Curry sat at the table and drank another cup of coffee; he could not afford to go to sleep. Though he felt like fire ants were eating his eyes, he had to take care of Heyes. He glanced over at his cousin who was tossing in the narrow bed, and mumbling.
He looked down at his plate of stew that he had not touched. He had no appetite, and knew Heyes were tease him about that, he only wished he was able to do it. It was lonely without Heyes, his constant talking, and his zest for life. His cousin lay there so sick, that he wondered if he should not have left Heyes at the ranch until he was better. At least there, he would have had a doctor. Then Jennifer said the doctor had been cruel to Heyes. It was a good thing he had not been there, or that doctor would be dead now.
"Kid, I'm telling… you… Sarah is trouble." Curry shook his head, as the other man had been right, Sarah had used him to get what she wanted. "I have a plan boys…we are going to rob that stage carrying that payroll for that mining camp, out of Tucson Thanks Kid, you always…watch my back. Parker would have shot me…" Kid got up, took the small metal pan, and refilled it from the pump with fresh cool water. He went over to the bed, and began to sponge down the other man, and getting him to drink water.
Curry could not deny his fears, that his cousin was going to die. Then he would be all alone, and he did not want to go on without him. They had spent their whole lives together, and were closer than brothers were. He looked down at the too pale face and dazed eyes that seemed to see something he could not.
"Heyes, you have to fight this. You can do it, you aren't a quitter. Come on Heyes, I need you, don't leave me." He sat there time forgotten as he worked to help his cousin. He listened to the dark-haired mans ramblings. He reminded the other man of the times when they were growing up on the farm, the happy times. He was afraid to leave him, afraid of what he would find when he returned.
The sun was just coming over the mountains when the kid wiped his eyes and yawned. "Damn it Heyes, I will never forgive you, if you die on me." He was startled when Heyes voice, though faint answered him.
"I don't plan to, Kid." Curry looked down at the man on the bed, and smiled at the dark brown eyes looking up at him. He grabbed him and pulled him forward and into a hug. "Heyes! Don't you ever do that again!" Heyes weakly tried to pat the blond man on the back, but could not. He just smiled tiredly.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The two of them rode a week later into the town of Marshall. Heyes was still weak, and pale, but he was getting better. Curry had been watching him like a hawk and made Heyes mad at his coddling him. Nevertheless, Curry refused to quit until his cousin was well again.
Curry's sharp eyes took into his surroundings as they rode in. He saw the platform for the train and he pulled his horse up when he saw the young woman standing there waiting. It was Jennifer.