Winter's Refuge

Chapter One Hundred Sixteen

HEYES

I was thinking about the day Angie, Sam and Winny arrived at Phoenix. Angie was pale, and tired easily never having the chance to fully recover from her fever. Sam just wanted to meet Kid Curry despite my warnings that he's sick. And WInny was trying to decide if making this trip was the right choice.

Chrissy was sitting on the porch 'thinking' with Ruth Ann sleeping on her shoulder. Auntie was rocking next to her watching over her and Joy playing some kind of game only she understood. All seemed quiet but at the sound of our wagon, the family, my family all rushed out to meet us. Ken, Juan and Arnie came from the stables; Mary and Hortencia came out the front door. And the last to arrive was the Kid. I know he's been sick and his legs are shaky but he's still an impressive looking man. He didn't try to take on the porch stairs but waited, leaning in the doorway, arms crossed, smiling for us to come to him.

"Angie Heyes meet Jed Curry," I said. I tried to make it seem casual. These are the two most important people in my life. I need them both. And the Kid handled it all beautifully.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek warmly. "Welcome MRS. Heyes." He smiled that smile that puts a twinkle in his blue eyes that no woman can resist. And Angie fell under his spell too. She reached up and hugged him tightly.

"Pleasure to meet you, Kid," she returned with a smile. The Kid took her hand and brought her over to Chrissy. I could tell Chrissy was 'thinking'. He knelt down beside her chair, whispered something I couldn't hear and took Ruth Ann from her. As he stood up, with the baby in one arm, he reached down and took Chrissy's hand.

"Mrs. Christina Curry meet Mrs. Angie Heyes."

Tears came to Chrissy's eyes. They were clear, green, focused on what was happening. The two women fell into each other's arms, both crying. After, Chrissy locked elbows with Angie, laughed and said, "Heyes and Curry, partners forever!" And since then, the Kid and I always face a united front from our wives.

Sam had been quietly watching his ma and Chrissy. I had no idea what he was thinking. The Kid went over to him, smile still on his face. He put a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Glad to meet you Sam. Hope you didn't find my letters too borin'."

I must say that Kid probably looked like the gunfighter hero of the novels that Sam expected. He wore the same thing that he's worn since we were out of the Home, jeans, a blue shirt, well worn boots..and his gun. And Sam took it all in and was a Kid fan for life…and 'fan' quickly turned into 'friend'.

I was pleasantly surprised that Ken welcomed Winny warmly. I don't what I expected but I didn't think he'd invite the old man to stay in the house he was building and use the barn as a temporary workshop. I'm sure Mary had something to do with the change in Ken. He couldn't wait to start learning to make shoes and boots. But they needed to wait for the boxes we sent by train to arrive. The Kid suggested they start with a pair of low boots for Chrissy.

It's good to be home. After talking with Angie, Chrissy and the Kid, we decided to expand the ranch house out the back instead of building a house of our own for our growing family. Angie is pregnant and sick every morning, but Chrissy, Auntie, Mary and Hortencia are taking good care of her…maybe too much care of her. They tire her out but she's enjoying being part of a loving family. The Kid is recovering but not as fast as he would like the rest of us to believe. He's determined to get back to doing all the things he did before he got sick. He will, but I've told him he's got to give it time and let the rest of us take care of him the way he's helped us.

Sam is my worry now. He's in school with Miss Duhamel now and one of the oldest kids there. He's enjoying being like a big brother to the twins and he drives them to school most days. Of course, that means we don't have use of that wagon all day. When we need it, me or the Kid drives all three of them to school with Sam scowling all the way. When Sam scowls, Michael scowls. Still, everything seemed to be going smoothly the first week until I got a note from Miss Duhamel and Sheriff Frank to see them on the same day about Sam.

The Kid went with me. Sam tries to emulate him in everything he does…well mostly. He doesn't have his patience. The Kid has started to teach him to shoot, but so far, they came back arguing after each lesson. Sam wants to learn to quick draw; the Kid wants him to be accurate first.

"Heyes, I try not to compare him, but with the shootin', he sounds just like the McWinters when they were younger…all fast draw, no accuracy."

"Sam ain't nothing like them and won't be. He doesn't have a brother like Mark McWinters to push him the wrong way."

The Kid put his arm around my shoulder. "Just all of us to push him the right way."

ASJ*****ASJ

When we went to see Frank the next day, he looked serious as we entered.

"Gentlemen," he started, and I knew Sam was in trouble.

But the Kid has a way now of putting everyone at ease, even in a tense situation. He smiled and held out his hand. "Frank, good to see you. How're Beverly and Junior?"

His smile returned but vanished as he sat behind his desk. "Thought I'd talk to you first and maybe you can handle this before Sam gets in even more trouble," he started.

I thought I'd recovered enough not to lose my words when I was upset, but I was wrong. I had to concentrate to get out the one word, "Trouble?"

One look at me and the Kid knew what was wrong. He took over the conversation but left me openings if I felt I could join in…mostly I listened with a sinking feeling.

"What kind of trouble is the boy in, Frank?" the Kid asked.

"He's been hanging around the Boyle boys, Greg and John. They are always up to no good. To impress them, he tried to steal Robinson's wallet."

"Palmer Robinson? The bank president?"

"Yes, the bank president. For being raised in a home with two, shall I say, professional pickpockets, he's mighty clumsy about it."

"Frank, we weren't pickpockets; we were outlaws," the Kid said with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Known you long enough to know you learned that art when you were teenagers. I've heard some of your stories. Kid, Heyes said you have the softest hands he's ever seen. And it's been confirmed from a couple of deputies I know that lost their cell keys to you when they weren't looking." Frank laughed. He knew our past was past but enjoyed teasing us about this.

I touched the Kid's arm. I had something to say, but the words were forming slowly in my mind...at least they were forming, if not flowing.

"Take your time, Heyes. Frank's a friend."

Nodding, I closed my eyes and said, "That's how I met Sam. He tried to lift my wallet. Didn't get it but I got to meet his ma."

Frank laughed. The Kid had heard the story before. "What can we do about it?" he asked.

Again, I touched his arm to give me a minute. "In Pembina, he tried it with a lawyer. His punishment was to work in a law office. Kept him out of trouble and he learned something." I smiled. By the time I'd finished my sentence, my words were flowing easily.

"If he had a job, he'd have no time to spend with the Boyle brothers. Palmer owes you some favors. He isn't going to press charges, but the boy doesn't need to know that. Bring him in here tomorrow and I'll have a job for him." Frank seemed relieved that we had a solution. So was I, but there was going to be a serious conversion at home tonight with Sam, the Kid, and me.

At the Kid's suggestion, we went to see Robinson and apologize for Sam's behavior. The Kid knows all the townspeople better than I do. I still prefer to stay at Phoenix than come into town.

"Good to see you, Jed, Mr. Heyes." He greeted us with a smile. "And congratulations on your nuptials," he added when shaking my hand. "Don't know if you've met her, this is my wife, Yvonne." She was sitting in a corner of his office doing needlework. We both nodded our greetings.

"Thank you, sir," I answered, knowing the Kid wouldn't like the sir given out of habit. "And it's just Heyes, no mister. We came to apologize for Sam's actions. Know that he'll be punished."

Yvonne Robinson stood up abruptly, her needlework, yarn and scissors dropping to the floor. "His pa is James Doubleday, isn't he? Saw him kill a man for nothing during a bank robbery. Not your fault the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." She was yelling by the time she finished, and her eyes were flashing.

Beside me, the Kid tensed, then put on his poker face, although his tone was cold. "Sam's a good boy. He don't remember his pa. It won't happen again."

As the realization of who they were talking to crossed Robinson's face, he tried to smile and laugh. "Course present company not included.. You're reformed now and raising a nice group of kids." I know the Kid counts Robinson as a friend, but his tone was patronizing. I think he felt the same way as his wife. I stood as tall as I could next to the Kid. That was all the moral support I could give him. Yvonne Robinson's words had left me speechless.

But the Kid was having none of it. "Good day, Mr. Robinson," he said and turned to leave. I followed closely behind.

The Kid's anger was controlled but I could see it was about to blow. And I didn't want it to be at Sam. The Kid marched straight back to the sheriff's office. He threw the door open so hard that it slammed against the wall. "Frank!"

Frank looked up suddenly. "Jed? What's wrong?"

JED 'KID' CURRY

Robinson's wife's words burned and hurt, even though they were about James Doubleday and not me and Heyes. He had tried to assure us that they didn't include us, but I know they did. Opinions like hers are what I've been fightin' since we moved to Three Birds and now it hit me right in the face, hard. On instinct, I went to my friend Frank's office, but once I got there, I didn't want to tell him what happened, so I just stood there. I took deep breaths; I made my face emotionless until I had full control of my anger.

I wasn't going to tell Frank anything. But Heyes did.

"Jed, what's wrong?" Frank asked as soon as we entered his office.

Heyes had his words when I didn't have mine for a minute. "We went to the bank and talked to Palmer Robinson. Wanted to apologize for Sam's actions and assure him it would not be repeated."

A look of concern hit Frank's face and he studied me as I pushed my anger and embarrassment deep down into me. "Great," he said, but as if he didn't mean it. "How'd it go?" He was still watchin' me. Heyes still spoke for both of us.

"Don't know about him, but that wife of his don't care much for outlaws or their families," Heyes said right out. I wouldn't have told him, but I was glad he knew now.

"Sorry about h…" Frank started, but Heyes wasn't finished.

"She been talking like that about us and our kids or just Sam?" he demanded.

"Never heard her say anything about your family," Frank said.

Again, Heyes let him go no farther. "But from that look on your face, others have told you what she said."

Feeling defeated and suddenly weak, I sank into a chair. I looked at him and shook my head. "I been tryin' so hard to be a good citizen of Three Birds, a good neighbor to everyone, but I guess people will always look at us as outlaws and our kids as kids of outlaws." Heyes sat next to me.

Frank walked around his desk and sat down in his chair and leaned back. "No, Jed, you're wrong. The people that came to me and told me about Yvonne Robinson's opinions were upset about them…and a few told her that themselves. They wanted me to…er…to find a way to shut her up."

It was nice of him to say, but I didn't believe him. Heyes did though. "Mrs. Robinson the only one talking?"

"Her and their two sons. Both are in the upper grades at the school. She's been bragging that they're so smart they're going to some fancy boarding school in Chicago next month." I felt uncomfortable because Frank answered Heyes but was still focused on me. "Jed, no one else around here feels that way. We all respect you and consider you a friend."

I managed a weak nod, and he knew I wasn't convinced.

Heyes stood up and paced. "So, these boys are in Sam's class at school?"

Frank nodded. Quiet followed until Heyes spoke, "Well, thanks for all your help, Sheriff. I'll have Sam here after school tomorrow for that job you said you'd find him." He held out his hand and Frank reached over the desk to shake it. But he was still lookin' at me. "Jed, it's just one mean-spirited woman. The rest of us aren't like that," he said.

"Thanks for your help, Frank," I echoed Heyes words before we left.

Outside, Heyes touched my arm. "You all right, Kid? Maybe Frank's right and it's only the one lady."

"She ain't a lady if she talks about people like that," I answered.

He smiled. "You are very right about that. Let's go see the schoolmarm. She is a lady."

"Guess she's heard by now you're married, Heyes." I teased.

School was out and Michael and Martha were playin' in the yard. "Pa, Uncle Heyes!" They ran to us. "Can we go to Dr. Arden's while you talk to Miss Duhamel?"

With the twins on their way there, me and Heyes stood side by side on the small school porch, took off our hats, and walked in step into the buildin'.

LOM

When I think about going home to a Susan-less house, I drink. I don't try and fight it any longer; I need the whiskey to dull the memories when I walk through that door. Doctor here said Wayne's a strong healthy baby, so I have that to be thankful for. Phyllis takes good care of him and the formula recipe that Dr Arden left seems to satisfy him. When I'm sober, I sleep with him in my arms in the living room chair. When I've been drinking, I come home, kiss him goodnight, and go back to the office with a bottle of whiskey. I sleep on the cot in the second cell until my deputy wakes me up the next morning. Drinking doesn't take away my dreams but changes them. I've been dreaming of going home and hearing Susan call for help. I try to get to her, but the house has more rooms that I've never seen. Each is decorated in 'Susan' style. I keep going but more rooms appear and the ones I recognize lead nowhere. I'm glad to stay awake and avoid dreams like that.

I had the idea of moving back to my cabin with Wayne and Phyllis. There's two bedrooms with an alcove off the main room for the baby's crib. But she refused to live in such a place. So, I live here and drink.

HEYES

I knew that most of the Kid's confidence was gone, but he hides it well. Miss Duhamel greeted us with a smile.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. Heyes. I'm looking forward to meeting your wife," she said pleasantly.

"Ah, thank you, Miss Duhamel. I'll pass that on to her."

I looked around but didn't see Sam.

"He's right outside, sanding the words he carved into his desk out of it," she told us.

I looked at the Kid. He'd had to sand all the knicks and words out of all the desks at Valparaiso over one summer we were there. He had the unfortunate luck to be caught the last day of school carving into his desk. I'd helped him when the teachers weren't watching, but it took us most of three weeks…and we learned some new bad words to enhance our vocabulary.

"That's why you asked me to come? Because he carved into his desk?" Heyes sighed.

"No, no not at all. You need to know that Sam is a very bright boy. He should still have two years of school here, but he'll complete our curriculum in the next few months. That means he's bored and bored children get into trouble."

I looked at the Kid, but his face gave away nothing. I agreed with him, she didn't know about the pickpocketing incident. "I agree, Miss Duhamel," I answered her. "Do you have something in mind?"

Smiling, she said, "Yes, I do. Sam showed me the law books a friend gave him. He was very proud of them. Don't know if you're aware, but starting on the first of the month Three Birds will have a lawyer. Well, for three days a week, anyway."

"Didn't know that," I answered. The Kid wasn't listening to the conversation, and I knew that he was fixated on Mrs. Robinson's slurs against outlaws and their children. Since we moved here, words like hers are the way to hurt him the most…. a sentiment he has worked endlessly to prove wrong.

"I…er…well…Mr. Kolmand and I have been…well, are friends for a while." Miss Duhamel blushed and looked away. "He's an established lawyer and will be here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday…and weekends."

I understood what she was trying to say without using the words. And I knew that school teachers are expected to resign when they get married, so I wouldn't say anything. I didn't have an opening to talk anyway as she kept going. "I've talked to him, and he offered to give Sam a job after school and tutor him in the law."

I smiled. "Have you spoken to Sam about this?"

"No, I thought I'd ask you first."

"Good. I accept the job on behalf of Sam, but don't tell him. Let his ma and I do that."

ASJ*****ASJ

I need to do something to help the Kid, but I don't know what. Today was hard for him. Martha and Michael greeted him warmly when we picked them up from the doctor's office. He smiled joyfully and threw each one up in the air before listening to them carefully as they told him everything that happened to them that day. He made each one feel important. But deep in his eyes was a new sadness and I think only I can see it there.

The twins talked all the way home in the wagon, not noticing that me, the Kid and Sam weren't joining in.

JED 'KID' CURRY

As we pulled onto Curry Road, I looked carefully at what we had built. But part of that was bein' a good citizen and a good helpful neighbor. I tried so hard, but I know now that I failed in that. Maybe we can sell this place and start over somewhere else. Or maybe, I should leave and take my name with me. Maybe Heyes can stay, he don't interact with the townspeople as much. But for now, I can't let anyone know my despair until I form some plans.

But right now, I'm gonna help Heyes and Angie talk to Sam. He hero worships Kid Curry, the fictional character in his books, not me, but maybe me bein' there and talkin' to him will help.

Heyes gathered us all around the kitchen table and made sure we had privacy. He invited Chrissy, too, but she said, "No need me," and took our two baby girls upstairs.

Sam was cocky. Heyes was just as cocky when he was that age. Angie sat close to Heyes on the bench touchin' his arm. As we agreed, I started the conversation.

"Sam, you know what you did was wrong, right?" I asked in a firm tone that I tried to keep free of judgment.

"Yes, sir, I carved my name into the top of my desk." Defiantly, he looked me straight in the eyes then did the same to Heyes and his ma. But me and Heyes have learned harsher looks and used them now. Hardened outlaws have crumbled under our gaze…and Sam was no hardened outlaw. His cockiness left him. He squirmed in his seat and refused to meet our eyes again.

I said nothin' to break the silence that was makin' him increasingly uncomfortable. When Sam couldn't see, I winked at Heyes and Angie.

Finally, Sam spoke, "Guess the sheriff talked to you."

I reached out and moved his chin, so he was forced to look me in the eyes. "Yes, he did."

Again, silence but he didn't turn away this time. I broke the quiet. "So?"

Takin' a deep breath, his eyes darted to his ma and back to me. "I stole that man's wallet," he admitted.

"You tried to steal it," I growled at him.

Again, he looked at his ma and his eyes settled on Heyes for a moment before returnin' to me. "I'm sorry."

I wasn't about to let him off with that. "This is not the first time, or the second time you've been caught stealin' wallets. I'm disappointed in you."

"It was a mistake. I won't do it again." I knew he didn't want to disappoint Kid Curry, but his glance at his ma showed me he didn't want to disappoint her either.

I leaned forward and touched his knee. "Sam, someone told me once that a mistake repeated is a choice."

"Grandpa Curry," Heyes mumbled, and I nodded.

Sam looked at the ceilin'. "You're right. A choice, yeah. A bad choice." He stood up suddenly. "I'm sorry, Ma, Mr. Heyes, Mr. Curry; I'm choosing right now to face my punishment and never pickpocket a wallet again."

He looked so contrite and serious that Heyes was strugglin' to keep a straight face. "Well, Mr. Robinson's not gonna press charges."

I saw Sam let out a breath of relief. "Thought he'd want the book thrown at James Doubleday's son."

Feeling anger grow in me, I looked at Heyes. "Easy, Kid," he whispered.

"Why do you say that?" Heyes asked the boy. I was proud of him. He put a hand on each of the boy's shoulders and pushed him to sit down. "What your pa did is separate from you."

"Tell that to Mrs. Robinson's boys. They say their mother saw James Doubleday kill a man in a bank robbery. They keep repeating 'Doubleday, apple doesn't fall far from the tree.'" There was no embarrassment in his tone, just acceptance.

"Well, I plan to have some words with Mr. Robinson about that," Heyes replied firmly. I heard the determination in his voice…and I think he's going to do this for me as well as Sam. I needed to change the subject.

"Sam, we have determined a fittin' punishment for you."

"Yes, sir. Whatever it is, I accept it."

Knowin' that he was goin' to like what I said, I smiled. "You are grounded to Phoenix except for school and when you are workin'."

"Working?"

"You will be workin' for Mr. Charles Kolmand, Esq. attorney at law three days a week after school."

"A lawyer coming here to Three Birds? Yes, yes, I want to work for him. Thank you, thank you!"

Sam jumped up, hugged Heyes, hugged his ma and hesitated before holdin' his hand out for me to shake. Instead, I pulled him into a bear hug like I used to give Heyes in prison. "No handshake, you're family."