Winter's Refuge
Chapter Eighty-Two
JED 'KID' CURRY
Me and Michael and Martha sat at Chrissy's feet as they told me about Baby Joy and what they had been doin' while I was away. To me, it sounded like somethin' out of a book. The twins went shoppin' on Main Street for dress shoes and to the Cheyenne Museum. They described all the animals they had seen in the zoo. Mr. Russell had taken them to the library and allowed them to each check out a picture book each time, but they could only read the book durin' lesson time. And they only read it through once and then took it back, even if they wanted to read it again or look closer at the pictures. He had taken them to the new park but told them not to dirty their new clothes, so they mostly sat on a bench there and watched other children play.
I watched Chrissy as she smiled at our kids talkin' and smilin', but I'm thinkin' about all the fancy things and easy life she had here. And the twins' life here has been privileged and indulged. They're goin' to hate returnin' to the farm and chores. But I think Miss Tina had a good idea, they need to start school.
"Papa?" Martha climbed into my lap and reached her arm around my neck. "When can we go home?"
"Aren't you happy here, little darlin'?"
In her innocence, my daughter looked me in the eyes. "It is very nice here but it's not home. We want to go back to our ranch, with you and Ma and Joy and Uncle Heyes and Auntie. Can we go soon?"
Smilin', Chrissy answered her question. "As soon as your pa and Uncle Heyes are finished with their work here. I think Joy Christina is old enough to travel." She turned those green eyes on me. "I want to go home, too."
HEYES
Still waiting for the Kid to come back downstairs, I brought Emery in to see Dr. Arden.
"Emery, this is my friend Dr. Arden," I introduced them.
Finding a new reason to admire Dr. Arden, I watched his gentle attitude with Emery. "Hi, Emery," the doctor said, getting down on one knee so he looked Emery in the eyes.
The boy looked over at me and I smiled. "Dr. Arden is my friend. You can trust him."
Slowly Emery looked back to the man in front of him. "Hello, sir."
Arden nodded at me, and I sat against the wall. "Emery, I want to examine you and make sure you are alright. Do you hurt anywhere?"
Again, he looked at me and I smiled.
"Yes, like him," Emery answered, pointing at me.
Dr. Arden had seen my back and tended it many times. I lifted my shirt and turned around.
Looking confused, Dr. Arden started to ask a question but stopped when he saw the boy imitate me.
"Oh, my! Who did this to you?" He slipped the shirt off Emery's head. "Heyes, get that candle and hold it close so I can see."
"Don't worry, boy, he's here to help you," I told him. I took Dr. Arden aside and told him about the sexual abuse. The sadness in his eyes was matched by anger.
JED 'KID' CURRY
Takin' the twins downstairs so Chrissy could rest, Colin told me that Heyes and Emery were in with Aiden. I found Mike and Johnny in the big kitchen sittin' on stools eatin' hot cookies. Martha and Michael were as drawn to Johnny as he was to them. How could I have missed the resemblance? I left them to play together when it was my turn to see Aiden.
I unbuttoned my shirt as I walked in. "It ain't nothin,. It's healin' already," I said before even greetin, the doctor.
"Good to see you, too, Jed. And you would say it's nothing even if you had three bullet holes in you. Remember I've treated you before."
Aiden knows me well. He sighed. "This wound is infected. Who tended it and with what?"
"Hank took care of me and Colin in Devil's Hole. He used whiskey to clean it."
"Humph. This Hank a doctor?"
I smiled. "No, a wanted outlaw but the closest thing to a doctor in the Hole."
"Didn't think to have it cleaned out again?" Aiden asked as he inspected it. He'd started wearin' glasses and held a candle close, probin' roughly with his fingers. I know he wanted me to grimace or admit that I was in pain. But I wasn't goin' to. Pain won't win. I can live with it.
When he finished, he motioned to a chair. "Jed, sit down."
I did as he asked.
"Colin told me what has happened since you left Cheyenne. He considers you a hero, as does Heyes. I agree with them."
"I ain't no hero."
Aiden ignored my protest. "I bet every one of the people that I examine today will tell me how heroic you are. And they believe it. There's only one person who can't see it."
I didn't look up at him. I know what he was doin'. He thinks I'm better than I am. He forgets I robbed banks and railroads. I served hard time in prison and it tested my soul. I'm no hero. I do everything I can to try to make people forget my past…and to protect my family."
HEYES
"Heyes, bring Emery into the governor's office. You come, too," Colin told us as we left Dr. Arden. "His father is here to pick him up."
I knew Emery was carrying the newspaper ad his pa had placed rolled up in his back pocket. I thought he'd be happy to see his pa. But instead, he started to run for the front door. Running after him, I caught him at the front door. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Colin restrain another man from following us.
"Emery, why are you running? Your pa is here to take you home." I sat down next to him on the front steps of the governor's mansion and didn't care who walked by and saw us.
"No, tell him to go away!" This was one of the longest sentences the boy had said.
"He's been looking for you all this time. He wants to take you home," I replied.
He hugged me tight and cried. Then whispered, "He'll be mad I let them kill Ma. I should have stopped them somehow." His sobbing increased. "It's my fault!"
"No, it's not," I whispered.
Pulling away from me, he said," Yes, it is. Last thing he said to me was to take care of my mother. I didn't. They killed her."
"Oh no, son." A man I didn't know rushed at us from behind. He must be the boy's pa. Emery hid behind me. I started to stand but the man sat down next to me. "Ry, none of this is your fault. I'm not mad. I'm so happy to have found you."
Emery moved a step closer to him, taking the crumbled newspaper with the ad from his back pocket. "I've run that in every paper I could find since you were stolen. I…I...I had about given up hope." He didn't wait; he wrapped his son in a hug, burying his face in his hair.
Stiff at first, Emery slowly let himself fall into his pa's hug. They were both holding onto each other and crying. Neither noticed when I left them alone.
They left on the noon train. Mr. Walsh shook my hand and gave me an envelope. I went down on one knee so Emery could give me a kiss and whisper, "Thank you," in my ear.
"Take care of each other," I told them. I would miss Emery, but I'm glad my family is here and we're going home to Phoenix soon.
The envelope had a certified money order for the reward on Emery. I ran after them to return it when a letter dropped out.
"Mr. Heyes,
Please accept this reward money. Divide it with the others as appropriate. It's nothing compared to the treasure you returned to me, Emery."
Thanks are not enough,
Tim Walsh.
I'll talk over with Kid what we should do with the money. I don't want a reward for rescuing Emery.
JED 'KID' CURRY
I panicked when I left Aiden's makeshift office. His words made me uncomfortable. He made me promise I'd think about what he said. So, I will but I don't think it will change anything. But now the twins aren't in the kitchen where I left them. I can't find them in this huge buildin'. Miss Tina waved me over as she was comin' out of her husband's office.
"Oh, Mr. Curry, I wanted to apologize to you for engaging that horrible man to teach your children. I was just trying to occupy their days."
"You did what you thought right," I answered. I was going to look down but instead I looked her in the eyes. "Everything he said was true. I won't deny it. I'm working hard to be forgiven for the wrong me and Heyes done. Just didn't want them to learn what I was so young."
She was flustered. "Well, you are certainly not an outlaw any longer. And from what I heard, you and Mr. Heyes never shot anyone during a robbery either. That doesn't sound so bad."
Her innocent chatter made me look away. Her husband and the governors before him thought what we did was bad enough to delay our amnesties and lock us up in prison to serve hard time. Me and Heyes always agreed with Miss Tina. Compared to the other criminals out there, we weren't so bad…and we had reformed ourselves and were livin' honest lives. Didn't seem to matter.
"You seen the twins?" I asked.
She smiled, put her finger to her lips, and tiptoed to the door of the sittin' room. Not sure I ever knew how to tiptoe but I knew these boots weren't made to do that so I followed her as quietly as I could. Pushin' the door open, I saw Martha and Michael tryin' to speak French to Amelia and Marcel. They hadn't progressed very far in their French lessons but the four seem to be communicatin' just fine. I sighed with relief that they were safe. I have a fear they will be abducted like the hostages we rescued.
"Miss Tina, would you watch them for a few minutes? I have somethin' I need to do."
"I would be happy to."
ASJ*****ASJ
Findin' Mike and Little Johnny McWinters still in the kitchen, I said, "I think it's time we go see my wife."
Somethin' I had never seen before crossed Mike's face - fear. He hesitated before pickin' up the toddler who had a cookie in each hand. "Jed?"
"Let's just go see what Chrissy has to say."
Joy was in an ornate cradle and Chrissy was sittin' in the rockin' chair again. "Darlin'?" I whispered, pushin' open the door.
"No whisper. Joy sleeps deep." We all smiled over at the sleepin' child.
"You remember Mike Loveland?"
Chrissy started to smile at him, but her eyes fastened onto Johnny. The boy smiled back and reached out his arms to her.
Takin' him, she looked at me with questions formin' in her eyes.
"His name is Johnny. He's your brother, Johnny's son."
"He looks just like Johnny and Bobby Bell looked when they were his age." Smilin' at him, she gave him a hug. He hugged her back but reached back for Mike to take him. Mike held him close, and Johnny laid his head on the man's shoulder.
I had tried to plan the words I was goin' to use with Chrissy, but none seemed right, so I said what I was thinkin'. "Mike would like to adopt Johnny and raise him as his own. I think it's a good idea."
Chrissy was still and quiet like she still does when somethin' is different, or she needs to think about somethin' important. Her eyes were fixed on Mike. He started to look at me to ask if she was alright. She was. I knew she was just considerin' what I proposed from all angles.
"Good," she finally said and I heard Mike sigh of relief and saw him tense up when she added, "Two conditions."
"I'll take good care of him. Raise him right and all," he said, almost pleadin'. "What conditions?"
"One. He knows he's family to us and our children."
"Done and glad for him to have family."
"Two. Change his name to Loveland. McWinters hard burden to carry."
"Would you like him to still be John?" Mike asked.
Chrissy thought again but not for long. "How about Michael Loveland, Jr. If you marry, you make sure she loves him and you."
"Michael Loveland, Jr. Has a nice ring to it."
ASJ*****ASJ
Colin met us as we came downstairs. "Amelia and her aunt have been reunited. The aunt has been told what happened to the girl. They are a strong, close family. I think she'll be fine."
He walked with us to the sittin' room where Marcel still played with the twins. "Dr. Arden is examining Mrs. Dent and Mrs. Roberts now. Pappy and Mrs. Dent will be leaving soon."
Earlier, I'd stood in front of the mansion and watched as a military squad, led by Sergeant Major Allyn, Pappy's son, came to escort Colonel Alan J. Allyn back to Camp Pilot Butte. All the military pomp was very impressive. I forget Pappy's rank but remembered when they all saluted him. They'll leave this afternoon.
Colin excused himself and went into the governor's office. Aiden had finished his medical examinations of the two ladies and had taken Marcel away from my kids. When I sent them upstairs to play in their room, they grinned at each other and told me, "Oui, Oui, Papa." I know what that means, but not sure I want them knowin' a language I can't understand.
Marcel's grandfather had arrived earlier and, while waitin' for Marcel, had asked for a place to rest quietly.
"Don't let him fool you," one of the marshals who had escorted him here told me. "That old man's tough …and smart. And he loves that boy."
Colin hadn't closed the office door and I could hear French spoken at a rapid pace. I reached to pull the door shut when Governor Sanderson asked me to come in. Again, French words flew between Colin and the man I knew must be Marcel's grandfather. Lookin' at Charles, I knew the governor didn't know the language either. I sat and waited patiently. I heard the words 'Monsieur Curry' when Colin gestured toward me.
The old man took both my hands and kissed them while speakin' so fast that even if I knew any French words, I wouldn't be able to find them.
"He says he is in your debt for the safe return of his grandson," Colin translated, but I had kind of understood that from his gestures.
"Just doin' my job," I answered, but Colin translated that into two paragraphs of French words. I'd have to ask him later what he really said.
"Pepere?" I heard Marcel's small voice as he stood in the doorway.
His grandfather opened his arms and Marcel ran to him.
HEYES
Yesterday was hectic. Today is quiet. I appreciate the calm quiet. Dr. Arden asked me if I thought Mrs. Denise Roberts was more aware of the world than when she was first rescued. He knew about her husband's and the Kid's prowess with a gun.
"It's safer for her to stay in her mind. The world hasn't been kind to her. But I don't know where she goes in her mind. I think it's different for everyone. But she is improving. She's always done as told, like make the bed or sweep the floor, but now she says 'good night' and is aware of us around her."
"I would like to work with her. I've asked the governor to put her in my care. I will, of course, hire a female nurse to care for her but Mrs. Roberts can live with me."
Dr. Arden and Mrs. Roberts and a kind looking nurse the doctor hired left this morning. I think she'll heal in a safe environment like that.
Of the hostages, only Miss Sophie and Miss Deirdre are still here.
Yesterday, Miss Sophie's husband, Clay MacManus, was brought to the governor's mansion guarded by two marshals. He's under arrest. He'd been feeding Mark, then MG, confidential information for almost two years. But he did it to keep his wife alive. I could see how much they loved each other by the small cry she gave when she saw him and how she ran into his open arms. They, and Miss Deidre, met with Colin, then they had time alone together. They were holding hands when they finally came out. He was allowed to send a telegram to their son, Phil, in Denver just saying his ma was fine and to come to Cheyenne and he would explain everything. Then the marshals took Mr. MacManus to the Cheyenne jail. Me and the Kid spent time there before our trial. It is a bleak place with all the life sucked out of it.
His trial will be today. Miss Sophie tried to hide her tears, but I caught her crying. She hugged me and sobbed into my shoulder. I wasn't sure what to do so I patted her back. I don't like to be touched, although I've come to like children's hugs. Part of me wanted to comfort her and part of me wanted to run. So, I compromised and patted her back gently. She finished crying quickly, wiped her tears on her handkerchief, and declared that she needed to help Mrs. Sanderson plan dinner.
So, Sophie and Miss Deidre are still here. Phil MacManus is expected before noon. Clay MacManus' trial is at two. Me and the Kid didn't see when the son arrived. We were called into Governor Sanderson's office in downtown Cheyenne. I always feel like I'm a convict in his presence, especially in this office. And now he greeted us so formally, my heart started to race, and I fought to keep my words.
"Mr. Heyes, Mr. Curry, thank you for coming. Please sit down."
I looked at the Kid who shrugged his shoulders. He didn't like this any more than I did but I don't think he's afraid of anything anymore.
"Thanks, Charles," the Kid answered, taking a seat. I know he used the governor's first name on purpose. The governor did not look pleased.
"Gentlemen, I have something where I need your assistance," he started.
The Kid was irritated. "Lookin' forward to takin' my family home."
"You'll be done today."
I'm nervous my words will come out slow if I try to talk. I'm glad the Kid's here. He's strong. He'll talk to the governor for both of us.
"What needs doin', Governor Sanderson?" The Kid didn't use a mean voice, but the governor understood this was taking time from his family.
"I need the two of you to go to Clay MacManus' trial today. Mark, and later MG, used the information they received from him to successfully rob many banks and trains, and even a stagecoach. Innocent people were injured or killed during those robberies."
The Kid nodded his head, so I nodded mine. too.
The governor continued, "Colin assures me that he, Mr. MacManus, will be found guilty of knowingly abetting them." He leaned back in his chair and studied us.
I didn't want Miss Sophie's husband to go to prison. He did what he did to keep her alive. But the governor's next words made me really think.
"The verdict will leave me with a hard decision which I am going to delegate to you two. After MacManus is found guilty, I have to decide whether or not to grant him amnesty. I'm giving that responsibility to you two."