Winter's Refuge
Chapter Sixty-Nine
JED 'KID' CURRY
Exhaustion and excitement filled my mind. The governor's gonna give Heyes his amnesty early…only weeks early, but it will allow him to go to Devil's Hole with me. Our cover will be bringin' Kyle and, hopefully, Wheat's bodies to Devil's Hole to be buried. Colin is goin' to find out where Kyle's body was taken and where Wheat was buried.
It was too late and I was too tired to travel tonight. Miss Tina insisted I stay in the governor's mansion…and that my family stay there with them when they arrive. She was lookin' forward to spendin' time with Chrissy and havin' children in their home.
I refused to give away the location of Soteria, only said my family was somewhere safe thanks to Heyes. Charles insisted a marshal travel with me. When Judge Carlson died, the head was cut off of his monstrous organization, but there might still be men loyal to Carlson who want to do me harm.
ASJ*****ASJ
US Marshal Michael Detmers was assigned to travel with me to get my family. I made him promise not to tell anyone their hideout. He's the marshal that stayed at the ranch while Marshal Gray Lyons had ridden with me. As far as I knew Lyons is still there, guardin' my family. But Detmers is here in Cheyenne and said the ranch is in good hands and we talk about it on our journey. I wasn't goin' to ride directly toward Soteria and I told him that. He understood I was protectin' my family's hidin' place.
While we rode, he told me about Phoenix. A lot had been goin' on there. Before he even started, I asked, "How's Frank, Sheriff Birde?"
The look on Detmers face gave me my answer.
"Doctor still has his eyes bandaged. Says there's nothing else he can do. When he takes them off, all the sheriff sees is cloudlike shapes."
I made a mental note to ask Aiden if he can leave Ken long enough to go to Three Birds and look at Frank's eyes.
Detmers kept talkin'. "Damon, that is Sheriff Holohan from Bridgeport, told me when they were riding into Three Birds a man stopped them before they got to the doctor's office. It was one of the sheriff's brothers. When Holohan described what had happened, Fred Birde, the brother, had him bring Frank into his house and sent his son, Curtis, for the doctor. All that doctor did was shine a light in Frank's eyes and wrap them. Didn't even clean the head wound really. Just dabbed at it with a wet cloth. Turns out Frank's wife was very pregnant. Did you know that?" Detmers asked.
'I did, she's a good friend of my wife's," I told him, almost afraid for him to continue. He has said 'was' pregnant.
Detmers continued, "Well, Holohan told me that when she saw her husband, eyes bandaged and the head wound with blood caked on it, she ran to him crying. He tried to calm her, but she was almost hysterical. Within five minutes, she went into labor."
"Thank goodness Dr. Sexton was there," I said, thinkin' of how my problem had affected even more people than I imagined. Frank and Beverly were our friends. And he was actin' on my telegram when he went to Phoenix and got hurt.
"That doctor was useless. Said delivering babies was women's work. The baby was delivered by her sister-in-law, Fred's wife, and their daughter, Hortenica.
Juan's Hortencia, I thought, glad that she was back in Three Birds. "The baby?" I asked.
"He's perfect; probably a week or two early so he's small but healthy." Detmers smiled. "Visited the family before I came back to Cheyenne. That little boy has two doting parents. Except Frank can't see him. When I was there, he was sitting in a chair with the baby on his shoulder rocking him to sleep.
Guilt overwhelmed me. Not bein' able to see his precious child must be terrible for Frank. And it was because of me.
Detmers must have seen the guilt on my face because he added," Frank said to tell you quote, 'You tell Jed it ain't his fault. What I did was part of my job as sheriff. He takes everything to heart and carries the weight of the world, but this isn't his fault. But he does owe me one."
I gave Detmers a small grin. "Sounds just like Frank."
We rode in silence for aways. I thought about Beverly and Frank and their son. "Who's fillin' in as sheriff in Three Birds?'
"Hollahan did for a few days. When he went back to Bridgeport, Fred Birde, the mayor, took the job. His son, Fred Jr, lives a few towns over with his wife and kids. He's helping his pa as a deputy."
"Good people, the Birdes," I said as much to myself as to Detmers.
"We heading towards Bridgeport?" Detmers questioned.
"Goin' to skirt it. Tryin' to avoid towns and cities...and people. Don't trust any stranger right now."
We went slower as I looked for the dirt trail I had taken to Bridgeport. I had marked it the way me and Heyes marked our paths when we had to separate. I almost missed it. I had been in such a hurry I made the mark higher than normal. Detmers had been quiet but once we started on the dirt trail, he continued his story.
"I was suspicious when Rudy and Juan showed up. I didn't know them. They could have been the very men out to kill your family.
"When I heard the gate open, I grabbed my rifle and took a stand in front of the house.
"Halt, right there," I said, showing my marshal's badge prominently.
"Whoa, Marshal, we're the Ortiz brothers, friends of the Currys. We came to help," said Rudy.
"I work for the Currys," Juan added. "I have the upstairs room in the barn."
"Approach!" I told them. I looked them over. I'm a pretty good judge of men and my gut feeling was to trust them."
"Glad you did. They are good men," I said. In fact, I thought, I don't know what I would have done without the Ortiz family. Even though they were angry at me for gettin' Chrissy pregnant and leavin', they were there for me. Well, actually, they were there for Chrissy but I won them over.
Detmers smiled. "When they knew all the names of the horses and the horses came when they called, I knew I had made the right choice. They took over the operations of the ranch and the horses. Two more of Fred Birdes' sons, Brian and Scott, came out before and after school and helped out, too. Just how many Birdes are there in Three Birds?"
I laughed. "Don't rightly know, they seem to be everywhere. And they know more people than I can count. Proud to call Miss Beverly and Frank as friends. And Jeff Birde who runs the mercantile."
"Met him. Didn't know he was a Birde."
"If I'm on the right trail, there's goin' to be a stream on our left. We can rest and water the horses."
LOM
Porterville has been quiet and the Bicksons have handled everything without any problems. Still, I go into the office every day. I do whatever paperwork there is to do and I look through the stack of out-of-state wanted posters I had ignored. I realized some of the pictures and descriptions were familiar. I should have studied them when they arrived. If I'd had the time then, which I never seemed to find.
"Sheriff Trevor?" Junior Bickson asked as he came into the office.
"Hi Junior, what can I do for you?"
"Got a telegram for you from Cheyenne," he said, as he handed me the paper. "Want me to wait for your answer."
I held my hand up to him to signal him to wait.
I read the telegram twice.
Sheriff Lom Trevors
Porterville, WY
Heyes parole meeting to be held in two days. STOP Be in Cheyenne by 10 AM Tuesday. STOP
Colin Apperson
Office of the Governor
My heart sank. Heyes had been so close. What had he done to violate his parole? I need to be there to be his advocate, argue for leniency. I realized the Bickson boy was waiting for my answer.
"Junior, send an answer for me. Say 'Why? STOP I'll be there' and sign it Lom."
"You'll be where?" Susan had entered and overheard my reply. She came behind my desk and gave me a chaste kiss on my cheek.
"Cheyenne. They've moved up Heyes' parole hearing. That can't be good news."
"Lom, you can't travel. You can barely hobble from your house to your office."
"Have to find a way. Need to take the doc up on that cane he's been pushing on me."
She put her hands on her hips and gave me 'that' look. "If you're going, I'm going with you."
"Susan, help me get my foot off of these pillows so I can 'hobble' to the doctor's office. We'll talk about you coming later."
JED 'KID' CURRY
After our short break, we turned our horses toward the mountains. And Detmers continued telling me about the ranch…
"After Juan and Rudy came and with the young Birde boys helping, I felt I wasn't needed on the ranch. Tell you the truth, I was hoping to stop by my home on the way back to Cheyenne to see the wife and son, even for a few hours."
I thought of Aunt Diane Francis, married to a US Marshal and raising their three boys by herself when he was working. "When did you leave the ranch?" I asked Detmers.
"Well, I had decided to leave the next morning. As the sun was going down, I was grooming your magnificent horses when I heard the gate being opened. At first, I thought it was one of the Birde lads returning, maybe they forgot something. So, I hesitated at first until I heard Rudy's voice. "Stop where you are and identify yourself, mister," he said firmly.
I left the stable and drew my gun. Knowing Rudy was a deputy sheriff, I assumed he knew what he was doing. And I was right. He had taken a defensive stand, rifle in hand, in the road between the house and the intruder. I took a few steps closer but stayed wide and behind Rudy. I saw Juan doing the same thing on the other side.
"Throw your gun to the side and dismount," he ordered.
"Ain't interested in you, boy; no need for you to get hurt. For any of you to get hurt," the intruder growled. "Just looking for Kid Curry."
As he rode a few strides closer, I recognized him as a bounty hunter named Hard Knocks Knox. Don't know his real first name or much about him except that the marshal's office suspects him of killing his prey to bring them in and collect the rewards.
"Mr. Curry isn't here," Juan answered.
"Then I'll wait."
"You a bounty hunter?" I already knew the answer.
He laughed. "Yes, I am. You have the look of a lawman. I ain't broken no laws."
"US Marshal Michael Detmers. You already been paid to kill Kid Curry?" I took a few steps closer, watching to see if he went for his gun. I could tell he was thinking about it, but he didn't move either hand. Neither did he dismount. Juan spread out wider to the side. I wasn't sure if Knox could still see him. He was focused on me.
"Sure have and paid well." Knox grinned.
"Warden Fitzjohn is dead. Dead by his own hand. Your ILLEGAL obligation to kill Curry died with him," I explained moving closer slowly. Juan had almost circled all the way around behind him. Rudy's eyes hadn't left the man.
"Don't care about the money. I want his reputation. I want to be the man who killed Kid Curry. I want to be known as the Fastest Gun in the West." As Knox spoke, his focus on us slipped.
"The marshal said to drop your gun and dismount," Juan said behind him.
Surprised, Knox started to draw as he swung around to look at Juan.
Rudy cocked his rifle. "I wouldn't draw that gun if I were you, mister."
Knox turned back to look at Rudy.
"Man holding the rifle is a deputy sheriff, Knox. I can guarantee he won't hesitate to shoot if you start to draw again. And he doesn't miss," I threatened. I didn't know if Rudy could hit anything with a rifle, but the threat was all I needed to hold Knox's attention.
Juan grabbed Knox's leg and pulled hard. Surprised, Knox fell off his horse and in a heartbeat, he was looking up into three guns.
"Mr. Knox, you're under arrest," I said as Juan slipped the gun out of its holster. He threw it into a nearby bush. "Stand up with your hands in the air."
Knox did as he was told but his eyes were searching for an escape route, and I knew he was going to rabbit on us.
"Search him," I instructed Juan.
"Look what I found up his sleeve." Juan held up a small gun. When he was done, he had found another gun stuck into his belt in the back under his vest, three knives, and over four thousand dollars.
"Put the money back in his pocket and tie his hands behind his back. Pull tight. I don't care if he whines it's too tight."
"I ain't broken no laws. What's the charge?" he snapped at me, stepping toward Juan.
"Intention to commit murder." I really did know of any law he had broken but I needed him in jail. I saw Rudy had set the rifle aside and had his gun, a Schofield, pointed at Knox.
"Let's go. Taking you to the jail in Three Birds until we can move you to Cheyenne."
"But I ain't guilty of anything!" he protested. Twisting to fully face Juan, whose attention was focused on untangling the rope, Knox grabbed his gun from the bush. He actually got it more than halfway out of his holster before Juan's knife pierced his arm and Rudy's bullet tore through his shoulder. Bullet wounds at close range aren't a sight anyone should have to see. But we saw it that day. He screamed before he hit the ground."
Hearing what happened, mixed emotions washed through me. Rudy had shot a man. Shooting another person, even in self-defense is a hard thing to live with. I know. Juan had done this before when he used his knife to save Chrissy from Dr. Lewis. "Juan and Rudy doin' all right?"
"Yeah, each feels he was protecting his brother. Those two are sure good men. Wouldn't mind recruiting them for the marshals."
"You can try. Juan has a girl here and Rudy has promised his parents he will eventually go back to college. But I agree they are good men, raised by good parents who I respect."
"I'll think about it."
I made an abrupt left turn onto a barely visible, overgrown trail. I could see where Winter's Glory had passed before. "This way," I said, without lookin' back at Detmers. We were near the entrance to Soteria, and I was bein' extra cautious. I saw no new hoofprints. I stopped multiple times and listened. Detmers simply followed my actions without question.
Finally satisfied we weren't bein' followed, I led Detmers into the entrance of the mountain maze. We stopped when we passed the cave and dismounted. Detmers hadn't seen the wagon hidin' there. The wagon was empty so all of the supplies must have been brought up to the camp. I'm sure that was Heyes' doin'. The thought of him made me hope I was goin' to find the same Heyes that I left. That he hadn't reverted back to livin' in his mind.
"This is where they are?" asked Detmers, lookin' at the steep climb, even though he could only see ten yards ahead because of the twists.
"At the top." I mounted Winter's Glory. "Should take us the best part of an hour to get there; we should get goin'."
When we had climbed for a while, we were stopped. "Halt right where you are!" A voice came from above and to the right. Detmers drew his gun, pointin' it wildly up in the air.
"It's Jed, Lyons," I called up. I told Detmers, "That's Marshal Lyons up there on guard."
"Jed, good to see you. We've been worrying about you. Come on up."
"Easier to get in if you dismount and lead your horse," I told Detmers.
My family had heard Lyons say 'Jed' and were waitin' as I led Winter's Glory through the last tight twist.
Heyes was right at the entrance and the wink he gave me told me all was well. We locked eyes for a quick moment as he took Winter's Glory. "Welcome back!" was all he said as he led the horse away. "They've been waitin' for you."
Michael and Martha were standin' next to Chrissy and Auntie, lookin' at me in anticipation. I stepped forward so Detmers could get in, then dropped to one knee and opened my arms. The twins raced into my arms, and I stood up with one in each arm and walked across the meadow to their ma.
"Pa, we missed you."
"We thought you'd never come back."
"We thought you forget about us, but Uncle Heyes said never."
"I got stuck in a tree and Uncle Heyes saved me."
"Marshal built us a fort in a tree."
The words came at me that all I could do was hold them tight, enjoyin' their welcome.
Chrissy's smile was huge. I set the twins down and nodded to Aunt Diane Francis. "Auntie."
And I took Chrissy in my arms and held her tight. From the way she clung to me, I knew this journey had been rough on her. I could feel our child kick against me. I wanted to squeeze her to me, but I was afraid of hurtin' the baby. I kissed her gently on the lips, but her kiss was more urgent. I let her go. "Chrissy, how are you?"
"Good now, Jed back. We go home now."
Heyes and Detmers were approachin' so I thought it was as good a time as any to break my news. "I am so glad to see every one of you safe and sound."
"We are havin' an adventure, Pa!" Michael exclaimed.
"Yes, we are." I took a deep breath. "And it's not over yet."
"Yay!." the twins said together and started dancin' around.
"We no go home? Jed leave again?" Chrissy looked suspiciously at Marshal Dermers.
"Family, this is US Marshal Michael Detmers. Detmers, this is my family. Detmers is Marshal Lyons' partner."
"Like you and Uncle Heyes?" Martha asked.
"Yes, like us." I needed to finish tellin' them what was goin' to happen. Detmers waved an envelope at me, and I nodded. He carried a letter for Lyons. We had discussed it on our ride but neither one of us knew what it said. He left to find Lyons.
"I did some things to help the governor and he is very grateful," I started.
"Jed good man," Chrissy said.
I never know how to take compliments, even though Chrissy thinkin' I'm a good man is important to me.
"So, we're all goin' to spend one more night here and we'll all leave for Cheyenne at daybreak tomorrow."
No one looked excited. I don't think the kids understood but echoed their ma's face.
"All of us?" Auntie asked.
"Yes, all of us?" my wife asked. "Why? Chrissy wants to go home!" Chrissy's voice was almost a wail and she had referred to herself by name. That was not good.
"Two reason. First, Chrissy, he's goin' to let us visit Matt in prison now. We don't have to wait the normal two months for new prisoners."
"Now is good," Chrissy said tentatively. "Two months baby here and Chrissy not travel."
She reached out and squeezed my hand. "Auntie. too?"
"Yes, Auntie, too." I looked at my cousin. "You, too, Heyes. They're movin' your last parole meetin' up to the day after we get there!"
Heyes didn't look as excited as I thought he would. In fact, he stared for a moment, and I thought I'd lost him to his mind again. But I didn't. He picked up a twirlin' Martha, sayin', "Well, little darlin', looks like the whole family is going to have another adventure."
"We're gonna be stayin' with the governor and his wife while we're there," I continued.
"We are?" Auntie exclaimed. "You must really have done somethin' to impress the governor, Jedediah."
I felt shy about tellin' them I'd saved his life so instead just said, "He said my testimony was heroic."
HEYES
I'm scared. The governor has moved up my parole hearing. I must have done something wrong. But I've tried to be good. I got the family out to safety. I've taken care of them. My instinct is to hide inside of myself. Close out everyone and everything. But I don't do that anymore. I don't want to do that anymore. So, I try to smile. I pick up sweet little Martha. I like it that she trusts me to hold her; she rests her arm around my neck. I don't want to close out my family.
I thought about it. I know how I violated my parole. The governor moved up my hearing to send me back to prison. I could run but that feels wrong. Maybe the governor will understand, he's a friend of the Kid. Maybe I won't go back for the full term. I brought the family here to safety, but I didn't check if it was in Cherokee County. I can't leave the county. It's a condition of my parole. I know it. Even if I had thought about it and checked, I'd have done the same thing. Our family is safe here. So, I won't fight going back to prison. I did the right thing.
JED 'KID' CURRY
We have so little time before dark to prepare to leave in the morning.. The envelope Detmers brought to Lyons had two letters. One from his wife, that was personal and the other his orders from the Marshals Office. Both were to accompany us to Cheyenne. I was glad of their help. Nightfall is only an hour away. But Heyes insists that there is somethin' I need to see. I tried to talk to him. To tell him that movin' up his parole hearin' is a positive thing but I can tell he doesn't believe me. The governor asked me for my word not to tell anyone about the early end to Heyes' parole for political reasons. Not even Heyes. He wants to give his team time to figure out the best way to tell the public. It's hard, but I keep my word.
Heyes knows these trees well. We walk in comfortable silence, both thinkin'.
"Here, look. A backdoor," Heyes says. I look at the rock wall surroundin' us, but I don't see what he's talkin' about.
"Look." Heyes pointed out our mark that he had made. I touched it and realized it was farther away than I thought. There was a second wall and an openin' between them.
"Know where it goes?" I asked. I put a hand on each wall and entered the narrow path. It was overgrown but I could see where Heyes had come through here.
"It goes down…and up."
"Up?" The path we came up on ended at Soteria. I followed the road up for a few minutes, but we didn't have the time to explore it tonight. The path was narrow, and the undergrowth was thick. No one had been here in a long time if ever.
I tried to talk to Heyes on the way back, but he kept changin' the topic. First, I helped him disassemble two rabbit traps and he told me of Martha's tears at the thought of eatin' bunnies.
The next time I asked him what was wrong, he described how Lyons had built the twins' treehouse and how they sat up there for hours playin' a card game they'd made up.
Before I could ask again, he said, "Chrissy is tired, real tired."
"I could see that in her eyes."
"We make her rest in the shelter most of the time. Auntie said she needed to walk so we go for a couple of small walks every day."
"Heyes, we're goin' be very busy gettin' our family to Cheyenne in that wagon without leavin' a trail. What do you think? We need to get there as quick as we can."
"We need to decide what to take and what to leave. Getting Chrissy to the wagon will take time. She rode her horse up here."
"She did?"
"Wasn't thinkin' about her condition," Heyes said. "Just needed to get everyone to safety."
"And you did. Can't thank you enough." I felt emotional. I'm not good at emotional so I went back to my question. "How we goin' to do this?"
Somethin' was wrong with Heyes, and I think it's leavin' this place. This is the reality of the hidin' place in his mind. He feels safe here. I have to work to convince him that he'll still be safe when he leaves.
LOM
I hate using a cane, having to depend on it to walk, walking slowly, people feeling sorry for me. But I'm resigned to using it so I can get to Cheyenne. The only reason I can come up with for Heyes' hearing to be moved up is that he violated some condition of his parole. That will send him back to prison. I'm not sure he can survive in there again.
He's tried so hard and come so far; I'm going to do everything I can, use every argument I can think of, to support him and keep him out of there. That's what's keeping me going now. I hurt and I'm tired, I get tired so easily now. I'll be glad when I'm healed and me again.
My Susan wanted to come with me. It would have been easier to have someone to help me travel with my injuries, but I told her it was appropriate. We're not married and wouldn't have a chaperone. But I told her to start planning a wedding and we'll say 'I do' as soon as I can walk without a cane.
I never got an answer back from my telegram to Colin when I asked why the hearing was moved up. Can't be anything good if he didn't answer. I sent a telegram to Dr. Arden asking him to meet me at the station and help me get to the hotel. He answered, "Anything you need."
HEYES
Before the sun came up, we started loading everything we were going to bring on the horses. Beside the three that came with us we have Winter's Glory, Bear and Detmers mare, Crafty. The Kid said it was easier going down then going up and I hope he's right. Having the Kid, Lyons and Detmers to help made a big difference.
While we were loading the horses, the Kid started down the steep twisty path with Chrissy. Just before they turned out of my sight, I saw him pick her up and carry her. I marvel at how strong he made himself in prison while I became weaker. He's strong in body, mind, and determination. I've got to remember to tell him that again before I'm sent to prison. Just the thought of that place sends shivers of fear up my spine. But it's my fault. I came close but I broke a parole condition.
The wagon had been pulled out and Chrissy was sitting in the back, feet straight out in front of her. She looked tired already. The Kid was working on adjusting it so it could be pulled by two horses, Spring's Moirai and Fall's Whisper. None of these horses are used to pulling a wagon but Spring's Moirai was used to pulling a buggy. At least she was before Chrissy went to prison over five years ago.
With Aunt Diane Francis driving the wagon, the twins went from riding in the back of the wagon with their ma or riding in front of me and the Kid. Since Auntie had raced the empty wagon down Curry Road, she always wants to drive. She's comfortable around the marshals. Detmers even had known her husband, said he was a real role model for him. I'm not comfortable around the marshals. There's two of them. I'm sure that they are here to arrest me. I think that was what the letter that Detmers brought Lyons said.
As I ride with Michael sitting in front of me, I know I'd do exactly the same thing again to save him and the others. Even knowing I'd go back to prison.
Me, the Kid, and the marshals all ride our horses. Detmers is about half a mile out in front of us. The Kid and him discussed the route they came but Detmers knows a couple of other more traveled roads where our wagon tracks will blend in others.
Lyons is about half a mile behind us. The Kid thinks they are protecting him and the rest of us but I know they are guarding me so I don't escape. I won't. I won't even try. I want to spend every minute I can with the people I love, my family.
JED 'KID' CURRY
Detmers knows this country better than me. He led us to other well-traveled roads where our wagon just becomes one or many. Chrissy laid down in the bed of the wagon, cocooned by a mountain of quilts, pillows, and blankets. She's on her side with her belly supported by pillows. I'm worried about her. But in headin' to Cheyenne, we are headin' to Aiden and I trust him and his doctorin'.
At our rest stop, Chrissy sat up and drank water. She wasn't as pale.
I leaned over the side of the wagon and stroked her face gently. When my fingers came to her lips, she kissed them. "You look more rested."
She laughed softly. "Sleep wagon like sleep cradle. Rocks." She smiled at her joke.
"I guess it is. You need anything?"
"Walk with my husband?"
"Hopin' you would say that."
ASJ*****ASJ
Even though we left early, it was late afternoon before we saw Bridgeport stretchin' out in front of us. Detmers had ridden ahead. There was a train leavin' for Cheyenne at seven tonight. I wanted Heyes to get to Cheyenne to the governor's mansion so there was no question he violated his parole bein' out of Cheyenne County. He's allowed to spend the night in Cheyenne either before or after his hearin'. This time it will be before. After it won't matter, he'll be free. Soteria is in the far northeastern corner of Cheyenne County. I'd checked on a map when we first found it so I can swear he hasn't violated any part of his parole.
Detmers had gotten train tickets for all of us. My plan was to leave the wagon and horses at the livery and stay at the newspaper office with Michael Loveland for a few hours. I'm not sure how welcomin' he'll be to our group descendin' on him.
After scoutin' Bridgeport, Detmers rode back to the wagon and took us in on a side road that I think must have used mostly for deliveries. The newspaper was blocks closer than the livery, so we stopped there first. I knocked on the back door and opened the door a slit.
"Michael Loveland? It's Jed Curry."
Silence, then I heard the big man comin' down the hall towards me. "Jed!' He grabbed me in a bear hug, apron and all. It felt good to have a friend. "I've been worried about you. You okay?"
"Turned out well so far. Takin' the family to Cheyenne by train." I stepped aside and he saw all those travelin' with me, but his eyes glued on Chrissy.
"Mrs. Curry, so good to see you again," he said walkin' to the side of the wagon. They had become friends while I rode in the Bridgeport posse.
"Mr. Loveland." She gave him a nice smile and a twang of jealousy hit me but was soon gone. Chrissy was laughin' and pointin' at me. The twins who had been silent were gigglin', too.
"What?" I asked. Then I saw my vest and my shirt with runnin' streams of ink.
I held my arms wide. "Mike?"
"Sorry, I was inking the press. So glad to see you forgot my apron was wet. I got a shirt inside you can borrow." He looked at the assembly at his back door. "All of you come in, come in. The next train to Cheyenne doesn't leave for hours."
Auntie and Chrissy took what things we would need in Cheyenne from the wagon and put them in two pillowcases. Detmers and Lyons took the horses and wagon to the livery and went to check in at the US Marshals office in Bridgeport. Before they left, they reminded us to be at the railway station by six thirty.
Heyes watched the marshals go with a look on his face I couldn't read. Maybe he feels we need their protection. I feel safe with Mike. Me and Heyes and Mike can protect this family if we need to.
Mike's apron disappeared before we came through the door. Chrissy was leanin' heavy on my arm and I escorted her to the armchair in Mike's back room, tryin' not to get any ink on her. Mike ducked out of the room.
Lookin' behind me, I could see fear on my babies' faces. They are not used to new places or new people. They were isolated for most of their lives. Michael was clingin' to Heyes' leg. Heyes tried to take his hand instead, but Michael held on tight and moved more to his back. Givin' up tryin' to find his hand, Heyes picked him up and carried him. The boy hid his face in his shoulder.
Auntie had Martha's hand, but was pullin' her along while speakin' to her softly. When Martha saw her ma sittin' down, she dropped Auntie's hand and ran to her.
Returnin' havin' washed his hands, Mike handed me a clean shirt.
"Mike, I'd like you to meet my family. You know my wife, Chrissy. That little girl next to her is our daughter, Martha." Martha buried her head in Chrissy's arm. "This lovely lady here is our friend, Mrs. Clark."
'How do you do, ma'am?"
"Very well, sir. Thank you for inviting us into your…office?" Auntie searched for the right word to describe where we were.
"My office and where I live," Mike responded.
"And you remember my partner, Hannibal Heyes, holdin' my son, Michael."
"Mr. Heyes, good to see you again. How are you doing?"
I held my breath. This was a test for Heyes, meetin' someone who only knew him as a quiet man who had trouble speakin'.
"Very well, Mr. Loveland. Thank you for your hospitality," Heyes said clearly. He moved Michael to his left arm and held out his right hand to shake. I was impressed. It has been a long time since Heyes didn't mind bein' touched by anyone but family.
Mike shook it vigorously. "Yes, it's certainly a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Heyes."
"Just Heyes."
'And it's Mike. Make yourself at home."
I dropped into a closet and quickly changed my shirt. It's a good thing Mike's a big man, I usually have trouble finding shirts to fit over my shoulders. When I joined my family again, Martha ran to me. "Mama asleep."
And she was. Mike grabbed a blanket and dropped it lightly over her legs. "We'll let her sleep. Go down the hall. My private kitchen and sitting room is back there."
I swept Martha into my arms, took Michael by his good hand and led everyone to the set of rooms where I had waited for my part of the plan to come. "Papa, is he your friend?" Martha whispered in my ear.
I didn't need to think about it. "Yes, he is. And your ma and Uncle Heyes' friend, too."
I put Martha down in the little kitchen. She walked right up to Mike. "Mister Lovely, will you be my friend?" Michael went and stood next to her. "And my brother's?"
I started to correct her pronunciation of his name, but he held up his hand to me and he knelt in front of the kids. "Be proud to be a friend to both of you."
A huge smile broke out on Martha's face, and she hugged his neck. Mike's face showed two emotions, happiness and a haunting trace of a dream lost.
Auntie was happy in the kitchen. "Gonna make us all something to eat, if that's alright with you, Mr. Loveland?"
"Be delighted not to eat my own cooking, ma'am."
While Mike and Auntie were discussin' our meal, Heyes pulled me aside. I could tell whatever was troublin' him was makin' him nervous.
"Kid, where are the marshals?"
"After they finish at the livery, they were goin' check in at the Marshal's office. And Lyons was goin' to drop in on Sheriff Holohan and thank him for all his help. Was thinkin' of doin' that myself, but I think the kids need me near them."
Heyes nodded but I could tell my answer wasn't what he wanted to hear. I figured he was worried without their protection. "We're safe Heyes. Nothin's goin' to hurt us here.
He just nodded then said, 'You've done good, Kid, real proud of you. Always had a heart more good than bad."
He gave me a sad smile. I don't know what's goin' on with him. So, I gave him a bear hug and he held on as if fightin' for his life. "I'm real proud of you, too, Heyes…and grateful."
HEYES
The deputies aren't at the newspaper office with us. The Kid says they are at the marshal's office, but I think they are outside watchin' that I don't escape. I'm grateful because I got to read a story to the twins and have them fall asleep on my lap. Gives me a warm feeling inside when they do that. I want to make sure and hug each of them strongly before I go to my parole hearing because I know that I'll go straight to prison. If I remember right, this meeting is going to take place in the prison. That was so all the paperwork could be done quickly. Now it's so they can walk me from the room right to a cell.