It was late in the afternoon on a hot, August day when Heyes and Curry stopped at entrance of the lane leading to the Rolling K Ranch. The bartender in Laramie had told them the owner of this ranch was hiring hands for short term employment and, being low on money and tired of sleeping around a campfire, they had decided to seek employment.
As they approached the house, both saw a middle aged man of medium build emerge from the barn and walk toward the house.
"Can I help you fellas?" the man asked as Kid and Heyes brought their horses to a halt in the front yard and dismounted.
Heyes smiled and extended his hand. "I'm Joshua Smith. My friend here is Thaddeus Jones. We were told in Laramie that the Rolling K was looking to hire a few hands.
"I'm Tom Bridger, the foreman here. We're leaving Monday to drive a heard of cattle to Denver."
"Oh, well, I'm sorry to waste your time Mr. Bridger, but we're looking for ranch jobs, not herding cattle on a drive.," Heyes explained.
"Then you've come to the right place. Jessie's looking to hire a couple of men to look after things here while the regulars take the cattle to Denver."
Heyes looked at Kid and smiled. "Well that's sounds more like what we're looking for."
Tom gave a glance toward the bunkhouse and saw Hank Silvers walking out toward his horse.
"Hank, go fetch Jessie," Tom shouted. "Got a couple of fellas looking for a job!"
Giving Tom a wave of his hand, Hank mounted his horse and headed off to the north.
"Jessie's one of the owners and does all the hiring," Tom explained. "It'll be about half an hour till Jessie gets here. Feel free to look around the place if you like. I gotta get back to work."
"Thank you," Heyes and Curry said simultaneously and watched Tom walk back toward the barn.
"Look around at what?" Kid muttered, "A barn and a bunkhouse? I've seen plenty of those before."
"And a corral, Kid, don't forget a corral," Heyes added as he sat down on the porch steps to wait for Jessie to arrive. Kid joined him and sat complacently on the porch steps waiting for the owner to arrive.
"Gunna be late by the time we get back to Laramie," Heyes grumbled.
With his elbow firmly planted on his knee, Kid rested his chin on the palm of his hand and kept his gaze off to the north. Minutes later he perked up, letting his hand fall to his thigh as he spied a small cloud of dust off to the north.
"Somebody's coming," Kid said and nudged Heyes' shoulder and pointed to the approaching rider. "Looks like kind of a scrawny little guy, don't he?"
Heyes studied the approaching rider. "Kid, I think that's a woman riding in."
"Well, I'll be."
Heyes and Curry stood up as the horse and rider neared the house.
"Hank tells me you two are looking for work?" the woman said as she dismounted the horse and extended her hand."
Kid was the first to extend his hand. "Ah, yes Ma'am," he said, giving the woman a warm smile.
"I'm Jessie Farlow, and who might you be?" she asked.
"Thaddeus Jones, Ma'am. This is my partner Joshua Smith."
Jessie reached out and shook Heyes' hand.
"Done this kind of work before?" she asked.
"Done a lot of kinds of work, Ma'am," Heyes replied, "Ranching being one of them."
"It's only for about three weeks, but you'll get a month's pay... Forty dollars."
"That sounds fine, Ma'am," Heyes said and smiled. "What do you think, Kid?"
"Will you be going on the cattle drive, Ma'am?" Kid asked
Jessie smiled. "No, my brother Sam will be heading that up. "I'll keep the ranch running in his absence."
"I see, Ma'am," Kid replied and gave Heyes a hesitant nod.
"We'll take the job, Ma'am," Heyes announced.
"You can stow your things in the bunkhouse," Jessie told them.
"We have to return to Laramie to pick up a few things," Kid explained. "Alright if we come back tomorrow?"
Jessie smiled. "That will be fine. Once you're settled in, I'll have Tom go over your responsibilities with you, show you where things are, give you a tour of the ranch."
Heyes smiled. "That'll be fine, Ma'am. We'll see you tomorrow."
Jessie stepped back while Heyes and Curry mounted their horses and headed down the lane.
"She watching?" Heyes asked Kid when they were beyond ear shot.
"Yep,"
"You seemed a little hesitant about this job, Kid. How come?"
"I think I know her," Kid replied.
"She know you?"
"Didn't seem to."
Where do you know her from?"
"I think back in Kansas."
"Kansas? So you knew her when you were a kid?"
Kid nodded. "If she's who I think she is, she's..."
"What?"
"Nothing,"
"She was something, Kid, what is it?"
"She was... you know...my first..."
Heyes' eyes widened. "You were ten years old!"
Kid shrugged. "Actually I was nine."
"How old was she?"
"Eleven."
"You really think we should reconsider this job?" Heyes asked
Kid brought his horse to a stop and Heyes pulled up beside him. " I don't know, maybe we shouldn't after all, Heyes."
"Kid, if you were nine years old, that was thirteen years ago. She knew you as Jed, not Thaddeus. You don't look nine years old anymore. I doubt she's going to put two and two together. It's only for three weeks and it's forty dollars a piece. Just, keep your distance."
"I don't know, Heyes. I mean I put two and two together pretty quick."
"Yea but you had a name as well as a face, and she didn't look like she recognized the face... and she certainly can't recognize the name. Look, if we think she remembers you at any time, we'll just leave, money or no money."
Kid sighed. He knew they needed the money and this was the only job the bartender had mentioned. "Alright," he said reluctantly. "But I'm growing a beard while we're here."
Heyes smiled. "And a mustache, Kid, don't forget how distinguished you look in a mustache," Heyes chided.
"You better stop calling me Kid, too, Heyes. That name she'd remember."
"Alright, Thaddeus."
They rode the next few miles in silence. Kid was lost in a childhood memory.
"What did you do?" Heyes asked
"What!"
"Well, Kid, you were nine years old. You didn't do everything," Heyes teased.
"Shut up," Kid responded.
Heyes' eyes widened. "You did do everything?" he asked with astonishment.
"Just shut up, Heyes," Kid replied and spurred his horse ahead of Heyes.
Heyes just smiled and chuckled. "This might prove to be an interesting three weeks, Kid," Heyes called to him.
"For the last time Heyes, shut up!"
0-0-0-0-0-
They reached Laramie around seven and went first to a cafe for supper. Stores were closed at that hour so they decided to head for the bar for the evening and would pick up some supplies in the morning before returning to the ranch. They played poker for three hours. A pretty saloon girl flirted occasionally with Kid, but he finally told her he'd catch up with her later as he was having a pretty successful evening of poker, more successful than Heyes which was a pretty uncommon occurrence.
Around eleven, with a fistful of dollars in his pocket, Kid excused himself and went looking for a saloon girl. Heyes retired to the hotel around midnight but was still awake when Kid arrived later.
Kid dropped his hat on the table and then untied and unbuckled his gun belt and hung it on the bedpost. He kicked off his boots and let them fall where they may. Then he flopped on the bed, sweaty and tired.
"If it weren't so late, I'd order a bath," Kid said sleepily.
"Worked you that hard, did she?" Heyes said with a grin.
Kid opened one eyes and looked at Heyes. "That lady could break a bronco and never fall off," Kid replied.
Heyes laughed. "The blonde or the brunette?"
"The redhead," Kid replied and rolled over on his side. "Good night, Heyes."
They next morning they ate breakfast in the hotel dining room, picked up their horses at the livery and headed for the mercantile. Kid bought a box of shells and a box of cartridges, some gun cleaning oil, half a dozen cigars, a bar of soap, and a new pair of socks. Heyes bought cartridges, two books, two bandannas, a bar of soap, and some penny candy. When Kid saw Heyes packing the candy into his saddlebags, he made a quick dash back into the store and returned with his own bag. Then they set out for the ranch.
Arriving at the ranch mid afternoon, they found no one around. They tethered their horses to the post near the bunkhouse and took their gear inside. They each found an empty bunk in close proximity to each other and stowed their meager possessions.
"You didn't tell me how much you won last night, Kid."
"Don't call me Kid around this place," Kid reminded Heyes. "And seventy-three dollars."
"How much you got left?" Heyes asked.
"Sixty-something. Why?"
"Just asking."
"How much you got?" Kid asked.
Heyes wished he hadn't brought up the subject. "Forty-three," he mumbled.
"Well, between us, that's a fair amount," Kid replied.
They heard the sounds of a rider approaching and Heyes walked out to the porch. Kid followed.
"Hello, Tom," Heyes greeted pleasantly.
"Saw you two from the ridge up there. Jessie suggested I come down and show you two around, show you what repairs are needed while we're gone."
"Sounds fine to us, right Thaddeus?"
"Sure. Good idea."
They all mounted up and Heyes and Curry followed Tom to the east pasture, about three miles from the house.
"The fence at the far end of this pasture needs tightening. Might be a few loose posts as well. You'll find a wagon loaded with everything you'll need in the barn.
"How big a spread is this?" Heyes asked
"Ten thousand acres. Most of it is just graze land. There's a cabin near those trees up ahead and another one along the tree line of the north pasture. You can stay in one of them if a job's going to take you more than a day. That will probably be the case for the fence along this pasture. We haven't used this pasture much this year."
Heyes and Curry nodded their understanding.
"Come on, we'll head over to the north side."
It took them over an hour to reach the area in the north pasture where the hands and Jessie were moving cattle in preparation of the drive.
Jessie saw the three men approaching and called to her brother Sam to come over and meet the two men she had hired.
"Sam, this is Joshua Smith and Thaddeus Jones," Jessie said when Tom, Heyes, and Kid reached the camp.
"Smith and Jones?" Sam asked.
Heyes smiled. "We get that response a lot, but there are a lot of Smiths and Jones in the world."
"Where you from?" Sam asked.
"Here and there. We don't settle in one place. We like to travel around, see the country," Heyes explained. "You have a nice ranch here," Heyes added, changing the subject.
"A lot of work to running a ranch this size,' Sam replied.
"You want to put these fellas to work now?" Tom asked.
"Their paying time starts tomorrow," Jessie told Tom. "Why don't you boys join Sam and Tom and me at the house for supper tonight."
Heyes knew Kid was feeling uncomfortable but saw no polite way to refuse.
"That's mighty kind of you Ma'am," he said.
"You two can head back to the bunkhouse then. I'll come for you when it's time to eat," Tom told them.
Heyes smiled. "We'll see you at supper," he said to Jessie smiling and tipped his hat and pulled his horse around. "Let's go, Thaddeus."
Kid touched the brim of his hat with one finger and nodded to Jessie. "Ma'am," he said nervously and pulled his horse around and spurred the sides to catch up to Heyes.
"They seem suitable," Sam said to Jessie after Kid and Heyes had left.
Jessie sighed.
"What is it?" Sam asked.
"I don't know. I feel like I've met them, or at least the blonde one before. I just can't place him."
"Well if it was something bad you'd likely remembered," Sam replied and walked back to finish the work he was doing.
0-0-0-0-0-
"Heyes! I can't go to supper!" Kid exclaimed
"Sure you can," Heyes replied.
"What if she recognized me?"
"So what if she does?"
"She'll know I'm going by a different name!"
"That's true," Heyes said. "We need a plan, an explanation."
"Like what?"
Give me a minute."
"Nothing complicated. I don't want to keep track of a bunch of lies," Kid warned.
"Just let me think, Kid."
They rode on toward the bunkhouse. Suddenly Heyes reigned in his horse.
"I got it! And it's almost the truth."
"What?"
"If she remembers you as Jed Curry, then she likely remembers what the raiders done to your family. We'll just tell her you were adopted by a family named Jones. That's not too hard to remember."
"What if she knows Jed Curry is Kid Curry?"
"You just tell her you're glad your name got changed cause you wouldn't want to have to explain having the same name as some notorious outlaw."
"Sounds like a pretty feeble explanation."
"Sometimes that's the best kind. If you were the outlaw, wouldn't you have a better alibi than that?"
Kid sighed heavily. "It might work..." he said skeptically.
"And more than likely she is not going to remember you, Kid."
Heyes, do you remember your first time?"
Heyes thought a minute and smiled. Then slowly the smile faded. "I see what you mean."
When they got back to the bunkhouse they took their horses to the barn and unsaddled them and brushed them down. Then, returning to the bunkhouse, Kid found a bucket and went out to the well and pumped water and carried it back into the bunkhouse so they could wash up for supper. They each put on clean clothes, tossing the dirty ones on their bunks to wear the next day, figuring there was no sense getting all their clothes dirty at once.
They exchanged greetings and introductions to most of the hands and then went out to the porch to wait for Tom. Around six-thirty Tom appeared and the three men walked to the house and Tom knocked on the door. Sam answered and escorted them all into the parlor.
"Jessie says supper will be a few minutes yet," Sam explained.
"Looks like a nice house you got here," Kid said politely.
"Our folks bought this place back in sixty-seven, after the Bloody Kansas Days. You familiar with that?" Sam asked.
Heyes started to shake his head but Kid said yes so he abruptly stopped shaking his head.
"You from Kansas?" Sam asked.
"We were both born in Kansas, but didn't stay long enough to take root," Heyes explained. "So this place has been in your family for a while, then?" Heyes said, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"Almost twenty years," Sam said. "It's a good piece of land for raising cattle."
"I could see that as we rode around the place today," Heyes said.
"How many cattle are you driving to Denver?" Kid asked, trying hard to appear at ease.
"Sixteen hundred."
Heyes whistled. "That's quite a heard."
"It will get the bills paid for this year." Sam replied.
Jessie walked into the room and announced that supper was ready.
There were two places set on one side of the table so Heyes and Kid took those spots. Tom sat opposite them. Sam sat at the head of the table and Jessie at the foot, placing her right next to Kid who worked to keep himself from squirming a bit in his chair. Heyes shot a quick elbow to Kid's side. Kid got the message and settled himself down.
Plates of roast beef, mashed potatoes, fresh corn, cornbread and green beans were passed around the table.
"How did you cook all this so fast, Ma'am?" Kid asked, just before sliding a forkful of meat and potatoes in his mouth.
Jessie laughed. "Heavens, no, Mr. Jones. I didn't cook it. We have a cook," she explained.
"Well, she's a very good at what she does," Heyes said.
"So you two will be taking the wagon up to the east pasture tomorrow?" Jessie asked.
"Yes, Ma'am," Kid replied and shoveled another bite of food into his mouth.
"By the looks of things, we'll probably be staying at that cabin a night or two," Heyes added.
"Tom says there's quite a bit of work to be done up there," Jessie added.
"Be sure to take your riffles," Sam said. "I've had to shoot a wolf or two sometimes when I've been working up there."
"Yes, sir. We'll do that," Heyes said.
"You too don't have to be so formal," Jessie said. "Calling me Ma'am makes me feel like an old lady. You can call me Jessie just like everyone else around here."
"Yes, Ma'am," Kid replied.
"Mr. Jones?" Jessie said.
"Kid froze with a mouthful of food between his cheeks. He swallowed hard. "I mean, Jessie," he said and everyone laughed at Kid's embarrassment. Kid smiled nervously.
The next morning Kid was hitching the horses to the wagon when Jessie walked out to the barn carrying a basket that she placed in the back of the wagon. Heyes was loading some oats and hay into the wagon for the horses. Jessie walked around to where Kid was working.
"I haven't been up to that cabin in so long, I don't know if there's any canned food still up there or not, so I brought some for you to take with you."
"Thank you Ma...Jessie," Kid replied.
Jessie stroked the mane of one of the horses. "You know, Thaddeus, you look so familiar to me. I just can't place you," she said casually.
Kid froze for a moment, then made himself tighten the cinch. "I surely don't know...Jessie," he replied and made a conscious effort to keep his face out of her direct view.
"Well, I'm sure it will come to me sometime," she said absently.
"He's got a pretty common face," Heyes said loudly from the back of the wagon. "You'd be surprised how many people think they recognize him,"
Kid was beginning to simmer and shot Heyes a glare that Heyes purposely avoided seeing.
"We'd better get going Joshua, if we want to get a day's work in today."
Heyes climbed up onto the buckboard and Jessie took several steps back to clear his path. Kid climbed into the wagon quickly and unwrapped the reins from around the brake and released the brake with his foot.
"We'll see you in a couple of days," Heyes called to her as Kid made a hissing sound through this teeth and snapped the reins. Jessie watched as the wagon pulled out heading for the east pasture.
"She's going to figure it out, Heyes," Kid said nervously.
"I know she is. Just stick to the story, Kid. You'll be fine."
"Easy for you to say."
0-0-0-0-0-
They pulled up to the cabin late that morning and unloaded the supplies that were needed there. Kid grabbed the bag of candy and cigars from under the wagon seat and put the bag on the table along with the other supplies. Then they headed to the far end of the east fence to begin inspections and repairs. They worked till the sun was going down and then unhitched the horses and rode them back to the cabin, leaving the wagon where their work had left off. Heyes set to work building a fire in the fireplace while Kid stored the supplies they had brought in earlier in the day and opened a can of beans and made coffee to warm once Heyes had the fire going. After they had eaten, Kid pulled two cigars from the bag of candy and handed one to Heyes.
"Thanks, Kid but this cigar smells like peppermints," Heyes said as he bit the end off the cigar and lit it.
Kid smiled. "Imagine what the peppermints will taste like," he said, taking a puff of the cigar.
Kid suddenly perked up, listening. "Did you hear that?" he asked.
Heyes listened. "Wolves?" he asked
Kid nodded. "Sounds pretty far off but they can travel fast. Maybe we should sleep in shifts to keep an eye on the horses."
Heyes nodded his agreement. "I'll take the first watch. You can fall asleep at the drop of hat. Takes me longer to fall asleep."
"I know what kind of a shot you are, Heyes. Just aim for the body. You might hit one right between the eyes that way."
"Very funny, Kid."
"And try not to shoot me in the process. Aim outside the cabin, not inside," Kid chided.
When he finished his cigar, Kid headed over to one of the two bunk beds and hung his gun and holster on the post and then crawled in. Within ten minutes, Kid was fast asleep.
Heyes woke Kid at two a.m. And Kid assumed the watch while Heyes slept. Kid made coffee and biscuits in the morning before waking Heyes at sunrise. They ate and then rode the horses back out to the wagon for a day of mending fences. Kid hitched the horses to the wagon so they could move the wagon along with them as they progressed on the fence.
Mid afternoon, they heard wolves again. Kid pulled the two riffles from the back of the wagon where they had placed them that morning and tossed one of them to Heyes. "They sound closer," Kid said. "Although I've never known them to be day hunters. They're mostly nocturnal."
"Must be pretty hungry," Heyes said.
They worked for another three hours and were well beyond the other side of the cabin before deciding to call it a day. Kid unhitched the horses and they rode back to the cabin.
Heyes tethered the horses as Kid made his way to the cabin. As he approached, he heard a low, threatening growl coming from inside the cabin. Kid drew his gun and listened.
Seeing Kid with his gun drawn, Heyes started toward the cabin with his riffle in hand, but Kid waved him off. Listening carefully, Kid determined there was only one wolf inside the cabin. He slowly, cautiously unlatched the door, being careful not to open the door until he was able to determine the location of the wolf inside the cabin. When he was certain, Kid flung the door open and lunged and rolled, firing all six shots in rapid succession. Both he and Heyes heard the screeching yelps of the wolf, followed by silence. Heyes rushed inside the cabin, his riffle poised. He stopped when he saw the dead wolf near the fireplace.
"How the hell did he get in here?" Kid asked pulling himself up off the floor. "The fireplace?"
They both looked all around the cabin and found no source of entry.
"He must have come down the chimney," Heyes said with astonishment in his voice.
"That's a damn hungry wolf to do something like that," Kid replied.
"I guess we sleep in shifts again tonight," Heyes said. "We should be finished up here tomorrow. I say we head back to the bunkhouse tomorrow no matter what time it is."
Kid nodded his agreement. "Let's get this one out of the cabin and get this blood cleaned up. Wouldn't want another one thinking he could just prance in here."
The next morning, before heading out for a day's work, they secured the cabin. After making sure the fire was completely doused, Kid laid the table on it's side and pushed it up against the fireplace, and then moved two chairs over to help keep the table in place. They didn't want a wolf to get inside with no means of getting out again.
All day they worked on mending the fence. All day they heard none to distant wolf howls. Late that afternoon, they realized they still had about two hours more work to do and knew they'd be heading back to the down to the bunkhouse in the dark. They knew they would rather do that then spend another night at the cabin on guard duty. An hour before they were done, they heard the howls coming nearer. A half hour before they were done, the howls stopped.
"Think they gave up and left?" Heyes asked.
"Nope. Keep your riffle handy and ready, Heyes. And, really, try not to shoot me."
What makes you think they'll come after you?" Heyes asked.
"I don't. I just know I can hit the target if one tries to jump on you."
"Maybe they'll just try for the horses."
"Maybe. Keep your eyes and ears sharp."
As he spoke, Kid heard a low growl and spun around with his gun poised just as two riffle shots met their target and the wolf, still airborne, became dead weight, too close for Kid to miss receiving the brunt of the dead animal crashing into his chest. The impact flung Kid backward and he screamed as barbed wire embedded in his back. The force of Kid's body against the barbed wire pulled against the fence posts, uprooting the post on either side of Kid, and pulling the wire embedded in Kid's back taught causing more tearing and shredding of the skin as Kid skidded to a stop with the dead wolf still on top of him, adding sixty pounds of weight against the barbed wire.
Kid struggled frantically to pushed the dead animal off of him. Heyes ran to Kid's aid and grab two large tuffs of the wolf's fur and picked up the dead animal and thrust him three or four feet away. Using his wire cutters, Heyes immediately began cutting the strips of barbed wire fencing to free Kid from the entanglement. Kid stifled screams, forcing himself to stay as still as he could. When Heyes had freed Kid from the fence, he grabbed Kid's arms and pulled him to a sitting position.
"I gotta pull these off of you, Kid."
"Oh God!...Oh," Kid cried through jagged breaths.
"Hold still,"
"Just do it!" Kid gasped.
"I can't do it quick, Kid. It'll tear more skin."
Kid winced and moaned, his breath catching as burning, searing pain ripped across his back. Pieces of skin and tissue clung to the sharp barbed wire, further tearing Kid's back as Heyes pulled the barbed write off of Kid's back. Blood flowed freely down Kid's back and onto his pants.
Once Heyes had the last of the three rows of barbed wire pulled free from Kid's back, he tore the remaining shreds of Kid's shift off Kid's back. Heyes winced when he saw just how shredded Kid's back was. Heyes got up and ran for a canteen and, pulling his bandanna off from around his neck, Heyes poured water on the bandanna and tried to wash the blood away. Kid arched and screamed again.
"No!" Kid gasped. "Heyes...Please"
"I gotta get the bleeding slowed down, Kid?"
"I think I'm gonna pass out."
Can we get you in the wagon first, Kid?"
"We can try."
Heyes ran back to the wagon and quickly made room for Kid's outstretched body on the wagon bed. Then he backed the wagon up, stopping just in front of Kid.
"I'm going to have to take hold of your shoulders, Kid."
Kid nodded and continued to focus on breathing and staying awake. Heyes gripped him tightly and pulled him to his knees.
"You gotta stand up for me, Kid. Come on, you can do it."
Kid's hands reached blindly for his partner and came to rest on Heyes's shoulders. He made several stumbling attempts before successfully standing on his feet.
Heyes helped Kid hoist himself into the wagon where he fell prone on the wagon bed and promptly passed out, his feet hanging out of the back of the wagon. Heyes jumped into the seat and urged the horses forward, knowing hungry wolves might very well follow the scent of fresh blood.
0-0-0-0-0-
It was well after dark when Heyes pulled the wagon up to the bunk house. He shouted several times for Jessie who herd the commotion and came out of the house. Seeing Heyes trying to pull Kid from the wagon bed, Jessie ran across the yard to see what had happened.
Jessie stopped and gasped when she saw Kid's bloodied back.
"What happened?" Jessie exclaimed.
"A wolf tried to attack him. It threw him backwards into the barbed wire.
"We'll bring him into the house. There's a bedroom on the first floor with a large bed and a feather mattress. I'll tend to him while you ride to Laramie for the doctor."
Heyes didn't argue with her. He climbed back into the wagon and moved the wagon closer to the house.
"If I can get some leverage, I can carry him inside. Help me pull his legs out of the wagon so I can get my shoulder under him to hoist him up. "
Jessie helped Heyes get Kid positioned and Heyes stooped and maneuvered Kid over his shoulder. He struggled to carry Kid up the porch steps. Jessie held the door open, then slipped past Heyes to lead him to the bedroom. She quickly pulled down the covers.
"Can you swing his feet and legs onto the bed. I have to lay him on his stomach," Heyes said panting
Jessie helped Heyes get Kid positioned in the bed. Kid did not utter so much as a moan.
"Take my horse that's in the barn and go get the doctor. She's rested so you can make good time."
Heyes nodded, wiping his shirt sleeve across his forehead. He looked at Kid and Jessie could see how frantic Heyes felt.
"I'll get him cleaned up. You go," Jessie instructed and Heyes ran out to the barn to saddle the horse.
Kid remained out cold, more from the overwhelming pain than the injuries. Jessie gathered cloths and two bowls, one of which she filled with water. Returning to the guestroom, she pulled a small nightstand table and a chair near the bed and placed the bowl of water as well as the empty bowl on the table and held the cloths in her lap. She dipped the first cloth in the bowl of water and began gently cleaning the blood, dirt, and loose bits of tissue from Kid's back. She worked slowly and dabbed rather than ran the cloth over the wounds. As one cloth became blood soaked, she dropped it into the empty bowl and dripped another cloth into the water and resumed her task. It took her well over an hour until she was satisfied that the wounds were as clean as she was going to get them.
Kid began to moan so Jessie slipped out of the room and returned with a sheet that she tore into eight pieces, each long and wide enough to cover Kid's back. She submerged a piece in the water, wrung it out, unfolded it, and gently laid it across Kid's back to sooth the wounds and absorb blood that continued to seep from the wounds. She put the bowl of soiled cloths on the dresser and returned to the chair beside the bed. She reached out and gently stroked Kid's hair and whispered encouragements and made soothing sounds in an effort to keep Kid as calm as she could. She told Kid that Joshua had gone for a doctor and was expected back by sunrise.
Heyes and the doctor reached the house shortly before the sun began to rise. They hurried into the house and Heyes led the way to the guest room. Kid's moaning was growing louder and he occasionally called out for Joshua, as well as for Heyes.
When the doctor entered the room, Jessie stood and moved the water bowl and cloths to the dresser, giving the doctor ample room to examine Kid. Dr. Hansen carefully pulled the cloth off of Kid's back and handed it to Jessie.
"There's a lot of dirt and blood on these pants. Better get them off of him."
Heyes looked at Jessie.
"I'll help you," she said.
Heyes reached under Kid's torso and found the buttons of the fly and unbuttoned the pants. Then he looked up at Jessie again.
"I'll hold Kid up, you slide the pants off.
Jessie nodded and when Heyes raised Kid's waist up a little, Jessie quickly slid the pants down his legs and off.
"Now the long johns," Heyes said and they repeated the process with the long johns.
"He's going to be embarrassed when he comes to," Heyes said.
"Living on a ranch with all these hands, he ain't the first naked man I've seen." Jessie said.
"Yea, but it's the first naked Thaddeus you've seen," Heyes replied.
"Was he bitten by the wolf?" Dr. Hansen asked
"No, it was dead when it landed on him."
Dr. Hansen looked at Heyes questioningly.
"I shot it as it was leaping at Kid. It was airborne and just inches away from Kid when I killed it. Kid didn't have time to get out of the way. It hit him full force, knocking him into the barbed wire. It pulled two posts up so, when Kid hit the ground, the Barbed wire just got embedded in his back and ripped its way down as he slid on the ground."
"Jessie, what did you clean this with?" the doctor asked.
"Just water," Jessie replied.
"Go get a clean bowl of water and a bar of soap, and more cloths. If this boy slid on the ground, we've got to get this as clean as possible. The chance of getting an infection is high. We've got to bring those odds down. If you've got a bottle of whiskey, bring that, too."
"What can I do?" Heyes asked.
"Get on the other side of the bed. You're going to have to help me hold him down. He may be unconscious now, but when that soap hits those wounds, he's going to fight us. But, it has to be done."
Jessie returned with the supplies the doctor requested.
"We better tie his wrists and feet to the bed to keep him from moving around too much. You two are still going to have to keep him still but the restraints will help you with that.
"I'll go get some thongs from the barn," Jessie said and dashed out of the room.
Kid grew more restless as he fought to regain consciousness. Heyes winced each time an agonizing moan escaped Kid's lips.
"It's alright, Kid. The doctor's here. He's going to make you feel better. It may hurt in the process, but he's going to help you, Kid."
Kid's eyes began to flutter and open. "Heyes?" Kid whimpered
"Hey yourself." Heyes said, trying to distract Kid. "Can you hear me, Kid?"
"Ohhhh... God," Kid moaned. "A bullet never hurt like this..."
Jessie returned to the room with several leather thongs. She handed two to Heyes and she and Heyes began binding Kid's wrists and securing them to the bed posts.
"Ohhh... am I caught?" Kid asked.
"Sush. It's okay. Doc's going to clean your back. We'll untie you when he's done."
Kid's eyes closed as he began to drift back into unconsciousness.
Kid's eyes flew open and he arched and pulled as the soapy water hit the wounds. "NO... Oh, God, No!" Kid screamed and continued to struggle. Both Heyes and Jessie used all their force to keep Kid's legs from thrashing. The ten minutes it took the doctor to wash the wounds, seemed like an hour to Jessie and Heyes. When the doctor finished, they both released their holds on Kid's legs and took a step back, panting.
"Afraid we're not done yet," the doctor said. "I'm going to do this again with the whiskey. This is going to hurt more than the soap."
Heyes and Jessie exchanged glances, took deep breaths, and resumed their holds on Kid's legs.
Kid struggled and fought the restraints even more than the first time as the Doctor slowly poured a stream of the whiskey over the wounds. Kid continued to struggle even after the doctor had stopped, for the alcohol felt like fire burning on Kid's back. Heyes and Jessie held Kid down for several more minutes before Kid's body finally fell limp and he again passed out. Heyes and Jessie untied the tethers and Kid's arms fell limply to the bed.
The doctor reached into his bag and pulled out a large tin container. He pulled off the lid and dipped three fingers into the salve and applied it to Kid's back. "This will soothe some and will keep the bandages from sticking too much. So let's get him bandaged up now."
When they were done, the three walked into the kitchen and Jessie started a pot of coffee.
The doctor put two bottles of liquid on the table. This one is for pain. Give him a teaspoon every four hours, day and night for a few days. It will keep the pain at a tolerable level. This one is for a fever if it develops, and it likely will. Same thing with this, a teaspoon every four hours as long as a fever is present. Force these down him if you have to."
"Is he going to recover?" Heyes asked.
"So long as we can keep an infection at bay," Dr. Hanson replied. Soap and water washes to his back three times a day, one being first thing every morning. Fever is a good sign of infection so let me know right away if he develops one. "I'll stop out here every day for a few days. That's pretty much all we can do at this point."
Jessie poured them each a cup of coffee.
"Try to get him to eat and drink. He needs plenty of water. "I'll leave bandages so you can put fresh ones one each time you wash this back.."
"Thank you, Doctor," Heyes said. "What do I owe you."
"We'll settle up when this is over," the doctor replied. "Jessie, you want me to send a woman out here to help you?" the doctor asked.
"I've got Aida, the cook, during the day. Joshua can help me at night if I need him. If I need more help, I'll let you know."
The doctor took the last sip of his coffee. "I'd better be getting back to town. I'll see you both tomorrow," he said and headed out to his horse.
"Joshua, I think you'd best move into the house for the time being. I'll get a cot fixed up in the guest room."
"You sure? I mean, you don't know us. I don't want you feeling scared or anything."
"I saw how you were with your friend. I ain't worried."
Heyes nodded.
"For now, why don't you go down to the bunk house and get some sleep. You've been up all night and Kid there don't look like he's going to be waking up any time soon. "I'll come get you if I need you."
"Alright. Thank you, Jessie, for all you're doing."
She gave Heyes a tired smile. "Go on, now."
After Heyes left, Jessie returned to Kid's room and began cleaning up, taking the bowl of water and soiled cloths out of the room. Once she finished, she returned to Kid's room one more time and gently pulled the bed sheet up to Kid's waist. That's when she saw the small star shaped birthmark on the top of Kid's butt. Instantly she knew why he had looked so familiar to her. She smiled.
"Well, fancy meeting you again, Jed," she said softly.
Heyes returned to the house late afternoon. "S'pect we'd better clean his back again so we can get three cleanings done today," Heyes said.
"I've got everything set up in there," Jessie told him.
"Has he been awake at all?"
Jessie shook his head. "Guessing he will be in a few minutes though. "Aida's got some stew ready in case he'll eat something when we're done."
Kid didn't stir as the bandages were cut away and removed. But as soon as the soapy water hit his back, his eyes flew open and began thrashing about. Jessie jumped back and narrowly missed being struck by Kid's flailing arm.
Heyes sighed, "Sorry, Kid but we're going to have to bind you up again to get your back cleaned
"No, Kid pleaded, "Please, just leave me be."
"We can't, Kid. Doctor Hansen says there's too much chance of an infection growing if we were to do that."
Kid's chin quivered and his breathing picked up, but eventually he nodded his understanding.
"Be quick about it," he said.
Once bound to the bed again, Jessie pulled the sheet down a little, exposing the birthmark and set to work washing Kid's back. Kid struggled to stay still, hoping it would hasten the washing. When she was done, she and Heyes rebandaged the back and then untied the tethers.
"We should try to move him onto his side. He could eat better and take the medicine easier. And, laying in the same position for a long time ain't good for the rest of the body," Jessie said.
"I can help a little," Kid whispered.
"You sure, Kid?" Heyes asked.
"No, but we'll find out pretty quick."
As long as they moved slowly, Kid was able to help a bit. Heyes put a couple of pillows behind Kid's back and he winced during the process, but didn't protest.
"Doc says you need to eat and drink," Heyes said.
"I could drink some water," Kid whispered.
"I'll get it, and the pain medicine," Jessie said and left the room.
"Heyes?"
"Yea?"
"Thanks for killing that wolf."
"Actually I was aiming at you?"
Kid smiled. "I figured as much.
Jessie returned with the water, medicine, and a bowl of stew.
"Let's get the medicine in you first, Kid. It will ease the pain some," Heyes explained as he poured a teaspoon of medicine and held the spoon to Kid's mouth.
Kid took the medicine and his face pinched up. "I don't know which is worse, the medicine or the pain," he said.
Heyes slid his hand under Kid's head and tilted Kid's head as best he could while bringing the glass of water to Kid's lips. Kid drank several gulps of water.
"Can you eat some of the stew?" Heyes asked, handing the glass back to Jessie.
"Kid shook his head. "I ain't hungry," he said quietly.
"Doc says it's important to eat," Heyes coaxed.
Kid sighed. "Maybe a bite," he said, trying to please Heyes.
Heyes spooned a bite of the stew into Kid's mouth and Kid slowly chewed and swallowed. "That's enough," He whispered and closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
Heyes and Jessie moved to the kitchen. Jessie thanked Aida for her help and sent her home for the night. She ladled up two bowls of stew and handed one with a spoon to Heyes. Then she sat down at the table across from Heyes.
"Couple of things to get straightened out here," Jessie said.
"And what might those be?" Heyes asked
"Well, for one, I know you're Hannibal Heyes."
Heyes froze for an instant, a spoonful of stew halfway to his mouth. He quickly regained his composure and smiled. "What makes you think that?" he asked.
"Because I finally figured out who Jed is. When my family moved to Derby, Jed and I were in school together. You were older but I remember you and Jed were thick as thieves, always together. Always looking out for each other. Jed's a lot older now, we all are, but now that I remember him, his face hasn't changed much. He still has a boyish look to him. Then I saw that birthmark this afternoon..."
Heyes smiled. He and Kid used to go skinny dipping in a pond on the Curry farm. He'd seen the birthmark and knew the location wasn't readily visible to just anyone.
"So what are you planning to do about us?" Heyes asked.
Jessie looked surprised. "Nothing. As far as I'm concerned you two are just a couple of childhood friends."
"Kid didn't know you were an owner of this ranch when we came looking for jobs," Heyes explained. "But he knew right away after he saw you."
She smiled. "Jed will always be a little special to me."
"Why is that?" Heyes asked, knowing the answer but wanting Jessie to believe her secret was safe."
She slowly shook her head. "He just is," she replied.
"Does he know that you know who he is?" Heyes asked.
"Not yet. I'll tell him when he's feeling better.
That night Heyes slept lightly on the cot in Kid's room. Kid moaned from time to time and in the middle of the night, Heyes woke Kid in order to spoon in some of the pain medicine and give him some water.
"How you feeling?" Heyes whispered
"Like my whole back is full of buckshot," Kid groaned.
"This medicine helping?"
"Once I get the taste out of my mouth."
"I'm sorry I didn't see that wolf sooner, Kid."
"Not your fault, Heyes. I should have ducked."
"Just wasn't time,"
"Uh-uh," Kid replied, drifting back to sleep.
"I'll clean the barn today," Heyes told Jessie at breakfast. "If Kid's doing alright tomorrow, I'll go back and mend that section of the fence that got torn down."
"I think I'd rather you stay close to the house for a couple of days," Jessie said. "Sam and the hands won't be back for three weeks. There's plenty of time to mend that fence."
"Whatever you want," Heyes replied.
"Did he sleep good last night?" Jessie asked
"For the most part. I think that medicine is helping quite a bit."
"His back's gonna be scarred."
"Could have been a lot worse, don't think a few scars are going to bother him.." Heyes smiled. "He's already got quite a few scars."
"My folks had moved us out here before the border wars. I heard Darby got hit pretty bad during that time."
"Kid lost his entire family... I did, too."
"I didn't know that," Jessie said with great concern. "I'm so sorry."
Heyes shrugged. "what's done is done. You find a way to move on."
"Is that why you became outlaws?"
Heyes smiled. "We just sort of fell into that... We fell out of it again about a year ago?"
"What do you mean?"
"We're working at earning amnesty. Got a deal with the governor for it."
"How long will that take?"
Heyes shrugged again. "Till the governor decides we deserve it... In the mean time we're still wanted."
"Which is why you take out of the way jobs like this?"
"Yea. We try to keep a low profile."
"He means a lot to you, doesn't he?"
"We're all the family we got... Yea, he means a lot."
"Is he really the fastest gun in the west?"
"A lot of people have tried to best him. So far, no one has."
"Must be hard, living like that."
Heyes didn't answer and Jessie surmised she had asked all that Heyes was willing to answer.
"Well, why don't we try giving Kid some breakfast and then wash his back. He might be more willing to eat something if we don't beat him up first," Jessie said.
Heyes laughed."I know I'm always hungrier before a beating than I am after."
Jessie carried a breakfast tray into Kid's room. Heyes gently rocked Kid's shoulder to wake him. Heyes stopped suddenly and put the back of his hand on Kid's forehead.
"Oh shit, he's hot," Heyes said.
Jessie put the tray on the dresser. "I'll go get the other bottle of medicine."
While Jessie was gone, Heyes tried to wake Kid.
"I can't get him awake," Heyes said when Jessie returned. Jessie poured a teaspoon of the fever medicine and handed the spoon to Heyes who tilted Kid's head and held the spoon to Kid's lips and wiggled an opening to pour the medicine into Kid's mouth. Kid coughed and gagged but swallowed most of the medicine.
"Seems a bit early for a fever to develop," Heyes mused.
"I'll send Aida for the doctor. Let's get his back washed while he's still out like that. That way he won't be hurting and fussing."
Jessie set to work cutting off the bandaged, She had to soak a coupe of spots on the bandage that had dried to Kid's skin. The she quickly and efficiently washed the back with soap and water, gave it a gentle rinse, and they bandaged him back up again. Jessie dipped cloths in the cool water and placed one on Kid's forehead and one on the inner part of each of Kid's thighs. Finally she placed a cool cloth in each of Kid's armpits.
"Now we just wait for Doctor Hensen to get here," she said and pulled a chair next to Kid's bed and sat down. "Come back up to the house when you see the doctor arrive."
Reluctantly, Heyes agreed and went out to the barn to work.
"Heyes?" Kid whispered late afternoon as he slowly started to awaken.
"No, Kid. It's me, Jessie. Heyes is outside. Do you need him."
Kid shook his head but shivered visible. "I'm cold," he said weakly.
Jessie pulled a blanket up over Kid. "Is that better?"
Kid panted. "A little. Thanks."
"The doctor will be here soon," Jessie told him.
Kid nodded his understanding but continued to shiver. "Maybe better call Heyes up here," he said, still panting and shivering.
"I'll get him," Jessie said. She put a second blanket over Kid and then ran down to the barn where Heyes was stacking bales of hey.
"I think the fever is worse. He's shivering. He wants you."
Heyes looked worried and ran up to the house. When he walked into the room, he saw Kid still shivering under two blankets.
"Kid?" Heyes called.
Kid opened his eyes. They looked glassy and unfocused. His teeth were chattering. Heyes wet down a cloth and sat down beside Kid, wiping beads of sweat from Kid's face. "It's just a fever, Kid. We'll get you through it."
"Who'd a thought a wolf... could be... so much...trouble," Kid said as his teeth continued to chatter.
"You always have been prone to get sickly, Kid." Heyes said. "Doctor will be here soon."
"Hope so," Kid whispered.
"Heyes..."
"Yea?"
"If I'm dying..."
"You're not dying, Kid"
"Kinda feels like it."
Heyes winced and wiped a lock of damp, curly brown hair from Kid's forehead."
"Kid, I'm right here. I'm not leaving, and you're not dying," Heyes said.
"If you say so," Kid replied.
Dr. Hensen arrived within the hour. Kid had drifted back to sleep but continued to shiver beneath the blankets."
"Get water from the well. It has to be cold, and lots of it." Dr. Hensen instructed. Heyes rushed to the well and pumped two buckets that sloshed and splashed his pants as he carried them back inside. Heyes was surprised that the doctor had removed all the bed coverings and Kid lay on his stomach naked.
"He's still shivering" Heyes said
"Because of the fever. Get the fever down and the shivering will stop," the doctor explained. Get two sheets wet in that cold water. Wring one out and put it over him. In ten minutes, take it off and do the same with the other sheet. Keep that up every ten minutes
"I'll do it," Jessie said and flung the two sheets into the water buckets. Heyes helped her wring out the first sheet and drape it over Kid.
"What if this doesn't work?" Heyes asked.
"We'll do this for an hour. If the fever hasn't started coming down, you'll go into town for ice and we'll given him an ice bath."
"That will take hours to get the ice here," Heyes said.
"So pray the sheets work, son."
An hour later the fever was down but not gone. The shivering and teeth chattering had stopped, and Kid was sleeping quietly.
"I'm going to stay here for a few hours, Jessie," the doctor said. Just to make sure he's out of the woods for now. He's quiet now. He'll likely sleep for a while."
"It came on really suddenly," Jessie said,
"Fever will do that sometimes," the doctor replied. "Best to just let him rest now."
"Come in the kitchen, both of you. Aida made fried chicken for supper."
They had been in the kitchen for an hour, eating supper, drinking coffee and chatting when they heard a blood curdling shout."HEYES!" coming from Kid's room.
All three ran to the room. Kid was awake and looked up to see three people standing over his bed. He looked shocked and surprised.
"What is it, Kid?" Heyes asked.
"Er... Just Heyes,... I mean Joshua."
"Alright, alright," Heyes said and motioned for the other two to back out of the room.
"Now what is it, Kid?"
Kid looked at him with great worry. "Shut the door!"
Heyes quickly shut the door.
"What's wrong, Kid?"
"I'm nekked."
A smile spread ear to ear across Heyes' face."
"Is that all it is that you're worried about?"
"Jessie's been in here!"
"Well, Kid, you said yourself, she's seen you before."
"Not recently! Get me some clothes!"
Outside in the hallway, Kid and Heyes' conversation could be easily heard and Jessie held her hand over her mouth so Kid couldn't hear her giggles. She looked at the doctor who was trying hard not to laugh.
"Heyes, get me some pants!"
"Alright, Alright, Kid. I got to go to the barn for them. They're still in your saddlebags."
"Then be quick about it! And don't let nobody in here while you're gone."
"I'm going."
Heyes opened the door just far enough to slip out. He shut the door behind him and motioned for Jessie and the doctor to follow him outside to the porch where they all burst into laughter.
"I take it he's feeling better," the doctor said.
"Kid's not real fond of feeling 'nekked,'" Heyes said. "If he's not wearing his gun, he feels naked."
"Well, pants aren't going to help him much then," Jessie said and they all laughed again.
"Better be quick about getting him some clothes, son." the doctor said.
"Oh, I'll go get him some pants. I just don't know how quick I'll be about it. I kind of enjoy him being on edge like that," Heyes said and walked slowly to the barn.
"What took you so long?"
"Sorry, Kid. I couldn't decide between your long johns and your blue jeans."
"Just help me get the pants on," Kid scolded. "Has she seen me naked?"
"Relax, Kid, only the back side," Heyes said as his slipped Kid's feet through the pant legs.
Kid's eyes grew very wide. "She seen the birthmark?"
"I believe she mentioned that today, yes." Heyes said nonchalantly.
"She knows it's me?"
"Would she have seen the birthmark when you were nine years old, Kid?"
"Heyes, this ain't funny."
"Kid, with what we've all been through with you this afternoon, I'm happy as all get out that you're in such a tizzy about this."
"I ain't in no tizzy. "
"I don't know what else you would call it."
"Help me stand up so I can pull these pants up."
"Can't you just shimmy them up in the bed?"
Kid thought about that possibility. He dug his elbows into the mattress and slowly lifted himself up, wincing as the back muscles tried to stretch to accommodate the movement. Very carefully he lifted his butt a few inches off the mattress.
"Pull em up, quick," he ordered Heyes.
Heyes grabbed the back of the pants and hoisted them up over Kid's butt. Kid then leaned back on his elbow again and buttoned the fly.
"Kid, now that the fever is under control again, we should get your back bandaged up again."
"Can you do it?"
"By my self?"
Kid nodded
"It's much easier with two people, Kid."
"Is doc still here?"
"He may have just left. I'll have to check."
"Well, hurry up. I want you and Doc to do it."
"Okay, I'll be back in a minute."
Heyes walked out to the porch, still laughing. "I told him it takes two of us to get his back bandaged up. He wanted to know if the doctor has left and I told him I'd check."
"That fever must have been a threshold," Doctor Hensen said. He'll likely heal up nicely now."
"Well, Doc, if you want to get back to town, I think Jessie and I can bandage Kid's back."
"You've got quite a mean streak, haven't you?" Jessie said teasingly.
"Kid gets a little proddy with me from time to time. It's nice to be able to dish it right back once in a while."
Heyes opened the door just enough to slip into Kid's room. He left the door ajar.
"I heard a horse riding away," Kid said nervously
"Yea, that was the doctor. I just missed him. Sorry, Kid."
"Heyes..."
"Glad to see you're feeling better, Kid," Jessie said as she walked into the room, struggling to curtail a smile. "Time to get the bandage back on."
Kid shot Heyes a deathly glare, but Heyes pretended not to see it.
"Can you sit up, Kid. I'll go faster if you can sit up."
Kid rolled his tongue along the inside of his cheek and sighed with defeat. He propped his elbows on the mattress again and slowly eased himself up. With Heyes on one side of the bed and Jessie on the other, they bandaged Kid's back.
"If I put some pillows behind you, do you think you could rest sitting up for a little while?"
Kid sighed again. "We can try it," he muttered.
Heyes placed the pillow and Kid slowly eased himself into them.
"We've got fried chicken for supper. You want to try some, Kid?"
Kid nodded. He was hungry but hated to admit it at that moment.
"I'll go get it. It might take me a minute to warm it up." Heyes said and left the room.
"I can eat it cold," Kid shouted after him.
Kid felt very nervous and self conscious alone in the room with Jessie. She on the other hand, was relaxed and sat down in the chair next to Kid's bed.
"I guess you remembered who I am," Kid said shyly.
Jessie smiled. "You're still as sweet as I remember, and a sight more handsome now," she said and Kid blushed.
"Kid, there's nothing to be nervous or embarrassed about."
"Easy for you to say. You haven't been lying in a bed naked for two days," Kid said and was suddenly very self conscious about what he had just said. "I mean, I ...I didn't mean to imply... "
"Stop," Jessie said. "Take a breath, Relax. There is nothing to be nervous about."
Kid sighed and slowly cast his blue eyes on Jessie and smiled a gentle, sweet smile."
"We were innocent little kids, who had an enjoyable time...exploring something new."
Kid smiled. "I never forgot you... You were..."
"What?"
"Wonderful."
Jessie smiled again. "As I recall, so were you."
Kid laughed, "I still had a lot to learn."
"Have you?"
"What?"
"Learned?"
Kid blushed. "I certainly hope so."
Heyes returned with a plate of chicken and a cup of coffee. He handed the plate to Kid and looked first at Kid and then at Jessie. "So, got the air cleared," Heyes asked.
"I think so," Jessie replied.
0-0-0-0-0-
Within a week, Kid was well enough to return to work and he and Heyes got the fencing repaired before moving on to the north pasture They ate supper at the house with Jessie every evening and Kid and Jessie often engaged in childhood reminiscences. But when Sam and the hands returned from the cattle drive, Heyes and Kid were eager to be on their way. So the following morning, they packed their gear and saddled their horses, and stopped by the house before heading on their way.
"I've really enjoyed having the two of you around these past few weeks," Jessie said, handing Heyes a bag of sandwiches she had packed for them.
"Thank you, Jessie. It has been quite the adventure," Heyes replied.
Jessie turned to Kid and reached up for his hand. "I'm really glad to have seen you again, Jed. You turned out well. I hope things fair well for you, for both of you."
"It was good seeing you again too, Jessie. You'll always be special to me."
Jessie smiled. "Me, too, you," she said and stepped back and watched them ride away.