___________________________________________________

-Colter-
Chapter 7 Pt.I
"Eastward Bound"

___________________________________________________

In the night before the day of packing, Tulip knew Hosea, Dutch, and Strauss had a bit of an issue on settling in a particular location. Arthur didn't put much thought or input on the matter, because he wasn't known for that sort of thing. New Hanover was a new area for him, he's been at West for the most part. For Tulip, she had known some things on it because of her tribe.

Unfortunately, due to some circumstances, Tulip and her family had never been with the tribe for too long. She could only remember small figments and pieces of fond memories playing with the kids same age as her. Though, she and her family were slowly pushed away. Eventually, they left.

"Willow had told me that your tribe knew of this area." Hosea was looking over at the map that laid flat as water on the table, its paper the color of coffee.

"Ah, Fräulein Tulip, if I can recall correctly, you and Herr Matthews suggested...perhaps somewhere in... The Heartlands?" The German debt manager responded, the lantern and fireplace highlighting his glasses that sits on the bridge of his large nose.

There were many other locations that were mentioned during their conversation, it went on for long hours. Apparently too long that it was either Arthur, or Dutch that began to snore in one of the separate rooms.

Ultimately, as the moon shone in the dark, nightly sky, Tulip grabbed her knife and looked over the circled locations. She pinned the glistening, silver blade on an area that resembled a horseshoe.

"A plateau... Steep on one side and a thick forest on the other side..." Hosea thought.

"An excellent decision, Fräulein Tulip, this should be a perfect place to settle down and keep ourselves hidden..."

"I'll let Dutch know early in the morning, go on and have some rest, dear."

"Mm-hm..." She tipped her hat.

As Leopold Strauss turned in for the night, Hosea planted a gentle hand on Tulip, "Oh, and Tulip..."

She turned to Hosea with a brow raised.

"I've heard that... You told Willow about the explosives?" Hosea had a sly smile, Tulip's smile widened and she chuckled. "Haha, Arthur was never lucky with explosives was he?"

They sat for a bit, talking about the time when Arthur accidentally almost blew his old horse up. One of the funniest moments was when he scrambled for the fuse clumsily to snuff it out before setting the dynamite off. Or when Willow and Tulip had to put a dynamite stick in an outhouse, while Hosea and Arthur (doing dress up games) were distracting their targets. The plan was to take out one of the men while making a distraction, so, Willow suggested the fun way.

Have them an "explosive diarrhea", she had said.

There was even a time where John was forced to join Hosea's game, but it was actually Willow's scheme to see John put on a dress. Tulip was disappointed that it never happened, he was oblivious sometimes, but not enough and he figured them out. In the end, he felt offended that Willow overestimated his stupidity.

It was a fun conversation of the old days, just Tulip and Hosea, laughing and making fun of each other, trying to see who failed in the most embarrassing way.

"I- I remember when you were so drunk, you thought a cow was your horse!" They both laughed, Tulip shrunk in her chair and had a red blush that bloomed on her face, mumbling. "Then you punched it, but it ain't just that! I can't believe you got charged with animal cruelty for it and cow theft! Cow theft! Sweet lord."

Even Dutch, their charismatic leader of the gang, had his share of blunders. Something about a boating accident where he fell off a boat, while fishing with a few others.

Eventually, Tulip and Hosea bid a farewell and she exited their cabin. Her smiled faded when she saw Willow sitting on the steps of their cabin, Tulip strolled over and sat next to her.

"I know, it's late. But..." She looked over her shoulder, meeting Tulip's hazel brown, concerning eyes with her emerald ones. "I guess... I jus' really miss Jenny..."

They both leaned on each other's shoulders, staring at the starry night sky. "Mm..." Tulip hummed, unsure of what to say. But she knew what to do as she caressed her golden hair.

Willow felt tears welling up. "She was... Real lively ya know? Wished she was here, now that our luck is turnin'." Then she laughed. "Didn't Miss Kirk and Mr. Summers had a thing for each other?"

Tulip nodded, in the corner of her view, she could see Willow smiling. But it held sorrow.

"Could we..." Tulip now turned her head to fully see a girl who she sees as a daughter. "Perhaps visit her grave someday?..."

Tulip slowly nodded, flashing a genuine smile for her. Willow tried to fight back the tears threatening to fall, she furiously wiped them away. "Aw sh- shucks, I'm bein' a crybaby and all over again."

She tried to keep up a smile, but it trembled. It was heartbreaking to watch Willow struggle to keep up her optimistic side.

"Haha, I always loved it wh-when me and her would joke 'round and... And tease others. Ya know?" They gazed at the blinking stars once again. "I j-just..."

In the next moment, she buried her face on Tulip's chest, letting it all out. It was clear her and Jenny were close, Jenny Kirk was only just a few years older than Willow.

The quiet sobs went on for a few good long minutes, it gradually calmed. "Sleep." Tulip said.

"Yeah, thank you, Tulip." She was going to furiously rub away the tears again, but Tulip stopped her hand, and gently wiped it away with her thumbs herself. Her caring hands touching Willow's soft and freckled cheeks. "Let's get a good night's rest..."

***

"- Final Day, Camp Colter -"

"After a few days, storm's finally settled, a bag of bearer bonds for money, and no Pinkertons or O'Driscolls have found us yet. The train's cars was very pretty, mainly Cornwall's private car. Had a talk with Hosea and Mr. Strauss regarding settlements last night, and Willow, I think you'll like it. More so than the snow, that's for sure.

The Heartlands...haven't been there in a long time. Missed it. But I fear that I may have to see certain folks - old friends that may or may not want me no more."

Tulip paused, sighing heavily, contemplating very deeply.

"Someday, I promise, we'll visit young Jenny. She was one fine young lady, that girl. You and her act so similar, I reckon you must've been sisters at some point. Might as well be."

Tulip was drawing from memory, remembering the clean books, fancy window curtains, and even the wooden furnitures having etchings. She yawned, wondering if last night's talk with Hosea and erupting laughter had kept the entire cabin awake.

She flipped the pages over to get a brief look at a drawing of Jenny she had done. The fuzzy lines of graphite carefully drawn together to form and shape a gorgeous portrait. It was so long ago, in only just a couple months before, Willow, Tulip, everyone, they had a bustling party together. Davey, Mac, Sean, and Jenny, all laughing along like one big family with the rest of the gang. It truly was a beautiful memory.

Someone pulled her out of her reminisce. "Tulip, could you assist Mr. Smith and Mr. Williamson outside and load up them carriages?" Miss Grimshaw asked, but it sounded more of a command. It was usually how it goes, ordering everyone and arranging everything.

The woman is kind, yet terrifying if you ever choose to step on her toes. But Tulip had a feeling Grimshaw asked because she found her staring at her journal with sad eyes too often, Tulip tried to conceal it, but it was clear that even this hard cowgirl was shaken.

She quickly closed her journal and nodded, "Willow, please stop teasing the men and focus on your work!"

Tulip couldn't help but roll her eyes with a grin, Willow was laughing her head off, poking fun at, specifically, Uncle. Not surprisingly, Uncle didn't do anything, unless packing himself up with the rest of the supplies counts. Tulip was glad to see Willow try to be on the bright side. Admittedly, both her and fat, old Uncle make this gang happy. Hence why that old man was still kept around.

Grimshaw was busy shouting at the other girls, "Oh, for Lord's sake. Put that book away and go help! Oh... Mary-Beth." Tulip didn't actually mind Grimshaw's strictness, it reminded her of someone she knew.

Tulip went over to quickly carry boxes from Charles, fortunately, his hand was doing fine. She heaved, some of the boxes were as heavy as a deer. "Thank you, Miss Tulip."

"Mm-hm."

Heading out and into the calm snow, she spotted Arthur coming with his Tennessee Walker horse.

Arthur was speaking with Dutch. "So, we gettin' outta this hellhole?

"We're gonna try, weather seems stable."

Tulip and Bill were passing the crates over and quickly filling up the wagons, the others did the same.

Hosea walked over, rubbing his hands and arms from the chilly air. "And we've just robbed a Leviticus Cornwall train." He spoke, not quite pleased that they drew in trouble.

"We got money in our pockets...the worst is behind us, gentlemen. So the question is, where is now?" Dutch replied.

Hosea informed, "I know this country a little... I told you, we should set up camp in... a place where Tulip had kindly noted, Horseshoe Overlook near Valentine. We'll be able to hide out there no problem...as long as we keep our noses clean." He gave a subtle warning on the last part.

"Well then let's go." Dutch unhitched his albino Arabian and headed to the front carriage, "Clean noses and everything else. Arthur, you're in that one, bring Hosea... I know you two like to talk about the good old days...and what's gone wrong with old Dutch." He pointed to the wagon at the far back. "Take Willow and Tulip too, you know how they are."

Arthur chuckled when Dutch said it under his breath, "Always poking fun when either one of them girls thought we was sleepin'..."

Hosea smirked, but neither Arthur or Dutch caught it because his back was turned.

They soon set off into the open wilderness once again, crossing the frozen lakes and rapid rivers that sang a rumbling note. Tulip and Willow were sitting on the end of the wagon with the cargo, Willow swaying her legs to and fro.

"Hey Tulip, why dontcha hum somethin' nice will ya?" Willow laid on her arm and shoulder, careful and fully aware about her injury from the train heist.

Tulip shook her head and tried to shrink under her hat, looking away.

"Aw, c'mon Tulip!"

Arthur and Hosea were listening the twosome talk, the old con man grinned. "It'd be nice to hear it over the wagon's wheels."

Arthur chimed in. "Yep. Wouldn't hurt to listen."

Tulip felt outnumbered, and she sighed in defeat. "Yes!" Willow laughed.

"Mm-hm, hm, mm-hm hm..." Tulip hummed, smiling. "Mm-hm, hm, mm-hm hm..."

(Tulip hums "See the Fire In Your Eyes" instrumental.)

https://youtu.be/8_t_0xv00BQ

Willow joined in too, their voices interwoven along with the notes in beautiful harmony. "Hm-hm, mmm, hm-mm..."

Arthur and Hosea glanced at each other and grinned, looking ahead and flicking the reins as the wagons creaked and followed. It made deep ruts upon the snow, Tulip didn't stop humming, but Willow did, because she was smiling at the marvels of nature now that they were officially out of the mountains.

The trees which were intertwined together with leaves and frost, stood tall and erect, enveloped by Dawn's brightest light of the sun. Rocky terrain carved out the landscape and the world in front of them, each powdered by the sugary particles of winter's breath. Willow smiled at the skies, the warmth of the golden sun gently kissing their faces.

Both her and Tulip were slightly swaying side to side as she hummed, by God, Tulip had missed Nature's magnificence.

Dutch called. "Lenny, Micah! Get over here!"

"Yes, boss?"

"You two ride ahead, make sure there's no surprises. We've had enough of those."

"Me, with the boy?"

"Just go."

"C'mon, kid. You can buy me a whiskey."

Soon, Willow saw the grass, it's leaves sprouting forth with life from the dirt that was no longer sprinkled by the snow. Tulip still hummed, but was also drawing on her journal, titling it: "Out of the Snow".

The blondie made a small laugh seeing the wildlife run across the lands, "Haha, oh, look Tulip! Draw them rabbits!" The old female gunslinger chuckled at how enthusiastic she was.

Arthur and Hosea laughed, "Who gave this gal coffee?"

"Boy, I'm just glad things are finally turnin' out quite nice for us!"

They were about to cross a stream, and Tulip stopped humming a bit while ago. The water was so very blue, Willow and Tulip even spotted some fish splashing around.

"Get us out the stream." Tulip's ears heard sounds of wood yawning and creaking as they passed over a bump somewhere hidden within the river.

*snap!*

"Ow!" Willow sounded out.

Tulip watched a wheel roll away in a good few meters from them, Willow's bag had fallen on her and some of their belongings also. If Tulip wasn't fast enough, the rest of the other things would've fallen out of the carriage too.

"Aw shit!"

Hosea and Arthur checked on the girls. "Are you ladies alright?"

Willow was rubbing her head, frowning. "Juuust about." She glared at her bag for falling on her.

Tulip nodded, jumping off of the wagon to pick up the boxes and bags, some of the baskets and cups too.

"Okay, let's take a look."

Bill yelled as the caravan slowed to a halt. "You alright back there?"

Arthur remarked. "Does everything look alright?" He jumped off.

"Well what's goin' on?" Javier asked.

"Argh! I broke the goddamn wheel." Arthur sighed and waved his arm, noticing that the said part of the wagon was lying on the dirt.

Hosea checked the wagon. "Alright, let's get it fixed."

"You need help?" Charles walked over as both Willow and Tulip hopped off, Willow grabbed the edge. Tulip jogged over to lend a hand with Arthur, rolling the wheel.

"Ah, I reckon we can handle it. Alright Charles, Willow, let's hold the thing up, while both of you try to put the wheel back on Arthur, Tulip." Hosea explained.

"You still strong enough to hold up a wagon?"

"Shut up."

Arthur replied, "I'm just sayin'."

"Well, say less." The three heaved.

Tulip grasped and, in sync, both her and Arthur grunted, lifting the wheel up back into its place. "Alright, let's bash it in..." He huffed. Within three heavy bashing, the impact pushed the wooden wheel back on. "There..." Both Arthur and her exhaled.

"See, you ain't so useless after all."

Hosea laughed at Arthur's retort. "Not quite."

As the men helped with loading the carriage once again, Tulip spotted three figures on horseback in the distance. They stood high upon the cliff.

She froze, feeling her heart sink. "Tulip...is that?" Willow said quietly.

Tulip quickly turned away, pretending to be busy on collecting the rest of the objects that spilled out. Noticing Tulip's strange behavior, Arthur, Hosea, and Charles slowly gazed upon the looming shadows that stood atop of the rocks...

___________________________________________________

A/N : Part 1 donee! I hope I got a few small laughs from out of you folks in my poor attempt of a lighthearted chapter lol. And now that they're heading into The Heartlands, we get to know a bit more on Tulip's tribe... I'm literally writing until my phone dies xD

Published : Dec.23, 2018