Winter's Refuge

Chapter One Hundred Forty-Four

JED 'KID' CURRY

Sleeping on the cot was not comfortable but it was so much better than the floor…and my feet were warm beneath the bandages and the socks. I usually get up early. I slept late the first two mornin's in my cell. But today I woke up early. Judgin' from the light just hittin' the high windows, I think it is about dawn. I have enough light to see so I do my mornin' business and start to exercise. I need to be strong to survive prison. I had taken my new clothes off before I laid down last night and folded them neatly on the stool. I found them easily and dressed quickly. I rubbed my hand over my growin' beard, but I can't do anything about that. If the sheriff won't give me a knife, he won't give me a razor.

I ran in place and watched the light hit the high windows as the sun rose. It would disappear sometimes when the sun went behind a cloud, but it always returned. And I reviewed what happened yesterday. It was confusin'. Sheriff Birde is treatin' me both as a prisoner and a friend. Dr. Arden says he's wants to help me. Truth is, I'm scared. I'm losin' everythin' dear to me - Chrissy, my kids, Heyes, our family. Last night I was thinkin' that it was always in the back of my mind that my freedom was temporary. Don't know what gave me the right to father more children if I thought I might end up back in prison.

Then I felt guilty because that doesn't really fit into Dr Arden's 'be positive' request. Reviewin' yesterday, I realized I always try to put myself down and make any help I've given invisible. It's a habit, probably developed to protect Heyes and me, but I don't remember when. I think I figured out the doctor's point; when I say positive things, I actually feel better.

But I can't stop my mind from remindin' me that I'm an outlaw, a gunnie, an ex-convict, and now on my way to prison, again. And I deserve it.

The door scraped open. It was still far earlier than Sheriff Birde woke me up the last two days. But it wasn't the sheriff. It was Dr Arden, and he was balancin' two lamps while navigatin' the stairs carefully.

He waited until he was down and had placed the lamps on the floor near my cell. "Good morning, Jed. You're already up?"

"Yes, sir."

He pulled a chair over near the cell. "Would you sit on the stool near me so we can talk?"

"Yes, sir."

"Jed, have you thought about yesterday?"

"Yes, sir."

"What did you think? Can you continue to answer positively about yourself today?"

"I felt better in the moment but the depression, or whatever you are callin' it, comes back…"

"What came back?"

I thought for a moment about not tellin' him the truth. But I had told him I would cooperate, so I did. "Thinkin' I had no right to have more kids when I had always had a feelin' I'd end up back in prison. Couldn't help with Martha and Michael, but ain't fair to the others."

"Jed, you're a wonderful father. I model myself after you."

"Ain't much of a pa if I'm in prison."

He gave me a funny look. I was about to say more but the door opened and Heyes joined us.

"Heyes, this is a private session," Dr. Arden said.

He smiled that warm smile of his. "The Kid asked if I would sit in on his sessions today. Followed you when you left the house so early."

The doctor looked from Heyes to me and back again. "Maybe that's a good idea."

Heyes pulled another chair near my cell. "Morning, partner."

I was glad he was here, but instead of answerin', I just caught his eyes. And relaxed a little bit knowin' he was fine, right now.

HEYES

When Aiden left his house very early, I heard him. Their upstairs guest room is comfortable, but I didn't sleep last night. I figured he was going to Sheriff Birde's dark cells…and the Kid.

"This might work better. Heyes, you told me Jed's mother said he always had a helping heart."

I nodded, not sure what he was trying to get it and didn't say more.

So, he continued talking, "Tell me, when he was young, was Jed happy about helping? Did he brag to his parents?"

Smiling, I answered, "Yeah, he was cute about it and made everyone smile. I remember once he saved a grasshopper from a blackbird and brought it home to show Gramma Curry. She ruffled his curls and told him she was proud of him, but the grasshopper did not belong in her clean house."

That got a smile from the Kid. It was good to see that.

The doctor pressed me for more. "He protected a grasshopper? He did that a lot?"

"Yeah, stray dogs, schoolmates that forgot their lunch, even made us stop one day and fix a chicken coop for Old Man Erick. That one made us late for school, but the Kid didn't care. He told his parents, and they praised him for helping," I explained.

"When did he change?" the doctor asked. He was studying me now, not the Kid.

But I looked at him. I knew he remembered why now even if he hadn't before. He nodded permission at me to tell the doctor.

"It changed at the Home," I started.

"The Home?"

"The Valparaiso Home for Wayward Boys. That's where they sent us after our parents were murdered. As the Kid usually points out, we weren't wayward when we went in but we sure were when we left," I said.

The doctor leaned forward. "Jed what happened there that changed you?"

He shrugged his shoulders. And I started to reflect on things in a different way.

"Well, if Jed is not going to answer me, would you tell me, Heyes?"

"Never thought about it like this before," I said to delay and let the idea that came to mind form. The doctor let silence sit in the room for a few minutes until I broke it.

"At the Home, the Kid kept helping wherever he could. He'd help the younger boys with their lessons or their chores. I can think of two times that might have changed him." I looked at the Kid and he shrugged his shoulders, again. Maybe he doesn't remember, but I do.

"The first time when we were walking home from the schoolhouse in the town, the Kid helped an older neighbor lady whose cow got through a hole in their fence…and he stayed and nailed the fence back up for her. When he got back to school, he went straight to the stable and started on his chores. I'd finished mine quick and started on his already. We never told no one and wasn't in trouble for getting home late…until," I paused. "Until the lady he helped brought a big plate of cookies to the Home to thank the kind boy that helped her."

I could see that the Kid remembered now. He wasn't looking at me. He had his eyes tightly closed.

"That was nice of her," the doctor said.

"It was, but it led to whippings for both me and the Kid. And since I was older, after the beating I was also locked in the dark closet overnight." I shuddered at the memory.

"Still sorry about that, Heyes. It was my fault."

The doctor sat up straighter but said nothing, so I did. "About a week later, the Kid was on kitchen duty with an older boy. Brian, I think. Well, Brian cut himself slicing potatoes. The Kid stopped what he was doing, cracking eggs into a bowl, and used a kitchen towel to stop the blood. Then he had the idea to switch jobs with Brian because he could crack the eggs one-handed. The Kid finished Brian's job. the potatoes, and was helping Brian crack the eggs when Cook came back. But she saw Brian helping the Kid do his job cracking eggs. Both got whippings and that time the Kid went into the dark closet, too. Didn't bother him as much as me, though. When they opened it in the morning, he was fast asleep."

"After that, he kept helping others but was real quiet about it. Didn't want no credit for anything he did."

"Jed, am I right that in this Valparaiso, you often helped the other kids and were punished for not letting them do the impossible tasks on their own? So, you stopped telling anyone what you did? I think it was because you connected getting recognized for helping others with a whipping. Is that right,?" asked the doctor, and seemed to have some enthusiasm in his voice.

"Just didn't want anyone to find out I was helping," the Kid answered, but I could see his interest in what the doctor was proposing. "Found ways to help without bein' found out."

"Also, when we pulled cons, you really want to be invisible. The Kid would watch someone. He'd pretend to bump into them. He'd pick up anything they dropped and give it back to them while picking their pocket," I said. "The Kid could lift just about anything."

"Cons?"

"Yeah, a nice man taught us. But the one I just described got us fired and out on our own again with no money and no food. The Kid would take the money he stole and stick some of it in the pocket of a poorly dressed woman or maybe one of the street kids. Never told nobody, but our benefactor caught him doing it one time and threw us out," I explained.

Doctor Arden was quiet, thinking probably. "Jed, I'm sure you are still subconsciously connecting credit and praise with the memories and pain of those early whippings. Today I want you to give positive responses, again, but more, I want you to try and mean what you say. Would you try that?"

"Yes, sir."

"Any questions?"

"Yes, sir. If I can't think of nothin' positive to say, should I still say nothin'?"

"Yes, but try hard to find those positive words."

"Yes, sir."

JED 'KID' CURRY

When the doctor left, he insisted that Heyes leave, too, but they left the two lamps. They were close enough that I could read my book. I'd been lost in my book but stood when the door scraped open. Frank came down carrying a tray, hopefully my breakfast, and Heyes followed him with a bucket and some folded clothes. He put the bucket next to the door of my cell, the clothes on the chair, and left silently with a quick wink to me.

"Jed, I'm going to try to do what I haven't done for anyone for years, shave you. Do I need to restrain your arms, so you won't try to grab the razor and try to escape?"

"No, sir. Thank you, sir." I could see him frown at my response. I thought it was positive, but I'll need to think on that.

So, he moved a chair into my cell and, using some soap and the hot water Heyes had carried down, he very slowly, very deliberately shaved me. "Haven't done this since my brother Floyd broke his arm and couldn't shave himself. Have patience with me."

"Yes, sir." I wanted to ask about this brother, Floyd, that I'd never heard of before, but he hasn't asked me a question so I can't say nothin'.

When he was done, he took the chair out of my cell. He handed me the clothes Heyes had left on a chair. "Use the rest of the water to wash. Take your clothes off and I'll take them up to be washed." He watched as I changed and he mumbled, "Long johns." I was embarrassed by how dirty they are. Maybe I should try and wash the top tonight with my drinkin' water.

"Stand back and I'll bring in your breakfast. Widow Kirk had some jams in that basket. Enjoy."

As he left, I started to wash my arms and legs. It felt good to be shaved. I decided not to unbandage my ankles. Dr. Arden said he had somethin' to do this mornin' so there's no one here to rebandage them. They need to get tough again for the shackles in prison. Don't expect they'll let me blacksmith in prison without them.

I could tell from the high windows that it was earlier than yesterday. The food was good, but I hardly touched it. Prison looms in my near future. I have to accept it. Whatever Sheriff Birde is tryin' to do, I don't know, but it's only delayin' the inevitable. But Dr. Arden's words make sense in a way and what really got me thinkin' was Heyes talkin' about the Home this mornin'. Had forgotten about most about it, but I remember decidin' nobody was goin' to know when I helped others.

HEYES

Talking about Valparaiso got me thinking about the Kid's actions. I think the doctor has uncovered something here. The only thing he takes credit for to others is his prowess with his Colt. And he honed that after we left the Home. I heard Dr. Arden talking to the sheriff. The doctor is going out to Phoenix to check on Chrissy. That's good. And I'm going to get him alone and confront him when he comes back.

JED 'KID' CURRY

Frank hesitated puttin' on the shackles when he saw that I had bled through the bandage and sock on the right ankle during the night. He went upstairs and got another pair of socks and had me change them. He wouldn't look me in the eyes, and I didn't make it any harder on him.

"Jed, I know these hurt; it's alright to show pain. It's just us right now," Sheriff Birde said.

"Yes, sir."

He sighed, and mumbled somethin' I couldn't hear. Standin', he looked at me. "Let's go. Suppose you don't need help on the stairs?"

I was confused. Was this a yes I didn't need help or a no I don't need it? So, I said, "I don't need help, sir."

Upstairs was set up the same as yesterday. Heyes was sittin' at the table. Again, the Sheriff took off one shackle, the opposite one from yesterday, and fastened it to the table leg, then arranged the tablecloth so my feet were hidden.

Mrs. Birde came in and sat next to me. "Jed, the basket Widow Kirk gave you had many sweet rolls, breads, goat cheese and jams. Would you mind if I put out a selection of them for your guests?"

I must have looked confused because she put her hand on mine and said, "Well, they were a gift to you, after all."

I didn't hear her words really. I was lookin' at Sheriff Birde and waitin' for him to yell. Prisoners are not supposed to be touched. As soon as I could, I pulled my hand back. Then I realized she wanted an answer. And it had to be positive.

"Very happy for all of you and your guests to enjoy them," I said, proud to come up with a positive response. And it was true.

Happy, she hurried to the kitchen. Heyes winked at me. "G…g…good ans…swer."

He was tellin' me he was havin' trouble with his words. "Thanks, partner," I answered, so he knew I understood.

A loud bangin' at the door was followed by footsteps and the clack of a cane. I saw Mr. Bretherton walkin' toward me with a woman supportin' his arm. He stopped next to me.

"Won't you sit down, sir?" Mrs. Birde said as she put the food on the table.

Mr. Bretherton huffed, "No time for that. Leaving with my daughter on the stage. There's not another one for two weeks." He turned to me. "Mr. Curry, I've been intendin' to drive out to your place and apologize and thank you."

I wasn't sure what positive answer to give so I didn't say nothin'."

He pulled the woman with him forward. She was fortyish and plain, heavy but dressed richly…and she wore the bracelet I had made. "This is my beautiful daughter Eileen Danielle. The bracelet you made that day helped us to reconcile. And now I'm moving in with her and her family. Please excuse my brusque behavior that day…and thank you." He pushed an envelope into my hand.

I was shocked. But I looked at Heyes. He didn't give me the outlaw face but I'm not sure if he can today. He seems lost in himself. Hopefully I can help him before I go to prison. Positive, I reminded myself. "Glad that you liked the bracelet, miss. Your pa was very specific about what it should look like and say. I just followed his design." There, I hoped that was positive enough. It was all I could think of for a man who refused to pay me for makin' it.

"Mr. Curry, I adore it. It's very close to one my mother wore for years until she lost it…and my father is correct. It did help us find each other."

Mr. Bretherton took out his pocket watch. "Thank you, again, Mr. Curry. Come dear, we must get ready to catch that stage."

And they left without another word. Heyes shrugged his shoulder tellin' me he didn't remember the man, but why would he. I'm the only one who dealt with him at the blacksmith shop. If I get to talk to him again, I'll let him know.

Openin' the envelope, I found the money for the bracelet with a note for the price and a line that said interest. And an invoice marked 'paid in full'. I slid it across the table to Heyes. "Keep it. I won't need it where I'm goin'."

Sheriff Birde sat down and helped himself to some of the fresh bread and spread a lot of jam on it. "Didn't know you knew Mr. Bremerton. He's not the friendliest of men."

"Glad I could help him with the bracelet," I answered, even though I could have said many negative things about the man. And Aiden has said to mean what I say. But it was nice to see that someone was enjoyin' somethin' I made, so I did mean what I had said.

HEYES

Dr. Arden came in and shut the door behind himself quietly, but the sheriff saw him and so did I. He didn't notice that I followed him to greet the doctor. They ducked into a sitting room to talk, closing the door. I quietly turned the doorknob and allowed the door to open just enough to hear what was said.

"Why did you bring them? They'll tell the others at Phoenix," Sheriff Birde said with an angry edge to his voice.

"No, they won't," Dr. Arden answered. "They're going from here to Colorado to visit his mother…and I made them promise not to telegram anyone at Phoenix about Jed or Heyes. And Jed has done a lot for them."

Then he told the sheriff about Chrissy. I was relieved that he said that although pregnant, she was healthy. But alarmed that she had withdrawn to her room and in her mind. He said she took excellent care of Diane Francis and Josiah, but no one has heard her voice except reading Black Beauty to the babies. She let the doctor examine her without participating, just staring at a corner of the ceiling. He finally got her to speak. She's afraid the Kid will be angry at her because she's pregnant. It was at her insistence that they laid together after Trinity Rose's death. She needed him, needed his comfort, his protection. But he kept saying no more kids for a long while if ever…and now she was pregnant.

"So, she's healthy but went into her mind?" the sheriff asked.

"Yes, the one person in the world she needs, that she can't stand being upset with her, is Jed, and she's sure he will be mad at her," the doctor answered. "How much longer is this going to last?"

"Trial should be in two or three days. Everything's in place," Sheriff Birde said. "I'll be glad when it's over."

"I'll be glad IF this plan of yours works."

I didn't listen to it anymore. I slipped down the hall and went back to my seat. But I couldn't concentrate. The Kid's trial was in two or three days. I have to do something. He said he's pleading guilty, so they'll take him to prison. I need him and Chrissy needs him.

JED 'KID' CURRY

My first real visitors of the day were Ken and Mary, carryin' little Kenny. I was shocked. The sheriff told me no one at Phoenix knew where I was. I didn't want my family to know about this until I was on my way to trial in Cheyenne…and maybe not until I went to prison.

"Hey, Jed, how are you feeling?" Ken asked as he walked into the room. Mary bent down and kissed my cheek. She handed me the baby to hold. She's always done that.

As I took Kenny, I answered, "Doin' well, thanks for askin'." Ken gave me a strange look, not used to hearin' the second part of my sentence.

"We're going to visit Ken's mother. I have yet to meet her, and I want her to meet her grandson." Mary reached over and put two sweet rolls on a plate and offered one to Ken, who refused. I smiled as she ate them both herself. Widow Kirk's bakin' is somethin' to be savored. She bakes all the bread for Phoenix, but sweet rolls and jams are a special treat.

Little Kenny is a sweet baby and likes to be cuddled. Makes me feel happier cuddlin' a little one.

Sittin' next to Heyes, Ken looked at me. "Jed, Heyes, I don't think I've ever taken the time to say thank you for what you did for me."

I wasn't sure what to say, so I said nothin'. The only reason Ken is here is that he was almost beat to death to protect me.

Mary saw the confusion in my face and explained, "Jed, Ken was doing his job as a US Marshal when he was hurt, but you are the only one I know that would bring a US Marshal back to their home to heal."

I was gonna deny that was anything special but saw Heyes tryin' to make his outlaw face. I'm worried about him. He's startin' to hide in his mind yet fightin' to stay alert. So instead, I answered, "Least I could do for the man who saved my life. Don't know if I ever said thank you to you."

Ken looked uncomfortable. I was watchin' him closely. I know what I would say in his place, and it wasn't positive. But his answer was. "Jed, your thanks came through your actions. You gave me a new life that led to a wife and a son. And thanks to your foresight, Heyes, a new career that I enjoy. I owe you both."

"Don't owe me nothin', Ken. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. And I can't imagine Phoenix without you and Mary and Kenny...you're family."

Then I was embarrassed I had said how I felt; except for Heyes and Chrissy, I don't do that often.

Kenny started to fuss. Mary took him sayin', "Going to change him and then we need to get on the road."

"We do. Even though it's slow in a wagon, I want to get as far as we can while we have sunlight." Ken stood up and held out his hand first to Heyes then me.

"Safe travels," I said.

HEYES

I thought the Kid did well with the Josephs…I almost said something negative when Ken thanked me. Miss Beverly brought a tea service in and poured some for each of us. Me and the Kid never drank much tea except on some elaborate cons. But we both said, "Thank you," when she poured. She looked up and smiled. "Miss Duhamel, Mr. Kolmand, welcome. Welcome. Please sit down and join us for tea."

"Thank you, Mrs. Birde. I believe I'll try some of that jam with bread," Miss Duhamel said.

Mr. Kolmand did the same and looked at the Kid. "Heard you weren't feeling well, sir, and we just wanted to say we hope you heal quickly."

"Thank you," the Kid said, eyein' the food. He hasn't taken any. Surely, he was welcome to it and then I realized the jam had a knife for spreading and he didn't want to take the chance he might touch it. I took a roll and spread it with jam and put it on one of Miss Beverly's fancy small plates. "Mr. Kolmand, would you pass this to the Kid. Don't think he can reach it."

Miss Duhamel started the conversation. "You won't believe what those outlaws did to the schoolhouse," she started and had our complete attention.

The Kid leaned forward and looked right at her. "What did they do?" he asked.

"Well, the front door is gone. We think they used that and the desks to make a fire for warmth in the center of the room. We found the remnants."

"They burnt the kids' desks?" the Kid's ask with a growl, so I gave him my outlaw face. If he saw it, he ignored it.

"All but one. And we're not sure what happened, but all the windows are broken and there are holes, big holes, in the south wall. It's leaning outwards. I'm afraid the whole building might collapse. We've canceled classes for the rest of the year."

Mr. Kolmand nodded, and I knew the Kid's anger was simmering. He leaned back and took a breath before leaning toward the school marm again. "Is there nowhere else you can hold class? How many kids do you have?"

"We never thought of planning to have it anywhere else. It was a beautiful schoolhouse. I teach twenty-three, no, twenty-two students now that Sam has graduated," she answered.

Mr. Kolmand added, "Only things left are the blackboard and the teacher's desk, although it will need to be refinished. Miss Duhamel was frightened when they went in there and stayed at the hotel, but they never touched her rooms in the back. I think the door was hidden by the blackboard."

The Kid nodded. "That was an addition and isn't really part of the schoolhouse. It should be fine, even if the school buildin' collapses."

I looked at Dr. Arden and he was hiding a smile. This was nothing to smile about.

The Kid kept talking and I know him well enough to know he was thinking as he talked. "When I was watchin' the street from the upstairs bedroom window at Dr. Arden's, I studied the old saloon. I know the inside was all burnt from the firebomb, but Shaw's men pulled out some things that didn't look too bad. Sheriff, could you send someone over there to see if the structure itself is secure…sir?"

He stopped talking as he understood he had just asked his jailer to do something. But the sheriff didn't seem to notice.

"Been over there myself and I believe the outer walls and roof suffered minimal damage. A lot of debris there, though."

I'm sure the Kid wasn't sure if he should keep talking or not. Thankfully, Mr. Kolmand kept the ideas going. "We could get some parents to help us clean that debris out of there."

And the Kid couldn't help but keep talking. "The kids should help, too. After all, it's their school. Were all the books burnt at the schoolhouse?"

Miss Duhamel started to show some hope. "A few of the readers but I keep most of them in my rooms, so they are safe."

The Kid leaned back and smiled. "Good. We'll get some fathers and maybe the older boys to help us move the blackboard and your desk. We'll need lumber to make the desks, but the kids can bring chairs or upside-down buckets to sit on in the meantime. And maybe the kids can help build their own desks. Nothin' fancy but we can make that a class. We can teach them. They all should know how to use a saw and hammer and nails."

Suddenly, he stopped talking and I knew why. I heard the shackles move under the table. He's been very good at holding them soundless until now. His eyes dropped. "I mean, you can teach them," he said sadly. He remembered where he was and that he was a prisoner.

Miss Duhamel was smiling. "Surely, Mr. Curry, you will be well enough soon to help us. After all, this is your plan, and it will save the rest of the school year. We all owe you a debt of thanks!"

The Kid was looking down and I was afraid he was going to deflect the credit for the plan. That would make Dr. Arden and Sheriff Birde very angry. There was silence and then he said. "Glad I could help. The kids deserve not to have their year cut short."

After that, Miss Duhamel and Mr. Kolmand were anxious to leave and check out the saloon, but they had one last thing to say. After this school year, she will have to resign because they are getting married. Everybody congratulated them and then the Kid turned to Sheriff Birde. "Who says school marms have to be single?"

Birde answered, "That's a question for our Town Council."

JED 'KID' CURRY

I know I shouldn't have done that, taken over the conversation. But I was upset that Shaw's outlaws and drifters had robbed our kids of the rest of the school year. I folded my hands in my lap and looked down, wonderin' of Sheriff Birde is gonna punish me for my outburst. I steadied my heartbeat. At least it's only Heyes and Dr Arden watchin'.

"Jed?" I heard the sheriff call me.

"Yes, sir," I answered and knew my voice was quiet. After my outburst, maybe he will call the marshals to come today.

"Jed, look at me."

"Yes, sir," I said, raisin' my eyes to meet his.

"We're going to be eating lunch soon. Would you like to use our water closet before we start?"

His words did more than surprise me, they shocked me. I managed a "Yes, sir."

Again, he climbed under the table and redid the shackle on my ankle from the table leg. It gave me time to think. I couldn't read his face when he stood up again, but I said, "Thank you. Sorry I was so outspoken before. Am I goin' back to my cell after?"

He was upset with me, and I don't blame him. "I'll stand guard while you are in there and I'll have Aiden come see to those ankles. Can't have you bleeding on Beverly's rugs."

"No, sir." I looked around to see if anyone heard, but Heyes and Dr. Arden were deep in conversation. I couldn't hear what they were sayin', but I could tell Heyes was havin' trouble formin' words. I hope the doctor can help him.

I had just finished my business when Dr. Arden came in without knockin' and set his black medical bag on the floor. He had me sit and knelt to see my ankles. The ankle that had been shackled to the table had bled through the sock. "Frank, get in here!" he yelled through the door.

The sheriff looked and said, "Yup, saw that. Why I asked you to come over here."

"Are these really necessary?" Dr. Arden asked, but it sounded like a demand.

Just as forceful, Sheriff Birde said, "Yes, if he's to be up here." He gave the doctor a look I didn't understand, but added, "I suppose I could use a rope to bind his ankles."

"Do that."

When Dr. Arden had rebandaged my ankle and had used yet another clean sock, I stood up and looked down, waitin' to go back to my prison cell.

Sheriff Birde stared at me. "Jed, I'm going to tie a rope approximating the shackles. When you're tied to the table leg, it will be tight so I'd advise not moving it too much or you will get a rope burn."

"Yes, sir." I answered, not sure if I should have added thank you, too.

"And you will join us for lunch. I admire your restraint in not touching the jam knives. I will caution Beverly to serve jams with a spoon from now on."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

There was one extra place settin' next to Dr. Arden and I wondered who was joinin' us. The sheriff was right, the ropes hurt as much as the shackles if I moved my leg, just in a different way. I tried to keep it still, but I know it's bleedin' and now I'm worried about gettin' blood on the rugs. They look very expensive. Lunch was what tasted like onion soup. It's nothin' me or Heyes had tasted before but it was good. Then we were served fried chicken, again. And everyone was pickin' it up in their fingers, so I did the same. Just when the chicken was served, Dr. Oliver Arden from Cheyenne arrived.

His brother and Sheriff Birde went to greet him before he joined us. I could not hear them, but they were all whisperin' and gesturin'. Dr. Oliver Arden does not look happy. He keeps lookin' at me and then whisperin' with the other two, again. He's probably angry I'm up here eatin' like a guest when I'm a prisoner. Leavin' the other two in the hall, he strode forcefully up to me.

"I'd like to speak to Jed privately. May we have the room?" It sounded like a question, but it was a command.

Heyes looked at me in alarm. I met his eyes and tried to say it would be alright. But he asked, "I…I st…stay?"

Dr. Oliver Arden looked shocked at Heyes. Was it because of the question or the stutterin'? I couldn't tell.

"Alone," the doctor repeated. Heyes obediently stood and reluctantly followed the others out of the room.

When the others were gone, the doctor sat next to me and lifted the tablecloth. I heard him take an intake of breath before he put it down again. Lookin' at me, he steepled his fingers in front of his face. I know he was angry, but I see only worry in his face now.

"Jed, I can't stay long, but wanted to talk to you."

"Yes, sir."

My response made him stare at me even closer. I looked down. Maybe I shouldn't have been lookin' right at him.

"Jed, can you look at me when I'm speaking?"

"Yes, sir."

"I know why you are here, so you don't have to pretend you are sick. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir." I'd figured that he did when he looked under the table, so I said nothin'.

He looked sad. Maybe because they told him the charges against me.

"Jed, may I speak freely?"

"Yes, sir."

"Would you call me Oliver or Doctor Oliver like you used to?"

"No, sir. Convicts don't call good people like you by their first name."

My answer made him stop and think. "Alright for now. I want to make sure you know the impact you've had on my brother Aiden's life."

I nodded but didn't think that called for my permission.

"Quite frankly, my father and I were surprised when Aiden decided to move west and work in a prison, no less, when a friend from medical school mentioned it. From his letters, he seemed to be settling in and had bought a house in Cheyenne when his wife died. He thought the sun and moon rose just for her. He was devastated. Then he met Heyes. Withdrawal cases like his were his specialty, but he was about ready to give up when he met you. Your unwavering loyalty and support of your cousin impressed him. Aiden has never made friends easily. My friends became his friends, even though we were older than him. But you, you were his first real friend, Jed. And I know that friendship has grown deeper. He cherishes it. And then you heroically rescued a lady in distress, and he found his second chance of love in Denise. Because of you. And he's living out all his dreams being a small-town doctor, marrying the woman he loves, and being a doting father to his son. All because of you. If my brother has never thanked you for all that, I'm thanking you right now."

I didn't know what to say. "Not because of me. I didn't do so much. I'm no hero. Takes two to be friends." I need to be positive. This man will tell his brother what I say. "I consider Dr. Arden a friend, but convicts don't really deserve decent people as friends."

"You don't consider yourself a decent person?"

"Tried to be, but the fact is I am an outlaw, a gunnie, and a convict, just tryin' to convince others that I am a good, decent man." I looked down, rememberin' too late to be positive. "Guess you'll tell your brother I forgot to be positive."

"No, Jed, this conversation is between you and me. I'm glad you're honest with me but I don't agree with you. I think you are a very decent man and I hope you will also consider us friends," the doctor said. When I didn't answer he continued, "Aiden is right asking you to speak positively. Do it long enough and it will become a habit and you'll start to believe it yourself. For the record, Denise told me how you rescued her, and I do think you're a hero. Not many people would have done that."

"Not many men could have stood up against her husband's fast gun," I answered before I thought about it.

Dr Oliver Arden smiled. "Seems your skill with a gun is something you will take credit for."

"Yes, sir."

"Maybe we can work with that. Also, want to thank you for bringing Stephanie and Steven into my life. You can't believe the joy I feel with children in my house."

"Heyes was the one that thought of that," I answered.

"Well, I know he thought of me, but it was you agreeing to take Rocky as a parolee apprentice that enabled the other to follow. Not many men willing to give a troublesome convict a chance. When you're here, who's his parole officer?"

"Juan Flores and Auntie, er, Mrs. Diane Francis Clark. She's the one that puts the shackles on him when me and Heyes are gone. It's an unpleasant feelin' to shackle someone," I answered.

"As unpleasant as being shackled?"

"Those bein' shackled earned them by breakin' the law."

He nodded and was about to say somethin', but I took a chance and interrupted. "Sir, I am really happy that everythin' worked out well for you and the kids." There, I ended with somethin' positive, at least, and it was somethin' I truly felt. "Maybe check with Heyes and bring them to Phoenix to visit Rocky next time you come."

Dr. Oliver Arden got up abruptly and went into the sittin' room where we'd seen Dr. Aiden Arden and Sheriff Birde go. I heard raised voices again but didn't hear no words. Then he left without sayin' nothin' else.

I didn't know what to do, so I sat at the table and tried to find a position where the rope didn't cut into my ankles. It was a different pain than the shackles, but just as bad.

Finally, Mrs. Birde popped her head in and came and sat next to me. "Jed, been wanting to talk to you alone. Don't know if I ever thanked you properly, but you gave me one of the most precious gifts of my life."

She's very sweet and she took both my hands in hers when she spoke to me. I'm one of the few people that know her background. Her pa was one of the three outlaws called the Triumvirate with Chrissy's pa and Jose Flores. She lived at Devil's Hole with them because her ma died young. She helped take care of Chrissy when she was young there…before the three decided to go straight.

She looked right in my eyes and then gave me a hug. "You got my pa amnesty. No one else, just you. It was your idea alone. I know you wanted it for Jose Flores so he could enjoy it while he was alive and my pa had already passed, but that piece of paper I cherish says my pa was given amnesty for all his crimes and it's signed by the governor. And Chrissy's got one just like it for her pa. There's nothing like the love between a pa and his daughter." By now she had tears in her eyes. "Please believe that you are a good man and no one else would ever think of getting them their amnesty…and arguing with the governor to sign it." She was cryin' now and reached over and hugged me. "Jed Curry, whether you like it or not, I love you. You're a fine person and I'm proud to call you friend."

I didn't know what to say so I hugged her back and whispered, "You're very welcome," in her ear. And that's when her husband, the sheriff, returned to the room. I took my arms from around her, but she kept holdin' me tight.

"Beverly?" he said, but he didn't sound angry.

She gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Just thanking this dear man for all the things he's done for me."

"Heard most of it," he answered with a grin. "Not disputin' what you said."

She laughed and went over and kissed his cheek, too. "I know there's more visitors coming today, but Jed didn't get to finish his lunch. I've kept it warm. Let me go get it."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Sheriff Birde followed his wife to the kitchen. "Wait, Beverly, I didn't get to finish my lunch either.