Winter's Refuge

Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Four

HEYES

In the jail, I found six men crowded into the two cells. The doctor had come over eventually and saw the injured separately. Of the four injured, three had minor bullet wounds and the other a broken leg when a scared horse stomped on it.

Pappy and Brothers were playing poker at the sheriff's desk when I got there. I walked around so I could see both their cards. Lately I have missed playing poker. Not the high-tension games of years ago when I had to win if we wanted to eat, but games with the Kid and friends.

"HEY, we gonna get food anytime soon," Hairy Eyes Wolcott yelled from the cells.

Brothers ignored him. "Mr. Heyes, I had the pleasure of meeting your cousin in Hopeful when he delivered Mean Gene Kindberg and his men into US Marshal custody. I was impressed with him then and I'm impressed with him now. I regret not keeping in touch with him after that. Perhaps I could have helped him."

I hadn't met this man before the Kid's trial. The Kid had told me about their previous meeting. I didn't know until the day of the trial that Brothers had asked him to join the Marshals and work with him. Brothers stayed to help rebuild Three Birds but I haven't spoken to him at length. Now I answered him truthfully. "The Kid hid what he was going through very well, even from me."

Brothers nodded. "I was very impressed with you out there today, Heyes, too. You took charge without asking. I believe your direction and ideas are what saved this town. You would be an asset to the US Marshals, too, but I heard you have family so won't even ask. There is quite a substantial amount of reward money to be collected on those men."

"Ah, thank you, sir. Perhaps the money can go into a fund for Three Birds. The Town Council can decide how to use it. And thank you, and you too, Pappy, for staying and helping us fix our town. And for standing with us today." I hoped that was the right thing to say. This man represented great authority and authority still intimidates me. But I'm learning not to let it show.

"Got five marshals that should arrive here by tomorrow morning to take these men into custody and transport them. But Alan, er, Pappy and me are going to stay and help rebuild Three Birds. We haven't had this much fun in years.

JED 'KID' CURRY

Sittin' around the kitchen table at Aiden's house, it seemed quiet now that all the patients were treated. Miss Denise with Ajay and Mikey were still at the Birdes. There was plenty of food still from the kind ladies of the town who now considered us, mainly Heyes, heroes again. So, I joined Heyes, Aiden, Mike, and Lom in a feast of cold chicken and warmed mashed potatoes.

"Jed, thank you for your help today," Aiden told me.

"You're welcome. Could have been more help if I didn't need this rollin' chair. How much longer do you think I'll be in it?" I asked. I realized that wasn't a positive response and shrugged my shoulders at the doctor.

He took a small breath before sayin', "It's been a long day and we're all tired," as if to excuse my words, then answered my question. "Until that right ankle of yours heals. In another week you can use a cane."

I sighed. Aiden ignored it and Mike Loveland changed the subject. "Mikey and I are going to head back to Bridgeport tomorrow after spending the night at the Birdes. I have personal eye witness information about the outlaws that tried to take over Three Birds and were defeated by the men of the town. Going to be a front-page story."

We all laughed and I thought of Hauser Sletten. Who would be the hero if he wrote a dime novel about what happened here? Certainly not me. Maybe Heyes. Maybe even Jeff.

Aiden studied me and Heyes and I knew he had somethin' to say. From the look on his face, I don't know if I want to hear what he's goin' to say.

"Jed, Heyes, I need to ask you to do something," Aiden started.

We caught each other's eyes before giving our attention to the doctor. We waited for him to explain.

"Heyes, I want you to sleep in the upstairs bedroom tonight with Frank. He's got a deep bruise from that belt buckle that stopped Kerr's bullet that worries me. I want to keep an eye on him tonight. You can go home tomorrow."

Inside I screamed, 'no' but I tried to keep my expression blank. I fooled the doctor and the others at the table but not Heyes, who answered, "Fine where I am, Aiden."

"I know you are, but I want to move Father Patrick out of my exam room and into that room with Jed. I took a bullet out of his thigh and another out of his side. I'd like him to be in a room with someone. And that's the only room without stairs. Jed, you can go to sleep as usual, but if Father starts moaning in pain, call for me. I'll leave the bedroom doors open. Can you do that?"

I gave Heyes a smile so that he knows I'll be alright before I answered. "Be glad for the change of company," I teased. "Heyes can't help hoverin' close to me. Need room to breathe."

"Really, partner?" he asked.

"Really. Go home tomorrow. Our family needs you."

LOM

It was an emotional day. In the aftermath of the fighting, I watched Heyes closely. I had seen the former co-leader of the Devil's Hole Gang take charge without a second thought. If he had doubts about his ability to lead two sheriffs, a colonel, and a Deputy Director of the US Marshals, he hid it well. The town was threatened and he did what he does best, devise a plan quickly and implement it. He expected everyone to obey him without question. And we did. Heyes, this recovered Heyes, has that charisma, that authoritative attitude again that makes men trust him and follow him. I was impressed today.

And, of course, the Kid found a way to watch over us all. US Marshal Deputy Director Aaron Brother and Alan P Allen, colonel US Army, retired, announced together that all the shootings done to protect the people and town of Three Birds were justified. Four of the outlaws died that day. The Kid shot Lowry, Palmer Robinson killed Dusty Dave, and Jeff Birde killed the gunfighter, Wilton Kerr. Rafferty died from multiple bullet wounds from the guns of Pappy, Brothers, and me. Afterwards, both Heyes and Curry seemed like their normal selves. It'll be up to Doc Arden to see if either of them suffer any guilt or sadness after this. And of course they have each other.

After dinner when Heyes moved his few things upstairs while Mike helped Father Patrick to the room with the Kid, I had the chance to talk to Dr. Arden privately.

"Sheriff Trevors, how can I help you?" the doctor asked, concerned.

"Well, start by calling me Lom. We've been through a lot together."

"If you'll call me Aiden. Now how can I help you?"

"The Kid and me are scheduled to go visit Preacher in a little over two weeks. Will he be well enough to go?"

"Depends where it is you're going. Isn't Preacher a wanted man, one of the old Devil's Hole Gang?" Aiden asked.

"He's in prison in Yuma, Arizona. Promised I'd visit him every three months. It's almost four, but the prison was on lockdown when someone tried an escape and no visitors were allowed last month. The Kid went with me last time and we…well, we…we kind of made a pact between the three of us," I explained.

"A pact to visit Preacher?" Aiden asked. He sat down at the kitchen table and motioned for me to do the same.

"No, sir," I answered, and knew he realized I had never called him that before. "For Preacher and me it was to stop drinking and stay sober."

"And I'm impressed that you have done so well with that. The last time I saw you, I was fearing for your future and your son's. But that hardly applies to Jed."

I didn't bring up that it would have earlier in the Kid's life. That was something private he shared with me. "No, the Kid promised to go back and attend Sunday services."

"And when he did, he ran headlong into Monsignor Lance's vengeful sermons," Aiden said, nodding and thinking out loud. "I heard his first sermon and chose not to return the second week. This pact helps to explain why Jed went back to services after that first vindictive sermon."

"And there is something else. He promised to take Chrissy to visit Matt, too. That visit's a week overdue," I told him.

The doctor was quiet. I saw him look toward the bedroom where the Kid was resting and reading. "I'll have Oliver visit with Matt and assure him that his family is fine. Matt has been working as a trustee assistant to him for the last few months."

"That would be good, but it's not the same as a visit," I told him.

"True, but it will have to do for now. No telling how a visit to the Wyoming Territorial Prison will affect the Kid. Now when exactly is this visit with Preacher supposed to happen?"

"Sixteen days from now at 11:00 am for one hour." I tried to be as accurate as I could. "I think this might help the Kid. Preacher's pretty wise when he's sober and the Kid looks up to him."

"Not going to make a decision now, but I will let you know in a day or two. I want to see how Jed does after talking with Father Patrick," Aiden said, pulling a paper over and starting to make notes. "And I will send a telegram my brother, too." He kept writing until he looked up, surprised I was still there. "Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I see an opportunity to help Jed in this."

"Doctor, one more thing. Preacher doesn't want anyone to know where he is," I added.

I'm not sure if he heard me. He wrote more notes and went over to a bookshelf and pulled down a medical journal and started reading. I left quietly and went to the Birde's house where I hugged my son before he was put to bed.

JED 'KID' CURRY

I wasn't lyin' when I said Heyes hovered. He's done that every time I've gotten sick since we was little. I talked to him last night and apologized for what I put him through…and we talked what drove each of us at different times to try and end our lives. And pledge we'll talk to each other if we ever get that desperate again. So, I think it's good he goes home tomorrow. We're both worried about our families.

Father Patrick was drugged when Mike Loveland carried him in and laid him on the other bed in the room. Aiden said he'd been shot twice but neither was life-threatenin' but he was watchin' for a fever.

I tried to read by the single lamp in the room, but my mind was full what happened today and Aiden's words after. He said he was proud of the way I handled not bein' able to help Heyes and my friends on the street. Then he smiled and called me resourceful and true to myself for findin' a way to help them anyway. He keeps askin' me how I feel and it's gettin' annoyin'. I told him if I need to talk, I'll find Heyes or him.

When I closed my book, I got in my chair and used the water closet, Father Patrick was awake when I came back.

Jed, do you think you could help me to use the chamber pot?" the Father asked, embarrassed. "Tough to ask others for help, you know."

I leaned forward in my chair and found the pot under the bed. I turned my chair around while he used it. I covered it and slid it back under his bed. When between the two of us we got him settled back in bed, he turned the light out…and started talkin'.

"Jed, I'll admit to you because I need to talk to you about this. I was so very scared standing on the church steps with the Birde boys and waiting for I didn't know what. All I knew was those men were not going to desecrate the Lord's house. I prayed but I didn't know what to pray for so i just asked God that 'Thy will be done.' I was glad for my long cassock because no one could see my legs shaking…or my gun. Lord help me, I used my Colt to stop the man who shot Brian Birde and me. I know you were a successful gunfighter, how did you do it?"

I was glad it was dark. I wasn't sure what to say. But he needed an answer. "Took a lot of practice. It wasn't a life I chose, but me and Heyes needed protection and I've always been good with a gun."

I heard the priest sigh. "Never thought I'd shoot someone without guilt but I knew I had to protect the boys."

"And yourself," I added. And then there was silence and I thought he might have fallen asleep.

"And myself,' he whispered into the darkness as if praying

"You okay, Father?" I asked.

"I will be. Can I tell you how I came to get shot…and wound two men?" Father asked in the dark.

"Be glad to listen," I answered. I was amazed that he included the thoughts and doubt that were in his mind before he shot his Colt. But I assured him he did the right thing, protected the Birde boys and his holy church

"How about you, Jed? Any guilt over not bein' able to help Heyes and your friends today?" he asked. I heard the concern in his voice. Heyes may not be here to hover over me, but Father Patrick was doin' the same thing.

"I just had to play a different role. I wanted to be in the front with Heyes, but Mike made me see how unrealistic that was…so I found another way to help with my rifle out of our second story window."

"YOU killed the man on the roof. So how do you feel about that?"

I could have been angry or irritated that everyone was askin' me that but I'm not. I'm grateful for every one of them each time they ask. They're the reason I'm not dead by my own hand. So, I reflected for a moment.

"At first, I was guilty I wasn't down there but I got over it…really got over it. And I feel no guilt for shootin' the man on the roof. His rifle was aimed at the back of Heyes' head and he was about to pull the trigger."

Father talked for a while about God's forgiveness until his voice drifted off into sleep.

HEYES

I felt bad leaving the Kid to go back to Phoenix, but Aiden thinks it will be good for him…and reminded me he is surrounded by a village of friends who care about him. I rode alongside Mike's wagon with Mikey on the seat next to him until we got to Curry Road. I invited them in for lemonade but he said he wanted to get to Bridgeport and get his story to print as soon as he can.

The blacksmith shop is open, but I know Rocky is only shoeing horses with horseshoes the Kid had stockpiled. All the other work waits for the Kid. Ken's Shoe and Boot Emporium is done and waiting for his return. Sheriff Birde had sent him a telegram asking how his brother was doing but he hadn't heard back, that I know of. If it wasn't for Ken's telegram, Shaw's men would have taken us by surprise. I stopped on the road between the two places. It will be easy to build the addition to the Kid's forge on the side and something else I have in mind next to Ken's shop.. We already have what we need to get that up and running.

I wasn't even to the gate when I heard the women's voices excited to see me. Angie and Chrissy and Auntie and Hortencia all came running to meet me. They had heard from Juan and Arnie what had happened with the outlaws in Three Birds. I walked Fall's Bells the rest of the way, put my arm around my wife's waist, and tried to answer all my questions. I started with, "The Kid's getting better every day and sends his love to you, Chrissy."

I checked in with everyone and spent some time with my wife and daughter but I had a plan all figured out for coming home and the doctor had concurred. "Chrissy, go get ready and get the little girls ready, too. Michael and Martha, you come, too. You can help with your new school room. Auntie, can you manage the little twins while I take them into town to see the Kid for a few hours?"

"Of course, I will. That's so good of you to do that," Auntie answered. As she went up the steps of the house, I saw she was leaning more than ever on her cane. Maybe me and the Kid can figure out some kind of ramp for her.

In no time, Chrissy was dressed in her green checked dress and was in the back of the wagon with Joy and Ruth Ann. Michael and Martha rode on the driver's seat on either side of me. All they could talk about was seein' papa again.

JED 'KID' CURRY

Aiden took me out to survey the street for damage the next mornin'. Frank slept in the upstairs room with Heyes last night because Aiden wanted to keep watch him at least overnight. His bruisong was worse this mornin' and it hurt for him to sit up, so Aiden kept him in bed. Frank wanted a recount of any new damage to the town. There were bullets in the walls of the bank and the new school and metal casings all over the street. And new windows we had just replaced were broken again. Even found one of the outlaws' guns lost in the dust and half under the sidewalk. Lowry had broken bricks off the roof when he fell and dropped the rifle. I was proud of myself. I didn't immediately think that I was the one who had to go fix that. I made a note to have Frank send someone to repair it.

"Jed," said Mr. Robinson as we passed by him tryin' to clean Dusty Dave's blood off the sidewalk in front of the bank. His clerk was helpin' him and I could smell the vinegar and lemon juice they were usin'. "I saw blood on the church steps. When we finish here, do you think it would be alright if we try to clean it up?"

I smiled at the eagerness to this man to help. I had considered him stuffy in his position as a bank president. "Sounds good to me. You can probably get some others to help," I answered.

Goin' by the church, I saw the blood on the steps that must have come from Brian Birde and Father Patrick that Robinson had been talkin' about. I said a silent prayer of thanks that neither were injured bad.

"Aiden, I want to go into the mercantile," I said as we neared the building.

"Jeff should be at work now," he answered as he rolled my chair through the door. I smiled to see Jeff helpin' Mr. Dwyer lookin' at pipes. And Gabe smilin' watchin' his brother.

"Hear your brother there is a new town hero," I said to Gabe, loud enough for Jeff to hear. He raised his hand in greetin'.

When Jeff finished explainin' the different pipes. Mr. Dwyer made his decision. Jeff thanked him and handed over the sale to Gabe.

Rollin' into the backroom together, he said, "Jed, I did what I had to do, but I need to talk to you about how you…you…you forget you killed a man, even a bad man like Kerr."

"You don't forget. You learn to live with it," I told him sadly. "And don't allow guilt to destroy you. Anytime you need to talk, I'll be here for you. Father Patrick is someone to talk to, also. He has a way that makes you believe in God's forgiveness."

Gabe called Jeff, but before I left the mercantile, we grabbed each other's arms tightly in a show of friendship. "Anytime you need to talk, just let me know," I said in partin'.

Aiden walked next to me as I rolled my chair up on the sidewalk and into the old saloon. The new schoolroom was emergin' from the ashes, again filled with busy people, paintin' and hammerin, and cleanin'. One thing I know is this town is resilient!