WINTER'S REFUGE

by Kattayl

Every author writes a Curry and Heyes prison story. This is mine.

24. Winter's Refuge Chapter 24

Winter's Refuge

Chapter Twenty-Four

LOM

I brought the Kid back to the ranch and Dr. Sexton came with me to get him settled. I had hoped his injuries were mild, but there was no way he was making the trip to Cheyenne tomorrow to see Heyes. He didn't complain about his injuries, so I asked the doctor when the Kid fell asleep. I knew Chrissy could hear.

"Doctor, how bad is he?"

"Never saw anything like it. Other men would be moaning and groaning with those burns, even with the laudanum. He's got a mild concussion, so I know his head must hurt with a bad headache, probably blurred vision. And his temple and shoulder were burned by whatever fell on him. Jeff Birde said it was a burning board flying down from the roof, through what used to be the second story floor. Mr. Curry was so determined, he just kept on walking. His right knee has a nasty burn as does his left foot. His hands have mild burns from that beam he lifted; it wasn't burning enough for anything more serious. Of course, if it was burning more, he couldn't have touched it. Flying embers were all over in that smoke. Like Jeff and Juan, he is covered by dozens of small burns where the dots of fire hit, burned, and died out. His left shoulder and side, where he was carrying Juan, was the only protected side of his body. I have him resting on that side."

I must have looked pensive because the doctor added, "He'll recover. I've left instructions for cold towels and the medication to be spread on his burns. The girl's good at that."

"Do you think he'll be able to travel in two weeks?"

"He can travel in one week if it's not too strenuous and his headache is gone."

So, with Chrissy's help, we kept the Kid floating in the sleep of medication while I left to go see Heyes. Mrs. Birde couldn't understand why I had to leave then and not wait a few days, but I was insistent, and her husband backed me up. Rudy is at the ranch most of the time. Juan's recovered enough that the doctor said he'll live, but his recovery is going to be long and painful and insisted he stay in the room at his office for now. He's in medicated forced sleep now. I think Rudy has trouble seeing him this hurt. He goes into town when he knows his younger brother will be awake.

All this means I left the next morning to go visit Heyes alone. Can't think of many things worse. I saw last time how Heyes draws his strength from the Kid. It's like the Kid has a rope around his waist and is lifting his cousin a little further toward freedom with each visit. I don't want to go there without the Kid, but I must go there. I sent two telegrams to Dr. Arden yesterday saying it was urgent I talk to him before the meeting with Heyes. I didn't get a reply. The telegrams go to Cheyenne; he's probably at the prison.

The Kid had woken for a while this morning while I was getting ready. He struggled to sit up and told Chrissy he had to go see Heyes. I think Mrs. Birde heard, but she didn't let on. I heard the Kid's voice and was glad I went into his room because when he sat up, he collapsed. I caught him. It was too early for another dose, but Chrissy prepared one and looked to me. I nodded as I laid him back into bed on his left side. I realized the doctor had left him naked with only a light sheet covering him because of the burns. As Chrissy handed him the glass of medicine, I think she blushed. She reached over and pulled the sheet over him again. He drank the medicine without protest. Chrissy sat next to him and started to read the book 'Walden' to him.

I had only given that book to Heyes. That month Chrissy had gotten a romance novel and the Kid a book on blacksmithing techniques. Her reading was monotone. She balanced the book on her knees while she held the Kid's hand in hers. I smiled as I left the room. The Kid was well taken care of here. It was the last real smile I had that day.

ASJ*****ASJ

All the way to the prison, I went over different ways to explain to Heyes why the Kid was not with me. I had decided he needed to know the truth, that the Kid was hurt but was going to be okay. I had hoped Dr. Arden got my telegrams, but that hope died as soon as I entered the prison.

"Sheriff Lom Trevors to visit Hannibal Heyes. I would like to meet with Dr. Arden alone first."

"Sorry, sir, convict Heyes is already in the doctor's office waiting for you," the first guard said, looking around me for the Kid. "You alone today, sir?"

That was the truth of it. I was alone here today. "Yes, just me."

On the walk down the bleak hallways, the only sounds I heard were the footsteps of the two guards and myself…and the loud beating of my heart. I didn't want to do this. I had to do this.

My stomach tightened; a bout of nausea swept over me. I had vomited on the train, and I know I have a low fever. I took this time on the walk to the doctor's office to calm myself. If I were calm, my symptoms would lessen.

The guards knocked on the door and opened it without acknowledgement. Heyes was sitting in the middle chair in front of the doctor's desk. I took a deep breath and forced a smile onto my face. "Hi Heyes."

HEYES

My ribs have healed and the wound on my back has healed, again. I've been good these two weeks and, although I would never tell him, I'm looking forward to the big hug I get from the Kid when he comes in. No one touches anyone in here except to hit, to punish. It was not always pleasant this week. For three days I had to empty piss pots. At first, I wanted to revolt against it, but I remembered the Kid's words about making brooms and told myself if I was going to empty and clean piss pots that they would be the cleanest piss pots ever and it would be done as quick as they had ever been. And that's what I did. I kept hearing the Kid's voice over and over in my head. When I hear his voice, I can feel him sharing his strength with me.

I heard footsteps echoing in the hallway. I know one guard had stayed outside the door since I was already in here. Two guards escort the Kid and Lom here. The books I had picked out to go home were stacked on the doctor's desk. When the door opened, I turned to face them.

"Hi Heyes," Lom said, advancing to shake my hand. I stood out of habit, but I didn't see the Kid. I looked quickly at Dr. Arden for permission to speak.

"This is your visit, Heyes, speak freely," he said.

"W–where's… the K=kid?" I heard the demand in my voice. I tried to hide the fear behind my words.

I saw Lom glance at the doctor before he said, "The Kid can't come today, Heyes. There was a fire…"

I know Lom kept talking, but I didn't hear anything else. "No…no…no!" I think I screamed. I know panic flooded my thoughts, my body. I started shaking, violently. Lom reached out and put his arms around me, but I didn't care. I knew he was going to tell me the Kid was dead. That's the only reason I could think of that he would not come.

"Heyes! Heyes! Heyes!" Lom's voice kept getting louder. He set me into the chair.

"No, can't…die…can't."

Lom sat in the chair next to me and put his hand on my knee the way the Kid used to.

Dr. Arden's voice got my attention. "Heyes, listen to your friend. Mr. Curry is NOT dead."

I heard the words but didn't believe them.

"Heyes, he's not dead," Dr. Arden repeated to me.

"Not… dead?"

Lom now put both hands on my knees and waited until he caught my eyes. He held them so I couldn't look away.

"There was a fire in the mercantile. The Kid saved two people's lives, but he's got a concussion and some nasty burns," Lom told me. I wasn't sure if I believed him. Even if the Kid were dead, I don't think he'd tell me, at least not until I get out of here. Lom looks pale, his eyes weary. Why would he look like that unless the Kid were dead?

Lom knew I didn't believe him. I was sure the Kid was dead, and I was alone. Without him, I won't have the strength to get out of here even though I'm only forty days away.

I could tell Lom didn't know what else to say. "The Kid lifted a massive beam off Juan and Jeff Birde. Then he carried them through the fire to safety."

Only one Juan me and the Kid knew. "Juan? Win…win…ters Re..fu..ge?" I looked at him with my question, my attention diverted for a moment.

I could see Lom fighting with himself over what to say next. "L…Lom?"

"Yes, Juan from Winter's Refuge. That's where the Kid got his first stud horses. Juan came with them."

LOM

I told a limited version of the truth. I could see the thoughts churning in Heyes' head. His face shows all his thoughts and emotions now. He was lost. I wasn't sure if he thought the Kid had betrayed him or still didn't believe me that he was alive.

"Kid…Chris…sy?"

That was hard to answer. There were so many things that Heyes didn't know. Couldn't know if he was to concentrate on getting out of prison.

"Yes, the Kid got the horses from Winter's Refuge." Heyes didn't know I knew Chrissy. Didn't know what had happened to her. I needed it to stay that way.

"Juan?" he asked, concerned. Maybe he was starting to believe me about the Kid.

"Burned badly, especially his chest. Legs broken. The Kid lifted a beam that would take three men to lift to save those two."

"Strong," Heyes said and began to cry unashamedly. 'Need...K…K…Kid," he was sobbing. I leaned forward so he could put his head on my shoulder. Instead, he sat up straighter and wiped the tears, leaving only the red in his eyes as evidence of his tears.

"The Kid will be here next visit," I told him and realized that's what I should have told him from the beginning. I saw hope start in his eyes, his manner.

"Prom…prom…" He couldn't get the word out so touched his heart and held out his hand to shake on it.

We shook on my promise. "I promise he'll be here, Heyes. Doctor already said he could travel then."

I hoped Heyes believed me. I looked to the doctor for confirmation. He looked awkward, not sure what to say or do.

"Ask…him…him part…ners?" His voice was desperate as if grasping at something moving away from him. "You…tell…me…if…if…Kid dead?"

"Heyes, believe me. The Kid will always be your partner and I would tell you if he were dead. He's hurt but will recover. I've never seen a man so strong in so many ways. The doctor said that most patients with burns like the Kid's would be moaning or screaming, even with the medicine. He's quiet. I can see the pain in his eyes, but that's it. Juan moans unless he has double doses of laudanum."

Heyes just nodded. When the guards opened the door, he stood and held his hand out to shake. I took it and pulled him in close for a hug. I was going to pat him on the back but thought better of it remembering the shiv wound.

"You…promi…se," he got out to remind me as he left, and the door was closed between us.

Sadness swept over me as I heard the shackles being fastened to his ankles and wrist. I felt like crying myself. I wasn't sure Heyes had the strength to make it two weeks worrying about the Kid.

"Sheriff Trevors!" Dr. Arden got my attention. I turned to look at him without saying anything. "May I ask the extent of Mr. Curry's wounds?"

I debated if he was being nosy or concerned. "Just what I told Heyes. Dr. Sexton said it was alright to bring him home to the ranch so that's where he is."

"And will he be able to travel here in two weeks? I don't want to give Heyes expectations then have him disappointed. He's fragile mentally. As we saw on your last visit, all his strength comes from their bond. I think these are going to be a rough two weeks for him. He falls into desperation easily and needs Mr. Curry to help him get out of it."

"We had to give the Kid an extra dose of laudanum to keep him away this time. He'll be here."

As I was escorted out of the prison, Heyes' books firmly tucked under my arm, I thought about what the doctor said. But I saw it went both ways. The Kid needed Heyes as much as Heyes needed the Kid.

ASJ*****ASJ

I was disappointed that Chrissy was not sitting on the porch waiting for me to come home like she did for the Kid. Rudy heard the gate squeak open and came to take my horse. "How are Juan and the Kid?" I asked.

We walked together toward the house, Rudy leading my horse. "Juan opened his eyes this morning. I'd like to believe he smiled when he saw me. Dr. Sexton says he'll live, just has a long recovery in front of him. Ma wanted to rush here when she heard, but I told her she can't do anything I'm not doing."

I nodded and smiled. I could hear the college education in his language.

"Besides, my parents want me to go back to college. They don't have the money to spare, and I don't want them going into debt for me. I suppose eventually I'll have to take Juan home so he can recover there."

I had thought about that but had another idea. "Maybe not, let's wait and see."

Trying to enter the house quietly in case the Kid was asleep, I found Mrs. Birde making a pot roast in the kitchen. It smelled delicious. My appetite has waned lately, but I wanted some of the pot roast and cornbread I was smelling.

"Welcome home. Mr. Curry's awake reading that Walden book Chrissy started."

"Thanks." I hadn't thought the Kid would like that book, but the Kid I knew today surely would appreciate it.

"Chrissy's out in the back watering that spot again. Don't know what's planted in there, but she's gonna drown it for sure."

"Lom, is that you?" the Kid called at my voice. "How'd it go?"

I had thought about it on the train what I was going to tell him. "Well, at first he was sure you were dead no matter what I told him."

"Sounds about right."

"But I convinced him you were alive and promised you'd make the next visit. You will make the next visit, won't you?"

"Nothing could keep me away." He was sitting up with a mountain of pillows behind his back. The sheet was draped modestly over his privates as his burnt knee, bathed in salve, was exposed. He saw the books in my hand. "Just leave them on the dresser. Chrissy will take them. Where is she?"

"Mrs. Birde says she is watering something in the back."

"Oh, well looks like my potatoes are goin' to drown before they bud." I saw the pain he tried to hide cross his face as he turned the page. "So Heyes?"

"I can't read him like you, but I think he understood." I sat down in the chair next to his bed. "Probably doesn't want you to know, but he cried."

He looked at the ceiling then put his hand to his head. "Still get some dizzy movin' my head. Won't tell him you told me, but thanks for bein' there for him."

"One thing, I mentioned you saved Juan and Jeff, and he asked Juan from Winter's Refuge. I'm not lying to him. I told him that's where you got your first stud horses and Juan came with them."

"True enough. He ask about Chrissy?" The Kid looked away when he asked.

"Asked, but I just confirmed the horses came from Winter's Refuge."

"He'll think on it. Puzzle on Chrissy." The Kid moved around, and I thought he was trying to get up.

"Don't think so. He dropped it quickly. I think he's still trying to convince himself that you're alive." I watched him work his feet off the side of the bed. "Should you be getting up?"

"Ain't gettin' up, just need the..." He pointed under the bed to the chamber pot. I pulled it out for him. "Could you just watch the door that Chrissy or Mrs. Birde ain't comin'?"

When he was finished, I sat by his bed, and we talked. He told me about the fire from the inside. He needed to talk, and I knew it. Still, his descriptions gave me shivers.

"Time, eat!" Chrissy came into the room carrying a tray for the Kid. Her shoes were covered with mud from the garden as was the bottom of her dress. She didn't seem to notice. She stopped when she saw me and thought.

"Lom, out. Eat table," she ordered, setting the tray on a table next to the Kid's bed.

"Thank you, Chrissy darling," the Kid said. Grinning, he looked at her boots.

Chrissy saw the books I had brought from Heyes. "Number?" she asked the Kid.

His mouth was full of cornbread, so he didn't answer.

"Number!" she demanded this time.

"Forty-two," the Kid said between a bite of the pot roast.

"Forty-two?" I asked.

Chrissy was holding the books by their spine and shaking them. A tiny paper fell from the second book. She picked it up and handed it to the Kid.

"Forty-two!" he read.

"Forty-two, good. Lom go eat."

"Heyes send a lot of papers like that in the books?" I asked, concerned if they were found he'd be in trouble.

"Just now and then," the Kid answered, but seemed more interested in his food than conversation.

"Lom eat table!"

I left but stopped at the door and saw Chrissy mixing laudanum into the Kid's water. Then she put a cool towel on the burns on his foot.

"Eat more," she told the Kid in a teasing voice. I took a step down the hall so I was out of sight but could still hear. "Heyes?" she asked quietly.

"Lom told him. He'll be okay. I'll see him next visit."

ASJ*****ASJ

The Kid improved daily. There was also a steady flow of townsfolk to the ranch wanting to thank Jed for his heroics. They noticed that his pants were destroyed in the fire and four new pairs appeared by the gate along with new shirts. On the third day I was back, whenI got up the Kid and Chrissy were gone. I found them down at the blacksmith shop. Chrissy was checking in horses for shoeing and the others lined up for the Kid.

"Kid, what are you doing?" I asked loudly when I found them. The crowd and Chrissy turned to stare at me before they turned back to what they were doing. But Chrissy came over and stood in front of me, silently thinking. Finally, she pointed her finger into my chest. "Here Jed, not sir, not Kid," she said, emphasizing each word with a poke.

"Yes, ma'am," I said, only to be met with a flash of anger in her eyes.

"No ma'am. Never ma'am."

"Sorry," I said, glad to see her spirit starting to show.

The Kid was looking over at me. He had looked tired when we first saw him. Now he looked exhausted.

I took over. "That's all for now. The…Jed's been healing. He shouldn't overdo it." Instantly, I felt the people worried they had tired their hero. A chair was pulled out for him.

"Just need the chisel back when you have time."

"If you're tired today, I'll bring my horse back tomorrow…or the next day."

"Anything I can do to help you?"

"All this can wait if you're not feeling up to it."

The Kid looked embarrassed with the attention, but gladly sat down. "I can shoe two horses this mornin'," he said, looking at Chrissy. She pointed to the two animals already tied to the hitching post near the forge. "Two, one three," she said and retreated to the room in back of the smithy.

I was going to question her, but the Kid said, "Got it. I'll do these two, four shoes total." His voice was weak. He was sitting very straight. Not leaning back on the chair.

I looked at the crowd and they started to disperse. Each one had a word of thanks for the Kid. He didn't like the attention but was gracious. When it was only me and the Kid, Chrissy came out from the back room. "Go sleep now. Shoe later."

"No Chrissy, I already have the forge goin'. Don't want to put it out and get it goin' again. Just let me work at my own pace."

"How can I help?" I asked.

The Kid's eyes were hurting but you couldn't tell from his voice or actions. "Chrissy, the bay the one that only needs one shoe?" he yelled to the back room.

"Bay one. Brown spot three," she replied.

"Okay, Lom, bring that bay over here and let's get started.

The Kid took a break after he finished the bay. Working on the brown spotted horse, he did the two back hooves cleaning and shoes, then rested again. He was back working on the front shoe when another visitor surprised us. The small buggy turned up Old Cummings Road slowly, stopping in front of the blacksmith shop.

"Sheriff Trevors, I was hoping you would still be here." Dr. Aiden Arden stepped down from his buggy.

The Kid looked over from the forge. Chrissy stayed hidden.

"Mr. Curry, I promised Heyes I would lay my own eyes on you and let him know how you are doing. And I'm here to provide any medical services you may need."

"Dr. Arden?" The Kid was near exhaustion but had pushed himself today. It showed.

"Oh my, Mr. Curry, I don't think you should be up yet." The doctor went to touch the bandage on the Kid's head. His hand was batted away.

"Tell me again why you are here? Heyes alright?" The Kid's voice was low, tired, and cranky.

"He's coping," the doctor replied. "Let me drive you up to the house in my buggy. I rented it in Bridgeport."

"Gotta finish this last shoe and close up first," he said as he nailed in the final nail and put the horse's foot down. "Done." The Kid started to prepare the forge for tomorrow's fire.

I kept my eyes on Dr. Arden. I wasn't sure what I thought of him being here. If he was going to be here too long, we'd have to introduce him to Chrissy.

The Kid pulled the two sides of the smithy down as Dr. Arden looked on in amazement.

"Gonna leave the front one up for now. Let the heat out." His limp from the burns on his knee and foot was more pronounced now that he was tired. He looked at Dr. Arden standing there, seeming out of place in his expensive suit and shoes. "Doctor, I'd be mighty glad to take you up on that ride."

JED 'KID' CURRY

Lom helped me into the seat next to the doctor. I could see how alarmed he was at how much I was leanin' on him for support. But I had done too much today. Tried too hard to tell myself I was better. It had been less than four days since the fire and the burns, especially the ones on my knee, shoulder, and foot hurt so bad that sometimes I felt like screamin'. The heat of the forge made the burnin' sensation worse. I stepped out at the gate, tryin' to make it look painless, but failin' I think. "I made this latch myself. You can hear it all the way to the house," I bragged to the doctor as I waved him though. I left it open for Lom and Chrissy then almost fell, recoverin' before gettin' back into the buggy.

"Mr. Curry, I do believe you should be restin' in bed," Dr. Arden said as he skillfully drove the buggy to the porch steps. Rudy was there to greet us. Thankfully, Mrs. Birde had told us she felt she wasn't needed durin' the day anymore and would see us at Sunday services.

"Bed's right where I'm headin'. Thank you, Doctor, for the ride." My head was startin' to swim with the pain in my temple. Then Dr. Arden was helpin' me out of the wagon, and I was leanin' on him to stay upright. Rudy tried to help, but the doctor asked him to take care of the horse.

"Which way to your room, Mr. Curry?"

I realized I was walkin' with my eyes almost closed. Forcin' them open, I pointed down the hall. Mine was the first door on the right and I happily fell into my bed.

"I'll be right back; I need to get my bag," Dr. Arden said.

I sat up and tried to pull the old slipper I had worn over my burned foot off. But even that was too much. Chrissy was there, gently takin' off the slipper, my other boot and then the socks. She untied the blacksmith apron I still wore and pulled my shirt over my head.

"Good, Miss, good help me to get him comfortable." I heard Dr. Arden's voice but tiredness and pain was forcin' me to lay down. First I laid on my right side but the pain in my shoulder stabbed me immediately so I rolled over on my left.

"Mr. Curry, this is Dr Arden."

"I know that." Why was tellin' me what I already knew when I just wanted the pain to go away so I could sleep for a whole day.

"Good. I'm going to look at your burns. I worked a year of my training in Philadelphia in the burn ward. I think I can help you." He sounded so earnest I labored to open my eyes.

"I'm going to take the bandage off your head."

He did as he said. His touch was gentle as he unwrapped the cloth. "How did this happen? This is more than a burn."

"Board on fire," I heard Chrissy answer for me.

I saw the questions in the doctor's eyes, but he concentrated on my temple. "Yes, I can see where it hit fairly hard." His fingers probed into the wound. "Mr. Curry, I believe you have two small slivers of wood embedded here. They need to come out." He looked around the room and saw the laudanum on my bedside table. "When did you last have this?"

Again, Chrissy answered, "Stupid! No take mornin'!" She stamped her foot. She was lookin' at me. I don't think she looked directly at the doctor.

"Thank you, miss. Mr. Curry, I'm sure your doctor ordered you to take this every four hours."

"Jed, not Mr. Curry."

"Ah okay, Jed. Did your doctor tell you to take this every four hours?"

"Yes, he did, but I needed to open the blacksmith shop."

The doctor picked up the spoon and measured out the medicine. "Open, Mr. Curry." He didn't wait for me; he jammed the bitter tastin' liquid in my mouth and turned the spoon over. Then he held my mouth shut and stroked my throat forcin' me to swallow.

I'm sure I gave him a nasty stare, but I kept in my mind that this man could make Heyes' time in prison very difficult, even stop his deal. "Water, please?"

Chrissy was there with a cup of water waitin'.

"Mr…er Jed, I am going to look closer at the burn on your shoulder."

I was so exhausted that the medicine was workin' quickly. I felt him probin' the burn on my shoulder, gently pullin' the cut from the board apart.

"OWW!" I yelled as he touched somethin' and I became wide awake with pain. I need to be strong. Pain won't defeat me. But the medicine's troubled sleep tries to overcome me.

"Don't fight the medicine, Mr. Curry. You have a significant piece of wood in this, also. Your doctor couldn't see it because of the swelling of the burn. I need to take them out. Unless you let the medicine work, this will be very painful. Miss, I need you to boil water and drop these instruments in it. Wash your hands well. I will be out to wash mine and we will rinse in alcohol. Do you understand?"

Chrissy didn't say anything, just took the instruments and left the room. I could hear her in the kitchen.

"Let me see the other burns."

I moved my foot toward him, but my eyes closed, and blackness engulfed me.

LOM

I watched as Dr. Arden skillfully took pieces of wood from the Kid's head and shoulder. Chrissy stood next to him and seemed to know what he was going to ask for next. She had the scalpel, tweezers or bandages ready just when he needed it. She said nothing but wiped the Kid's forehead with cool water often. When he got near consciousness, she ran her finger through his hair gently and he calmed.

I stayed near the bottom of the bed and watched Chrissy, the doctor, and the Kid. When Dr. Arden finished, he stepped back. Chrissy pushed forward and sat in the chair near the Kid's head. She picked up Heyes' book, "Walden", and started reading from the beginning again.

I left her there and followed Arden into the kitchen. "Thank you, Doctor, for coming."

He looked at me, tired and puzzled. "Not sure why I came, really. Heyes has convinced himself that Mr. Curry is dead. So, the reason I told myself was to help my patient."

He stopped and looked at me. "Sheriff Trevors, I am a man that has led a very sheltered life. I followed my father and his father and became a doctor. I work in a medical center in Cheyenne because I thought the west sounded romantic. I never thought I'd work in a prison. At first it was twice a month to see Heyes, as a favor to the governor. As you know, he's had his difficulties in there. I was confident I could help any prisoner. When I wrote to my father, I'm sure I sounded condensing to the men in there. I treat several of them now, but Heyes is the most intriguing. The famous outlaw, Hannibal Heyes, was so broken from beatings and the dark cell that I didn't know if I could help him.

"He and Mr. Curry changed my mind about convicts. I believe that they were both self-rehabilitated before they were sentenced to prison. I want to see Heyes succeed, as does the governor, who is a personal friend of mine. I have come to respect Mr. Curry, especially after reading his prison record. I came here because I find the small-town doctors horribly behind in their techniques. It's not their fault, they are under trained and overworked. Heyes needs to see Mr. Curry for that next visit. I will assure him that his partner is alive, and I hope I have helped Mr. Curry to heal faster."

He had poured himself a cup of coffee and went to sit in the living room. "The girl is Christina McWinters, is she not?"

"Yes," I said defensively.

"I followed her trial in the newspapers. It was excitingly melodramatic for a sheltered man from the east. Prison's an abusive place for a woman. Is that what happened to her?"

I gave the Kid's usual answer. "She's getting better."

He smiled at the diversion of the question and let it pass. "I puzzled for a long time about why no one knew who she was married to and even now it remains a secret."

I wasn't going to tell any family secrets, so I just nodded.

"Figured it out, though, why no one can say anything until after Heyes gets his pardon and amnesty. If she's married to Heyes, everything would be okay. She couldn't testify against him and anything she said about Mr. Curry is covered by his amnesty agreement. But if she's married to Mr. Curry, she could be subpoenaed to testify against Heyes, and more charges could be added…and more years in prison. Am I right?"

"Can't say, Doctor."

He moved and sat next to me. He quickly put his hand on my forehead, and I knew he could feel my ever-present fever. But then, without asking, he pressed his hand into my stomach on the lower right side and I cried out in pain, "Don't do that!"

"Have you seen a doctor for it?"

"Yes. He said some people recover on their own."

"I'm afraid you're not one of them. You've lost a lot of weight since you've been coming to visit Heyes. No appetite?"

I nodded.

"Sheriff, you need an appendectomy before your appendix bursts. I can do it in clean conditions at the medical center in Cheyenne where I work, and you have an excellent chance of survival."

"I need to be here for the Kid and Heyes."

"Or you can wait until it bursts, and that won't be long, who knows where with no doctor nearby and take your chances," he said bluntly.

"If I rest for a few weeks, there a chance it will heal on its own?" I asked. I know there was a bit of pleading in my voice, but the doctor was still blunt.

"You're not going to recover without surgery, Sheriff Trevors."

JED 'KID' CURRY

Sometime when I almost woke up,, I heard Chrissy's monotone readin' 'Walden'. I slipped back into sleep, but her voice stayed with me, calmin' me.

"Mr. Curry, wake up." The doctor's voice intruded into my sleep. I moved to look at him and realized my headache was gone. "Drink this water."

I drained the cup and then tried to sit up, but he pushed me back. "I need to use the chamber pot," I told him. I didn't add that I needed to use it right now. He reached under the bed and pulled it out. He put his hand around my back and helped me sit up.

"Can you manage on your own?"

I nodded. He left and closed the door.

I was naked as I used it then pulled the sheet back over my private parts. Lookin' around, I saw Chrissy sittin' in the corner, quietly starin'. "I'm sorry , darlin', I didn't see you there."

She had a devilish twinkle in her eye that reminded me of when we first met. "But I see you there." I smiled, she was comin' back to me slowly.

I smiled; she was comin' back to me slowly.

When he returned, I thanked Dr. Arden over and over for fixin' me up. The difference after the splinters had been removed was huge. I felt good.

"You'll stay in bed two more days before you attempt to work in that blacksmith shop or with the horses. You do understand, I want you well enough to go see Heyes for the next visit."

The tone he had used, and the force of his question made me want to jump up and say, "Yes, sir." I reminded myself this was my bedroom and not a prison. "Yes, I understand, Doctor."

He looked at Chrissy and her expression froze. "Miss McWinter, would you like me to examine you before I leave later today?"

"NO!" she answered loud and strong. Her eyes found me and she ran across the room and flung herself at me. "NO! Jed promise never again." I wrapped my good arm around her. It felt natural to hold her and so nice..

Dr. Arden was horrified. "Oh, no, no, no. That's not what I meant at all. I just thought…sometimes women prisoners need medical attention for…for. I'm sorry, never mind." If Chrissy hadn't been so upset, the doctor's uncomfortable response would have been funny.

When we were alone, I asked him not to mention Chrissy to Heyes. Even though the doctor didn't know her whole story, he agreed that I would tell Heyes about her after his release.

ASJ*****ASJ

I healed quicker after Dr. Arden's visit. He gave me a stronger cream, his own invention, to use on the burns. I was skeptical at first, but he put it on and the burnin' feelin' stayed away a long time and the burns got better each time, too. He tried to give some to Dr. Sexton for Juan, but Lom told me that Sexton threw a fit. That's when Rudy decided, as Juan's big brother, it was time to bring him here. Once the decision was made, Rudy brought him right to the ranch.

Our house, which seemed so big, felt small then. I helped, or tried to help, Lom and Rudy set Juan and Rudy up in the livin' room. They brought Juan's bed from the barn and Rudy slept on the old couch that was there when we first got here. Doctor Arden, with Chrissy helpin', cleaned everything in that room that could possibly be cleaned.

With Juan and Rudy in the main room, Dr. Arden slept in Heyes' room and Lom on Chrissy's cot in mine.

"You called this Heyes' room?" the doctor asked me. I was walkin' with little pain from my knee, but my foot was bandaged with no shoe still.

"That's what it is."

He looked around. "Quite a change from his prison cell. Is this his hat?" He picked up Heyes' old black hat from the dresser. I took it from him and put it back. I remembered this is the man that had just doctored me better than our local doctor could. And the man that had influence on Heyes' release.

"That's his hat."

"It's good that you've done this for him. A place to live and a job are conditions of his parole. I assume he'll be workin' the ranch?" The doctor seemed to be chattin'. I wasn't sure how to react.

"He'll work with the horses and keep the books."

"That's good. He's lucky to have you do this for him."

"He's family," I said. What else was there to say?

ASJ*****ASJ

Dr. Arden had only stayed the two nights, returnin' to Cheyenne on an early train, but not before he had what looked like an urgent conversation with Lom.

When he left, I couldn't hold my fear in any longer. "What's wrong with Heyes, Lom?"

He looked at me blankly. Lom's poker face does not fool me, but this made me believe he didn't know what I was talkin' about. "I saw the doctor talkin' to you about something serious."

Lom turned and poured himself a cup of coffee. "He was just askin' directions to Bridgeport."

I let it slide, wantin' to believe it was not about Heyes.

ASJ*****ASJ

Marina wanted Juan home so she could take care of her youngest son and she threatened to take the train and come here. Her latest telegram sounded worried and pleadin'. Rudy did not want to go anywhere near Winter's Refuge. His parents, especially his ma, wanted him to return to college right now. He refused to let them take out a loan to pay for it. So, until he earned enough money to cover a year of college, he was not goin' back to school. Or back to see his parents.

Lom had never met them, so it was decided that I would take Juan back to Winter's Refuge. We'd go by wagon to Bridgeport and by train there. Rudy had already wired their older brother, Paul, to meet us at the station with a wagon. I'd stay the night there and go into Cheyenne the next day to visit Heyes. Lom and Rudy would stay home with Chrissy.

It was a good plan on paper. In reality, Juan was very uncomfortable wearin' clothes over his burned legs and chest and never got comfortable. He refused the laudanum, but we brought it with us. I understood how he felt. The shoe and boot on my burned foot hurt so I wanted to scream. If I took my boot off, I'd never get it back on. Juan was quiet and I read for the most part. About half an hour from our stop, he looked away from the window and at me.

"Thanks…Jed," he said with a half-smile.

"Welcome," I answered, happy that he'd finally called me Jed, and finally considered me a friend.

"For everything."

I didn't know what to say. I reached over and put my hand on his shoulder and repeated, "You're welcome, my friend."

Truth was I considered Juan family. I'm strong. I'm not goin' to let anything happen to my family.

ASJ*****ASJ

Paul and Marina met us at the station. They concentrated on greetin' Juan and gettin' him into the wagon. I was ignored, politely, but ignored. At Winter's Refuge, Paul started to help Juan out of the wagon, but he stopped him.

"Let Jed help me. He knows how not to touch my burns." Juan scooted carefully toward the end of the wagon.

Without sayin' anything, I took him in my arms and looked to the front door. Marina ran ahead and opened it. She led me to one of the bedrooms in the section of the house the Ortiz family was usin'. I laid him gently on the bed prepared for him and turned to leave.

"Thanks, Jed," he whispered. I pulled his laudanum from my pocket and handed it to Marina.

"He needs two teaspoons in tea with honey."

"Now?"

"Yes. ma'am."

"Ma, please put Jed in the library next door. He can hear me call from there."

"I was goin' to stay in here with you. And put Mr. Curry in Chrissy's part of the house"

"No need, ma. I'll sleep for a good while with that medicine." He hesitated. "And Jed knows how to stop my nightmares. He lived through them too."

Jose's voice was behind me. He was standin' in the doorway. "Mr. Curry, I'll show you to the library. It's the room to the left." His voice was cold. I remembered fleetin' memories of him and Heyes carryin' me from the wagon when I was injured.

"Thank…."

"No, get him a glass of lemonade, Jose. I'll get pillows and blankets so he can sleep on the couch there." Marina bustled out by us on a mission, givin' Jose a stern look.

"I'll get Juan his medicine," I said and headed to the kitchen area we had passed on the way in.

Marina was back very quickly. I wondered what she had done in the room. She was in time to take the tea to Juan. She pointed to the stew on the stove sayin', "If you're hungry."

"Thank you," I said to her back as she left to go to Juan.

I dished myself up a bowl of stew, smellin' its wonderful aroma. Marina was an amazin' cook, even of simple things like beef stew. I helped myself to two rolls and sat at their kitchen table. I could hear Marina talkin' at Juan and his sleepy replies. Neither Paul nor Jose acknowledged me. Well, I understood. They blamed me and Heyes for Chrissy goin' to jail and probably for gettin' her pregnant and leavin' her. Now, maybe for Juan gettin' hurt. It was guilt I laid on myself too so I considered their actions part of my penance.

I washed my bowl and spoon and put them away and then wiped down the table where I had sat pickin' up any crumbs from the rolls. Then, I went to see Juan.

"Go away," Marina moved to shoo me out of the room.

"No, Jed, stay." Juan said. "Ma he's my friend. He saved my life."

Marina crossed herself, sayin', "Even bad men do good things by accident."

"No, ma. Jed almost died savin' me. He didn't have to go into that fire."

"Phht." She turned to me with a hard look on your face. "Then thank you and leave."

"Ma, I want to talk to Jed…alone for a while."

With a look that could kill, Marina stood and left the room. Juan smiled a sleepy smile at me. "I'm sorry about her…their attitude," he said.

"Don't blame them. I feel all the same guilt. Didn't know what happened then. Didn't know until I got pardoned. Can't change it but I'm tryin' to take care of her now."

"Mr…er Jed, you take very good care of her. I can see you love her…and I see that she loves you."

"Ah… yes I do, very much. I want to spend my whole life with her."

"Jed, I know you're leavin' early in the mornin', I may be asleep. I will be sleeping from this dose soon. I need to tell you, I want to come back to the ranch and work with you as soon as I get better."

"You don't have to feel obligated," I answered but I was happy he made the offer.

"No, I want to. I like workin' with you and well, there's a girl in Three Birds that I like."

I smiled at him as he started to sleep. "Does your ma know?" He looked at me in a panic. "Don't worry I won't say nothin'."

"Thank you." he said as he slipped into a medicated sleep.

As I left the room, I made enough noise so Marina would know she could go back in with Juan. I closed the door of the library. It looked like it had at one time been a bedroom but not needed anymore. Marina had laid out fresh sheets and a quilt and must have fluffed the pillows on the couch. After my long trip, it looked invitin'. I took off my gun and put it on the table. I pulled off my boots, decidin' I'd sleep in my clothes in case Juan called during the night.

Juan's voice woke me late that night. He was not calling me but I knew what was happening. I rushed into his room and took the seat next to his bed. His words were the same each time. The fire was everywhere. The smoke was everywhere, he couldn't see. The burning embers were hitting him. And he was trapped with no hope. "Juan," I called his name quietly so as not to wake the household. "It's okay. It's Jed. I got you." I slipped my arm under his back and lifted him a few inches off the bed.

"Jed?"

"Yeah, you're okay. We're out of the fire now."

"Thank you for being here…then and now." Juan said sleepily.

I saw him take a deep breath and I lowered him back onto his bed. His eyes flickered open, caught mine, then closed. I stayed a few minutes until I was sure his sleep was calm. When I stood up to leave, I saw Marina watching me from the doorway. She frowned and left.

Now, I'm awake and sleep eludes me. The old me would have ignored all the books in here but the new me is excited to read something now. As I got closer I could see picture frames turned face down on the top shelf. Never would have noticed them if I hadn't gotten closer. Curious, I pick up the nearest one and turn it over. It is a picture of Chrissy's ma holding a tiny Bobby Bell, with Chrissy standing next to her and the other four boys arranged by height in front of her. Chrissy does look a lot like her ma. They all look serious except for Mark, who has a broad smile on his face and appears to be winking. Those were happier days for the McWinter family but I wondered where her pa was. I replaced it carefully face down again.

The second picture I had to study before I realized I knew all three women pictured. It was of a Chrissy's ma with Marina and Mrs. Beverly Birde. They were all young girls. None of them looked older than eighteen. All were smiling with their hands struggling to keep their loose hair from blowing in their faces. They stood close, shoulders touching, laughing. I studied the picture for a while wondering how they knew each other before I returned it face down to the shelf.

Picking up the last picture, I knew who it was immediately and my heart jumped. There was a nice lookin' woman that had to be Lom's sister with two toddlers dressed in their Sunday best, a boy and a girl. Lom was right when he told me they looked like both me and Heyes. Holdin' the picture I sat down on the couch and just stared at the babies, Chrissy's babies, twins. They both had light eyes, like me, like Heyes' pa, like my ma, like Chrissy. Couldn't tell what color their hair was, it was light was all I could tell. They looked like the grandchildren of Gramma and Grandpa Curry. And Lom was right, too, they were healthy and happy.

I hugged the picture to my chest and cried. As strong as I was, the joy of seein' their picture brought me to tears. I went and locked the door. I eased the picture out of the frame and found a picture of them when they were younger, probably when they first went to live with Lom's sister behind it. I tried to memorize every detail. Although I would have cherished that one too, I left it in the frame and returned it to the drawer.

Finally I gently put the picture safely between two pages of my book and put the book flat on the bottom of my bag.

ASJ*****ASJ

On the train ride to Cheyenne my mind was filled with so many thoughts, it hurt. The picture had made the babies real. The urge to protect them and take care of them was overwhelmin'. But they were safe where they were. My mind flashed to tellin' the US Marshals where Devil's Hole was located. I could tell them without bein' arrested. I had a pardon and amnesty for anything else I did. If another former resident of the Hole wanted to tell, they'd be arrested. But I wouldn't do that unless I was sure none of our former gang members, our friends, were hidin' up there. That was a problem for the future. In a way, the old gang was family, too.

I worried about Heyes and how I would find him after not seein' him for a month. True, he did see Lom last month and Dr. Arden had visited me and was goin' to reassure Heyes I was healin'. Still, I thought this new Heyes wouldn't believe I was fine until he saw me.

I debated whether or not to tell Lom I had seen the picture of the twins. He was only doin' what Chrissy had asked him to do, my old Chrissy, the one who was afraid of nothing, the one who figured out where the Hole was and rode in all by herself to drag her brother home. I smiled. I was startin' to see sparks of the old Chrissy in the new Chrissy. Nothing would hurt her again if I could help it.

These things kept rollin' around in my mind; the thoughts of the people I cared about overlappin' and intersectin' until my head and heart hurt.