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Mary Beth isn't sure how long she sat on this rock but she didn't care, the man that caught the attention of her fluttering eyes is Arthur Morgan. The man beneath that angry outlaw outlook who saved her a few months back from the angry mob whom she pickpocket from.
When she ran for her life with her bag filled with jewels and pretty watches, all her means of escape became limited and she got really desperate. And as she reached a dead end and the angry folk behind her, she knew as hell it was over for her.
But then a rough voice called out that put them to halt. And before they knew it and turned around, bullets struck them fast as lightning. The next thing Mary Beth saw, all the men were dropped dead with bullet holes in their heads. Of course, violence and death was never new to her, she also killed for her own survival. But what surprised her more was the man who was willing to save her.
And that's how she ended up in this gang a few months later. It had been almost a week ever since the Van Der Linde gang moved up here in South Elizabeth to get away as far away from the law as possible after their daring rescue of Arthur Morgan from Illinois State Penitentiary because he was unfortunate enough to get captured by bounty hunters after their successful bank job in Chicago. After the rescue, many state and federal officials were hot on their tail and Dutch wanted them to move further away from Chicago as far as they could.
In which it also led them to another recruit, Sean Macguire. Ever since then, he'd been following Arthur like a little kid following his big brother wherever he goes. Arthur was visibly annoyed by him, but she knew that deep down he was starting to like the kid.
Ever since the day her hero came for her aid, she's been dreaming about Arthur, being her only man, her dark knight in shining armor. The kind of man she always fascinated in those silly romance stories she read. And she likes picturing herself being the damsel in distress and her hero comes by and saves her.
But of course, that's only her fantasies and hopes that may never happen where she ends up in danger again. But a fantasy of being with him is wishful thinking.
If only, even just for one day, she could have him all to herself and tell him how she feels, and then that dream may come true.
Maybe that's today, if it is now, she'll have to take it. She can't bear hiding her feelings for him for this long. Besides, Arthur had just gotten done with the chores.
So this is her chance. And she's going to take it. And he's coming this way.
So she picked herself up and went over to his direction. "Hi, Arthur." She greeted him.
Arthur nodded in return. "Hello Mary Beth."
His muscular built, handsome face and voice made her feel butterflies in her stomach and her face heating up. But she immediately composed herself, she wanted to confess her feelings, just not here, and not yet.
"How are you doing?"
"Ah, well, it's been a tough few days and I could really use a break in town." He replied, Mary Beth nodded in agreement, fully understanding that he's still recovering from his time in prison.
"Uhm..." she started. "Would you mind if I join you? I figured you need some company. And besides, I'm bored out of my mind, Arthur. I'd rather get shot."
Arthur thought of it and then decided it's alright.
"Well, let's hope it ain't come to that but sure, we can go together. Besides, I could also use a break from Sean." That earned him a playful shove from Mary Beth
"Oh, Arthur, whether you deny it or not, we all know you have a soft spot for that kid." She told him.
"Yeah sure," he replied. "Come on, let's get going."
Arthur and Mary Beth went over to where the horses were resting and finds his beloved Boadicea. The Liver Chestnut Hungarian Half Bred grazing over the grass next to Brown Jack and Berry, the Red Roan Tennesse Walker. Arthur found the giant mare years ago at the wide open fields, she was a piece of work to tame her but they eventually got along together. And their bond became inseparable.
Arthur and Mary Beth led their horses out of their spot and tethered them first before getting them ready.
Boadicea gave him a rough shove to the shoulder with her big head, almost knocking him off of his feet. He laughed in response and fished his satchel for some peppermints and handed it over to her.
"I know you like these, girl, but you don't need to push me like that." He said, chuckling at her cheeky grin.
Mary Beth observed his horse as she got Berry ready. "What a lovely horse, Arthur." She commented.
"Yeah, she and I go way back. Don't we, girl?" He patted her neck as she moved her head, he took that as a yes.
"Alright, let's go."
Mary Beth mounts on her horse and follows him ride off from camp.
As they ride away Arthur gets deep in his thoughts as he lets Boadicea take him to town. He couldn't lie, a small part of him probably was sweet on Mary Beth ever since he laid eyes on her.
Keywords: probably
Because he didn't fancy her too much, or so he thought. But when he saw her, she was a damsel in distress and needed saving, only to find out that stealing goods had been her shtick for a while now and also the reason why those bastards wanted her blood on their hands. Not that Arthur would have any sympathy for those men, since they had the audacity to kill a woman regardless of what she done, but in the end, she's still a woman. Especially her reasons for doing her hustle.
He took her in primarily for keeping her safe, and since she doesn't have a home or anyone she knew to turn to, it became clear to Arthur that from that day, Mary Beth stays with the gang for life. He introduced her to the gang to care for her, give her protection, give her work, food and shelter, and most of all, a man who would happily die to a bullet, protecting her.
Because he cares.
Arthur sighed in silence as he realized all these things he had done for Mary Beth made his feelings for her grow stronger than the day they met.
But he tried to shake those feelings away. He had his experiences with his love life, and it failed twice. Once when his first love and child were killed by bandits for over ten bucks, and another woman he loved, left him because of his way in life. Honestly, he's still angry with Mary for not understanding that he has to stay with the gang to remain loyal with them, especially Dutch.
He didn't want to have another chance with love, especially a young woman who could possibly be his potential partner whose name also happens to be Mary. He couldn't live to have his heart shattered yet again if it didn't work out, or being in a relationship with her could put her in more danger than she is right now by being with this gang. Or for all he knew, it could be both. If that ever happens, he swore to never find love again.
If only he could just push these goddamn feelings and them butterflies off of his stomach but they're eating inside him like a plague. The kind of plague just waiting to be released if he lets them out first.
He was snapped out of his thoughts the second he noticed that they had made it to Blueberry. A small town that's just like the kind of place for outlaws and gunslingers.
“So what do you want to do?” Mary Beth asked first upon making their way into the streets.
“I could use a drink, and some food. I'm famished.” Arthur admittedly said. “Folks back in camp took what's left of Pearson's stew.”
“Oh, that's too bad…” she said.
“Ahh, don't worry about it too much. It don't taste good anyway.” Arthur shrugged.
They tethered their horses in front of the saloon and went inside and ordered food. They took their lunches to an empty spot just at the back of the saloon.
“I haven't eaten in a saloon for so long. I missed the food these places have.” Mary Beth said truthfully.
“Heh, you got that right. I haven't been in these places for some time now.” He leaned a little closer to her with a whisper. “Because I'm a wanted man that escaped a federal prison.” He added with a smirk.
Mary Beth burst out laughing and slightly tapped him on the left shoulder. “Oh, Arthur Morgan! You sure know how to make a lady laugh!”
Arthur chuckled. “I ain't the comedian type, Miss Gaskill.”
She scoffed. “Oh, enough with that and call me Mary Beth, you silly fool.”
“If you say so.” He replied, taking a bite of his meal.
Few minutes went by as they were occupied with their meals. After a small sip of her glass of beer, Mary Beth glanced up to Arthur, god he's handsome as hell.
“Hey Arthur, there's something I've been meaning to ask…” she started.
“Yeah, what is it?” He asked.
Mary Beth hesitated, until she finally relent. “How…” She cleared her throat. “How were they treating you…in that jail?”
Much to her relief, Arthur is not bothered by this question because in the end, he's already out of that damn place.
“Well, you'd know how they treat killers like us in those places. They made the chain gangs as working slaves in the fields, and beat them whenever they made a slight, minor setback. Depriving them of food, and mocking them during their last days before meeting their end by the gallows.” Arthur summed it all up.
Mary Beth is shocked at how much pain her dream man has experienced in that prison. “Oh my god…I'm sorry you had it worst, Arthur.”
“Eh, it's all good now. You already know that they came for me.” Arthur stated. “Wanna know something silly?” Mary Beth responded with a nod, curious on what he's about to say.
“When they got me out, Bill ran head first into another cell bar and hit his head on accident.” He snickered.
They both laughed out loud at how clumsy and foolish the former military man really is. At least it lightened the mood for Arthur, that made her happy. So she could keep it this way.
When they slowly settled their laughter, their hidden feelings had resurfaced and they had gotten stronger than a while ago. The more they looked at each other, the more they felt the heat burning up in their faces.
Arthur ends the never ending silence with a sudden fake cough. “So…how are you doing with all this ever since I took you to the gang?”
Mary Beth gave him a warmed smile. “Oh, it felt like a fresh start for me. Because I don't have to be alone anymore, you boys cared for me. But back then, nobody cared for me.”
“And that's why you have us.” He paused from finishing his sentence with “including me.”
“Hey, uhm, I sensed there's something more you want to say.” Mary Beth caught on.
“Oh, nothing. That's all I'm saying.” He quickly shrugged it off.
She blinked. “Oh, sure.” When she stared at him again, her heart skipped a beat.
This is when she will let him know she feels. He's almost finished with his meal, it's now or never.
“There's something I want to say.” She started.
“What is it?” He asked, dropping his fork and knife.
Mary Beth cleared her throat and remained silent for a brief moment. And finally, she confessed.
“I like you, Arthur Morgan.”
Arthur went dead silent the second she said that. Does this mean that the woman he secretly fancied for some time now also liked him back??
Even if it is clear to him, he couldn't think of anything else to say.
“I…I…” he stammered. “Thank you…”
Mary Beth's face turned sour.
“Arthur!” She whined, not amusement at his response.
Arthur raised his hands in defense. “I'm very sorry, Mary Beth. I just…” he sighed. “I don't know what to say since…I also…think you're interesting.”
Mary Beth is very surprised upon discovering this. “You do?”
He nodded with a frown. “Yeah. I do. But I'll never have a chance with love because of the life I lived. Love didn't end well for me, twice.”
Mary Beth lay a hand on him. “Arthur, if you ever worried about what will happen to me in this life, you don't have to. Because I can handle myself, deep down I knew I was gonna be killed with the way I lived my life before that time when those men had me trapped and ready to kill me. I shouldn't be surprised if I'm being unlucky.
Arthur rests his other hand on her. “You don't need to dwell on the past, you can only move on. While yes, I am worried about you when we're about to become an item, but I know you're solid. You were quite a handful with the distractions of every stage job.”
Mary Beth blushed at the compliment. “Oh stop it, you're flattering me.”
Arthur chuckled again. “Well, you've been flattering me the more I get to know you.” He remarked, earning him a giggle from the young woman.
So they talk and eat for the next hour.
“So, where do you want to go next, or do you want to head back to camp?” Arthur asked as they exited the saloon and mounted their horses.
“Uhm, I was thinking about finding a good view of this town.” She suggested.
“Sure, I know a spot for that. Follow me.”
So they went out of town as Mary Beth followed Arthur to one of the tall mountains from a distance. They did not speak much of the ride, but they knew that deep down, they'll see how things changed for them once they officially become an item. While Arthur's still hurt with his failed love experiences, a little bit of hope flickered in his heart, sensing that with Mary Beth, maybe things will turn out great for him.