Almost three years ago they had begun their quest for amnesty and it had been anything but easy, but the last few months had both men thinking it might be a lot healthier for them to just leave the country…it had started with a poker game and since then everything seemed to go wrong for Hannibal Heyes and Jed "Kid" Curry.
They had ridden into Chapel Ridge, Montana late one afternoon and with neither of them recognizing the name on the sheriff's office or seeing anyone on the street that looked at all familiar, decided that the first thing they were going to do was head to the saloon to wash the dust out of their throats with a nice cold beer or two. Heyes, after gratefully taking a couple long swallows of his beer, turned to watch a nearby poker table and seeing someone leave, grinned at his partner before heading to the table.
"You fellas mind if I join?"
"If ya got money mister you're more than welcome."
As his friend sat at the table trying to increase their meager funds, the Kid leaned back against the bar, one foot resting on the boot rail watching to make sure there were no problems. He observed the room for some time nursing his beer and smiling in appreciation at the saloon girl who flirted with him every time she walked by. Finally deciding his friend was safe, at least for a little while, he drained his beer and got to his feet. Sensing movement from the direction of his partner, Heyes turned his head and seeing the Kid with his arm around the waist of a real pretty brunette in a low cut yellow dress he smiled when their eyes met, giving the slightest nod before turning his attention back to the card game.
While his partner was gone the game continued to be friendly with Heyes being careful not to win too much. He was aware of the Kid coming back downstairs some time later and making his way to the bar for another beer. Heyes played for another hour before getting to his feet, thanking the other players and tossing five dollars on the table to pay for a couple rounds of drinks, promising to be back tomorrow.
Once inside their hotel room, Heyes tossed his hat on the table, took his gunbelt off and hung it on the bedpost, his cousin mirroring his actions, both men yawning.
"How much did you win?"
"'Bout thirty dollars…I figure on playing again tomorrow Kid then we can get our supplies and head out the day after."
"Yeah folks here seem friendly enough and it sure is gonna be nice to sleep in a bed for a change."
Heyes, as he was removing his shirt, turned to look at his partner. "I saw you being friendly with one of the locals," he said his eyes twinkling, a teasing grin on his face.
"Becky," the Kid sighed smiling as he added "yeah, real nice gal...knows just what to do to make a man feel welcome."
Heyes snorted a laugh as he lay back on the bed, a book in his hand.
XXX
Early the next afternoon, after eating a hardy breakfast followed by a visit to the bathhouse where they leaned back in the tubs soaking while enjoying a cigar, the partners made their way back to the saloon, Heyes again at a table with the same men he had been playing the previous night. The Kid joined in for a few hands but the cards weren't going his way so decided to call it quits and headed to the bar for a beer. He watched the men playing poker relieved that everyone seemed pleasant enough, no one person winning more than they should. He smiled at Becky, putting his arms around her as she leaned temptingly against his chest while giving her drink order over his shoulder to the bartender.
The man opposite Heyes threw his cards down in anger having just lost the last of his money. "That ain't right, you shouldn't a bin able to beat my hand."The Kid's head snapped around hearing the raised voice and gently moving the girl aside, got to his feet.
Heyes looked across the table in surprise…"Now Sam you know a full house beats three of a kind," Heyes said calmly. The man was drunk so he made sure to keep both hands in plain view on top of the table, knowing his partner would be heading toward him, but before either of them could do anything the man had jumped to his feet, money and cards flying as he flipped the table over. Heyes, still in his chair, fell, landing hard on his shoulder, the edge of the table knocking the wind out of him. The man grabbed for his gun but before he could free it he found himself looking at the Colt .45 in the Kid's hand.
"I reckon you'd best be leavin', you've caused enough trouble," the gunman said coldly.
Sam stood staring angrily at the man pointing a gun at him for just a moment before deciding it was probably in his best interest to go.
The other poker players stepped forward freeing Heyes from both his chair and the table while the Kid kept his eyes on Sam, making sure he left the saloon, paying little attention to the man who stood outside watching the goings on over the batwing doors. Once Sam had disappeared he holstered his gun and reached down to help Heyes to his feet.
"You all right Joshua?"
"Yeah," Heyes replied somewhat breathlessly as he rolled his left shoulder grimacing slightly as the other players picked up the scattered money and cards, one man holding some money to Heyes.
"Don't rightly know how much money ya had in front of ya Joshua."
"Thanks Tom I appreciate that."
"Don't know what the hell got into Sam tonight, I ain't never seen him drink that much before."
"Not much harm done, he must have had a bad morning, but if you fellas don't mind, I think I'm gonna call it a quits for today." Heyes smiled, tipping his hat as he and his partner turned to leave…and came face to face with the man that had been standing by the door of the saloon when Sam left. Seeing the star on his chest both men stopped and stared wordlessly at him.
"There a problem here?" he asked as he slowly chewed on a toothpick.
"No, no problem sheriff…just a bit of a sore loser. He thought his three of a kind shoulda beat my full house."
The sheriff had immediately seen the tied down guns and moving the toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other eyed the Kid who stood with his arms folded across his chest staring back at him.
"That was a mighty fast draw son," he drawled.
"He was just lucky sheriff," Heyes said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thaddeus here might be fast but he can't hardly hit the ground from a barn roof."
The gunfighter's expression didn't change as he continued to stare unflinchingly at the lawman. The sheriff's eyes narrowed as he looked the two men over, finally stepping aside to let them leave.
"I don't put up with no trouble in my town," he warned as they started to walk past him.
"And we'll be sure to remember that," Heyes responded still smiling as, wincing a bit, he raised his right hand grabbing his partner's elbow giving a firm tug to get him moving toward the door.
The sheriff following the two men outside, stood watching them thoughtfully for a few moments as they headed in the direction of the hotel, before stepping back through the batwing doors. Heyes let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding when the lawman disappeared back inside the saloon.
"Kid I'm thinkin' we better head out tonight."
The Kid's shoulders drooped slightly at the thought of sleeping on the ground again but nodded his agreement knowing his friend was right. He also noticed Heyes favouring his left arm.
"Reckon so. Can you get our stuff from the hotel while I get the horses ready?"
"Yeah, I'll meet you in front of the livery."
The two men went in different directions, and within fifteen minutes Heyes was handing the Kid his saddlebags. He watched Heyes silently from the back of his horse seeing how stiffly he was moving and hearing him inhale sharply when he pulled himself into the saddle.
"You sure you're up to ridin'?"
"Don't got much of a choice Kid…I can just about guarantee that after he gets the story from those fellas in the saloon that sheriff's gonna head back to the office and look through his collection of wanted posters."
They headed out of town in the direction that didn't take them past the saloon since the sheriff was still in there. Riding slowly but steadily, Curry kept checking behind them for any sign that they were being followed. He also glanced at his friend often, knowing the man was hurting.
Heyes sat his horse, not daring to look back in the direction of town again after doing it once…his ribs letting him know in no uncertain terms not to do it again. He knew his partner was watching him and he sat stiffly in the saddle biting his lip to stop himself moaning from the pain caused by the movement of his horse. He was certain his ribs weren't broken, but damn they sure hurt, as did his shoulder. That cowboy had caught him completely by surprise when he'd upended that table on top of him.
XXX
The Kid was worried…his partner had barely said two words since they had left town, and because the man could rarely stop talking for more than five minutes at a time he knew he was suffering. He scanned the countryside as they travelled, finally seeing what he was looking for. He led the way behind a large pile of boulders and into the trees behind them. It was still a couple hours before sundown but knowing Heyes was in pain he'd decided against traveling any further today.
"All right partner, we'll make camp here for the night."
Heyes blinked down at his cousin who stood beside him…he hadn't even seen him dismount. He nodded and slowly eased himself out of the saddle, the Kid grabbing his arm to steady him when he swayed.
"I'm all right," he said softly.
"Sure ya are," the Kid said, releasing his hold on him but staying at his side.
Once he had seen his partner settled against a boulder he pulled the gear off the horses and set about starting a small fire, putting the last of the beans and coffee on before turning back to his friend.
"All right let me have a look at ya."
"No need Kid, I'm fine."
The gunfighter huffed impatiently, looking at him with a raised eyebrow before reaching for the buttons on Heyes' shirt.
"Dammit Kid," he said slapping his hands away, gasping when both his left shoulder and his ribs told him that wasn't a smart thing to do.
"Fine huh? Now let me see."
Heyes sighed but relented, grunting as his injuries were poked and prodded. The Kid frowned seeing his left shoulder, but was relieved that it was only badly bruised. Next he pressed gently on the ribs on his partners' right side, causing him to catch his breath and close his eyes tightly.
"Mighta cracked a couple, but they aren't broke…should have 'em wrapped though."
Heyes shook his head …"I'm all right for now, maybe before we ride out in the mornin'."
The Kid watched his partner begin to button his shirt before turning to the fire, pouring the coffee and stirring the beans.
"We're real low on supplies Heyes," he said as he handed his friend a plate and a cup.
Heyes looked up at him. "Guess we should get in the habit of gettin' supplies as soon as we ride into town in case somethin' like this happens again."
The Kid gave a sharp laugh. "This happens a lot Heyes, how come you ain't never thought of doin' that sooner?"
"Well Kid," he said around a mouthful of beans, "it's probably because when we ride into a town we're always hot and tired just wantin' somethin' cold to drink, somethin' to eat, a bath and a soft bed."
They fell silent as they ate and before he had even finished Heyes' eyes were beginning to get heavy. Curry reached out taking the plate from him. "Get some sleep Heyes."
"All right but wake up me in a couple hours so I can spell ya," he mumbled sleepily.
"Sure," he said, having no intention of doing that.
It didn't take long for his eyes to drift closed and Heyes couldn't hide his discomfort in his sleep, shifting restlessly as he would try to find a comfortable position, grimacing in pain when he moved the wrong way, finally settling down a couple hours before the dawn. The Kid blew out a breath shaking his head as he thought back to what had happened in the saloon. They'd both been caught off guard and the Kid felt a bit guilty for not realizing that his partner was in trouble sooner…and now Heyes was hurt, thankfully not seriously…this time.
XXX
Heyes woke slowly to the smell of coffee, groaning softly when he lifted his hand to rub the sleep from his eyes. The memory of what had happened yesterday had him looking around for his partner and not seeing him he felt a sliver of panic.
"Kid?" he called softly at first, then a second time a little louder. "Kid!"
Hearing a noise he glanced toward a tall tree his mouth dropping open when, raising his head, he saw his cousin halfway up carefully making his way down to the ground.
"Right here Heyes, I'm comin' just hold on."
"What the hell are you doin' up there? You're gonna break your fool neck?"
"Was takin' a good look around. There's no sign of anybody on our trail so I reckon we can stay here, leave tomorrow mornin'. There's a crick not too far off. Figure on takin' the horses down there for a drink and fillin' the canteens. Might even be some fish in there." He dropped the last three feet to the ground, eyeing his cousin with a smile as he got closer…"think you feel up to a bit of a walk?"
"I think I can handle that…after you give me a cup of that coffee I smell and then help me up," Heyes grinned before he turned serious. "And since you neglected to wake me to take my turn at watch, you can get some sleep while I catch the fish."