Winter's Refuge
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One
HEYES
"Kid, an article of what happened in Three Birds is going to be in Mike's paper in two days."
"That's the extra thing you gave him when he finished, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, but I left out anything about Chrissy," I told him. He gave me one of those smiles that tell me everything's good. But he went to his bed, and sat there, back against the headboard. Clouds passed through his eyes.
"Heyes, been meanin' to talk to you about somethin'." He hesitated.
"Good a time as any. We have privacy and nothing to do. We rarely have that at Phoenix." I tried to make a joke while stating the obvious, but it fell flat, so I added, "Like why you're calling everyone 'sir' again?"
"I was lyin' to myself before thinkin' I was equal to others. And there ain't much I'm good to do anymore," he lamented. "You're doing a lot of what I used to do. Aren't even allowed to work in the blacksmith shop for more than four hours. Even Chrissy goes to you for help and protection. And she was right, too. You did a good job…better than I could have done. I feel like I'm stuck, and life is goin' on all around me. I'm not needed."
"No, Kid, you're wrong. You're needed. You're the one that brought us all together."
"I did, but everything works without me now."
He was serious so I needed to say something that wasn't just a platitude. I went and sat on the bottom of the bed. "No, Kid. We're just trying to keep it all running until you come back. You, Jedediah Curry, are the head of this family. The head of Phoenix. Without you, everything would fall apart."
He took a deep breath and looked past me to the door. "Heyes, Chrissy turned away from me in bed. Didn't even want me to touch her." The sadness of his tone was echoed in the slump of his shoulders. Silently, he looked out the window, but I don't think he was seeing anything. I recognize depression; I still fight against it sometimes. But the Kid, even with everything life's thrown at him, he's always been the optimistic one.
"What do you think of changin' the kids' last name?" he asked.
"What?"
"Changin' their last name. I don't want what we've done in the past, what I've done, to ruin their lives."
"Why would it? What would make you say that?" But I knew he was thinking of Mrs. Robinson's comments about Sam.
"Face it, Partner, we did a real good job of bein' outlaws. Made Heyes and Curry names everyone knows and fears. I don't want to pass that along. Was thinkin' McNamara, my ma's name before she married my pa."
I wasn't expecting this, and my words failed me. So, I was forced to stay silent. I can't stand that the Kid is accepting desperation. He's the one with the courage to fight, the courage and strength to survive prison and come out whole, the strength and kindness to take strangers and make them family. How can I make him understand that I still need not just his strength, I need him. We'll always be partners. And I want to learn his kindness and openness to people. I trust few people outside of this family, my sanctuary he built. So, I said just all that.
"That's nice, Heyes. And we'll always be partners, but I think all of you would be better if I leave and take my name and reputation with me."
I grabbed his arms. In my mind I was yelling, No! No! No! but the words weren't coming out. I held him tight until he looked into my eyes.
"Heyes, you know I'm right."
"No!" and this time the scream came out. I opened my mouth to speak, but my fear kept my other words stuck in my mind. All I could do was squeeze his arm tighter.
He stopped talking and looked hard at me. "Listen, Heyes, I'm still an outlaw…and a convict…can't deny either one. Tried to get others to forget my past - do good, work hard, be a good husband, father, neighbor. But it didn't change. Nothin' changed except I now understand that I ain't none of those things. I'm a no-account outlaw, a gunnie and convict and I'll never be anything else."
I shook my head hard, desperate to stop his train of thought. "N…n…no!" I got out.
"My ma would be so disappointed in me, Heyes. She always said I was her good boy. Failed her, too."
I did what I had done when he visited me in prison. I turned my back on him and found some of my words." Kid, you're wrong. Wrong about everythin'. You are needed; you're respected in our community."
"Heyes…"
I tried again. "Chrissy, Michael, Martha, Joy, and Ruth Ann, you've a beautiful family that loves and depends upon you."
"I understand why she went to you instead of me about Yates, but she turned away from me in bed. And the Curry name, well, it ain't somethin' to be proud to carry."
I wanted to turn around and look at him but knew my words would go away. Wasn't sure what he meant about understanding why Chrissy came to me. I don't like confrontation anymore. It makes me anxious, nervous, especially with Kid. I want to escape to Soltera but it seems like a dream now, not somewhere to hide. "You've made Curry a proud name. Even Mr. Palmer Robinson said that."
I heard him sigh but he said nothing.
"Chrissy needs you. You saw how she relapsed when you were sick."
He was silent so I continued. I have to get through to him.
"And Kid, I need you, Partner."
"Heyes, you're doin' so good. I'm proud of you, Partner. You're your old self. Look at the Hannibal Heyes' plans that solved Mr. Robinson's and Chrissy's problems. And you've got Angie to lean on and you're goin' be a pa."
I was finding it hard to breathe. Overwhelmed, I found myself holding back frightened tears. I don't cry. Hannibal Heyes doesn't cry. But my whole new world was held together by Kid. And I have to convince him of that truth.
"Kid, you can't leave. You can't take your life."
He touched me on the shoulder. I looked at him without turning around completely. "Cousin, I ain't thinkin' of killin' myself. Just leavin' and findin' a place somewhere where my reputation and convict life don't follow me."
I turned around. I need to see his eyes. They were tired and sad. I need to remind him of the good in his life. "K…K…Kid, w…wait." I closed my eyes. I gathered my thoughts and spoke. "Kid, this is just a reaction to not being well yet. Please wait to do anything. Let me…please let me help you see all the good you have built and how much you are needed. I know I've asked a lot of you in the last year, but just this one more thing."
Resignation was in his nod. "Alright, Heyes, I'll not make any further plans. Now I need to sleep. I haven't had this much activity in one day in a long time." He tapped my shoulder warmly and just before he fell asleep, he whispered, "Maybe you're right, Heyes. You usually are."
JED 'KID' CURRY
I woke feelin' some better with Heyes sittin' in the window chair, book in his hands but watchin' me. Rememberin' my confessions of the night before, I figured he'd stay close to me. That's easy today; we have another busy day. We ate on the run as we waited for the train to Bridgeport. I was surprised Chadwick met us there to say his goodbyes and to send his best wishes to Mrs. Curry. On the train ride things were reversed. Heyes slept and I read. Books were my solace in prison, but I have little time for them lately except for stories to my kids.
Lom had sent me most fiction books but now I'm readin' a nonfiction book Heyes bought to read, Ulysses S Grant's Personal Memoirs. I like the way he writes, I can understand his thoughts. He faced challenges in his life, too…and writes about how he got through them. Lost in the book, the train ride passed quickly.
Mike and little Mikey met us on the platform. The boy reached for me to pick him up and yelled, "Unc Kid" so loud everyone turned and looked. I hugged him tight.
"Jed, got something I want to talk to you about while you're here. It's important," Mike said as we entered his newspaper office.
"Down!" Mikey announced. I watched him run to his backroom to play as soon as I put him down. He's a happy, joyful toddler and never fails to make me smile.
"Sure, Mike. Like some cold water and then we can discuss what's on your mind," I told him. Heyes didn't speak but he's still watchin' me closely.
As we sat at the table, Mike looked nervous. "Jed, I had papers drawn up today regarding Mikey."
"Me and Chrissy signed the adoption papers long time ago. Easy decision. What's wrong?"
"Not that. In case anything happens to me, I've named you and your wife as his guardians. Can't think of anyone better to raise and be a role model for my son. You're the best man I've ever known. Just need you to sign your name."
"Papa, look!" Mikey almost screamed the words and Mike ran to the back room.
When we were alone, Heyes touched my arm. "K…K…Kid good m…man," he said with a smile. I'd been so in my own thoughts today, I forgot Heyes was havin' trouble with his words.
"You ask Mike to do something like this, Partner?" I asked with a grin. Didn't really think he'd had time to send a telegram this mornin'.
Heyes shook his head, grinned back and pointed at the papers. He closed his eyes and kept them closed as he answered with no stutter, "Mike knows Kid good man."
I signed the papers before Mike returned, trailed by Mikey. The boy reached up and I pulled him into my lap. He laid his head on my shoulder, grabbed my curls in his hand and dropped to sleep.
Pattin' his son gently on his back, Mike smiled. "He was so excited to see you again today he didn't sleep much last night."
ASJ*****ASJ
Fall's Bells and Fall's Glory trotted in step as we left Bridgeport, as eager to get back to Phoenix as we were.
"K…Kid," Heyes started. I felt guilty because I know that his troubled speech was because I had finally shared what has been goin' on in my mind.
"How can I help you, Partner?"
He rolled his eyes up and looked at the clouds. "Q…ques…questions."
Did he have questions for me or does he want me to make up questions for him? I decided that I preferred the second choice. "Okay, tell me what shapes you see in them clouds."
I guessed right. This was a game we had used for him to get his words back before He studied the sky again before pointin'. "That Notjoe jumping. And that's a fat cow."
"Good job, Heyes, not a stutter there. What kind of trees and flowers do you see?"
He named three. Then I tried a slightly more emotional question. "You hopin' for a boy or a girl?"
I could see him thinkin', finally he said, "Healthy…healthy baby."
Smilin', I said, "Your words seem just fine now. And I heard what you said last night…and I'll try if you'll help me."
HEYES
Kid's confession scared me…he needs to see his worth. I was so afraid that my words wouldn't make it from my brain to my tongue. He's promised to try and let me help him. That's a start. And Mike Loveland's words were a good first step; I could see it in Kid's face.
When we got to Phoenix, we had another surprise that I hope helped him feel his worth. Sam's boss, Mr. Kolmand Esq, was giving him a ride home. Sam has been a changed boy, for the better, since he started working there.
"Heyes, Uncle Jed, I know you're just getting home, but can we talk for a moment," Sam asked as we all dismounted at the house. Juan was there to take the horses. Chrissy had been rocking on the porch holding the baby and talking to my Angie. She's going to figure the Kid told me about her fast heartbeat. When she stood to kiss me hello, she whispered, "Dr. Arden says I'm fine." I hugged her tight and winked at Kid over her shoulder.
"Ahh, I believe Sam and I would like to discuss something with all of you." Mr. Kolmand seemed awkward with all the family greetings.
When we were settled at the kitchen table, I could tell Sam was excited about this. "Two things, Ma, Heyes. First, Miss Duhamel told me I'm going to be done with the curriculum there soon and doing really well."
Angie let tears sneak out of her eyes. "Oh, Sammy, I'm so proud of you!"
"Totally agree," I added. Sam didn't say anything, but his eyes shone with her words.
Mr. Kolmand stood up, then sat back down at puzzled looks from us. "That said, I would like the boy to read law with me for the remainder of the school term. And then propose that he attend my alma mater, the esteemed University of Pennsylvania. I think he has the intelligence to earn a scholarship there with my sponsorship."
Angie grabbed my arm. I knew she didn't want him so far away, but I also saw the spark in Sam's eyes. So, I suggested a compromise.
"Sam is so young, and his ma is with child. I support your idea but would like to delay it one year. He could continue to read law with you in that year and be even better prepared," I proposed.
I saw a flash of disappointment on Sam's face quickly replaced with the realization that we were going to let him go, just a year later.
"And Sam, don't need your scholarship; we'll find the money to pay for his schoolin'," the Kid added. I nodded my agreement.
"Ah, Mr. Curry, the scholarship is not only monetary but an honor and recognition of his preparation and acceptance into the school. I would advise not to refuse it."
After whispering to Angie, I thanked the lawyer, "Thank you, sir. His ma and me agree that this is a great opportunity for Sam and give our approval."
Jumping from his chair, Sam hugged us both and gave his ma a peck on the check.
After he sat down, he said, "There's one more thing." He looked nervous, his eyes darting from me to the Kid. We both waited for him to tell us more.
"No disrespect meant to you, Heyes, in this. I want to legally change my name to Samuel Curry. Doubleday ain't a name I'm proud of."
"Curry?" I asked.
"Yes, sir. I don't mean any disrespect here. Heyes is a fine name. But I must admit Kid Curry in the dime novels was always a hero to me. But when I got here and met Uncle Jed and found out what he's made of himself, I was so impressed. Everyone in this town has a story of how he helped them or befriended them or what he's done for Three Birds and, well, just everyone he's met. He's such a good man that I'd be real proud to carry the Curry name when I leave for law school."
Looking at me, the shocked Kid didn't know what to say. With a look at Angie, I knew her feelings. "We have no problem with you changing your name when you leave for school, if it's alright with you, Kid."
The Kid stood out and extended his hand to Sam. "Be proud for you to carry my name, if that's what you still want a year from now." After they shook hands, the Kid enveloped him in one of his bear hugs. No one heard what he whispered into Sam's ear, but they were both smiling broadly after.
LOM
I put my resignation letter in an envelope and sealed it. I'll deliver it in the morning. Looking around the cabin, I saw the mess I had been living with. Empty whiskey bottles were everywhere, the two full ones I brought home today were on the kitchen table. I put all the empties in the trash and washed the dishes that were in the sink and on the table and on my nightstand. I used to keep this place spotless. The letter is now the only thing on the table and it's daring me to turn it in. Tonight, I didn't drink anymore, just sat at the table, and looked at the envelope until I put my arms on the table, leaned forward and let sleep take me.
A banging on my door woke me.
"Yeah, just a minute. I'm coming."
It was the boy who works in the telegraph office. "Pa sent me here with a telegram and to tell you there's some writer fellow asking for you. Name's Sletten. He's staying at the hotel."
As I dug in my pocket for a tip, I answered, "Thanks. I'll be in town directly."
The boy studied me for a minute and sniffed. I realized he was trying to tell if I was drunk. A fleeting thought of Wayne in ten years delivering telegrams after school flashed through my mind and I smiled.
"Also told me to tell you there's someone in the saloon looks like trouble."
"This early?"
"Sir, it's two in the afternoon."
When he ran off, I read the telegram. Preacher once again will be allowed visitors in three months. It asked me to let them know if I was coming. Aiden is coming before then. I'll ask him to come with me.
JED 'KID' CURRY
Ever since we got Matt's sentence amended to twenty years with possibility of parole in twelve, Chrissy kept askin' to go visit him. In his letters, he said he's enjoying Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and he loves the cake and candy. He's stopped fightin' and become a model prisoner. Maybe too model. He wrote he had become a trustee, unusual for someone so early in his prison time. He stopped another prisoner from stabbin' a guard in the back with a homemade shiv, badly cuttin' his hand and arm in the process.
So, me and Chrissy visited three weeks after his hearin'. Instead of bein' escorted to the visitin' area, we were escorted to Dr. Oliver Arden's office. This room brought up emotions both good and bad with me, but I tried to keep both off of my face as Chrissy clung to me. This place affects her just like it does me, the walls seem to be clammy and closin' in on me. Fear needs to be conquered to put one foot in front of the other and not go runnin' out the front door. I need to stay strong for my wife.
"I got you, darlin'," I told her, puttin' my arm around her waist. She held my arm so tight it hurt but I'd never tell her that. I knew the memories of her prison time closed in on her every time we came here. But she told me each time we needed to see Matt.
The guard knocked on the door. Dr. Oliver Arden immediately opened it. "Miss Chrissy, are you okay," he asked, leadin' her to the chair in front of his desk. "Are you comfortable?" I had to smile at his care.
"Water?" she asked, and he hurried to the pitcher on his sideboard and poured some for her. "Matt?"
Dr. Arden smiled. "He's fine, ma'am."
Unexpectedly, the office back door opened and Warden Mays entered. Chrissy jumped up and grabbed me at the sudden entrance.
"Didn't mean to startle you, ma'am. Just wanted to let you know that your brother's hand was injured saving one of my guards from getting stabbed in the back with a shiv. To show my appreciation, he can visit with you here unshackled under Dr. Arden's supervision. Since his revised sentence, he has broken up two other prisoner fights. He has been made a trustee and assigned to the stables."
I think both Chrissy and I must have looked shocked and concerned, but she managed a "Thank you, sir," without lookin' at him.
I held out my hand. "Thanks for lettin' us know, Warden." I forced a smile and made eye contact. He doesn't like to shake hands with convicts, even ex-convicts, even ones like me that have helped him in the past. Especially one that refuses to call him sir.
He shook my hand quickly, said, "He earned it," and left just as suddenly as he came.
Dr. Arden had noticed our reaction as he helped Chrissy back into the chair.
"Jed?"
"Dr. Arden, glad Matt saved the guard, but the warden has set him up as a target for the other prisoners," I answered, quietly in case the warden was listenin' at the back door. The doctor saw me lookin' and, without warnin', pulled the door open. The hall was empty.
Chrissy was cryin'. "Not good warden gives favors in prison. No attention good. Chrissy ask you, watch Matt, please, doctor."
Her fear of this place always affected her speech but with this news it got worse. I can't resist when her green eyes fill with tears, neither could he. "I'll do my best," he told her.
When a knock came at the front door, a guard opened it without waitin' for an answer. Matt entered without the shackles we usually saw on him. His left hand was bandaged to his elbow. As soon as the door closed, she ran into his arms with a hug and tears.
He had caught her with a sad smile and hugged her close. They sat holdin' hands in side-by-side chairs as he told us what happened. He didn't have time to think, just react when he saw the shiv. He would do it again.
I wandered over and looked out my window at the horizon, never look down out this window. Down at the prison yard is my past. The horizon is our future.
When he finished talkin', turnin' around, I asked, "You like workin' with the horses?"
I saw a spark of life in his eyes as he lifted them to me. "Comfortable, sir. It's all I've known growing up at Winter's Refuge."
"It's Jed, not sir," I said too harshly that made him look down again.
Chrissy lifted his chin so their eyes met. "Matt need anything from Chrissy and Jed?"
She looked at Dr. Arden. "Box?"
"Just a minute," he said, leavin' the room through the backdoor toward his private office. He winked as he closed it behind him, and I knew he had done this on purpose to give us some time alone.
Matt was about to answer Chrissy's question, but I strode across the room. "Be careful, Matt. The warden told us what happened. He thought he was doin' good but he made you a target," I warned firmly. "If you need help, ask Dr. Arden."
"Yeah, got a lot of prisoner eyes on me now and none of them friendly. Still would have done the same thing."
There was a cough out the back door to warn us before Aiden entered with the box we had brought and set it on his desk.
Matt took hold of Chrissy's hand again. "Don't need nothin' much but the food boxes you send." He looked at me. "And some books."
"Learned to appreciate books when I was in prison," I answered.
Matt went to the desk and opened the box. Chrissy and Auntie always debated what to include. He reached in and took up a small, wrapped square.
"Cake?" he asked Chrissy.
"Chocolate cake, you like?"
He unwrapped it and devoured it in three big bites as if someone was gonna grab it away from him.
He smiled at her with crumbs still on his teeth. He and Chrissy have the same warm smile when they're happy. "I like."
Too soon, the guards knocked on the front door and entered with shackles.
"Do that in the hall," Dr. Oliver ordered in a firm voice I was not used to hearin' from him.
Matt hugged Chrissy and held out his hand to me. "Jed."
I didn't take his hand. I wrapped him in a bear hug like I gave Heyes in this same room. I could have come to love this man with his gentle spirit as a brother if things had been different.
He hugged me back, then looked down and followed the guards out the door.
HEYES
One month later…
There's been lots of excitement in Three Birds. Felix (Fritz) Birde is running for state representative. He's started campaigning now even though the election isn't for at least five months. Says he needs to talk to people all over the great state of Nebraska, so they know his face and where he stands on the issues. There are posters that say Vote Birde all over town. And I saw them in Bridgeport, too.
We've had success with all the mares that have visited here. They are coming from far away now. William Knight is the guest chef at a place called The Harvey House for two months. It's built at a railroad stop so people from all over eat there and he's been bragging to everyone that will listen about our ranch and the foals that are produced. We've got bookings for next year already. And most of the owners and foremen want to shake hands with me and the Kid.
And now we have three pregnant ladies at Phoenix. My Angie's wearing Chrissy's pregnancy dresses. I get more nervous and concerned with each day and I can't keep my emotions hidden like I used to. I know I'm driving the Kid nuts talking about what happened to Lom's wife. I'll never mention it in front of Angie or the other ladies, although we all know about it.
Well, Hortencia is gonna make Juan a pa for the second time. He's worried about his ma's health. His brother, Paul, writes often with news of Winter's Refuge. Rudy came home from college during summer break, and he brought with him his bride. Paul's letters said Marina spotted the ring right away and hugged the surprised young lady. Domenica Fischer Ortiz. The young and older women got along right away, although Marina seemed intimated as Dommie was studying to become a nurse. Paul thinks she might be with child, but he doesn't know much about those things.
Surprised us all but before Winny came, Ken and Mary went to visit his brother, Karl, in Cheyenne and came back married. Mary's pregnant, too. Winny and Ken have grown close. They spend hours talking about the intricacies of making shoes and boots. Their first efforts produced beautiful brown low boots that Chrissy loves. Me and the Kid agreed it's a good idea to build a shop for Ken across from the blacksmith shop on Curry Road. But closer to the main road so the heat from the forge won't be felt there.
JED 'KID' CURRY
Last night in bed, Chrissy said I'm gonna be a pa again. I'm happy but I'm worried about her. She's had two back-to-back pregnancies. Aiden's comin' this week to check on the other ladies. I'm gonna make sure Chrissy follows all of his instructions.
I'm doin' as I promised Heyes and he's helpin' me see things more positively. I guess I'm seein' things differently, but I don't really believe all the nice things Heyes has people tell me. But I pretend I do and that makes him smile. I do see how my family loves me and I love them twice as much. I'm workin' full time again and practicin' shootin' every mornin'. Sometimes Heyes, sometimes Michael, more often Martha, and almost every day Ken joins me. He's almost as frustrated as I am. Before he was hurt protectin' me, he was a top shot among the US Marshals. Now he still struggles to walk unaided. Like me, he practices shootin' to be able to protect his family. Standin' side by side, we shoot in silence. He doesn't draw, just aims and pulls the trigger. His accuracy is near one hundred percent…as is mine. And my draw has progressively gotten faster. This mornin' Heyes joined us.
"Kid, wow, you've almost regained all your speed," Heyes said, meanin' it as praise, but I didn't take it that way.
"It's the almost that I'm worried about." And I'm sure both of our thoughts went to that last gunman paid to kill me.
ASJ*****ASJ
Mr. Dwyer, the undertaker, now comes to dinner every Sunday night. To be nice, one day when she was shoppin' in Three Birds, Auntie asked him to Sunday dinner. He came and then kept comin' every Sunday at two. We tend to acquire people like that. Auntie came to Lom's sister Lily's funeral and never left. We built her a small one-bedroom cottage in back of our house after about a year, so she had some privacy. She's slowed down some since she had the flu. We all adore her. She's family. Her cookin' is amazin' and don't know how we'd raise our kids without her. She feels sorry because Mr. Dwyer lives alone and only sees dead bodies and mournin' people all week. He keeps repeatin' the story of how Elias Yates' partner, Violet Abernathy, was captured in his funeral parlor. Not much else excitin' has ever happened there. He's lonely and talks all dinner.
This Sunday he arrived with a telegram.
"Brought this out for you, Mr. Curry," he said as he passed by me and headed to the dinner table. "Smells great as usual, Mrs. Clark."
The telegram was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Jedediah Curry…and it was from The Wyoming Territorial Prison. As my family gathered around the Sunday dinner table, I stepped outside to read it. It was from Dr. Oliver Arden. Despite all his protests, he still worked at the prison like his brother had before him. He visits often for Sunday dinner, especially now that Denise is pregnant and is lookin' forward to bein' Uncle Oliver.
I read the telegram. Took a deep breath and read it again tryin' to get more information out of the few words.
Jed and Miss Chrissy,
Matt attacked. STOP Injuries severe.
Oliver.
So now here we were less than three weeks later back at the prison again. This time was different. This time Matt was hurt. Dr. Oliver wouldn't have sent the telegram unless it was bad.
I trembled as I knocked on the prison front entrance, waitin' to walk into the darkness behind it.
"Mr. and Mrs. Jedediah Curry," I told the guard.
He looked at his approved guest list. "Jedediah and Christina Curry," the guard answered. They always did this, used our first names. I felt it disrespectful. That's probably why they do it. "Follow me."
Chrissy had been sick on the buggy ride from the train to here and still looked pale. She had a strong grip on my arm. The guard took a path unfamiliar to her, but I'd been this way before. It led to the infirmary. The doctor met us at the door and told the guard to wait for us there.
"Dr. Oliver, what happened?" I asked.
Chrissy had spotted Matt in the far bed and was already rushin' to him. I saw her almost collapse into the chair next to the bed as she ever so gently picked up his hand.
"Near as we can tell, he was attacked by three prisoners as he sat down to eat dinner last night."
I had reached Chrissy and knelt next to her chair just as Matt's eyes opened. "Chrissy," he smiled.
Dr. Arden was immediately on his other side. "How are you feeling?" He felt his temple for fever and started to listen to his heart with his stethoscope.
"Matt very hot," Chrissy told him.
"He's awake?" I noticed the ever-present infirmary guard was next to Arden. "I got some questions," he demanded.
Matt turned his eyes from Chrissy to the guard. He looked too weak to turn his head.
I knew this guard, Senior Guard Mays, from the Arizona prisoner railroad camp. We weren't friends but we weren't on opposite sides either.
Matt didn't wait for the question. His voice was light and breathless. "Sitting down to eat…" he gasped for a breath. His eyes flicked to Chrissy then me and back to her. Chrissy was pregnant again but under her wide skirt it was just barely noticeable. But he watched her hand on her belly as she started cryin' again and realization hit him. "You with child?" he panted.
He asked her but his eyes found me. "Why'd you bring her here if she's…"
"You ever try to stop her from doin' anything?"
"Shouldn't be here in her condition," he scolded me before returnin' his eyes to Mays. "Three men… shivs made of arrowheads attacked me. Called me snitch…guard lover." His breath seemed to be gone and he closed his eyes.
"Matty, open eyes now," Chrissy told him and he did.
"Arrowheads?" The guard's questionin' voice seemed to me to carry an acquisition.
Eyes closed, Matt gave a sad grin and took a deep breath. "Guess I'm snitching again. Prisoners digging up new land behind the warden's house for his wife's flower garden found buried arrowheads."
"How do you know?"
"This prison is my home. Everyone knows." Matt turned to Chrissy. "You have ma's eyes. Your kids have them, too?"
There wasn't time for an answer. Matt closed his eyes and fell into a troubled sleep.
Dr. Arden, with Chrissy's help, forced him to drink strong pain medicine. He waved me and Mays away.
"Mays, you want some advice?" I asked him quietly.
"Heard how well you've done for yourself, Curry. I know my brother asked you some questions when he became warden."
"Didn't listen to most of the answers, though."
"Maybe I'll listen."
"Tell the warden to spread the news that every prisoner, every cell, every workroom, every corner of this place will be searched for the weapon. His first instinct will be lashes for everyone. That won't do anything except cause a bigger divide between the men and the guards. Start the search with every available man at the same time, bring in off duty guards if you can. Bettin' the arrowheads will be found in some common place. Keep searchin' if you find a few. You'll have them all by nightfall."
"But not who had them."
"You know the men that were assigned to dig up that garden, don't you?"
"Lashes for them."
"If you have to. Lashes don't change men's attitudes except to make them darker."
"I'll let the warden know this is how we'll handle this….sir." He held out his hand to me.
I looked at it before shakin' it. "One more thing. Watch out for Matt."
"McWinters doesn't seem the type to ride with an outlaw gang."
"Not like me, you mean?"
He laughed quietly. "Curry, I've seen you in action. You're driven and men follow you instinctively. Even I listened some to you. I know how you were successful in leading the most successful outlaw gang ever seen in these parts."
I just nodded. Chrissy was lookin' at me. Tears gone, replaced by a concerned look. But I knew the look in her eyes, and she needed me.
Dr. Oliver spoke when I approached the bed. "He's turned the corner. Think having you here made the difference. Going to have to ask you to leave now, though."
Mays had followed me over.
"Jed, Chrissy sick!" she said, lookin' around urgently. The doctor understood and rushed her behind a screen to what I knew was the operatin' room. I heard the mornin' sickness hit her almost immediately.
Mays hit me in the back. I recoiled and I could see he understood what he had done. He didn't apologize. Guards don't apologize. Instead, he said, "You goin' to be a pa, Curry? You'll be a good one."
"Yeah, not our first, though."
ASJ*****ASJ
Dr. Oliver walked us to the front entrance with the guard leadin'. "He's improving. I'll keep you informed. Won't be to dinner on Sunday. Going to stay here and watch him."
"Asked Mays to watch his back, too," I whispered so the lead guard couldn't hear.
"Good. Goodbye, Mr. Curry, ma'am," he said formally as we left and headed back to Cheyenne.
As I stopped the buggy again for Chrissy on the way into Cheyenne, I thought about Matt and Luke. So different from the other brothers but still led astray by them. We were still allowed to come back in a few weeks for our monthly visit, I hoped we'd see Matt much better.
"Thank you, Jed." I got down and helped Chrissy back onto the driver's bench.
As I climbed up, she said, "In Cheyenne, I'll buy Matt Black Beauty. He'll like that book."