The Kid wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, but eventually stiffness from sitting so long prompted him to stand. Heyes also quickly clambered to his feet and said a bit awkwardly. "I'll speak to Emory and ask 'bout working tomorrow instead."
Curry waved that away, "Heyes, ain't like today can get much worse. I'll be fine on my own." He took a deep breath and blinked before holding out his hand for the document which he knew was in Heyes' pocket."Guess I oughta see exactly what Matlock was talkin' about." His partner handed the paper over reluctantly. Curry recognised the wording at the top. He had his own copy of it safely stored in a lock box.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Jedidiah Curry, the 'Borrower', hereby acknowledges himself obliged to Wells Fargo Bank the 'Lender' and swears to pay to the Lender, the principal sum of five thousand dollars ($5000) plus interest at three percent (3%) in US dollars. The total complete sum of five thousand one hundred fifty dollars ($5150) shall be paid in fifty (50) equal successive monthly payments of one hundred and three dollars ($103) , beginning June 4 1888 and up to and including August 4 1893. Any missed payments will add an amount of fifty dollars ($50) per defaulted month to the total loan amount.
In the event of non-payment the whole remaining principal sum and all interest accumulated shall, at the choice of the Lender, become immediately owing, and be payable without notice.
If the Borrower fails to repay, The Lender is entitled to gain possession of any land or property that is in the Borrowers name to assist in restitution of said debt. All payments are required to be made by the Borrower with not any right of set-off or counterclaim.
Dated: June 3 1888
Jedidiah Curry: J.E Curry.
Carlton Wigmore IV: Carlton Wigmore IV.
Loan Transfer Date: February 1 1890
An agreement has been reached between Wells Fargo Banking Company with Carlton Wigmore as their legally appointed representative and Mr James Matlock, that the above mentioned Mr James Matlock, will acquire the above loan and administer said debt as he sees fit, within the scope of the above set out terms.
Carlton Wigmore IV
James T Matlock.
In light of your current circumstances, I will allow a period of two(2) weeks before gaining possession of what is now rightfully mine under the above agreement.
James T Matlock.
Curry shook his head as he finished reading and a harsh bitter bark of laughter escaped him before he met his friend's eyes with a shrug. "Two weeks! Man knows damn well I'm not gonna find." Curry made a quick calculation and said heavily, "close to $4000 in two weeks."
"I could probably win that at a big city game, but I've no chance here. I'm sorry, Kid."
Curry sighed."Ain't your fault Heyes." He looked down again at the papers he was holding and the words seemed to blur as a wave of frustrated anger threatened to swamp him. Unconsciously his right hand settled to where he'd worn a gun for so many years, but now rarely did. "It sure would feel good to let my gun do the talkin' again. Shootin' Matlock in a fair fight or even meetin' him down a dark alley at night are both mighty temptin' thoughts right about now." At the expression that crossed Heyes' face he added quickly before his friend could open his mouth. "Afore you start, I know that ain't the answer. Lizzie don't deserve a father who was hanged for killin' her grandpa."
"I'll think of something, Kid, don't you worry." Curry had every faith that he would, but doubted it'd be in the two weeks needed to save his house.
"I ain't doubtin' you, Heyes, but maybe might be best all round if I just move on." The idea didn't exactly appeal, too many years drifting had left him with a desire to settle. But he knew his options were limited. He worried that his little girl growing up, just out of reach would eat away at him and turn him into the man her grandfather thought he was.
Heyes rested a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently as they locked gazes. The warm sympathy he saw was a welcome reminder to Curry that he wasn't totally without support. He nodded in reluctant agreement at Heyes' next words. "Better you don't make any hasty decisions, Kid. You can stay with me if needs be- isn't like we ain't used to close quarters."
Footsteps caught their attention and Curry couldn't help the flinch that escaped him when he saw who it was. Heyes with his hand still resting on the Kid's shoulder turned to greet the newcomer saying coldly. "Ain't your family caused Kid enough pain today, Mrs Hancock? Anything you have to say likely could wait till at least tomorrow."
She shook her head and couldn't quite meet their eyes as she said firmly. "I don't agree with what my brother is doing. I'd never seen my Lily so happy as she was the last two years and that happiness was down to you Jed. I know it." She finally looked up and met Curry's gaze. As he got a good look at her face, the Kid recognised the pinched tired expression and the slightly dazed eyes. It was similar to the look he saw in the mirror every morning as he shaved. He resisted reaching out to her with some difficulty, unsure if it'd be welcome. To his surprise though after a quick nervous look round, she reached out and squeezed Curry's hand with both of her elegantly gloved ones. "James is out of town for a few days from this evening .Come visit with me and Lizzie. "
Curry ached to say yes, but was hesitant, aware of the trouble it could cause for her and started to shake his head, but her grip tightened on his hand as she said. "Tomorrow. Late morning after church would be best. 11am."
The desire to see his daughter easily overwhelmed his caution and and he nodded firmly. "I'll be there, Ma'am."
She smiled at him then, fierce and bright, before letting go of his hand and walking away, her head held high.
Heyes' warm laugh pulled Curry's attention away from her retreating figure and he turned to look at his partner suddenly light-headed. His heart thumped loud in his ears and he rubbed at his chest as a sudden tightness gripped it. He'd not seen Lizzie since the day Lily had died and had been too sick to hold her for over two weeks prior. The thought of seeing her and having her in his arms, even for just a short time, was enough to make him whoop or cry- he wasn't sure which, so he settled for letting a huge grin spread cross his face. Heyes with a smile almost as wide said. "I just figured out who Lily took after."
Curry didn't sleep much that night and was wide-awake before the sun was up. He lit the lamps and sat at his tiny table,trying to eat grits, while he studied the picture of his and Lily's wedding day. He drew a gentle finger down the figure of his wife smiling out at him and said softly "I get to see our little girl today. I'll tell you all about it when I get home."
As morning finally broke, he grabbed his gun and lined up some tin cans, as he hit each one forcing it to bounce on the grass, it was easy to imagine James Matlock's face in a stiff grin as he fell backwards to the ground, dead. The sharpness of the image and the savage satisfaction that came with it, brought Curry up short. It'd been several years since he could remember feeling so ready to kill someone. With some effort he forced the dark thoughts to the back of his head and concentrated on what it would mean to see his daughter.
Eager to be busy, he groomed his horse and fixed the fences, despite knowing someone else would soon benefit from his work- it was better than doing nothing. Finally it was time to start getting ready. He washed, shaved and dressed in his best clothing and with a last critical look in the mirror headed out to ride into town.
Heyes was waiting for him, also dressed in his best. He could feel him watching as he tied up his horse. As he turned to face him, Heyes asked softly. "You want to visit alone?"
Kid considered the question carefully before saying, "If it's all right with you. I'd like you to come."
The Kid knocked on the door and removed his hat. He twirled it nervously in his suddenly sweaty hands. Heyes stood a little behind him, they both jumped as the door swung open. Mrs Hancock stood there herself a warm smile on her face and waved them in.
As they stood a little nervously in the fancy decorated entrance she looking equally as nervous said "Perfect timing. She woke up ten minutes ago and is perfectly content."
They followed her into the surprisingly cozy nursery and the Kid felt his heart skip as he looked at the baby sucking contentedly on a soft blanket in the large cot. He was suddenly hesitant to go towards her until he felt a gentle shove on his back which prompted him to take two steps forward before he froze again. Mrs Hancock looked at him with a sympathetic smile, before she waved him to a chair, where he sat gratefully. She leant into the cot and lifted Lizzie out, who giggled happily as she was raised up into a tight hug. "Now Lizzie, this is your papa, you better be good with him now."
Curry was amazed at how much bigger she was then he remembered. Mrs Hancock placed the baby in his lap. As he cradled her gently, she reached out to tug one of his curls, giggling. He looked into a pair of eyes so similar to his own that his stomach clenched as he said softly, "Ahh, Lizzie. You got the Curry eyes, little one."
His world shrunk to just her and him until Mrs Hancock spoke softly as if hesitant to break the spell. "She's rolling over lovely now and even mostly sleeps through the night, less she's hungry and then she 'bout screams the house down."
Curry was aware of a soft laugh from beside him, but Heyes said nothing else until Curry tore his eyes away from the precious bundle in his arms and glanced at him "Go on Heyes, I know that you're dyin' to say somethin'."
"Ain't just the eyes she's inherited from her Papa then."
He placed Lizzie carefully on the rug laid on the floor and gently tickled her stomach as she giggled. The visit was unhurried but was still over far too quickly for Curry and as he stood away from the now sleeping baby he felt a wave of loneliness sweep over him. Mrs Hancock gently laid the baby back in her cot and then returned her gaze to Curry.
"Thank-you Ma'am. I can't begin to..."
She waved his thanks away and kissed him on both cheeks before pulling away to look at him, her eyes damp with unshed tears. " I don't know why James is doing this. He isn't really a bad man."
Curry heard Heyes snort in derision behind him and he turned to shake his head. Grateful for the support as always, but unwilling to upset the woman. Heyes subsided with a less than convinced expression and walked out of the room with a smile at them both.
Curry pulled Mrs Hancock into a tight hug, as they pulled apart Mrs Hancock held his sleeve for a minute. "Come tomorrow, please." Curry nodded and with a final longing glance at his daughter followed Heyes out.
They stood in silence in the still quiet street as the town clock struck 1pm. Curry couldn't find anything to say, too emotional to risk talking. Heyes clapped him on the shoulder and said. " I think we deserve a drink. I've got some of the good stuff still,"
