CHAPTER SEVEN
"Mind if I come in?" Vin asked.
"Come on in. We've got some biscuits and peach preserves left," Kid Curry said.
"It's a miracle," Heyes added as he finished chewing.
"Funny, funny man," Kid said sarcastically as he smiled at his partner.
Vin looked at Ezra. "I thought it was funny," the tracker said.
Ezra smiled. "Ah, as well."
"Yer headin' out ta Chris' place?"
"We are. Tiny will have Mabel and the pony runabout delivered within ten minutes."
"You could walk across the street and pick it up yourself."
"It was Tiny's idea," Ezra countered, confused.
"I didn't mean nothin' … " Vin started. Ezra stopped him.
"Ah also did not mean anything by what Ah said."
Vin nodded his head. He and Ezra resolved their differences over the unfortunate words shared on the ride back from Nettie's, but both had felt moments of discomfort since then.
"I'm headin' out ta Nettie's ta get a good look at her barn roof. Gotta get stuff ordered if we're gonna get her a proper, new roof for the winter."
"Ah trust you will be careful. Goin' up on a less-than-stable roof without assistance … "
"I'll be careful. Most of the structure's in good shape still."
"All right."
"Look, after I finish up at Nettie's, I'm headin' out to the reservation. Wanted ta give ya somethin'."
Heyes and Kid watched the two men, still tentative with one another. But they were working together, moving in the right direction.
"Yes?"
"Wrote a poem."
Heyes and Kid smiled at each other. When they looked back toward Ezra and Vin, they saw Vin looking their way.
"You know, we could go pick up the carriage," Heyes said.
"No. I'm okay if ya hear it. Ez wanted me ta give ya a poem. This one's for him, but if he doesn't mind you hearin' it, I'm all right with that."
"It would be wonderful if these gentlemen could enjoy your talent. Ah have been fortunate to hear Vin's poetry a number of times and this week in particular, Ah feel especially fortunate to still be able to hear Vin recite his words. Shall we get comfortable?" The men sat, including Vin.
"I wrote this because I need ya to know … well, I guess I should just read it." He pulled out the paper. "Had 'siah scribe it fer me. Still got a ways ta go 'fore I can read my own chicken scratch."
"You will get there, Vin," Ezra said encouragingly.
"Ezra," Vin started, "he's helping me with my readin' and writin'," he said to the reforming outlaws.
"Good for you, Vin. There's nothing like reading. It frees your heart and your mind. It brings so much to your life. I treasure every minute I can get with a good book." Ezra raised an eyebrow at the idea of how freeing reading could be, that suggestion coming from this man. But the fact was that Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry would hold dear every moment they could steal away to read, considering their lives both before the suggestion of amnesty and now as they worked hard to achieve it. The raised eyebrow wasn't missed by anyone in the room, including the exceptionally observant Vin Tanner. He would need to ask Ezra about it later.
"Funny you should say that, Joshua. Well, here goes. It's called 'Freedom'." Three heads nodded knowingly as Vin started to read his poem.
I'll never know
Just how to express
Exactly what's in my heart.
You show patience
With the kids. With me.
Were in tune, perfect, with Fred.
With our brothers
You've kept a cool head,
Or lent them a strong shoulder,
Even when it
Proved less strong for you.
I know it's hurt how I've been.
I'm so sorry.
In the moment's heat
It's too easy to forget
All that you've done
For me, all that you've
Given me. This most precious
Gift of words, and
How to use them. You've
Changed my life. To understand
What's on the page?
It's without question
The great freedom of my life.
Hyperbole
Some might say from one
Tascosa no longer seeks.
You saved my life,
Expanded my mind.
My gratefulness is boundless.
Know this, please know,
That I will not use
This precious gift against you.
I beg you know
If ever I do,
It's my word as a Tanner,
I do not mean
Any of it. Your
Friendship matters. Always will.
Vin finished … and silence held the room. He'd stopped reading after the first stanza, offering the poem from memory the rest of the way.
"Lord, Vin. You are … that was … so … " Ezra choked up as he tried to get out what he felt about Vin's words. That he'd incorporated Fred and his friendship with his law enforcement brothers, all holding so much meaning to him.
Heyes and Kid, sitting side-by-side, were soaking in the beauty of the words. That a man like Vin Tanner, formerly illiterate, and not that long ago, could write like this. Heyes patted Kid's arm as it rested on the cushioned chair. They smiled at each other, and then Kid noticed Chris Larabee standing just inside the door. He nodded his head toward the former gunslinger. Chris nodded back and then he walked past Vin and up to Ezra. He, as he had in front of these men previously, removed Ezra handkerchief from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it to his friend. He patted him on the shoulder and then turned to the man with whom he'd formed an instant friendship on his first day in Four Corners four years before.
"That was beautiful, Vin."
"Thanks."
"Vin, Ah, too, cherish our friendship. Perhaps we could both work to utilize our love of language to nurture our friendship, less in words spoken in the heat of a moment. Your words, these words, your thoughts? Ah know that we will do bettah. Thank you."
"Yer welcome. Here, this is fer you. Even written with 'siah's pretty handwriting."
Ezra took the paper. "Thank you, but Ah would hope to have this in your handwriting one day."
"That's a work in progress," Vin admitted.
"Aren't we all?" Ezra said.
"Reckon we are. Guess I should get on the road to Nettie's." They all stood. Vin and Ezra embraced. The other men smiled warmly at the friendship, at the love shared between two men, so different from each other in some ways, but in others so very the same.
"We should go, too," Chris said.
"This is all your property?"
"Just added a hundred and fifty acres a few months ago. A neighbor was selling and the price couldn't be beat," Chris answered.
"Your total is how much now?" Heyes asked.
"Two hundred and ten acres."
"That's great," Kid said. "And you built that house?"
"Not by myself."
"Chris' house went from a shack to a bullet riddled shell … "
"Had a family of brothers who were not too keen on something I did," Chris admitted.
"And they shot up your place?" Kid asked.
"Yep."
Heyes and Curry shared a look.
"What?" Chris asked.
"Sounds like a family back in Kansas City. We didn't know them, but we knew of them," Heyes explained their reaction.
"Would this family be the Nichols family," Ezra asked.
Heyes and Kid looked to Chris. "Oh, hell," the blond half of the famed outlaw duo said.
"We figure they won't be back," Chris said. "They started a gunfight, the mother got what she wanted, though she lost family in the bargain."
"Chris built the shack into a nice cabin, and then expanded it significantly to his current roomy domicile," Ezra explained.
"I had a lot of help. All the fellas, Robert came out a number of times."
"So, this place here. What's this all about?" Kid asked. He took a drink from his canteen and then handed it over to his partner, who took a good swig of the wonderfully cool water. They had all re-filled their canteens from the clear, full stream running through Chris' property.
"This is the cottage of the former owners of this tract that Chris recently purchased," Ezra noted.
"Looks nice. Outhouse could use some work," Heyes commented. "Well positioned, though, inside this nice fence, way to the back, level area all the way back. But the wood is really showing wear, far more than the house."
"Better wood was used on the house, and the nice white paint. Ezra can help you fix up the outhouse, though. He's got some experience designing and building one."
"Chris, you are just so amusing."
"Ezra, I wasn't trying to be amusing."
"Did you design the one at Chris' house?" Heyes asked.
"He designed the outhouse at my place, and built a lot of it himself."
"Ah was … working through some troubles." Ezra looked away from the group and then started to walk away.
"Ez, no. Don't go. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."
"No, it's fine. Ah will one day be expected to live mah life as a normal man. A man cannot grieve the loss of an animal indefinitely."
"Ezra, you're doin' fine. You've been fine. Don't let me get away with this shit."
"How about if we go inside and show Joshua and Thaddeus this lovely cottage? Insofar as the outhouse goes, Chris had it cleaned out when he first purchased the property. It has only been used by Mistah Tanner and mahself, as far as Ah know. Ah would suggest a nice toilet seat like the one Mary chose for your place, Chris."
"Good idea," Chris said. He turned to Heyes and Kid. "Ez and Vin have been updating things, including getting input from Mary and Inez … ah, hell, sorry."
"You see, Chris, mah life is one of untold melodrama."
"Well, it ain't that. We'll get ya back on track with Inez."
"That would be wonderful, should it happen. In any event, the lovely Missus Travis and Señorita Rocios helped us with the fabrics for the curtains, the slipcover for the sofa, which we inspected thoroughly and cleaned thoroughly, the cushions for the chairs at the dining table. Ah found the two stuffed and nicely cushioned chairs in a shop in Eagle Bend. The house is well sealed so there is little likelihood that any wildlife could venture in, and the sheets have kept the worst of the dust off of the furniture."
"It's nice," Kid said.
"There are two bedrooms, one large one for the three kids – there are three beds in there, but no mattresses – and another decent sized one that had two double beds. Jake had a bad back and said he tended to move too much for his wife's taste. She's deceased," Chris added. "You can decide if you want your own rooms." Heyes and Kid looked at each other with a 'Why would we do that?' look. Chris and Ezra laughed.
"There are an assortment of beds that Inez has in storage at the saloon since mah quarters were expanded and she chose to reduce the number of rooms for let by another one in order to maintain a larger room for storage. The beds in this bedroom," Ezra continued as they walked into the Warren's main bedroom, "were quite a lot worse for wear. We will arrange for the beds, though not any mattresses, heaven forbid, to be moved here should you agree to the suggested arrangement. We will acquire new mattresses, also from Eagle Bend, once you have agreed to stay here. Mary has the sheets, blankets, quilts and pillahs. She and Inez are just waiting for Chris to give the approval to venture out and put their finishing touches on the place."
Kid looked at Heyes. "Whaddya think?"
"I think it's pretty far from a saloon. And a poker game."
"Yes, it is. But it is only an easy forty-five minute ride back to town. You could even arrange to stay in town occasionally. And of course, we and our partners in law enforcement would come out to offer to divest you of your money." They walked back into the larger-than-expected living room/dining room/kitchen area. "As you can see, the dining table is certainly sufficient for poker."
"I do believe the divesting will go the other way around," Heyes said.
"Will go the other way around?" Chris asked.
"You gonna be all right spending so much time out in the wilderness?" Heyes asked Kid.
"I'll survive." Because if I do, you'll survive went unsaid, but the sentiment rang clear as a bell.
"Then I guess we should take these two gentlemen up on their offer," Heyes said with a smile.
"Good," Chris said.
"Excellent," Ezra agreed. Smiles and handshakes all around led to Ezra adding, "Then let us gather all of the bags strapped to the back of the carriage. Your saddlebags, too, Chris."
"I was wondering what you packed into my saddlebags and what you brought out."
"You will find out soon enough."
After dropping the bags inside the cottage, Chris, Heyes and Kid went back to turn out their horses in the near corral. When they returned they found Ezra emptying sacks in the kitchen. Chris watched as he removed vegetables, including yams in place of regular potatoes, beef, well-seasoned, a bottle of wine and another bottle of Ezra's favorite bourbon.
"Chris, would you check the glasses?" The tall blond walked to the cabinet over the sink and pulled down four wine glasses. There were also shot glasses, water glasses and mugs, four of each, as was the case for all of the dishware in the cabinet.
"What's in there?" Chris asked as he looked at a cloth sack.
"That is dessert." Chris started toward the bag. "Leave it be," the card sharp warned. Heyes and Curry laughed. "This happens whenevah Ah cook, Joshua and Thaddeus. Ah would wish for a sous-chef de cuisine, but what Ah usually get are grown children pestering for food before the food is ready. Though Ah will ask you, Chris, to get a fire going in the stove, and then remove yourself from the kitchen."
"I guess I know my place."
"Good for you," Ezra said with a smile.
"Would you like an assist? I've got pretty mean knife skills," Heyes offered.
Ezra considered asking the man if he wasn't tired and in need of a rest, but the expression on his new friend's face asked, indeed, demanded that he not be pampered.
The professional poker player, and damned fine chef, as Chris had said more than once, pulled a knife from a wooden slot to the right of the sink and said, "Be mah guest. The vegetables were washed and placed in a clean sack by the lovely Dottie Pike. All you need do is cut them into medium to large pieces. Ah will be roasting them in the cook stove. The beef, from Robert Merton's fine stock, will start in the cast iron pan on the stovetop and finish in the oven. Ah have caramelized onions that Ah cooked this morning in Inez' kitchen to go with the steaks."
"Sounds really good," Kid said, his stomach growling with hunger.
"If that's not a vote of confidence, I don't know what is," Heyes said with a grin.
"Or, and Ah believe this more likely, having spent so much time in Thaddeus' company of late, it has simply been too long between feedings." Heyes and Chris laughed. "Chris, once you are through lighting the fire in the stove, please place the other things that are in your saddlebags and the leather bag on the shelves." Chris did as he was asked. Heyes continued cutting vegetables, Ezra pulled out all of the utensils, pans and plates he would need, assuring that everything that needed to be warmed was near the stove.
Kid asked, "Should I uncork the wine?"
"A fine idea, it will have sufficient time to breathe." Ezra turned to Heyes. "That is some fine cutting skills you have there."
"Thank you." The southerner's partner in the kitchen sighed, audibly.
Ezra walked up close to this sous-chef. "Go sit. It has been a long day."
Heyes looked at the southerner with a smile. "I think I will."
"Take a look at your 'library'."
Heyes turned to see Chris and Kid placing books and candles on some shelves, tables and on an especially deep window sill. He walked up and picked up 'The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'. "I always wanted to read this. Couldn't keep a big book, well, you know," he added.
"You should have plenty of time to read it now," Chris said. "Just remember, only in good light," he smiled.
"He'll follow the rules," Kid said.
"I will. So, what other good books are we borrowing?" Heyes asked. Rather than heading to a chair to rest, as Ezra had suggested, Heyes preferred to peruse his library for this extended stay at Chris Larabee's cottage. How strange. The man who attacked him within hours of arriving in Four Corners had now asked he and Kid Curry, two of the most renowned outlaws in the American West, to stay on his property. It was a peculiar time in their lives.
"The Innocents Abroad, by Mark Twain", Kid said.
"The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin", said Heyes.
"The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper."
"Les Miserables Victor Hugo."
"Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stow."
"Anna Karenina by Leon Tolstoy."
"Tales from Shakespeare". Heyes shook his head. "This is … I don't know what to say."
"Poems in Two Volumes by William Wordsworth," Kid continued.
"Candide. Robinson Crusoe. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." Heyes and Kid went back and forth. "The Federalist Papers. The Social Contract. The Age of Reason."
"Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman," Heyes said as he looked at Kid.
"Another that you wanted to read."
Ezra walked in on the two friends as he passed Chris on his way to check on the stove.
"If you should require some lighter material, Ah have much more of Mistah Twain. And Ah am certain Mary has some humor in her archives."
"Are you the sole library for Four Corners?" Heyes asked as he removed the sheet from the first chair, folding the dusty side in, and then started on the next one.
"Sit. Thaddeus and I will get the rest," Chris said.
"Thank you," Heyes said, and he sat with a sigh. "You are both being so nice, I almost think that you know something more about what's going on with my prognosis than I do."
"Nope. We all know the same things at this point. You have your marching orders."
"And since we know that you like to read, we are hoping that all of these books will encourage you to relax," Ezra said.
"And Thaddeus here is going to make sure you stop reading at a proper time so that you don't stress your eyes."
"Are you going to come cook for us on the regular?" Thaddeus asked. "I think I speak for my partner when I say we would be all right with that. Am I right, Joshua?"
"I would have no complaints about that."
"I don't think I would do that, Kid."
"Why not? What if they are … "
"Keep your voice down, J.D."
J.D. continued in a relative whisper. "What if they are Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry?"
"First of all, you're wrong. If Chris and Ezra say they aren't, if Nathan, who has examined Smith, doesn't think he is, then you're barkin' up the wrong tree. Besides that, everyone likes them. The ladies are in love with Smith. They seem pretty taken with the other one, too. And what about Judge Travis? And going over to talk to Mary about this is just asking for you to get on the judge's bad side."
"I'm not afraid of that."
"Well, you should be."
"Well, I'm not. Besides, just because the judge sent them here doesn't mean he knows who they are. I'm tellin' ya, Buck, they're Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry."
"It makes no sense, J.D. I'm telling you to drop it. Now, you've got patrol tonight. Go catch a nap." The sheriff had been out checking on gun shots south of town early in the morning. He found someone hunting for pheasants way too close to town. He warned them away and had not gotten back to sleep, like he should have when he knew he had patrol. J.D. stood and started walking toward the boarding house. Buck jumped up and followed him. He put his arm across his "little brother's" shoulder. "Need to drop this, Kid. For real."
"I'll keep quiet about it, for now, because you and Chris told me to. But I know what I know. So, I will be tellin' you 'I told ya so' when it turns out I'm right." The young man from Boston headed to his room for some shut eye. Buck watched as J.D. opened the door and entered the boarding house.
"Hell," Buck said quietly. Then, under his breath, he said, "What's goin' on, Chris?"
"That was really, really good."
"That was an understatement, Thaddeus. Incredible meal, Ezra. Thank you so much."
"Ezra knows what he's doing in the kitchen. We've been real lucky to be on the receiving end of a number of delicious meals from Ez," Chris said.
"You gentlemen are too kind," the gambler and self-professed gourmand said.
"No, it's you who is too kind, for going to all this trouble."
"Ah admit that this meal was planned with you in mind, Joshua."
"Was it?"
"Though Chris would have been happy with a meal consisting strictly of steak and potato … "
"And I don't mean a red one," Chris interjected.
"This meal was to remind you all that there is more than steak and white potatoes to eat on this planet. These other vegetables, like the steak, are all gone. Why is that?"
"Because they were delicious," Kid said.
"Ah am pleased that you think so. The more vegetables you eat, the better for you. Joshua, Ah am not a doctor nor am Ah a medicine man, nor a fine healer like our Mistah Jackson. Ah am simply a man. Ah could eat only vegetables for supper and be glad to do it. Needless to say, Ah do require protein, we all require protein in our diets. Ah partake of meat, Ah enjoy a good steak as much as the next Chris Larabee. But Ah have a vegetable omelet that will make you nevah miss meat."
"You don't have to convince me. I think you might be a cooking wizard. And you brought pie for dessert. From Nettie Wells. You must like me. I mean, really like me."
Ezra smiled, his gold tooth showing. "Ah do. Now, we should clean up the kitchen, re-position the cloths on the furniture, toss the scraps well behind the barn and get ourselves back on the trail to town."
"Let's do it."
"We'll do it, Joshua."
"We will all do it and we can be back in Four Corners in no time," Heyes countered his partner.
"We will be back in Four Corners at a leisurely pace and get there when we get there. A pleasant, easy ride back," Ezra corrected Heyes.
"Isn't that what I said."
"Very good. So, we are on? You will remain here for as long as your convalescence takes?"
"You will follow all of the suggestions that the good doctors and Nathan and your friend Joe came up with?" Chris asked.
"You will rest," Ezra reminded.
"You'll eat well," Chris said.
"You will need to spend limited time in our fair burg."
"That should be easy to explain when Mary and Dottie and Gloria and Casey and Inez and Nettie and Abigail want to know why you are not there more. You're resting."
Heyes and Kid looked at one another. "We agreed to this?" Hannibal Heyes asked.
"You sure did, Joshua," Kid Curry said with a huge smile.
"We are very pleased to hear this," Ezra said. "Let us clean up. We shall head back home and let Mary and Inez know that the house is theirs for a week. And then it is all yours, for as long as it takes, alias Smith and Jones."
To be continued …