Winter's Refuge
Chapter Thirty-Two
HEYES
The ride from Bridgeport to the ranch reminded me of when we were chasing amnesty and had a quiet day. We rode side by side. I can do that easily; I just can't walk next to the Kid. I always laughed in the face of authority, now I am what the Kid calls subservient. How can I not be subservient; it was beaten into me. Something that the Kid said the other day has been circling in my mind. I can't stop thinking about it. I want to ask him about it but I'm afraid he'll be mad. I get scared when he gets mad, even when he talks loud.
We stopped for a break under some trees near a stream. Sitting there it felt like we were young again, just relaxing. I thought this would be a good place to ask my question.
"Kid?" I asked. .
"Good to hear your voice say my name, partner. What's on your mind?"
I had my chalkboard nearby. "Question."
He looked at me and waited for me to write more.
"Earlier you said Yuma had shackles on beds?" There I asked it. I watched him closely to see if he was angry. He used to have a quick temper. He's learned how to control it now.
He didn't seem angry, but he got a faraway look in his eyes. He didn't talk right away. Maybe he is angry and is controlling it.
When he spoke, his voice was low, and he stared across the stream. "No shackles in the Yuma prison unless you were bein' punished. But at the railroad camp we were always shackled, day and night, every minute. We all slept together in a hot tent in rows of cots. They were staked to the sand and the cots were shackled together in sets of two. Each night they shackled both of our ankles to the bottom of our cot. Took me a month to learn how to move my legs to sleep on my side. The guards in the railroad camp weren't regular prison guards. They were there for the money. Some liked the brutality and wrapped the shackles around the cot until your feet hung over the end. Hard to walk the next day when your ankles were pulled down by the weight of the shackles all night, but I learned to walk normally even with them." He finished but I could tell his thoughts were reliving that life.
"Sor…sor…y." I surprised myself by getting the whole word out. Maybe I could because the Kid needed to hear it.
Abruptly, he looked at me and I saw the memories fade into his sad eyes. "No need to be sorry. Is this what has been botherin' you the last few days when we're alone?"
"Yes," I said then wrote, "But don't want to be an annoyance or make you mad."
When he was sincere, the crystal blue of his eyes was the same as my ma's. "Heyes, have I done something or said something that made you think I was mad at you?"
I had to think about that. But he was looking at me for an answer. I was going to say no, but that wasn't true. He talks alot about always telling each other the truth. I started writing on my chalkboard, erased it, wrote again, and erased it again. I looked at him in frustration.
"I want us to be comfortable with each other, equals, partners. If I'm doin' anything, I'm sorry." He reached over and put his hand on my knee. At that moment, I realized he was trying, too. Trying to help me, trying to help Chrissy, trying to run a blacksmith shop, trying to run the ranch, and trying to recover from his years in prison.
But I didn't know how to put what I felt in words. "You powerful," I wrote, then erased the last word and hesitated.
I could see he was trying to understand. "I'm too bossy maybe?" He was searching for the word I needed.
"No," I said. And suddenly I knew the word I wanted, but I didn't know how he would take it. "You authority," I wrote. "Authority scares me, hurts me."
"No, Heyes, no I am not authority. I've spent the last years tryin' to escape from authority. I would never do anything to hurt you." I had made him angry.
I was surprised at his reaction and my face must have shown it. He looked away but continued to speak. I think he felt he had to explain. "Had to bow to authority and obey and accept their punishments in prison without question. I had no voice. Part of that was my choice, I chose to be slaved out to the railroad. I accept everything that happened to me there as I agreed to the contract. But here, partner, you have a voice in this family. Use it."
He looked so earnest, he'd called us a family. I had to smile. "Your ranch, you the boss," I wrote and reached over and messed up his hair like I used to do when we were very young. That got me a real smile. I would have to think about his answer. I've been afraid to say too much. I would like to be what he said, to be partners again, but I know I'm not ready.
Now that I have his permission, I have another question to ask. Still, I can't look at him when I write it. "When is the mortgage due? Do you have enough money to pay it?"
It was his turn to look surprised. "We ain't got to worry about money. The ranch is free and clear, just owe the yearly taxes on the land. You worried about our money? You should have asked." His words were firm but not mean.
Still, I looked down feeling chastised, and I lost my words.
"Your money," I wrote. "I have nothing but books."
JED 'KID' CURRY
Heyes surprised me wantin' to ask questions, but I'm glad he did. Now I know he thinks I'm in charge. I didn't want it that way. It happened easily and I think it needs to be that way until he recovers more, until he keeps his thoughts from wanderin'. But I want him to speak up, to ask questions, to say what he's thinkin'. I'll ask him more often.
I think his second question surprised me more. He asked if I had enough money to pay my mortgage. He considers this my home and he's a guest.
That I'll talk about to him again and often. His mind wanders and he doesn't really hear what you say. Then it seems like he forgets but he never really heard. He sounded so little when he told me he had nothing except his books. Now I understand why he wanted them in his room. I need to know he had more than that. .
"Heyes, this is our ranch, yours, mine, and Chrissy's. All our names are on the deed. The horses mostly belong to Chrissy, only the two studs belong to all of us."
He tilted his head but I'm learnin' his expressions. "Lom found this place while she was in prison and thought it was a good place to heal. Before she was convicted, she put everything she had in a trust with Lom havin' complete control." I didn't mention she also gave him custody of her…our babies. There was time for that later.
I had his attention. I hoped he would stay focused. "So, one third of this ranch is yours. We need to work together to make it a success. The income from the blacksmith shop helps, but most of the money is from breedin' the horses."
"Yes, money to put in your safe when it comes," he wrote slowly and clearly.
"Our safe, partner. We always shared everything we had."
"Money on books not enough to cover remodeling." This time his writing was done quickly and harder to read. He kept tappin' the board with the chalk to emphasize his point.
"We have savings. I got paid for bein' a blacksmith even though they owned me. Part of my contract. And later on, I got part of a guard's portion when we laid enough track to hit our weekly goals. Saved every penny."
"Where?" he wrote in a corner of the board without erasin' it.
"In three different banks one in Bridgeport, one in Cheyenne, a small amount in the bank in Three Birds. The rest in Sheriff Birde's home safe. There's more than enough to pay for the remodel."
I saw him relax, so I did too. But I realized his thoughts had taken off again and he had stopped listenin'.
"Heyes!"
He looked at me quickly with that look of enforced obedience that I hated.
"What were you thinkin'?"
He erased his board slowly as if thinkin' what to write. "I remember when Gramma and Grandpa Curry lost their farm and went to live with your parents. You were too little to remember, but I know they were ashamed. Gramma cried. I don't want that to happen to you." He looked at me and a dimple appeared with a small smile. He erased the 'you' and replaced it with 'us.'
HEYES
When we continued on, I thought about what the Kid had said. Our home, not his home. I don't know if I believe him, but he talks about always telling the truth to each other so maybe it's the truth. He said we have money and no mortgage. He said we, but I'm sure he means him. The Kid earned that money in prison with his sweat and pain. He's just being nice. He did say I will get paid to keep the books and working with the horses. He told me to record a fair salary and take it. I think my room and board is a fair salary. I'll tell him that tomorrow.
My thoughts came back to reality when we turned up Old Cummings Road. I saw the Kid's back stiffen. I followed his eyes. I didn't see anything alarming, but he knows his home better than I do so I start watching for an attack. The Kid is riding deliberately. The gate is closed. That's a good thing. He looked around before opening the gate. I'm relieved that it made a lot of noise. That should alert Rudy.
While the Kid is closing the gate, I ride through, but I stop. Three men came out of the house. They are watching us from the porch. I squint and see that one is Rudy. I wish I had that knife Lom asked about.
When the Kid mounted his horse, he moved it close to mine. "It's okay, Heyes, you know them."
I look again but I don't know them, except Rudy. Why is the Kid riding up there right to them? He didn't even draw his gun. I let my horse trail behind him as Rudy came down the porch steps.
"Welcome, home, Mr. Curry, Mr. Heyes, how did your meeting go?" Rudy talks like everything is fine. I am watching the two new men. The older man's face is stern when he looks at the Kid. He's not pleased to see us. I follow the Kid's lead and dismount, but I am still watching these men.
While Rudy is taking our horses, the Kid held out his hand to the older man.
"Mr. Ortiz, good to see you. Juan, welcome back."
The older man didn't shake his hand but the younger one shook it enthusiastically. "Jed, it's good to be home…er here."
The Kid stepped to the side, so I was looking right at these men.
"Mr. Ortiz, Juan, this is Hannibal Heyes." The Kid was looking at them, not me. I know he expected me to hold out my hand, but Mr. Ortiz's face was telling me not to dare. He scares me. I can't get in back of the Kid to hide so I hold out my hand to Juan.
"Hi," I said.
"Glad to meet you, Mr. Heyes." Juan shook my hand and seemed happy to meet me.
"How's she?" the Kid asked Juan.
"She knew me, not Pa. She's in her room. Locked the door."
The Kid seems to be ignoring the hate coming from the older man, Mr. Ortiz he called him. Rudy's last name is Ortiz. Is this his pa? I don't know him. He's looking at me with the same hate he shows the Kid. I don't understand why.
Rudy returned after settling the horses and brought our travel bags in. I went and locked the door behind him. He looked at the Kid like he wanted to say something, warn him about something, maybe warn him about Mr. Ortiz.
"Now that you are home, I will be leaving, but I have two things to say to you, MISTER Curry." Mr. Ortiz did not sit down. He also did not approach the Kid, keeping the kitchen table between them. Rudy looks guilty. Did he say something to get the Kid in trouble?
The Kid doesn't look scared. He still has his poker face. I can't tell what he's feeling anymore. "Please sit down and talk, Mr. Ortiz." The Kid's voice was courteous.
Mr. Ortiz's expression did not change, and he did not sit down. "We know you took it. Do you admit it?"
"Yes," answered the Kid. He had stolen something from Mr. Ortiz? He could be arrested and go back to prison. Why would he do that? Why is he not afraid? What will I do if he goes to prison again?
"I am glad that you admitted it. Marina, er Mrs. Ortiz, was hurt at first, but we decided you should keep it. We assume you stole it for Miss Chrissy. Have you shown it to her yet?"
What did he steal? If it was for Chrissy, then maybe he did steal something. He'd do anything for her. I can see he loves her. Has since the day they met.
"I took it for her…and me. No. She's not ready to see it yet." He answered so calmly I wondered if he knew this man was accusing him of a crime.
"I agree. Mrs. Ortiz wants you to have this also, not that I agree." He handed the Kid an envelope.
"Thank you, sir."
I took a step back. The Kid called him sir. He respects this man?
"Now about Rudy." We all turned and looked at Rudy standing in the corner nervously biting his lip. "He comes to help you on his college break, and you recruit him to leave school and become a deputy sheriff? His mother and I strongly disapprove." Now Mr. Ortiz was yelling.
The Kid looked calmly at Rudy waiting for him to speak.
"Pa, Mr. Curry had nothing to do with my decision. I decided to leave college before I even came here. I lost my job, and my money ran out."
"We will give you money to finish college.' Mr. Ortiz's voice was a statement, firm and determined.
"No, I don't want you taking a loan out to pay for it. I'll pay for it. This job in Porterville pays good money and I'll save every penny." Rudy's voice, though less controlled, was just as determined.
"You encouraged this!" Mr. Ortiz was yelling at the Kid now. I didn't know what to do. I don't like yelling. I should help the Kid, but I don't know how. They used to say I had a silver tongue, now it's lead. I take a step back, cover my ears and move into the hall ready to retreat to my room if things get worse. But the Kid doesn't seem upset or on alert at all.
"Mr. Ortiz, Rudy knows his own mind and he's old enough to decide how to live his life. If it's not this deputy job, he'll find something else. At least in Porterville he'll be workin' for Lom Trevors, someone you know."
That made Mr. Ortiz stop and think and look his son in the eyes. "Is what he says true, Rudy?"
"Yes, Pa. It was all my decision."
There was quiet in the kitchen. Nobody knew what to say until Mr. Ortiz walked over and put his hand on his son's shoulder. "Alright for now. I'll try to explain to your ma. But you need to promise your first time off, you come visit us."
Juan had been watching his pa and brother from the living room. I didn't blame him for not wanting to get too near the argument. At least no one drew a gun…or a knife and it seemed to be resolved.
"Jed, Mr. Heyes, come see the new stud horse we brought you, Fall's Whisper out of Fall's Destiny. He's young, majestic and high tempered." Juan's words broke the tension in the kitchen.
Juan led us to the stable, leaving Mr. Ortiz and Rudy alone in the house. I was worried they would argue more, and it would disturb Chrissy. She stayed in her room but maybe could hear everything. The Kid says she listens to everything. He said I need to be more like that and not let my mind wander away. In the dark cell all I had was my thoughts. It was good there to let them wander. Except when they wandered to my fears. There I tried to think about nothing.
Juan is right. Fall's Whisper is beautiful, dark brown with two white socks in the back. But there is another new horse that catches my eye and I go into her stall. She nuzzles me with her nose, and I wish I had something for her. I will bring her my apple core later. I can tell she's older than all of the others.
"That's Spring's Moirai, she was Chrissy's horse growing up. Pa thought that Chrissy might like to have her near." Juan was rubbing her nose and she was enjoying it.
"Moirai?" I heard the Kid from the next stall.
"The goddess of fate. Chrissy named her from some book she read. She was always reading books.
JED 'KID' CURRY
Mr. Ortiz spent the night in my room and I slept on the couch. I needed to settle myself so I took Heyes' gun down from the top of the cabinet and cleaned it. Tomorrow I will give it back to Chrissy. I'm sure she'll hang it from her headboard again.
Both he and Rudy left the next mornin'. Juan gave them a ride to Bridgeport. Our next set of mares were due to come in on the train today. So, the plan was he would meet them and bring them back to the ranch. We didn't know much about this owner or their ranch. Chrissy had saved the letter but wouldn't show it to me. She recorded the entries on her log and the calendar. We knew the mares were named Stephanie and Lolly and were scheduled to stay up to twenty-one days. Their owner was E. E. Wills and the ranch was named The Double Bucket. It was in Colorado. Juan was goin' to meet their train. They should be back at the ranch by late afternoon. I hoped the owner wasn't plannin' on staying here. I had booked him a room at the hotel in Three Birds.
They arrived earlier than expected and stopped outside of my blacksmith shop. I ducked in the back room and took off my bandana and gloves when I saw them turn up the road. Heyes retreated to the far corner where he couldn't be seen but he could see everything. Chrissy laughed as I washed up and ran her fingers through my hair to force it off my forehead. She's been doing that lately. It makes her smile. I enjoy her touch.
"Mr. Curry, you there?" Juan called into the forge with a playful tone. I know he doesn't want to get near that heat but from his tone there's something he's holdin' back.
I slipped out of my blacksmith apron and walked out to greet them. "Right here." But I stop, amazed, lookin' at the woman who has to be E. E. Wills.
"Mrs. E. E. Wills, this is Mr. Curry. Jed, this is the owner of The Double Bucket and Stephanie and Lolly."
"I'm Jed Curry. Welcome, E.E. Wills of the Double Bucket." I try to keep the surprise out of my voice at the female ranch owner. But why should I be surprised, Chrissy owns and used to run Winter's Refuge.
I could tell Mrs. Wills had rented the fancy covered buggy in Bridgeport. "Mr. Curry." She held out her hand without gettin' out of the buggy. She smiled warmly . "I would like to see where my ladies will be kept and view these magnificent stud horses I have heard about."
"Juan, will you take Mrs. Wills up to the stables? I'll join you in a few minutes."
Mrs. Wills nodded at my words but was lookin' into the shop. "Is that your wife, Christina, back there? Her letter was so beautifully written yet professional."
I didn't know what to say. As I turned, Chrissy ducked further back into the room, out of sight.
"Chrissy's shy of strangers."
"Oh, I had hoped to talk with her, but I'm on a tight schedule. I'm catching the evening train out of Bridgeport home. Ever since my husband died, I run the ranch by myself. My last foreman just left to start his own spread. I'm needed back there."
I didn't close the forge, just tempered the fire. Chrissy and Heyes were both gone from the backroom, so I climbed to the stables by myself. Juan and Mrs. Wills were comin' out of the stables, and she was talkin' excitedly.
"Mr. Curry."
"Jed, please."
She smiled. "Call me Elizabeth. I just saw your new horse, Fall's Whisper. I think he would be a perfect match for Lolly. I know I had requested Fall's Legend for her but after seeing Whisper, I think they are the better match."
I looked to Juan, who nodded.
"Elizabeth, we would be glad to make that change for you. Any other concerns?" I could tell she was anxious to leave. And I could see Heyes watchin' from the shadows.
"Can I have Juan escort you back to Bridgeport?"
"No concerns. The accommodations for my mares are very nice as is your breeding corral." She turned toward her buggy. I could tell Juan had fed and brushed her horse. "I had hoped to speak with Mrs. Curry, but I see she is not around."
I signaled Juan to get the horse and buggy. She stopped and looked at me. "It is a pleasure to meet THE Kid Curry," she smiled as she started to flirt. "I've read the dime novels and followed your life, as much as has been in the newspapers. You are a legend, you know."
I think I blushed, but was able to answer truthfully, "No legend, just a man tryin' to take care of his family."
"Are you still the fastest gun in the west?" she asked her flirtin' tone stronger..
Although once I would have taken her up on her implied offer, now I didn't want none of that.
"Don't really know, ma'am. I haven't shot against anyone in a long time. Hope I never have to do it again." It was the truth, but I saw she was disappointed as I stepped away from the buggy. Juan tied Spring's Joy to the back and took up the reins. I shook his hand, slippin' him some money. "If it's too late, stay in Bridgeport for the night and come back tomorrow mornin'."
When they had left, I looked for Chrissy and found Heyes. He smiled at me and wrote, "Pretty" on his chalkboard.
"Not my type," I answered. "You like her?" Panic filled his eyes at my question so I changed the subject. "You seen Chrissy?"
"Took new horse and went riding…fast," he wrote, pointin' away from the house toward our open land where we had picnicked with Luke. Chrissy had never gone ridin' alone before.
I was worried. "She took Fall's Whisper?"
"No," he said, and I smiled that he could use the word easily now. I had to make more time to work on new words with him. He switched to writin', "She took Spring's Moirai, the old mare." When he showed me the board, he quickly took it back. "Worried?"
"I'm goin' after her."
ASJ*****ASJ
Ridin' Winter's Glory, we caught up with Chrissy and her mare easily. She had headed to our picnic ground. Spring's Moirai was grazin' lazily. Chrissy was sittin' under a tree readin' a book. She looked up when I approached.
I couldn't keep the relief from my voice. "Chrissy, I've been lookin' for you. I'm glad you're alright!" I sat under the tree next to her. She did not look happy or willin' to talk.
"Chrissy, what's got you upset?"
"Jed likes beautiful woman."
"If you mean Mrs. Wills, she ain't so beautiful. Her hair is shiny and styled nice, but it looks hard as a rock if I were to touch it."
Chrissy giggled.
"Her face is nice, but it ain't anything special. I bet her outfit was expensive, but it couldn't make her look pretty. That woman has the longest neck I've ever seen except on a turkey."
Now Chrissy was laughin', and I joined her.
"Jed like turkey neck woman?" she asked with a laugh, but I heard her concern hidden in her tone.
"Jed only loves Chrissy Darlin'," I told her and took out my knife and carved a heart on the tree with JC loves CM written in it.
She was delighted. "Good."
"Now we need to talk about those letters."
She looked away.
"And the CURRY ranch and now my WIFE Christina. Just what did you write in those letters?"
Grabbing her book, she stood up. "No talk."
ASJ*****ASJ
The remodelin' of the house started on time. True to his word, Sheriff Birde knew or had checked out every man there. I had closed the blacksmith for their first day of work. I need to know they can be trusted. The sheriff introduced each of the four-man crew and the supervisor to me, Juan, Chrissy, and Heyes, but they both went to their rooms and stayed there behind locked doors.
I did lure Heyes out later that day. The safe finally came. I set it on the kitchen table right on top of all the little papers still sitting there. Heyes saw it from the hall and approached it slowly. His eyes had a twinkle that's been missin' since he went to prison. He rubbed his hands over the sides of the safe. He took the handle in his hand and jiggled it. His right hand found the dial and caressed it. Then he looked at me and dropped his hands to his side and stepped back and the twinkle faded.
"Sor..ry,"
"For what, Heyes. You picked her out. She's a beauty, ain't she? I set the combination so if you want to play with her go ahead."
He pointed to himself with a question.
"Yes, you, go ahead. Later, we'll decide on a permanent combination and a place to put her. Don't want to hide her until all these workmen leave so here she'll stay. And I'll change the combination as many times as you want so you can play with her.
ASJ*****ASJ
Sheriff Birde hired the supervisor, Mr. Russell, a man he knew he could trust. He would handle everything, and each afternoon review the work done and the work to do with me. And with Heyes and Chrissy, if they wanted to be part of it.
The first day I helped unload the lumber and supplies and watched each of them closely. Heyes watched too but from afar. He was tremblin' when they arrived this mornin'. He did join me and Mr. Russell at the end of the day. We reviewed the plans and the work done. Heyes walked behind us a few steps as Mr. Russell showed us the progress for the stairway and the rooms marked out in what used to be an attic. I know it bothered him that Heyes trailed us, but I was used to it and wouldn't try to change it with others around. Besides, Heyes' suspicious eyes searchin' every face made me feel safer. Felt like he had my back.
Chrissy found havin' the workers around difficult. They made her nervous, edgy. She and Heyes came to the smithy with me every mornin' but stayed there after I came back to work with Juan and the horses. After the third day, Chrissy came back with me and stayed in the stall each afternoon reading to Spring's Moirai until supper time when the men left. At night, she retreats to her room with her dinner and locks the door. I worry about both of them, but we need the extra rooms, a guest room, especially for Lom when he visits, and rooms for the twins.
HEYES
The Kid's new sheriff friend was supposed to check out each of the men working here. I don't think he did. Two of them look like outlaws. I don't trust any of them. I wanted to move all the books back in my bedroom so no one would steal them, but the Kid wouldn't let me. He said if Sheriff Birde trusts them, he trusts them. Two of them are related to the sheriff, or so he says. Sometimes there are five men here, four men and the supervisor. Some days there are six. I don't know if that's right? Should I ask the Kid about it? He said to use my voice. But what if this is right and I just wasn't listening when the Kid told me about the extra man. I don't want to get him mad.
JED 'KID' CURRY
The workers don't come on Sundays. They would be done in another ten days or so Mr. Russell said. This Sunday, I was tired, but I'd promised Chrissy we'd go to early mornin' Mass. It was just goin' to be the two of us. As I opened my drawer, I saw the blue long-sleeved shirt Chrissy had ordered for me from the catalog and put it on. I hadn't seen her wear her new dress yet. I'll have to ask her if it fits.
I went down and knocked at her door. "You ready, Chrissy Darlin'?"
She opened the door at once. I thought she'd be pleased I'd worn the shirt. Instead, she put her hands on her hips, almost angry. "NO! Change!" she said, stompin' her foot.
"But…" I started to argue, but her stern face stopped me. "Alright, thought you'd be happy." I backed away and went to my room. I threw the blue shirt on the bed and took out a clean white one. She surprised me by followin' me into my room, grabbin' the blue shirt and leavin'. I finished buttonin' my shirt and went back to her room. She had the blue shirt buttoned up on her bed and was foldin' it precisely.
She waved me into the room and over to the dresser. She opened the second drawer and I saw the only thing in there was her new dress, folded carefully. She laid my shirt next to it. She patted each one carefully.
"Chrissy Darlin', did your dress fit?"
She leaned into me standin' next to her, and I put my arm around her. Immediately, I thought to withdraw it, but she moved closer. She patted the clothes again. "Chrissy Darling and Jed wear for wedding."
I smiled and spun her around to face me. "Chrissy Darlin', did you just propose to me?"
She looked, truly gazed into my eyes, and I saw love there. Then, she gave me a shy smile. "Yes. I propose to you. You accept?"
My heart beat so hard, I thought it would come out of my chest with joy. "Yes. Yes!" Then, I picked her up and spun her around. I put her down quickly. "Chrissy, I'd like to kiss you. May I?" I didn't want to ruin this moment, this feelin' by pushin' too hard.
She touched my chest with her hands. "Yes," she said.
So, I looked into her eyes. Puttin' my finger under her chin, I lifted it slightly and brushed her lips lightly. She had closed her eyes but opened them quickly. I took her in my arms lightly and kissed her harder. I felt her returnin' it with passion. I needed to stop this gently.
"Darlin', we're goin' to be late for Mass."
I looked in the drawer and smiled at the clothes. I reached in and patted the clothes as I had seen her do.
She sat close to me in the wagon. In the church, she sat on the end in the back row. I sat next to her, protectively. Sheriff Birde and his wife, Beverly, sat on my other side, just as protectively it seemed to me. I closed my eyes and enjoyed this time where nobody needed me to do nothing. When they stood up, I stood up. When they knelt, I knelt. But my thoughts were on what just happened at home. I'd wanted Chrissy to be my wife since I saw her at Devil's Hole. I tried to temper my joy and happiness. I reminded myself of the abuse she suffered in prison. And she was in prison because she helped me and Heyes. Guilt tempered my happiness. But I loved her more than ever.
After Mass, Chrissy found her way securely between me and Mrs. Birde. She had come to trust the Sheriff and his wife. And now I knew Beverly Birde had a special bond with Chrissy's ma.
"Jed, just the man I wanted to see!" Jeff Birde, the owner of the mercantile and my friend, smiled as he held out his hand. "If you'll come with me, I'll do as you asked. Don't got a lot time. There's a barn raising at the Crenshaws in an hour. That last wind left nothing but sticks."
I offered my arm to Chrissy, and, for the first time, she took it. Jeff led us to the new mercantile and unlocked the door. It had reopened in a larger empty buildin' next to the livery. He indicated for us to enter first. Chrissy looked at me, then around the store in wonder.
I looked right at her. "Chrissy Darlin', the books are over there, and the ladies' clothes are over there. Like Jeff said, you don't have a lot of time, but pick out anything you want."
She looked confused.
"I told you; you could pick out some new books. And I ain't real good at pickin' out lady clothes. You need a winter coat and some warmer dresses. Pick out what you need, and whatever else you want." She still had my arm as I talked. She froze but just for a second.
"Anything?"
"Yes, darlin', anything you want."
She almost bounced over to the shelf of books. She picked out two ladies' romances and two that looked like something I'd like to read. She handed them to me, and I put them on the counter. I'd already arranged with Jeff to come in later in the week to settle up. He doesn't really open on Sundays. Chrissy looked back at me as she walked to the ladies' readymade section. "Anything you want," I repeated.
"Jed, if you have time, stop by the Crenshaw place. Lot of people you know will be helping there. And all of them know you." Jeff leaned against the counter as we both kept on eye on Chrissy. She was happy, smilin', talkin' to herself about each thing. "Bring Chrissy. She's seen most of the men at your shop. Be good for her to meet some ladies. I'm sure Aunt Beverly will keep an eye on her."
"I'll ask her. I'd need to go back home and change anyway. I'll ask Heyes and Juan, too."
Jeff smiled at me. "Sure Juan will want to come. He has his eye on my cousin Hortencia…and I think she has her eyes on him.
ASJ*****ASJ
"Chrissy Darlin', Jeff asked me to help with a barn raisin' this afternoon. Do you remember what that is?"
She thought for a moment with her eyes closed. "Remember. Jed strong. You go."
"You're invited, too. Mrs. Birde will be there. You might like to spend some time with the ladies."
This time she thought longer with her eyes open, starin' into the distance. "I have to go?"
"No, you don't have to go. I just thought you might like it."
"Only you go."
I was disappointed but pleased that she had started referring to herself as 'I' most of the time since she had proposed. And instead of Jed she often said, 'you'.
"You no get mad at me. Ever," she reminded me with a sideways glance. I couldn't tell if she was startin' to tease me or not.
"I'm not mad. Thought you might want to come and meet Juan's girlfriend though."
She looked surprised then was silent. We rode in silence until we were about to turn up Old Cummings Road. "Juan good. Girl good?"
"I don't know her, just that her name is Hortencia and she's Jeff's cousin."
"You go. Juan go." She turned to me and poked me with her finger. "Jed find out if she good enough for our Juan."
ASJ*****ASJ
I was a little uncomfortable leaving Heyes and Chrissy home alone. They both needed watchin' but Juan had convinced me that we would only be gone a couple of hours. They'd be okay. I warned Heyes over and over that he had to watch out for Chrissy. He understands that although he forgets why. And he refuses to accept that she was in prison. I don't know what he thinks happened to her.
The Crenshaw place wasn't far away and me and Juan went in the wagon in case things needed movin', but it wasn't needed. The four sides of the barn were laid out on the ground and men were already workin' on them. Younger boys were runnin' between the men with nails and water. The women were settin' up a lunch for everyone and kids were playin' everywhere. Everyone was busy, movin' with a purpose.
When we arrived, a young girl about Juan's age shyly approached our wagon. Quickly, Juan jumped out and brought her nearer with his arm around her waist.
"Jed, this is Hortencia Birde."
She was cute and young and looked at Juan like he could do no wrong. "Nice to meet you, miss."
"My pleasure, Mr. Curry. I've been wanting to thank you for saving my cousin, Jeff, and…and Juan from that fire. You were very brave. Everyone says no other man could have lifted that beam off of them."
She was sincere but I just did what needed to be done. My pa told me and my sisters once that you don't know how strong you are until bein' strong is your only choice. I thought about that a lot in prison when I was gettin' as strong as I could be to protect my family. It was my only choice. Still doin' that. But this innocent girl wouldn't understand that.
"Well, no thanks needed. Jeff's a friend of mine and Juan's like family. I'm sure they'd do the same for me."
It was the right thing to say. Her eyes lit up as she looked at Juan.
"Jed, over here." I heard Sheriff Birde call from the mangle of workers on the barn sides. The support beams were well over sixteen feet and six inches to eight inches thick. Ropes were used to raise the supports and sides. When they were bein' raised, tension was kept on the ropes while men worked at nailin' them together.
Hortencia rushed off to join a group of girls her age settin' out pies. They giggled and pointed at Juan when they didn't think he was watchin'.
"Sheriff, where do you need us?"
"Well, for today the name is Frank. Juan, the south side of the barn is a man short. Would you help out there? And Jed, we're about to raise that center support beam. Could you help with the ropes?"
"Anywhere you need me, Frank." I knew that the center support beam was the heaviest beam, but also it needed to be held in place and steady the longest while the other components were nailed into it.
"Jeff'll be helping you and Trevor Crenshaw and his two oldest boys."
The work was hard, but the company was welcome. This, bein' part of a community, was something I'd always wanted. Me and Heyes had it when we was little and it had a feelin' of home for me. I think Heyes would feel it to if he wasn't always afraid.
The center support beam was heavy and hard to hold straight, but Mr. Crenshaw knew what he was doin' with maintainin' the tension. The rest of us just followed his lead. When the center beam was in and supported by four corner posts, it was time to raise and attach the sides. I stepped over to get some water and to see which side needed my help the most. As soon as the sides started to get pulled up, it was evident that the men on the east side were havin' a hard time raisin' it. Slowly, they got it up with the other sides already in place awaitin' the final side to stabilize the structure.
As I hurried to help them, two little boys of six or seven ran in front of me so close I almost tripped over them. So involved in their mischief, they didn't notice they ran under this last side wobblin' its way up to meet the others. I grabbed the ropes and pulled just when it looked like the whole side would swing down on the boys. The violence of my pull made one of my coworkers lose his grip on the rope. When the taunt tension of one of the roped was released, the side swung wildly and started down uncontrollably. I saw the two little boys playin' underneath. Alerted by the screams of those around them, they ran. But they ran right under where the twelve-foot side was fallin'. Pullin' back hard on my rope with one hand, I reached out with the other hand and swept the boys to the side.
I saw the youngest Crenshaw boy lose his hold on the tension rope and it tailed off over his head. Jeff had come to help and was tryin' his best to provide cross tension against my rope to keep the side steady, but it needed all five men to maintain. I knew if I let go at all it would fall towards them and they might not have time to run, probably wouldn't. So, just before I pulled my hardest on my rope, I yelled at them, "Let go!"
The men let go, but Jeff saw what I intended and pulled back hard on his rope. For a moment the side balanced in the air then tipped and started to fall toward him. I could see he wasn't goin, to get out, so I yanked my rope and pulled the side toward me. Tryin, to control its landin', I misjudged, and when I tried to get out, my right leg was caught by one of the eight foot beams as I fell.
The men nearby ran toward me. I sat up and lifted the beam off my leg to stop the pain. I held it up and off me until a couple of men took it from me. Then, I looked around until I saw the two little boys, mischief gone from their faces. At first, I saw fear but it changed to awe.
Sheriff Birde was bendin' over, talkin, to me. "Jed, if you don't want to be a legend, you gotta stop doing things like saving people, especially kids."
He helped me up as men cleared the wood fragments from my path and I limped to a chair. Juan brought a second chair to support my leg. "Gee, Jed, that was really something, sir."
I didn't bother to correct him. I was tryin' to control my body from shakin'.
"Don't worry about the shaking, Mr. Curry." Dr. Sexton, without his suit, was standin' next to me lookin' at my leg. "The shaking is just letting out some of that nervous energy you held in while controlling that beam. Let me see that leg."
I heard the people gatherin' around me, talkin'.
"I've been to a lot of barn raisins, but never saw anything like that!"
"Thought the way he helped raise the center beam was unbelievable until I saw this!"
"I never saw no one that strong! He pulled it on himself to save Jeff!"
"He lifted that beam off his leg and held it. Took two men to carry it away!"
"He saved those little boys; God bless him."
I closed my eyes to maintain control of my emotions. I just wanted to be away from this crowd and home.
"Far as I can tell nothing's broken, but that leg's gonna be bruised and sore for a while. Stay off of it for a few days if you can and you'll be a right as rain"
"Thank you, Doctor." I wished the well-wishers would take a few steps back and let me breathe.
"I'll take him home. Let me go get our wagon." I was happy to hear Juan's voice with an outcome I wanted. We had brought the wagon in case something needed movin'. Never thought that it would be me who needed moving..
Jeff helped me stand up. While I leaned on his shoulder and hopped, he said, "Jed, I saw what you did. That beam might have killed me, instead you pulled it on you. Gotta stop saving my life and let me save yours once in a while." His jokin' tone had me smilin'
While I sat in the bed of the wagon, Juan drove. I thought about how I was goin' to tell Chrissy that I liked Hortencia Birde and how I managed to pull a side of the barn down on myself.
HEYES
The Kid came back from the barn raising hurt. He just said a beam hit his leg and he'll be fine in no time. Juan said he was a real hero. I don't believe them. I think somebody tried to hurt the Kid and they're not telling me. Who would do that? Is it the same people who want to hurt Chrissy. I don't remember why, but she's in danger. Lom asked, so I hope I can have a knife. The workers will come back tomorrow. The Kid asked if I want to keep my bedroom or want a new upstairs room. I don't care. Whatever is easier for him. I'm just glad he lets me live with them.