Author's Note: Everyone needs closure, and I needed to finish this story. I owe it to the boys. Here is the next chapter. Only one or so more. I might make a short sequel of sorts, though, if you would be interested. I'd try not to take years to complete it this time. ^^;
The sunlight shone bright through the window of the small room they had been staying in, illuminating a large section of the patchwork quilt on the bed.
Hannibal Heyes stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wooden wall. "You're sure you're up to this?"
"I'm fine, Heyes," came the somewhat irritated voice of Jed 'Kid' Curry who was finishing up his morning shave at the side board.
"What I mean is, do you really think you can see the Bennetts without punching Mr. Bennett in the face? We do want to get paid, remember." Heyes' easy attitude and relaxed posture showed how far a week and a half went toward a steady recovery.
"Don't you worry, Heyes. I plan on punching him after he's given us the money," Kid replied, scooping water out of the bowl and rinsing his face.
Heyes laughed despite himself and tossed Kid a towel. He couldn't blame his partner for wanting to punch the man. Hannibal's shoulder was mostly better and his head only hurt after a long day. The Kid, on the other hand, had taken a lot longer to recover and they'd had to make statements to the Sheriff earlier in the week, which made for a proddy partner. Luckily they weren't expected to stick around for the eventual trial. Hard-nosed Kelly wanted his embarrassment of a son hauled off quietly and expediently. Or, as Heyes thought, he would pay the law off quietly and expediently. Either way, Curry and Heyes didn't have to remain as witnesses.
As Curry toweled off his face, Heyes gave him a once over. His cousin was still paler than usual and he'd lost a fair amount of weight, too. The Kid's movements were carefully measured, meaning he was still in pain. A careful eye would have to be kept on Kid. Not that Heyes would let on he was still worried.
A knock was heard at their door. "Joshua, Thaddeus, are you decent?"
"As decent as we ever are, Sara," Heyes replied with a dimpled grin.
Sara opened the door and stepped inside. "You're really leavin'? "
"Yes, ma'am," Curry replied, slipping his hat on. Heyes tipped his hat at her and then busied himself packing.
"Pwince Joshwa!" Cora ran into the room and bear hugged Heyes.
"Hello Princess Cora," Heyes said as he smiled and hugged her back. He did give a rueful smile in Kid's direction. This time he'd won over the youngest girl and the Kid got the pretty widow. Oh well, there was always next time.
Sara stood in front of the Kid. "Are you taking the stage east?
"We are."
"Then you'll be riding with us. I've sold my brother's land and I'm going to take the girls east to my husband's parents. It will be a new start."
"I'm sorry you're leaving, Sara," Curry said with his sympathetic blue eyes meeting hers. "You decided against rebuilding?"
"Too many memories. My husband's parents invited us to stay with them after Eustace died but I had Jimmy… now I don't. The girls will get spoiled to death, I'm sure. We'll stay there until we find a place of our own."
"A fresh start is something good to strive for," Curry said seriously. "But you don't have to go to them, if'n you don't want to. If ever there was a woman I knew that could be fine on her own, it's you."
"Thank you," she said with a genuine smile, putting her hand on his arm. "I just want the girls to have family. It's important to me." She hugged Joshua and then Thaddeus, her hug with him lingering. "I'm so glad you're both well. I'll see you later, on the stage."
A blur in brown gingham flew through the door and into Kid Curry's arms, hugging him right around the middle. Managing to grimace and laugh at the same time, Curry put his arms around her. "Hello there, Em."
"Emma be careful," Sara admonished.
"We're ridin' with you after we go an' talk to the Sheriff again, so this isn't goodbye yet," Emma Sterling said as she hugged her hero close. "I just wanted to make sure I git to sit next to you on the stage."
"I'm sitting on Joshwa!" Cora claimed loudly.
Sara laughed. "Girls, leave these poor men alone, they don't want impatient, squirming girls next to them on the stage. You'll both be on either side of me."
Heyes smiled. "I'm used to people being impatient on a stage. I ride with Thaddeus."
Kid rolled his eyes at Heyes but smiled at the ladies. "We'll be happy to sit with the three prettiest girls around."
"Thank you," Sara said, ushering her children out.
"This is going to be a long stage ride," Heyes said as he hefted their bags.
"It's not the girls I worry about," Kid replied, despite Emma's painful hug. "I hate takin' a stage."
"Oh come on, Kid. Not four times in—"
"Don't say it," Kid interrupted, tossing Heyes' coat at him. "Don't even think it!"
Hannibal Heyes laughed and headed out the door, knowing the rest of their gear and tack was waiting on the porch along with the Bennetts.
