Winter's Refuge

Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Eight

HEYES

I was relieved that the Kid came to the meeting, but when Fred Birde showed up, took over, and announced the opening of the Town Council Meeting, I couldn't look at the Kid. I had insisted so hard that this wasn't the town council to him. Fred isn't around much anymore. He resigned as mayor to help run his brother Fritz's campaign for state representative. He became his top aide when Fritz won the election. We hadn't really needed a mayor; we had the town council.

Everyone we invited showed up except Ken. He and Mary were still at his ma's place where Karl was recovering. This meeting was by invitation only and Palmer Robinson insisted we keep the previous members and only add a few. We sat in the makeshift desks and chairs we moved into the schoolroom arranged in a loose circle. The Kid sat against the wall, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms across his chest. Jeff, in his rolling chair, was next to him.

Frank and Aiden, helping Father Patrick walk slowly, came in together. We had our banker, Mr. Robinson; our undertaker, Mr. Dwyer; Gabe and his brother Chris Birde; and their cousins Brian and Scott were the youngest ones there. Mr. Kolmand was there, too. First time in days I had seen him without Miss Duhamel at his side as his shoulder recovered. And there were three well-dressed men there that I knew owned cattle ranches. One was between Three Birds and Bridgeport. The other two further west. None I would have considered part of our town. Mr. Crenshaw was there representing the local farmers, wearing his Sunday best. We had added him to the meeting over the objection of Robinson, but I insisted. The neighboring farmers are a large part of our community. I thought of the now vacant Pokora farm.

"Any old business for the Town Council?" Fred Birde asked loudly. "Lots of new faces here."

The room was quiet until the Kid stood up. "I have somethin' to say. Shouldn't Jeff Birde be runnin' this meetin'? He's still the head of our town council, last I heard."

Fred nodded to his nephew Jeff with a smile.

I saw Jeff touch the Kid's arm and say something, but the Kid smiled and waved him off. I didn't want this to turn ugly, so I stood and said, "I propose that the town council thank Jeff Birde for his service and great courage in fulfilling his post as head of the Town Council. All in favor?"

I took some people off guard but everyone, but the ranchers, said, "Aye!" so I kept talking. "And I further propose going forward that this Town Council does not have a leader, but every man here has an equal say and equal responsibility for Three Birds. All in favor?"

Again, everyone but the ranchers and this time Mr. Robinson said, "Aye!"

"Proposal passed!" announced Jeff. "With that done, I guess I'll ask again, any old business?"

Nobody spoke. He looked at me. "Heyes, is everyone we invited here?" Jeff asked. And I knew he was turning the meeting over me. He has no interest in leading this council anymore. He got no support from the other members when he tried to get things done.

I looked around. "Everyone here except Fritz Birde and Ken Josephs, who's out of town."

One of the ranchers, whose name I know because he inquired about buying Falls Bells one time, stood up. His name is Horton "Brew" Brewster, and he didn't even remove his hat when he spoke. "If this Josephs can't bother to be here, he shouldn't be added to this council. This is just for the leaders of Three Birds."

I saw the Kid's face and headed off any harsh words he was getting ready to say. "Ken Josephs, US Marshal retired, owns the new boot and shoe emporium on Curry Road. He is a valuable asset to this group, in my opinion."

Brewster mumbled loudly as he sat down, "In your opinion. Who cares about that?"

I kept my own frustration from my face and didn't respond. Frank Birde said, "Well, if there is not any old business, let's get onto new business. Anyone?"

There was some light chattering among the men, but my heart dropped when my partner stood up again, a determined look on his face.

"Why ain't these meetings open to everyone in this town? At least to hear what we're discussin'? And why do only the people on this council have the right to decide what happens in this town like it's some big secret?" Hesitating, the Kid looked around. "Sorry if that wasn't an appropriate thing to say. Just what I was thinkin'. Everyone don't have to be part of the council, but they should be able to come and ask questions and add their ideas." He got a stricken look on his face. I know he said what he was thinking and didn't mean to say it out loud. Watching him look at the door, I could tell he was thinking of bolting.

Before I could move to stop him, Aiden stood up. Blocking the Kid's path to the door, saying, "I agree with Jed. These meetings shouldn't be secret. Everyone should be able to listen, and we should set aside each meeting for non-council members to speak. All in favor say aye." He pushed the Kid back down into his seat and sat next to him.

"I must object!" Horton Brewster stood up and yelled over the chorus of "Ayes". The other two ranchers stood up in support.

Mr. Dwyer, our undertaker, stood up. "Just what do you object to, Horton? I've never been included in these meetings, and I haven't seen too many positive things result from them. I vote in favor of allowing everybody to watch our meetings. And I, for one, invite their suggestions."

Mr. Robinson, who had voted with the ranchers earlier, stood when Mr. Dwyer sat down. "You tell them, Palmer," one of the other ranchers yelled.

Mr. Robinson looked around the room and his eyes settled on me. "Quiet, Dan," he said to the rancher that encouraged him. So that must be Daniel Schenk. He had the ranch just outside Bridgeport. All I knew about him was what I heard from Mike Loveland. Schenk was an arrogant windbag that kept petitioning for a stockyard there…and had no support from the town.

Dan Schenk gave Robinson a disgusted glance but sat down.

Robinson pointed out Jeff in the back of the room before speaking. "I been thinking about what Mr. Curry has brought to our attention…and I agree with him. The only member of our town council that tried to stop Skylar Shaw was Jeff Birde…and none of us backed him up."

Everyone looked at Jeff Birde, who was embarrassed. I was near enough to hear the Kid whisper, "I stayed. Now you stay."

Robinson continued talking. "If it wasn't for two men, Mr. Heyes and Mr. Curry, Shaw would have succeeded in destroying our town and probably killed more of us. That same Mr. Heyes came up with a plan to get rid of the outlaws that came back again. Perhaps if they had been allowed in our 'secret' town council meetings, those things might never have happened. Our town is growing, and we can't stick our head in the sand and ignore that." Robinson was flushed when he finished speaking and sat down.

The third rancher stood up and looked around the room. "Lot of you might not know me. Name's Rod Williams and I am owner of the Running Wild Ranch, making me the biggest landowner in this part of Nebraska. That should mean something. And I vote NO non-council members can attend these meetings." He was as boisterous a braggart as the other two ranchers.

I could see the deep breaths that the Kid was taking to keep his anger inside. And I realized I should be doing that same thing to calm myself. As I was thinking of calling for a vote of hands, Robinson stood up again. He wasn't smiling but he was almost gloating.

"Rod, you're mistaken. Phoenix, owned by Mr. Heyes and Mr. Curry, due to a recent acquisition, is almost twice as large as the Running Wild. So, I guess that means their votes mean something, too."

Annoyed, Williams sat down and whispered to Schenk and Brewster.

"I'd like to call for a show of hands on the matter of allowing everyone that wants to attend these meetings as guests." The Kid's voice was calm, controlled. He can gain the attention of any room, town council meeting, or saloon when he uses that tone.

"I'll second that motion," yelled Mr. Dwyer.

The Kid remained standing as we raised our hands for aye or nay. There were only three nay votes; the ranchers who scowled at Robinson when he voted for the motion.

"Motion passed," the Kid said, but he didn't sit down. "I have another proposal about this town council." Before he continued, he caught my eyes for support. But I didn't see anything in his eyes but determination. "I propose that we should have at least one lady on this council. After all, as many of them live here as us and they may have their own concerns we should hear."

"Oh, good Lord," Brewster said, standing. "First an audience for these meetings and now a woman on the board? I suppose you want your wife, Curry?" I watched the Kid not Brewster, but he seemed fine, his eyes smiling but his face serious.

"No, I propose Mrs. Beverly Birde to join us," he said.

I tried to judge the feel of the room after that. Most of the men looked to Frank, who was as surprised as the rest of us at the Kid's idea. There was a lot of discussion in the room until Frank stood. "My Beverly would be an excellent choice. Somehow, she always knows everything that goes on around here…and she's opinionated."

Laughing, Fred Birde stood up. "I second the inclusion of my sister-in-law on this town council. I like your ideas, Mr. Curry."

The Kid nodded his head and said, "All in favor say aye." I didn't notice anyone saying nay, but I did notice two of the ranchers didn't vote.

JED 'KID' CURRY

Wasn't plannin' on sayin' anything at this meetin', but it just didn't seem to me to be the kind of council I wanted to have a say in how this town grows. And once I got my way and the meetings were gonna be open, I thought about the ladies of this town. I felt strong that Miss Beverly was approved. She won't be shy about voicin' her opinions I'm sure that Aiden noticed I didn't say anything positive back when Fred Birde said he liked my ideas. But I didn't try and deflect it either. I just nodded. I hope that was enough.

After that was done, I sat down determined to just listen the rest of the meetin'. Heyes took the floor then and announced the openin' of The Trinity Rose Memorial Library on Curry Road a week from Saturday and the room clapped.

"Like to donate some books to that," Gabe Birde said, and a lot of the men agreed.

Aiden told them that they could drop any donated books off at his office and he would take them out to the library. Heyes looked real pleased. Of course, the men here can't know how books became a lifeline for me and him when we were in prison. Puttin' his own books in the library shows how far he has come.

Mr. Kolmand looked at Heyes, sayin', "I know that Miss Duhamel will be very excited to learn about the library." He still looks pale from his through and through shoulder wound. But I know he likes all the extra attention from Miss Duhamel. And that gave me another idea.

When people stopped talkin' about Heyes' library, I stood up again. "I got another proposal."

"What now, Curry? You want a kid on the board too now?" Dan Schenk asked. I was beginnin' to not like this man.

Lookin' at Mr. Kolmand, I wondered if I should propose this, but it wouldn't hurt to try. I ain't afraid of any man here. "Miss Duhamel is an excellent teacher. Heyes' son just graduated her school and two of mine are learnin' lots from her. I propose that when Miss Duhamel marries, she be allowed to stay as our school marm, if she wants to."

Mr. Kolmand turned red. "Haven't even asked her yet."

Mr. Crenshaw had been quiet so far, except for votin' aye on my proposals. He added, "Shame to lose such a good teacher and fine Christian lady as school marm just because she decided to marry. That is, of course, if her husband doesn't mind."

"He doesn't…I mean, I won't," stammered Mr. Kolmand. I'd never seen the lawyer at a loss of words before.

Brewster stood, not quite as certain of himself as he had been. "A married schoolteacher? That's not proper. What will other towns think about that?"

Mr. Crenshaw had stayed standin'. "They'll say that Three Birds is smart for holdin' onto that good teacher. I call for a vote. Who votes that our school marm can be married?" he said. He looked proud of himself. Includin' Mr. Crenshaw in this meetin' was Heyes' idea and a good one.

"The ayes have it. Proposal passes," announced Fred Birde who seemed to be enjoyin' the meetin' now.

Brewster stood up. "Think it's time to decide what to do with that reward money we got from catching Shaw and then his men and the other outlaws."

Everyone was quiet waitin' for him to continue and I just knew I wasn't gonna like what he had to say. His friends, Schenk and Williams, nodded their heads and smiled.

Brewster continued, "I propose we use the money to convince the railroad to build a spur that comes here and then build a stockyard."

Schenk jumped up. "I second that proposal! Fred, Frank, now that your brother Fritz is a state representative, we could get him to push this idea."

Frank stood up and looked around the room until all the chatter had quieted. "Heard you made that same proposal in Bridgeport. And now that they turned down your suggestion to build a stockyard there, you want to build it here and make our small city smell." He glared at the men and kept his temper. I was havin' trouble controllin' mine.

Standin', I waited for Frank to finish talkin' and looked at Heyes for support. He came and stood next to me.

When it was my turn, I spoke quietly but firmly and looked Brewster in the eyes. You can tell a lot from a man's eyes, like when he's gettin' ready to fire his gun and when his wants are gonna push his tongue to keep arguin' when he knows he's lost.

"Me and Heyes worked a lot of long cattle drives, Mr. Brewster. Takin' your beeves to the Denver Union Stockyard Company from your ranch ain't a far ways compared to them. Sure you already employ enough men to do it without takin' on more." He didn't like what I said. I could tell that this was his main reason to be at this meetin'. Just as he was about to speak, I continued, "Nobody here needs or wants a railroad spur in Three Birds. And havin' worked for a railroad, I know they don't want to spend their profits buildin' a spur that ain't gonna make them a lot of money."

"Well, I do," Brewster said defiantly.

"Frank, has that money officially been given to Three Birds Town Council yet?" I asked, ignorin' the rancher.

"It has not. Right now, it is the property of the men that brought down Skylar Shaw and his men and other outlaws," the sheriff answered. He's figured out where I was headin' with this. Heyes had too and he gave me a wink to keep talkin', but I didn't need to because Mr. Kolmand, soundin' like the lawyer he is, continued for me.

"And who are those men, Sheriff Birde?" he asked.

"For Shaw, primarily Heyes and Curry. Sheriff Hollahan, Marshal Josephs, and me are all public employees so won't be claiming any part of it. After Shaw, Dusty Dave, Lowry, Rafferty and Walton Kerr had the biggest rewards. So, let's see. Palmer Robinson killed Dusty Dave, Curry got Lowry, my nephew Jeff got Walton Kerr, and Colonel Pappy Allen, US Marshal Aaron Brothers, and Sheriff Lom Trevors all took down Rafferty. That's more than eighty five percent of the money," Frank answered.

Mr. Kolmand had not taken his seat. "Then I propose that those of these men who are not public employees, if they do indeed decide to donate their rewards to Three Birds, form an executive committee that directs the spendin' of their philanthropic contributions. All in favor, say aye," the lawyer finished.

The room was filled with voices yelling, "Aye!"

"All against, say nay," Kolmand continued. Brewster had given up and sat down, arms crossed across his chest. He refused to vote. Weak nays came from Schenk and Williams.

"The ayes have it," Kolmand said, gettin' the attention of the room with the force of his words. I can see why he's a good lawyer. "The executive committee for monetary distribution will be comprised of Palmer Robinson, Jed Curry, Hannibal Heyes, and Jeff Birde."

I panicked. I didn't want to come here at all. I don't want to be on any special committee. I worked on controllin' my emotions. And I thought I was doin' that until I saw the concern on Heyes' face.

"Kid? You alright?" he whispered. "I know this is not what you expected. Same with me." He put his hand of support on my knee, and I realized I had been tappin' my heel without knowin'.

I took a deep breath and whispered back, "Well, guess I jumped into this meetin' without thinkin' about it. I care about this town. More about its people." I smiled at him. "Can't stop now."

HEYES

I was surprised, pleased, and worried that the Kid had been so outspoken so far in the meeting. I saw his panic when he heard he was on the executive committee. He lent me his strength when I would panic when healing. I tried to do the same for him. I didn't think he was fighting depression right now. He was fighting what Aiden has named the Valpo syndrome. Somewhere inside of him, he connects recognition for his good actions with the harsh punishments he received at Valparaiso. It affects every part of his life, except his skill with a gun. Makes sense, he gained his proficiency with his Colt after we left the Home.

Looking at him fighting within himself, I watched him gain control and thought he was finished doing anything but listening at this meeting. But I knew I was wrong when he told me, "Can't stop now," and stood up.