Winter's Refuge
Chapter Fifty-Eight
JED 'KID' CURRY
Frank pushed me to the front waitin' room. Chrissy was pacin' and Beverly was fussin' over her. My worries about Michael didn't grow less but worries about my pregnant wife joined them. They felt so heavy I didn't know what to do and let Frank guide me onto the couch and force a cup of tea into my hand.
"I don't want..." I started to say until I smelled the whiskey mixed in my cup.
Frank winked. I drank the hot whiskey tea in two gulps and moved to sit next where Chrissy had settled on the couch. Her brave exterior had broken and tears were pourin' down her cheeks. "Jed, our baby," she sobbed. "I quilting. No watch them."
"Not your fault, darlin'. It was an accident." I tried to console her, but she buried her head in my shoulder and lost herself in weepin'. I didn't know what to say so I held her tight and fought back my own tears.
Beverly sat on her other side cryin' just as hard. "I'd be cryin' anyway but being pregnant makes me cry harder."
Chrissy looked at her friend and then back at me.
"It's your secret to tell," I whispered quietly.
Her cryin' eased for a moment as she leaned closer to Beverly and whispered. I knew she had told her about the baby when Beverly squeaked and grabbed her in a tight hug. "How delightful, they can be best friends!" They continued to cry together holdin' hands. So, I stood and started lookin' at the diplomas on the wall. How could one man have gone to so many schools? I guess that's what doctor's do.
"Jed, can I assume you and Chrissy are going to be parents again?" Frank said quietly after watchin' the ladies.
I nodded.
"Congratulations, son!"
The outside door opened, and the telegraph operator's boy came in out of breath. "Mr. Curry, Pa saw you come in here with someone in the wagon. Who's hurt?"
I know I was rude, but I turned away and studied the next framed paper. Frank answered for me. "The Curry's son," he said simply.
"Sorry, sir," he mumbled. Uncomfortable, the boy shuffled his feet and stuck his hands in his pants pockets. "Oh, I almost forgot. You got three telegrams. Pa said I should wait in case you want to reply."
I turned to look at him but heard the doctor's door openin'. I rushed to him and could feel Chrissy by my side.
I remembered Dr. Sexton was still not happy with treatin' ex-convicts like me and my wife. He did but always made us feel like he was doin' us a huge favor. Today he could make me feel lower than low if he would treat my son.
"Jed, your boy was lucky…" he started.
"Lucky?" I growled more than said.
The doctor took a step back. Chrissy took a step toward him and smiled. "Why lucky, sir?" she questioned. Again, I saw the calm I had seen in the stable, but now I know it was only managed with great control.
"Yes, Miss Chrissy, the horse kicked him in the upper left arm, maybe the shoulder, in the back. A few inches higher and it would have hit him in the head and there would be nothing I could do."
"Oh, my!" Beverly exclaimed from behind us.
Dr. Sexton smiled at her. "Mrs. Birde, please sit down, calm down. You shouldn't get excited in your delicate condition." He pushed past us and tried to lead her to a chair.
"Doctor Sexton!" Beverly's tone was authoritative and demandin', fittin' the daughter of a leader of the original Devil's Hole Gang. She had the attention of everyone in the room. "Why are you worrying about me when Michael's parents are standing here anxious to hear how he is." To me, her attitude was rude and I was thankful for her words.
Dr. Sexton was taken aback. "Why of course, Mrs. Birde, of course," he said contritely. The Birdes are important in this town.
"Jed, like I told you, the horse kicked your son on the back of his shoulder. I think there are broken bones there and in the top of his left arm. I believe his clavicle is intact. I have immobilized his shoulder and arm. He'll have to be kept still for a couple of months."
"His head?" Chrissy asked. She gripped my arm tightly.
"Head wounds in children can be tricky. It can go either way. These first days are critical, and I want to keep him under observation. I've bandaged it. It's a positive sign that he has regained consciousness even for a few minutes. I hope you intend to put that dangerous animal down."
Shocked at the doctor's last words, "Thank you, doctor," were the only words I could think of to say. I needed to see my son. And I had no intention of puttin' our mare down for protectin' her colt.
"See him?" Chrissy asked.
The doctor hesitated, looked at Beverly and Frank. "Of course, you can. Right this way," he said almost politely. "He was awake a moment ago, but I gave him pain medicine."
Michael had been moved to a bed against the wall. His left shoulder and arm were bandaged very tightly with leather strips added across the shoulder and his chest to be sure he couldn't move it. It covered almost his whole body. He looked so tiny and vulnerable. Chrissy ran to him. I used the seconds it took to walk to his side to thank the Lord and repeat that I'd work harder every day.
Chrissy held our son's good hand, but he turned his head to me. "Pa, I sorry. My fault," Michael was pleadin' with me in a weak voice. "Don't hurt Posey's ma." He must have heard the doctor talkin'.
I gently touched the bandage on his forehead. "Won't touch a hair on her head, but I hope you learned to stay away from a mare and her baby."
His voice was so soft, it tore at my heart. "Yes, Papa."
"Now, you just rest and get well. That's all you need to think about."
His hurt showed in his tired blue eyes, but he wasn't ready to close them yet. He looked around. "Martha?"
Chrissy dragged a chair near his bed. "Martha good. Home with Mrs. Clark and Uncle Heyes."
"Good," Michael echoed as his eyes closed.
"Chrissy stay here," she declared, settlin' in the chair.
"No," the doctor said quickly, but Frank intervened with an authority of his own.
"Doctor, I think that's best. She can take the burden of caring for Michael off your hands," he said.
"Well, yes, sir. I guess that makes sense, sir," the doctor answered, and again I marveled at the influence of the Birdes in this town.
HEYES
I'm not ashamed to admit it, I cried as I watched the Kid drive the wagon away from the house. So much had changed for our family in minutes. Worry for Michael was overwhelming. I didn't think I could stand it. I wanted to hide in my room.
But I couldn't because Mrs. Clark took charge. "Come, Martha, help me in the kitchen. Mr. Heyes, would you check on Autumn's Sweetheart and make sure that horse has settled down? Imagine Michael trying to ride her little colt."
Martha's tears were drying but I could tell worry for her brother was a weight on her. Instead of following Mrs. Clark into the kitchen, she stood looking down the road.
I knelt next to her and was surprised when she hugged my neck tightly and started sobbing. "Darling, watching the road won't make them come back any sooner," I tried to sooth her. When it's just family I have all my words and my thoughts are my own. I stood up with her in my arms and carried her to the kitchen. I could feel her despair but didn't know what to do. I sat her on the kitchen counter next to where Mrs. Clark was stirring something in her favorite bowl.
"Just in time to help me make cookies."
Martha looked in the bowl. "Michael likes sugar cookies."
"So that's what we'll make."
JED 'KID' CURRY
I kissed Chrissy and then kissed Michael on his cheek. Dr. Sexton had consented to Chrissy staying there but insisted I leave. He still thinks of me as a gunfighter and a convict. I make him nervous. I think he's scared of me. Beverly said she would watch over both Chrissy and Michael and assured me she knew our secret with a wink. "I'll make sure she gets some rest."
Frank invited me for a drink, but I declined. I'd promised to work harder if Michael was alright. And I keep my promises.
"Your horse is at the livery and here's the telegrams I accepted for you earlier. Be careful going home, son. We'll take care of these two for you and I'll send someone out right away if there's…there's any change."
I had my head down as I left the doctor's office but turned when I heard Mr. Dwyer, the undertaker's voice behind me. "Mr. Curry, I heard what happened. I am so sorry. If there's any way I can help, please let me know."
He held out his hand to shake. As I raised my eyes to look at him, I realized that I was surrounded by the people of the town. Some I knew well. Some I only knew by the repairs I had done for them. There was the lady that had a hole in her soup pot I had fixed. She was pushin' a covered dish of food into my hands. And the man who needed his hoe fixed the same day so he could get on with his plantin'. "The missus sent this for you so you wouldn't have to be worried about fixin' dinner," he said, handin' me a brick of cheese and some apples.
I didn't know what to do or say. Frank looked at me with a smile. "Seems like you have lots of friends, son."
The priest who had married us in an abrupt ceremony with an emotionless voice now was shakin' my hand and speakin'. "Mr. Curry, your son is in my prayers. Remember Jesus loves the little children." He hit me on the back. It was unexpected and I threw back my shoulders and stood straighter fightin' the pain. He wasn't sure what he had done but still looked contrite. I remembered I wanted to talk to him to see if he had a visitor that looked like Bobby Bell that day. But not today. The need to get home to Martha is crushin'.
These people I know and don't know kept pushin' against me as I walked to my wagon which I saw was in front of the livery with our horse already in place. I'm not afraid of people like Heyes and Chrissy, but this crowd I didn't understand had my heart poundin' like I was being chased by a posse and it took great restraint not to run and jump in the wagon to escape. Brian Birde pushed his way up to me with his father, Mayor Fred Birde, lookin' important, right behind.
I was annoyed that Brian blocked my path. "Mr. Curry, I'm sorry about your son. I'd like to go back to your ranch with you and help. I was there with Sheriff Trevors."
My annoyance abated at his sincerity.
"I can take care of the horses and the chores so you can come back to town tomorrow and be with Michael," Brian continued earnestly.
So much goin' on in my head and so many people pushin' to get near me, I felt my heart beat faster. I don't deserve any of this. "No need," I told him and stumbled to get to the wagon.
Frank handed the food he was carryin' to a shocked Brian and turned me around to face him. He knew me well enough to read the look close to panic on my face. He forced me to stay lookin' at him with a firm hand on each shoulder. "These people are your friends, Jed. They want to help the way you've helped them. That's what a community does, we help each other. Accept it. Graciously if you can."
I felt my heart slow down as my eyes stayed locked on his face.
"Think, son, how many of these people have you helped in the last few months with big things and small? Even saved a few lives. They're trying to do the same thing for you."
He wasn't lookin' for an answer, but he did make me think. When we got to the wagon, the bed was filled with covered dishes and bags of fruits. I even saw a couple of pies and a cake. "Let them help you," Frank whispered, but it sounded like an order.
"Yes, sir," I answered, refusin' to look at him.
He motioned his nephew, Brian, over, who approached me tentatively this time.
I reached out and shook his hand, but I couldn't manage a smile. "I do thank you for lookin' after the ranch with Lom and I'd be pleased if you came out in the mornin' to help with the chores and horses...and help us do justice to all this marvelous food."
My short speech made him smile as well as those around me. Jeff Birde was beside me. "I was told that you have telegrams to read and maybe answer before you leave town," he spoke quietly and nodded his head toward the boy who had delivered the telegrams.
"Almost forgot." I took the papers out of my pocket.
"Well, I think your wagon is fine here. Come into my office at the back of the new mercantile and you can read them in private.
I found the quiet isolation of Jeff's office calmin' after the demanding crowd in the street. I wasn't sure what they wanted from me. That frightened me. Jeff tried to tell me it meant that they thought of us as part of the town. I smiled and nodded but I knew there were some that looked at us as the thieves and robbers we had been. They would like nothin' better than to see me back in prison where they thought I belonged. I would always be an outsider, an ex-convict, good enough to shoe their horses but not good enough to invite to dinner.
Frank knocked, then came in to tell me he would check once more on Chrissy and Michael and let me know how they were before I left. Dr. Sexton was one of those people to whom I would always be a train robber, someone to look down upon and not to trust.
My thoughts were filled with Chrissy and our son, but I tried to focus on readin' the telegrams.
The first one was from Colin. Matt's trial starts in two weeks. He had been cooperative about reviewin' the robberies he had committed with his brothers but refused to reveal where Devil's Hole was located. I needed to look at a calendar. I think Heyes' next parole hearin' is right around that time.
The second telegram was also from Colin, sent an hour before the other. He and Aiden would be at the ranch in three days. There was somethin' left to be done and they decided I was the one to do it.
That one had me worried but I wanted Dr. Arden to check out Michael. I'd been thinkin' of askin' him to come. I sent a return telegram sayin' Michael was hurt and I'd like him to come as soon as he could. And we could discuss what was left to be done.
The last telegram was from the governor himself. He wanted me at a meetin' with him and the Warden Mays to discuss prison discipline. Said Heyes was also invited.
He'd mentioned this to me at Heyes' last parole meetin'. It was not somethin' I thought would do any good, but I was doin' it as a favor for the governor. But I wasn't doin' anything until Michael was home.
ASJ*****ASJ
When I left the new mercantile, the street was empty and there was even more food in the back. Brian Birde came out of the livery. "Pa and Uncle Frank said to give this to you." He handed me a bottle of good whiskey.
I started to refuse but he pushed it forward. "They said not to take no for an answer."
Drivin' home with a bottle of good whiskey and a wagon full of food, my thoughts turned to my little darlin' Martha and Heyes and Mrs. Clark. They'd been waitin' out here for news of Michael while I was delayed by all the well-wishers. I shivered as night fell. We had rushed away so quickly, I'd had no thought of bringin' my coat. If Frank was right, we'd have snow by the end of the week.
Heyes was sittin' in his chair pulled to the middle of the porch. Martha was on his lap, leaning' back against him, one quilt was tucked over their legs and she had another wrapped around her shoulders against the cold night air. It looked like he had started readin' to her but instead they were both starin' down Curry Road watchin' for me.
She saw me even before I reached the gate and started runnin' toward the wagon. Heyes was right behind her, arms extended forward protectively intendin' to catch her if she stumbled. I stopped the wagon at the gate and got down on one knee so Martha could run straight into my arms.
"Papa!" she cried as I caught her and hugged her tight until she pulled away. "Michael?"
"Your ma's with him. He's sleepin' now but his shoulder and arm are broken and he's all wrapped up in bandages so he can't move."
She was satisfied with my answer but behind her I saw Heyes point to his head with a questionin' look. I just shrugged my shoulders and waved him off. Martha didn't need any more worries.
Her attention was distracted as Heyes said, "Ahh" as he was lookin' in the back of the wagon. He took out a bag of candy and the bottle of whiskey. I stood up with Martha in my arms. She reached out for the candy and Heyes put a peppermint in her mouth and then one into mine.
"Oh my!" Mrs. Clark exclaimed as she arrived out of breath and looked into the wagon. We could feed all of Three Birds two times over."
ASJ*****ASJ
Martha was clingy. Mrs. Clark said to keep her close. She needed my attention and my love to help her right now. She insisted on sittin' on my lap at dinner. I moved her next to me, but she climbed back onto me. I admitted to myself that I liked her hugs. I needed the closeness as much as she did.
"Well," Mrs. Clark stood up and looked at the pies on the counter. "What kind of pie do you want for dessert? We have two of just about anything you could ask for."
"Apple!" announced Martha.
"You heard the lady, apple it is. And make it two," I added.
"Make it three," Heyes said, his fork at the ready.
"And I'll make that four," finished Mrs. Clark, settin' a plate of apple pie in front of each of us. We ate in silence until Martha moved to sit next to me and pushed her plate away.
"Did Michael have apple pie after dinner?" She looked at me with such innocent concern in her eyes that I wanted to cry.
"Well, I don't know, little darlin'. He's mainly sleepin'."
"Because he's very tired?"
Heyes sat on the other side of her on the bench. "Sleep is how our bodies heal themselves."
She nodded and let it go but had a request. "Papa can Joe and I sleep in your bed with you tonight. We don't want to be alone in our room."
"You can sleep in my bed, but Joe's got to sleep on the floor."
ASJ*****ASJ
Dr. Sexton had made it very clear that I wouldn't be welcomed back until after noon, so I didn't worry when we slept past dawn. Martha had been restless all night but had finally fallen asleep in my lap in the livin' room chair by the dyin' fire. Joe slept touchin' my feet. I had attempted to read one of her books to her but found she had a lot of the phrases already memorized. I hadn't intended to sleep downstairs, only close my eyes for a moment when I felt her drop off to sleep. The sun was up when I woke, and a quilt had been laid over us. I felt Martha's easy breathin' and marveled at her complete trust in me as I cuddled her in my arm. Thirteen months ago, I was a prisoner of the state of Arizona, slavin' my days away as a railroad blacksmith in the middle of the simmerin' desert, by my choice.
I'd had a hope of amnesty that often seemed like an unobtainable illusion. But each day I held onto whatever slivers of that hope I could find and worked toward it. It's all that kept me goin' each day. I learned a profession and worked on growin' strong to take care of my family. At the time, that was me and Heyes. Visions of Chrissy flashed through my dreams, but I was sure she had found someone new in the years since I'd seen her.
Martha sighed and moved her head higher to rest on my shoulder without wakin' up. My hope had turned to a reality, and I was livin' my dreams. For me, Heyes, and Chrissy, the price of survival and freedom were harsh, but I'm dedicated to protect each of them and give them the best life I can. My idea of family had expanded past Chrissy, Heyes and the twins to include Lom and Mrs. Clark. The Ortiz were family, too. I'd take care of all of them.
But I hadn't taken good enough care of Michael. I knew Chrissy was the best person to take care of him now, but I couldn't lose the feelin' that I could help him somehow. I kissed my daughter's hair and smiled at her when she woke and said, "Papa, I wanna go see Michael."
Swallowin' the lump in my throat, I answered, "I know, little darlin', but you'll have to wait until he comes home. I'll tell him how much you miss him when I go to see him."
Tears filled her eyes, but she nodded; she understood. "And tell him Autumn's Sweetheart is sorry she kicked him." Her voice was so light I could barely hear it. I choked my tears back "Papa, it's alright to cry when you're sad," my wise little girl said as she wiped a tear from my cheek. "Mrs. Clark said God made tears, too."
HEYES
The Kid's holding in his grief and worry at Michael's accident. The only one who broke through his steel self-control was Martha. She hugged him tight at dinner. I was glad he took her and Joe to sleep with him. They both needed comfort. I sleep light and heard him walking downstairs after midnight. I thought he might want to talk but heard him reading softly to Martha, so I just checked the kitchen door was locked and went back to my room. I still couldn't sleep. I shouldn't have taken the horse for a ride. I could have stayed and watched the twins. I like to be around them; it would have been easy to stay. And I wouldn't have let the boy go near the colt.
I left my room less than an hour later and I thought they were both asleep. I picked up a quilt to put over them when Martha opened her eyes and winked at me. Then she cuddled her head down into her pa's arms. I touched her head gently and covered them both up, tucking a blanket around her back and went to bed.
ASJ*****ASJ
I managed to sleep. I always sleep with the lamps in my bedroom lit but on low. The dark still swallows me up and tries to steal my soul. I woke to the smell of bacon and eggs. I dressed quickly.
"I was going to help Martha gather the eggs," I told Mrs. Clark apologetically.
"Didn't those Birde boys, Brian and Scott, come at sunrise and milk the cow and gather the eggs for us?" Mrs. Clark was letting Martha hold the spatula and scramble the eggs in the pan but watching her closely.
Already, there were three pies in the center of the table and a bowl of fruit.
"Heyes, they're in the stable feeding the horses. Please call them in for breakfast," Mrs. Clark asked.
The Kid came downstairs for breakfast and Martha ran to him. "Papa, we get to eat pie for breakfast!"
"Do we? Well, I've always loved pie."
ASJ*****ASJ
Before he sat down, I pulled the Kid aside. I want to take Martha out to the stable. I won't let her near Posey, but I don't want her to have a fear of horses because of this.
"Good thinkin', Heyes. You sure you want to do that? I can..."
"Kid, I need to do something."
"Appreciate it if you let her help you with the horses, partner. Got some things I need to do in the shop."
JED 'KID' CURRY
I didn't have any customers in the blacksmith shop this mornin'. Think Frank told them to give me space. I had work to do there. I had left abruptly yesterday.
I concentrated on the fire and the metal, but Michael dominated my thoughts. I left him so still in that bed. I would change places with him, if I could.
I was workin' in the blacksmith shop just after ten when Dr. Aiden's buggy stopped outside. Colin was with him, and Marshal Ken Josephs was trailin' them. I'd just telegrammed Dr. Aiden yesterday.
I rested my hammer on the anvil and tried to wipe my hands on my apron.
"Gentleman," was the only word I could force out through the thankful emotions I was tryin' to control.
Dr. Aiden Arden got down from the buggy and entered my forge, ignorin' the heat. "Jed, how's Michael? Is he in the house?" He looked up at the ranch house urgently.
"No, Dr. Sexton says he needs to stay at his office and be watched for a few days, maybe a week. Chrissy's with him. Kicked by a horse in the back. Broken shoulder and arm. Nasty bump on his head when he fell."
"Where on the head?"
I touched my forehead and realized Michael's injury was in the same place that I'd been hit by the flamin' board.
"That's better than in the back of his head. Usually not too serious there. Might knock him out and bleed a lot. Looks scary but he should recover quickly." I think Aiden was talkin' to himself not me.
"I can't see him until after noon. Would you come into Three Birds with me?"
"Why I'm here early. Dr. Sexton is a mostly competent doctor, but I'm anxious to examine the boy."
"Colin, Ken." I offered my hand to each of them.
Ken smiled at me. "I gave my testimony against Judge Phillip Carlson. You and me will have to testify at his trial."
"Glad to see you, but why are you here?"
He looked at his two travelin' companions and must have decided it was no secret from them. "Still two men out there with contracts to kill Kid Curry," he reminded me solemnly.
"Thanks. Can't get used to a bodyguard."
"Then think of me as a friend that cares. And I heard that a place down the road might be for sale soon. Think I'd like to make this my home."
Colin looked closely at the work I had left on the anvil. "Didn't mean to disturb your work. Looks like some kind of a casing for a lock."
"Careful, it's red hot."
He stepped back. "Wanted to let you know the Colorado governor has been arrested and new posters revoking the old ones have been sent out. Also, our governor has sent out notices saying the old ones are illegal."
"Thanks for lettin' me know. Your telegram said there was somethin' left to be done?" I asked.
"Not until Michael is well. The telegraph operators that were working with Mark are still out there. We need to find them. And we believe that there are still people being held against their will in Devil's Hole. The remnants of Mark's gang still run the place from what we hear. Looking to you to lead some men in there to free their hostages."
"I'll help find the telegraph operators. Think Heyes has a couple of theories on who they are from the newspaper articles. But ain't gonna give away the location of Devil's Hole," I said more harshly than I wanted. "Or see my friends arrested."
"The planning and who you take is up to you and Heyes. No, he can't leave this county, if that's what you were going to ask. I understand your son and your family need you now but so do those hostages." Colin's tone was firm, demanding and I didn't like it. Ask me and I'll do just about anythin' for you. Tell me, and I get defiant. This was the man that had stood and watched while I was whipped with a cat o' nine tails in prison. I remember his face clearly from that day. I didn't want to do anythin' he demanded.
I started to calm the fire in the forge and closed up two of the sides to give me time to gain control and think. I consider Colin a friend. I value his friendship. He's helped Chrissy and Heyes out numerous times. Why did he have to make me feel like I was in prison again? I'll tell him I'll do it…but Michael comes first.
"Let's go up to the house. Have so much food from the neighbors that we could eat for a week. We can discuss this with Heyes and let him get started thinkin' about it." I tried to sound friendly as I rebuilt my self-confidence quietly. But the more I thought about it, the more I didn't like his request.
Aiden and Colin got back in the buggy and Ken walked his horse and came with me. "Jed, I'd be willin' to ride blindfolded, if you can use me at Devil's Hole. Your call completely. Won't be upset if you say no, sir," he said so the others couldn't hear.
I looked at this US Marshal. Me and Heyes were more scared of marshals then we were of sheriffs when we were on the run. Ken's warnin' to drop had saved my life in Brown River. And I didn't miss that he had called me 'sir'"
"Thanks, Ken. I'll let Heyes know. If you do go, it'll be a lot of ridin' blindfolded and you'll have to leave that badge behind."