Chapter 11 – Finally, A Little Good News
Daybreak came and went. The Kid slept longer than normally. When he finally awoke, he felt refreshed, but his first thought was the same: Cashie. He wondered if she had slept as well and how she would be feeling today.
He stretched and got out from under the covers. He found his regular clothes and got dressed. But in finding his clothes, he also came across Heyes' clothing. He noticed his holster and gun, his hat, even his boots were still in the room. Everything the man had to his name was in that same room where he'd left it only two days before. Kid hadn't had time to notice before. Now he did, and it brought him such sadness.
Heyes had planned to move all those things to Cashie's room after they were married. But he never got the chance. Now he never would.
Kid pushed those thoughts away as he opened the door and walked across the hallway to check on Cashie. He knocked but heard nothing, so he quietly opened the door. She was lying in bed, apparently still sleeping. But somehow the Kid had to know. He walked over and touched her face, just to be sure…
She was warm to the touch, and he let out a sigh of relief. Her eyes were closed, and he wanted so much to kiss her on the cheek. But he didn't want to wake her. Even more than that, he didn't want her to push him away again like she had last night. He made himself wait.
Soon he heard a knock on the door across the hall. He quietly opened the door only to find Sheriff Riley in the hallway. Kid pulled the door to Cashie's room to. Riley didn't look too happy.
"Now what in tarnation are you doin' over there?" the sheriff asked with a frown on his face. "I told you to get some sleep in there." He pointed toward Kid's room.
Kid smiled. "I did, Sheriff. I promise you, I did. And it felt good. I'm feelin' much better this mornin'. I just now came over to check on her, that's all."
"And?"
"She's still sleepin'. Looks like that medicine you gave her did the trick."
Riley seemed pleased. "Well now, I'm glad to hear that from both of you. I was thinkin' maybe I'd see if Mrs. Obermier could come by and spend some time with Missy and maybe help her get changed or even a bath, whatever it is women like to do, you know, to make 'em feel better. Me and you been tendin' to her, but maybe she needs another woman to talk to, confide in, you see."
Kid smiled again. "You just might be right about that, too, Sheriff."
Riley frowned. "Don't you think it's about time we stopped this 'Sheriff' bit, and you just called me 'Hank?' What do ya say?"
The Kid laughed. "Well, now, I think I could do that…Hank."
The sheriff laughed too. "All right, then, I'll see about getting' Mrs. Obermier over here. I know you're gonna hang around until she gets here, ain't ya?"
"Yeah, I probably will," the Kid said, still smiling.
"Fine. I'll send some breakfast over with her, and you be sure you eat and get some food in that little lady in there. And don't mind threatenin' her if you have to. I did last night, and it worked sure enough."
"You did?" the Kid laughed again. "I'd o' paid money to see that."
Riley laughed too. "Well, once you get her settled and both of ya had somethin' to eat, stop by my office. We need to talk about a few things."
The Kid frowned. "We do? Like what?"
"Never you mind for now. Nothin' to worry about. I'll be expectin' ya."
The Kid shrugged, not having a clue what the sheriff meant. "I'll come by soon as I can."
"Good." And with that Sheriff Riley went down the hall and stairs.
The Kid opened the door and checked in on Cashie again. She was beginning to move around a bit, so he figured it wouldn't be long before she was awake. He sat down in the rocking chair and waited.
Cashie opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times to clear her vision. It was daylight now. She'd slept ever since Kid…no…Sheriff Riley had made her eat a bowl of soup and take some medicine. Or did she dream that? She shook her head and looked around the room. She was surprised to find Kid sitting in a chair, evidently waiting for her to wake up.
"Kid?"
"Yeah," he said softly.
"How long have you been here?"
"Not too long. Just wanted to make sure you were all right."
She sat up in the bed and looked at him thoughtfully. "I had this strange dream, I think."
"What about?" he asked.
"I thought Sheriff Riley threatened to pour soup down my throat if I didn't eat it, and then he fed me with a spoon like I was a little girl."
The Kid tried to hide his laughter but failed miserably. "Really now? That was your dream?"
Cashie eyed him cautiously. "Why are you laughin'?"
"'Cause he told me about threatenin' you, but he never said a word about feedin' you with a spoon," he chortled.
Cashie looked away, feeling embarrassed and frustrated. "So, it wasn't a dream," she said, now remembering bits and pieces of the night before.
"No, I guess not," the Kid replied. "Don't feel bad. He set me straight on a few things too. Made me go eat a good meal and get some sleep in my own room. Guess he's adopted both of us."
He laughed, and even Cashie smiled. She remembered the way the man had hugged her like she was his daughter and told her she had to go on. She also remembered another thing he'd said.
"He told me I hurt you."
The Kid stopped laughing and the smile left his face. He didn't say anything, just looked at the floor.
Cashie realized what the sheriff said must be true. She could see it on Kid's face.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to. I was hurtin' so bad."
The Kid got up and went to her, his hand caressing her face. "I know you didn't," he said, his eyes watching hers. "It's been an awful couple of days."
She nodded and then pulled him to her, her arms around his neck, his arms cradling her as he'd wanted to the night before.
He kissed her cheek at last, and she didn't push him away. He smiled at her, and she took his hand and held it for a long time. No words were needed.
Then there was another knock on the door. Kid got up and opened it to find Mrs. Obermier, her hands filled with a breakfast platter, just as Sheriff Riley had said.
"Hello, my dear," she said to Cashie. "Hello, Mr. Curry. De Sheriff send me with breakfast for both of you, and he said be sure you eat it all up. Ja?"
"Thank you, Mrs. Obermier," the Kid said, taking the platter from her. "I have direct orders from the sheriff myself to make sure this one eats. He said to threaten her if I have to."
Mrs. Obermier laughed. "Dat I would like to see."
Then she sat down on the bed beside Cashie and took her hand, rubbing it comfortingly. "My poor dear, I will try to make better."
Cashie managed a slight smile. "Thank you so much for all you've done for me. You've been so kind."
The German woman smiled. "No trouble. I like to help you," she said. "After breakfast, we will talk and I help you take bath or change clothes or whatever you vant. Ja?"
"Sounds like a good idea. I'd take her up on it, Cash," Kid encouraged her.
"Perhaps," Cashie said.
Kid took the cover off the platter and handed it to Cashie first. "Now are you gonna eat or do I have to feed it to you?" he said with a smile.
Cashie gave him a defiant look and said, "I can do it, thank you."
"Good. I'll go get us some coffee." He left the two women alone and hurried down the stairs.
Mrs. Obermier looked with concern at the young women she had only two days before helped don her wedding dress and then had to help take the bloody garment off her that very night.
"I so sorry, Miss Cashie," she said softly, not wanting to bring up the bad memories but realizing they were already there. "I vish I could change it for you."
"I wish you could too," Cashie said, a grimace on her face now.
"But you must eat, stay strong," the seamstress instructed. "Go on before your friend come back with coffee."
Cashie nodded and took a few bites of the eggs and a biscuit. As she was finishing, the Kid came in with a whole pot of coffee from downstairs and two clean cups. He poured them each some and handed one to her. She took it and drank without any fuss.
"Looks like you ate pretty good," he complimented her.
"She did," Mrs. Obermier concurred.
Cashie handed the platter back to Kid so he could eat his share. "I left you plenty," she said.
"I wouldn't have minded if you ate a bit more, but I'll definitely finish it."
Cashie felt the need to explain to their new German friend. "He always had the biggest appetite."
Mrs. Obermier smiled. "He growin' man."
The Kid had just about finished everything left on the plate, then washed it down with his coffee. "You want more coffee?" he asked Cashie. She shook her head.
"Well, I guess I'll leave you ladies to do whatever ladies do by themselves," the Kid said. "Sheriff Riley wants to talk to me about somethin'. Wouldn't say what."
Cashie had a concerned look on her face, which he read clearly. "He said nothin' to worry about, though."
He let out a sigh, looked at Cashie with gentle eyes, but didn't offer to kiss her good-bye in front of the German woman. He simply said, "I'll see you later," and left.
When he had closed the door, Mrs. Obermier looked at her young friend and said, "He good man."
Cashie managed a slight smile and nodded.
The Kid walked over to the sheriff's office and opened the door.
"Come in, Jed," the man said with little fanfare. "Have a seat."
Jed was curious and, if he were honest, a bit anxious. "What's this all about, Sher….er…Hank?"
"Just a few things I thought you needed to know. First off, I have some good news from your friend, Sheriff Lom Travers. He'll be arriving here in a few days, maybe a week, and he's bringin' something' with him I think you and Missy will be real happy about."
"Yeah?" the Kid said, his brow furrowed. "What's that?"
"The Governor of Wyoming has finally granted your amnesty. Sheriff Trevors will be bringing the papers with him."
The Kid sat staring at the sheriff, not saying a word as yet. He was letting the news and its implications sink in.
"He's decided now to give us the amnesty? Now, after… Why the hell couldn't he have done it a week ago, or a month, or years ago like they promised? Why now when it's too late?"
The sheriff hung his head and nodded. "Yeah, I feel the same way. But at least it'll help you and her. Too late for Heyes, I know. But it is what it is."
"So Lom is bringing the papers?"
"That's what the telegram said."
The Kid let out a sigh. "Well, it'll be good to see him, but the rest. 'Course I'm glad they finally had the sense to make things right, but it don't set well with me, Sher….I mean, Hank. And Cashie, my God, she's gonna be even more angry when she finds out."
"You're not gonna tell her right away?"
Kid bit his lip, then shook his head. "I don't think so. It'll only upset her. I know it will. I'll tell her a day or so before Lom is due to arrive. No need upsettin' her any more right now."
"You're probably right," the sheriff agreed.
"Is that all?" the Kid asked.
"Oh no. Got a few more things. First off, Jed, I need a deputy. Loomis is only a part-time deputy when needed. He's not interested in full-time deputy work. So that leaves me at a loss. Look, I know you've been workin' some at the livery stable. I also know you got bills runnin' up with two hotel rooms, meals, and other things. The deputy job pays a lot more, and, frankly, I could use your help. So, what do ya think?"
This was the last thing Curry had expected. Even though he and the sheriff had gotten closer over the past few days, it had never occurred to him he might offer him such a job.
He let out a light laugh. "You want me as your deputy?"
The sheriff smiled, realizing the irony of the situation. "I guess so. I mean, you got the best qualifications of any man in town right now. Good with the gun, knowing about outlaws and now on the right side of the law. Why not you?"
Kid shook his head. "I wasn't expectin' this at all. More like bein' in some kind of trouble than tryin' to keep others out o' trouble."
"Well, you do have a little experience, I hear."
The Kid shrugged. "Not on an up-and-up level, but yeah, a little."
"Well, then, there you go. Of course, it'll need to be after your friend gets here with that amnesty, but I've made up my mind. It's yours, if you want it, that is."
The Kid thought it over a few moments, then said, "I'll need to talk it over with Cashie. Law work has its dangers too, and after what she's been through, I'd want to be sure she was all right with it before I said yes."
"I understand. Probably a good idea, too."
"Well, I'll get back to you as soon as we talk," the Kid promised.
"Good. Now there's one more subject I need to talk with you about. And I saved it for last since it's sort of…private. I really don't even want to mention it, but I feel I have to."
Kid was lost now. Confusion was written all over his face. "Ain't much we hain't already talked about, Hank. No need to get shy now. What's on yer mind?"
The sheriff laughed lightly and nodded. "Well, this one here is a personal matter, one that maybe you might think is none of my business. But I feel the need to say it anyhow for yours and Missy's own good."
Kid was even more lost.
"Look, you both got some supporters like me, the Doc, the preacher, and a few others, who understand the situation more than maybe the average person in town. But I don't want anybody thinkin' or sayin' anything to hurt either one of you. That's why I'm bringin' it up before they do."
"Bringin' up what?" the Kid wanted to know.
"Son, it is quite obvious to me and the ones I mentioned that you and that lady need to be together, to support one another and grieve together. She's takin' her man's death real hard, and you are the closest thing she's got to a best friend or a relative. But…there's the rub. You ain't a relative; you ain't her intended; and at some point someone's gonna raise a ruckus if'n you and her keep spendin' so much time together in her room." He paused slightly, then added, "Besides, I don't figure you can afford to pay for two rooms much longer anyway."
A glimmer of understanding came into the Kid's eyes. Hank was trying to be delicate, but what he was getting at was that at some point people were going to start talking about him and Cashie in ways that would be hurtful to both of them.
"Yeah, I see what you mean now," he said, blowing out a breath. "But what can I do about it? She needs me, and I ain't gonna let her down."
"Don't expect you to," the sheriff agreed. "That's why me and the preacher and the Doc been puttin' our heads together tryin' to figure this thing out for the best for both of ya."
"And what have you come up with?"
"Nothin' definite. We want to run all this by Mr. Brubaker, first."
"Brubaker?" the Kid questioned. "What's he got to do with this?"
"Just want his opinion, that's all," the sheriff answered. "I'll get back with you once we've talked to him. In the meantime, you keep doin' what you've been doin. Don't think nobody's gonna say nothin' out o' line right now. All right?"
"All right," the Kid said, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with this subject. "Anything else?"
"Nope, not right now. I'll be in touch when I do. By the way, how did our girl eat this mornin'?
The Kid laughed. "I didn't have to threaten her. She ate right well, I thought. I left her with Mrs. Obermier. I sure hope she can help her some way."
"Me too," the sheriff said, getting up from his desk. The Kid followed suit, and the two shook hands.
"Thanks, Sher…Hank," the Kid said. "I've got a few more errands to run."
The sheriff nodded, and the Kid turned and walked out the door. Next, he was headed for Groover's Mercantile.
Mr. Groover looked up as the Kid came in his store. "Hello, Mr. Curry," he said in as near a friendly voice as the man could manage. "I'm so sorry about Mr. Heyes."
Kid nodded and took his hat off. "Thank you. That's what I wanted to see you about."
"Oh?" the shopkeeper said.
"Yeah, Heyes told me about the ring, how you were gonna let him pay for it out of his wages."
"That's right, Mr. Curry. I figured I'd go ahead and apply what wages Mr. Heyes had already earned before his untimely death to the debt. Does that sound satisfactory?"
"Absolutely," the Kid agreed. "And if you would, let me know the balance after that, and I'll be glad to finish paying for it."
"Certainly," Mr. Groover said. He got out some books and started figuring the cost of the ring minus what Heyes' wages were, and finally came up with a new balance. $15.25 should cover it, Mr. Curry."
The Kid reached into his shirt pocket. "Is it all right if I put five dollars on it now? I have some money comin' to me from the livery stable and then I have a better job lined up in about a week. I'd like to pay another five dollars or maybe even the whole balance then."
Mr. Groover made a few notes on the account. "That should be fine, Mr. Curry." Kid handed him the five dollars, and he put it with the other papers he had on the ring. The shopkeeper looked up at the younger man. "Such a shame about Mr. Heyes and his bride." He shook his head several times. "Such a shame. How is she doing?"
"Not well, as you can imagine. She took it pretty hard."
"Well, if I can do anything to help either of you, just let me know."
"Thank you, Mr. Groover," the Kid said and put his hat back on.
He left the mercantile and headed for the livery. He hoped he had a job there still, at least until he could talk with Cashie and decide about the deputy job.
His boss, Rufus Carver, wasn't expecting him but seemed glad to see the Kid. "Sorry about your partner," he offered.
"Thanks," the Kid acknowledged. "Do I still have a job here, Rufus? I know I've been out a few days with everything that happened, but I could sure use the money right now."
"'Course you still got a job, long as you want it," the stableman assured him.
"Good, 'cause I got bills to pay," the Kid answered and set out to brushing down some of the horses.
It was nearly dark when he finished up work and went back to the hotel to see what Cashie had been up to with Mrs. Obermier that day. Strangely, he found her alone in her room, sitting in the rocking chair, quiet and looking at nothing in particular. She had on her old dress from before they were in jail.
He sat down on the bed next to her, trying to gauge her mood.
"How'd your day go?" he asked. "Did you get a bath?"
She shook her head.
"Why not?" Kid asked.
"I had a bath…a few days ago," she answered in soft, slow tones. "Don't see the need for another just yet.
"I guess not," the Kid replied, realizing she meant the day before the wedding.
He thought she seemed different from the morning. Then she had smiled more and eaten her breakfast. He wondered what had happened between then and now.
"Did you have a nice talk with Mrs. Obermier?" he asked.
"It was all right," she answered, still not looking at him.
"You seem more down than when I left this morning? Anything happen?"
She was quiet for a while, then said, "Nothing happened, Kid. Nothing is going to happen except…"
"Except what?"
"We'll all going to die, Kid. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but one day we're all gonna die."
Kid hadn't expected this subject of thinking to come up. He tried to think fast how to answer her.
"Yeah, that's true. Someday we're all gonna die. Just like in those scriptures the preacher read. But, he said someday we're also gonna live again. Remember that part?"
"Maybe," she whispered.
"Well, I want to believe it's true. Don't you?"
She let out a deep sigh and looked up at him. "I don't know what to believe, Kid. I really don't."
He picked up her left hand and held it in his own. Not knowing what to say, he thought maybe he should tell her about the deputy's job."
"I saw Sheriff Riley earlier today, and we talked about a few things."
"What did he want?" she asked.
"Well, for one thing, he needs a deputy. And he wanted to know if I'd be interested. I told him I'd have to talk to you first."
She looked up at him, but her face seemed blank. "Why?"
"Why? Because I do. I want your input, your feelings about it. After what you've been through, the last thing I want to do is worry you."
She turned back toward the wall. "If it's what you want to do, then do it," she said with little concern in her voice.
Kid wasn't sure how to take what she'd said. Did she mean she was fine with it? Or did she mean she didn't care at all?
"Well, he said it would pay more than I'm making at the livery."
"Good," was her only answer.
There was a knock on the door, and Kid got up to answer it. Sheriff Riley was standing there, concern on his face.
"We were just talking about the job offer," the Kid told the sheriff.
He walked on in the room. "Well, what do you think about it, Missy?"
"I don't care," she said nonchalantly.
The Sheriff frowned and looked over at the Kid, who looked back with questioning eyes.
"So, it wouldn't bother you if he were my deputy?"
"What difference does it make? If that's what he wants to do, I told him to do it."
This did not sound at all like the women from this morning to the sheriff either. He sat down on the bed beside the rocking chair just as the Kid had done previously.
"What's happened?" he questioned her. "What happened with Mrs. Obermier?"
"Nothing," she said. "We talked a bit. I told her I didn't want a bath, and I sent her away."
Now the sheriff and Kid both were frowning hard. "We were hoping she could make you feel a little better," the sheriff said.
"Well, she didn't. Although I thanked her for tryin."
Kid motioned for the sheriff to meet him in the hallway once more so they could talk without Cashie hearing.
Once outside the door, the Kid explained, "She's been talkin' about how we're all gonna die someday."
"Hmm, well it's a fact o' life, but I don't know why she's got that on her mind. Do you?"
Kid shook his head. "I told her accordin' to the preacher we're all gonna live again someday too."
"Good answer. Did it seem to help?"
"Not really," the Kid said. "I don't know where her mind is today. I was hopeful this morning, but now…I don't know."
The sheriff let out a sigh. "Did you tell her about the amnesty?"
"Nope. Still don't think that's the right thing to do just yet."
"Well, let's just be sure we get her to eat tonight, maybe give her some more medicine. I 'spect she's gonna be up and down in her feelin's. No one can expect her to jump back from such a trauma and loss overnight. It's only been a few days. Just gotta be patient…but firm. Last thing she needs is to get herself sick from not eatin'. I don't envy you, Son."
"I don't have any other choice, Hank. The three of us were all about takin' care of one another. Heyes wouldn't o' left me nor me him. And neither of us would o' left Cashie. With Heyes gone, she's my responsibility. No other way around it."
"I see that. Just one word of advice, especially after last night. Don't take everything she says to heart so much. In her state of mind, she probably don't know, let alone mean, half of what she says. So just take it with a grain of salt, you see."
The Kid nodded. "Thanks, Hank. You're a real friend. I appreciate all you've done for me and her."
"Sure. I'll get you some supper. Be right back. "
The sheriff took off, and the Kid walked back in Cashie's room to find her still sitting in the rocking chair.
"Hank's gonna get us some supper," he told her.
"What're you two sayin' behind my back now?" Cashie asked, a note of sarcasm in her voice.
"Nothin' much. We just want to do anything we can to help you, that's all."
Cashie let out a sigh. "I know you mean well, Kid, and the sheriff, too, but neither one of you can magically make me better with all your food and hugs and bright ideas."
The former outlaw sat down on the bed again, near to Cashie's chair. "We know that. But we have to try. You'd do the same for me. I know you would."
She had nothing more to say, and the Kid didn't know what to say either. He was thankful when the sheriff came in with their supper.
"There's plenty more where this came from," he said, setting the plates down on the table. "Now you be sure you eat somethin', Missy. We don't want ya faintin' on us again."
"I'll eat somethin' just to make you two happy, but it's not 'cause I'm hungry," came her terse reply.
The Kid and the sheriff exchanged glances. It was like she was a completely different woman from that morning.
"Well, I've got some people to see and make some rounds about town 'fore bedtime. You two take care of one another, and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thanks, Sher…Hank." He almost forgot.
"You're gettin' better," the sheriff laughed. "Night."
"Night," the Kid said. Cashie said nothing.
Kid moved over to the table and uncovered the plates. "Come on, Cash, we've got some chicken, potatoes, string beans and even a piece of pie."
When she didn't budge, he said, "Come on, now. You promised me and Hank you'd eat somethin'.
After several minutes of silence, Cashie got up and joined him at the table. She took a few bites of chicken and potatoes, a few beans, but left the majority on the plate. Kid watched to see how much she ate. He wished she had eaten more, but he figured it best to be thankful and not fuss at her.
She pushed the plate towards him. "You can have the rest."
"I wish you'd eat more, but if that's all you want…"
She drank most of her glass of water while he finished off her leftovers. He cleaned up the table and set the empty plates aside.
"Can I get you anything else?" he asked.
She shook her head. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away and refused to look up at him. She had her jaw set like she was mad…at him, at the world, at God. Her whole demeanor made him feel very much alone.
"You want to take your medicine now," he asked since she didn't seem to want to talk.
"Fine," she said.
He got the bottle and poured out a spoonful. He poured it in her glass so as not to spill it. She drank it immediately, as if doing so would turn off the world. Kid figured that was probably what she wanted: to sleep and forget.
"I don't mind stayin' here with ya, you know," he said. "Just to be sure you're all right."
Finally, she lifted her head and looked straight into his eyes. "I'm not all right, Kid. I'm never going to be all right. Not ever. Surely you realize that."
Her words broke his heart all over again. He knew she was right, and all the pretending in the world wasn't going to change that.
He nodded. "I do. Neither of us is ever going to be the same again. But we gotta try, for each other and for Heyes. You know he wouldn't want us to stop livin'."
Her eyes became misty as she said, "I don't want to live without him, Kid. I don't know how." She put her face in her hands and began sobbing again.
Kid closed his eyes for a bit, her sobs making his pain even worse. He got up and pulled her up from the table and held her for a bit, until her sobs lessened. Then he led her over to the side of the bed and turned the covers down.
"Get some sleep and we'll talk in the mornin'." She got into bed, and he pulled the covers up before turning out the lamp.
"Night," he said and then walked out.
The Kid thought about going to the saloon and having a drink, maybe playing some poker. But poker only made him think about Heyes, and he still had some of the bottle of whiskey the sheriff had brought him two nights before. He poured himself a couple of glasses and drank them down.
He tried to remember what Hank had said about Cashie, about how she didn't mean everything she said. He knew better than anyone how hurt she was because he was so deeply hurt himself. Finally, he got undressed and crawled into bed. Just as the night before, he thought about his partner and how all his belongings were in that room. But the room felt so alone.
Heyes was gone, that was for sure. And Cashie was across the hall, but she might as well be a thousand miles away for all the good it was doing him at the moment. He needed her, and she needed him, but right now what she needed most was time. Time to reconcile what had been with what was now. And for that, she didn't need him.
The whiskey soon dulled his senses, and he drifted off into a restless sleep, one where he was no longer wanted, but was all alone.