Winter's Refuge

Chapter One Hundred Six

HEYES

I read the Pembina paper first thing in the morning. Comes out once a week so from the date there should be another one today. Nothing in it that would help me find Veronica Doubleday. So, I ate breakfast in the hotel dining room and listened for her name. Then I posted a letter home and found the next edition of the weekly paper. Going to go to one of the two saloons for a late lunch. First I'm heading over to the cemetery I saw when I rode into town and read some gravestones.

JED 'KID' CURRY

After droppin' the twins off at school today, I took lists from Auntie and Chrissy to the mercantile. Jeff Birde was workin' alone today and seemed hurried, so I left the lists and went to find Aiden. I wanted to tell him if the twins bother him comin' after school, just let me know. They can be a handful. But I stopped by the telegraph office, half thinkin' I'd send a telegram to Heyes. I was surprised there was a thick envelope from Heyes waitin' for me. Findin' a bench in the shade, I opened the envelope.

There were two letters, a slim one marked 'Jed only' and a thicker one marked 'Family.' I opened mine first.

"Kid,

This is for your eyes only. I find there are some things I want to tell, really, confess to you. I need to talk to someone and, since you are not here, this letter will have to do.

First, thank you for riding with me as far as you did. It felt like old times. I needed that. Whether you know it or not, I was leaning on you to get through those first nights, so thank you. There were little things I didn't remember like searching for wild onions, but it didn't matter because you were with me. Don't think I could say this face to face, but you need to hear it. Frank was right when he told Dr. Sexton that you were one of the best men he knows. You're the best man I know. Your ma and pa would be proud of you.

Anyway, my first morning alone, I felt a sense of freedom, but by the afternoon I was missing home. I almost turned back. Fall's Bells stopped me. I gave her head and we raced down the road this morning. She's fast and she's easy to ride. We could have used a horse like her when we were running from a posse. So later, just when I was fighting the urge to turn around, Fall's Bells took off running again. And that feeling of absolute freedom returned. When we stopped, I heard your voice reminding me I'm a free man. Well, I did stop in a small town about sundown and checked into the hotel, proudly signing my own name. The clerk looked at it, then looked at me, and said, "Sir, we ask that every guest check in with their real name. I was on a train that Heyes and Curry robbed and you ain't him."

Kid, I was so embarrassed I lost my words, all of them. I wanted to run. I signed my name as Joshua Smith, picked up the key, and hurried upstairs. Have I changed that much? Physically you have. I didn't recognize you when you first came to the prison until I saw your face. You stand straight and you are one of the strongest men I ever saw. I studied myself in the little mirror in my room. And I have changed, but not enough that I can't be recognized. I'm skinnier and my back stiffens up often, especially while riding a horse. That makes my moves jerky sometimes and bent over. I never noticed but I have a few strands of gray in my hair, too. So, in addition to finding the two Missus Doubledays, I've set three goals. One, to gain some weight. Always heard diner food is good and hearty, but what I've had so far ain't nowhere as good as Auntie's. But I'll make a conscious effort to eat more. And two, I'm going to work on standing straighter. Like you told me, I'm going to look at the stars and not the ground.

The third goal is something you help me with every day. I'm going to remind myself that I'm not in prison anymore and don't have to be subservient. I'm a free citizen.

I think you need to work on this, too. Remember Frank's words and stop defining yourself as an outlaw and an ex-convict…and I know that you add killer to that list, although you ain't never mentioned it to me. All them things is your past, like me looking at the ground. Realize that you've made yourself into that real good man and look up at the stars.

Didn't mean to go on so much about that but I've been thinking about it while I ride. We can talk more about it when I get home.

The other letters will tell of some of my adventures in these small towns I passed through. I was recognized when I stopped to eat my midday meal in a place called Trenton. Seems like maybe me and you robbed the bank here? I don't remember but they did. They were downright nasty and made sure I left quickly. I'm thinking about using Joshua Smith for the rest of the trip. But I remind myself I'm a free man. But a free man with holes in his memory that could lead to trouble. You can tell me about Trenton when I get back there. Makes me appreciate Three Birds.

More later,

Heyes"

I see why Heyes addressed that letter just to me. I'd be embarrassed if anyone else, even Chrissy, read it. It made me uncomfortable. I want to be that good family man, good citizen, helpful neighbor, and friend just like my pa and Heyes' pa was. I work hard at it every day but inside of me it feels like pretendin'. I remember every day I served in prison, and I'm haunted by every man I've killed, even Mark and Bobby Bell. Those feelings ain't never goin' away no matter what I do.

Trenton must have fallen into one of those memory holes in Heyes' mind. We robbed the bank there one night. They didn't have no sheriff, but a drunk sittin' on the stoop outside the saloon got a good look at us as we rode away with the large sacks of money. A customer from the bank led a posse that stayed after us for three days. They came close to catchin' us when they winged Heyes. But he doesn't remember it. I wonder how many other things he doesn't remember. Will it get him in trouble?

Tryin' to erase my unease at Heyes' letter, I opened the one labeled family.

"Hi Family,

I miss every one of you. Nebraska is beautiful and I'm enjoying the freedom of traveling at my own speed. Me and the Kid always seemed to be racing through the countrysides most of our lives. I'm in Pembina now but I'll tell you about some of the places I went through.

One night I stayed in a town that said, 'Tony's Crossing, Population 49.' It was small, still it had a hotel with a diner and a saloon. Everyone was very excited, and I asked the hotel clerk why. "Well, Mr. Heyes," he said, looking at my real name on the register, "Mrs. Antonio is going to have her baby tonight and we'll finally have a population of fifty!"

What do you say to something like that? I said, "Congratulations," and I guess it was the right thing to say because he smiled. The hotel lobby was filling up because Mrs. Antonio had taken a room there to be near the midwife.

Everyone was excited and happy until two teenage boys came in with long faces. "Ma sent us to tell you that Grandpa Donald passed away in his sleep last night." When I looked closer, their eyes were red, probably from crying.

The women started keening until the whole room was filled with their wails. Whispering to me, the clerk said, "Guess we ain't going to hit fifty people unless you're planning to settle here."

"No, sir, sorry," I whispered back. Through the keening, I could make out screams down the hall. Mrs. Antonio was having her baby. The woman in the lobby stopped their keening and everyone waited. Stew and biscuits were served to everyone there. I took my things to my room but returned to the people in the lobby. I even joined in a game of penny poker to pass the time. Finally, we heard a very loud scream, then silence.

"The baby must be here," an older woman with graying hair but a sparkle in eyes said. "I'm a grandmother." She clapped her hands together.

And we heard the sound of a baby crying, followed by another loud scream. Then the baby cried again. Unable to wait any longer, the grandmother and the young father, who had been pacing, rushed down the hall. And we all just stared down that hall, waiting again. It was half an hour until the grandmother proudly brought the baby for us to see.

"It's a girl. They're naming her Cora Jane," she said.

We hadn't noticed the father following her out and he was carrying a baby, too. "And this is Donald Joseph." He looked at the teenage boys who had delivered the sad news earlier. We named him after your grandpa, boys. He was a good man who will be missed by us all."

Then the clerk stood on the check-in desk and yelled, "Tony's Crossing, Population FIFTY!"

And we all cheered. I went back to my room but that party, half celebration, half wake continued until almost midnight.

That was the smallest but loudest town I went through. Most of the places were just regular small towns of people who mostly know each other. I did get recognized in one of the larger towns called Trenton. Learned it was named after someplace back east and they were voting that day to pick a new name of their own. The choices were Marysville and Hectorton. Everybody was adamant and arguing about their choice. I didn't stay around to hear who won.

Mostly I camped and slept outdoors like we did at Solteria. I caught fish some nights and others ate canned beans and peaches. One mercantile had some dried figs that I ate with my meals for a couple of days. Auntie, I miss your cooking.

Now Chrissy, I'm hoping that you are staying on strict bed rest and taking care of yourself. Now that the breeding calendar is all set, you can relax and let Juan and the boys take care of things.

Michael, I want to hear that you're doing all your homework every day without complaining. And Martha, stay off of that front porch rail. It's not for standing on.

Kid, I'm sure you're taking care of them all. Take care of yourself, too.

Until next time,

Uncle Heyes"

HEYES

Now that I'm here, I didn't really plan how I was going to find Veronica. I found a neglected gravestone in the church cemetery that said, 'S***** Doubleday May she rest in peace.' At first, I thought that was the man I killed, who tried to kill me, but I bent down and brushed the dirt that was caked on the name. It was Sandra, not Samuel. I looked closer at the dirt covered dates. She was only eight years old when she died.

"Always sad when they die young." A voice from behind startled me.

This might be my chance to learn more about Veronica. "Yes, the dates caught my attention. Do you know what happened to claim her so young?" I tried to sound sincere and must have because the man nodded.

"Bee sting. Never seen anything like it. I was her teacher, and all the children were playing in the yard. Many of them had been stung over the years. I'd flick the stinger out and put a cold rag on it and they were good. But not Sandy. She was stung on the hand and right away she was gasping and holding her throat. She was gone within a minute. Never saw anything like it."

I looked at the grave again. "Her poor parents."

"Well, the girl's pa died in prison and Mrs. Doubleday was trying to raise her two girls on her own."

"Oh my." I wanted to ask questions, but the man seemed to want to talk and just continued.

"She worked in the saloon to support them. Hard to find decent work when your husband was part of Curt West's gang."

"I can imagine." I wanted him to keep talking so I glanced at the grave again. "What happened to her?"

"Well, after that no-good outlaw husband got himself killed in prison…" He leaned in closer as if telling a secret. "Word is he was paid to kill other prisoners in there and she got the money. One of his targets turned the tables and killed him in self-defense. Good riddance. He was a cruel and violent man with his wife and daughters before he went to prison. Even had a second wife and family not forty miles from here."

"So, when he died, she started working in a saloon. What a shame." I shook my head feeling all the more guilty that my actions had forced this woman into prostitution.

"Oh no. She always worked in the saloon. She was one of the favorite girls of many of the cowboys that came into town."

I was shocked but relieved I had not been the reason for her career choice. Then I realized what he had said. "Was? She's dead, too?" I looked at nearby graves for her name.

The man chuckled softly. "No, Veronica Doubleday is now Mrs. Curt West and rides with his gang. Hear say she's more quick to draw and kill a man than any of the others."

This is not what I expected to hear. "The Curt West Gang? The one her husband rode with?" I had one more question to ask him.

"Yeah, that gang. They've robbed our bank twice this year. Bold."

"You said she had two daughters, is the other one with the gang?" I looked at the gravestone again.

"No, Curt and her mother send her to some fancy school in Europe to educate her and make her a lady. She lives there year-round. Never comes home at all." His voice was sad and sympathetic. He patted Sandra's stone. "Sandy was such a happy, friendly child. Only child that ever died in all my classes. I come here to pray for her."

I waited quietly until he was finished, and we walked back to the main street in silence. When we stopped, we shook hands. I wanted to say thank you but knew that was wrong. But he spoke first. "So sad when a child dies," he repeated. I nodded and turned toward the hotel.

I stayed in town longer than I had planned. Their newspaper office was not as organized or efficient as Mike Loveland's. It was run by a young married couple with a toddler in a playpen by the window. They were Winston and Jeannie Morrison, and the toddler was Winston the third.

"May we help you?" the young man asked without moving from the press.

"Yes, sir," I answered. "I'd like to look through your archives."

"Our what?"

"Old issues of your paper. I'm writing a story about this area and trying to get an idea of what's been happening the last ten years or so," I answered, pleased that the reason came to mind so easily.

They looked at each other and the woman shrugged her shoulders. "Sure, I guess. Just don't make a mess."

JED 'KID' CURRY

I got a telegram from Heyes today. Everyone here read it, but we're not sure what it means. It said:

Kid

Found answers but not the woman. STOP Staying here doing research before heading on. STOP Letter follows. STOP Heyes.

Slaved all day in the smithy tryin' to catch up. I didn't realize how much help Chrissy and Heyes were. I had four horses needin' shoes today. This is good honest work. It's also hard, hot work that punishes my body but I'm grateful for it every day.

Auntie picked the twins up from school and stopped at the smithy so they could say hi to me.

"Don't come too close, I'm covered in black dust. But it's sure good to see you. How was school today?"

But Michael ran to me anyway and I just had time to get down on one knee so he could run onto my arms. Martha followed. And both came away with their clothes covered in black dust. Auntie just shrugged her shoulders.

"Pa, can you take us for a walk today?" asked Michael.

"After we do our homework, we know," Martha added.

I gave them each a quick kiss on their checks and picked them up so they could climb into the wagon seat and turned back to work. I finished fixin' the hole in Mrs. Crenshaw's cookin' pot and started to close up the forge. I walked to the stream in back of our house and washed my face, hands, and arms. And just had time to change my shirt before the kids were dancin' around me. Hortencia brought Joy out to me.

"Miss Chrissy asked if you'd take Joy with you. She's been very active today and your wife is tired."

Joy reached out to me and I hugged her tight. "Of course, she can come." She's beig walkin' for a few weeks now.

Auntie followed her out with a blanket and a small basket. "I thought you all might like to stop and have a snack while you are out." From the smiles she got, she knew we were gonna enjoy it.

We headed down the shortcut to Ken's. I put Joy down and her brother and sister each took a hand. I love watchin' her toddlin' down the road between them. As exhausted as I am, this is perfect.

HEYES

I spent the next two days organizing the paper's archives. I like order. All the papers are now in order. It was fairly easy as it is a weekly paper. I read every newspaper article about the Curt West Gang and the Doubleday family. This was exactly the type of gang that gave outlaws a bad name.

The Morrisons are nice people and dedicated to their newspaper. I gave them Mike Loveland's name. I'm sure he'll let them reprint some of his articles. They invited me to dinner, and I jumped at the chance for a home cooked meal. Winston Morrison Senior joined us. He's a shoe and boot maker with a shop on Main Street. According to him, he's made shoes and boots for cowboys, ranchers, senators, outlaws and everyone else. Yes, the Morrisons knew my real name and welcomed me. Winston senior wants to retire. His dream is for his son to take over his practice, but all junior wants to do is run his newspaper with his wife. It was a lovely argument. One I suspect takes place often at the dinner table. And there was no anger on either side. But it did get me to thinking.

JED 'KID' CURRY

"It's been a week with no telegram and no letter. He said a letter followed," Chrissy yelled to me as I walked into our bedroom. As her time approaches, her temper is growing shorter.

"The post can be slow. It's a long way from here to there," I answered.

Sittin' up on bed she crossed her arms. "Worried. You send telegram tomorrow morning."

I sat next to her and hugged her gently. Worryin' wasn't good for her or the baby. "I know Heyes is fine, but I'll send a telegram to Pembina and one to Walhalla tomorrow mornin'. Now will you stop fussin' about him?"

Her green eyes sought mine out. "Jed feel Heyes alright? Really?"

She knows me and Heyes have a special bond, but I don't think it's strong enough to know if he's in trouble. But I need to get her to stop worryin' about him. It was so bad that she was losin' her sentences. "Heyes is fine," I told her because that's what I believe. But I've been worried about him, too.

"Good."

Next morning in Three Birds I had to deliver a good-sized mirror that I made for Louisa Birde, Fred's wife. The iron around it had taken almost a month of my precious spare time but the leaves and flowers were pretty, even if I say so myself. She was so delighted with it; she put a generous bonus in the pay envelope.

Glen had rode in with me and was workin' at the telegraph office when I went in. "Jed, no need to send those telegrams you was talking about to Heyes. He sent you one this morning."

I feel awkward tippin' Glen 'cause he works for me at the ranch, but I did generously.

I read the welcomed missive (Heyes would like that I used that word) as I walked to our wagon.

"Kid,

Leaving Pembina tomorrow. STOP Expecting to be in Walhalla tomorrow night. STOP H"

Well, it was short but enough that we could stop worryin'. Ken was checkin' the customers in at the blacksmith shop this mornin' so I could make my delivery. I hadn't seen many people so maybe today can be a shorter day. Juan said the other mare Jose sent to us, Fall's Snowdance, should have her baby soon. Watchin' Gus be born made Chrissy so happy; I want to be sure I'm there to carry her to the stable to be a part of this one, too.

And I want to write a letter to Heyes. I'll send it to Walhalla. He should be there before it arrives.