HERO OF PINEWOOD
Nick patted Heath on the back. "So you ready to leave? Nick was anxious to leave, the deal was done and time to move on.
"Sure Nick," Heath smiled, "I sure could go for a nice quiet train ride." He wasn't quite sure what all the falderal was about in the first place.
"You all right Heath? Never known you to like train rides." Nick said worriedly maybe he had been too hard on his brother's tardiness.
"I'm fine. Let's get going. Jarrod's waiting for us too, right?" Heath was missing his older brother's quietness.
"Heath, are you all right? Of course Jarrod's there and were staying in his townhouse, now you remember?" Nick was now becoming concerned.
"Sure Nick," the blondes eyebrow shot up. "I'm just a little preoccupied is all. Can we git?" Heath said impatiently, hoping to file the horrible events of the last three days from his mind.
"All right little brother all right," Nick said and made sure Heath got a comfortable seat on the crowded train.
Nick and Heath made themselves comfortable. Heath quickly fell asleep, pushing his hat down over his face. Nick started to look over Heath and noticed some bruising on his face. Maybe you was telling the truth little brother. But hell you get into scrapes all the time without my help.
The train was on schedule and they disembarked.
"Ah there's the conquering hero," Jarrod came over and patted Heath on the shoulder as he smiled broadly, proud of his younger brother.
"Hero? Now what have you been drinking Jarrod? I know we were late but a joke's a joke," Nick glared at Jarrod, his arms crossed in frustration.
Heath blushed. "It's nothing Jarrod. You'd a done it too. Can we get going now Jarrod? Sign them papers and I'm looking for a good meal and a nice long rest at home," Heath tried to hurry things along.
"All right Jarrod. Let me in on the joke," Nick growled.
"Here Nick," Jarrod shoved a newspaper into Nick's hand, Heath's photo along with the senator and the now dead outlaw filled the front page. " Read it. I'm buying Heath a drink," Jarrod took Heath by the arm and lead them to a carriage. "Well come on Nick." Nick's face was planted firmly in the newspaper.
Nick grumbled, tucked the newspaper under his arm and climbed into the carriage.
"Well Heath. It won't take long to sign papers. Just to let you know you're the talk of the town. Friends and fellow lawyers have been stopping me all day," Jarrod said proudly, puffing himself up a bit in the process. "Where do you want to eat dinner, my treat? I don't often I get to take a hero to dinner."
"Hero," Nick snorted, " Heath you told me it was a woman."
"Well it was sorta Nick. But you were all so fired up to get here I kinda shortened it a bit," Heath held up his thumb and forefinger to show how short.
"Well so far what I read you let Jimmy Sweetwater tell you all about the dirty dealings and a Senator getting killed. Can't you go any where without getting into trouble?" Nick laughed.
"Nick I didn't have no choice Pinewood didn't have any rooms left so I spent the night out of town and headed to Hazelton. Not my fault I picked the wrong spot and well the rest is in the newspaper article. Most of it anyway. Damned reporters wouldn't leave me be," Heath complained.
"And what about the woman?" Nick's curiosity was peaked.
"Oh that was his daughter; she kinda thought I was crazy getting myself involved. So did some other people, wanted to warn me off," Heath's voice got quiet hoping not to alarm his brothers. A few cuts and bruises were nothing to him.
"The bruises?" Jarrod looked at his face, reached up to take his cheeks, Heath resisted, still not use to all the attention.
"Yeah, bruised a few ribs maybe, stomach, nothing I can't handle. And don't even mention going to a doctor. I swear you break a darn fingernail and you rush to the doctor," Heath smiled.
"Heath, you realize you won't have to buy a drink for months. How does that feel?" Jarrod again smiled, proud of his brother.
"Like I said Jarrod, you or Nick would done the same thing. Ain't no different." Heath was still confused why his brothers were making such a fuss.
"Hurmph, hero. Well little brother if you get a big head. I'll be more than willing to knock it off," Nick nudged him gently in the arm.
"I'm sure you will Nick I'm sure you will. Well here we are." Heath was thankful to get out of stuffy cab and the fussing of his brothers.
The men walked into the lawyer's office and found the parties.
"So is this the hero?" They asked and shook Heath's hand vigorously.
"Yes this is my brother Heath. The Hero," Jarrod showed him off proudly.
"Aw Jarrod," Heath blushed. " You'll have to forgive my brother, ain't nothing." Heath rubbed his hands together, "so where do I sign?" He suddenly found his brother's office stuffy and confining.
After the paperwork was signed, the men offered to buy dinner and drinks.
"Sorry fellas, I prefer the company of my brothers. Maybe next time," Heath half smiled. "Besides my brother offered me to take me to dinner any place I want. Can't refuse an offer like that now can I?" Thankful he got away from the fawning strangers.
They shook hands and left the office. "All right Heath, where do you want to eat?" Jarrod asked still questioning Heath's reluctance to celebrate.
"You know Jarrod I been thinking about it. Since it's just us, seeing as the womenfolk aren't here," Heath winked hoping his brother would get his meaning.
Jarrod started to squirm. "All right Heath. I'm going to buy you dinner, dessert is on you." As he wondered how much more trouble Heath could get into.
Heath laughed. "Now Jarrod do you think I don't know it. I was thinking the Palace Hotel dining room. Seeing if you have a spare suit, a hot bath and whiskey, not necessarily in that order."
"Done." Jarrod sighed.
"Now Heath, you took a perfectly opportunity to have Jarrod take us to Madame Henries." Nick said disappointed, not coming to San Fran as often as he would have liked.
"On no Nick. I'm a hero now, at least until it dies down, knowing how them bottom feeders are and seeing Mother and Audra would hear right quick. I really don't want to trust my luck." Heath winked.
"All right Heath," Jarrod said relieved "Yes I have a few suits for our dinner and hot baths along with whiskey and not in any particular order."
Getting another cab, the men headed to Jarrod's townhouse and freshened up. Nick feeling Heath took a little too long in the tub until he saw the bruising on his ribs. They were in a guest room, Nick had almost finished dressing. Heath came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. Nick grimaced unconsciously and walked over to Heath.
"Don't say nothing Nick," Heath cautioned him. "Don't want no liniment or anything. Mothers gong to find out soon enough and she'll send me to bed or fuss all over me," Heath shook his head.
"Now Heath this is what you get for being a hero." Nick laughed and grimaced.
The cab ride to the restaurant was quiet, until they climbed out. Word had gotten out and a few people shook Heaths hand on the way in.
Heath looked at the luxurious hotel lobby and restaurant. Whistling he felt underdressed in his suit. Apparently word traveled fast and a prominent table was arranged. Even before they ordered, Jarrod's friends and acquaintances came over to meet the hero. The blonde felt heat rise to his face and his tie seeming to choke him.
"Well here's to the hero," Jarrod rose a glass of champagne to Heath.
Their glasses clinked and Heath dove into his food. Luckily the well wishers and glad handler's dissipated, he was able to enjoy his meal.
Heath yawned on the cab ride back to the lawyer's home.
Dinner over, the men enjoyed brandy and cigars at Jarrod's townhouse, recalling the long expensive meal.
"Ah Jarrod, best meal I think I had in my life," Heath patted his satisfied stomach, forgetting his aches and pain for a few hours.
"Well how could you eat seeing as all those people congratulating you and shaking your hand? Surprised you tasted anything." Nick reasoned since it seemed every few minute's people were shaking Heath's hands.
"Jarrod, I do think Nicks jealous." Heath took a long drag on his cigar. "Besides not often I get to meet such pretty ladies. Look like if I come up here I might be right busy."
"But I'm sure Heath forgot one thing," Nick chuckled.
"Now what could that be Nick?" Heath now worried.
"You realize when we get home, not only Mother, Audra and the whole towns going to know about, think about Marianne Stabley." Nick laughed even harder.
Heath took another long drag on his cigar. "Boy howdy I forgot about her. Jarrod any chance you looking for a new law clerk?"
All men laughed and took a long drag on their cigars.
