Winter's Refuge
Chapter Two Hundred Eleven
HEYES
Saturday was quiet until it wasn't. Chrissy slept late and was in a good mood. The mouse traps caught their prey, which Vince and Rocky took care of before any of the kids could see. We adults were proud of our kids defending each other at school, but we tried to keep straight faces and remind them they were in trouble, even with Nettie and Ruth Ann. Arnica was applied to all the bruises with no complaints. All were given extra tasks.
"Are you going to tell our pa?" Michael asked at the dinner table. All eyes looked at me and Chrissy had a twinkle in hers. She knew what I would say.
"Me and your pa don't keep secrets from each other," I said. I silently added 'anymore' and thought of the almost fatal secret the Kid had kept from me and everyone about his mental health. That's in the past now.
"Do you have to? He'll be mad," Martha answered.
"Yes, I have to. He'll be more disappointed than mad," I said, knowing the older twins would prefer he was mad than disappointed.
"If I had been at school today, that would have been a quick fight. Those boys are bullies," Steven announced.
Rocky tensed. "Then it's a good thing you weren't there. Fighting never turns out good."
"And that's not the kind of example we want to give the younger ones, is it?" Stephanie challenged her younger brother.
"No, it's not," Steven agreed reluctantly. "Sorry."
I believed he was sorry, but I think I need to have a talk with the Kid and make sure we keep a tighter watch on Steven. He's quiet and I don't often know what he's thinking.
Right after we finished eating the main course, Auntie asked Stephanie to help her to her home. She didn't cook the meal tonight; Angie did with Stephanie, Martha, and Joy's help. But Auntie always cooks Sunday dinner.
"Please excuse me," Auntie said. I helped her stand up slowly. "The rheumatism in my knees is bad today. And my hands are so stiff I can't even get to my sewing. Going to retire early. Good night, all. Stephanie, would you be a dear and read to me for a bit?" I've been worried about her lately. She tires easily and her vision is getting cloudy. Aiden told us he's doing everything he can for her.
After Stephanie got Auntie settled, she came back and had dessert with us. And listened again to the tale of yesterday's fight.
LOM
When the bank president and his shadowy escort left tonight, we had work to do. With the candles' light hidden on the floor behind the clerk's desk so no light could be seen from outside, the Kid opened the safe. Like the last two nights, we counted the payroll money, and I made a note of all the other money and bearer bounds in the safe. Only tonight we didn't slip the paper money bands back over the notes and return them to the burlap bag. Tonight, we replaced the money with newspaper cut to the size of the bills. We stacked it carefully to the same height, put a real bill on the top and bottom of each stack, then replaced the money bands over each stack, and put them in the burlap bag. We knotted it just as it had been. We returned it to the safe, closed the door, and adjusted the dial to the exact number it had been when we started.
"You ever have a take this big when you were robbing banks, Kid?' I asked.
He gave me a halfway smile, saying, "Lom…"
I nodded. "Silly question. I know you and Heyes got away with some huge robberies in your time. Seeing how easy you can open the safe, I think I need to update the security measures in the Bank of Potterville."
"Heyes will be happy to help you with that, Lom," the Kid answered.
I yawned as the Kid put out all but one candle and headed for the president's office. I sat in the comfortable desk chair while the Kid opened the safe under the desk. I only closed my eyes for a moment, but then I felt the Kid shakin' me.
JED 'KID' CURRY
"Lom, wake up," I whispered, shakin' him. He'd fallen asleep in the desk chair in the bank president's office.
Startled, he looked at me for a second before blinkin' twice. "Sorry, didn't mean to fall asleep. You need any help?"
"Hope your little nap helps you stay awake tonight. It's important," I said, harshly. I didn't mean to be so harsh. "Don't need help. All the payroll money is now locked into the little safe under the desk."
"Good, good," answered Lom, still tryin' to shake the sleep off. I shouldn't have needed to remind him. Tonight we had to be alert. I cleaned up all evidence that we had been in the office and closed the door behind me. Lom went straight to the comfortable customer chairs and flopped into the nearest one. He picked up his canteen and drank some of the cold coffee to help him stay awake.
I checked the main door was locked. The back door had been unlocked every night when we came. I always locked it. Now, I left it locked. I didn't want anyone comin' at us from the side. I kept watch out the front window, hardly movin' the curtain as I'd learned to do when standin' watch while Heyes opened a safe. But this was different. We were the good guys here. The streets of Two Roads Junction were still and dark. Their moon was only a sliver tonight. Still, I focused the best I could on the empty roads.
Lom finished the coffee in his canteen and mine too. He's pacin' now like Heyes does. He's overtired and the coffee has kept him awake but he's jittery. At two thirty we moved the chairs back into place and unlocked the back door. I'm worried about Lom. He has to be calm and alert. We aren't gonna interfere in the robbery unless we think they will shoot the bank president. And the reports we read of the Black Brook Gang, they take the bank manager with them…and shoot or kill them afterwards. And we weren't gonna give them any reason to kill us.
We stood with our back to the clerk's counter, guns drawn when the bank president entered. He was alone tonight and nervous.
"Come by tomorrow and I'll give you your pay," he told us. We put our guns down but not away.
"Thought we got paid tonight," I grumbled as we moved toward the door.
"Aren't you leaving, too?" Lom asked the bank president.
"Ah well, no. I've got some things to do for tomorrow. You'll get paid then." he returned. He looked around expectantly. We heard the handle on the back door try to turn. "That must be the wind," he lied.
Leavin' quickly, I pulled the front door closed in back of us. We pretended to walk toward the hotel, talkin' loudly about how tired we were. Knowin' where to look, I could just see the barrel of Marshal Lyon's gun on the roof across the street. Lom went around to sit on the barrel we had set outside the open window of the water closet. I took my place at the front corner of the bank, where I could look into the window I had looked out of all night. If someone entered or exited the bank, I could melt back into the shadows of the alley.
I stayed in those shadow for twenty minutes until I heard horses. Three men, includin' Brook Evans, looked around the quiet town and went into the bank through the unlocked front door.
Seemed like the robbery was going as planned. Before we left, I had left the window curtain inside pulled back a little, not enough to be noticeable. Now, I watched as the bank president took the burlap sack from the safe and stuffed it into his overcoat.
It worried me a bit that Black Brook didn't take a peek inside. "Those two drifters you hired to satisfy the men who entrusted you with their very generous payroll suspicious?" he asked.
"No, dumb as doornails, both of them. I think the younger one might be pretty good with a gun the way he holds it," the bank president said.
Brook walked into the safe and looked around, pickin' up papers that I knew were bearer bonds. "Taking these," he said.
"Don't do that," the bank president replied.
Brook went further into the safe. I didn't hear his reply, but I could hear the bank president's answer, it was almost a plea, "Please, there's no need to do that."
Brook laughed wildly and growled. "I'll do what I please." But I saw him put the papers back.
LOM
As I sat in the cold outside the water closet window, I waited to hear the arrival of the outlaws. The moon gave a little light and even with my warm coat, the cold made my eyelids heavy but the coffee inside made me jumpy, restless. The wind swirled around me in the alley. Then I heard the heavy front door close and the sound of muted voices inside. I strained to hear what was happening inside. Mostly slurred whispers reached me, so I paid attention to the tone of the words. I heard when the door of the safe scrapped open. And then nothing but what sounded like muttering.
The effects of the coffee were wearing off. I didn't mean to close my eyes, I worked to keep them open, but it was hard as the cold and dark assaulted my eyelids. I took a deep breath and only meant to close my eyes for a minute.
Startled awake, I heard the bank president's voice loud and clear. "Don't do that." That didn't sound good.
Standing up, I drew my gun. Trying to be cautious, I listened carefully for a minute. It's been a long time since I was on a stakeout. For a moment, all seemed quiet. But then the bank president raised his voice and pleaded, "Please there's no need to do that."
Brook Evans must be going to kill him right now. Cautious, I listened for the Kid to make a move but didn't hear him. Worried for the bank president. I moved to the back door of the bank and waited to hear the Kid's signal that he was going in. But I didn't hear it. I also couldn't hear anything from inside the bank from where I stood.
Moving to the back corner of the bank and looking down the alley, I could just barely make out the Kid as a figure looking into the bank window and that was only because of the glow of light coming from inside the bank. He was looking through the window. Reaching down, I felt for a small rock and then rolled it so it would hit the Kid in the foot. He's as fast as he ever was. I didn't even take a breath and he was facing me, gun in his hand.
I couldn't see the expression on his face, but I knew he was not smiling. He firmly waved me back away from the alley using his gun. Everything must be going according to plan. I trust the Kid and his instincts. He can see a little into the window and I know he hears better than me. Still, what I had heard concerned me.
I headed back toward the water closet window when the rear door flew open, knocking me forward onto my face. I rolled to be right next to the building. Two men came running out of the bank and headed away from me toward the livery. They left the door open. I leaned a hand against the wall and got to my feet…or tried to. My right knee would not support my weight. While I was thinking what to do, I heard someone say, "Let's go, Mr. bank president. I left your papers in the safe like you asked." I heard footsteps leave the bank. I leaned as close to the wall as I could. "I said let's go," the outlaw voice offered.
Peaking around the open door, I saw the back of two men, one I'm sure was the bank president, hurrying down the alley. It was not long until horses met them, and they mounted and rode off. They went in the direction of their hideout.
HEYES
Sunday morning Auntie's pain was worse. Just after dawn, she knocked on our bedroom door. "Heyes, could you possibly drive me into town? I know it's Sunday and Dr. Arden is away, but I need to see the young doctor. Maybe he's got something for this pain in my back and knees. It's unbearable, just unbearable!"
Angie was up, quickly tying her robe around her waist. Auntie hadn't bothered to get dressed. "Of course, Heyes will drive you in. Can I make you a cup of tea while you wait for him to get ready?"
Auntie nodded as Stephanie burst into our bedroom. Sighing her relief when she saw Auntie, she said, "Oh Auntie, I was so scared when I woke up and you were gone. Are you feeling alright?"
Angie answered her as she led Auntie to a soft chair in the living room. "Heyes is going to drive her into Three Birds to see Dr. Crehan."
Stephanie looked at Auntie. "I told you all day yesterday you should go to the doctor. I'm going, too."
"There's no need, darling," Auntie said so weakly that it increased my worry.
"Of course I'm going. I'm going to get dressed and I'll bring back a dress for you, Auntie," Stephanie answered firmly. Then she turned to me. "Don't leave without me."
ASJ*ASJ
Miss Denise answered my knock on the doctor's office door. "Heyes?"
I took off my hat and asked, "Miss Denise, Auntie… er, Mrs. Clark is in a lot of pain. Would Dr. Crehan see her?"
Opening the door wide, she answered, "Of course. Bring her in while I get the doctor."
Stephanie insisted on staying with Auntie in the exam room. I was glad she had come.
"Mr. Heyes, why don't you go for a walk while I examine this lovely lady," Dr. Crehan said, and I realized I was being told politely to leave.
Three Birds is quiet on Sunday morning. Even the saloon is closed until the afternoon. Smiling at how much this town has grown in the last few years, I think me and the Kid have helped with that growth. I sat on a bench down the street from the doctor's office and watched families in their Sunday best arrive at church. Father Patrick had stationed himself in front of the steps and welcomed each one. Since his stint working in the Wyoming Territorial Prison proved to him that his calling was here not there, he's found a peace working with his Three Birds flock.
My bench happened to be in front of the apothecary…and it was a good thing that I chose to sit there. A scream from inside the store disturbed the quiet of the morning.
"Please help me!" I heard Miss Daisy scream…it was a scream that I recognized from Chrissy and Angie. I knew a baby was coming.
The front door was unlocked. Miss Daisy was on her knees holding onto the seat of a chair with one hand and her belly with the other. "Mr. Heyes, help, the baby's coming!" she pleaded.
Helping Miss Daisy to her bed, I asked, "Where's your husband?"
"Denver." She closed her eyes in pain before continuing, "Won't be back for three days."
"You just stay right there, and I'll get Dr. Crehan," I told her as I ran for the door.
"NO!" she yelled. "Take me there…please."
"You sure you want to walk there in your… er …condition?" I asked.
"Indians believe walking good when baby coming," she answered. She leaned heavily on me. We were almost there when a pain hit her. She grabbed me and I supported her while she bent over in pain. Trying to control her scream, only a painful groan escaped.
As I opened the door to the doctor's office I called out, "I need help here. Well, actually, Miss Daisy needs your help right now. Her baby is coming. I found her doubled over on the floor," I said.
Miss Denise helped me get Miss Daisy into the far exam room. Rather than cots, it had two beds. It's the same room Martha and Michael were in when the dog bit them.
"Miss Daisy, sit on the side of the bed while I get the doctor. Heyes, get her a glass of cold water," Miss Denise said, taking charge. Before she left the room, she turned back to Miss Daisy. "Everything will be fine, dear. Try to rest between the pains. You'll need all your strength."
Passing Dr. Crehan in the hall, he said, "It's a good thing you brought Stephanie. I gave Mrs. Clark pain medicine and she'll stay with her while I deliver Mrs. Maday's baby."
I took a drink from the glass of water I was holding. "Doctor, would you happen to know where in Denver that conference is that her husband is attending? I'll send him a telegram," I said. I was pacing. I needed something to do.
Miss Denise overheard. "I have it written down on my desk. I'll get it for you." She smiled. "Was that the water in your hand for Miss Daisy?"
ASJ*ASJ
Doctor Crehan said he wanted to keep Auntie overnight and Stephanie refused to leave her. "I'm not a nurse but I can read to her and get her water and such since Mrs. Arden is helping deliver the baby, I can watch her kids, Ajay and Joyce. Maybe someone can come back and get me later?" Stephanie asked.
"I'm sure Auntie and Mrs. Arden would appreciate that," I answered. I'm worried that the doctor wants Auntie to stay here.
"Miss Denise." I knocked on the exam room door to tell Miss Denise I was leaving and thank the doctor for seeing Auntie on a Sunday when I heard Miss Daisy scream again…but right after that I heard another different scream.
"Mr. Heyes, get in here," Dr. Crehan yelled.
I panicked when I went in. Miss Denise was bent over in pain like Miss Daisy had been when I found her. "I've been having the pains for a couple of hours, but I thought they were the fake ones like I had with Ajay and Joyce," she said.
"Heyes, I can't stop with Miss Daisy right now. I'm attempting to turn the baby as it is breech. Please help Miss Denise to sit on the other bed there. Can Stephanie help me in here?" Dr. Crehan spoke quickly without taking his eyes off of Miss Daisy.
When I got Miss Denise to the other bed, she grabbed my arm. "Stephanie knows nothing about delivering babies. Find Beverly Birde. Ask if she will help." She took a deep breath. "And Heyes, water for Miss Daisy and me, please."
I found Miss Beverly in church. She and Frank still sit in the back row of pews. Father Patrick was praying in Latin, and I didn't want to say anything out loud, so I tapped Miss Beverly on her shoulder. She jumped and turned with a mad look on her face. "Heyes, what are you doing?" she whispered loud enough that the people around her and the pew in front of her looked at us.
I took a deep breath. I'm doing the right thing I told myself. "Dr Crehan needs you."
She didn't ask for an explanation, just stood up and stepped over the others sitting next to her to the side aisle. When we were outside, she said in a tone she's used to discipline her son, Junior, "Heyes, this better be important!"
Even though we were outside, I whispered, "Both Miss Daisy's and Miss Denise's babies are coming. Dr. Crehan wants to know if you can help."
"Are they in the doctor's office?" she said, already walking briskly in that direction.
"Yes, ma'am," I answered. "Ma'am?"
"Yes"
"What's breech?" I asked as we hurried down the street.
"Oh, good Lord. Is one of the babies breech? It means the baby is coming out feet first. It's very exhausting and fatiguing for the mother," Miss Beverly answered as I opened the office door for her. She unpinned her hat and sat it on Miss Denise's desk and went to join the doctor.
Stephanie came out soon after. "I'm going to still stay with Auntie and the children. Dr. Crehan wants coffee. Do you know how to make it?" she asked.
I didn't make the coffee as strong as I used to. I poured cups for the doctor and Miss Beverly and put them and two glasses of water on a tray. When I knocked on the door to give them their coffee, I told Miss Beverly that I was going to go and check if Maday had answered his telegram.
"Better send one to Aiden, too. I believe he's staying at his father's house," she told me, always efficient.
Whenever babies are being born, I pray. Not that the Lord would listen to me after all the commandments I've broken, but maybe He would hear that the prayer was for innocent newborns. And I always think about Susan Trevors and Trinity Rose.
And for the next few hours I paced in the doctor's waiting room and then up and down the street. On a quick break, Crehan told me they were both going to be difficult deliveries and thanked me for my help. Pacing keeps me calm. Miss Denise and Miss Daisy are two ladies I've come to respect. I value their friendship. And, of course, my mind turns to Chrissy who is nearing her time too and I add her to my prayers. I pace quicker and stick my head in just long enough to see if the doctor needs anything.
"Mr. Heyes!"
I turned at the sound of the voice to see Vince, riding Summer's Gold racing down the main street. "Vince?" I said, as he jumped off the mare in front of the doctor's office. I could see something was wrong. Someone at Phoenix was hurt.
"Mr. Heyes, I came for Dr. Crehan. Mrs. Curry… she's having the baby and Miss Angie sent me for him," Vince answered.
Panic filled me. The doctor was busy with two difficult births. He couldn't leave. I lost my words as Vince ran past me into the office. I followed him in and heard Dr. Crehan say, "Is Miss Chrissy in any undue distress?"
I've never seen Vince upset before. He's as level headed and steady a ranch hand as you could want. "She's having a baby and screaming!" he yelled back at the doctor.
"All women scream when giving birth. I assume Mrs. Heyes is with her. Did she tell you anything was wrong about the birth?" the doctor pushed.
Vince thought for a moment. "She told me the water broke. That didn't make no sense to me. And to ride and bring the doctor back quickly."
Miss Denise screamed from the back room and Miss Beverly appeared. "Doctor, you're needed in here."
From the back room, Miss Beverly heard some of the conversation. "Miss Chrissy is delivering too?" She smiled when Vince nodded and said reassuringly, "If it's a normal birth, one of the ladies out at Phoenix; Mrs. Clark or Mrs. Heyes can help. What a time for my niece Hortencia to be out of town visiting." She turned to me. "Heyes, you two go home and as soon as the doctor is available, I will drive him in my buggy out there. That way he can rest on the journey."
"But Auntie is here…" I started.
"Heyes, go home. Leave. Go help take care of Chrissy!" Miss Beverly said firmly and turned abruptly and went to be with Miss Denise.