Winter's Refuge
Chapter Thirty-Eight
JED 'KID' CURRY
I was asleep when Chrissy returned and when I opened my eyes, she was sittin' there smilin' at me. "You head cold?" she asked,touching her head. She had said 'you' not 'Jed.' That's a positive sign.
"Yes, but it's okay. I can stand a little cold."
"Here, present," she said, as she proudly showed me a blue knit cap.
I smiled at her, leaned forward and let her slip it carefully on my bald head, avoidin' the temple. "Thank you. It is nice and warm."
"No curls," she sighed, and I looked away embarrassed. But she used her finger to tilt my eyes toward her. "You no hair when rescued Chrissy either." This time she looked beyond me. I wondered who was sittin' in the corner near the door now.
"Juan, are you there?"
There was silence, but I heard someone move. "No, it's Marina Ortiz." Her voice wasn't warm, but it wasn't filled with scorn either. "What's she looking at?"
"She's inside her mind. I think she remembered something terrible."
I didn't want her to dwell on her time in prison. I usually just let these spells run their course, but I saw fear in her eyes. "Chrissy darlin'?" I reached over and gently touched her hand. She didn't respond. I felt Mrs. Ortiz standin' at my back. I hoped this wasn't the time she'd yell another accusation at me. But she stayed quiet.
"Chrissy darlin'? Would you look at me? I need you." It was true. I needed her in my life. I love her with all my heart. When I was at the railroad camp and working on survivin' and gettin' stronger, she was the woman I dreamt about spendin' the rest of my life with, even though I told myself that wasn't anything that could ever happen. I had no idea that me and Heyes' visit would end up in her goin' to prison. "Chrissy?"
I saw her eyelashes flutter as she blinked twice. She took the hand I had touched her with and brought it to her heart. "I love you," she said.
Mrs. Ortiz sighed. I guess she had hoped Chrissy really didn't love me.
"I love you too, darlin'!" I wanted to kiss her, but when I moved quickly, the pain caught me and I moaned.
"Jed get better. Chrissy has present."
"I love the hat. It was just what I needed."
"Good." She dropped my hand and rustled around in her pocketbook. Bringin' out a small bag, she held it under my nose.
"Peppermints! Oh, they smell good." I tried to reach for one and she moved them away.
"No! Chrissy ask doctor first. Heyes give Chrissy money for peppermints for Kid."
I grinned. First the apple, then peppermints. Heyes was gettin' better. Playfully, I tried to grab the bag, but the movement forced out a small groan.
Pullin' the bag just out of my reach, Chrissy laughed. I would do anything to keep her laughin' for the rest of our lives.
"You no reach. Pain," her voice was firm now.
I fell back into the pillows and the bed. I'm wearing a light hospital gown today so I was less concerned about my sheet slipping off.
"Miss Chrissy," I heard Mrs. Ortiz say, "Do you remember me? Marina?" There was a soft pleadin' to her tone. She stayed where she was, my bed separatin' them.
Chrissy turned her head and looked at the wall. Without movin' she thought for a long time. "Marina, yes."
Mrs. Ortiz gave a sigh of relief until Chrissy continued, "Marina yell at my Jed. Marina leave now…please."
LOM
Heyes was sleeping on the porch in the rocker next to mine. He had wrapped himself in a quilt. The knife I had returned to him was on the table between us. I was thinking about Dr. Arden's words warning of a tipping point for him. I'd seen both sides of Heyes again last night. He heard the noise. He tried to get me to wear my gun and follow him. When I didn't believe him, he went by himself knowing it was dark. He went even though he's scared of the darkness. He brought a lantern. When we found the gate open, I looked around but didn't see anything and went to check on the horses. Heyes showed determination and kept looking. He found footsteps, recent footsteps. But then I saw the other side of Heyes. When the moonlight disappeared, he was lost in his nightmares. If I hadn't been there, would he have stayed there rocking until sunrise? I don't know. I'm not the Kid. I don't know how to help him tip to the side of recovery. I left him sleeping and went in to make coffee.
HEYES
It took me a minute to remember where I was and why. We had an intruder last night. And the darkness almost claimed me. Lom saved me. I was in the dark cell, again. And I thought the Kid was in the next one. It was going to steal him like it stole me. But Lom pulled me back. And I thought how the Kid held his head up and walked out of the dark cell. It didn't steal him.
I need to go milk the cow and gather the eggs. I hum to the cow, again. She seems to be calmer when I do. She looked around again and I know she misses Chrissy. Her brown eyes look into mine and she seems to be asking why I'm here instead of her. When I go to gather the eggs, Lom is in the chicken coop.
"I'll get the eggs today, Heyes."
I shook my head and grabbed the egg in his hand. It fell and broke on the ground between us. I remember all the eggs I dropped on the ground yesterday. The mess is all cleaned up. Lom must have done it. I had left the broken eggs where they fell. Lom must be mad at me. I drop my head and look down. I try to say sorry. It was not gibberish today but only, "S-s-sor." I can't say the word.
"Heyes, the word sorry is coming back?" Lom seemed happy but I didn't dare look at him. "Do you really want to gather the eggs?"
I nodded.
"Can you use the word 'yes'?"
I looked at him and thought hard. I tried to push the "Yes" from my brain to my tongue. Nothing came out. I hung my head, ashamed. But Lom didn't seem to care. "We'll work on some words tonight, if you want?"
I nodded. Why can't I get my words to come out?
"Heyes, I'll take the eggs I've gathered and start breakfast. You get the rest, all right?"
JED 'KID' CURRY
I couldn't see Mrs. Ortiz's face, but I could see Chrissy's. She was mad, protective. I felt like I was in the middle of a gunfight waitin' for the next shot to be fired. Thank goodness Juan, Paul, and Dr. Arden chose that minute to come into my room. I'm sure they had heard Chrissy yellin'.
Comin' to stand next to Chrissy, Dr. Arden spoke in a hopeful tone. "Jed, glad you're awake. Almost time for your medicine, but I'd like to examine you before I give you painkillers to see what your pain level is. I know your tolerance is high. But here healing is more important than you controlling your pain." He put his hand on my forehead. "Nice hat," he commented with a wink to Chrissy.
She held up the bag of peppermints. The doctor went to take one. "No, for Jed. Okay for Jed?"
The doctor feigned disappointment for a moment and Chrissy giggled. "Yes, he may have one or two. Make sure he does not fall asleep with one in his mouth." She held out the bag to the doctor and this time she let him take one.
"Jed, you still have a fever. It should be gone by now. I need to see all of your injuries to see if any are infected." He looked up to those standin' at my back. All of you out! Chrissy, will you go ask the nurse for a chamber pot?"
I heard Juan say, "Yes, doctor," and Paul follow him out
"I'm a fair nurse, Doctor, if you need help," Mrs. Ortiz offered.
Dr. Arden saw the glare Chrissy gave her and declined the offer of help. I was glad. I'm still only in my underwear under the sheet. I heard Mrs. Ortiz loud clompin' footsteps as she left.
"Jed, open." I looked to Chrissy and opened my mouth for the peppermint she held. "Thanks," I said while enjoying the taste of something other than medicine, broth, and water.
When she left, I waved the doctor's help away and sat up, careful that only my bottom was on the bed, not my upper legs. I pulled the sheet around me. When Chrissy brought the chamber pot, she looked at the doctor. "I see Jed no clothes before," she said matter of factly, as if it were a common thing.
"That's all good, but I need you to leave while I examine him. But please don't stay alone. Find your friends so Jed knows you are safe."
When she left, with a wink, I asked the doctor, "Do you think I'm healed enough to wear one of them stylish hospital gowns?"
"I think that could be arranged."
"One other thin' and if you can't do it I understand?"
"We can accommodate most things."
"Could you move my bed so that when I lay on my side I can see the whole room, includin' the door? Maybe over there?" I pointed to the far wall. "Habit from my outlaw days, I like to see the whole room and who's comin' and goin'."
He smiled. "That's an easy one. Yes, and I should have thought of it earlier."
Now that I had gotten that off of my mind, I stood up.
The doctor watched me take tentative steps. I managed a lap around my bed. My thighs ached and burned but I knew this pain. Knew I could conquer it. I concentrated on walking normally. I hadn't let the guards know how much the strikes from the billy clubs hurt deep down. The same with the pain radiatin' from every laceration on my back. That warden knew just how to manage the cat o'nine tails to tear deep, long wounds.
"Can you stand longer while I look closer at your back?"
"Sue, Doctor," I answered but I was startin' to feel a little weak, dizzy. I told myself I was strong enough to do this.
"Tut, tut," he murmured as his finger touched a long laceration. I know he attempted to be gentle, but the pain kept growin'. As he touched one across my middle back, I arched it in pain, but refused to cry out. "Let's get you back sitting on that bed. I forget that you hold pain inside. I should have had you sit sooner."
If I said anything, a moan would escape me. A quiet wail broke loose as I sat on the bed.
"Yes, this one is infected. It was so swollen before I didn't see it and it has gotten severe. It will need stitches. Let me see your shoulder."
He removed the light bandage quickly. "Uh huh, good, good. Does this hurt?"
I wanted to say no – I can handle it – but he kept talkin'. "Of course, it hurts. Does it feel any better?"
Thinking about it, the pain was a lot less, until I moved.. So that's what I honestly told him. He held my upper arm and moved it, so the shoulder moved. Again, I arched my back and this time I groaned loudly.
"Did you have to do that?" I asked him, only half in jest.
"You need to move this arm and shoulder. I'll give you some exercises and show Chrissy how to help you do them. Also, some healing salve for your back she can put on."
Suddenly a flash of what this was costin' hit me. "Doctor, the bill. Let me know and I'll make arrangements to pay it in installments."
He smiled warmly. "No worry, my friend. Juan brought money Heyes gave him to pay for it, but it wasn't needed. Your medical bill has been paid by the Governor and the state of Wyoming."
"What?"
"You heard me. Don't worry about the bill."
"I ain't no charity case." I stood up again to face him.
"No, you're not. This is not charity. It's what's right."
I stayed standing but let the conversation drop thinking about his words.
"That shoulder is healing nicely, but do those exercises so you'll have full use of it. Now sit down and lean forward and let me see the back of your head."
"Oww!"
"It's healing, starting to scab over again. I'm more worried about your temple. Let me get a nurse and some light."
Since he had removed the bandage, I readjusted my cap and touched the wound on my temple. Even before this, the pain from the fire had persisted, been a constant presence I had attempted to ignore. I figured it was just something I would always have.
The nurse had both a candle and a mirror and reflected the light for the doctor. "How could that have been missed?" he said to himself, and I started to worry.
"There's still a splinter from the board in there, maybe two. I can see them now that the burns are healing, but don't want to dig until I have you knocked out with ether. It's deep and will hurt. In all the times you've seen me, why didn't you tell me that hurt? I thought we were friends?" He was hurt, sad.
"Just got used to handlin' the pain. Never thought it could be helped. I do consider you a friend, Dr. Arden. I hope you think of me the same way."
He nodded and smiled. "It's Aiden and I do."
HEYES
I'm going down the checklist of chores for the horses. I've written a few more as I think of them. I enjoy being with horses, it's not work. They don't care the babbling that sometimes comes out of my mouth isn't words. With the list, I don't forget to do things as long as I don't forget about the list. I showed Lom someone from the Rocky River Farm will be here to pick up Stone Music today. The notes say they are coming on the noon train.
"Will you get her ready, Heyes? Sheriff Birde is here."
I point to myself and toward the sheriff.
"I know you want to see him, too, but he's in a hurry and Stone Music will be picked up soon."
Lom said 'will' but meant 'do it'. It is not a question. It is an order. He's in charge. I know it. I brush the horse and get her ready to leave. She's been an easy horse during her stay. She's sociable and affectionate and nuzzles me. I'll miss her. I'm sure she's pregnant.
I'm about to leave the stable when Lom and Sheriff Birde come in.
Sheriff Birde is a sheriff. The only sheriff I trust is Lom. I take a step back. There is no place to run so I stop and look down, clasping my hands in front of me. Lom probably told him about my fears last night. I'm embarrassed.
He seems friendly as he approaches me. The Kid calls him a friend. "Mr. Heyes, glad we found you. Lom told me what a good job you did last night hearing the gate open and finding and following the footsteps."
I looked at Lom in surprise. I thought he would take the credit, that's why he wanted me out of the way. But Lom is our friend, me and the Kid's. I trust Lom. He didn't take the credit. He looks proud of me. I don't think Lom told him about me rocking on the road last night, either.
"HEYES!" Lom's voice breaks through. I'd been lost, again.
I give him my attention, but it is Birde that is talking. "Is there any way to lock the back door of the blacksmith shop? Is there anything in there worth stealing."
I shook my head no, then changed to nodding yes. Kid's tools were locked in the smithy itself. I do know where the key is hidden. I thought of the secret money drawer Chrissy had shown me. I made like I was putting a key in the door.
"Do you know where the key is?" Lom asked.
I nodded and pointed down the road to the blacksmith shop.
"I've got to get back, but if you two would lock that place up, I'd feel better."
"Will do that, Frank. Can you drop back again tomorrow?" Lom tapped Sheriff Birde on the back real friendly.
I put out my hand to stop the sheriff from leaving and ran into the house. I snatched the envelope by the door and hurried back and shyly handed it to him.
"Heyes, I almost forgot. Thank you for remembering." Lom tapped me on the back in appreciation. "Frank, that's an order for new shirts for the Kid. Would you give it to your nephew? We'd appreciate it if one of them could be rushed to the Kid at the hospital in Cheyenne."
"You think of this Heyes?" the sheriff asked.
I couldn't read his face. I used to be so good at knowing what people were thinking from their face. I have no idea anymore except for maybe the Kid or Lom. Was he mad I ran and got the envelope? I caused more work for him.
"Heyes!" Lom's voice brought me out of my train of thought. I'm sure my look was blank. "Frank was complimenting you."
"I was saying the shirt is a great idea. Wish I had thought of it myself. I'm sure Jed will appreciate it."
He wasn't mad, he was happy with me? Maybe he is the Kid's friend.
"Tell you what, Mrs. Birde is going to Cheyenne to do some shopping with her sister-in-law. I'll have her deliver it to Jed in the hospital."
I wanted to say thanks, but I heard the start of gibberish so I shut up and just nodded.
JED 'KID' CURRY
When the ether starts to wear off, I start to become aware of where I am. The room is dark, and my eyes don't stay open. I think I'm alone, but I hear someone breathin', maybe sleepin', in my room. My temple throbs, but the deep pain I've learned to live with is gone. The raw edges of the lacerations on my back are pullin', the muscles in my thighs clenched. But the medicine is more powerful than the pain. I fall into a familiar nightmare. Me and Heyes skipped our chores and went fishin'. Goin' home, there is smoke risin' from our farms. We start runnin', each to our own farms. But this time when I get there, it is the ranch, not my childhood home. Somehow, I know Chrissy and the twins are inside. I run into the fire to find them, yelling, "Fire!" I hear them screaming.
"Mr. Curry, wake up! There is no fire." I don't recognize the voice. I don't recognize the room. My window is gone. I try to think. My bed has been moved so I can see everything, even the door. The window is now to the side. Paul Ortiz must have been sitting in one of the chairs on the far side of the room. He steps up to my bed and kneels next to me. "You were having a nightmare."
His words are cold, businesslike. I just look at him, trying to take in the changes to the room.
"Ma is back at the hotel and Juan took Miss Chrissy to dinner," he explains in the same flat tone. I don't expect him to like me. After listenin' to Juan and his ma talk, I understand why he came, to protect Chrissy because his pa is afraid to come into Cheyenne.
I nod and close my eyes tryin' to think of Chrissy laughin' to keep the dark dreams away.
HEYES
We didn't go to the shop right away. The foreman came to pick up Stone Music. I showed Lom how much money to expect and started to write a receipt, but the spelling of the words wouldn't go from my brain to my hands. I threw the pencil down on the table. I should have started this last night. It will take me at least an hour to write out two simple invoices.
"Can I help with that?" Lom asked. Ignoring my fit of temper, he didn't seem angry, just helpful. I showed him our copy of an old receipt and held up two fingers. He understood and wrote out two copies. His writing was as bad as mine used to be. Now I write so slow-I have to take so much time to form each letter-that my penmanship has improved.
I hid in the next stall brushing Speed of Flight and watched as Lom handled everything. I was afraid he wasn't going to get the foreman to sign our copy, but he did at the end. I waited until I heard the gate on our road open and close before I sneaked out and into the house.
"Heyes, where were you?" Lom sounded upset. "That man wanted to meet Kid Curry again, but would have been happy to meet Hannibal Heyes instead. Your reputations bring some of the business here, you know."
I shrugged. I know that the Kid doesn't want the ranch to succeed on our reputations. I motion Lom into the house and point at the kitchen table. Even though she's not going home for two days, I have laid out the paperwork for Speed of Flight. Lom smiled when he saw it. "Good thinking. Why don't you go get your chalkboard so you can help me."
I write so slow I know it won't help much, but I have a question I need to ask Lom, so I go get it. The frame broke when I threw it and it slips, but it is good enough for me.
"Never heard of the Circle E before, have you?" Lom asked, as he wrote out the first receipt. I didn't respond, just showed him Chrissy's log and pointed at the name and the amount.
"Did you meet Ralston Q. York when he dropped off the horse?"
I shook my head. I steadied my chalkboard and wrote, "No come," while Lom finished the first receipt. Those two words took a long time to write.
"No come?" Lom asked. "Did you mean Ralston Q York didn't come or you didn't come out?"
I held up one finger hoping he would know I meant the first thing.
"Maybe it was the foreman. Heyes, do you want to work on saying a word?"
I nodded. Then said "Kid" with only a little effort. But then I thought about the Kid in the hospital. I think it gets very dark in his room at night, just like the dark cell. You can't even see your hand in front of your eyes there.
"Very good, you've got "Kid" down pat. Let's see what was one of the words you learned to say?"
My attention shifted quickly back to him but the dark cell was in the back of my thoughts creeping forward again. I wrote "Yes" on my board. It tettered on the broken frame as I wrote.
"Okay how do we do this? Do you concentrate on the word?"
I nodded, then tried to say, "Yes." I was embarrassed when a guttural sound came out.
"Okay, try again. Would it help if I look away?" He turned to face the backdoor.
"Y…Ye…" I got out. But I couldn't finish the word, one simple word. I banged my fist on the table, startling Lom.
He looked at me in alarm. "Heyes, it's okay. We'll try again later. Let's go down to the blacksmith shop and find that key.
JED 'KID' CURRY
Chrissy is sittin' next to my bed in a bigger padded chair now. Her head is leanin' toward the side and she's sleepin'. But she's whimperin'. I never thought she might have nightmares, too. As I watched, she pulled her knees up to her chest protectively. Closin' my eyes, I berated myself. Another word I learned from my readin'. Of course, she would have nightmares. I thought of findin' her huddled in the far corner of the dark cell, scared, water spilled. I knew now how hard that was to do.
"Chrissy, darlin'," I said as I softly touched the leg nearest me. She didn't wake, but pulled the leg in closer to her body.
"No, don't touch me, again," she cried, fear rulin' her voice.
"Chrissy darlin', it's Jed," I said a little louder, but I didn't touch her this time. She grew quiet. Then, her eyes opened slowly.
"Jed?" She looked around and sat up puttin' her feet on the ground. "Jed!" She reached over and hugged me. Her arm hurt my back, but I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her tighter.
That was what she needed. I need it too.
"I ain't goin' let nothing hurt you, darlin', even your dreams."
She didn't realize she was touchin' my healin' wounds because she hugged me tighter. Ignorin' the pain, I held her in my arms. She was so close, I kissed the top of her head.
She smiled at me. "Jed even save Chrissy darlin' from her nightmares!"
LOM
It was a disaster working with Heyes on speaking today. I don't have the Kid's patience. He always says the right thing. I can't stand seeing Heyes struggle to speak when I don't know how to help. He is following me down to the blacksmith shop. I have given up trying to get him to walk with me. I wait outside the door to the back room for him to catch up. He stopped a few steps away, looked down, and waited for me to say something. I understand now what the Kid means about submissive behavior. Is this what is beat into prisoners? Was the Kid forced to be submissive in prison? He didn't seem that way at the railroad camp but then he knew he had his pardon. Yet, I had seen the scars from uncountable lashes on his back. If he was submissive in there, it stopped the moment we left.
"Let's go." I walk into the back room. I can't tell if things have been disturbed or someone was in here last night. "Is it always this messy? Anything missing?"
Heyes looked surprised at the state of the room. His eyes seemed to search every corner. He circled his finger for me to turn around. I guess he doesn't trust me. I feel him lightly touch my shoulder. He steps back when I turn around. Sometimes he looks like he expects me to hit him. When I think of him, I think of the charismatic leader of the Devil's Hole Gang. He was afraid of nothing, and the gang were all afraid of crossing him.
He shows me a key and then surprises me with a secret drawer by the cabinet. He unlocks it and pulls it out. There's some money, but less than a hundred dollars, including the coins. And there's another key.
"Is this the key to this door?"
He looks at me. "Y…y…yes," he said, looking at me expectantly. It was the word he couldn't say last night.
"I'm impressed, Heyes!"
He gave me a little grin that turned to a frown when he looked around. He moved to the bed, throwing the blanket and quilt on the floor, shaking then folding each one. He moved the overturned chairs to the table and stopped. He was looking at something on the floor. It was a small dirty beige glove. When he saw it, he looked around the room again. He walked to a half empty whiskey bottle on the table next to some cookies, fresh cookies and a deck of cards..
From his expression, I was on alert. I drew my gun. He waved no to me. Now he was grinning. Then he pointed up. I saw an open loft that probably ran the length of the building. He put his hand behind his ear as he put the secret drawer away quietly. Heyes stomped to the door, and I followed his lead.
"Well, don't see anything wrong here. Let's get back to the house," I said loudly.
We left and he locked the door. He motioned for me to stay there. I watched as he set off down the side of the house. He stopped before he got to the corner and cupped his hand in back of his ear. I could hear movement inside. He must have made a loop of the place and stood next to me when he finished. He wanted me to just wait. I am not a patient man.
Then we saw the door jiggle as someone tried to open it. Heyes put his hand in front of me to stop me from opening it. He put his finger to his lips so I would stay quiet.
There was shuffling inside, then pounding on the door accompanied by young voices. "Help, help! Let us out! Help, we're locked in!"
Heyes smiled and unlocked the door. Two young, drunk, boys about thirteen tumbled out. They tried to run, but were both scared and drunk.
"Whoa, boys, what are you doing in there?"
Heyes caught one by the back of his shirt and I stopped the other one.
Frightened, they looked at us with eyes that got bigger when they recognized Heyes. Their eyes were big; their words were slurred.
"You're Hannibal Heyes, the leader of the Devil's Hole Gang. Sorry, sir, sorry." His words held respect …and fear.
"We knew that Mr. Curry's out of town so we were just looking for...for…"
"We wanted to try whiskey." Burp.
Heyes took a position that reminded me of his outlaw leader pose, feet apart, arms on his hips and a scowl on his face. The boys trembled in front of him as he glared at each one.
"Please don't tell our parents," they begged.
"Can't promise I won't. They should know what you've been up to. Tell me your names," I said gruffly.
"Curtis Birde."
"James Michael Gardener."
Heyes turned and pointed forcefully at the gate without losing his scowl.
"Were you two boys sneaking around the gate here last night?" I looked them in the eyes. They both looked like they were going to be sick, from the whiskey or fear I didn't know.
They looked from one to the other. "Yeah, we were looking for the outhouse, but the gate made so much noise when we opened it, we got scared and ran back here and hid in the loft.
Heyes was looking down the road. I saw what he was looking at. Sheriff Birde was riding up looking at us by the blacksmith shop. His eyes went from first one boy then the other then nodded at the forceful image Heyes was projecting.
"Are these boys our night prowlers, Sheriff Trevors, Heyes?" he asked, as he got off of his horse.
"Yes, Frank, they are."
One of the boys burped, turned around, and threw up. The whiskey smell was strong. Smelling it, the other boy vomited, too.
Frank was holding back a smile as he winked at me and Heyes.
"If you men don't mind, I'll handle this." Turning to the two boys he started, "What would Kid Curry think of you two prowling around his ranch at night and using his shop to drink whiskey?"
"But Uncle Frank, we knew he wasn't here."
"Get in there and let's have a serious talk before I decide what I'm going to tell your parents."
Heyes grinned at me as we turned back to the house. "You knew they were just kids when you locked them in there, didn't you?"
He nodded yes.
"Well done! Well done and our night prowlers turn out not to be a threat."
HEYES
Now that we found the boys hiding in the smithy, I locked that door when the sheriff left with them. I will add locking this door to my nightly rounds. The Kid said it is important that all the doors are locked, and the windows closed when we retire for the night. But I won't lock Chrissy out again. She buried the key the Kid made her under the bottom step to the back door. It was my fault she got sick.
I point to the table and my chalkboard. I have a question for Lom. I think I asked him before or maybe I didn't. Chrissy's brothers are robbing trains and banks and killing people. I'm working on a plan to stop them.
I start to write on my chalkboard, and it moves. I slowly remove the broken frame. I thought I sighed, but it came out like "Ugg." Lom is trying to be patient. He pours us each a cup of coffee and comes to sit next to me. With him looking over my shoulder, I write even slower. He stands up, removes his gun and hangs it by the front door. I know he's trying to give me time, but he's making me nervous.
Finally, I'm done. I asked, "Any of our old DHG men back living at the Hole?"
"Yeah, a lot of them. Preacher and Hank, Jesse Stevens and his brother David, Irish Seamus and his partner. Can't remember his name. Those are the ones from my time. More up there you would know from after I left."
"Why?" I write as he watches.
"Wyoming's rough for anyone wanted now. US Marshals want the McWinter boys real bad. They need to stop their violence. Marshals offered the rewards on everyone they catch at Devils Hole in exchange for its location so they can catch the McWinters. Every person in the state wants that reward so they're on high alert to catch current and former gang members. Mark McWinters lets them all stay at the Hole. They have to pay for the privilege but aren't part of his gang."
"You, Kid, me?" I wrote. Lom had gotten up and gone to his room and come back while I wrote three words. Three words. I can write the numbers in the accounting book normally but I need time to write three words.
"It's well known we'd never give it up. And we're public figures now, you know."
I shook my head. I didn't want to be a public figure, neither did the Kid. We weren't the leaders of the most successful outlaw gang anymore.
"Why did you want to know? You can't be around anyone wanted, you know."
I nod. Slowly I write, breaking my chalk twice. "Plan catch McWinters.
JED 'KID' CURRY
"What do you think you're doing? Stop touching his back!" Dr. Aiden Arden's voice was loud and accusing.
Chrissy jumped back, lookin' at me, and seein' what she had done. Quickly, she huddled into the far corner, starin' at the doctor.
"Oh no! No, no, Miss McWinters, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you." The doctor rushed to go to her.
I stuck out my leg to stop him. "No," I moaned as the movement made my thigh muscles clench. Flustered, he stopped. He looked from me, to Chrissy, to the chairs where I could make out the outline of somebody sitting.
"I'm sorry! What do I do? What should I do?" he implored me.
"Move back. Help me sit up." I ignored the pain in my thighs as I struggled to stand up. Once I was up, I waved the doctor away. I could see it was Paul in the chair. "Leave, both of you!" I ordered. I took a few tentative steps. The pain was more tolerable today. I was thankful for the hospital gown I was wearing.
I took a deep breath and realized that though my temple was sore, the deep pain was indeed gone. 'Chrissy darlin'? Darlin', it's Jed. Can you come to me?"
I waited. She didn't move. "He didn't mean to yell, darlin'. Can you come here and help me? Help Jed?" I watched her and waited. I have patience. I tried to stretch my back as I stood there. The pain was tearin', intense, but not like it had been. This was pain I had controlled before. I could control it again with concentration and determination.
"Jed?"
"I'm here, Chrissy."
"Jed, need Chrissy darlin'?"
"Yes, please help me walk."
"Doctor will help."
"He's not here. Neither is Paul. It's just you and me."
There was the silence of her workin' out a problem. I didn't disturb it.
"Chrissy darlin' hurt her Jed with hug?"
"A little, but I love holdin' you in my arms. If it hurt too bad, I would have told you. I'm gettin' better."
"Chrissy darlin' never hurt Jed."
"I know that. Can you come here and help me?"
Her eyes looked at me and saw me. When those mountain green eyes are lookin' at me, I have to smile. All seems right in my world. She looked around the room and didn't see anyone. Standing tentatively, she searched the room a second time with her eyes again to make sure we were alone. Then, she came to me. I held my arms open, but she didn't come into them.
"No, Chrissy darlin' hurt Jed's back."
I took a step forward and reached my arms around her. She held her arms at her side. I kissed her hair and she giggled. "Chrissy good now. Jed check good doctor. Make sure not guilty."
She had taken to callin' Dr. Arden the good doctor. Dr. Lewis was the bad doctor.
"Chrissy darlin', that's sweet." And I gave her another kiss aimin' for her hair, but she turned quickly so our lips touched.
"Good." She pointed to the door. "Jed good to walk alone now?. Find good doctor?"
"Yes, I was thinkin' about goin' for a walk today. Will you stay here while I talk to him?"
"Good."
LOM
Heyes did the chores on his list today. He got distracted a couple of times and I had to call him loud to get him out of his thoughts. He's good with the horses. Always has been. They respond to him warmly. I hear him humming when he brushes them. I asked him if he wanted to work on words and he shook his head.
When we finished, he walked down to the blacksmith shop. From the porch, I watched him check that it was locked up tight. He stood there and looked down the road for a long time. I took a step down the top porch stair, thinking I'd have to go get him, but he turned and headed back. I was thinking about the tipping point of his healing. I was impressed when he figured out it was kids just using the shop to drink their first whiskey. And his outlaw stance reminded me of years past at the Hole. Except he didn't speak. Hasn't even tried.
Heyes sat at the kitchen table the rest of the day, drawing something, and writing notes slowly. Sounds escaped him from time to time, but they sounded more like grunts than words. He didn't mind me looking over his shoulder, just gave me a sly grin. He had an open map of Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska open under his papers.
"Heyes, can you make room? Dinner's ready."
He looked up at me in surprise, then pushed it all down to the end of the table. He went and got a plate out of the cupboard while I put the potatoes and biscuits on the table. I didn't really know what to say. I talked a little about Speed of Flight leaving tomorrow. I asked him to be there when she was picked up, but fear crept over his face. I needed to change the subject. I needed to be positive with him.
"Need any help with your plans? I assume this is to catch the McWinter boys."
He nodded. He pointed to some questions he had written down. I noticed he had written 'daily newspaper' then 'Russell?'
"You want me to ask Mr. Russell to bring the paper each morning?"
He nodded and smiled. He pointed to his food then the list.
"Sounds good. Dinner first, plans later," I said.
