Chapter Sixty-One

Winter's Refuge

JED 'KID' CURRY

Chrissy handled Michael's outburst admirably. But she pushed me out the back door after she pulled the glass slivers out of Heyes' hand.

"We walk," she told me.

"Darlin', you handled that very well…much better than I could have. I'm always scared to discipline them."

"They scared if you yell at all, not even at them. No men around when they were with Lily," she started calmly before turnin' and leanin' into my arms. "Chrissy darlin' no like discipline Michael. Feels bad inside." She started cryin'. She does that a lot lately. Aiden said pregnant women are emotional. She pulled up the corner of her now ever-present apron to wipe her eyes and I saw what it was hidin'. Her skirt did not close fully in the front around her roundin' belly. She saw what I was lookin' at. Droppin' the apron, she cried harder. "Chrissy darlin' fat."

"Darlin', you're so beautiful carryin' my child." I raised her chin and kissed her through the tears. "Is that what you were buyin' in the mercantile? Special clothes?"

I couldn't tell if she was happy or sad. "They no sell there but Auntie Diane Frances saw Jeff Birde's wife and went and talked to her. She helped pick out enough fabric to cover this." She rubbed her belly. "And went home and got bag of special clothes for me. She say no more little Birdes for them."

"I'll have to thank Jeff when…"

"No, no, no. She no tell Jeff. Still our secret."

"Okay our secret." I stopped under the large red cedar. "I was thinkin' of havin' Auntie's house right here." Usin' my toe, I drew a line in the dirt. "The front door right here."

"Good." She smiled and fastened her apron around her waist.

"Darlin', look in that catalog we got and pick out some special clothes." I hesitated. I was tryin' to be mindful and think before I spoke. Aiden had mentioned somethin' about that. Now I tried to gauge how my next words were goin' to be received. Probably with tears, I figured. Everythin' happy and sad makes her cry. Reminds me I need to talk to Aiden about a new anger I been feelin' lately at the men that sentenced Chrissy to prison for helpin' me and Heyes. When I think of her with child, goin' through what's she's goin' through now behind bars, I can just barely stand the sadness…and the anger. But I need to tell her somethin' else and let her make up her mind.

"Darlin', somethin' we need to talk about."

"Michael?"

"No, you were great just now with him. I know how hard that was for you." A thought rushed through my mind that I had never told her about Martha and the pretty horse. Tonight, I decided, I'd tell her about that tonight. Now there's somethin' else she needs to know.

"Not Michael?"

"I found out the date of Matt's trial when we were in Three Birds. Starts Tuesday mornin'."

She stopped but didn't freeze. She squeezed my hand tighter.

"Jed come trial with Chrissy darling…please," she pleaded. I was not about to let her go alone.

"You still want to go? It might be hard to listen to."

She thought for a moment. "Matt guilty but Matt not killer. I believe inside of me."

Now it was my turn to be quiet. She had to know the truth, to be prepared for the worse. "He may be found guilty of murder just for bein' part of the gang."

She looked up into the red cedar tree and seemed to be lost in the gentle sway of the branches. "I know."

ASJ*****ASJ

My mind was turnin' loops and Ken wasn't much help figurin' out how to do them all. Four events I got comin' up and they're all within a week in Cheyenne. Me and Ken had come to Three Birds to send some telegrams and wait for the answers.

As we came out of the livery, Sheriff Frank Birde waved me down to his office. Ken went over to send our telegrams.

"Beverly put these together for Chrissy. It's them clothes women wear when they are pregnant. Said she outgrew these already and she thinks Chrissy could put them to good use." He pointed to a large bundle of clothes in one of his office chairs.

"I can afford to buy my wife whatever she needs," I told him, but kept myself from growlin'.

"Now, son, we been through this before. Women do this all the time. Don't think anything of it. Take what's offered and politely say thank you." I could tell Frank wasn't happy with me right now.

"Tell Miss Beverly thank you," I tried to say sincerely. I remember ma gettin' special clothes from Heyes' ma when she was with child with my younger sister. But that was different. We were family. Or was it? Frank said women do this all the time. Jeff's wife did the same thing.

"What are you doing in Three Birds? Ain't your regular day."

"Need to send some telegrams to get everythin' straightened out for next week. In fact, might be askin' you a favor, too."

Frank smiled. "Jed Curry asking for help? Maybe pigs can fly."

"What? Oh, yeah." Years ago, I would have blushed. Prison changed that. Instead, I just gave him a self-conscious grin. "There's a big difference 'tween askin' for a favor and havin' it offered. When I ask, I'm prepared to owe a favor in return."

"What's the favor?" Frank asked, busyin' himself by pourin' a cup of coffee. I know he was unhappy with my answer.

"Not quite sure when but might need you to watch over the ranch for a day or two. Juan will be there with Mrs. Clark and the twins, but I'm gettin' worried about leavin' them alone with the men lookin' for me. Have to be in Cheyenne for almost a week."

"Chrissy?"

"She's insistin' on goin' to Matt's trial."

Frank drew in a quick breath. "And you're letting her go? In her condition?"

"Ain't nothin' can stop Chrissy when she sets her mind to somethin'."

He nodded. "My Beverly's the same way. The daughters of the Triumvirate are strong-minded women."

"And we wouldn't want them any other way, would we?" I didn't say more. I was thinkin' of Chrissy's brothers, the new Devil's Hole Gang, most of them were strong minded…and violent. So, I changed the subject. "A few days later, me and Ken have to testify in the Phillip Carlson trial."

"That was your friend Wheat's brother?"

"Friend?" I thought about it. "Yeah, friend. Phillip's the one who issued those posters on Chrissy…well, he and the man who used to be the Colorado governor. You know the ones that say 'An eye for an eye. A sibling for a sibling.' They have separate trials."

"Chrissy ain't going to that one, is she?"

"No. Don't even suggest it to her. Anyway, Heyes' parole meetin' is that week and me and him got to meet with the governor and some wardens about reviewin' disciplines used in prison."

"Really?"

"Ain't gonna change nothin'. Colin says the governor is idealistic."

"So, you're telling me that there might be a time when Mrs. Clark and the twins will be alone at the ranch with Juan," Frank said.

"Always worried about them. Besides the men tryin' to kill me, JUDGE Philip Carlson has some powerful friends in Iowa."

Frank sat down and turned his chair, so it faced his desk. "New governor in Iowa trying to deal with systemic corruption there. I can see your testimony might get some people upset. Anyway, just tell me when and where you want me to be…or they can come and stay with us."

"Thanks."

"But Jed, no strings attached, no obligation, and no return favor expected." Frank glared at me.

Ken came into the office. "Sent the telegrams, yours to Lom and mine to Karl. Now we wait. Told the boy to bring any answers here."

Lom's answer came first:

Jed Curry

Three Birds, Nebraska

Kid

Sheriff obligations next week. STOP Might be able to be there Thursday morning only if needed.

Lom

Lom Trevors

Porterville, WY

My sigh was louder than I intended. "Says he can be there Thursday mornin', if needed. Must be important; Lom doesn't say 'no' lightly." I looked at the telegrapher's son, rememberin' his face lookin' at me the day Michael got hurt. Smilin', I threw him a nickel. "Send a reply that says: 'No need for Thursday' and sign it 'Kid'". I gave him some coins. "If that's too much, just tell your pa to keep it on my tab."

"Yes, sir," he said as he ran out the door.

Ken looked at me, then Frank. "We'll figure it out."

Frank spoke up, "I'll help. What do…"

Another telegram arrived. The boy didn't knock, just ran in and up to Ken.

"You really a US Marshal?" he asked in awe.

Ken got a twinkle in his eyes as he leaned closer to the boy. "I am, but it's a secret. You can't tell anyone."

The boy's eyes grew big in admiration. "But you work at the Curry Ranch."

"Counting on you to keep my secret," Ken finished. "Wait to see if I have a reply." He smiled after he finished readin'. He gave the boy a coin. "No reply for now."

Turnin' to me, he said, "My brother, Karl, will meet you and Chrissy in Bridgeport Monday evening."

HEYES

Chrissy didn't come in for supper except to hug Martha and check that Michael was sleeping. She and Juan have been doing something in the barn all day, but I'm not sure what it is. I'm curious but they'll tell me when I need to know. She unbandaged and rebandaged my hand. She checks each time to make sure there are no more slivers of glass in it. And that there is no infection.

The Kid went back to his shop in the afternoon while there is still light. He prefers to work with natural light. He's working on a belt buckle for Ken. It's a surprise. I helped him design it. Ken's been mending fences and exercising horses all day.

Chrissy ran in through the kitchen door half an hour later. "Where Jed? Where Ken? Baby come."

I looked down at her skirt, but I don't think it's time for the baby to come yet. If it's coming, it's too soon. I felt sadness sweep over me that they might lose this baby.

Chrissy laughed and put her hand on her tummy. "Not Curry baby. Summer's Solstice baby. Get Jed?"

"Mama, I want to watch," Martha joined in, jumping up and down in excitement.

"No, last time disobey your papa. This time go play with Michael and stay out of the stable," she said with a nod to Aunt Diane Frances.

Auntie hurried Martha into the living room and set up the checkerboard on a table near Michael. With the cast, he can sit up, but he tires quickly.

I hurried to the blacksmith shop and was glad to see that two of the three sides were down. The Kid does that when he's doing small fine work. But this will make it easier to come quick for Chrissy.

"Heyes, good to see you; but did you walk down here in this cold for a reason?" he asked with a smile. I like it when he smiles. He doesn't smile as much as he used to. He's carrying a lot on his shoulders, and it weighs him down. I try to help where I can but it's not a lot.

"Chrissy sent me." I saw alarm in his eyes.

"Michael's fine, but Summer Solstice is ready to drop her foal and she wants us to help."

I should have led with Michael's fine. I know he's worried about him…and Chrissy.

"If it's like Autumn's Sweetheart, all we got to do is sit and watch."

"And Chrissy gave Martha a strong warning about staying inside with Auntie and Michael. Don't think we'll have any little visitors this time." I grinned at the memory.

ASJ*****ASJ

Me and Chrissy and Juan and the Kid have all been taking turns watching Summer Solstice. She walks in her little tight circles, curling her lip. She's restless. The Kid and Juan are taking care of the other horses. I'm sad that the twins aren't here, but I understand why. Disciplining kids sometimes seems like punishment for us grownups, too.

I am sitting on the hay with Chrissy, who's watching Summer Solstice carefully.

"Something wrong?" I ask.

"No wrong. No good. Taking long time."

My heart jumped. "How do we help?"

Chrissy put her hand on my knee. "No help yet. You ever help deliver foal?"

"Once a long time ago. My pa and Kid's pa did all the work. Don't remember much. I was little."

"Maybe still she do all the work. Juan can help me. We do it before."

I want to help, but I don't want to help Summer Solstice deliver her baby. What if I do something wrong? I was relieved when the mare laid down just as the Kid and Juan came back. And I was surprised when they were each carrying one of the twins. Chrissy stood up, hands on her hip, green eyes angry.

"No! Punished!" She pointed back to the house.

The Kid used his smile on his wife, the wide one that makes his eyes light up like a little boy. I could see her soften. "Sorry, I didn't want them to miss this, and I didn't want us to miss seein' this watch them." I watched the Curry charm come out. But this was different, his sincerity was real. He loves Chrissy. That makes me smile.

I touched Chrissy on the arm. When she looked at me, I told her, "Good for Michael that he's here."

She studied me for a minute, then looked at the twins each sitting high on the stack of hay so they could see into the mare's stall. "Good." She climbed up and sat between them.

Summer Solstice may have taken a long time, but she gave birth to a beautiful and spirited filly. Martha fell asleep early, and the Kid carried her back to the house. Michael stayed awake through it all, watching in awe. But I noticed he was looking into the other stalls, too.

"Did you see the new horses?" I pointed to the two mares from Winter's Refuge.

"Martha said they were pretty. And that the Black Beauty one dances, and we have to be careful not to get kicked."

'That's right. See what you missed not coming out here before."

"I came to see the baby. Papa said I don't have to go near the other horses."

I didn't want to argue. The Kid looked back at me and smiled. When our eyes locked, I knew he was happy with my conversation with Michael.

ASJ*****ASJ

Chrissy named the new filly Calliope's Summer after the muse of poetry. She was very proud of the name, but Martha immediately started calling the filly Callie and the name stuck. Martha was curious and I had to lift her up at least twice a day to see the baby in her stall. She understood now to be careful around the horses. But I realized she was careful, not fearful. Michael is fearful. But maybe not as scared as he was. Callie is not as calm as Posey. She enjoys herself, bucking and kicking out at nothing.

The Kid offered to take him to the stable the next morning to see Callie, but Michael refused. He can walk now but the Kid still offered to carry him. He wouldn't go.

The Kid didn't tell Chrissy what he was going to do. She didn't like dogs on the bed. She certainly wouldn't like this.

"Michael, after you take your medicine, I have a surprise for you," I heard the Kid say.

I had been planning to go over Michael's letters with him next, so I held off. The Kid seemed very excited. After he had given his son the medicine, he disappeared, leaving the kitchen door open. I walked over to close it and smiled when I saw the surprise.

The Kid and Martha were leading Posey on a rope. The colt pranced merrily. The Kid took him to Michael's bedside. "You wouldn't visit Posey. He missed you so he came to see you."

I grinned as Martha positioned herself at the colt's head. She was being careful.

Michael sat up straighter on his couch so he could move away from the colt. Posey nuzzled him, quite interested in the pillow and blankets.

Martha slipped her brother a carrot. "For Posey," she told him.

Tentatively, Michael held out the carrot. The colt nibbled gently. So, the boy reached out and petted the top of the colt's head. "Soft," he said.

Posey moved closer, moving the blankets off of Michael with her nose. He tried to move further away but couldn't. The Kid must have seen his flash of terror because he pulled Posey's rope and turned to walk him out the kitchen door. But his path was blocked by Chrissy, an angry Chrissy, a very angry Chrissy.

"JED, horse out of house now!"

I saw fear in the Kid's eyes. "Yes, darlin'. Right away, darlin'.

He hurried Posey out the door.

"Want Posey!" yelled Michael.

This was progress. Chrissy was silent for a moment.

"Please, Ma, want to pet Posey," Michael whined.

The Kid came back into the house without the horse, grinning at Michael's comment but still wary of Chrissy's anger. She stopped him when he tried to walk by.

"Darlin', I'm sorry. I couldn't think of anything else to do."

"Jed thinks it alright bring horse in house?… Chrissy's house?"

"He's only a little horse, a colt. And Michael liked him."

I thought Chrissy was going to give in with that comment. She looked at Michael and Martha who were watching their parents with curiosity.

"Michael and Posey visit at OUTSIDE table. No horse in house."

I had never seen Chrissy so mad. She walked to the far side of the couch and picked up a quilt. She pushed it at the Kid. "Jed like dog and horse so much, you go sleep in stable with them."

"But Chrissy, I'm sorry."

The Kid looked so forlorn, I started to laugh. Chrissy turned her glare on me. "Heyes think funny. Heyes sleep in stable, too…Go!" She pushed a quilt from the stack at me.

So, the Kid and I slept on the floor of Juan and Ken's room over the barn. It was hard and we needed the warmth of the quilts. The Kid tried to go back into the house once, but Chrissy picked up a broom and swatted him on his rear end. "Leave!"

"Yes, darlin'."

Trying to stay awake, I listened to the rustle of wind in the trees. I was afraid I would have a nightmare here even though the Kid had insisted he wanted the lamp on high while we slept. But it wasn't me that had the nightmare.

"No, don't touch them! Leave them alone! It's me you want, not them!" The Kid started off mumbling but ended up screaming. His hands were moving through the air trying to push someone away.

"Kid," I whispered. He had woken all of us, but Juan and Ken looked to me to help him.

"They're babies. I'm here. Let them go." His hand went to where his gun would have been and in his dream, he got ready to draw. 'First let them go into the house with their ma. PLEASE! You have me."

"KID, wake up; it's a dream. The twins are safe inside the house," I said a little louder.

He looked at me, but his eyes did not see me. They only saw his dream.

"They're safe inside the house," he said, repeating what I had just told him. "I don't draw first," he growled."

"Lay back down and go to sleep. Think about something happy. Think of the colt and filly," I told him.

He seemed to listen and laid back down only to sit up suddenly. The nightmare had changed.

"No, Han! Those are our houses burnin'. Those men are raiders. I thought they were safe in the house but it's burnin'. Han!"

I shook him hard. "Kid! Jed! Wake up. It's a nightmare. It's not real."

He looked at me, really looked at me, blinking his eyes open in the bright room. But the sadness and terror were still in the back of those eyes. "Heyes, I was dreamin' about Kansas, and the raiders and the fire, only this time they murdered Chrissy and the twins in the house, and I couldn't stop them any more than when we were kids." He seemed to be imploring me to do something. I patted his hand.

"Jed, Heyes?" I heard Chrissy's voice at the bottom of the ladder.

"Darlin', you alright?" Jed asked, concern dispelling the nightmare.

"Just miss husband. Come house now. Bring Heyes. No bring horse."

JED 'KID' CURRY

Well, we finally have the logistics worked out. Chrissy and I are on our way Bridgeport and US Marshal Karl Josephs, Ken's brother, is travelin' with us from there to Cheyenne.. He's as nice as his brother, just would never think they were brothers from their looks. Beverly insisted we take her buggy to Bridgeport so Chrissy will be more comfortable. Spring's Joy seems to enjoy pullin' a buggy.

"Feel like rich lady!" Chrissy exclaimed. She was wearin' one of the "special" outfits that Beverly had sent over. They were store bought and beautiful. I think Chrissy looks beautiful in everything she wears but I can tell she feels real pretty in these.

We're meetin' Karl in Bridgeport. Chrissy doesn't know him and holds my arm tight whenever I mention him. I want her to trust him as much as she does Ken, but that will take time. We are takin' the Monday evenin' train to Cheyenne 'cause Matt's trial starts at eight am sharp on Tuesday. That's what the telegram said. We got to Bridgeport early. I hate to be late, so we have four hours here before our train boards.

"Darlin', let's go to the buildin' supply store just down the street. Want to order the things to get started with Aunt Diane Frances' house."

"Good! You go. I want to go to Heyes' newspaper archives," she said, smilin'. I love to make her smile.

"You do? What are you lookin' for?"

She turned away from me. "My trial, your trial. Want to read what they wrote about us. Someday our kids might read."

"You sure that's a good idea? It might upset you."

"It will upset Chrissy darlin'. But need to read," she answered.

I noticed that she didn't say 'me' and I didn't want to argue. "Okay, I'll come with you."

"No, introduce me and you leave. Order supplies."

Michael Loveland, the owner of the newspaper, greeted us warmly when he saw me. "Mrs. Curry, pleasure to meet you."

"I see Heyes' old papers, please?" she asked, holdin' tight to my arm.

"Welcome to them," Michael's voice boomed.

The front door flew open. "Bank robbed. Getting posse together," yelled the deputy and was gone.

Michael shook his head. "Wish I could join. Got a bad leg, can't ride very far," he said sadly.

"You horse? Jed go," Chrissy volunteered me.

"Chrissy?"

"Don't worry about the missus. She can stay here and look through the papers. I'll watch over her."

He pushed me out the door and waved to the deputy. "Doug, a volunteer, friend of mine."

With a kiss to Chrissy, I ran out, got on Michael's large brown horse, and rode to the end of the street where the posse was formin'.

"Friend of Loveland's." The deputy pointed to me in introduction.

The sheriff gave me a quick look, then looked at me again. I think he knew me, but his mind was on the fleein' robbers.

"Three men, all armed. Emptied the safe and the drawers and shot a clerk in the leg. Rode out that way." He pointed to the main road east. "All of you, consider yourself deputized."

I looked around at the town layout. I only had two, maybe three hours before I needed to be back to board the train. We rode out hard, followin' the sheriff east. I wished I was in the lead and could follow the tracks, but since I was not, I stayed near the rear and looked at each little road we crossed for new hoofprints. I didn't have to look long.

"This way!" I called to those ahead of me. They turned, gave me a dirty look, and kept on goin'. I don't blame them; they don't know me. They're followin' the sheriff they trust.

I slowed down once I turned and knew that I was on their track. Five more miles and I stopped. I could hear voices. I recognized the sound of men celebratin' a successful robbery.

I circled around behind them and saw the bottle of whiskey they were passin' around. For a second, I relived the joy we felt when a Hannibal Heyes plan worked. But I'm a law-abidin' citizen now, was even deputized. And that meant I had a job to do.

I waited until they'd each had a couple of drinks and their guard slipped a little. It didn't take long. Then I stepped out of the trees, gun in hand. With my first shot, I put a bullet through the neck of the whiskey bottle as it was passed from man to man. They all turned to see where the bullet came from.

"Drop your guns, easy now. Two fingers. Throw them toward me." One of the men went for his gun and I shot his holster off before he got it out.

"K-K-Kid Curry. You're Kid Curry!" He pushed the holstered gun towards me with his foot.

The other two threw their guns near me.

"Tie up your buddies," I told the first man. He was still shakin' at the thought of Kid Curry. At least my reputation was workin' for the legal side right now.

He found a rope and tied their hands. I had him sit against a tree and with my free hand wrapped a rope around him and the trunk. I tied an awkward knot one handed. Then I fired another shot into the air hopin' the posse would arrive soon.

They came within fifteen minutes.

"Gentlemen, I believe these are the men you are lookin' for," I told the sheriff with a sly grin.

He motioned to his men, and they started to round up the robbers and found the take of the robbery in their saddlebags.

"Just think of that, we had the honor of the famous Kid Curry in our posse, and he captured three men by himself," the sheriff announced.

I thought he was makin' fun of me until he dismounted and offered his hand. "Proud to meet you. Thank you for the help."

"You're welcome. Loveland asked me to come in his place." I shook his hand but would have liked to avoid the attention his announcement had caused..

Ridin' back into town, the sheriff rode on one side of the robbers, and I rode on the other with the rest of the posse trailin'. I was tryin' to figure out how I felt about what had happened. I sympathize with the men I'd captured. I can't look them in the eyes. I know how it feels to be in their place, scared, closed in, desperate. And I was the one responsible for that.

"Sheriff, gonna leave up ahead. I gotta go to the newspaper office, drop off Loveland's horse and pick up my wife," I called to him.

He motioned me forward; two men quickly took our place. Michael Loveland limped out of his front door to the sidewalk in front. "Looks like your posse was successful," he said as we dismounted.

The sheriff shook the newspaperman's massive hand. "Posse didn't catch them, Kid Curry caught all three of them single-handed. Then fired a shot so we could find him. Ain't never saw anything like it. Amazing."

"Jed amazing? Good!" I heard Chrissy's voice before I saw her come out onto the porch.

"Sheriff, my wife Chrissy," I introduced her as I studied her closer. She looked like she had been cryin'.

The sheriff grabbed his hat off his head. "Yes, ma'am. You can be proud of him. Reward for the three of them is all yours, Mr. Curry."

Guilt hit me hard. "No, no, don't want no reward. Just bein' a good citizen." I backed away from the group. I kept puttin' myself in the place of those handcuffed men…and knew the horror of the prison sentences that awaited them. My heart wanted to cry for their future. Prison would take those lighthearted celebratin' men I had watched and break them or harden them into angry violent men…or kill them.

Chrissy read my face well. She took my arm and smiled at me and turned to her host. "Mr. Loveland, you good man. Thank you," she said sweetly. She pulled me toward the street. "Glad my Jed helped you, Sheriff. Now we catch train."

I shrugged my shoulders and allowed her to pull me. I was glad to get away from there.

"Chrissy darling hungry," she stated. "We eat now."

HEYES

It's different at the ranch without the Kid and Chrissy. Two strangers knocked on our front door asking for the blacksmith. The Kid put up a big sign, but I always figure not everyone can read. I told them the shop was closed for a few days. I'm not supposed to say that the Kid is out of town, just that the shop is closed. So that's what I do. Both men were disappointed but not upset. I watched them leave and saw a broken plow in the back of their truck. I listened for the gate to close.

Chrissy tried to talk Michael into letting Auntie give him his medicine, but he insisted that I do it. I tried to sound like my pa and I told him that I would only do it if he would be good and take it without fussing. I think I scared him. I didn't mean to. But it worked and he took his medicine without an argument. Ken and Juan are working with the horses, so I am trying to keep the twins occupied. It's very cold today and Martha has been coughing so Auntie said she must stay inside. She asked if Posey and Callie could come inside but I know better than that. Chrissy would throw a fit if I ever allowed a horse in her house again.

Chrissy had asked me a lot about Bridgeport, but I told her I don't like to go many places there, just the newspaper office to look at the old papers. So, she asked me to tell her what that was like. She listened carefully and smiled when I described Michael Loveland, the owner, as a man mountain but that's the best way to say it. She's nervous about traveling, even with the Kid, but determined to go to her brother's trial.

Michael is going to try and sit at the table to eat supper tonight. The Kid and Juan built wooden blocks that the twins can sit on, and they are the right height for the table. With those, Michael can lean his cast on the table.

On Thursday morning, me and Ken are going to Bridgeport and then Cheyenne for my parole hearing. After this there is only one left. I'm trying so hard to be good and heal. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember my life before prison, what I felt and how I acted. With the Kid's patience, I'm getting back to being me.

Ken's not going to stay in Cheyenne. The Kid and Chrissy are going to meet us at the train station in Cheyenne. Ken and Chrissy are catching the train back to Bridgeport an hour after we arrive. The Kid wants her settled back into home as soon as possible. He worries about her and the baby all the time.

Karl is there with them now but has to leave on Wednesday on US Marshal business so won't be able to meet up with Ken.

It's Thursday the Kid is worried about, although Juan will be here with Aunt Diane Frances and the twins. He asked Sheriff Frank to check in on them. I think Auntie is worried, too.

"Jedediah, can I ask you something?" I heard her say after supper one night.

"Anything you want, Auntie." The Kid told her she can ask us anything, even about our time in prison. I don't want her to ask about that. I don't want to talk about prison unless I have to. I don't want to think about it at all.

"Do you have a gun you could leave here with me when you're gone? And maybe a rifle?"

The Kid looked at her with questioning eyes. "I do, but do you know how to use them?"

"I was the wife of a traveling US Marshal who raised three children practically on my own. I know how to shoot. My husband taught me. And I'm not afraid to use a gun. Saved my family more than once with a Colt."

A smile came into the Kid's eyes. "Tomorrow mornin' you come down and practice with me and I'll leave a gun and a rifle where you can reach them quickly."

I wanted to ask her about using the guns to protect her family but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask her about her life. Maybe she can ask about ours, but we can't ask about hers. I'll have to check with the Kid later.

The next morning, I heard the report of a rifle join the usual bangs of the Kid's practice. He told me later she's an accurate shot with both the Colt and the rifle. And then he warned me not to touch either one.

JED 'KID' CURRY

Chrissy wanted to go to the diner, not the fancy restaurant in Bridgeport, which was good because we only had forty minutes before we needed to board our train. Even though she said she was hungry, she pushed her food around her plate.

"Darlin', you looked like you were cryin' at the newspaper office; you thinkin' about Matt's trial?" I asked. I couldn't tell her that it was goin' to be fine because it wasn't. Matt was guilty and he was either goin' back to prison for life or he was goin' to hang. Ken was goin' to take Chrissy back to the ranch on Thursday mornin' 'cause if they hanged Matt, it would be that afternoon. I wouldn't let her watch that.

She looked up at me and there were still tears in her eyes. "No, not Matt's trial. Read about Chrissy trial and Jed and Heyes trial. All very sad. Cry when I read the part you sentenced to different prisons. I knew that, but readin' it again hurt my heart and I cried. Newspaper's funny had contest to guess if I was married to you or Heyes. I tell truth just never say I was married at all."

"I'm don't like to see you cry." I scooted my chair close to hers so I could put my arm around her.

"I cry all the time now."

She called herself 'I'. That was a good sign. "Jed sad. I know he no want reward for today."

"How'd you know that?"

"Your face tell me."

"I'm still angry at Dr. Lewis for tryin' to get the reward on us and settlin' for a reward for you. Then invadin' our home to try and collect the illegal bounty. Angry's not the right word. Bitter."

"Dr. Lewis in prison for attempted murder. Over and done. Let bad feeling go. Think of good feeling. Like our child."

"What did I ever do to have someone as good as you love me?"

She giggled. When she giggles her eyes twinkle. "Jed best man ever I know."

I saw Karl enter the diner and I waved him over. Chrissy's giggle turned into a wary silence. "Thought I'd find you two here," he said as a greetin'. "Train's on time. It'll leave in fifteen minutes."

I left some money on the table, and we walked out with Karl. Chrissy had a tight hold on my arm on the side away from him.

"How's my brother doing? Sorry I'm missing him."