Winter's Refuge

Chapter One Hundred Eighteen

HEYES

Me and the Kid haven't kept many secrets from each other so it's hard to do it now. A hysterical Chrissy made me promise I won't tell the Kid. I always keep my promises.

"I promise I won't tell Kid, Chrissy. Tell me what's wrong and why you didn't go to the Kid? He's always been there for you…for us."

Her green eyes were red from crying and she sniffled as she talked. "Need Heyes help. Not Jed's."

"Chrissy tell me what happened. Did the Kid do something?" I asked.

Surprised, she answered, "No, Jed would never do anything to hurt Chrissy darling. Ever."

"Chrissy, I'm confused. Why not go to him?" Met by more tears and silence, I said, "If you want me to help you, I need you to tell me what happened."

She looked at the corner of the ceiling and 'thought'. I let her be. I know what it's like to try and escape from reality. It started when she was in prison. And what she had to tell me started there too.

Her voice startled me in the quiet of my makeshift office. She didn't look at me as she spoke to the wall in a soft whisper.

"Chrissy go into town with Auntie and Angie. Shop at mercantile. Jeff Birde very nice. Help us find fabric for baby swaddling clothes. Auntie buy flour and sugar. Jeff said he'd put it in wagon for us. He so nice," she repeated, with a grin. But then her eyes darkened.

"Afterwards, we went to cafe for fancy soda. We laughing but man come in. Man I know, bad man." She was quiet. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she 'thought'. I knelt by her chair and handed her my handkerchief. That brought her back to reality. "Oh Heyes, he very bad man." She reached out to me and cried on my shoulder, sobbing again.

I didn't know what to do. The Kid would have known just what to do and say. I'm tempted to escape into my mind. There are no bad men there. No one who scares my family. But Chrissy was weeping into my shoulder. She needs me. I thought about what Kid would say. I pushed her back so I could see her eyes. "Chrissy, who is this man? Did he threaten you?"

"No, he no see me. I hope he no see me." The last sounded like a forlorn plea.

"Why are you afraid of him? Where did you meet him before?"

"No tell Jed. Jed know what happen. Jed promise no revenge. No want him hurt in gunfight. Chrissy darling love Jed. Always need him."

I didn't answer, but handed her a cup of water. She took a sip. "Name Senior Guard Elias Yates."

My eyes grew wide…Chrissy was on her way to recovery when I finally made it to Phoenix. I forget sometimes that she was in prison longer than the Kid. "Senior Guard?"

She looked down at the floor. "Jed know. Men hurt Chrissy in prison. Hurt Chrissy very, very bad. Come at night. Force himself in Chrissy. Hurt Chrissy."

She took a gulping breath and then another.

I lifted her chin. "He can't hurt you here. You have me and the Kid protecting you."

"Chrissy stay here, no go to Three Birds…never." She started to get hysterical. "Chrissy no go outside."

"I'm sure he was just passing through. You can stay here until he leaves. In fact, I'm going to pick up the twins today. Sam has to work. I'll go early and see if he's left yet."

"No tell Jed. Promise," she insisted again.

I don't like keeping this from the Kid. "I promise."

JED 'KID' CURRY

I'm sad but resigned. Somethin's wrong with Chrissy and she won't share it with me. I guess she thinks I can't help her with her problems anymore. I'm no longer her knight in shinin' armor, her protector. That hurts but I'm tryin' to understand. I'm weak, she knows it. I'm glad she feels she can go to Heyes. I am so proud of how far he's come. I see the old Heyes most of the time and that feels good. Still, there are times when he has 'moments' he freezes or loses his words. But they are becomin' less often. He doesn't need my strength as much as he did. Doesn't need me to take care of him anymore.

Still, I feel guilty Angie shared her health secret with me. I don't like hidin' it from Heyes, although, it feels good she feels she can confide in me. Me and Angie have become friends. She and Heyes are perfect together…and so in love. Like I told him, who would have thought that two outlaw gang leaders would end up pas. But now I'm worried that givin' our last names to our kids will ruin their lives…or a least limit their opportunities. Tryin' to figure out what to do about that. Thought about givin' them Chrissy's name, but McWinter's has a violent reputation. Eventually, I'll need to talk to Heyes about it...but not now. I need to figure it out for me first.

Me and Chrissy and Auntie are schemin' to keep Angie restin' without Heyes noticin'. I keep tellin' her she needs to tell her husband, but she gets upset so I drop it. Aiden said she needs to stay calm. She and Chrissy are very different in so many ways but alike other. Chrissy's eyes are the green of nature; Angie's are a soft, light hazel. But they share common rough lives before they came here and you can see the shadow of it in the back of those eyes. Sometimes only a flash, a fleetin' memory, but sometimes the hurt and pain is there, too. These are times when Chrissy 'thinks'. And times when Angie turns away to hide tears. I don't know what Chrissy shared about her prison abuse with Angie and I don't know what Angie shared of her abuse at the hands of James Doubleday, but it brought them close and they are very protective of each other. Neither is one of these women obsess with the latest fashion, but they do enjoy it when Mary makes a new dress for them.

Angie's taller and five years older, her pregnancy not yet showin'. Chrissy's body is recoverin' from her two back-to-back babies. And they are as close as the sisters. Most important they understand the relationship that me and Heyes have had all our life and support it.

Now, my mission is to take care of Angie. Aiden told us what happened with Lom's Susan not obeyin' his orders. I need to get to Porterville to visit Lom but I have to get recover first. I know that Heyes would be hoverin' over Angie's every move. But I vow that what happened to Susan will not happen to Angie. Joy came up runnin' up to Angie, hands raised to be picked up. My daughter, really all my kids, have fallen in love with her and Sam.

"No, Joy," I said as I swooped her up and threw up in the air to squeals of delight.

Angie shouldn't be liftin' anything, not even Joy. But Heyes looked at me funny, probably because I said no to Joy. He can tell when I'm hidin' somethin' from him. Right now I'm hidin' so many things includin' this…and hurts me inside. But this is for Angie and I agree that Heyes has got a lot of responsibilities right now. I can't help him with most of it. I get tired easily.

Each mornin, me and Angie walk down to the blacksmith shop. I told Heyes she's goin' to help me. She did at first, sittin' at a little table and writin' down the new orders. But she was a distraction.

"Hi, Jed," Gabe Birde, Jeff's brother, said the first mornin' as he handed me the reins to a smaller old white horse. "Needs new shoes at least on the front, maybe on the back. Trust you'll do what's needed."

As I took the reins, he looked over at Angie writin' down his job. "Is this the new Mrs. Hannibal Heyes?" He walked over to her table. "Been wantin' to meet the lady that finally caught his eyes." He held out his hand to shake. Other people followed him over to Angie. She was a mystery woman. Everyone had heard Heyes had brought back a bride but she had only left the ranch once to see Aiden. Now everyone wanted to meet her, shake her hand, talk to her.

"Kid, please, I want to go inside." I could see her lean back away from them, fear in her eyes.

"Sure, darlin'. Be right back out," I told those waitin'. She was in such a hurry she walked through the hot shop rather than around to the back.

"You okay? Someone say somethin' to you; I should make them take back?"

"No, Kid." She turned and looked at me before huggin' my arm. "I keep thinking I'll look up and someone from James Doubleday's old gang will be standing there." Fear flashed in her eyes. I knew the customers were only curious but it made Angie scared, nervous…and nervous was not calm. I promised her I'd help her. So now she stays in the back room, reads, and sleeps. I keep the back door of the shop locked so Heyes won't wander in. I hope It's just for a few days until she tells him her secret. There are two cots in the back room and at least once a day I need to take a nap, too. Angie knows that I am that weak.

I must say Sam has surprised me. He looks forward to workin' with Mr. Kolmand and all he thinks about is studyin' law and talkin' He follows me each mornin' when I go for shootin' practice. Of course, Michael follows him.

"Now, Sam, start with holdin' the gun in your hand. Gently, respect its power."

"Yes, sir…er, Mr. Curry."

I closed my eyes at the 'sir'. I'd talked to Heyes last night and we settled on him callin' me Uncle Jed. "How about you call me Uncle Jed, Sam?"

I caught him in a rare smile. "How about Uncle Kid?" he countered.

"Kid, like Uncle Heyes calls you, Pa?" asked Michael. "And he calls you Kid because he's older than you?"

"Yes."

I took a deep breath. "Sam, if you will stop callin' me sir, you can call me Uncle Kid. Now shoot that can off the fence."

I shuddered as he put the gun in his holster, tried to fast draw, hit the holster with the barrel of the gun and hit a tree far to his left. I know he heard my deep sigh but ignored it. Without lookin' at me, he said, "Guess it's Michael's turn now."

"Yes, Pa, my turn."

Sam handed Michael the gun who took it very gingerly. He balanced it in two hands and focused on the cans. He squeezed the trigger and knocked a can off the fence. "Pa, I did it! I did it!"

"Yes, you did!" I was proud of the way he did it, but I hate to see my son with a gun in his hand. Guns do not lead to anything good. I heard Auntie bangin' a triangle to call us in for breakfast. Michael softly put the gun in my hand before dashin' off to the kitchen.

Sam, though, stopped to talk to me. "Er…eh...Uncle, I been watching you with Ma. Never been around a woman with child before, wasn't quite sure how to act."

"Sam, they just need lots of rest and shouldn't lift nothin' heavy."

"Like Joy? I'll do just what you do, take care of Ma."

"Yes, like Joy. Heyes is so busy with Phoenix that I've been tryin' to watch over Angie." So, he'd seen me rush in to pick up the baby. I know Heyes wondered because I never say no to Joy.

Well, the good thing is a week later, Aiden came out to the house. He said he could tell Angie was obeyin' his instructions. Her heart rate was better but not where it should be. He told her to keep up whatever she was doin'.

My exam did not go as well. My heart is strong but my body is weak. He says blacksmith work is too much strain for me right now. That my cough will get worse again working in that black dust. I don't agree. I need to get my strength back, my back strong. When I'm not in the shop, I swing my hammer over my head and around in circles. I've progressed to the heavier one. I'm proud of that, but Aiden says I need to rest more or my lingerin' cough and dizzy headaches won't go away.

"Aiden, I can't take time to rest as much as you want. I need to get stronger for my family, to take care of them, protect them."

"I understand your need, especially now that I'm going to be a father."

I smiled and hugged him…he was startled at first but then hugged me back. "Congratulations, Aiden. How's Miss Denise feelin'?"

"She's well. She follows my instructions although she's mostly healthy."

"Chrissy will be excited…"

"Now back to you. Are you going to take it easier and stop working?"

This man is a friend. He deserves my honesty. "No, gonna keep the blacksmith shop open. That's how I support my family. I need to do this." I stopped because my voice started to sound desperate. Aiden heard it, too.

"Okay Jed, okay. Make you a deal. You used to only work until noon. Do that again. I'll be back in a week to check you again. If you've improved, we'll talk about a longer work day."

"That won't work. Me and Heyes are goin' to Cheyenne. Matt McWinters has a hearin' to reduce his sentence from life."

"A trip, Jed? Don't know if you are strong enough for that."

"Aiden, this ain't like I have a choice. Heyes will be with me."

He nodded. "Alright. I need to talk to him before I leave about Angie. Where is he anyway? I'll tell him to watch over you."

"He's over to Ken's house to see how Winny is doin'. I'm sure Angie will fill him in."

Aiden stared at me for a long minute. He worked with a lot of convicts when he worked at the prison outside Cheyenne. He's become a good judge of people. But he didn't object to what I said. I think he knows me well. He won't change my mind. "Well, good luck on your trip. And I trust you to take care of yourself. You've been doing that for most of your life."

I nodded and he continued, "There's a lot of people who care about you…and depend on you." He patted me lightly on my shoulder. "I'll see you when you get back."

HEYES

I don't like to go into Three Birds, especially not alone, but today I did. Everyone at home just thinks I'm going to pick up the twins. Sam's working with the lawyer. I stopped to see Jeff at the mercantile. He's a good friend of the Kid, in fact, the Kid saved his life when the mercantile was on fire.

"Heyes, good to see you." Jeff has a practiced salesperson smile and a real smile. Pleased I got the latter, I smiled back. Maybe coming to town isn't that hard. I'd gone into strange cities on my trip to North Dakota. But this is different. The people here are our neighbors and I have to live with them. And most of them know my background. I think they accept me because of the Kid. Everyone always has good stories about how he helped them or made them laugh.

"Hi, Jeff. Thought I'd get some candy for Angie and Chrissy," I said quickly. It was the first thing that came to mind as I was looking at the jars of assorted candy on the counter. "Not sure of their favorites, though."

"Well, Chrissy always buys peppermints, but I know they're for Jed. Sometimes she adds some lemon drops. Just met your wife the other day. Not sure of her favorite."

"Lemon drops and some of those jelly beans," I said. Looking around the store, I didn't see anyone fitting the description Chrissy had given me of Elias Yates. But I did see someone I didn't recognize. "Jeff, who's that?" I whispered.

"Charles Kolmand, the new lawyer."

I didn't know him but he knew me. He smiled and held out his hand to me. "Mr. Heyes, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Charles Kolmand, Esq. Miss Duhamel has told me a lot about you. I just want to say, your son is a pleasure to have working for me. He really has a mind cut out for the law."

"That's good to hear. Thanks for giving him the job." I had rarely heard good things about Sam. I hoped this man was changing his life. An idea struck me. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"I don't know many people here yet. I'd like that."

I was pleased with myself. I have an excuse to go in the saloon and I won't be drinking alone. I don't drink much anymore, never really picked up the habit again after prison but one beer . Mr. Kolmand was a pleasant sort, but mostly he talked about the cases defending outlaws he had defended. I was glad when Jeff said he'd join us.

At the bar, I held up three fingers and paid for the three beers. I've never been here without the Kid. It feels strange. "Let's get a table," I suggested. At the table I sat where I could see the whole room. And my eyes were drawn to a man at the table near the back door. He spoke loudly so everyone else was watching him, too. I was surprised to see Mr. Dwyer, the undertaker, give him money and walk away with a big smile on his face. Other people were lined up behind him, eager to get to who I know must be Elias Yates.

"Mr. Dwyer," Kolmand said, as he passed our table.

"Ah, Mr. Kolmand," he answered. "Thank you, again, for helping me sue the company that sent me the caskets not strong enough to hold a body."

"You're very welcome."

After Mr. Kolmand stood to shake hands with Dwyer, he said his goodbyes and left with him, saying he had a case to research. Dwyer sat down with me and Jeff.

"Look at this. I bought seven percent of the Yates Gold Mine a month ago." Dwyer showed us the certificate. "You should see the nuggets he's got from there. I'm gonna be a rich man soon! He just showed me my profit for one month! Look at this!" He held out cash. "I told him to reinvest half of it and I'll take half. This is that half. And I'm going to get twice this every month." I've only seen Dwyer as the somber undertaker. Now he couldn't contain his excitement. "Well good to see you two."

Jeff looked at me. "It's a good deal, a sure thing. I bought two shares last week myself. Can't wait to see how much I've made! You should look into it."

I looked at the men surrounding Yates and knew I had him. I casually walked around town. People knew who I was even though I did not know them. Normally, I would avoid talking to them, but I needed more information. And by the time I picked up the twins, I had all the information I needed and a plan.

JED 'KID' CURRY

Aiden hadn't cleared Angie to go back to her normal life, so she didn't want to tell Heyes that she had a fast heartbeat and should be restin' most of the day. I told her flat out to tell him, but she turned away and cried.

Chrissy rushed to her side. "Leave her alone. It's her decision!" she scolded. I was taken aback that she took Angie's side over mine. But that's the way my life is goin'. Not sure my opinion is needed anymore.

This mornin' at the breakfast table, Chrissy announced, "Michael's Sunday shirt too small. Needs a new one."

I smiled at my growin' boy. "I'll take him after school today."

"Thanks, Pa, but Sam said he'd take me," Michael said with a piece of toast in his mouth.

"It's no problem," Sam added.

I used to be Michael's hero. He wanted to do everythin' with me, follow me around. Now he gives that attention to Sam.

One of the high points of my mornin's is still meetin' Martha at the top of the stairs before we go down to breakfast for a big hug. I love this moment with her. I hope it continues forever.

I wish Chrissy would tell me what's wrong. I know somethin's upsettin'' her and she told Heyes. Last night, as usual, I left a lamp on low when I crawled into bed beside her. While I held her in my arms, kissed her forehead and asked, "Chrissy darlin', what's wrong? Let me help you."

She stiffened. "Heyes helping me." Then she turned her back to me and looked at the wall. We've always been able to talk in the sanctuary of our bed. But not now. And it's tearin' me up that I don't know why. My family doesn't need or want me anymore.

ASJ*****ASJ

Me and Heyes need to leave for Cheyenne in two days. "Kid, I know you'll have everything ready for our trip. I got a lot to do before then."

"Sure, Heyes, sure." I had been about to ask him about Chrissy but he was brisk with me and walked away with purpose. I know when I'm not wanted.

HEYES

In the evening, the Kid checked in on our visiting mares, carrying Joy with Michael and Martha skipping next to him. He insisted they go with him tonight. It seemed very important to him to be near his kids just then.

In the house, when I heard the bell as our gate was opened, Chrissy's face went white. "No, no!" she exclaimed and ran upstairs to her bedroom. She stayed up there, sitting as darkness fell, even after I told her it was just one of the Birde boys bringing a telegram.

"Don't let him find me, Heyes." she pleaded with me.

"Me and the Kid will always protect you, sweetie."

"No, Heyes, protect Jed. Don't let him know who this is."

I asked Angie to go upstairs with her but she came right back down shrugging her shoulders. "She wants to be alone."

She didn't come down for breakfast either.

ASJ*****ASJ

Without telling my family, I went into Three Birds about ten.

"Frank, how are you?" I felt brave walking into his office without the Kid. It needed to be done so I did it. But next time I hope the Kid is with me again. It took all my strength to come into town today. I draw strength from my partner.

"Great, Heyes, where's Jed?"

My thoughts froze for a moment. I want the Kid to be here with me but I need to do this for Chrissy. "Not coming into town today. I need your help, Frank. Do you think you could get these men in a meeting in an hour?"

He looked at the list. "Well, no problem with the ones who work in Three Birds. Maybe I can send my nephew to get Mr. Crenshaw and Ari Cresk, but if the others didn't come to town today…"

"No, no, that will be enough. And Frank, make sure that Mr. Yates doesn't know about this meeting."

An hour later, we were gathered in the church hall. Sam had helped me roll the big blackboard over from the school. Miss Duhamel had said he could stay and bring it back at lunchtime. With the blackboard facing the wall, I wrote my findings. I had also written myself a script so I could get through this. These people knew and trusted the Kid. I was almost a stranger to them.

"Welcome. Thank you for coming today. Wanted you all to come because we have a problem here in Three Birds we need to address." I found my 'outlaw leader' voice to start and had their attention.

"How many of you have bought a percentage in the Yates Mining Company?" Every hand in the place went up including, to my surprise, Frank and Sam.

"It's a great investment," Mr. Crenshaw said. "I started with two percent and reinvested my profits. After just one month, I own four percent of the prettiest gold nuggets coming out of the ground."

I turned the board around. I had listed the names and ownership percentages of the people I had talked to yesterday. I changed Crenshaw's to four percent and added Frank at three percent and Sam at a half percent. It added up to four hundred and twenty one percent.

The room was silent as what I was showing them sunk in.

"Can't be right," Mr. Dwyer announced loudly. He paid me half of my month's profits in good hard cash yesterday.

"My numbers may be low, but the intention to defraud is right. Mr. Dwyer, just to make it look legit, he used money that he took in from your neighbors to pay your monthly 'profit.' I doubt that there really is a gold mine."

Everyone was talking at once, yelling at each other and me. I took a step back. Thank goodness Frank came up next to me.

"Want all of you to stay right here. I'm going to arrest Mr. Yates for fraud and want you all to give your statements." That calmed them down a bit until Ari Cresk yelled, "What about our money?"

Frank looked at me.

"Probably gone except for a small amount of operating capital. Yesterday I checked with the livery and hotel." I nodded to the men I had spoken to. "They say that every day or so a woman comes to Three Birds and visits Mr. Yates. They didn't approve of what might be happening in his room those times, but I know that she's his partner in all this. He probably gave her the money to hide so he wouldn't be caught with it. And I think this isn't the first time he's pulled this. He might give up the money or his partner at his trial."

"Heyes, you come with me," Frank said. "Need a deputy to back me up."

I hesitated. I haven't pulled my gun on anyone in a long time. But I couldn't refuse and followed Frank out of the room. Neither of us had noticed Cresk had already left the meeting.

We heard yelling as we entered the hotel lobby.

"Want my money, Yates, all of it right now!" Ari yelled. "Told you my investment was only temporary. Need that money to take my baby to Denver for an operation. You said it'll double in a month. I want it…now!"

Yates smiled a cunning smile. "Why, Mr. Cresk, every investment has risks," he started smoothly until faced with Cresk's defiant stare. "Well, I don't have it on me, of course. It's in the hotel safe."

The hotel day clerk spoke up. "Mr. Yates, ain't got nothing in the hotel safe I know about."

Ari's face grew red. His breath was hard and fast. Frank started to walk toward him. He held out his left palm toward him.

"Sheriff, you stay out of this. This is between me and the man that stole my money."

Quiet weighed heavy in the air, each man taking stock of the other. Neither is a gunfighter like the Kid. Yates is probably more experienced. Cresk has anger on his side.

Yates coughed. I'm not as quick at catching things anymore. It was a heartbeat before I realized the cough covered that he was going for a gun hiding behind his back. But Cresk had been absorbing his every move. Cresk stepped half a foot to his right. The two gunshots sounded like one. Cresk's shot hit Yates in the head. Yates hit a flower arrangement behind Cresk.

Frank ran forward and grabbed Cresk's gun.

"Is he dead? Is that SOB that stole my money dead? That money was my daughter's only hope to live." Looking at the body, he vomited, then fell to his knees and started sobbing.

Frank put his arm through his and helped him to his feet. "Let's walk over to my office, Ari."

"You arresting me, sheriff? I don't regret what I done."

"No, Ari, as far as I can tell, Yates drew first. If you hadn't stepped to the side, you'd be dead, too. I declare it self-defense and I'm sure a jury will agree."

"I'll testify I saw the whole thing and it was self-defense," I added.

I was worried the Kid would hear what happened, but the news didn't get to our ranch from me or Sam. And we left the next morning for Cheyenne. He'd hear about it and I'd deal with that when we got back.

LOM

I tried not to drink, I really did, but whiskey is the only thing that takes some of my pain away, allows me to function. Funny, I own the bank now and a lot of property around town. When we married, Susan's lawyers insisted that her assets be kept separate. I agreed. I had no desire to run a bank and my Susan, my beautiful Susan, did it very effectively but I am her heir. Now, I just left all the personnel and procedures the same. The assistant manager had been running the bank with a lot of help from Susan. He keeps asking me questions I can't answer. In one of my almost sober moments, I sent a telegram to Auntie's son, Jonathan Clark. I'd arranged for him to do the books at Winter's Refuge for Marina and her son Paul. All reports are that he is very efficient and competent. I asked him to review the bank's operations.

Since Phyllis won't move to my cabin and I can't live in my house - Susan's house, our house - I decided to sell it and buy another house without my emotional ghosts. Phyllis approved of that so I asked her to start looking. It doesn't have to be in Porterville proper, just near enough so I can get to work quickly when needed. I'm living in my cabin until then. The only thing I do every day is cuddle Wayne and tell him about his ma. But lately, I've been trying to decide if he'd have a better life with me gone, without a drunk for a pa