WINTER'S REFUGE

by Kattayl

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

80. Winter's Refuge Chapter 80

Winter's Refuge

Chapter Eighty

HEYES

The ladies were fussing over Mrs. Roberts. Her eyes still look hollow to me. Not sure she even knew what just happened. All eyes were on us as me and the Kid followed Colin into the bedroom and closed the door.

He immediately let out a deep sigh. "Thank you two for handling that situation."

"Ain't gonna stand by and let anyone hurt a lady, even her husband," the Kid said firmly.

Colin just nodded his head and closed his eyes for a moment. I wondered if he was going to say anything about the way the Kid ended the 'situation'.

"Jed, I was scared when you were facing him down. Don't know how you stayed so calm. Never thought it'd come to a gunfight…until I realized who he was. I was reading Mrs. Roberts' paperwork when her husband asked for a private place to talk to her. He's a gunfighter, wanted in Colorado and Nebraska but not Wyoming. When I saw that I hurried to the barn…but you already had it handled. Never saw anyone draw that fast in my life." I heard the awe in Colin's voice. And I was proud of my cousin. I know how much hard work and early rising went into getting his speed back.

I saw the Kid wasn't going to answer him, so I asked. "Who's next to talk to?"

"Arnie."

I took a deep breath. Arnie was the kid from Brown River. "So, he was taken before the bank robbery and the Kid's takedown of the McWinters brothers?"

"He was the last one abducted. Colin handed me the paper to read. The Kid looked over my shoulder. Arnie's older brother had been the telegraph operator in Brown River. Had been. He'd gone along with MG and passed along confidential information and telegrams to the gang. At the last minute, he'd gone into the bank, armed, and tried to stop the robbery.

"Would one of you go get the boy?" asked Colin.

The Kid didn't even look at me. He went to get Arnie.

JED 'KID' CURRY

I don't like to draw my gun, especially when I'm angry. I'll never tell no one, not even Heyes, but I was scared today facin' Harrison Roberts - THE Harrison Roberts. I've heard of his speed and accuracy. And I knew that his wife, Heyes, and Arnie were standin' somewhere behind me. But I found my focus and looked in his eyes. Roberts is a professional, known for bringin' as many bounties in dead as alive. His eyes didn't tell me much. They were cold, deep but then I caught the slight thought in them that he couldn't hide and knew he was drawin'. All those mornings of practice are worth it if I can be faster. And I was. Roberts is leavin' without his wife.

But inside I'm still shakin', unnerved. All the 'what ifs' hit me after. But I can't think about that. I resolve to keep practicin' every morning. Now, I need to focus on Arnie. He's such a positive young man, always helpful, patient. Still, no one here wants to hear bad news. They all want to go back to the families they left and find nothin' has changed.

Arnie wasn't in the great room, so I walked to the barn. Glen saw me first and knew I was comin' for Arnie.

"Arnie," Glen said, touchin' Arnie on the shoulder. "Looks like it's your turn."

Arnie turned from the horse he was brushin' and looked at me. "Me?"

I nodded.

Arnie started towards me. But Glen stopped him. "I'll be praying for you and your brother. God has a plan for each of us. Sometimes His will is hard, but He is always with us."

I remembered Glen's prayer over our dinner the other night and marveled at the deep faith in this young man.

"Thanks, Glen," Arnie said as he walked next to me into the cabin. "That Glen sure is a nice guy."

"He is," I said as I opened the door to the bedroom/ meetin' room.

Colin stood up and, as he was with the others, he greeted Arnie formally. "Mr. Weber, please sit down."

"Mr. Weber was my pa. Please call me Arnie. What happened to my brother after Bobby Bell McWinters and Georgie the Weasel kidnapped me?"

If I had any lingerin' doubts about Georgie, they were gone now.

"Arnie, from talking with you, you know why you were abducted," Colin started.

"Well, I know it was to get my brother, Jerry, to give them information from telegrams. Is he alive? Not sure what they were after. The McWinters left a couple of weeks after I got to Devil's Hole and never came back. Rumor was they was captured."

Colin moved around in his chair to get more comfortable. I'll have to bring in a footstool next time for him to put up his leg.

"Yes, Jerry's alive. He did as the gang asked and passed on information about a huge payroll that was going to be in the Brown River's bank overnight."

"Yeah, that weren't no secret. Everyone in town knew it was comin' sometime in the next month, just not when," Arnie inserted.

"Well, your brother knew. Part of his job was to keep that information confidential. And when you were kidnapped, he let Bobby Bell know when that shipment was coming to keep you alive."

I couldn't tell what Arnie was thinkin'. For once he was quiet, leanin' forward in his chair as if that could make him hear better.

"Someone in the gang leaked the date to the wrong, or in our case, the right person and Mr. Heyes came up with a plan to stop the McWinters gang. Mr. Curry, with a few marshals and some very good friends, met them in Brown River."

Arnie looked at Heyes, who shrugged his shoulders. I was glad he spoke up. "I was still on probation. Couldn't leave Cheyenne County, Nebraska."

I knew it was hard for Heyes to admit that in front of anyone not a close friend or family. That told me what he thought of Arnie.

Colin looked at me.

"Everyone who went on that job was killed, except one, Matt McWinters. He's servin' a life sentence in the Wyomin' Territorial Prison," I told him.

Arnie was thinkin'. "Any of your group killed?"

"Injured, yes. Killed, no."

Colin gave a small smile. "Your brother was heroic that day. The idea the bank was going to be robbed and he knew about it, didn't sit right with him. He saw the McWinters Gang go into the bank right when it opened. He grabbed his rifle and went in right after them."

"Pa's old rifle. We keep it behind the telegraph counter," Arnie said, his voice a little distant as if he were picturin' what happened in his mind.

"Witnesses say as soon as he walked through the bank doors, he yelled, "You're not robbing this bank today if I can help it!" He had his rifle aimed at Mark.

"Off to the side, Bobby Bell laughed, drew, and shot the rifle out of Jerry's hands. Then shot him in the thigh, saying "And I was just startin' to like that brother of yours. Now I have to kill him when we get back, too."

"But they never got back."

"None of them got back to the Hole," Colin said.

Arnie looked at Heyes then me. "Guess I owe you two my life in a roundabout way. Thanks." Then to Colin, he asked, "How's Jerry? What happens now?"

"Jerry had the wound fever bad but there was an excellent doctor, Dr. Arden, that came with Mr. Curry. Jerry was unconscious or out of his head until about three weeks ago. Dr Arden came back several times to check on your brother. You see, everyone thought you were dead. They couldn't find you after everything calmed down. Jerry never told anyone you were kidnapped. Bobby Bell had warned him not to or you would be hurt. Someone thought they might have seen you going into the livery, but they weren't certain."

"I did like to spend time with the horses…still do," Arnie added.

"So, until Jerry was awake and alert enough to talk, everyone thought you died in the livery fire. When he could, Jerry didn't say anything except you weren't in Brown River that day until he was sure that the McWinters were dead.

Fortunately, our marshals got there about a week later. That's a real loyal town you live in. No one would say where Jerry Weber was. Didn't want him to be in trouble."

"Jerry's going to heal up?" asked Arnie.

"He's doing fine. Even sent a few telegrams again. He's in Brown River waiting for you to come home. The marshals will escort you there," Colin told him.

Arnie sighed. It was a sigh of relief that his ordeal was over. And a sigh of hope that life could return to almost normal.

"Sir, do you think Glen Chinelli could come to Brown River and stay with us for a while? He's grieving his pa real deep. We lost our pa three years ago, maybe we could help him?" Arnie was so sincere I would have had a hard time refusin' him.

Colin thought for a moment. "If Glen is agreeable, I think that is an excellent idea."

ASJ*****ASJ

Jed 'Kid' Curry

Colin leaned back. He had no more messages to deliver today. "Just so you know, Governor Sanderson has asked your friend, Lom Trevors, to help find the families of the two women from Colorado - Sophie MacManus and Deidre Baer. We just don't have the manpower. The governor has stationed most available marshals in Hopeful. He's determined MG and his gang be brought to a swift trial and won't rest until they are locked away in prison."

The ladies were making a special dinner for everyone before Arnie and Glen left for Brown River.

Since it was the three of us, Heyes at least felt comfortable to speak. He's intimidated by business-like Colin but is comin' to accept Colin as a friend. "The governor and Lom have a long history together. Hear that he visited the governor every two weeks while we was locked up."

"He did. Never missed a time either." Colin smiled. "You have a good friend there. By the way, he said he was already in Denver with his wife, Susan. Do you know her?"

"What?"

"He married her without waitin' for us?"

"Did he say when they got married?"

"Have to save those questions for Sheriff Trevors when you next see him."

"Why are Miss Sophie and Miss Deidre's family so hard to find? Isn't there a list of telegraph operators?" Heyes asked, already knowin' that there was.

"Miss Sophie's husband is a rovin' supervisor. He could be at a telegraph office anywhere in Colorado. Miss Deidre Baer's family is nowhere to be found near Colorado Springs where she says she lives."

ASJ*****ASJ

After dinner, Mike, with Little Johnny on his lap, was playin' poker with me and Heyes and Colin.

"Mike, you're taking excellent care of that boy, but I think he should leave with the marshals tomorrow. The sooner we get him to an orphanage, the quicker he will be adopted," Colin announced, as he dealt the next hand.

"Was planning on adopting him myself," Mike said. I wasn't surprised. They fit well together in temperament.

"Mr. Loveland, without the presence of relatives, the state cannot allow a single man to adopt the boy. A suitable family will present itself, I'm sure," Colin lectured.

Mike looked at me. "The boy got kin. If I get their permission, I can adopt him right?"

"Johnny's brother, Matt McWinters is a convicted prisoner. He is not in a position to grant custody to anyone. The governor would not allow that."

Again, Mike looked at me. "Wasn't talking about Matt; was talking about Jed and Chrissy. Johnny McWinters was her brother. He's their nephew."

I looked at the boy. I don't know why I hadn't seen it before. He has the McWinter green eyes and Martha's smile. "I'll talk to Chrissy. It's her decision. But I think you'd give the boy a fine home, Mike."

Heyes was grinnin' as he picked up his cards. Colin was shocked. "My apologies, Jed. I forget Chrissy was a McWinters. She is so different from her brothers."

I reached over and took Little Johnny from Mike. He was Chrissy's and my…nephew. I gave him a tight hug, handed him back to Mike, and looked at my cards.

LOM

The governor's telegram tracked me down as Susan and me were having a nice dinner our second night in Denver. It had gone to Porterville and Nat Bickson had forwarded it to the Denver's sheriff's office. And they tracked me down. I was hesitant to tell Susan that I was going to have to work during our honeymoon, but she was delighted.

"Oh Lom, this will be such fun. I can help you. We can follow the clues and find these ladies' families!" She gets giddy when she has an idea and she had one now. "We'll start tonight. We can go to the telegraph office at the train station and see if they know Clay MacManus…or what was the son's name?"

I looked at the telegram. "Phil."

"Or Phil MacManus or even Sophie MacManus." Susan forgot about the fine meal in front of her, but I didn't.

"Let's finish dinner first."

"Oh yes, yes. Not too much to go on. If they don't know him, we can go to the main telegraph office where Mr. MacManus must work out of if he's a traveling supervisor."

"Dinner first, Susan."

Smiling her sweet smile, she stopped talking about my assignment, but I could tell she was still thinking about it. I let go of all of my romantic hopes for the evening and finished my meal quickly.

Susan walked quickly to the door of the train station office, went in, and rushed to the telegraph counter.

"Do you know Clay MacManus?" she asked sweetly.

The clerk looked at me trailing behind her. "Of course, ma'am, every telegraph operator in Colorado knows Mr. MacManus. He's our supervisor."

It wasn't the answer Susan expected but she wasn't daunted. "Where is he now?"

Laughing, the clerk answered, "Could be anywhere in Colorado. He shows up when we don't expect him."

She thought for a moment. "Can you send a message to all of the offices he supervises that we need to see him as soon as possible?"

"Ma'am, that's a lot of offices. And who are you?"

"Why, I'm Mrs. Lom Trevors." She giggled and blushed. "Sheriff Trevors of Porterville, Wyoming."

I had put my badge on my jacket on the walk over. "Or do you know where we might find his son, Phil? I'm working for Governor Sanderson."

Any defiance he had, went away. "Sure, Sheriff Trevors. Can't send all them telegrams but Phil works the day shift in the downtown Denver office. You'll find him there tomorrow. He might know where his father is now."

"Susan, that's our answer. We'll go there tomorrow."

"Yes, Lom. Thank you, sir, for the information. If you happen to find out where Clay MacManus is, please let us know. We're staying at the hotel down the street." Susan finished as I pulled her out the door.

HEYES

It's quieter here without Arnie and Glen. Sletten was so quiet I don't notice that he's gone. Pappy and Mrs. Roberts are still here even though they could leave. Colin told us that he had the marshals send a telegram to Dr. Arden to see if he could help Mrs. Roberts. I don't blame her for hiding in her mind. It can be calm there when the world hurts you beyond hope. Now that we've all met her husband, or her ex-husband as he said he had a new wife, we can understand that she went from a bad situation with him to a worse situation as a hostage. Miss Deidre said that last night, Denise Roberts said, "Good night," in the dark to the ladies sleeping in the bedroom. It's something small, but it's progress.

The next morning, after breakfast, the Kid and I helped Mike with the horses. Little Johnny sure does look like Chrissy and little Martha. I hadn't noticed before. And he's kin to the Kid and Chrissy. The Kid's going to ask Chrissy but I'm pretty sure he's already made his mind up that Mike would be a good pa to the boy.

The marshals that were here yesterday left a newspaper in the barn. I haven't read a paper for weeks, so I picked it up and settled on the hay leaning in a corner. And then I remembered where I saw the name Emery. In an ad in Mike's paper. Emery's father was searching for him and offering money to anyone who found his son and returned him. It was on the third page in the lower right-hand corner of every issue. I can see it in my mind, but I don't remember what it said. I need to talk to Mike.

Rushing out of the barn, the Kid asked, "You gotta bee under your hat, Heyes? Ain't seen you run that fast in years."

"It's important. I need to find Mike."

"He's in back of the cabin in that little meadow. He took Little Johnny and Emery there to play and run so they'd be tired for their nap."

I kept running until I found Mike. The Kid was right next to me, curious what was going on. "Mike," I got out and had to bend over to catch my breath. "Mike," I said again when I could talk. "Do you have a copy of your paper with you?"

"Yeah, I think but the marshals left a newer newspaper in the barn yesterday."

"Don't want that paper. Want yours. Page three. Lower left-hand corner."

Mike's eyes grew big, and he hit his forehead with his hand. "Emery…why didn't I think of that. Just a minute. Watch the kids."

I really didn't know how to watch the kids. They were rolling on the grass, squealing at each other. Should I stop them? The Kid is here and he's not stopping them, so I guess it is okay.

"Heyes, why do you want Mike's newspaper?" the Kid asked.

Before I could answer, Mike returned with the newspaper. He had already opened it wide to page three. He laid it on the ground. We bent over next to him.

"Right here." He pointed. The ad read:

Reward Offered $1,000

For the safe return of my son,

Emery Walsh 8 years old

Telegram Tim Walsh

Bent Tree, Wy

"I knew it!" I exclaimed. Picking up the paper, I ran in to find Colin.

LOM

Susan was up soon after dawn. She was so excited to go see Phil MacManus and tell him of his mother's rescue.

"Susan, I don't think that Phil's shift would start until at least eight. We have time for breakfast."

She looked at me in exasperation but then smiled. She's always been impulsive but now she's moody and impulsive. "Yes, I'm hungry. I think I want the big special I saw at the diner."

After breakfast, we strolled slowly over to the downtown Denver telegraph office. I enjoyed walking with her arm in mine and purposely made the trip longer than it needed to be. When we got to the office, we could tell the shift was changing.

"We're looking for Phil MacManus."

"I'm Phil MacManus."

Susan hugged this stranger. "Oh, I'm so happy we found you. We have news of your mother. Do you know where your father is?"

Phil MacManus gave her a blank look. "My mother walked out on my father over two years ago. Left him a devastated man. I don't care where she is, and I don't think my father will either. Now if you excuse me, I have work to do."

Susan is nothing if not persistent. She was not deterred. "Well, sir, I'm sorry you feel that way. Perhaps your father would like to know that she is alright. How would we contact him?" She flashed her smile at him.

He was stunned and I think he just wanted to get rid of us. "Father will be in Glenwood Springs today and tomorrow. But he has not mentioned Ma since she left."

"Thank you so much for your help," Susan gushed. "Oh, do you know if there is a train to Glenwood Springs today?"

JED 'KID' CURRY

Heyes was so excited that when he got to Colin all he could do was force the paper at him.

"Heyes, what…"

I took the paper, folded it to the third page and handed it to Colin. "Heyes figured out who Emery is. Emery Walsh from Bent Tree, Wyoming. His pa's been offerin' a reward for his return in the newspaper. Smart. If any of the outlaws saw this, they would be mighty tempted to collect that reward."

Colin grabbed the paper and read the ad, then read it again. "Heyes, that mind of yours did it! As soon as more marshals arrive, I'll be sending a telegram to Tim Walsh in Bent Tree. What do you want to bet, he's the telegraph operator there?"

Colin smiled. "And Amelia told me about herself. Her name is Amelia Simon. Her father is Andre. He moved her and her little brother from Montreal to Keystone, South Dakota, when she was little. It was right after her mother passed giving birth to her brother. Her father is the telegraph operator, and it is right on the railroad line. He insists they speak only French and hired a French tutor for their studies. She has actually picked up quite a lot of English but was afraid to use it. So, the second telegraph will be to send to see Andre Simon in Keystone, South Dakota."

I was impatient. "Colin, why are we waitin' for the marshals to come here. One of us can ride into town and send those telegrams. Be nice to get those young ones back with their parents."

I waited until Colin wrote out the telegrams. Both said to contact Governor Sanderson's office for more details. And he wrote out a third one to the governor that alerted him to what we were doing. Heyes rode into the small town with me. We had been there before as the outlaws Heyes and Kid Curry.. Don't think anyone remembered us though. And I sent one to Chrissy that simply said, "Miss you, Darling. Be back soon."

The town felt comfortable but something we had outgrown. We went into the saloon to get a drink before our ride back.

"Well, look who's back!" The bartender, Wade something, remembered us. Heyes had been generous spendin' money in this town also.

I could tell Heyes didn't remember him. He used to recall every face and name of everyone we'd ever met. Now, I think fear of people creeps into his memory and he forgets.

"Wade, been awhile!" I said, forcin' a smile and hopin' he didn't notice that Heyes had backed away from the bar.

"Been following what happened to you two in the newspapers. Glad you're out. Coming back to the Hole?" He put two glasses of beer on the bar.

"Just a quick visit."

"Ain't like it used to be there no more." Wade wiped the bar in front of us.

"No, it ain't." I handed Heyes a beer and grabbed mine as I pushed Heyes towards a table. I didn't want to hear about the McWinters or MG.

Heyes looked at the beer. "Was figurin' on a glass of water."

I took a sip of my beer and smiled. "Wade, two waters, cold if you have it."

"Heyes, haven't had a chance to tell you, but I'm proud of all you've done with the hostages. I know it's not easy for you."

He looked down at the table. Wade dropped the two glasses of water on the table and hurried off as two men entered the bar.

I put my half empty beer in front of Heyes and took his glass.

"Thanks. My mind's still confused at times. Don't think I'm ready for a beer."

"Everything in your time, partner. You ready to go back?"

"Ready…but the ladies made a peach pie I keep tasting. Think we could buy a few cans at the mercantile?" Heyes smiled as he remembered the pie…so did I.

LOM

Susan had us on the ten thirty train to Glenwood Springs before I could dissuade her. She held my arm tight as we sat in the front row of the passenger cabin. I hadn't looked over the other passengers. I always study the other people riding with me, an old habit that has saved me before. I'm cautious but I hadn't been cautious this time.

"I need to stretch my leg," I told Susan. I stood up and slowly walked the length of the railcar. Trying not to stare, I looked at every passenger. When I got to the back, I slid the door open and looked to see if there were any people on the platform between cars. There weren't. I started to feel silly as I walked back to my wife. She was turned around, chatting with two ladies behind us. Susan is very social. I am not.

"Oh, ladies, this is my husband, Lom," she said, standing and taking my arm. The train jerked and she fell against me. She giggled as I caught her. The ladies said, "Oh my," in unison.

After I settled Susan in her seat, I removed my hat. "Ladies," I said. And my wife was off in her conversation with her new friends.

I stared out the window at the Wyoming I love…and wondered what we'd find in Glenwood Springs."

JED 'KID' CURRY

The more I see Mike with Little Johnny, the more I think they belong together. We didn't expect any marshals for a day or two, but a pair arrived just before sunset. Again, they were all business and didn't smile, just asked for Mr. Apperson. Colin had been nappin' on the couch in the great room. Sophie told the marshals to take their horses to the barn and she'd call them when Colin was ready to see them. She was very businesslike, and I wondered if she worked outside their home.

With Colin and Heyes in the bedroom/meetin' room, I showed the marshals in.

"Gentlemen, we weren't expecting anyone until tomorrow," Colin said, motionin' them to sit down. They stayed standin'.

"We have news for two of the hostages and our orders from the governor are to get any information to you as soon as possible." They handed Colin the paperwork. He glanced at the names and dismissed the marshals.

He looked at me and Heyes sayin', "Give me a chance to read these before we begin." He leaned back in his chair and smiled at the footstool I had moved in.

His expression turned serious at each of the papers. And I knew it was not good news.

"Please bring in Mrs. Dent."

Heyes didn't like goin' into the great room when everyone was lookin' at him, waitin' for their name to be called and hopin' it wouldn't, so I went.

Mrs. Dent was in the kitchen, makin' the peach pies. Like everyone else in the room except Pappy, she was starin' at me.

"Mrs. Dent."

She put her hand over her heart and then on her stomach…and followed me.

Colin and Heyes stood when we entered. "Mrs. Dent, please sit down."

She sat on the edge of her chair and fidgeted with a strand of her hair. But she didn't say anything, just waited.

From the sympathetic look in Colin's eyes, I knew it was bad news. "Mrs. Dent, I regret to inform you that your husband, Lloyd, was killed by Mark McWinters. My sincere sympathies."

"Oh!" Again, her hands went to her heart and her stomach. I'd seen Chrissy make the same motion. "I'm so sorry," I added. "How long were you a hostage?"

Givin' me a quizzical look, Colin cleared his throat to continue. But Janice answered my question, "Eleven long months." From the look she gave me, she knew I was aware of her secret. But she didn't reveal it yet. She let Colin continue.

'When you were kidnapped, your husband found the note only hours later that the McWinter Gang was holding you hostage. When they returned for information, he had the sheriff there and arrested Mark and Red Thompson. Your husband claimed the reward on them both. The sheriff got a posse together and went searching for you."

Distracted by her secret, she didn't really hear what Colin was saying. Colin noticed and looked at me then Heyes. Heyes shrugged his shoulders. Colin kept explainin'.

"While the sheriff was gone, he had two deputies guarding the jail and two citizen volunteers who were too old for the posse. Didn't matter. Bobby Bell and Johnny McWinters rode into that town with guns blazing. While they did that, another one of the gang members, we believe it was Matt, used dynamite on the sheriff's office and jail. The volunteer citizens were knocked out by the explosion and Mark and Red escaped. Before they left town, Mark entered the telegraph office by the front door and Red through the back. Lloyd was found with four bullets in his body.

Mrs. Dent started crying hysterically. Colin gave her another one of his endless supply of bandanas, but the tears didn't stop.

"Should I get Sophie?" Heyes asked, obviously uncomfortable and lookin' like he was goin' to cry himself.

Takin' a very deep breath, she shook her head.

Colin continued, watchin' the lady in front of him carefully. "A woman named Bunny Holister took over the telegraph office. She got a visit from Mark and Bobby Bell the next day. They told her you were being held hostage and would be killed like your husband if she didn't pass them information. She's been doing that for the McWinters then MG. Last time was a week ago."

Now Mrs. Dent had someone else to think about. "What's going to happen to her? She was trying to protect me."

"We know. Miss Holister was pardoned by Governor Sanderson," Colin explained, glad to deliver more positive news.

Mrs. Dent's tears had slowed, and she gasped for air as she talked. She looked at me and gave me a slight nod. "I need help and have no one else to ask."

Colin and Heyes looked at her and waited. I knew what she was goin' to say.

"I'm with child…and it's not Lloyd's."

It couldn't be, I thought, if she had been there eleven months.

"I was Matt McWinter's woman in Devil's Hole."

That I had not expected. The room was silent as she started sobbin' again. I didn't know what to do or say and Heyes was upset and distressed, sittin' perfectly still and starin' over my head.

Colin was the only calm one in the room. He looked at me. "Would you bring Pappy in, please?"

Colin's tone wasn't askin'; he was orderin'.

Stickin' my head out the door, I saw Pappy nearby. I pointed at him, and he came right in. And it was settled quickly. Mrs. Dent would leave with Pappy as his niece when he left. She would stay with her 'cousin', Pappy's son, and the baby's last name would be Dent. It seemed too easy. All people will know is that she's a widow. Had Pappy and Colin already worked this out or was this just a possibility they had discussed?

"Don't worry, Janice, no one outside of this room will know your secret…and the child will be welcomed," Pappy told her.

Pappy left first and we gave Mrs. Dent time to gain her self-control. But Heyes was curious. "Is the baby the reason you went to your secret place?" he asked.

"Secret place?" She looked confused.

"Like Mrs. Roberts," he explained.

She hesitated before answerin'. "I don't know where I was or what I was thinking about. All I remember is fear and I was trying to run away."

Heyes nodded and I knew he was tryin' to add what she said to his understandin' of what he had happened to him.

HEYES

When Mrs. Dent had left, Colin looked stricken, and I knew the next one wasn't going to be easy either. "Colin, the next one is going to be tough, isn't it?" I asked.

"A worst-case scenario and I don't know how to soften it." He looked away and in the concern on his face I thought I saw tears. I was glad he turned to the Kid when he asked, "Bring in Amelia."

Taking a deep breath, I watched the Kid do the same as he stood up and went to get the girl.

Me and Colin stood up when Amelia came into the room. She had seen Mrs. Dent's tears and looked fearfully at Colin.

"My dear, sit down." Colin wasn't formal with her. He was trying to make her comfortable. After his English greeting, he switched to French. Me and the Kid watched their faces. Colin had said worst case scenario and I know what that means.

"No, Pappa," Amelia cried out and another bandana appeared in Colin's hand. But he didn't stop there. He stood up and walked to her, taking the chair next to her. She leaned on his shoulder and cried while he patted her on the back.

"Her pa?" the Kid asked.

Colin nodded. "He said he would go along but when Johnny and Tommy Camp came back for the information, he asked about Amelia. Johnny made a vulgar comment about how he enjoyed having a young virgin. Andre Simon lifted a gun from his drawer and tried to shoot him. Andre lost…and lost his life. Johnny was fast. He laughed saying only his brother Bobby Bell could outdraw him. They searched the telegrams on the counter and found two that made them very happy before they left. Andre's body was still on his stool behind the counter, leaning forward. There was a witness, Amelia's ten-year-old brother."

Amelia said something in French and Colin answered, "yes" in English.

"She asked if I was telling you what happened."

"What's going to happen to her now?" I asked. Sadness overwhelmed me at this young girl without a ma or pa.

"They have an aunt in Montreal who loves them very much. Her brother is already living with her. Amelia will stay here and return to Cheyenne when I leave. We'll make sure that she gets safely to her aunt."

Amelia's big brown eyes had always been filled with sadness since I met her. Now they were also filled with tears.

LOM

"Lom, dear." Susan's voice broke into my thoughts of nothing but the beauty of Wyoming outside the train window and the beauty of the woman sitting next to me.

She was leaning against me having finished her conversation with the woman behind us. I smiled at her, looked around, and kissed her when I thought no one was looking.

She returned the kiss then asked, "Lom, may I see that telegram you received?"

I knew her mind was still on that. Susan may seem flighty but she's also smart. I dug the telegram out of my pocket.

"I knew it. The other lady is related to a telegraph operator in Glenwood Springs. Just where we're going. Oh, isn't that wonderful, Lom. Maybe we can find both of their families today.

HEYES

No one left with the marshals today. Sophie tries singing but still it is sad here. Not fear of being hit sad. Just sad in your heart with something so heavy and not you or anyone can fix it. This group is close. They're family.