could ride alone together for the rest of the trip. Dutch also ordered Jeremy to chauffeur for them which he was unimpressed with. Arthur had gone quiet through the whole ordeal as there was little he could say. Arthur just hauled ten boxes full of canned goods from the carriage to the carts without complaint despite them being around 50lbs apiece. Dutch had things under control, and honestly, Arthur felt more comfortable now that John and Dutch had arrived. Having two other skilled gunslingers by his side meant the O'Driscolls would think twice before jumping them on the road. Though seeing Dutch and Rosalyn getting along and spending alone time together made him. Well, he didn't exactly know what he was feeling. Once everyone had returned to their travelling position, Arthur was left to ride along with John to watch over the entire caravan. Frustration, however, made Arthur try and to ride closer to the carriage to eavesdrop on Dutch and 'Annabelle'.
"So you have been travelling town to town baking pies and selling canned food?" Dutch exclaimed laughing as he ate dry bread rolls covered with orange marmalade.
"Yes, sir, I do. The people love my food too, makes me feel like I'm everyone's momma." Rosalyn cheerfully replied.
"If this is what your company offers, I would happily be the father these people need if I get to eat this every day.
"You would have to be my husband to do that." Rosalyn laughed in which Dutch joined in.
"Are you asking?" Dutch winked making Rosalyn blush.
"You're terrible! I have only just met you, Mr Van Der Linde."
"Please call me Dutch. Say how much do you make travelling and cooking food? Rather an expensive set up you got here you a secret millionaire?" Dutch asked as he placed a cigar between his lips. Rosalyn reaching over and pulled it from his lips.
"It's rude to ask a lady how much money she makes." She said with a grin before placing the cigar between her teeth and waited expectantly. Dutch letting out a hearty chuckle before striking a match and liting the cigar for her.
"And one hell of a lady you are. I only ask because, as your future husband, I would want to help in the business. That and sample some of your fine cooking." Dutch said and slid closer to her to take the cigar back after she had a puff.
"I don't know about that, but for the men who braved the frontier and helped me clean up my carriage? I can cook you a special dinner. What's your favourite dish?" Rosalyn asked and leaned back into her seat and kicked her feet up. She was using Dutch's lap to support them, hence stopping him from sliding too close. Dutch looked disappointed, but with a massive puff of unfiltered tobacco, he leaned back as well — content with running one of his hands over her handcrafted boots.
"I would be happy with anything you cooked, but I do love a good steak... You know I don't see many ladies sporting a pair of these." He commented, diverting the conversation to run a finger over the brogued details in the leather of her boots.
"You saw the mess in here. I barely had time to grab my things, let alone pick out a travelling outfit. Besides, a good pair of boots should go with all your outfits." Rosalyn grinned as Dutch passed the cigar back to her.
"Haha! When you're right, you're right, but I imagine." Dutch lifted one of her feet and pulled the boot off. "That inside these bad boys." He lifted the other foot and pulled off the last kick. Placing them both delicately on the floor. "Are a pair of tired, achy feet that need some good old fashioned tender love and care." With her boots gone, Dutch ran his hands up and down her ankles. Pinching and kneading the tender flesh which he was correct to assume was tired. Rosalyn almost immediately melting into his touch as Dutch made quick work of the knots which had built up.
"You don't have to do that." Rosalyn flushed.
"Oh but how else would I be allowed to touch these beautiful feet," Dutch said as his one hand ran up her calf, his finger tickling under her knee. Which, of course, made Rosalyn giggle with a smile.
"Mr Van Der Linde! You're very naughty." Rosalyn kicked her feet a bit to make him stop, and she sat up. Dutch sliding up next to her with a grin across his face.
"You've heard about my reputation, naughty is what I am good at. Besides, I think you like being naughty." Dutch said and went to kiss her.
"That rotten bastard," Arthur grumbled to himself. Peeking into the peephole, he found the other night watching all this unfold.
"Arthur!" John called from behind, making Arthur panic and stop Princess so the carriage could keep going without him.
"Yea?" He asked once his voice wasn't right next to the door.
"What are they talking about?" John asked.
"I don't know I wasn't listening," Arthur said and rode beside John.
"I know! I know. So what were they talking about?" John asked again.
"He's flirting with her," Arthur said with a low tone.
"Really? Oh man, she is beautiful. You think he's trying to... you know." John asked, making Arthur's chest puff up.
"I highly doubt Molly would be impressed if he cheats on her again." Arthur looked straight ahead, his eyes a plain give away for his frustration.
"What? No, I meant... like..." John looked around to see who was listening to them before whispering. "He's trying to play her, you know for a heist. What do you like her?" John asked, noticing how hot-headed the big man was being.
"No, It's not about that," Arthur responded and kicked Princess into a trot to get ahead. John was keeping up with him as he tried to escape.
"What's your problem? Did a skunk crawl up your ass and die? What's the big deal anyway? Dutch is just Dutch. You know how friendly he gets. Besides that little lady is going to be eating out of his hand in no time. Bunch of saps the lot if you ask me. I say we take the horses and get out of here. I don't want to get into a struggle with the O'Driscolls." John mocked and talked as they lead the caravan. The two of them far in front of the five-horse carriage lead by Aristotle. Arthur was taking a moment to gaze at the black beauty who made eye contact with him, thinking about Izzy and how she would be furious seeing Dutch and Rosalyn getting on so well.
"You got a lot to learn kid, and you think we are going to get five feet from these people with their horses you're dead wrong. They all have guns, and frankly, I think Annabelle is the sharpest shooter of the bunch. I watched her shoot a man on foot from at least a hundred feet.
"Quit lying," John said but looked at Arthur wide-eyed. "A hundred feet!?" He asked.
"At least," Arthur confirmed.
John and Arthur continued to ride, the sun setting in the distance as they approached the Upper Montana river. The steep hill which leads to the shallows which would cross them over to Blackwater.
"Hold up," Arthur said and stopped his horse. He was looking around nervously.
"What's up?" John asked as he and Arthur pulled out binoculars to take a better look.
"A perfect place for an ambush that's what," Arthur said and checked the cliffside which overlooked the hill.
"I don't see anyone," John said as the carriage stopped behind them. Dutch sticking his head out the window when it did.
"What do you see boys?" Dutch called.
"Nothing yet, why don't you stay here, John and I are going to go ahead and clear the area. If you hear gunshots get outta here." Arthur said and climbed off Princess and took out his rifle. "John, ride through like your alone. If anyone pops up turn tail and I'll cover you." Arthur said and headed up for an excellent place to set up.
"Bait... I'm always the bait." John huffed and kicked forward to head across the river.
Arthur got down behind a boulder on the opposite side of the canyon. John was slowly walking down the hill, next to him, Jeremy had snuck up to set up next to him.
"What are you doing kid?" Arthur said, keeping his aim trained near John as his eyes scanned the rocks.
"Two sets of eyes are better than one," Jeremy replied.
"Then get down behind those rocks over there, if you blow your cover, I don't want my head shot off." Arthur snapped back before Jeremy could get comfy. The boy was giving him a nasty glare before shifting position 20 feet away from him. Jeremy scrambled to get his eyes on John as he began to cross the river. John was nervously looking around with his hand hovering over his pistol.
"Excuse me, friend!" A strange voice called tucked behind one of the rocks. Immediately Arthur was cocked and loaded with his eye on the stranger. A balding, overweight man in yellow who stood up with both arms raised.
"What's your business partner, you armed?" The ever calm John Marston spoke loudly. Arthur was remaining still on the fat man.
"Jeremy, you got him in your sights?" Arthur asked in a hushed voice.
"I do," Jeremy replied.
"I'm armed mister, but not a threat. On my belt, take a look." The fat man was nervous but stood tall, not taking his eyes off John. He did have a pistol on his gun belt, besides, a deputy's badge on his lapel.
"I can see, can I help you, Deputy?" John asked the Deputy, letting his hand fall from his pistol to rest on the horn of his saddle, resisting the urge to look back.
"Don't lose sight of him," Arthur said and looked around the rest of the canyon.
"You got it," Jeremy said with confidence.
"Awful quiet over here boys, what's going on," Dutch asked after sneaking upon them. He peeked over the rock next to Arthur. A pair of binoculars his hand which was wrapped up with a torn-up bandana.
"You see I am looking for some people, wonder if you saw them on the road. A whole gaggle of ladies heading in from Strawberry. I am here to escort them by orders of Sheriff Tobias Candy of Blackwater." The Deputy lowered his arms to tilt his hat to John.
"Is that right?" John asked and finally turned back around to look up to where Arthur may have been hiding.
"You idiot don't look at me." Arthur cursed getting low.
"Sir, that man is wearing a badge." Jeremy lowered his rifle.
"My my things just got interesting, My good sir! How are you today." Dutch chimed in standing up, making Arthur quickly duck down behind the rock not to be seen.
"Why, hello! I wasn't aware you were travelling with another sir. You have me at a disadvantage." The Deputy said, keeping his hands up again. That is until three riflemen popped up from behind the rocks with guns trained at John.
"Whoa whoa hold on folks! No need for the violence!" Dutch called out as Arthur tried to peek around.
"What do you see?" Arthur asked Jeremy.
"There is four of them in total," Jeremy replied still hidden in the leaves of a bush. John was nervously holding his hands up at the mercy of the riflemen.
"Gentlemen please!" Rosalyn appeared in the trail on foot with her rifle slung over her arm but not loaded. Instead, she casually strolled over reloading the gun as she got closer. She walked up to the Deputy and from this distance, Arthur couldn't hear her. Luckily he was out of sight of the riflemen, but Dutch wasn't. He stood above Arthur with his hands raised but eyes on the conversation.
"Excuse me, my lady! Don't forget about the thieves." Dutch chimed in.
"What's going on!" Arthur kicked Dutch's leg to get his attention as he tried not to speak too loudly.
"Looks like we are getting all the escort we need to get Ms Annabelle to Blackwater. You might want to get up and surrender." Dutch said, keeping his hands raised.
"Who's all up there!" One of the riflemen called out.
"Myself, and two other boys sir. No harm here! We are on the run from the O'Driscolls." Dutch called down to the Deputy. Arthur and Jeremy stood up weapons pointed away but still in hand looking to each other nervously.
"Well, Ms Bush tell your people you are safe because we will ensure your arrival in Blackwater goes unbothered from here on out. We received word from Strawberry of your plight and the Sherriff was more than happy to send his best out here to greet you." The Deputy shook Rosalyn's hand and gave it a quick kiss as the riflemen climbed out and brought their horses out from their hiding spots. They were escorting John and Rosalyn back across the river to rejoin the caravan.
"Dutch we gotta get outta here. This is not worth any amount of money. Also what happened to your hand!" Arthur said once Jeremy ran back to the caravan to catch up with Rosalyn.
"Arthur, oh Arthur, you are thick-headed, aren't you. Do you not know who that is? It's Rosalyn Bush. The Rosalyn Bush millionaire daughter of the Bushmill's canned company from New York. By golly, I think I am in love with her too. She put out a cigar in my hand. Can you believe it? I was talking, and she stuck it right in my hand. Ha, she has a big iron hiding in her skirt I'll tell you that. Besides, I went through that carriage and found a secret compartment. She's hiding something in there I know it. Sapphires? Pearls? I'm thinking about gold. She's a gold type gal. We've just got to stick it out for a while. Listen, I got a plan."
"A plan already? That sure was quick, you just met her and believe me Dutch she isn't some airheaded heiress like the others." Arthur began to protest.
"She's lonely right? I've just got a stick by her, and make her believe that without me she won't truly be safe from Colm. Soon enough, she will have me by her side day in and day out. I need you with me on this son, in case the O'Driscolls do show up." Dutch slapped a hand Arthur shoulder and gave him a cocky grin. Arthur was rolling his eyes and sighing heavily.
"If you're sure? You know I trust you Dutch." Arthur said as they both looked back at Rosalyn, who was sitting in the carriage as the Deputy climbed into the driver's seat and began to drive it across the river.
"Let us go. Besides, you want to collect that $200, right?" Dutch slapped Arthur's back not taking his eyes off Rosalyn as he whistled for the Count to run over to him. Arthur sounded for Princess after as the two white stallions trotted to them.
"This is a bad idea, Dutch," Arthur warned him.
"None Sense. You overthink. Just leave the thinking to me." Dutch reassured Arthur, but it didn't help silence the voice in his head. Something felt wrong, and his gut was telling him to flee.