Chapter 12

"What are you thinking about Jed?" Heyes asked quietly, joining his long time friend on the porch. The dinner dishes had been washed and dried and Curry sat on the porch with a cigar, although he seemed to be absently chewing on it more than smoking or enjoying it.

"Just this place," Curry replied somewhat vaguely.

Heyes didn't push for more. He just stood beside his friend and took out his own cigar, lighting it carefully and leaning against the rail. Drawing the fragrant smoke into his mouth, he followed Curry's gaze across the pasture and toward the mountains, waiting for the other man to continue.

"I mean for the first time it really looked like this place was going to turn a profit, and now—this trouble starts; the fences and the veiled accusations. I wanted things to be settled, for this place to be running smoothly when I told Catherine about my—about our decision."

Heyes smiled but continued to look toward the mountains. "Things aren't as bad as they seem, Ki—Jed," he replied, almost slipping again into the familiar term he'd addressed the other man by for so many years. "We'll get this thing figured out, and Catherine will be real pleased when you tell her the news."

Kid looked up into Heyes' face, looking for the reassurance he needed. Hopefully, he asked, "You think so? You really think she'll want a piece of this place?"

"I know so. I can tell by the way she looks at the horses and the land. She loves it out here. She's even said so."

Kid wanted to believe Heyes, to trust his instincts, but he felt doubt push its insistent way back into his gut. "Yeah, but telling her I'm leaving her my share of the ranch, that's a big step. I want to make sure the time's right. I'm not even sure she likes me right now," he muttered sadly.

"Come on Jed. She's just a kid, and she's still getting to know you. She'll come around. I'm sure of it, even if you aren't."

"Not as much of a kid as I thought. More like a 'woman' the way she acts around that boy."

"Aw Jed, she's just trying to feel grown up. You remember how it was for us at that age? Part boy and part man and trying to figure it all out?"

"Yeah; but Heyes, we were alone. We had to grow up. She's got a family. She's got her mother and Joseph and…us."

Heyes smiled at the inclusion. "She's gonna be fine," he said with a smile that he let rest on his face for a while before his brow furrowed into a more serious expression.

"Jed, there's something else I've been meaning to talk to you about."

"What," Curry turned and gave Heyes his full attention finally.

Heyes felt a fluttering of butterfly wings in his stomach, nervous and a little awkward bringing up the subject. "Well…it's Charlotte," Heyes said tentatively.

Kid let out a relieved laugh. "Hey, it's fine with me if you want to see her. I mean you never tell me what women I can and can't see." His thoughts drifted briefly to Genevieve—he knew Heyes had opinions about her that he kept to himself.

"Well Jed, see, the thing is I might want to do more than just see her," Heyes said, still choosing his words carefully.

Curry's face broke into a mischievous grin. "Well now Heyes, you certainly don't need my permission for that," he chuckled softly.

"No Jed," Heyes was feeling slightly flushed. He wasn't sure why he was having such a difficult time discussing this but he sure knew that Kid wasn't making it any easier on him. He took a deep breath and took the plunge. "I mean I might want to—marry her, maybe. Someday."

Curry's expression froze and he stared hard at his partner. "Oh," he said simply and turned back toward the mountains. "I didn't think she wanted to live on a ranch," he added finally.

"Well, she doesn't, I was thinking maybe I'd move into town—if we did get married I mean."

Curry didn't respond; he just nodded vaguely, staring out toward the mountains.

"Well, it's just an idea anyway." Heyes said, telling a little white lie to soften the affect his words had on his friend; and then changing the subject to a less pleasant one. "So, what did Denton want today?" The two hadn't had a chance to discuss the encounter before now because of Catherine's presence and they hadn't wanted to worry her.

Curry threw him an accusing look. "Just what I said would happen," he growled. "Denton figures we're stealing his horses."

"Come on Jed, he's a fair man. He can't possibly think—"

"No?" Curry interrupted angrily. "Well, he sure as hell can, and he does. He said he 'knows' what we're doing and he's gonna prove it. Gonna bring the guilty parties to justice, he said, staring at me like I was something disgusting he'd just stepped in."

Heyes frowned, stubbing his cigar out on the porch railing. "I'd guess I'd better go have a talk with him tomorrow."

Kid laughed harshly, causing Heyes to glance over at him abruptly, surprise widening his dark eyes. "Oh that's rich! You can fix it, is that it? He won't believe me, the vicious gunfighter; but you can convince him because you're the great silver-tongued Hannibal Heyes?" Kid dropped his own cigar to the ground, grinding it out with the heel of his boot angrily.

"That's not what I meant, Kid, and you know it. What the hell's got into you lately?" Heyes demanded, dispensing with 'Jed' and not sure whether to be hurt or angry.

"Nothing, Heyes, just nothing." Pushing himself clumsily out of his chair, Curry stormed into the house, letting the screen door bang resoundingly behind him.

Alone on the porch, Heyes sighed and looked up at the stars. 'You'd better snap out of this Kid, I'm not sure how much longer I can put up with you.'

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A good night's sleep had done little to repair the two men's rapport when they met at the breakfast table the following morning. There was little conversation to go along with the fried eggs and bacon; just the clatter of two men working together but not in harmony in the kitchen, each knowing what their respective morning duties were and doing them without speaking.

When the plates were finally empty of food and the cups were drained, Heyes pushed back from the table, ready to offer his friend an olive branch. "I think I'm going to lead Prometheus out into the north pasture a ways. Let him run a little, see how he responds." Heyes glanced at his partner across the table. "Do you want to come along?"

"No," Curry replied after a few moments' thought. "I've got too much to do here. You go if you want to though."

"Okay, I will. I'll see you in a couple of hours." Heyes picked up his plate and headed for the kitchen, nearly bumping into Catherine on her way in.

"Good morning, Uncle Heyes," the girl said, somewhat startled by his unusually distracted demeanor.

"Sorry, honey, I didn't see you there."

"What were you thinking about? You looked miles away," she asked, her voice bright with the youthful excitement she had been showing ever since Wilde's arrival.

"Oh, nothing really," he said lightly. "What do you have planned for the day?"

"Well, I thought I'd take Belle out for a ride. Can you come with me? Pa doesn't want me to ride alone and it sounds like he's too busy to take me," she added with a small pout.

"Sorry, honey. I can't this morning."

"Oh, well, then maybe I can go with Jeremiah?" She gave her father a hopeful glance.

"No," Kid said, more harshly than the question seemed to warrant. "He has a job to do here. That's what you wanted, isn't it? For me to give him a job?"

"Kid…" Heyes began, surprised by his partner's tone.

"Don't—" he flashed a warning look in the other man's direction. Heyes raised his hands, palms forward in acquiescence, looking vaguely irritated at being silenced so abruptly.

"Look, Catherine," Curry continued more gently, ignoring his partner. "We just have a lot of work to get done this morning. We still have all the two year olds to saddle break and train if they're going to be ready to put up for sale next month." He sighed, already regretting his outburst. Wanting to make amends, he said, "Look, maybe later, after lunch, we can take a ride into town. See if any of those things you ordered have come in yet?"

"Pa, Emma said it would be two weeks." She gave her father a withering look, unwilling or unable to accept his attempt at reconciliation. "It's okay. I'll just take a walk then. Maybe we can go for a ride later instead?"

"Sure, that would be fine." He tried to smile but the effort fell a little flat. "But don't walk too far. Stay on the property," he called after his daughter as she left the room. He stood and watched the place where she had been for another few seconds, waiting for the sound of the front door opening and closing after her.

"What?" Curry demanded. He gave Heyes a hard look after the girl had gone outside, challenging him to say anything.

Heyes didn't take the challenge. Instead, he just shook his head in annoyance and followed the same path Catherine had just taken, out of the house. He hated to admit it, but he was anxious to leave. He was almost feeling guilty for being happy. He couldn't seem to keep Charlotte out of his thoughts, and he smiled every time she came to his mind. He was also looking forward to getting spending some time alone with Prometheus. He had been noticing some definite signs of improvement in the animal over the last few days, and although he knew it would still be a while before he rode him, the outcome was looking more and more encouraging. He felt like things were really going well in his life right now and he wished his partner could just be happy for him instead of wallowing in his own problems for a change.

"Good morning, Mr. Heyes," a voice called.

Heyes looked over to see their new hand leading one of the horses across the yard. "Morning, Wilde. How's everything going?"

"Real fine, Sir. I'm just getting an early start taking these horses over to the training corral."

Heyes nodded, looking around at the other animals. They all seemed to be content enough. 'He seems to be working out okay,' he thought as he continued on toward the barn.

Prometheus seemed eager to get going this morning and Heyes was glad that he'd planned to take the animal out to the more open area where he could run a little. He knew he was going to have to begin to show the animal a little more freedom if he was going to gain his trust.

Astride his young mare, and leading the stallion, Heyes rode out of the barn toward the main corral.

He noticed Catherine standing by the fence and followed her gaze toward the young man working with the horses. His eyes narrowed as he again considered the dark haired hired hand. The boy certainly seemed to have made a big impression on Catherine.

"See that you do a good job with them," Heyes called to him.

"I've got it all under control, Mr. Heyes," the young man replied cheerfully. .

Heyes nodded as he continued past the corral. Catherine was leaning against the fencepost, her attention focused on Jeremiah.

'She's a smart girl; she'll be fine,' he assured himself, trying to push away the uneasy feeling that he was starting to have about Jeremiah. He let his horse take a few more strides down the road before signaling the animal to stop. Turning in the saddle to look over his shoulder, Heyes watched the two young people for a moment before calling to Catherine. "Hey, if you still want to take Belle out, why don't you come with me? You can help me with Prometheus today."

Catherine considered the offer, glancing at Jeremiah. Heyes could tell that she was torn between staying on the ranch to be closer to the boy and having the opportunity to saddle up her horse and go for a ride. He had nearly given up hope that she would choose to accompany him when she suddenly called for him to wait. Then she ran into the house to tell her pa her new plans.

Heyes thought he caught a look of annoyance, almost anger on Jeremiah's face.

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Later that day, after their work with Prometheus was over, Heyes and Catherine returned and set about making supper while Kid watched from a kitchen chair. Catherine was cheerful during the meal and relayed stories of Heyes' progress with the horse to her father, who listened attentively, happy just to have her speak to him. After dinner, she excused herself to sit on the front porch and look at the stars. It was a nice night and the sky was clear.

Heyes decided to let Kid have some time to himself and went to his office to collect the book he'd been reading the night before. Neither man heard the quiet conversation taking place in front of the house.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" Catherine was saying as she smiled shyly up at the handsome young man with dark hair and the lightest blue eyes she'd ever seen.

"Yes, beautiful," he said, looking directly into her eyes. His gaze was so intense that she looked away self consciously.

"I really love it out here," she said quietly.

"I've always dreamed of having a ranch like this. One day I will," Jeremiah said with a wistful look toward the mountains.

Catherine felt a tingling sensation at the thought. "It's been my dream for a long time too," she said excitedly. "I want to raise horses and train them—like my pa and Uncle Heyes do. If they'd let me, I'd stay here forever."

He turned his face toward hers and gave her a deep penetrating look. "You know, you're beautiful when you get that look in your eyes."

"What look?" she asked, her heart in her throat, wishing that he wouldn't look at her that way.

"When you talk about your dreams for the future," he said, gently taking placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her toward him, reminding her of how he had held her the day before while they were alone in the barn. His touch sent a pleasant tingle through her shoulder blades.

"You're a beautiful young woman, Catherine. I'd like to kiss you."

Catherine wasn't sure if it was a question, or statement of intent, but she looked up eagerly into his eyes and held her breath. She'd never been called a woman in quite that way before and although it frightened her, it also excited her more than she could have imagined.

Then, to her chagrin, Jeremiah shook his head slightly and took a step back. "No, that was brazen of me, I shouldn't have said that." He looked back at Catherine with soft blue eyes that seemed to peer into her very soul. She felt her heart sink to her stomach. She wasn't sure if she should feel disappointed or relieved.

"Do you mean…you don't want to anymore?" she asked, doubt making her feel uncertain.

"No. I want to more than I've ever wanted anything. It's just…" he turned away.

"Just what?" she reached out almost desperately and grasped his hand in hers.

"It wouldn't be proper, Catherine, I don't think your father would approve." He paused and a clouded look passed over his eyes. "I don't think he likes me very much."

"Well, I like you," she said quickly, gripping his hand tighter within her own, "and I don't care what he thinks." Her eyes flashed defiantly, with teenage bravado.

"Thank you, Catherine. That means a lot to me." He smiled and squeezed her hand before pulling away. "I'd best be getting back to Clay's. I've got chores to start on early in the morning." He leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead and then turned and walked slowly toward the small cabin that he shared with the other ranch hand.

She wanted to stamp her foot in frustration. "But…I thought…" She stared after him longingly. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Of course," he called over his shoulder, as he continued walking. With his face now turned away from hers and with the two of them separated by distance and the darkness of night, he allowed a self-satisfied smile to spread across his face. 'I'll have her begging by tomorrow,' he thought, full of self-satisfaction.

Suddenly left standing alone in front of the house, Catherine turned and slowly stepped up onto the porch. She didn't notice her father, who was standing watching her from just inside the doorway, until she was nearly upon him.

"What was he doing up here this late, Catherine?" he asked, his voice tight with barely concealed accusations.

"We were just talking," she answered defensively. "He thinks you don't like him, you know." It was her turn to sound accusing. "You really should appreciate him more for how hard he works around here. I don't think you are being fair to him." She gave her father an angry look and then brushed past him to go upstairs to her room.

"Catherine," he called after her. "It just isn't proper for a young lady—"

"Pa," she spun around, "he's been a perfect gentleman!" she said almost bitterly, and then, seemingly on the verge of tears, turned and ran upstairs.

Kid fumed and turned back toward the living room, only then realizing that Heyes was sitting in one of the large leather chairs. He had his book facedown in his lap, as though he had placed it there so he could pause to listen to their conversation, and was looking at Kid with a troubled expression on his face.

"What?" Kid demanded gruffly.

"Nothing," Heyes replied with a shrug. "It's just that—well, maybe you should just try another approach," he offered gently.

"Oh, you're the expert on sixteen year old girls now too?" Kid glared at his longtime friend with a look Heyes had rarely seen directed at him.

"No, I'm just saying…" He raised his hands in surrender. "Look, she's your daughter, so…"

"That's right, Heyes, she is. So just stay out of it!" He turned and limped heavily toward his room.

Heyes didn't move until his partner was out of sight, then he picked up his book and tried to read. After less than a minute's time, his anger got the better of him and the book flew across the room, landing in a mess of creased pages and broken binding in the corner.