The Storm

by Penski

A storm causes other "storms" in the lives of Heyes, Curry and those around them.

4. Chapter 4

The Storm – Chapter 4

Day 9

A rooster crowing woke Curry out of a deep sleep. He opened his eyes and looked around, trying to get his bearing. Yawning, he stretched out the kinks in his back and put his pants on as he avoided the beam.

"Thaddeus?" came the soft voice of his partner.

"What?" he whispered back as he hurried to the ladder. "Ouch! Dang it!"

"Shh… Careful of that beam up there."

"Thanks," the Kid replied sarcastically as he climbed down the ladder. He quietly walked over to Heyes. "Whaddaya need? Help with…" He reached down and lifted up the pot.

"Yeah and some coffee sounds good, too. You can start that first, if you want."

The Kid nodded and, stoking up the fire, put the water and coffee beans on to boil. He helped Heyes and then handed him a wet cloth to clean himself. The aroma of the coffee woke Floyd. Curry handed a cup to Heyes and Floyd. "Mornin', Floyd. Didn't mean to wake you up."

Floyd yawned. "Coffee smelled too good to keep on sleepin'." He took a sip. "Wonder why it always smells better than it tastes."

Heyes snorted.

"My coffee tastes bad?" Curry feigned offence. "Wait 'til you try his." He jabbed a thumb in Heyes' direction.

"Hey," Heyes defended himself, "my coffee isn't any worse than yours."

"When you're up and about, maybe you can make some and I'll let you know whose is better." Floyd glanced sideways at his bed partner.

"If…" Heyes muttered under his breath and Curry heard it.

"Joshua…" The Kid gave his partner a look and Heyes nodded reluctantly. "When you're up and about, you can make the coffee. And we're gettin' you outta this bed today. You've been layin' there too long."

"Got the day planned out, Thaddeus?" Floyd took another sip of coffee.

"Did the garden get finished yesterday?" Curry poured more coffee into the three cups.

"Nope; still have some work in there."

Curry thought for a moment. "Why don't you and the children work on finishin' it? I'm gonna get a chair out there for you so I can show Joshua around the place in the wagon. Animals need tendin' and there's venison to cure and dry, too." The Kid finished his coffee and rose from the table. "Guess I better start breakfast and get the young'uns up."

Curry walked over to the mattress on the floor where the three children were sleeping. He knelt and gently shook them. "Mornin', sleepyheads. Time to get up."

Heyes watched his partner. "Hey, how come I get a kick and a 'wake up' and they get a shake and a 'mornin', sleepyheads'?"

The Kid rolled his eyes. "'Cause that's how you wake me up." Grinning at his friend, he stood up. "If you three get up and get some eggs, we won't hafta have oatmeal this mornin'."

Floyd sat more straight in the bed. "You heard Mr. Jones. Samuel, Hannah, Levi… Get up and get some eggs and let the chickens outta the coup."

"Yes, Pa. Yes, Mr. Jones." Three sleepy responses acknowledged the men and soon the children were dressed and going outside.

When breakfast was over, Curry moved a couple of chairs into the garden for Floyd and used the wagon to get him there. He waited a few minutes while Floyd got settled and the children were busy weeding and planting. "You need anything, just holler or send Levi to get me. I'm gonna get Joshua outside for awhile."

The Kid pulled the wagon into the cabin. "Ready to get outta bed, Heyes? Need anything before we go out?"

"Guess putting on my pants and boots is outta the question." Heyes looked hopeful.

"Well, it'd be awful hard to get 'em on." The Kid frowned. "You gettin' modest on me now? No one out there but the Walkers and they been seein' you like this in bed."

"But what if someone rode up? How'd it look with me outside in my underwear?"

"It'd look like you were injured in a storm," came the 'matter-of-fact' reply. "I tell you what. We'll take a sheet that you can use to cover yourself with. How's that?"

"Guess it'll have to do." Heyes resigned himself to wearing no pants.

"Okay, ready for me to lift you?" Curry put one hand under his partner's knees and another behind his back.

A few minutes later, Heyes was sitting in a wagon, propped up by pillows to support his back and enjoying the warm sun. "Just a minute." The Kid ran back into the house, coming out moments later with a grin and a black hat. "There you go," he said as he put the hat on Heyes' head.

"Thanks, Kid. Feels good just being outside."

"Thought it might. 'Member what it looked like when we got here?" Curry started pulling the wagon towards the barn and corral.

"Not much… Just remember the bodies."

Curry flashed his partner a look of understanding before saying briskly, "Well then, it's high time you saw the place." He stopped by the well and got a drink. "Want some?" Heyes nodded. The Kid began showing Heyes around the farm and pointed out what he had repaired. "Well, the corral was…"

When they came to the barn, Curry turned and looked intently at Heyes. "How're you doin'?"

Heyes snorted. "I'd feel a lot better if my partner wasn't pulling me around in a wagon."

Kid raised his eyebrows. "Wanna go back to bed?"

"No. It does feel good to be out of the cabin. Why don't you show me that barn beam?"

Curry grinned and pointed out the repaired beam. "That one. Just not happy with how I had to repair it. Still looks unsteady. Any ideas how to fix it better?"

Heyes studied the beam and the repair. "Think you did a good job. Only thing I'd do is have a blacksmith make a brace for it." A dimpled smile emerged. "You'd think you actually learned some carpentry at Wickenberg, Kid. You might have a new career after our amnesty."

The Kid snorted and then added, "My fingers and back don't agree with you."

Heyes saw a table with red stains in the corner. "Blood?"

The Kid followed his partner's glaze. "Oh, that's from the deer. I was teachin' Samuel how to skin and cut up the venison." The Kid thought for a moment. "Heyes, that's it!"

"What's it?" the dark brown eyes showed puzzlement.

"Teachin'!"

"What are you talking about?"

"You could teach the children!"

"Teach them what?"

"You know, the basics…readin', writin', and arithmetic. What we learned in school." The Kid couldn't keep the enthusiasm out of his voice.

Heyes shook his head vehemently. "No."

"No? Why not?"

"I can't teach."

"Sure you can! You taught me when I didn't understand that teacher at the Home. Helped me with my homework. Don't you remember? And…and you taught Wheat and the boys different stuff. Hell, you even taught Kyle how to read a timetable."

"Didn't teach him very good. Almost had to call off the Madison job."

"So he missed an asterisk. I've missed an asterisk or two. So have you, come to think about it."

Heyes scowled. "When did I…"

"Delano job," the Kid quickly came back with an answer.

"Well, I…"

"That ain't the point, Heyes. What matters is that you can teach and these young'uns need some schoolin'."

"We ain't gonna be here long enough to teach them anything," Heyes continued to argue.

"Some learnin' is better than none at all, don'tcha think? They're smart and will catch on quick."

"But they're busy workin' on the farm…"

"Floyd and I'll make sure they have time to be schooled." The Kid paused for Heyes to think. "It'll give you something to do, too. You've been sayin' how useless you feel. Here's something you can do. Something you'd be good at doin'."

Heyes took a deep breath and then released it. "Kid, I…" Heyes saw the deep desire in the dark blue eyes. "I… All right. I'll try teaching them some of the basics. But no promises!"

The Kid smiled and clapped his partner on his shoulder. "Thank you, Heyes."

Heyes slowly shook his head. "Kid, you know we're going to have to leave, and it'll be sooner rather than later. I see you getting attached to this family — too attached."

"I know and it's gonna be hard to say good-bye. What was I supposed to do, Heyes, not help 'em? Hell, I needed their help, too, so I had a place for you to stay and heal up."

His partner gave him a wry grin. "No, I know you couldn't do that. You always were one for jumping in when somebody needed help."

"And it's hard not to get attached when I buried their ma and had to take her place."

"Yeah, just so you remember we're going to have to leave soon as I can ride."

"I know." The Kid looked away for a moment and then looked at his partner. "So you'll teach 'em, right?"

"Yeah, I'll try and teach them something."

"Okay, then. Let's go tell them and get them started right away." The Kid started pulling the wagon out of the barn.

"Wait! Start now?"

The Kid turned around. "You don't have much time if we have to leave when you get better. No time like the present."

"Hmph… What did I get myself into," Heyes muttered under his breath as they headed to the garden.

When they got near the Walker family, Curry shouted out, "Floyd, Joshua said he'd school the kids." Samuel, Hannah, and Levi popped their heads up from their work.

Floyd looked earnestly at Heyes. "You really willin' to school my young'uns?"

Heyes forced a smile. "Sure. It'll give me something to do while I mend."

"Oh..." whispered Levi, his eyes wide as he wiped his dirty hand on his pants.

"Levi, don't do that!" the Kid scowled. "You only have one more pair of clean pants."

All the children stared at Heyes as if seeing him for the first time.

"Always wanted to learn," admitted Samuel hesitantly, "but school was too far away and Ma was too busy with runnin' the house."

"You a teacher, Mr. Smith?" asked Hannah cautiously.

"He taught me a lot at school," the Kid quickly replied before his partner could say anything. "Helped me with my homework every night."

Another "oh", this time from Hannah.

The Kid gave Heyes a smug smile and then looked toward Floyd. "How's the garden comin' along, Floyd?"

"The young'uns have been workin' hard. It's almost done. Why?" Floyd shielded his eyes from the sun as he looked up.

"How about I get Joshua settled and schoolin' can start after a quick lunch? I'll finish the gardenin' they can't get to."

"Lunch is in an hour. I think they have about an hour left to do."

"Okay, I'll come get you when lunch is ready." The Kid began pulling the wagon back to the house. "It's a nice day; you want your classroom inside or outside?"

Heyes scowled. "What I want to do is flatten you!"

The Kid grinned back at his partner. "Good thing for me your wrist is still sore!"

"Can't believe you got me doing this," Heyes hissed. "I'm not gonna be ready after lunch. What am I gonna teach them?"

"How about the ABC's and readin'. Or arithmetic… What 1+1 is. Heyes, they're kids and anything you teach will be good," the Kid reassured his partner as they entered the house. "Here's all the books on these shelves. You check these out and I'll look around the cabin for anything else that'll help you."

The Kid looked in cupboards, dressers and shelves for teaching aids while Heyes checked out all the books and picked out several of the easy to read ones. "Look what I found!" Curry stood up from kneeling beside the dresser and grinned as he showed Heyes a slate with a box of chalk.

"Phew…that'll help. And I found a few books that'll work."

"Nice outside. Wanna hold class under the big oak? I could lay out a few bedrolls for the children to sit on."

"Yeah, let's do that. And I need some apples if there's some in the pantry."

Curry gave a puzzled look as he walked into the pantry area. "Apples?"

Heyes nodded. "For the arithmetic lesson."

Poking his head out of the pantry, the Kid asked, "How many do you need?"

"Four's good — one for each of us."

Putting the apples on the table, Curry picked up their bedrolls. "I'm gonna put this under the tree so it's ready while you think of anything else you need."

Several minutes later, Curry came back into the cabin. "Think of anything else?"

"Nope, just need some time to come up with a plan. Can you take me out there now?"

"Sure." The Kid put the apples and slate in the wagon and pulled his partner to the tree. He made sure he was comfortable with pillows and a sheet. "I'll get lunch ready and feed the Walkers. Holler if you need something."

Heyes nodded, but his mind was planning out the new job.

After lunch, the children were nervously excited about attending lessons.

"Can we go over by Mr. Smith now?" asked Samuel as he finished washing the dishes.

Curry glanced out of the window and saw his partner scowling as he looked through a book. "Let's give him a few more minutes to get ready."

Hannah came next to the Kid and pleaded with big blue eyes. "I dunno why you can't teach us, Mr. Jones. I like you better. Mr. Smith, well, I don't think he likes us much."

The Kid squatted so he was down to her level. "Of course Joshua likes you. What makes you think he don't?"

"He don't say much to us, unless he wants something or mad about something." Hannah thought for a few moments. "He ain't as friendly as you."

Grinning, the Kid put an arm around Hannah. "Well, we're kinda lucky he ain't been talkin' much. Once he starts feelin' better, we won't be able to shut him up." Pausing, Curry continued. "I don't think he's feeling real good right now and he's kinda worried about his back and about not walkin'."

Levi came up to Hannah and the Kid. "I'd be afraid if I couldn't walk. Is Mr. Smith afraid?"

Hesitating for a minute, the Kid answered, "Yeah, I think so. But let's keep that a secret, okay?" Curry waited to get nods from the children agreeing and stood up. "Let me see if he's ready yet."

The Kid walked over Heyes. "How's it goin'? You about ready?"

Heyes glared at his partner.

"Need a few more minutes?"

"No. Guess I'm as ready as I'm gonna be." Heyes frowned. "Why do I let you talk me into this kinda stuff?"

Curry smiled. "I'll go tell 'em you're ready."

"Kid, could you bring me a cup of water, too."

"Sure. Anything else?"

Heyes shook his head. "That should do it."

A few minutes later, the Kid returned with three eager students and a cup of water. "Okay, I want you three to mind Mr. Smith and be good. Don't wanna hear a bad report about you."

Heyes gave his partner a look. "Where'd that come from?"

"That's what I 'member my Ma sayin' when she took me to school." He grinned. "Course, I used to get in all kinds of trouble 'cause of you. If you need anything, holler or send one of 'em to get me." Curry walked towards the barn to care for the animals.

"Did Mr. Jones really get in trouble, Mr. Smith?"

"Well," Heyes hesitated. "Sometimes. But," he smiled at them, "he's right about it being my fault most of the time. Ready for some learning?"

The three children sat on the bedrolls around Heyes and waited.

"Well," he cleared his throat, "first we're gonna learn our ABCs. This is the letter A." Heyes wrote an 'A a' on the slate. "It has a sound of 'a' like in apple." He wrote the word apple under the 'A a'. What other words have the same sound?"

Samuel smiled. "My name does."

"Mine does, too," piped up Hannah.

Heyes smiled as he nodded and added the two new words to the slate.

"Me too?" asked Levi.

Gently shaking his head, Heyes said, "Nope, Levi doesn't have an 'a' in it. Can you think of another word, Levi?"

Levi pondered and looked over to Curry tending to the horses. "How about animal?"

"You're right. Animal has two 'a's in it. Good job." Levi beamed as Heyes wrote the word on the slate.

The ABCs lesson continued in the same matter for over an hour with three enthusiastic students absorbing everything taught them.

Heyes put the slate down and drank some water. "How about a break and then we'll work on numbers instead of letters? I'll holler when I'm ready for you."

Samuel, Hannah and Levi went in search of their father, eager to share what they had learned. They found the men slicing half of the venison thin for jerky and salting the rest. The Kid looked up from salting the meat and walked over to his partner.

"How's it goin', teacher?" the Kid said with a smile.

Heyes shrugged his shoulders. "Not bad… Better than I thought."

"Done for the day?"

"Nah. Want to start on the numbers now."

The Kid grinned and chuckled to himself.

"What?"

"Nothin'." Curry shook his head. "It's just that…"

"Yeah?"

"You seem to be takin' to this teachin' job pretty good. You always have needed something to work out – a plan or a job."

"Maybe…" Heyes winced.

Curry cocked his head. "How you feelin'? Sure you're up to more?

Heyes nodded. "Legs are hurting, but teaching is giving me something else to think about."

"Okay, but don't do too much. Need anything?"

"More water?" Heyes held up his cup.

The Kid took the cup. "I'll be right back." Dipping the bucket in the cool well water, he returned and handed the water to his partner. "Ready for the children?"

"I guess."

"I'll send them over. Call if you need anything."

"I will."

A few minutes later and the children were gathered under the tree with Heyes for their numbers lesson – Heyes in the wagon and the children sitting on the bedroll.

Heyes pulled out the four apples from his pile of books and supplies. "Now we're going to work on our numbers. How many apples do I have, Levi?"

Levi counted aloud. "One…two…three…four! One for each of us."

"That's right. Do you know what the number four looks like?"

"Yep! Can I write it on the slate like you did this mornin'?"

"Sure." Heyes handed the slate to the child. Laboriously, Levi wrote '4' on the slate and gave it back to the teacher.

"Good job, Levi. I see how neat you made your number four. So if Levi knows how, I'm guessing you do, too?" Heyes asked Samuel and Hannah.

"Ma was teachin' us last winter when it was too rainy to go out. Got to number twenty," Samuel informed him.

"Then we can start some simple addition. If I have one apple and add another apple, how many do I have?"

"Two apples!" exclaimed Hannah.

"That's right… And it looks like this." Heyes wrote 1 + 1 = 2 on the slate. Using the apples, he taught the children addition and subtraction from one to four. Over an hour later, he dismissed the children. "Think that's enough for the day, huh?" Three heads nodded in agreement. "Want an apple?" He handed each a piece of fruit and they all ate part of the lesson. "Can one of you tell Mr. Jones we're done, please?"

"I will!" Levi stood up and started to run, but tripped and almost fell.

"LEVI! Walk! Don't run with your broken arm; you might fall and make it worse." Heyes ran a hand through his hair. "Sheesh…"

Samuel and Hannah stood up and started to walk away. Samuel turned. "Mr. Smith, thank you for teachin' us."

"You're welcome, Samuel."

A few minutes later, the Kid sat down on the bedroll next to his partner. "Well, how'd it go today?"

"Okay. They're eager to learn, especially the older ones."

"Levi's only six. Not everyone likes books like you do. I remember wantin' to play instead of learn when I was that age."

Heyes chuckled. "I remember."

"Ready to go back in the house?"

Heyes nodded and the Kid could see the pain lines around his eyes. "Right now getting into bed sounds like a real good idea. And a little laudanum, too. I can feel my back knotting up and my legs have that prickly feeling all over."

Curry frowned. "Maybe this was a bad idea…"

"Told you I'm no teacher."

"Should I tell them no lessons tomorrow?"

"No. I'll give it another try."

"But if you're hurtin'…"

"Well, maybe I just overdid it. Being the first day and all."

Before long, the Kid lifted his partner back into bed. Heyes sighed. "Feels good to lie down."

"Then maybe…"

"Might want to change where I'll do the lesson tomorrow. Depends on the weather, too. I did like being outside, though."

After dinner, the children got ready for bed while Curry helped the men. Then the Kid and Heyes took turns reading Robinson Crusoe to the family. One by one the children nodded off to sleep.

The Kid closed the book. "Anything you two need before I turn in?"

Heyes winced in pain. "Think I'll take that laudanum. Don't think I'll sleep much the way my legs are feeling now."

"Sure." Curry got the bottle and held it up to the light. "Don't take too much. We're almost out. I might need to go into town for some more."

Taking a sip, Heyes handed the bottle back. "Thanks."

"Floyd?"

"I'm okay… Just tired."

"Night Joshua. Night Floyd." The Kid blew out the lamp and crawled into bed.

Day 10

The Kid had made oatmeal for breakfast and was just cleaning up at the stove when he heard a barely audible, "Thaddeus". Alert, he glanced at his partner in bed who scarcely cocked his head towards the window. Curry put down the spoon and walked to the window. A wagon was coming around the bend towards the farmhouse. Floyd and the children were still sitting around the table talking about the chores to be done before lessons could start.

"Floyd, we got company, again." The Kid's hand hovered near his gun.

Samuel joined Curry at the window to see who was coming. "It's Doc Becker, Pa."

The Kid looked at his partner and the two smiled in relief.

"Go care for his horse and invite him in, Samuel," Floyd said as he finished the oatmeal in his bowl.

Samuel walked outside just as the wagon was stopping in front of the house. "Mornin', Doc."

The middle-aged, dark-haired gentleman jumped off the wagon and quickly assessed the boy. "Good morning, Samuel. How are you? Heard you were hurt."

"I was, but gettin' better." Samuel nodded as he walked toward the horse.

"Still limping, I see."

"Yeah, sprained my ankle purty good, but Mr. Jones said to walk on it as much as possible. I'll take care of your horse."

The doctor removed a black bag from the wagon. "Thank you. Everyone else in the house?"

"Yep, just finishing breakfast," Samuel said as he led the horse to a trough of water.

"Come back into the house then so I can check you over, too." Doctor Becker walked onto the porch and opened the door. Seeing Floyd at the table, he greeted him. "Good morning, Floyd."

Floyd held out his hand to shake. "Mornin'. Thanks for comin', Doc. I'd get up, but…"

"Glad to see you're even up. Deputy Mason said your family got hit hard by the storm. Sorry to hear about Rose and Mary."

Floyd nodded. "Don't know what would've happened if Thaddeus hadn't come when he did."

Doctor Becker looked at the two strangers. "Deputy Mason said there were two men here."

"Yep. Where're my manners. This here is Thaddeus Jones," Floyd pointed to the Kid who was cleaning up after breakfast, but stopped to nod at the doctor, "and his partner, Joshua Smith."

The doctor looked over at the man in the bed and Heyes smiled.

"Hungry?" the Kid asked. "Got some oatmeal left over."

The doctor shook his head. "No, but if you have some coffee made, I'd like a cup."

"Sure." Curry poured a cup and handed it to the doctor.

Doctor Becker took a sip. "So, how do you know the Walkers, Mr. Jones?"

The Kid glanced at Floyd. "I'm kin to Rose."

"I see… And how did you happen to come when you did?" the doctor inquired.

"Well, me and Joshua were on our way to Red Rock. Heard a McCreedy down there was hirin'. We was in the area when the storm hit and Joshua was hurt. Figured Rose would let us stay while he healed.

Hannah looked up at Curry puzzled. "But…"

Floyd cut her off. "Hannah, don't you have chores to do before lessons? You too, Levi and Samuel. When Doctor Becker is ready to take a look at you, we'll call you in."

Becker noted the confused look on the child's face and the father's interception. "How about I look at them first, Floyd, and then they can go do chores?"

Floyd shrugged his shoulders. "Ain't nothin' wrong with Hannah. Samuel, he got cracked ribs and a sprained ankle, but he's gettin' around. And Levi, he got a broken arm and cracked ribs."

Doctor Becker winked. "I'll just give them all a quick look while I'm here. How about ladies first, Hannah?"

Hannah looked at her father, who nodded his approval. She walked toward the doctor.

"So are you hurting anywhere, dear?"

She shook her head.

"You came away from the storm with not even a cut?"

"Well, I cut myself a few places, but they're healed now."

The doctor made eye contact with Curry. "Deputy Mason told me you found them. How was she then?"

"Scared… Not talkin' much. Think seein' her Ma and Mary in the yard troubled her. Others were in the barn and didn't see 'em."

Becker knelt by the little girl. "I bet it was difficult not being able to help your Pa and brothers and seeing your Ma and Mary, huh?"

Hannah nodded.

"You're a brave young lady, Hannah Walker."

Hannah beamed.

"I'm brave, too! I broke my arm!" Levi was not going to be outdone by his big sister.

The doctor smiled. "That you are, Levi. Well, since Hannah's okay, let's check you out, mister." Becker looked again to Curry for more information.

"Found Levi unconscious with a bad bump on his forehead and a broken arm. I set the break and have tried to keep him from usin' it with the splints and sling."

"And when did he come around?" The doctor was gently, but firmly, feeling the little boy's body for possible other injuries.

Levi giggled and wiggled. "That's tickles!"

Curry thought back to the first day. "Levi was startin' to come around when I brought him in the house. I set his broken arm first when he was still kinda outta it."

The doctor nodded. "Okay Levi. I'm going to remove the sling and splints on your arm. You have to be very still while I do this." Becker smiled at the boy. "And I'll try not to tickle you anymore." Removing the splints, the doctor quickly assessed the broken arm and looked up at the Kid. "Have you set a bone before?"

Shaking his head, the Kid answered, "Nope. Got some coachin'." He smiled at his partner. "How'd I do?"

"Pretty good… Pretty darn good. I'm impressed." The doctor put the splints and sling back on the arm. "Good to go for now, Levi. Might put a cast on that arm later. Next… Samuel."

Samuel took his brother's place next to the doctor by the table. "Part of the barn pinned me down. Hurt my ankle and…" He looked to Curry for help.

"He cracked a rib or two. Had 'em bound for a while."

The doctor felt the ribs and nodded. "Healing well. And you're walking on your ankle?"

"Yes sir. Not very good, but I'm workin' at it." Samuel confirmed.

"Good man. Well, let me see if there's anything else that was missed." Again, the doctor gently, but firmly, felt the limbs and rest of Samuel's body. "Looks like you're in good shape, Samuel. You can go do your chores with your brother and sister while I check over the men."

"Let's go, Hannah and Levi." Samuel herded them outside to their various chores.

"Children are healing well, Floyd. How are you doing?" Doctor Becker sat next to the patient at the table.

Curry poured more coffee for everyone and sat on the bed next to his partner.

"Well," Floyd began, "I've been better."

The doctor put his hand on top of Floyd's and nodded. "Agnes wanted to me make sure to give you her best. She's planning on coming by in a few days to check on the children and you." After a pause, he continued. "So you broke your leg, I see. What else is ailing you?"

"I cracked some ribs, too, and got a good size bump on the head. Nothin' more."

"Well, let me check you over and see if that's all I can find. If you had to break your leg, it's a good thing you broke it below the knee." He looked over at Curry. "Can I assume you set this bone, too?"

The blond nodded.

"Did you see any breaks in the skin where bone was protruding?" When he saw a puzzled look, the doctor added, "where the bone was sticking out."

The Kid shook his head no.

"Good. Well, let's see if he set this bone as well as he did Levi's." The doctor removed the splints and gently felt the leg. "It's set well and on its way to healing."

"How much longer? I got crops needin' to go in," Floyd asked.

"You're not going to like my news, Floyd." The doctor continued with the examination after splinting the leg again. "The storm happened about 10 days ago? You have another four weeks of no walking on that leg."

A groan escaped from Floyd. "What am I gonna do?"

Doctor Becker sighed. "Maybe Agnes' boys can come over and help with the planting. They're working in their fields now." The doctor finished the exam. "Well, the ribs are healing up and I can't find anything else physically wrong with you. How's the head? Any recent headaches?"

"Just a mild one the other day," Floyd informed the doctor.

"Good. Now we have to decide what to do about those broken bones. We can keep them splinted as they are, but, if I know you and Levi, that's not the best solution. I am recommending a plaster cast."

"A plaster cast?"

Becker nodded. "I wrap your leg in gauze and then apply a thick layer of plaster, like a white mud, to the leg. It hardens and immobilizes the leg so the bone can heal properly. That way you and Levi don't accidentally move it and upset the break."

Floyd thought for a moment. "Can I still walk usin' crutches to get around?"

"Yes."

"How do I get this plaster cast off my leg?"

"In four weeks, you can carefully cut it off using a saw."

Floyd smiled. "Guess you do know me and Levi. You better put that plaster on so we can't disturb it."

"Good. Let's apply it out by the well. I need water and it'll keep the mess out of the house. Mr. Smith, can you carry two chairs out there, please?

"It's Jones. I'll do that right away. About my partner…"

"I'll examine the two of you after I set the casts. They have to dry and I'll have plenty of time then," the doctor dismissed the Kid's question. "Let's get you up on those crutches, Floyd."

The Kid looked at Heyes, who shrugged his shoulders. He then carried two chairs to the well as requested while the doctor assisted Floyd in walking to the well.

"Thank you Mr. Jones. I won't be needing your assistance."

Curry turned, but stopped. Making direct eye contact, he said, "Floyd, if you or the children need me, just holler. I'll be in the cabin with Joshua." The Kid knew that the doctor had a reason for sending him away and he figured he knew what it was. He had gotten used to being the one to handle things since they had arrived and he wanted Floyd to know he would around if he was needed.

"Thanks, Thaddeus. I appreciate it." Floyd sat down heavily in one of the chairs and the doctor propped the broken leg on the other. When the Kid closed the door to the cabin, he continued. "Everything okay, Doc?"

Doctor Becker looked into his patient's eyes. "You tell me."

Floyd looked at the doctor in bewilderment. "It's okay. I told you that inside."

"Floyd, I'm concerned about those two men in there." He cocked his head towards the house.

"Jones and Smith?"

"Deputy Mason isn't convinced those're their real names. He thought he possibly recognized them and he's concerned they might be wanted outlaws. Asked me to talk to you in private and make sure you're not being threatened in any way by those two. Gotta say I agree seeing the way Jones ties down his gun. And when he was saying how they got here, Hannah started talking, but was hushed up. Makes a man wonder."

"Doc, Thaddeus Jones saved our lives… Bandaged us up… Took good care of us. I had a barn beam pinnin' me down. Don't know what would have happened to us if he hadn't come by. And Joshua Smith, he's readin' a book about a Crusoe to the family. Started teachin' the children readin' and arithmetic yesterday." Floyd paused. "I don't care if their names aren't Smith and Jones. They've been good to me and the children."

The doctor smiled. "As long as you and the children are safe. I had to make sure."

"Appreciate Deputy Mason's and your concern, but we're safe."

Becker stood up and patted Floyd on the shoulder. "Then let's get this leg in a cast. I have to get the plaster and gauze. I'll be back in a few minutes." Getting the needed supplies from his wagon, the doctor came back to the well and pulled out a bucket of water. "Ready to get started?"

"What are you gonna do?"

"Well, I have this linen cloth which has dry Plaster of Paris rubbed into it. I'll start wrapping the bandage around the leg and moisten it with this sponge as I'm applying it. The Plaster of Paris will become hardened as it dries. There quite a few layers of linen. The cast is going to feel very warm as it dries, but after that you shouldn't be bothered at all."

Floyd watched with fascination as the doctor alternately wrapped, moistened, and rubbed smooth with his hands the bandages forming a cast. Soon his leg was casted from his toes to mid-thigh.

Doctor Becker stretched his back when he finished. "How are you doing, Floyd?"

"Good. You're right about it feelin' warm."

"It's getting stiff already. I'll have you sit here for an hour to make sure it firm enough. I'll make Levi's cast next."

"Levi!" Floyd shouted for his son.

A small head popped out of the barn door. "Yeah, Pa?"

"Time for you to come get your arm in a cast."

Hannah's head looked out of the barn. "Pa, can Samuel and I come watch, please?"

Floyd looked at the doctor who nodded his approval. "Sure, but mind you do your chores before lessons."

Soon the three children were by the well watching and asking questions while Levi's cast was put on. After an hour, both casts were applied and hardening.

"Okay," said the doctor as he washed his hands, "I want you two to stay put for a while longer so they're good and hard. I'm going to check on those other two men in the house. If you need me, send Samuel."

The doctor walked to the house and rapped once before entering. He closed the door behind him and walked over to the bed where the Kid was sitting with Heyes. "Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith, I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. Deputy Mason voiced his concern about you two and I wanted assurance from Mr. Walker that he and his family were safe."

"Apology accepted." Heyes held out his hand in a goodwill gesture. The doctor smiled as he shook his hand.

"Is there anymore of that coffee, Mr. Jones, before I start your exams?"

"Sure is." Curry stood up and held up the pot. "Joshua?" His partner nodded and he poured three cups of coffee. "You can call us Thaddeus and Joshua, Doctor Becker."

Doctor Becker sat on a chair by the bed. "So tell me your story, Thaddeus and Joshua. Where were you when the storm hit and what injuries did you get?"

Heyes and the Kid took turns telling the story of seeing the twister and going back to the creek bed; the branch hitting Heyes in the back and the injuries they both received. Curry continued the tale of coming to the Walker's homestead.

Becker looked at the Kid. "So your only injury was a gash to the head?"

"Yep and that's healed."

"No headaches."

The Kid shook his head. "Nope."

"So you and Hannah managed to escape the storm's fury with only a few scratches while all the others sustained numerous injuries. Tornadoes never cease to amaze me."

The doctor finished his coffee. "Joshua, you seem to have come out of it the worst. Let's see what's going on with you." The doctor gently lifted his Henley up and removed it to check the chest and arms. "There's some swelling on this wrist."

"Yeah, guess I sprained it when I fell into Thaddeus."

"Seems to be healing. Can you use it?"

"Still difficult to use a spoon, but I'm getting by."

Expert fingers touched the back of the head, finding a tender area. "Are you still getting headaches?"

"Yeah, but not as bad as they were."

The doctor gently rolled Heyes over on his stomach. Hands felt the entire back, noting where the patient caught his breath in pain. "I'm going to need to remove the long johns to exam the legs."

Heyes nodded and his partner helped the doctor remove the garment.

Again, the doctor did a thorough exam of the buttocks, legs and feet. After rolling the patient back on his back and covering him with a sheet, Becker asked, "Do you have any feeling at all in your legs?"

"Yep, sometimes like needles sticking me and other times a numbing feeling."

"That's encouraging that there is some feeling. Can you move your feet?" The doctor noted a nod and lifted up the sheet to watch both feet slightly moving. "Try moving your legs."

The legs twitched, but did not move.

"What's goin' on, Doc?" Curry asked for his partner. "Will he be able to walk again?"

"Well, there is a spinal cord that runs from your brain, though your neck and down your back. There are nerves with the spinal cord that makes a person move when the brain tells it to move. It appears, Joshua, that you bruised the nerve endings in your back and the swelling is preventing you from walking."

"So when the swelling goes, I'll be okay?" Heyes asked for confirmation trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.

"Back and head injuries are very serious and there's still a lot we don't know about them. But I think with time, yes, you should be able to walk."

Heyes and the Kid glanced at each other and exchanged relieved smiles.

"That's great news, doctor!" Kid said what both were thinking.

"But I'm concerned about your muscles getting too weak while you wait to heal. You've been in bed about ten days already."

The smiles disappeared. "Well, I did have him up and outta bed the day before. Sat him in wagon for a good part of the day just to get him outside."

"Is there anything I can do?" Heyes asked.

"Maybe. Let's get him dressed again."

With the Kid's assistance, they put the long johns and Henley back on Heyes.

Doctor Becker pondered. "I did read where back East others move your legs to keep the muscles in use until you can move them yourself. I wonder…" The doctor thought for a minute while concerned partners watched him. "I'm going to try something, Joshua. You tell me if there is any discomfort or pain." Becker lifted a leg and bent it up near Heyes' chest and then straightened it again. "Anything?"

"Nope. My back felt tight when my leg was raised."

"That is because of the swelling."

Curry watched with interest. "So I do the movin' until Joshua can do it himself?"

"Yes. Come over here and try it." Curry stood where the doctor did moments before and began moving Heyes' legs.

"Good, just like you are doing. And Joshua, you can try to resist his movements — push back. You also have to work on keeping the strength in your upper body by moving as much as you back allows. Even rolling around or crawling with your arms while dragging your feet."

The Kid continued to move his partner's legs. "How many times do I do this?"

"Well, the more you do it, the stronger he'll get. Start with ten times with each leg, but several times a day. Increase the amount of times every few days. Make sure you're resisting, Joshua. Try kicking back."

"How long, Doc, before I heal?" Heyes asked as beads of sweat were forming on his forehead from the exertion.

"I can't say for sure, Joshua, but it's going to take awhile. Just listen to your body and you'll be able to know what you are capable of doing and what you cannot do. And once you can start walking, you'll have to do so with assistance for awhile until you get full strength back. You're a lucky man to be alive. Think that's enough for now — don't want to overdo it the first day."

The Kid sat back on the bed next to his partner. "What about the pain he's in, Doc?"

"How much pain is there, Joshua?"

Heyes took a deep breath. "Lately it seems to be always there. Sometimes it bothers me more than other times."

"Is it keeping you up at night?"

"Nights seem the worse," he admitted.

"Probably because you have nothing else to concentrate on or to take your mind off of it. A little laudanum before bed should take care of that." The doctor looked at the Kid. "Do you have any laudanum?"

"Just about out with Joshua, Floyd and Levi needin' it right after the storm."

"I'll leave you a bottle then." The doctor reached in his medical bag and pulled out a bottle he handed to Curry. "Is this long pillow to help you lay on your sides and not your back all the time?"

"Yeah, Thaddeus made it for me."

Doctor turned towards the Kid and nodded. "Good. Sounds like you're doing a great job taking care of everyone."

Curry smiled. "I'm tryin'."

"What about sitting in a tub?" Heyes asked.

"If you can get in a bathtub without hurting yourself, then I'm sure soaking would feel good."

"Are you sayin' it's time for another wash day, Joshua?"

"Well, you are smelling kinda ripe."

"Me? Sure you're not smellin' yourself?"

Doctor Becker smiled as he listened to the bantering. "Speaking of baths, Thaddeus, those casts on Levi and Floyd cannot get wet. They can take a bath, but make sure their cast is out of the water."

Curry nodded. "Anything else I should know about 'em?"

"They need to wear those casts for at least four more weeks. Floyd will need to continue to use the crutches. I'm sure they will complain about the weight and itching under the cast, but that's unavoidable. Once the four weeks are over, they can remove it with a saw."

Heyes and the Kid made eye contact when four weeks was mentioned.

"Well, guess I'll be on my way again. Have only one or two more homesteads before I head back to town. Any more questions?"

"Yeah, can I get you something more to drink or eat?" Curry asked as he got up to pour more coffee.

"Heard from Samuel you got a deer. Any chance of there being venison jerky?"

Smiling, the Kid answered, "Sure is. Let me get you some. Floyd and I sliced it up yesterday and it just came outta the smoker." Getting the requested jerky, he handed some to the doctor.

"Thank you. I haven't had venison in awhile." Doctor Becker took a bite. "Delicious!" Heading out the door, the doctor turned toward his patient in the bed. "Hope you get better soon. Take it slow and don't expect miracles. It's going to take awhile for the swelling to go away and for you to build up your strength again."

Heyes nodded. "Thanks, Doc."

"And only take the laudanum when you need to. It's an opiate and highly addictive."

"I will," Heyes said with a smile.

Curry walked out of the cabin with the doctor towards the well where the Walkers were seated. The doctor tested the hardness of the casts and declared them ready. "Well, Floyd, guess I'm done here. Any more questions before I take off?"

"Nope. Appreciate you comin' out here, Doctor Becker."

Tapping Samuel on the shoulder, the Kid motioned him to follow. "Let's get the doctor's horse and wagon ready for him while your pa says good bye."

Soon the doctor rode down the lane and around the bend.

Floyd turned toward his children. "Well, we can get back to our chores now that Doc Becker is gone."

The Kid lifted his hat and ran a hand through his blond curls. "Let me see how Joshua feels about havin' lessons today." He walked back into the cabin and grinned at his partner. "So what about…"

"Four weeks? Kid, is it safe to stay here four more weeks," Heyes said in an exasperated voice.

"I know, but we're gonna hafta, Heyes. I ain't leavin' Floyd and those kids before they can care for themselves."

"But what if…"

"We ain't gonna be recognized out here. Deputy Mason may have a doubt or two, but he thinks I'm one of Rose's kin. I think we're safe here. 'Sides, we can't leave 'til you can ride good enough to outrun a posse. Don't see that happenin' any time soon."

"No, guess you're right," Heyes muttered as he slumped down further into the pillows.

"So, are you up to givin' lessons this afternoon?" the Kid asked as he sat beside his partner.

Heyes shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Sure you're up to it?"

Heyes nodded so the Kid continued, "Where?"

"If it's nice, I'd like to go outside."

"I'll go get it ready then. You let me know when you wanna do those leg exercises." Curry stood up and stretched. He took out the slate and some books and brought in the wagon. "Need apples today?" he asked as he came back into the cabin.

"No apples today, but about twenty rocks. Figured out yesterday what they know and what they don't know."

"Checked with Floyd while I took books out and the kids are almost done with their chores. Thought we'd have a quick meal and then you can hold lessons."

"Sounds like a plan." Heyes rubbed his chin. "Wouldn't mind shaving and getting cleaned up. Didn't have a chance before the doc came."

"Sure. I'll get you a basin and your shavin' kit." Curry got the requested items and helped his partner by holding a mirror.

After getting cleaned up, Heyes asked his partner, "We have time for some of them exercises?"

"Heyes, we'll make time for them exercises! Whenever you're up to it, I'll come help you." The Kid pulled back the sheet and lifted one leg, slowly bending it to his partner's chest and holding it, like he saw the doctor do. After a few moments, he straightened it and repeated the process nine more times. Then he did the same motions to the other leg. When he finished, he could see small beads forming on his partner's forehead. "Maybe…"

"No, gotta do them if I wanna walk or be ready ride outta here in a month or two. Hmm… What can I do to get my arms stronger again?"

The Kid chuckled. "Well, the doc did say something about crawlin' around usin' your arms."

Heyes scowled at his partner.

"Or if you don't like that idea, how about I throw a rope over the beam above the bed." Pointing up to the beam, he continued. "You can use it to lift yourself into a sittin' position and then lower yourself."

Looking up at the beam, Heyes thought a moment and then grinned. "I like that idea a lot better."

"Thought you might. Let me get a rope from the barn and check if the chores are finished."

Curry stopped at the well on the way to the barn. "How's the chores comin' along, Floyd?"

"Almost done. Is he gonna feel like teachin' today."

"Yep."

"They should be ready in about ten minutes."

The Kid took a sip of cool well water. "I'll let him know."

Finding a rope in the barn, he made his way back to the cabin.

"Walkers should be comin' in for a meal in about five minutes," Curry said as he threw one end of the rope up and over the beam. "There." He tugged on the rope. "That should do."

Heyes reached for the two ends and tied loops to each one for handles. Using the rope and his arms, he lifted his torso from the bed and back down. "Sheesh, that wasn't easy. Guess I'm weaker than I thought."

"You've been in bed for over ten days. What'd you expect?"

The Walker family came into the house.

Floyd sat down on the first chair he could find. "This cast makes my leg heavy. Tuckers me out faster when I use crutches."

"I bet," the Kid agreed. "Doc said they'd be heavy. Let's see your cast, Levi."

Levi beamed as he showed Mr. Jones his arm.

"Can I see it, too?" Heyes asked, curious about the plaster cast.

"Sure, Mr. Smith." Levi went over to the bed so Heyes could see and feel the casting.

"Amazing. Like hardened white mud. What'll they think of next?" Heyes smiled at the boy.

After a quick meal, the Kid took Heyes outside where the children's lessons continued from the day before. Curry finished working on the corral as he and Floyd discussed planting crops.

By late afternoon, everyone was cleaning up to help prepare the evening meal.

After a simple meal of salted venison, the Crusoe book came out.

"Mr. Smith, mind if I watch while you read? See if I can figure out some words?" asked Samuel.

"Not at all." Heyes patted the bed. "You can sit here."

Heyes read the book and used his fingers to show what line he was reading so Samuel could follow along and attempt to read the easy words. The rest of the family and Curry settled in for another exciting adventure of Robinson Crusoe.

After a chapter of the book was read, Floyd interrupted. "We've had a long and excitin' day with the doc comin'. Think it's time to go to bed, children. Get changed and come say your prayers with me."

Hannah put on her nightgown and handed a brush to the Kid who quickly and tightly braided her hair.

"Remember when you didn't know how to braid, Mr. Jones?" Hannah felt the braid and smiled.

"Sure do. Gettin' purty good at it, huh?"

"You don't even need my help anymore."

The children gathered by their father for prayers while Curry and Heyes respectfully listened.

Within the hour, all were sound asleep.