Jack had been trailing Arthur all morning, hanging back but never too far, his little boots crunching in the dirt whenever Arthur stopped to check a saddle or tie a knot. The boy had that look about him. Arthur noticed, of course, but didnât press. Jack had Hoseaâs way about him: better to let the words come when they were ready. They were by the hitching posts when it finally tumbled out.
âUncle Arthur⌠are you and Miss Bonnie in love?
Arthur froze midâbuckle on his saddlebag. His hands stilled on the leather, head tilting slightly before he looked down at the boy.
âWhat makes you say that? âI saw you kiss her yesterday âJack said, plain as day. No malice, no shame, just truth. His wide eyes searched Arthurâs face like he expected the answer to be written there.
Arthurâs mouth twitched, caught between a smile and a sigh. He rubbed the back of his neck.
âYouâre seeinâ a lot for a boy your age.
Jackâs shoulders slumped, like maybe he thought heâd overstepped.
âI didnât mean to spy⌠I just...
Arthur crouched until they were eye to eye, the leather of his holster creaking with the motion. He set one big, calloused hand on Jackâs shoulder, steady and warm.
âAinât nothinâ to apologize for, âHe said gentlyâ Sheâs⌠special to me. Real special.
The softness in his voice surprised even him. Jack studied him for a moment, as if weighing the honesty in those words, then smiled. It was that bright, unguarded grin kids had before the world taught them to hide it.
âGood. I like her too. She makes you laugh more.
Arthur huffed out a laugh through his nose, shaking his head.
âYeah⌠guess she does.
He reached over, ruffling Jackâs hair until it stuck up every which way, earning a giggle. From across the yard, Bonnie glanced up from where she was tending the horses. Sheâd caught enough to know. When Arthurâs eyes flicked her way, she ducked her head quickly, pretending to fuss with a stirrup, though the faint, knowing smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
Jack found Dutch leaning against the camp rail near the fire, a tin cup of coffee in hand, surveying the bustle of camp like a king over his court. The boy sidled up beside him, small hands gripping the rough wood, eyes flicking up with a mix of shyness and determination.
âUh⌠Dutch?
Dutch lowered his gaze, one brow arched, a smile tugging the corner of his mouth.
âWhat is it, little man?
Jack hesitated, then blurted:
âAre you and Miss Bonnie in love?
Dutch nearly sputtered into his coffee, but he caught himself, lips curling wider as he chuckled.
âWell now, âHe said smoothlyâ thatâs a mighty big question for such a small fella. What makes you think a thing like that? âI saw you kiss her, âJack said matter-of-factlyâ By the wagon. You didnât see me.
Dutch laughed then, rich and low, shaking his head.
âAhh⌠youâve got an eye sharper than half the men in this camp. Hosea better watch out, youâll be catching him at his tricks next.
Jack shrugged, but his gaze stayed steady.
âWell⌠are you?
Dutch tipped his head, studying the boy like he was weighing how much truth to give. Then he leaned in, voice dropping into that conspiratorial drawl he used when he wanted to sound like a man letting you in on a secret.
âSheâs somethinâ else, that woman. A spirit like wildfire, clever as the devil, and kind enough to shame the rest of us. A manâd have to be blind not to love her.
Jack frowned, brow furrowed.
âSo⌠yes?
Dutch sighed through his nose, a smile tugging again at his lips despite himself.
âYes, son. I suppose I do.
That was enough for Jack, he grinned from ear to ear.
âGood. I like her too. She makes you laugh more.
Dutchâs eyes softened at that, the smile dimming into something quieter. He reached out, resting a big hand on Jackâs shoulder, gentle but firm.
âShe does more than that, boy. She makes a man remember what heâs fightinâ for. And that⌠thatâs no small thing.
From across the camp, Bonnie straightened from brushing down her horse. She caught Dutchâs gaze lingering on her and raised a questioning brow. He didnât say a word, didnât need to. The look he gave her was enough.
Hosea was whittling a strip of wood by the fire, curls piling at his boots, when Jack came trotting up, curiosity all over his face.
âMr. Hosea! âThe boy blurted, almost breathlessâ. Are you⌠are you and Miss Bonnie in love?
The old man paused midâcut, knife hovering. Slowly, he looked up, one brow raised, the faintest smirk tugging his mouth.
âWell now⌠thatâs a mighty big question for a lad who still canât tie his boots right âHe set the wood aside, easing back against the log behind him, one elbow proppedâ What makes you ask a thing like that? âI saw you kiss her yesterday, âJack said proudly, cheeks flushedâ By the creek. You didnât see me.
Hosea chuckled, the sound low and warm, shaking his head.
âSharp eyes, huh? Youâll be catchinâ outlaws in no time with that nose for trouble.
Jack puffed his chest, then leaned in, lowering his voice like it was a secret.
âSo⌠do you love her?
Hoseaâs expression softened. He glanced at the fire, at the way the coals pulsed like a heartbeat, then back at the boy.
âJack⌠loveâs a tricky thing to pin down. Slips through your fingers when you try too hard to name it âHe smiled, quiet and sureâ But yes. I love her. More than I thought an old coot like me had left in him.
Jack grinned wide, rocking on his heels.
âShe loves you too, doesnât she?
Hoseaâs smirk returned, the corner of his eyes creasing.
âShe does, son. And Iâll tell you somethinâ: she loves me best when Iâm makinâ a fool of myself. Keeps me humble, see?
Jack laughed at that, then took off across camp, no doubt to ask someone else a question thatâd make them squirm. Left alone, Hosea picked his knife back up but didnât cut into the wood. He watched Bonnie in the distance, her braid swinging as she carried water back from the river. A fond smile tugged at him, softer than heâd ever let the others see.
âAh, that girl, âHe murmured to the fireâ Keeps an old fox feelinâ young.
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main m.list â§ arthur m.list â§ dutch m.list â§ hosea m.list â§ bonnie m.list













