Winter's Refuge

Chapter One Hundred Seven

HEYES

I learned a lot about the robberies and killings of the Curt West Gang from the newspapers. They were violent and Veronica Doubleday West was the worst of them all. I could do nothing for her, and I hope I never hear her name again. One thing that the newspapers got wrong. It said Veronica had two boys; she has girls. So, I'm guessing the other wife, Angelica, has the boys. The gang spent a lot of time in this town and just about everyone went inside and locked their doors when they saw them coming. They bring death, sudden death, with them. They always start in the bank. They feel all the money in there belongs to them. A clerk pulled a gun and tried to stand up to them. He shot, and probably killed, one of the gang, but he died for his effort. Veronica shot the owner of the mercantile when they were low on the sugar and coffee she wanted.

That made me decide I had something else to do in Pembina that would take me longer than I thought…four days longer. When I left, I was glad to be on the road again alone. And I made a stop for a few days to heal. I would have preferred the Kid was with me. When I got to Walhalla, I found a letter from him. I feel guilty that I didn't send more telegrams from Pembina. I understand they worry about me.

When I checked into the smaller hotel, I asked if a sandwich and coffee could be sent up to my room. I settled in and, when the food arrived, I opened the Kid's letter…

"Hi Heyes,

All of us was really worried when we didn't hear from you. Now it's only been two short telegrams in two weeks. I was about to come there and look for you. Looking forward to your next letter to find out what happened in Pembina. Your telegrams were a bit confusing.

A lot has been happening here. Before I start with that, Auntie sends her love and said to tell you she's missing you around here. She opened that big box from William Knight that you picked up. I cleared out a whole cupboard and Auntie unpacked the box 'oohing' and 'ahhing' over everything. I admired the pans and pots he sent. They were beautifully formed out of copper, lined with tin.

And he sent every kind of spice you can imagine. He included three big shaker jars of the special seasoning mix he made for us last year. Auntie's already been using it on chicken and it sure is good. Wish you were going to be here when he comes. He's a very nice man and he has some strikingly beautiful mares. The man does not know much about horses, but he has the money to hire someone who does. With a spot for a third mare with the expansion, Chrissy telegraphed him to see if he wanted to bring another of his ladies. He telegrammed back one word, YES.

You remember when I mailed that stack of breeding letters for Chrissy and there was one to her friend Mary O'Donohue? Well, one day when Auntie picked up the twins, who was at the school waiting but Miss Mary O'Donohue. Frank told her she could get a ride out to Phoenix from whoever picked up the twins. Auntie told us that she was quiet but fidgety, answered all the questions Michael and Martha threw at her but neither one asked why she had come. They asked about her big trunk and the fake bird on her hat. She did tell Auntie that she was here at the request of Miss Christina Curry.

I was busy so they didn't stop at the smithy. Miss Mary got out and waited on the porch. I saw someone new and was curious, and hungry, so I walked to the house. By that time, Auntie had taken the lady, who had requested a private visit, up to see Chrissy.

Auntie found me with Martha putting one of her after school cookies in my mouth. I couldn't touch it with the black embedded into my hands. "Jed, didn't seem like Chrissy knew her until she said her name. Lady's mighty nervous about something. Maybe I shouldn't have left them alone?" she said in alarm.

"Sure it's alright. I'll go up and check." So, leaving a trail of my black dirt, I went upstairs and opened our door, startling both ladies.

"Mary O'Donohue. This is my husband, Jed Curry."

Miss Mary stuck her hand out to shake but I showed her the black on my hands. "Miss Donohue. You're a friend of my wife?"

Both women shared a laugh. "She is now," Chrissy told me. They laughed again. I felt left out of some joke. Chrissy took pity on me. Smiling, she explained, "Ken's Mary. I sent for her."

So, Heyes, Miss Mary is Ken's fiancé. He's been writing her letters, but Chrissy's letter invited her to come out and stay with us. And she came right out. Said it was hard worrying about him from so far away.

"Welcome. Does Ken know you was coming?" I could see so many ways this could go wrong if he didn't know. He's a proud man, not much older than me, but with injuries that forced his retirement from the US Marshals.

"My surprise." Chrissy was smiling at Mary again. "Jed, go find Ken and bring him to the kitchen then come get Mary and carry me down. Promise no tell Ken."

I didn't want to promise but I thought I'd never deny Chrissy anything she wanted. Heyes, you know I'm keeping her on bedrest, even though she begs me to let her get up. Yesterday she really wanted to collect the eggs with Martha. I had to say no. So, I won't deny her this little surprise even though if I were Ken, I'd want a warning.

Ken was easy to find grooming one of the visiting mares. I tried to look at him through Mary's eyes who hadn't seen him in a year. The beating he took was meant for me and I've never stopped feeling guilty about it. He has a nasty scar on his neck and upper arm. The wound has healed but the scar remains red and jagged. He looks so much older than when I met him. He can't walk more than a few steps at a time and his cane is always nearby. He came here to heal but he's family now and he knows it. And I will be proud to call him neighbor when his house is finished. And I realized most of all that Ken is a good man and a good friend.

So, I called him over and said Auntie needed him in the kitchen. While he sat at the table, I ran upstairs. As I carried Chrissy downstairs, she kept giggling. She didn't seem to mind the black dust from my clothes, hands and arms getting on her. My family is used to it. Miss Mary walked behind me and was partially hidden. I stepped aside at the bottom still holding my wife.

"Ken?" Mary's voice sounded nervous to me.

Ken looked away from Auntie to Mary…and his face lit up. "Mary!" She ran to him but hesitated as he awkwardly started to stand up.

Chrissy tensed in my arms, and I gently settled her into a chair as we both kept watching Ken and Miss Mary. But she only waited a heartbeat and when he was on his feet, she was in his arms. "Oh Ken, I've missed you."

Auntie waved at me to leave so I picked up Chrissy and carried her to a hay bed in the stable where she could see Summer's Night and Gus and the goat that decided he would share their stall.

So, partner, all is well with Ken and Miss Mary except Ken told her they can't get married until he finishes their home. Miss Mary is staying with Auntie. She's kinda plain looking until she smiles, but she's an exceptional lady, talked Jeff Birde into letting her sell custom made dresses in the mercantile. They are modeled on the latest eastern fashions. Based on the dresses she put on display, she had four orders in the first few days. Chrissy wants one after the baby comes.

And I've saved the best news for last, you're an uncle again! I know it came even earlier than last time; here's what happened. After all the excitement of Mary coming, the urgent matter around here was that Fall's Snowdance was to foal. That's the other horse Jose Ortiz sent us. She's as high spirited as Summer's Night is calm. When I knew her time was growing near, I made Chrissy a soft spot with hay and blankets up high in the stable so she could be there. Mary had never seen a birth before and was excited. I'm coming to think Mary is as high spirited as Fall's Snowdance. The twins were allowed to watch but Auntie and Hortencia elected to watch Joy Christina. Now that she's walking, she's a handful.

At Juan's word, we all started to gather in the stable. After I'd warned Michael and Martha how they needed to be very quiet, I went to get Chrissy.

"Chrissy, ready to go?" I asked.

She looked right at me. "No, Chrissy stay here."

"You alright, darlin'? You tired?" Since she's been on bedrest, I worry about her all the time. When she looked at me this time, I knew something was wrong. "Chrissy?"

She was holding her stomach and suddenly bent forward and let out a cry.

"Is it the baby? Chrissy, is the baby coming?"

"Too early, Jed. I've been good. Stayed in bed. But still too early." She leaned forward in pain again.

With Joy, Aiden was right there. She had tried to hide that the baby was coming but once we knew, he did everything while we worried and waited. My heart was beating so fast.

"Pillow," she said, pointing at her back. I stuffed two pillows behind her.

"Going to get Auntie. I'll be right back."

"Dr. Arden?"

"I'll send someone for him right now."

Auntie and Hortencia handed me Joy and kicked everyone out of our bedroom, including me. They had everything prepared. Arnie rode for the doctor who dropped everything and actually rode a horse out to Phoenix. And then we waited. I didn't tell the ones waiting for the foal about what was going on in the house. I washed and washed in the kitchen until there wasn't a speck of black on my hands and arms and even poured the cold water over my hair and face. And I then paced between the stable and the house. Fall's Snowdance delivered first, a small white filly that struggled to stand quickly. Chrissy had already decided on colt and filly names, so I was ready and told everyone there to welcome Aine's Spring, named after the Irish goddess of joy and the seasons. Of course, Martha immediately nicknamed her Annie.

I also told everyone that Chrissy was having her baby, too. Mary took Joy and the twins to Auntie's house over their protests. I tried to get in our bedroom, but Aiden put his foot against the door and ordered me to go downstairs. Minutes seemed like hours and hours eternity. Heyes, you know me, I don't know how God feels about gunmen, outlaws, and ex-convicts, but Chrissy prays all the time and Luke believes so strongly he became a priest. So tonight, I prayed for my family and promised I would work even harder to be a better person.

Miss Denise came in the buggy a little later and helped everywhere it seemed. She's a good person, Heyes. And a good friend. She kept water boiling in the kitchen and I carried it up to the bedroom whenever Aiden called for it.

"Aiden, just let me come in and tell her I love her," I begged as he took the pot of boiling water from me but blocked my entrance to the room.

"She knows that, Jed. Now go back downstairs.

"Aiden, the baby, it's too early."

"We're all doing the best we can, especially Chrissy. She did as told and stayed in bed. That gives both her and that little one a better chance now. Downstairs."

So, I waited and walked and went to Auntie's house and read the twins and Joy asleep. They looked like angels sleeping on Auntie's bed, Joy in between her brother and sister, curling Martha's hair in her fingers. And I prayed again that there would soon be another one joining them.

Chrissy was crying out, yelling and then it would be quiet for a few minutes, and she would do it again. Each cry, each yell cut into my heart. Her screams became closer and then there were three very loud ones and quiet…and I heard our baby cry.

Cautious relief flooded over me. Miss Denise blocked the stairs so I couldn't go upstairs.

"Dr. Arden says to send Jed up," Auntie said from the top of the stairs. She was smiling and I couldn't tell you how that eased my mind.

Aiden had the baby in his arms. "Jed, meet your baby girl."

She's so little that If I hold her head in my hand her little feet don't reach my elbow, smaller than Joy was at birth.

"Healthy?"

"Ten fingers and ten toes and everything working. She's healthy, just early so she's small," Aiden answered. I could see Chrissy smile at his words. Walking over, I sat on the side of the bed. Heyes, I can't tell you how much love fills your heart when you first hold your child. I hope you get to experience that.

I kissed Chrissy's check and handed her the baby girl. "Got a name for her, if you agree," I told my beautiful wife.

She looked at me expectantly.

"Ruth Ann, after your sister," I said.

Surprised, Chrissy asked, "Doctor, are you sure she's healthy?" Marina had described Luke's twin as sickly from birth, so I knew what she was thinking.

"Healthy and strong."

"Ruth Ann good. How did you know?"

"Marina told me when I was at Winter's Refuge."

Chrissy snuggled our daughter close to her. "Hello, Ruth Ann, I'm your ma."

So, Heyes, you have a colt, a filly, and a niece to meet when you come home. Still waiting for that letter you said you were going to send. I know the post takes a long time, but we all worry about you.

I miss you, partner,

Kid

JED 'KID' CURRY

In the next two weeks we only got one telegram from Heyes sayin' he was delayed in Pembina. Finally, one day when Glen was workin' in the telegraph office, he brought home two letters from Heyes. They were dated more than a week apart but arrived on the same stage in Three Birds. I laid them on the new table in the back room of the smithy and went back to work on a special order for an ornate door knocker in the shape of a horse's head. This is the fourth time I'm making it because the first three came out lookin' scary. But this one is all in proportion. I closed up the blacksmith shop. I'll do the smaller work on it tomorrow. I washed up in the wash basin there and sat in the back room to read the letters by myself in case there's somethin' personal in them like there was in the other.

I opened the earlier one first and it was obvious he had not received my letter yet. It started with a note to only share what I wanted to with the family, especially the twins. I was shocked that Veronica Doubleday was now married to the notorious Curt West…and sad she had lost her youngest daughter. I know that Martha and Joy have both been stung by a bee and nothing happened. I think Michael has, too. I'll have to ask him. Don't think I'll read how she died out loud when the kids can hear. I'm proud of Heyes that he made friends with the Morrisons. He's doing so well. And I was surprised why he stayed on in Pembina longer than he planned. The letter continued:

"So, Family, I got to thinking about the Curt West Gang and how everyone here is terrified that they are going to come back here again. They figured they should be back this week or next. So, I did the last thing I ever thought I would do, I let them pin a sheriff's badge on me. They know who I am and was. I can't fight the gang, but I can make this place unpleasant for outlaws. Wish you were here with me, Kid. I sent a telegram and requested that the US Marshals help as soon as possible. I signed my full name and said they could find Curt West nearby. I did add that Governor Sanderson could vouch for me.

Wish I had a picture because the next day a sign saying 'H. Heyes, Sheriff' appeared over what had been an empty storefront. Can you imagine that? That first evening I walked around and tried all the locked doors of the shops. If I could open them quickly with my lockpicks, I did. And I left them open. And that included the bank. In fact, their locked back door only needed a hard pull. There were two saloons both wide open all the time. I could live with that.

Early the next morning, I stood in the middle of the main street with Winston Morrison. He called everyone to us and introduced me. But everyone already knew who I was. I would have loved being in front of a whole town before I went to prison. Today I was scared. I worked hard not to show I was shaking, and I concentrated on keeping my words close to my tongue. I'd told Winston what needed to be said and he handled it well. Everyone understood that their security was lacking…and I am here to help them with that. He asked for questions and, of course, the first one was, "Are you THE Hannibal Heyes, leader of the Devil's Hole Gang?"

"I am the one and probably only Hannibal Heyes, the FORMER leader of the Devil's Hole Gang." I was proud that I got that all out. It felt good.

"Where's Kid Curry?" That came from a teenager no older than twelve. "I read all the dime novels about him."

I had to smile about that. "At home with his wife and kids."

The kid was disappointed, but the adults smiled.

"You sure you can make our locks secure?" That was the lady with a small dress shop next to the newspaper.

"I can make them stronger. We have to make it so that coming here is not comfortable for Curt West and his gang. I know from experience, they'll go where it's easy, uncomplicated. I plan to make it …er…uncomfortable for them. Right now, we will start with making the locks hold tight."

And that's what I did with the help of new locks from the mercantile and a blacksmith who only knows the basics of making horseshoes. You'll laugh, Kid, but I showed him how to make a long molten string to add to the lock. I've watched you so many times I had more of an idea how to do it than he did. It wasn't pretty like yours, but it worked to reinforce the door locks. And I added a second lock to each door. Some near the top and some near the floor. These are not to keep them out, just make it harder for them to get in. This took me all day and that evening I got a response that two marshals were heading to Pembina, assigned to H. Heyes. That made me uncomfortable. Were they assigned to help me or watch me?

I worried that I had taken on too much. I was awake all-night worrying. What if the gang rode in before we were ready? What if they didn't come when the marshals were here? What if the marshals are here to arrest me for something. Finally, a rough sleep captured me, nightmares followed. But I was even more determined to make this town off limits for Curt West. These are good people.

I went over to the bank before dawn and started working. When the employees arrived, I worked with them. The gang usually comes in guns out and demands all the money in cashiers' drawers and cash from the customers. They blew the safe two robberies ago and the door hangs off the hinges still, so they help themselves to any money or gold in there. I lifted some floorboards and dug a hole next to each cashier. Then I replaced the boards and covered it all with some rugs I borrowed from the hotel. I told them to always keep up to one hundred dollars in their drawers. Whenever they had a larger deposit, they were to bend down, move the rug a bit and drop it through slits in the boards. They stood behind a heavy wooden counter so no one could see what they were doing. Each was sworn to secrecy. It wasn't perfect but it was a start.

For the safe, me and the bank manager made a section with a false front where most of the money could be kept. There are large deposits from the ranchers around here when they sell or buy stock. I'm amazed that they still trust this bank, but this is a close knit town and the bank does add two security guards when they are holding the money overnight. One of those guards ended up dead by Veronica's gun last time. So now the bank manager takes large deposits home as soon as received.

I spent two days and nights walking around the town. I understand now how protective Lom feels about Potterville. First time I walked around at night, I jumped at every shadow. I even cowered and fell to my knees when wind blew the large livery door shut and I dropped my lantern. It took me a few minutes to find myself in the sudden fear and another five before I could stand up and continue. My thought was to hurry back to my sheriff's office, but I hadn't checked all the merchant's doors yet. Standing in the wind with no lantern light and only glimpses of the moon's light, I lost my words but I willed myself forward and checked the last three shops. Then I turned around and ran to the office, slamming the door behind me. It was terrifying but I did it…and now I know I can survive the dark again.

On the third afternoon, one of the outlying small ranchers sent a hand in to tell us the Curt West and three of his gang was coming and THAT woman was riding in front with him. My beating heart almost froze my steps, but I managed to tell him to go to the merchant's alley doors and have them lock their front doors. I had hoped the US Marshals would be here before this happened. I would have preferred you, Kid, to the marshals. I went to the bank, sent the manager home, and waited in his office. The safe is right outside my door.

Kid, I was so scared. I was never scared when we did jobs, but this terrified me. Curt, two of his outlaws, and Veronica marched into the front door of the bank. I knew they usually sent one man to enter quietly through the back. Well, that door was securely locked today. I could hear them complaining that the mercantile and the hotel was closed.

"All the money from the drawers in this bag, now!" I heard a deep gravelly voice demand. The cashiers complied. I had told everyone not to object.

"Yes, sir."

"Yes, sir."

A confident female voice followed. "You two put all your cash and jewelry in this bag…and don't hold back." I heard the lady customer break into tears.

"Ain't too much of a haul in the safe today," a voice commented. This voice had the confidence of leadership…Curt West. And then he was leaning on the doorway in front of me. "You ain't the bank manager."

I was glad he hadn't drawn his gun. Mine was in my hand waiting…and now it was pointing at him. "No, I'm the sheriff."

He stared at my gun but didn't make a move to his gun. He was smart enough to know I had the advantage for now.

"Ain't no sheriff in this town. What's your name?"

"There is now. Name is Heyes. Hannibal Heyes."

He looked at me closer. I stayed seated. My legs were shaking but my gun hand was steady. "Put your hands over your head and clasp them together." Glaring at me and waiting for me to show a weakness, he did as he asked. "Now turn around."

When he turned around, I stood up and walked nearer to him. I don't know what I thought I was going to do, but just then his man in the back alley started twisting the door handle and putting his weight against the door. It was enough to distract West that I tried to grab his gun. I don't believe I had the nerve to do that. He caught both my wrists, each with a gun in hand and we wrestled for control of the guns.

The banging on the back door became frantic. "Open the door; the law's out here!"

I wasn't sure who he was referring to, maybe Winston Morrison or one of the townspeople trying to help. I got my right hand free just as he turned my left wrist, pain forcing me to release his gun. He picked it up and fired at me. It caught me in my left arm above my elbow. But I surprised him and used my gun and slammed it against his right wrist. He dropped his gun, and I used my foot to slide it across the room.

"Hands up and clasped," I told him again. I was breathing hard and losing blood, but I didn't dare look away from him.

"What do you think you're going to do injured and with my gang around?" he asked smugly.

"Well, I killed Veronica's first husband…might try that again." I could see a flash of fear as my words hit home. "Now turn around and walk slowly." I decided to try and keep the others from firing at me by threatening to use the gun I now held against West's back.

He started walking. Then stopped and took a step back. "Walk," I demanded.

"Good work, Mr. Heyes, we got it from here." Marshal Grey Lyons, who had been with us at Soteria, greeted me just beyond the door. I was so happy to see him and his partner I almost cried.

He had Veronica and two outlaws against the wall, their hands on the wall. West joined them. Another marshal forced the outlaw from the alley through the front door. "Heyes, sit down. You, get the doctor," Lyons ordered a clerk. All the while, he kept his gun on the bank robbers. "You alright?"

I nodded. I was shaking so badly I wanted to run, not run away, run into my mind, hide from the pain, hide from the world. But I didn't. I reminded myself I don't do that anymore.

"Sheriff Heyes, congratulations. We have been trying to catch Curt West for years…he's wanted for murder and robbery in three states."

So, Kid, I'm not hurt that badly. If you think it will upset Chrissy, don't read the part about me being shot to her. The bullet was a through and through. I was glad this doctor was like Dr. Arden and cleaned the wound out with a lot of alcohol. A little piece of fabric from my shirt floated out with the rinsing. He probed around in there to make sure nothing else was in there before he'd bandage it and I passed out. It was from the pain, not because I was trying to escape in my mind. I lost my words for a few days. I stayed with Winston Morrison Sr., and everyone assumed I couldn't talk from the pain.

Marshal Lyons told me I had four big rewards coming for Curt and Veronica West and the other two. Don't want the money but he insisted. I did have my words again but wrote down to send it to the bank in Three Birds to our account when the rewards come in. So, if you see a deposit, that's what it is.

As soon as I felt better, I left Pembina. Don't ever want to go back there. I stayed for two nights in a four-room hotel over a saloon in a very small town called Past Time. And I am resting here, healing, and getting back my courage. Tomorrow I'm heading to Walhalla.

Hope all is fine there. I wish I was there, but I need to be here.

I miss you all.

Heyes