Chapter 3

Leaning back against the long, Nora took a soft breath. A whole day of travel wasted, and she had gone backwards to boot. Arthur crouched in front of the fire and got started on preparing the rabbit for cooking. He'd also come back with a bucket full of blackberries. A soft hum left his throat as he worked, the sound not unpleasant to her ears.

"Why did you help me?" she found herself asking. "I mean…you don't owe me anything."

"Well you wouldn't be doin' too well on your own now would you?" he asked, a smirk coming to his face. "Fishin a bullet outta yourself hurts like hell."

"Thanks," she replied dryly, and he chuckled.

"I won't sugar coat it," Arthru rumbled. "I am not a good man. I can be down right nasty. But what I'm not, is stupid. I will not leave a woman who clearly needs help behind. No matter how dangerous she may be."

"Well," Nora murmured slowly. "I appreciate it."

"I have a few things to think about now anyway, thanks to you," he shrugged. "You told me to stay away from the Downes Ranch."

"I've seen people with TB," Nora replied, staring at the fire. "I've seen them die from it. It's not something I wish on gold folk. Maybe bad ones, but that would mean you. Which…I wouldn't wish that for you. Wasting away from the inside is no way to go."

"I've heard," Arthur rumbled, squatting on his heels. "You may have just saved my life."

Behind them, Khan let out a thunderous snort into the grass. It was too convenient for the moment, and it made both of them chuckle. Shivering slightly, Nora winced at the pain from her shoulder. It would be gone soon enough. Arthur rose to his feet and walked over to his pack without a word. Taking out a blanket, he shook it out and gave her a narrowed look when she went to shake her head.

"Shut it," he ordered. "It's getting cold. I have another."

"Fine," she grunted, and he carefully wrapped it around her.

"So, since we got nothing but time, where you from anyway?"

"West," Nora answered. "California."

"That's a long way from here," Arthur nodded, sitting down and tending to the rabbit.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I wanted to travel. When my parents died, I saved what money I could. Sold the house, and well…left. I could go back, but I don't want to. Not yet. Put my money in a bank and left. I keep up on it though, from time to time."

"Smart woman," he mused, and Nora smirked.

"What about you?" she asked, looking at him.

"Father was a drunk and a thief," he rumbled. "Couldn't die soon enough. My momma died when I was real young, I don't remember from what. My father and I didn't have a good relationship, so when he was hung…well..I took his hat and went on my way. Dutch picked me up when I was around fifteen. Taught me to read and write. Taught me a lot of things. That gang is my life. The only thing I've really ever known."

"We don't always get to choose where life leads us," Nora said softly. "But we can damn well make sure we do the best with what we got."

"That we do," he agreed, leaning forward and turning the rabbit.

The sun started sinking behind the hills not long after they fell quiet, plunging the world around them into darkness. The fire gave off warmth as the temperature dropped, making her sigh.

"There we go," he rumbled, and pulled the rabbit off the flames.

She thanked him when he came to sit beside her with what he'd managed to find. They ate what they had, and she found herself smiling.

"What?" he asked.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"It's nothin," he rumbled, brushing her off.

"No, it's not nothin," she replied firmly. "But I'll keep your secret."

"My secret?" he asked, as Nora took another bite of the rabbit.

"Dutch's right hand man is a big softy," she grinned, and it made him laugh.

"Some secret," he chuckled. "Guess it's fitting, since I don't feel like much of an enforcer these days."

She noticed he'd stopped talking immediately, clenching his jaw. He'd tried to contain his expression, but Nora felt and saw the frustration. Apparently he'd said too much. She took another bite and thought that over, before glancing at him again.

"I heard Cornwall shot up Valentine not too long ago," she offered, and his look had her arching her brow. "People talk. Especially about a shootout like that. Word was that Dutch had been right under their nose the whole time, and none one knew it. Cornwall did though. People said one of the men could shoot with his eyes closed and still hit his target."

"I'll take the compliment," he drawled, and then sighed softly. "I'd been staying away from Valentine cause of that, but it seems all people know me for, is beating up that man. That day was a mess. The only reason I'm back this way is because of that damn ranch."

"Forgive me, but you don't look very happy," Nora observed, making him frown.

"For someone I just met. you sure are nosy," he grunted, making her laugh.

"Well, I only get so much interaction with people. Mine as well make the most of it," she grinned, and he rolled his eyes.

"Obviously," he snorted, but then his expression changed. "We been doing a lot of killing. Unnecessary killing. Doing things that go completely against what Dutch had stood for. We're supposed to be getting lost out West. But well…here we are. I'm not a good man. I kill people, I rob people. I do things that some say are monstrous. I know that. But at least I know who I am. I don't cost people their lives needlessly, like they been doing. We're a dying breed. I wish others knew that."

"You sound like you're in it till the end," Nora said sadly, and Arthur tilted his head.

"What choice do I have?" he asked. "I can't exactly decide I want to be a farmer."

"You're high up in the gang, surely others would listen if something went wrong," Nora offered, taking a few berries, but he shook his head.

"They're loyal. Loyal to a fault when it comes to Dutch," he rumbled. "Dutch can talk babies into following him."

"People who are gifted speakers usually inspire that kind of behavior," Nora replied softly, and he grunted again.

"And boy can he talk," he muttered, before shaking his head. "Well, enough about this. It's best you and I get some rest. You look ready to fall over. What way were you traveling?"

"I was trying to get into the Heartlands," Nora answered, her nose scrunching in irritation.

"I'll get you there," Arthur nodded, making her look at him. "I'm headed back that way. Best to keep you outta trouble."

"It's hard not to like you," Nora replied dryly, and he smiled.

They had eaten everything that Arthur had gathered to eat, so there wasn't much cleaning left to do. She sat quietly while he cleaned the plates and put them back in his pack. Nora was contemplating getting to her feet, when the man walked over and gestured to her.

"Lemme help," he rumbled.

Hard not to like. Using her good arm, she grabbed his hand and Arthur eased her to her feet. Nora sighed a little at the pain. Nodding that she was good, she walked into the darkness to take care of business. Her ever watchful steed, Khan moved so that his body blocked her from sight. She chuckled at that, but then let him help her back toward the fire. The stallion made a soft noise when she got to her bedroll. Not about to change, Nora simply eased herself onto the ground and laid down. Using her saddle something to lean against, she adjusted the small pillow she'd been traveling with.

Having eaten enough, Khan walked over and stood beside her, providing much needed protection. He'd lie down only when he knew it was safe. Arthur watched them for a moment, a fond look crossing his expression. Reaching out, Nora ran her fingers along Khan's leg, making him snort softly. She'd deal with tomorrow when it arrived. Hopefully that wouldn't cut her trip short, or make an enemy she really didn't want. Closing her eyes, she fell into a desperately needed sleep.