Winter's Refuge
Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Two
HEYES
There were so many people wanting to help build a new classroom for the kids that they were all in each other's way. So, I gave everyone an assigned job and the work went quickly. Aiden was getting more paint on the floor than the wood surrounding the space where the new window would be installed. Phoenix donated the money for the paint and the new window, but Jeff insisted that the Birde family would pay half. Midway through, I switched Aiden to sweeping up and asked Miss Duhamel to finish the painting there. The doctor was relieved but took to sweeping the floor with such gusto that he swirled up the dirt, so it caught in the fresh paint. I moved him to sanding the teacher's desk from the old schoolhouse. It was in the corner, looking neglected. Don't think he ever sanded before, but at least he wouldn't make a mess there that others would need to clean up.
It was all going beautifully until I saw the look on Arnie's face as he approached me. My first thought was the Kid needed me. Looking around, I saw him. He and Jeff were eating by the food table and talking, their heads leaning close together. That's just what the Kid needs, I thought.
I turned my complete attention to Arnie. "Sheriff just got a telegram. Wants you to read it," he told me.
Outside, Sheriff Birde had taken a few steps down the sidewalk so he couldn't be seen from inside where everyone was working.
"Heyes, need you to read this," he said, handing me the telegram.
Sheriff Birde
Three Birds, Nebraska
Arrived mother's today the 14th. She was notified brother Karl seriously injured. Dusty Dave, Rafferty and Lowry escaped with outside help. Holohan killed. Karl heard them vow to rob bank and take revenge on Three Birds, HH, and Jed. Credible threat. Advise caution.
Ken Josephs
US Marshal, retired.
I watched the people of Three Birds working together up and down the street to repair their town…our town.
"Arnie, get Juan. One of you ride south and one north. Do not interact with them. Need to know which way they're coming from, how far away they are, and how many of them there are. Go now." I realized my outlaw voice had taken over, but I didn't care. We had to prepare.
"Sheriff Birde, thank everyone for coming and ask them to go home and we will resume tomorrow. Tell them the paint needs to dry or something. See if you can gather some men, men who are good with guns, quietly."
"Got it, Heyes," Frank answered, and with his answer I understood that I was in charge.
"And Frank, the Kid is not to know what's going on," I added.
"Got it."
JED 'KID' CURRY
Frank came and thanked us all for our work today. I saw a lot more to be done so didn't understand why he said that. But his tone is urgent, and I get that he wants us all out of the old saloon. He took the handles of Jeff's rolling chair and pushed him out the door while tellin' Aiden to get me back home, which he did.
"You know what's goin' on?" I asked, when we were inside his office waitin' room.
"No, but I intend to get you into your room and settled and then go back and ask Heyes. I believe this was a very positive day for both you and Jeff. And I believe I saw a glimpse of the Heyes you used to know leading us all in the work."
When he had me in my room, I insisted my chair be placed by the window so I could watch the street. "Aiden, when Heyes tells you what's goin' on, promise you'll come back and tell me."
"Jed, I know this is making you feel anxious. I'm sure it's nothing but I will be back with an answer as soon as I can."
I tied the curtain aside and watched the street. Somethin' was gonna happen and Heyes was preparin' for whatever it was. He was talkin' to Pappy and Aaron and gesturin' up and down the street. By the time Aiden crossed the street and joined them, I figured out someone or someones were comin' to Three Birds. And we did not want those people here.
Frank, Lom, and Mike joined the group and Aiden was listenin' to them closely. Aiden was about to leave when Juan came sprintin' up on Spring's Joy and rode up to the group. For a moment they all looked in the direction he had come from, then Heyes started issuin' orders. I can't hear him, but I know what he looks like when he takes charge, and he looks like that now.
Mike Loveland headed back here with Aiden, and I met them at the front door.
"Need to find little Mikey," Mike said and hurried toward the kitchen.
"Jed, you need to be back in your room," Aiden told me without lookin' at me.
"No, I need to know who's comin' to Three Birds that has you all scared. And I need my boots and my gun to help fight them off."
"How do you know anyone is coming? And no, you couldn't get your boot on over that right ankle and they would hurt like hell on the left one. And you may NOT have your gun." Aiden was the most assertive I have ever heard.
"Need to help and I need my gun to do that. It's the one thing that I am good at, Aiden. I promise I will not try to kill myself. If I have to, I will go out there in my rollin' chair and stand with the men of this town, our town, and help. To do that I need my gun." I knew I was yellin'. I have to help. And I knew I was close to tears with the frustration of not havin' my Colt.
Mike carried his son into the room, then put him down, hit him lightly on the bottom. "Be good for Miss Denise."
"Aiden is having me take Ajay and Mikey to Frank Birde's house. We'll be safer there," Miss Denise told us.
When the boy was out of earshot, Mike stood up tall and glared at me. He's very tall and an imposin' presence. "Jed, you think you're going go rolling out and take a position on the sidewalk in that thing? No. If you do, we'd have to assign someone to protect you. And give up a position that might be more advantageous. If a bullet comes towards you, you can't duck, you can't jump aside. You'd be easy prey for Shaw's men. And you'd put someone else in danger, too."
"Shaw's men? That's who's coming?" I asked, ignorin' his other words.
"Killed one of the men escorting them and wounded the other. And they picked up some others like them on the way here. Juan counted ten that he could see," Mike answered. "Now that you know, stay inside. I'm not asking. I'm ordering. Heyes is smart. He's positioning our men well. Even Pappy and Brothers are listening to him."
"Heyes knows what he is doing," I answered. What Mike said made sense. But I need to help. "I'll stay inside if you two help me do somethin'. Mike, I want you to get me upstairs. Aiden, you said you had all my things. That would include my rifle. Bring that and the bullets up to me."
"Jed?" Aiden questioned.
"Be difficult to shoot myself in the head with a rifle, Aiden. Please, if Juan saw them, they aren't far away."
With a sigh, Aiden left. I hoped he was gettin' the rifle.
Leanin' on my friend, I half hopped up the stairs until Mike was afraid I'd lose my balance and take both of us down the stairs. He carried me up the last five stairs. When he put me down, I hobbled to the window. Mike looked out of it with me.
"Good view of the street here," he noted, watchin' Heyes position men, then walk down to the new saloon and look back. Then he moved some of them again so they couldn't be seen. I recognized the pattern. It would call for two or three men to be in the middle of the street to face the outlaws and order them back. We used it at Brown River, and I was the one who approached the barn. I should be one of those men now. I need to be one of those men. But what Mike said was right. I'm now a liability.
Aiden, carryin' the rifle gingerly, reached the top of the stairs. He gave me a harsh look before relinquishin' it to me.
"I promised, Aiden," I reassured him I wouldn't use it on myself. In fact, that was the farthest from my mind.
He put the box of ammunition on the window ledge and lifted the window to open it wide. "Trusting you," he said. "I'll be downstairs in the back rooms farthest from the street preparing the exam rooms. I'll leave the door open. Bring any wounded to me as soon as you can. I'll be ready."
I knew this wasn't what Aiden expected when he moved west and then to a small town. He knows little about guns, but I have no doubt he would have stood with Heyes, if asked. But he's right. He's more valuable as a doctor right now.
I loaded the rifle and aimed down the street. "Mike, when you go back out there, remind Heyes I always improve his plans." Mike smiled. "And tell him I have his back."
HEYES
I looked at my old pocket watch. If Juan's estimate was right, Dusty Dave would be leading his new gang past the new saloon in less than twenty minutes. I assumed Rafferty and Lowry would be with him. That left at least seven unidentified outlaws. Juan heard one of those five referred to as Hairy Eyes Wolcott and another, a tall, skinny man, as Wilton. Only Wilton I know is Wilton Kerr, a fast gun. The Kid outdrew him years ago, shot his gun right out of his hand. He might still be carrying a grudge against him.
"Heyes." I was glad to see Mike returning. I knew he wanted to be one of the men to stand with me in the street and confront the gang that was coming. Sheriff Holahan was a friend of his.
"Mike, your son all settled in?" I asked.
"Kissed him and told him to be good for Miss Denise. But to Mikey, the term good has a lot of different meanings. Got a message for you from Jed."
My anger flared up, but I smiled through it. I've learned to do that again. "You told him what's going on?"
"He knew, or guessed, something real close. He was watching out his bedroom window," Mike admitted.
"Should have figured he would. He's not planning on coming out here, is he?" I couldn't have the Kid out here. He would be the first one shot in that rolling chair, especially if Wilton Kerr is with them and carrying a grudge. And I can't lose the Kid now after all he's gone through.
"No, but he told me to tell you that he always makes your plans better."
"He did, did he?" I responded with a smile. Me and the Kid always say that. It was his way of telling me he was alright.
"He did. And to tell you he's got your back." Mike pointed up to the second story window over the doctor's office. Even though it was concealed, I could see the tip of the barrel of a rifle. If you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't see it. I touched the brim of my hat to him and saw a slight movement in reply.
And I realized that did make my plan better. He was providing the one thing I had forgotten about at Brown River. Something that, thanks to Preacher, had saved the Kid's life. A rifle watching over us all.
"Heyes, I want to stand with you today," Mike said.
Pappy overheard. "Think it should be me. Not many people know it but I'm a very accurate shot. Came in handy in the army." He looked at Mike. "And my kids are all grown."
Lom had been listening quietly. "I think every man here would stand with you, Heyes, if you asked. You have to be the one to choose and not because we are fathers or young or old. Choose the best man for the job. I know you're thinking none of us are the Kid…and you're right. But he isn't available." Lom looked at me closely. "Right?"
"Right. He listened to reason for once and is staying in Aiden's house. Although from what Mike says, he took a little persuading. Think maybe I should stand alone," I answered. I can't ask these men to risk their lives on my plan and that's exactly what anyone who stood with me would be doing.
I thought about the men positioned all around me. Some, like Lom, Mike, Pappy, and Brothers were skilled with a gun. Others, like Palmer Robinson, Arnie, and Mr. Kolmand probably knew HOW to shoot a gun but had never taken the time to hone the skill. The others fell in between. And I was one of those. Some mornings I have gotten up and practiced shooting targets with the Kid. I'm accurate but not a fast draw. I'll start with my gun in my hand when they approach. Picking someone to stand beside me. Maybe die beside me was too much and I felt a shudder go through my body and into my hands.
"NO! I will not let this happen," I told myself in my mind and willed my hands to be steady. Out loud, I said, "I'll meet them alone."
"Like hell you will, Heyes. Me, you, and the Kid have been through a lot together. Better if two greet them in the street. I'll be right next to you."
I glanced up at the Kid's window. I wouldn't have been alone. He's got my back. But Lom's right. The plan works best with two up front.
"Okay, Lom, it's me and you up front." I looked at my watch again. "Not long now. Everyone take your places and stay hidden as long as you can. Go for their leader, if you can."
I heard Pappy's voice yell, "We have two sheriffs, a colonel, and a Deputy Director of the US Marshals. You better believe this is all legal."
I had forgotten that Pappy was really a colonel. He used his son's rank when he was taken hostage. I sat on the bench outside the mercantile and Lom sat across from me in a chair outside the bank. We would both walk slowly into the street when the gang came…and we would show no fear.
We sat and we waited.