The Storm – Chapter 2

Day 2

At sunrise, Curry woke up and stretched, his muscles protesting the movement. Yesterday had been a long day and today's list of chores seemed just as long. He got up and stoked the fire before going outside to get water and more wood. His eyes went immediately to his first priority for the day…burying the dead. He glanced towards the back of the house to the location Floyd wanted as the final resting place for his loved ones and hoped the ground would be soft enough for digging. Back in the house, he quietly made coffee and checked on his partner and the Walker family. He sighed with relief to see that Heyes seemed to be resting comfortably. While waiting for the coffee, Kid went to the barn and looked for a shovel and spade. Finding the tools he needed, he put them in the hand cart and pulled the cart next to the bodies. Taking a deep breath, he placed Rose and Mary into the wagon, ready to take them up the small hill.

Then Kid went back into the house for a cup of coffee and noticed brown eyes blinking awake. He went over to his partner. "Mornin', Heyes," he whispered.

"Morn…" Heyes said in a normal tone, the effects of the laudanum still with him.

Kid put his index finger to his lip. "Shhh…everyone else is still asleep. Gotta start diggin' that grave soon. You need to…"

"Yeah, and is that coffee I smell?" Heyes whispered. Curry nodded his head and got the chamber pot. "A cup sounds good."

By the time Kid had Heyes' needs completed, the rest of the family was waking up. Sending Hannah and Samuel out of the cabin for eggs, Kid ministered to the needs of Levi and Floyd.

"I'm about to go up and start diggin' the grave," the Kid said in a low voice as he helped Floyd.

Floyd nodded. "I'd like to see…"

"No you don't," Heyes interrupted.

Floyd gave him a puzzled look.

"That's not how you want to remember them. Something like that'll haunt you the rest of your life. You want the last memory of them to be a happy one."

The Kid and Heyes made brief eye contact before Heyes turned his head to stare out the window. He knew Heyes was right. Trying to remember their families alive and well was almost impossible for both of them after seeing them dead and having to bury them.

"You sure about that?"

The Kid glanced quickly at his partner before he gave Floyd a sympathetic look. "Without goin' into detail, trust us on that one."

After breakfast and before going up the grassy knoll, Kid instructed Samuel and Hannah to strain the soup, start cleaning the yard by putting the clothes and wood in piles and to capture the animals. "I'll be back for you later so you all can say a few words at the grave. Check on Levi, your pa and my partner. Listen for them and get me if I'm needed." With that, Kid pulled the wagon with its precious cargo up the hill.

As the spade struck the ground, the soft earth yielded easily and the Kid breathed a sigh of relief that the soil wasn't hard or rocky. He gently rested Rose's body in the grave and then placed Mary carefully on her chest, bringing Rose's arms up to cradle her daughter. The grim memory of burying his own family surfaced and he wiped away a stray tear as it trickled down his cheek. Since every blanket was needed, he had brought one of Rose's dresses that had been in the yard and covered them. Wiping his eyes, he began filling in the grave.

Pulling the cart back down the hill, Kid made note of the work Samuel and Hannah had accomplished in the yard. All the clothes were in a pile to be washed again and wood was being piled near the barn. Seeing the tipped outhouse, Kid made a mental note to upright it sooner than later. A cow was in the corral with the horses and several sheep were tied to a post. Curry grinned as he saw Hannah trying to pull a second cow towards the corral with Samuel using his crutch to move the animal.

"Samuel, don't you be puttin' any weight on that ankle. You two have done a fine job cleanin' up the yard." Kid walked over and relieved Hannah of the cow and coaxed it into the corral with the other animals. "How about takin' a break in the house?"

"Okay," they said in unison and headed to the house.

Kid went to the well to wash his hands and bring in another bucket of water. As he entered the house, he asked, "How's everyone in here?"

Heyes looked up from a book someone got him and slightly frowned. "How are you? Everything go okay?"

Kid shrugged his shoulders. "It's done. After awhile, I thought we'd go up there and say a few words." He dipped a cup in the water and walked over to his partner who took the tin cup. "Anyone hurtin' bad and need some more laudanum?"

Heyes shook his head and then wished he hadn't. The movement made the pounding at the back of his head worse and his vision was blurry. He tossed the book on the table by the bed; reading was impossible. Reluctantly he spoke up when the Kid gave him a questioning look, "Guess I better have some."

"Book that bad? Don't recall you throwin' a book before."

"Just frustrated — having a hard time reading because I'm hurting."

Curry nodded as he understood the problem. "Floyd?"

Floyd did not look away from staring at the floor. "I could use some," he murmured.

"What about you, Levi?"

Levi protested, "I don't want that icky stuff."

The Kid knelt down by the child and felt his forehead for a fever. "Are you hurtin', Levi?"

Levi shook his head and grimaced in pain from the movement.

The Kid cocked his head to Levi with a knowing look. "If you're not hurtin', how come you're makin' a face like that?"

"Well, maybe just a little."

"Then I'll give you just a little. How's that?" And you can drink water right away. Okay?"

"Okay," Levi begrudgingly agreed.

Curry gave Heyes, Floyd and Levi more medicine before sweeping up the remainder of the broken glass.

"Thaddeus?"

"Yeah?"

"May wanna patch them holes in the roof today. I see clouds in the distance."

Kid sighed. That was not on his list of chores he wanted to finish today. He walked over to the window and saw the clouds his partner was referring to. "Great… Just great," he mumbled to himself.

"And you're gonna need something to cover the broken windows, too," Heyes added.

"Floyd…"

There was no response from the other side of the bed.

"Floyd!"

Floyd slowly turned his head towards Curry.

"You have somethin' I could put over the windows to keep the rain out? Tar paper? Burlap bags?"

"There's some burlap bags in the barn near the stalls," Floyd said and he fixed his eyes once again to the floor. "Jones?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you say something when we're at the grave? Don't have to be much."

Kid hesitated and looked at his partner; he had the silver-tongue, not him.

Heyes noticed the panic in the blue eyes and nodded reassuringly.

"Sure, Floyd," he said, his voice full of reservation. "Better go find the bags and some tools so I can get started this afternoon."

Walking to the barn, Kid shook his head. How did he get himself into these situations — talking at the grave? Glancing over he sighed; there's the outhouse that needed to be upright. Too many things to do… He went into the barn and found tools to fix the roof and the bags to place over the windows.

Setting them aside, he went over to the corral. His gelding came up to him and nuzzled his hand. "Sorry, no treats, but I have a job for you." He placed a rope around his halter and led him out of the corral towards the saddles. After saddling him up, he put a rope around the outhouse and tied the other end of the rope around the saddle horn.

"Samuel… Hannah… Need your help out here," he yelled.

The children came over to the horse.

"Need you to lead the horse away while I get the outhouse upright. Think you can do that?"

They nodded.

Kid walked over to the roof of the outhouse. "Nice and easy now... On the count of three. One…two…three."

Samuel and Hannah led the horse and slowly the outhouse started to move.

Kid began lifting it up and moments later it was upright and over the hole. "There… That's better. And it don't need no repairs." He smiled with relief as he took the horse from Samuel. He unsaddled the horse and put him back into the corral. "Good boy!"

He turned towards the house and walked with the children. "Let's get back inside and eat before goin' up to say goodbye to your ma and sister."

Curry found bread to eat with the chicken and vegetables to throw into the chicken soup. "Got the outhouse standin' back up," he told Heyes and Floyd while dishing up the dinner and handing it to them. "And both of you are eatin'." He glared at them, daring either to argue with him.

Heyes reluctantly took the plate after the Kid helped him lean up with pillows. "Need any repairs?"

Kid smiled. "Nope. Well, maybe some minor ones, but it can be used. You need help eatin' that with your wrist?"

Heyes shook his head, eating the cold chicken and bread with his left hand.

The Kid ate his food and sighed. "Guess we should go up to the grave when you're all done eatin'. I'll go get the wagon for you, Floyd."

Curry retrieved the wagon from the barn and brought it in the house. He lifted Floyd into the cart and made him comfortable with pillows. "Everyone ready?"

"Hannah, bring your ma's Bible," Floyd said as Curry wheeled him out of the cabin with the three children following behind.

Stopping near the well, the Kid hesitated. "Let me check if Joshua needs anything," he said as he walked back to the house. "I'll be right back." Walking back into the cabin, Heyes looked at him questioningly.

"Heyes, I can't do this."

"Yeah, you can. You have to, Kid."

"I don't know what to say — you have the silver-tongue."

"Just get Floyd to find a Bible verse that Rose liked; you read it for them… And then let them have some time alone." Heyes' eyes locked with his partner's blue ones. "You can do this, Kid."

With a nod and a deep breath, Curry walked back to the family and pulled the wagon up the small hill. Floyd found a passage and handed the Bible to the Kid to read. "Readin' Psalm 23." Curry cleared his voice. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

Curry handed the Bible back to Floyd and they all bowed their heads in a moment of silence. When Floyd started singing Amazing Grace, the children joined in and the Kid quietly walked back down the hill.

When he came back into the cabin, the Kid had his hat in his hand, twisting the brim in an uncharacteristic show of distress. He sat down on the bed next to his partner, his blue eyes reflecting his inner grief.

"How'd it go... You okay?"

The Kid nodded. "Makes me feel kinda bad we never said nothin' at the graves when we buried our folks, Heyes."

Sighing heavily, the other man nodded. "I know, Kid. But we were so young then. It was all just too much. I was about Samuel's age, I guess."

A minute of silence went by. "When I saw the bodies..." Heyes had a hard time continuing, "I didn't know what had happened. Didn't know where we were and my head was hurting so much I couldn't make any sense out of it."

"Aww Heyes, I'm sorry, I should've covered the..."

"No, you had hurt people in the barn... That was more important." A tear escaped as Heyes closed his eyes, trying to shut out the vivid images of years gone by. "Better go fix the roof," he said, brushing away the tear and changing the subject quickly. "Them clouds are getting closer."

The Kid nodded, but put a gentle hand on his shoulder before standing up. "Need anythin' before I go up on the roof?"

Heyes opened his eyes and sighed. "Maybe a glass of water and if you could help me…"

"Sure," Curry said as he reached for the chamber pot, sparing his proud partner from having to ask. Once Heyes' needs were met and he was lying flat on the bed, the Kid went out and gathered supplies and tools for the roof repairs. He climbed up the ladder and carefully went to the first hole. Peering inside, he saw Heyes below him. "Hey, partner."

"Better take your boots off – don't wanna slip up there."

"No, I think I'll leave 'em on."

Heyes shook his head and in a slightly irritated voice, "Well, don't fall down. Anything happens to you, we're all in trouble."

"You're just worried about who'll watch your back. I'll be careful." Curry started pounding boards and shingles down to cover the holes.

"Damn!" he yelled as he hit his finger with the hammer.

"Thought you were gonna be careful," his partner chuckled.

"Shut up, Heyes!" Kid continued to pound nails while keeping an eye on the family on top the hill. Seeing the family stirring and looking down towards him, Curry climbed down and walked up to meet them. "Ready to go back now?"

Floyd nodded. Levi was sitting cross legged on the ground with his hands supporting his head staring at the mound of dirt.

"Hurtin', Levi?"

The little curly blonde head nodded.

"Wanna ride back down? Bet we can make room in that wagon with your pa." Curry looked over at Floyd who nodded and moved over. The Kid gently picked up Levi, mindful of his broken arm, and placed him in the cart. The small procession walked slowly down the hill and back into the house.

Curry took care of Floyd's and Levi's needs and got them back into their beds. He gave instructions to Samuel and Hannah to carry the pile of dirty clothes just inside the barn's doors and take care of the animals before climbing back on the roof.

Floyd heard the Kid walking on the roof. "He's wearing his boots up there? He's gonna fall."

Heyes shrugged his shoulders. "I tried telling him earlier…"

"Hey… I can hear both of you," came a loud voice on the roof.

A few minutes later, they heard boots slipping and a yell. Moments later, two separate thuds outside the window. Heyes looked at Floyd. "Boots" they said in unison.

Levi giggled.

"Don't even say a word, ya hear!" Pounding became louder and faster as Curry took his frustrations out on the wood.

At dusk, the noise stopped and the Kid came into the cabin. "How's everyone in here?"

Heyes glared at him, pain clearly visible behind his dark eyes. "How do you think we are? We've already got headaches and with all that hammering…"

"Well, it had to be done," the Kid retorted.

"I know, it's just…" Heyes rubbed his head gently to ease the throbbing.

Curry's face softened. "I'll get you some laudanum after a little bit of soup. Don't want you takin' it on an empty stomach." He dished up the soup and handed it out. He put a few pillows under Heyes so he could sit up. "Let me help you, Joshua. Know it's hard usin' the spoon with your left hand."

"No, I'll do it. Gotta get used to using my left. You have enough to do without feeding me." Heyes picked up the spoon and awkwardly began eating the soup.

The Kid watched for a moment and nodded.

After dinner, Curry gave out doses of laudanum to Heyes, Floyd and a reluctant Levi. Taking care of everyone's needs, he sat down for a minute in the rocking chair and closed his eyes.

"Mister Jones?" Hannah had come up to the Kid holding a hairbrush and a ribbon. She tugged on his shirt.

"Yeah, Hannah?" he replied opening his eyes again quickly and pushing the bangs from her forehead.

"Ma braided my hair every night."

"Braided your hair?" Hannah nodded, looking anxious. "Can't say I've ever braided a little girl's hair before…"

Big blue eyes, brimming with tears, pleaded.

"But I can try, huh?"

Another nod, but this time accompanied by a look of relief, and Hannah handed him a brush.

Taking a deep breath, the Kid started brushing her hair. "Is braidin' hair like braidin' leather? I know how to do that."

Hannah continued nodding hopefully.

"So I divided your hair in three parts… Up and over… Here, hold this… Up and over… Hold that… Now, okay, give me this one and up and over…"

Several minutes later, Hannah smiled while the Kid looked doubtful that the loose braid would stay in place. "You'll get it tighter next time – just takes practice."

Curry shook his head slightly. "Well, you get into whatever you wear at night and I'm gonna check on your brothers."

Soon everyone was ready for bed and the children said prayers with their father before lying on the mattress. The Kid made sure they all had blankets and sat in the rocking chair again. Soon everyone was asleep, even the Kid, who had nodded off in the rocking chair.

"Thaddeus" Heyes hissed.

"What?" came a startled response.

"Shh…you'll wake the kids and they had a hard day."

The Kid walked over to the bed. "What'dya need, Joshua?"

"Just wanted you to lie down and go to sleep – better than sleeping in a chair. You could use the rest." He flashed his partner a grin. "Don't want you waking up grumpy and out of sorts."

"Thanks, Joshua." the blond replied sarcastically.

"Don't mention it, Kid."

"Thaddeus, Joshua. It's Thaddeus," his partner said as he lay down on a mattress.

Day 3

Before the dawn, the rains came.

Curry woke up to a, "Kid! KID! Dang it…"

He rolled over and stretched. "What is it, Joshua?"

"Your roof repair! It's raining in here and I'm getting wet!" came a cranky voice in the bed.

"Shh… Kids are still asleep. Just a minute – I'm gettin' a bucket." Curry got up and put a bucket on the bed by Heyes. "There, that'll catch the rain."

"It's rainin' here too, Mr. Jones," Samuel said as he sat up.

Heyes scowled. "Some repair job."

"Hey, I never said I was a carpenter. Remember Wickenberg? Think I hit my thumb more than the nail," the Kid shot back as he placed a pot by the second leak. "Anywhere else?" Looking around, he found a few more places and put down an assortment of pots and pans on the floor.

"And rain's coming in the windows, too. You didn't get the burlap up." Heyes wiped a few drops of rain from his face.

Curry yelled back as he began nailing the burlap bags in place, "And when did I have time, huh?"

Hannah came up to the Kid and pulled on his arm. Turning his attention away from Heyes, he looked down at her. "What is it, sweetheart?"

She beckoned him to lean down and whispered in his ear, "Pa says we shouldn't fight among ourselves. Maybe you two shouldn't either."

The Kid was speechless for a moment and then he gave a rueful smile. "You're right. We shouldn't be fightin'. What'dya say, Joshua?"

Heyes shrugged his shoulders.

Putting up the last burlap bag, Curry added wood to the fire. "It's still awful early. Let's go back to bed for a little longer. We all could use some more sleep."

An hour later, the Kid woke up and emptied the pots filling with rainwater. He put coffee on the stove and dozed on the rocking chair until the others slowly stirred.

"Kid?"

The blond got up and walked over to his partner's side of the bed with a cup of coffee. "Need help?"

Heyes nodded. "About earlier…"

"Hey, don't worry about it. Let's get you taken care of before Hannah wakes up." Curry assisted his partner and got him propped up. Handing him the cup of coffee, he asked, "Comfortable?"

Heyes took the cup and drank some coffee. "That's just it. I can barely sleep. Hurts to always lie on my back. Maybe if…" Heyes thought for a minute. "Maybe if I could lay on my side."

Kid put the cup on the floor. "Let me roll you over just a little." Gently he turned Heyes over towards him. "Better?"

Heyes grimaced in pain. "No… Need something to support my back."

"Like a pillow?" his partner asked as he returned Heyes to his original position.

"Not big enough."

The Kid pushed the burlap bag away from the window to see how hard it was raining. Then he looked at the burlap again and smiled. "What about a bag stuffed with hay?"

"Worth a try," Heyes said after considering the idea.

"Rain's lettin' up enough so I'm gonna go get some eggs. I'll see what I can do about gettin' you more comfortable." The Kid got up and put his jacket, boots and hat on. "Be back soon."

In a short time, Curry returned with his pockets full of eggs and carrying a burlap bag stuffed with hay. He placed the eggs on the table and brought the bag to Heyes. "Let's see if this works." He gently turned his partner to face the room and placed the bag under him after lifting the Henley and checking his back. "Still bruised bad, Heyes. How's that feel?"

Heyes waited a moment before answering. "Better… Much better."

The Kid supported Heyes' legs with a pillow so he wouldn't roll back and smiled. "Good. Gonna start breakfast then."

After breakfast, Curry gave more laudanum to the hurting, which made them drowsy, and emptied the pans collecting water. "Looks like we're stuck in the house today. Hannah, why don't you and I clean up the loft? Samuel, you can clean the dishes and put them away since you can't climb the ladder."

An hour later, the loft was back in order and the dishes done. The Kid was cleaning out the fireplace ashes when Samuel took a book to Heyes. "Mr. Smith? Would you read us a book? Ma used to when we were stuck inside for the day."

Heyes looked at the proffered book. "You read it," he said as he averted his eyes outside.

Samuel blushed. "I don't know how."

"You can't read?" Heyes said in a scornful tone.

"No sir." Samuel's shoulder slumped as he hobbled away with his crutch.

The Kid stood up and put his hands on his hips as he stared at Heyes. He noted that Levi and Floyd were sleeping. "Samuel and Hannah, the rain's let up again. Can you go get some more kindling? I need a minute with my partner."

"Sure, Mr. Jones," Samuel said as he put on his coat and hat and waited for his sister. "Come on, Hannah."

Once they were outside, the Kid walked over to Heyes' side of the bed. He hissed,"Heyes, knock it off. You're hurtin', you're scared… I know you are. But you can't take it out on these kids! They just lost their ma and little sister. We're all stuck in the house with the rain, so why don't you read out loud and amuse us?"

"You're right… I'm just tired of the pain, and of being in this bed and feeling useless."

"You're not useless; read to us. I love listenin' to you read."

"You do?" Heyes looked puzzled. "I thought…"

"Well, depends on what book you're readin'. I like them adventure stories. Some of those stories you read are borin' and the words are too long. Bet you don't even know what some of those words mean."

Heyes smiled. "You're right. I don't know the meaning of all those words, but can figure it out by what's being said."

"So you'll read to us?"

"Yeah, I'll try reading some. Words are kinda blurry and it's hard when my head hurts."

"And apologize to Samuel? You weren't very nice."

"And I'll apologize to Samuel. He really should be reading, though, at his age."

Hannah and Samuel walked back into the house with more wood. "More dark clouds comin' this way," Samuel informed the partners.

The Kid's blue eyes made contact with Heyes' dark brown ones. "Samuel," Heyes began, "I'm sorry about what I said to you before about reading. I'll be glad to read a book out loud, but it has to be an adventure one for my partner over there."

Samuel smiled. "It's okay, Mr. Smith. How about this book?"

Heyes took the book and read the cover page. "The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, where-in all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver'd by Pyrates. Written by Himself…well, actually written by Daniel Defoe. Sound like a good adventure story, Kid?"

The Kid chuckled. "It sure does."

Levi sat up on his mattress. "How come he calls you kid? You ain't a kid. I'm a kid."

Curry looked over to his partner and waited for his response. "Kid?" Heyes seemed puzzled how to explain.

Realizing the laudanum and concussion were still confusing his partner, Curry said quickly, "The farms we grew up on were next to each other and I'm two years younger. Bein' the littlest, I got the nickname of Kid; and Joshua still calls me that." Wanting to change the subject, he suggested, "Okay Joshua, start readin' about this Robinson guy."

"Why don't you read the book, Kid?"

"I like the way you read it, Joshua, sounds better than when I read it in my head or aloud."

"How about we take turns reading today? My head ain't feeling the best."

"Sure, we can take turns when your head's hurtin' too much."

Samuel looked amazed. "You both know how to read? Wish I did."

Curry patted Samuel on the back, "Maybe someday you will; it ain't too hard."

The rest of the afternoon went quickly as they took turns reading Robinson Crusoe; Curry enjoying a much needed rest. Floyd lay on the bed, withdrawn and despondent all afternoon. Hannah, however, showed the Kid how to make a loaf of bread since she helped her mother with some of the cooking.

Heyes chuckled. "Thaddeus, you have flour on your face."

Wiping his face, Curry asked, "Did I get it?"

"No." Heyes shook his head. "Come here and I'll get it. I need to move to the other side, anyway."

The Kid came over and his partner wiped the flour off his face. Then the blond gently rolled the dark-haired one towards the window and put the bag behind his back as support. "Okay?"

"Yep, but I could use a drink of water and more light if I'm gonna read more."

In the late afternoon, rumbling could be heard getting closer. Hannah and Levi started to become more agitated, the nearer it got. After a loud crack of thunder, both ran to the Kid and hugged him crying. Samuel, too, looked frightened.

"Hey…it's okay," he tried to soothe them.

Levi looked up with tears streaming down his face. "Are we all gonna die like Ma and Mary?"

"No, that was a twister and this is just a storm. We'll be okay. Tell you what. I'll sit on the mattress with you while Joshua reads more. How's that sound?"

Nodding, the children sat huddled around the Kid once he made himself comfortable on the mattress and they listened to more of the story as the storm passed over.

By the time they were ready to eat, the storm had receded and the children relaxed again. Curry served a dinner of soup and loaf of warm bread that hadn't quite risen as high as it should have.

"Hey Kid, bread tastes better than it looks," Heyes commented as he took a bite.

Scowling at his partner, Curry didn't even bother to reply to the insult.

When it was time to get ready for bed, Hannah handed a brush to Curry, who attempted to braid her hair again. "Mr. Jones, I miss my Ma and Mary," she said, while patiently standing as he braided.

"I know how you feel."

Levi put on his nightshirt. "You miss your ma?"

"I sure do."

"Did she go to Heaven, too?" Hannah handed a ribbon back to Curry to tie the braid.

The Kid paused as he finished braiding. "Yep, when I was about your age."

"In a twister?" Levi asked.

"Nope…"

Samuel took off his shirt and looked at Curry. "How'd she die?"

The Kid looked at Heyes, who looked stony faced and averted his eyes. Everyone else was looking at Curry; even Floyd was paying attention to what was being said for the first time all day.

"Well, some very bad men came to my farm and killed my pa, my ma and all my brothers and sisters."

The children stared at him with big eyes.

Samuel questioned, "Why not you?"

"I…I wasn't home doin' my chores like I should've been."

Levi asked, "Where was ya?"

"I was playin' by the creek with my best friend."

Hannah thought for a moment. "Oh…with no family, where'd you go? Did you stay with your friend's family?"

The Kid sighed. "No 'cause those bad men killed his family, too."

"Where were you raised, Thaddeus?" Floyd now asked gently.

"Kansas."

Floyd nodded his head knowingly. "Border wars?"

Kid looked away and nodded.

"A bad time. I'm sorry," said Floyd quietly; then louder, "Enough questions for Mr. Jones. Come over here so we can say prayers like your ma would want us to do."

"Think…think I'll go check on the animals before turnin' in." The Kid grabbed his hat and went outside. The clouds were breaking and a few stars were twinkling.

Floyd and his children said their evening prayers while Heyes kept his back to them. The children kissed their father and crawled under the blankets on the mattress.

About a half an hour later, Curry quietly walked back into the house.

"Thanks, Thaddeus, for the bedtime story," Heyes whispered sarcastically.

The Kid came over and removed the bag so Heyes could lie flat again. "I didn't mean… Do you need anything?"

Heyes turned his head away. Stung by his partner's withdrawal, Curry removed his own boots, pants, and shirt and lay down on his mattress without another word.

Day 4

Kid stretched before opening his eyes. Another day of chores and cleaning. Blinking his eyes open, he peered around to see if anyone else was up. After dealing with the rain, everyone seemed to be still asleep. The Kid slowly got up and stretched again before going outside to get more wood to start a fire for coffee and breakfast. The sun's rays lit up the dim yard and reached out into a sky of pinks and blues. A warm breeze blew and not a cloud could be seen. Today's chores would be washing; perfect day for washing both clothes and bodies. Everyone had cleaned up the best they could by washing up, with cloths and the basin, but a real bath and washing hair would make everybody feel a lot better.

With that decided, Kid went back into the house and started the fire. Going back outside for water, he looked again for clouds. Nope, a good day to wash. Back inside, he had water on to boil for coffee when Samuel and Hannah stirred.

"Mornin', sleepy heads. Why don't you get Levi up, too? We could use some eggs for breakfast," Curry said quietly so not to disturb Heyes and Floyd.

Nodding sleepily, Samuel began getting dressed while Hannah nudged her little brother. "Come on, Levi. Time to get up."

Levi burrowed further under the covers.

"Levi, wake up." Hannah prodded a little harder. "Mr. Jones said you gotta."

A small face peered out from the blankets. "Why?" he whined.

"Because Mr. Jones told you to; now get up," a deep voice grumbled from the bed.

Hearing his father's voice, Levi pushed the covers away. "I'm up," he said as he started to dress.

The Kid had just taken care of Floyd's and Heyes' needs when the children came back with eggs. During breakfast, Curry made an announcement. "Think it's time everything and everyone got washed."

"Got washed? You mean a bath?" Samuel asked as he finished his breakfast.

Curry got up and poured more coffee for the adults. "Yep."

Levi wrinkled his nose. "I can't; I broke my arm."

Floyd sighed. "Bath sure does sound good, but…"

Putting the coffee back on the stove, the Kid sat down. "No excuses." He pointed to Levi. "You can keep your arm outta the water and you…" he pointed to Floyd, "can keep your leg outta the tub."

Heyes snorted. "And how am I getting into a bath tub?"

"I'm droppin' you in, Joshua. You need one bad."

Hannah giggled. "Not as much as you and Pa."

The Kid stood up and started taking the blankets off the mattresses on the floor. "If I'm cleanin' the beddin' and clothes – everyone takes a bath!"

"Oh, I love baths," Hannah said as she clapped her hands.

Curry smiled. "Then you can go first. 'Sides, you're the cleanest of us."

"Yep, that's what ma always said, 'Cleanest first…dirtiest last'." Samuel began washing the breakfast dishes, without being asked.

"Looks like you're last, Thaddeus." Heyes chuckled. "Don't even hafta flip a coin this time."

The Kid and the children spent much of the day heating water, scrubbing, soaping, rinsing, and hanging the wet clothes, blankets, and bedding on the line to dry. The warm breeze quickly dried the clothes as Curry hoped. By mid-afternoon, he looked around the area of the tubs. "Anymore?"

Samuel leaned against the well, tired. "Nope, we're done."

"Did you get the pile outta the barn?"

"Yep."

"And nothin' else in the house?" he asked Hannah coming back from putting clean clothes inside.

She smiled. "All done."

Curry joined Samuel by the well and took a long drink of water. "Sheesh…that was hard work. I can't wait for my bath."

Samuel looked over at him incredulous. "You like baths?"

"Well, yeah… Don't you?"

The boy shook his head as he made a face. "Nope. Ma always made us take one twice a month if we needed it or not."

"Bathtub is in the barn, isn't it?" The Kid stood up and stretched.

Hannah nodded. "Yep, near where you found the cart." She took his hand. "Come on, I'll show you." Together they walked to the barn with Hannah swinging their hands. Curry chuckled to himself as he let himself be led into the barn.

Crawling over the rubble, Curry commented, "Hannah, stay outside. It ain't safe. I'm gonna hafta fix this barn next. Put these beams back up and build the stalls again."

"There it is." From where she was standing at the door, Hannah pointed to the large copper tub in the corner.

The Kid dragged the tub out of the barn and onto the hand cart so he could wheel it into the house. When he entered the house, he looked over at the bed. "And how are…"

"Where in the hell have you been all day?" Heyes snapped.

"Just outside. Told you I was washin'…"

Heyes uncovered his eyes by moving his arm to his side. "And you didn't bother to see if we needed anything?"

Curry saw the pain etched in his partner's face. "Hannah and Samuel, take Levi and go make sure the chickens and animals are fed and watered."

The children quickly left the cabin.

"Joshua, if you needed anything, you should've called or had Levi come get me. You're hurtin'?" Curry went to the cupboard to get the laudanum.

"Yeah, I'm hurtin'," Heyes squeezed his eyes closed and sighed.

"You need some, too, Floyd?" the Kid asked as he walked to the bed and gave Heyes some medicine.

"Yeah," the other injured man agreed. "You've been so busy, I didn't wanna trouble you none."

"It's no trouble for me to help you out." Curry reached for the chamber pot and helped the men with their needs. "Joshua, you're supposed to be smart. You could've sent one of the young'uns out to get me if you needed somethin'. Can I get you anything else?"

"Some coffee sounds good. And when are you starting dinner? Those children gotta eat sometime."

The Kid sighed heavily. "Dinner. Sheesh, how do women do all this cookin' and cleanin' stuff?"

"Well," Floyd sat up a little straighter in bed, "my Rose would make simple meals when she had a laundry day. Meal of just beans or potatoes. We don't need much."

"Gettin' late to start beans but I saw potatoes in the root cellar. Maybe I should soak some beans for tomorrow's meal," Curry said as he heated the stove to make coffee. "And…" A movement caused him to glance towards the bed. "Heye…Joshua, your foot; you're movin' your foot!"

Heyes clenched his fists. "Barely and just one."

"So you can feel somethin'?" The Kid stood by his partner and grinned.

"Yeah… No… More of a…a numbing feeling."

"Well, that sounds more promisin' than no feelin', don't you think?"

Heyes shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno; I'm just…"

"Frustrated," Curry finished for him as he helped prop him up. "I know you are, partner, but you just gotta be patient and give yourself time to heal." Curry walked back to the stove and poured two coffees. He handed them to the men in bed. "Here you go. I'm gonna start those potatoes and bringin' in water for baths. If you need somethin'…"

"We'll let you know," Floyd said as he sipped the coffee.

The Kid busied himself with preparing the potatoes for baking, placing the tub between the stove and the fireplace, and hauling in buckets of water to fill the tub. He put water in pails and pots to heat on the stove and in the fire.

After dinner, Curry poured hot water into the tub and, using chairs and a quilt, made a privacy screen. "Ready for your bath, Hannah?"

"Oh yes!" she exclaimed.

"Get your nightgown and a towel and get goin' then. I'm gonna put the clean bedding on your bed."

Hannah got into the tub and sang as she cleaned herself while Curry finished making the bed. "Mr. Jones?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you help me wash my hair?"

The Kid looked nervously towards the bed at her father and his partner. "I…"

"Sheesh, Kid, she's just a little girl. Go wash her hair."

"Go ahead; Rose always had to help her. And I would, if I could," encouraged Floyd.

The Kid knelt by the tub and assisted Hannah in soaping and rinsing her long blonde hair. "Thank you, Mr. Jones."

"You're welcome, Hannah," Curry said as he helped her out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her. "You're next, Levi. Get a nightshirt and come over here."

Levi pouted. "I can't. My arm's broken."

"Just get over here and I'll help you."

Soon a clean Levi emerged from the privacy screen. The Kid took out a few buckets of cooling water, added hot and put more water to heat on the stove. "Samuel, you're next. Let me get that bindin' off your chest."

While Samuel bathed, Hannah handed a brush to Curry and turned around. He shook his head and began brushing and then braiding her hair. "You're gettin' better, Mr. Jones," she commented as she felt the tighter braid.

Samuel finished his bath and lay by his siblings on the clean bed. "Guess it does feel good to be clean again."

"Need those ribs bound again?" Curry asked as he added more hot water.

"Yeah, it makes it easier to breathe."

The Kid bound Samuel's chest tight. "Okay?"

Samuel nodded.

"Joshua, you're probably next cleanest. You ready?"

Heyes shook his head. "Let Floyd go first."

Curry thought for a second. "That's a good idea. He can sit in the chair while you're in the bath and then I can make up your bed. Ready, Floyd?"

"Oh yeah. I've been lookin' forward to soakin' some. Sure this is gonna work with my leg?"

"Yep. I'm gonna put a chair next to the tub to set your leg on. It'll work. I'll make it work." The Kid helped Floyd off the bed. "Samuel, I'm gonna need your help gettin' your pa in and outta the tub." Together, they got Floyd in the tub with his leg propped on the chair. "There ya go. Comfortable?"

"Yep; I'm good." Floyd leaned back in the tub and relaxed before soaping himself up. A while later, Curry and Samuel were assisting Floyd into clean long johns and sitting him in the rocking chair with his leg up on another chair.

Again, Curry emptied out a few buckets of cooling water and added heated water from the stove and fire. He then put more water in pots to heat. "You're next, Joshua." He moved the chairs and quilts so the children could not see the bed or tub and then walked over to his partner.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Yep. You always feel better after a bath." The Kid took off his partner's dirty clothes. "Come on. Hold on to my neck while I carry you over there." and lifted him up and over into the tub. He let out a breath. "You okay?"

Heyes grimaced as he slowly leaned back. "I will be. Can I have it a little hotter?"

"Sure." Curry added more hot water. "I'm gonna change your bedding and then I'll be back to help you."

Heyes nodded as he closed his eyes. "No hurry."

The Kid smiled as he went over to the bed and replaced the soiled bedding with clean. He then bound Floyd's ribs again. "Samuel, let's get your pa back in bed." With one under each arm, they half-carried Floyd back to the bed. As the injured man settled into the bed, the Kid asked, "You okay?"

"Kinda hurts after bein' moved around, but I will be. Feels good to be clean. Thank you," he said as he put his head on the pillow.

Curry smiled and went over to his partner. "How are you doin'? Ready to get out?"

"Can't wash my hair," he complained. "Too hard with my wrist."

"You know all you gotta do is ask; I'll help you." The Kid knelt by the tub so he could wash and rinse Heyes' hair.

As Curry began lifting Heyes out of the water, the dark-haired one commented. "You're gonna be soaked doing this."

"That's okay. I'm next in the tub." The Kid got his friend out of the water and set him on the table to dry off and dress in clean long johns. He then carried him to bed and helped settle him in. "Anyone need anything before I get in?" he asked as he again took out buckets of cool water and replaced them with the last of the hot.

Soon Curry was behind the privacy screen soaping his body and hair. He ducked under the water to rinse off and then leaned back to soak and relax. The hot water felt wonderful, soothing his aching back from carrying Floyd and his partner. Within minutes, he started to softly snore.

About a half an hour later, the Kid was still sleeping in the tub. Heyes chuckled. "Levi, come here."

Levi reluctantly walked over to the bed. "Yes, Mr. Smith?"

"I need you to take this cup of water and throw it on Mr. Jones' head. Can you do that for me?"

Levi looked incredulous and then he gave him a delighted smile and nodded.

Hannah giggled. "Oh, Mr. Smith, I don't think we should do that to Mr. Jones."

Heyes shrugged. "He won't mind, especially it bein' Levi here. Trust me on this one."

Floyd shook his head as Levi quietly made his way over to the bath tub with a large glass of cool water. When he looked back and saw everyone watching him with eager anticipation, Levi went behind the privacy screen and threw the cold water on the Kid's head, then ran back to bed giggling.

"What the… Dang it!" Curry shook his dripping head. "Joshua, you…"

"Hey, I'm in bed. I didn't do it." Heyes smiled towards the children, who were all laughing.

The Kid got out of the bath, toweled himself dry and put on clean long johns. "Who threw that water on me?" he said at he walked menacingly towards the mattress.

Levi quit laughing and his eyes became big.

Curry rushed over to him and began to tickle him, mindful of the broken arm. "I'll get you."

Levi rolled around with laughter and his brother and sister immediately joined in the rough-housing until the Kid called out, "Hey, I give up!" much to the children's delight.

"Time for prayers and bed," Floyd announced once the amusement died down. The children gathered around their father and, after saying prayers, settled into their bed.

Curry quietly lay down on his mattress and listened to the prayers. Memories of the Curry family gathering around his grandparents in the evening for prayers came and went quickly. He closed his eyes and sighed. His last thoughts before he drifted off to sleep were whether Heyes had the same thoughts and memories every night.

Soon everyone was sound asleep.

Day 5

The next morning, the Kid lay awake, wondering what woke him when he heard an anguished whisper.

"Thaddeus!"

Recognizing his partner's voice, Curry hurriedly got up and made his way to his friend's side. "What's the matter, Joshua? Need more laudanum?" He could see the pain etched in Heyes' face.

Heyes slightly nodded. "And I gotta…"

"Oh, let me help you." Curry checked to make sure the children were still sleeping before getting the chamber pot from under the bed. After assisting his partner, he went to the cupboard and got the bottle of laudanum. "Here you go. Still have that numbin' feelin'?"

Heyes lay with his eyes closed; clenching and unclenching his fists as he nodded.

"Can you move your foot?"

Shrugging, Heyes said, "Can't tell — am I?"

Curry watched for any movement. "Yep, that's good news. Patience partner… Just gotta be patient."

"Easy for you to say." Heyes sighed. "I'm tired of hurting and laying here and not being able to do anything for myself."

Kid put a comforting hand on his arm. "I know, partner. It's gettin' better every day. Let the laudanum work and get some more rest, ok?"

The Kid went over and pulled on his pants and put on his boots. "I'm gonna go get a rabbit or two for dinner with them beans. I'll be back in a few hours. Ask Samuel for help if you need anything."

Heyes yawned as he mumbled sleepily, "Yeah, I will. That laudanum makes me so tired. You go… I'll be okay."

Curry put on his hat and gun belt then nodded to his partner as he walked out of the cabin. He saddled his horse and rode away from the homestead and out onto the prairie. It felt good being away from the pressure of caring for others, feeling the wind against his face as he encouraged the horse into a gallop. Seeing a creek ahead, he knew he'd probably find what he was looking for and when he reached it, he dismounted and tied his horse to a bush. An hour later, he had several rabbits tied to his horse.

The Kid rode back to the homestead by mid-morning. Samuel and Levi came over and greeted him at the corral as he unsaddled his horse.

"Where'd you go, Mr. Jones? Thought you'd left us," Samuel said dejectedly.

Levi looked morose. "Sorry I threw water on you. Didn't mean to make you mad enough to leave."

Curry looked puzzled. "I ain't mad. Where'd ya get that idea? I just went to find some game for dinner. Didn't Joshua tell you where I was? Told him I was gonna get some rabbits to go with the beans."

Samuel shook his head. "No sir. He's fit to be tied that you weren't here when he woke up. Asked him if I could get him anything, but he just threw a cup of coffee across the room that I brung him. Wanted you."

"That don't sound like Joshua. Can you two brush down my horse and water the animals for me? I need to check on your pa and my partner."

Levi nodded. "I'd rather brush the horse than be around Mr. Smith," he said agreeably.

Curry stopped by the well and drew a bucket before heading into the cabin. "And where's Hannah?"

"She's in the house tryin' to make some breakfast."

Kid watched Samuel as he limped forward. "Samuel, I want you to still use the crutch, but start walkin' more on your foot."

"Yes, sir," Samuel said as he gingerly put more pressure on his foot while going into the barn for the horse brush.

The Kid hurried toward the house and quickly assessed the situation as he walked in. Hannah was at the stove struggling to fry some frying bacon and Curry went over to her and relieved her with a smile. "I'll finish that. You go help your brothers with the chores outside."

Hannah sighed with relief and ran out of the cabin.

"How are you doin', Joshua?" the Kid asked as he glanced towards the bed.

Heyes scowled. "How do you think I'm doin'? Where'd you go?"

Taking in the tone of his partner's voice, Curry narrowed his eyes as he answered, "Told you I was gonna go get some rabbits for dinner."

"No you didn't," Heyes spat.

"Yeah, I did." The Kid was trying to hold onto his patience and added, "After givin' you some laudanum. You don't remember?"

"No."

"Well, I did. Heard you're throwin' things." Curry continued to fry the bacon as he talked. "That don't sound like you."

"I was mad. You were gone," Heyes answered in a defiant voice.

"Did you think I wasn't comin' back?"

"I didn't know what to think. Damn headache… Hard to think… Hard to remember things."

Curry put the bacon on plates. "Bacon's done. You want some breakfast?" He put some pillows under his partner and then handed him a plate and a cup of coffee. "Can't be takin' your frustrations out on the young'uns, Joshua. They're tryin' to do their best. We all are."

Turning his attention to the other man in the bed, the Kid asked, "And how are you doin', Floyd?"

"Feelin' a little better. That bath did me a world of good. And did you say we're havin' rabbit?" Curry nodded as he gave him a plate of bacon with biscuits and a cup of coffee. "Sounds good. Appreciate all you're doin'." Floyd looked sideways and glared at his sulking bed partner. "Can't say as I understand how you put up with your partner here."

The Kid smiled. "He ain't always this proddy, are you Joshua. I'm gonna go get the children for breakfast." He pointed towards his partner. "And you be nice."

After breakfast, Curry and the children went to the barn to start cleaning and repairing it.

"You got any kin, Joshua?" Floyd asked, making small talk.

"No, not anymore. They're all gone." Heyes was laying on his back, again, and stared at the ceiling.

Floyd thought back to several nights earlier when the children asked Thaddeus about his family. "Like Thaddeus lost his family?"

Not bothering with a reply, Heyes gave him a curt nod.

"You were the friend Thaddeus talked about, weren't you?"

Looking away from Floyd, Heyes didn't answer.

In the early afternoon, Curry poked his head into the cabin. "Need anything?"

"Yes I need something. Can't do anything by myself!" snapped Heyes.

The Kid came in and sighed. "You seem to be gettin' proddier every time I come into the house."

"Well, if you wouldn't be gone all the time…"

"Gone? I ain't gone anywhere. Told you I'm workin' on the barn." The Kid clenched his fist and closed his eyes. "Dammit, Heyes!" Immediately Curry realized what he had said and wished he could take it back. He quickly opened his eyes remorsefully and sighed. "Joshua, I'm… I'm really…"

"Think you've said enough, Thaddeus." Heyes glared at his partner from the bed. If he could've gotten up, he would've flattened him.

"I didn't mean to…"

"Out… Just get out of here. GO!" Heyes continued to stare angrily as the Kid looked at him, blue eyes soft with regret. Then, head down and shoulders drooping, Curry walked out of the cabin.

The ensuing silence was deafening.

Floyd looked over at the man next to him in bed with disgust. "Awful hard on him, weren't you, Heyes?"

Eyes black with anger, Heyes stared out of the window and his face hardened. "It's Joshua …Joshua Smith."

"Sure it is, Heyes. And I'm President Arthur."

Minutes ticked by with no one speaking or looking at each other.

"Just a matter of time 'til he used your real name." Floyd glanced sideways to his adverse bed partner. "He didn't give your identities away just now. You've called him Kid quite a few times and I don't buy that story about it bein' 'cause he's younger. Heard him callin' you Heyes several time; one bein' late one night when he was real tired."

Heyes refused to answer and continued to stare out the window.

Floyd continued. "You got a good partner there. Not many men would have come in here and taken control like he has. Good with the children, too. He's doin' a lot and bein' pulled in a lot of different directions. You needta be easier on him. Not take your frustrations out on him."

Realizing he wasn't going to get an answer from the man lying next to him, Floyd sighed and looked away. He had been pretty sure that he'd heard right when he'd heard Thaddeus call Joshua Heyes late at night when he thought everyone was asleep, but it was another thing to have it confirmed that he was sharing his house with two very notorious outlaws. Floyd wondered what and if he should do something about that.

Later that afternoon, Curry ventured back into the cabin to start cooking the rabbits and beans. He braced himself for another verbal lashing, but noticed his partner staring at the wall. "Need anything?" he asked.

Heyes gave no response either way.

Curry shrugged his shoulders before turning to Floyd. He wasn't sure how the farmer was going to react to him now he knew who he was. "How about you, Floyd? Can I getcha anything?"

"I could use some help with…"

The Kid nodded and reached for the chamber pot.

"And some coffee, if it ain't a bother."

"It's no bother. Let me get the water goin' and I'll be back to help you."

"Joshua… Joshua…"

No response.

"Heyes!" Curry yelled in frustration.

Dark eyes glanced for a moment in his partner's direction.

"Want some laudanum? Need to use the pot?" the Kid asked after helping Floyd.

A slight nod was the only answer he received as Heyes made no eye contact or said a word. Curry gave more laudanum to the men in bed and assisted Heyes with his needs.

The Kid skinned the rabbits and skewered them over the fire and then finished cooking the beans. Soon he had a dinner ready that drew the children indoors.

"That smells so good, Mr. Jones! Is it ready? Can we eat?" Levi asked as he stood by the stove breathing deeply, enjoying the savory aroma coming from the various pots.

"Yep, it's ready. Wash up and get ready. Hannah, can you set the table for us?" The Kid looked towards the bed. "You two hungry?"

"Are you kidding? Smelling that cooking all afternoon? Guess my appetite's back." Floyd sat up straighter in the bed.

"How about you, Joshua?" The Kid was getting concerned about his unresponsive partner.

Heyes barely shook his head no.

"You gotta eat somethin'," the blond one insisted. Again, there was no reaction. He dished beans and rabbit for everyone and put one by Heyes, hoping he would change his mind and ask for help sitting up.

"So what's on your list tomorrow, Thaddeus?" Floyd asked as he handed his empty plate back to the Kid.

"Well, the kids and I got the barn rubble cleaned up so it's ready to fix up now. But I see we're about outta bread and…sheesh, where did that pile of clothes come from? Hannah, I thought you got all the dirty clothes from the house yesterday."

"I did, Mr. Jones! Those are the dirty clothes we took off and the bedding you changed."

The Kid shook his head. "How do women keep up with everything?"

Floyd laughed. "They don't! Hannah, why don't you start some dough tonight? Remember how your ma taught you to do it?"

The small blonde head nodded as she got up and began getting the ingredients out of the cupboard. "Mr. Jones and I made some a few days ago."

"That's right. Well, it can raise by the fire overnight. We can bake it in the morning," Floyd continued.

Samuel gathered the dirty dishes, looking over to Mr. Jones when getting the still full plate by Mr. Smith.

The Kid sighed. "Guess he wasn't hungry."

Soon the dishes were cleaned and the dough was set by the fire to rise. The children changed into their nightclothes and long blonde hair was brushed and braided. "You sure are gettin' good at braidin' hair, Mr. Jones," Hannah complimented Curry's work.

Soon prayers had been said and the children were tucked into their bed on the floor. Curry realized he minded this ritual less and less as the days went by. He helped Floyd and Heyes and gave them medicine before crawling into his own bed and falling fast asleep. His last thought before sleep overtook him was what Floyd was thinking now he knew who they really were.