THE BEGUILEMENT OF KID CURRY - Chapter Two
Kid woke and raised his head off his crossed arms that were on the edge of the bed. He stretched, yawned and slowly opened one eye at a time. He was surprised and relieved to see brown eyes following his movements.
"Heyes," He carefully squeezed Heyes' arm and smiled a broad smile.
"Water," Heyes said weakly.
There was a pitcher of water on the bed stand. Kid poured it into a glass, and slipped his hand gently under Heyes' head. He pressed the glass to his partner's lips and allowed him to slowly drink.
It was too difficult for Heyes to move his head, but he allowed his eyes to move around the room.
"Where…"
Kid shook his head. "Don't know. First house with a light."
Both raised their eyes towards the ceiling when they heard the sounds of movement and muffled voices.
Heyes' face screwed up in pain as he tried to move.
"My leg," he moaned as his eyes snapped shut.
Kid cast a glance towards his partner's wounded leg that was slightly elevated with a folded blanket. He stood and checked his bandaged leg, relieved to see the bleeding had not bled through the bandages.
"You're lucky...the bullet went through."
"Lucky? Somehow I don't feel lucky." Suddenly Heyes said, opening his eyes "The package? Where's Big Mac's package?"
Kid paused before taking his seat beside his partner. "Heyes," Kid started, "That was the least of my concern."
"Kid, I'd hate to get shot and lose all that money. Could live with it a might better if we at least got paid." Heyes' words were becoming more and more laden with pain.
Both stopped talking when they heard steps coming down the hallway. They paused outside the door, before the sound of a key in a lock.
Heyes' eyes met Kid's with a questioning look on his face.
The woman from the night before, stepped into the room, carrying a small tray.
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Kid stood up when the woman entered. Heyes noticed she was an older woman, at one time she would have been considered attractive if not beautiful. Her streaked gray hair was pulled back into a severe bun. Her high collar on her shirt was buttoned to the top. A plain floor length skirt was covered with an apron.
"Ma'am" Kid politely reached out to take the tray out of her hands but she brushed by him, setting it beside the bed.
"I see Joshua is awake." She started methodically checking him.
Heyes managed a weak smile, "Thank you."
"Don't be thanking me, I had no choice, since your cousin was the one with the loaded gun. The quicker you heal, the quicker you leave. By the way your horses and belongings are in the barn. I'm assuming they were your horses." She turned to give Kid a cold look, "You might want to consider a fresh change of clothes."
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Before exiting the room the woman paused with her hand on the door. She turned to face Kid and Heyes.
"If you are to stay here, there are certain rules you must abide by. You will be locked in your room at night. No exceptions. Breakfast is at six...dinner...twelve and supper at six. For now, you will take your meals in this room and I insist on no contact with the girls. You will not speak to them and I've instructed them to not interact with you, unless absolutely necessary...My name is Martha Farnsworth...You may refer to me as Miss Martha."
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As Kid, rifled through his saddlebags selecting some clean clothes, a young pigtailed woman threw the barn door open and entered carrying two wooden buckets that she swung in her hands.
"Hello." She said as she entered the makeshift chicken coop and began filling the feed bowls as the chickens eagerly clucked around her feet. She picked up a plump red hen and stroked her feathers before quickly setting her down so she could join the flock and eat. She checked the laying boxes and carefully picked out the eggs gently placing them in the bucket.
Turning to face Kid she said, "I said hello. Are you deaf or just rude?"
Kid realized she was older than she appeared. He guessed she was in her early twenties.
"I'm not suppose to talk to you." Kid said, looking toward the open barn door.
"Miss Martha has lots of rules." She said making a face."I'm Amelia Dabney...Amy will do."
"Miss Martha? She ain't your mother?"
"Heavens no." Amy said with a laugh "Miss Martha has no children. She did have a husband at one time...a doctor, but he got killed. A sister too, Harriet...but she is gone as well. Not sure how. Miss Martha never shared the details. A few of the girls here have some family here and there but most are orphans now."
"So this is an orphanage?"
"It's the Miss Martha Farnsworth Seminary for Young Ladies. It's for schooling ladies to become refined or some such nonsense. I guess when you get refined it's easier to find a husband, but I know for a fact that's not what men are looking for."
"You do, do you?" Kid said, cocking an eyebrow.
Kid saw something flash in Amy's eyes. It couldn't decide if it was anger, sadness or a combination of both.
Amy's mind wandered back eleven years and thought, if Colonel John McBurney was an example of what men wanted, it was how many young women they could bed and deceive. Her eyes took on a distant look, as she remembered her first and only kiss at the age of nine, from the tall handsome but deceitful Yankee soldier. Only her and Miss Martha remained who knew the secret that was buried out under the big black gum tree. But Amy suspected there were other secrets to keep her handsome soldier company deep in the hard ground.
Amy's face lightened, "Don't know if I should be telling you this, but the other girls are deciding who is the most handsome...You are your cousin."
Kid laughed. "What's the verdict?"
"I was leaning towards your cousin's dimples and big brown eyes but I must admit…" Amy said as she slowly walked towards Kid until she was face to face with him. She stared at his handsome face and deep blue eyes, "I haven't decided yet."
"And where might you have seen his dimples?"
"For some reason Miss Martha thinks she has the only key. But I do know who Miss Martha favors."
Kid laughed, "Well I know it's not me. She ain't said a kind word…" Kid stopped mid sentence, when he saw Amy's knowing smile.
She turned quickly, gathered the buckets in each hand and disappeared through the open barn door.
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The dream came to her that night. She was twenty again. Her dark hair was without a trace of gray. Her skin was porcelain, free of any hint of sun. Her face was framed by dark ringlets, brushing against her bare shoulders. Her dress was silk; expensive and imported, with piping of satin, full to the ground. He stood before her looking handsome as ever in his Confederate uniform. His blonde curls and blue eyes made her want to gasp. His hat was tucked under one arm, as he stood ramrod straight.
He held his hand out, palm up, inviting her to slip hers into his.
"If I might be permitted the honor of the next dance." He said with a courteous bow.
She blushed as she slipped her small hand into his tanned hand, and wrapped his beautiful fingers firmly but gently around hers. With his other hand he placed his hat back on his head, slightly off center giving him a roguish look. She felt all eyes were on them as he gracefully led her around the dance floor. She felt light headed, almost dizzy as he gilded her effortlessly across the floor.
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