Winter's Refuge
Chapter One Hundred Ninety Eight
JED 'KID' CURRY
We were just finishin' up for lunch after shoein' a rush of horses one mornin' when Aiden's buggy pulled up. I was surprised to see Mr. Kolmand and Widow Kirk with him.
"Hi, Jed, beautiful day, isn't it," Aiden said while the others nodded their greetin' to me.
"Good morning, Mr. Curry," Kolmand added.
"Someone here send for you, Aiden?" I asked, tryin' to keep the sudden worry off my face.
"No. We want to talk to Auntie, err...Mrs. Clark. Nothing bad, I promise," Aiden answered with a grin.
"Well, I was just goin' up to the house for lunch. I'm sure she'll be there. How about you join us?"
ASJ*ASJ
After lunch, Aiden invited me and Heyes to join him, Auntie, Widow Kirk and Kolmand at our outside table. Kolmand started talkin' first. "Mrs. Clark, Mrs Kirk gave Dr. Arden some healing salve for Mr. Curry. The good doctor was under the impression it was her creation,"
"Never said I invented it," Widow Kirk broke in, indignant. "I just said I could mix him up all he needed. It was Mrs. Clark that created and perfected the recipe and shared it with me."
Kolmand forced a lawyer's indulgent smile onto his face. "And that's why we are here. Dr Arden has been using it on his patients since you gave him some jars with excellent results. So Mrs. Clark, he would like to go into partnership with you to patent and sell it," Kolmand started.
"Oh my!" Auntie exclaimed, puttin' a hand over her heart. "Do you really think it helps people?"
"Oh, yes, my dear lady, it has given my patients great relief, starting with Jed," Aiden answered.
"How would this all work?" asked Heyes.
"Here's the paperwork. Dr. Arden is suggesting that he gets twenty five percent and you, Mrs. Clark, get seventy five percent. Is that acceptable?" Kolmand put a copy of the papers in front of each of us. The words Mrs. Kirk were crossed out and Mrs Clark was printed over it and initialed.
"What about Mrs. Kirk? She brought it to the doctor's attention. She's made up many batches for people. She should get a share too," said Auntie.
"What would you suggest, ma'am?" asked the lawyer.
Auntie thought for a moment. "A third to Dr, Arden, a third to Mrs. Kirk and a third to me?"
Aiden shook his head. So did Widow Kirk.
Auntie looked at me and I shrugged my shoulders. I did think Auntie's suggestion was too generous. "Alright then, how about twenty five percent each for Mrs. Kirk and Dr. Arden and fifty for me? Does that sound fair?" she asked lookin' at Mrs. Kirk.
"Oh Diane Francis, that's more than fair, maybe ten percent?" answered Mrs. Kirk lookin' embarrassed.
"No, twenty five per cent it is," Auntie said firmly.
"Well, normally, I would suggest Auntie have her lawyer review them, but…" Heyes started.
"I know, that's me. I'll revise the numbers and maybe when Sam is home, you could have him look them over? Otherwise, there are three good lawyers in Bridgeport," Kolmand answered.
"You really think that people will buy my salve?" Auntie asked, pickin' up a set of the papers. "Need my glasses to read this print."
Surprisin' me, Heyes took a pair of readin' glasses out of his pocket and handed them to Auntie. "Try these." He looked over at me and shrugged his shoulders with a grin.
JED 'KID' CURRY
I ain't much on dancin' or standin' around talkin' and all my life in most social situations Heyes has always called me reserved, meanin' shy. So, I'm not lookin' forward to the church social like the rest of our household. I volunteered to stay at Phoenix and watch over things.
"Nope, Kid, you're going. Juan's staying," Heyes told me. "Autumn's Sweetheart isn't ready to foal, but she's antsy, jumpy. He wants to be close to her."
"She wasn't like that when she was pregnant with Posie," I said.
"No, that's why he's worried," Heyes said.
"You know, he's the perfect foreman. He grew up around all those horses and learned a lot," I commented. Except for Chrissy handling the breeding calendar and Heyes keeping the books, Juan handles everything with the horses.
"And that's why you have no excuse not to escort some of the lovely ladies of this household to the social…and dance with them," Heyes answered, givin' me a smile that made his dimples show.
Before the social, Sam came home on a term break. As he got off the stage, Aiden caught him and gave him a smallpox shot, tellin' him it was his pa's orders. He was here for a week and presented his ma with an excellent report card…and asked to speak with me and Heyes privately. He's grown tall and Heyes says he favors his pa, but I see Angie's smile and kind ways in him.
"Nice report, son," Heyes said, as we walked to his barn office.
"Impressive," I added.
Sam smiled widely. "Thanks, Pa, Uncle Jed." I studied this young man that had returned to us from school and thought back to the young man who had tried to lift the wallet of Hannibal Heyes. He'd come a long way since then. I was proud of this boy who had asked and taken my last name.
"I have some news," Sam said with a smile, but I could tell he was nervous.
Me and Sam sat in the chairs while Heyes sat behind his desk. "News?" he asked.
Sam looked from me to Heyes and back to me. "I'm graduating at the end of this school year. As of now, I'm at the top of my class," he said.
"Congratulations!" I said.
"I knew you had it in you! Have you told your ma?"
"Not yet. Wanted to talk two things over with you." Sam took a deep breath.
"Go ahead, we're listenin'," I said. I had an idea what he was gonna say and I support it. He wants to go to college and study law. And I was right, but I wasn't prepared for the second part.
"After I graduate, I want to go to the University of Colorado and study law. I know it's a new program and expensive, so I plan to take a job for the rest of the school year. Next summer. Mr. Kolmand will pay me to clerk for him. It won't be enough, but I'll work until I earn my tuition," Sam started.
"Sam, we can…" interrupted Heyes.
But a nervous Sam didn't hear and kept talkin'. "And I'll work hard, I promise, sir." He turned to me. "When I get my law degree, if I have your blessing, I plan to ask Stephanie to marry me. If she'll wait."
"Depends on what Stephanie feels and it's Rocky's blessin' you need," I answered.
"Is Stephanie aware of this?" Heyes leaned forward as he spoke.
"Yes, we've been writing once or twice a week since I've been away at school. She wants to study mathematics at the University so we'll both get our degrees before we get married," Sam answered. I could see the earnest excitement of love in his face.
Heyes leaned back and gave him a dimpled smile. "Well, that's years away and things have a way of working out. I applaud your industriousness, but there is no need to work while you are in school. We will pay for you to study law. And you can clerk for Kolmand this summer and in between terms."
"Is it alright if I escort Stephanie to the social?" Sam asked.
"Yes. But no sneaking away for some privacy," Heyes answered.
ASJ*ASJ
"Jed, would you hurry up. He'll be here any minute," Chrissy told me as I was tryin' to scrub the last black from under my fingernails. I didn't understand the big deal. A photograph isn't gonna show the little bit that was left. But Chrissy was insistent.
Everyone was excited. Juan and Hortense and their boys had their picture taken yesterday with her family. Ken and Mary had happened to be in town and had their picture taken with little Kenny then too.. Aiden and Miss Denise had posed with Ajay and Joyce in front of his doctor's office. Hortense's pa had arranged it and asked if we would like some pictures, too. Chrissy and Angie had agreed right away. They spent most of that night decidin' what poses they wanted and what we should wear and where we should stand. It was a good time because Sam was home on a break from school
There was to be a picture of the Curry family, one of the Heyes family, one of the Rocke siblings, and one of me and Heyes. And then one of everyone here, includin' Vince and Auntie. And then there was to be a picture with Auntie surrounded by all the kids. Chrissy wanted a picture of some of the horses, but they needed to ask if that was possible.
And today was the day the photographer was comin' to Phoenix.
Chrissy and Angie insisted the front of the house was washed for the picture. It wasn't long ago the construction was completed, still the wind blows dust everywhere.
HEYES
I gained a few pounds and I filled out my best suit better. I was brushing puppy Baby Joe's hair off my pant leg when Angie walked into the room. She looked beautiful and all I could do was smile for a moment. "My wife, you look amazing!" I told her.
She smiled. "Heyes, I must admit that the contracting firm you hired did a marvelous job. Everything is perfect and their suggestion to add a small inside courtyard is the perfect place to relax while the kids play." She kissed my cheek. "Now I've got to go find Nettie and see if she is still clean enough for the pictures. That child can get dirty just standing still."
"Well, you have to admit she has help from Joy and Ruth Ann and even the little twins get in on their play now. I always thought little girls came out little ladies and played with dolls and had tea parties. Ours play tag, make mudpies and climb fences," I commented.
"And I wouldn't have it any other way. They know their manners and the time for them…like today," she answered, as she hurried from our suite of rooms. We had a large bedroom and a private water closet for our family. Off our bedroom were two others but neither was in use. Alexander was still in a crib in our room and Nettie preferred to sleep with her cousins upstairs.
"He's here! He's here!" Michael yelled from his upstairs window. Then the stairs were busy with the older kids stomping down the stairs and helping the younger ones.
"Stay in the living room. No eating in your good clothes," Auntie ordered. And I looked and for once there was no food on the kitchen table - no cookies, no fruit, no coffee, nothing.
Angie and Chrissy went over the list one last time and revised the order slightly. When the Kid opened the door to the photographer, we all stared at him. Pushing by him, his assistant, carrying a camera and stand, stood near the kitchen table. "Any coffee?" she asked.
"Oh my, I don't have any left," Auntie answered. "I'll make some after the pictures are taken."
The photographer stepped forward. "I am Mr. Damian Crest." He reached out his hand to the Kid. "Mr. Curry, I'm a big fan of Mr. Heyes and you. It's an honor to photograph you."
His assistant spoke up, "He's saved every newspaper article he found on you two."
The Kid forced a smile. I couldn't do that.
"Perhaps we should all go outside and start with the pictures." Auntie took charge. "Come on kids, let's get outside and STAY CLEAN! Michael, go find Vince. Tell him the photographer is here."
We gathered on the front porch. Mr. Crest reviewed the lists of pictures while his assistant struggled to set up the cameras. Next time I looked, Vince was helping her. "Okay. We will do the pictures from the least number of subjects to the most. Mr. Heyes and Mr. Curry, we will start with you."
Looking at the Kid, I winked at him. So many newspaper reporters have taken our picture after we were captured, and especially after we got our amnesty, that we knew what to expect.
"Surely, you gentlemen will wear your guns," Mr. Crest remarked.
"Hadn't planned on it, Mr. Crest," the Kid answered with a smile.
"Well, alright, such a shame. Newspapers would pay a lot for a picture of you two in your outlaw gear," the photographer whispered to himself but the Kid heard him.
"MR. Crest, as I understand it, that paper we signed said all the pictures taken today are our property and you can't print up copies and sell them. Is that right?" There was controlled force in the Kid's tone. He didn't want to scare the kids.
"Yes, Mr. Curry, that is right. If you want a copy of any picture, I will print them up and you will pay me," Crest answered, understanding the Kid's tone. "Now, will you and Mr. Heyes stand together on the porch. Maybe put your arms over each other's shoulder…now smile and hold it."
Pop, the flash of light hit our eyes and I knew I had blinked.
"Everyone listen!" yelled Mr. Crest. Don't look right at the flash or you will blink. Look slightly to the side."
We all nodded and I saw Ruth Ann sign, "Sun," to Nettie.
Our next picture was better. Then Mr. Crest insisted he get a picture of each man and wife. And I'm still watching Vince helping the photographer's assistant. I heard her call the photographer father so I knew she was his daughter. She didn't seem to enjoy what she was doing until Vince started helping her.
"What is this next picture of three rocks?" Crest asked. "Are they something special?"
"Yes, they truly are, Mr. Crest," I answered, as Rocky, Stephanie, and Steven came forward slowly.
The Heyes family picture was simple. I held Nettie. Angie held Alexander and Sam and Auntie stood between us. It was over quickly. I noticed that Vince had disappeared from the assistant's side and then he reappeared with two of our kitchen chairs.
"We just need one chair for now. Mr. Curry, you will sit in the chair. Mrs. Curry, stand right behind him and hold your youngest child." Vince put the chairs side by side. Crest frowned.
"Mr. Crest, my wife is with child and shouldn't be on her feet for long. She also is not allowed to pick up any of the kids. She'll sit next to me. Will that work?" the Kid asked.
"Of course, of course," muttered Crest and indicated to his assistant to move the camera back. I picked up Catherine as she toddled by me, unsteady on the new stiff shoes Ken had made her and handed her to a seated Chrissy. "Now Mr. Curry, the next youngest child should be on your lap." Diane Francis and Josiah were handed to the Kid, who balanced one on each knee and gave each a kiss on the head. "Well, one would have been fine," Crest said.
"But they're the next youngest and twins. They should be together," Martha explained. "And Michael and I are twins and will stand together."
The photographer looked to the Kid, who smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I guess if that's how you want the picture. Auntie stood in back of Chrissy. All you Curry children stand next to the chairs. Now get in closer. Little girl, you there, put your hand on your father's knee," he said to Ruth Ann. Angie bent down and signed what the man had said and Ruth Ann complied with a big smile. "Papa." Not Joe came over and laid at Chrissy's feet.
As much trouble as that picture was to take, the picture with all of us took longer. Vince and Auntie were included and Ken, Mary, and Kenny arrived about that time and the Kid insisted they were in the picture, too.
"Horses?" Chrissy whispered to the Kid.
"Mr. Crest, could you possibly take a couple of pictures of our horses?" he asked.
Crest looked at his daughter, who nodded. "Well, I have heard that Phoenix is famous for its horses, perhaps a couple."
Chrissy looked at Vince. "Spring's Moirai first, then Fall's Legend."
Spring's Moirai has been Chrissy horse since she was a girl. She lives a quiet life now and Chrissy spends hours brushing her and talking to her when she's upset.
With Fall's Destiny lost in the tornado, Fall's Legend is our main stud and he's a magnificent horse.
Both horses posed patiently for the pictures and Crest asked, "Any more horses?
Everyone looked at Chrissy but she knew exactly what she wanted. "Winter's Glory and Fall's Bells together with Jed and Heyes riding." It meant adjusting the camera some but the assistant with Vince's help did it quickly. And when they accidentally touched hands I saw them both blush and look away.
"I can do one more horse picture before I lose the bright sunlight," Crest told Chrissy. She must have been ready for this question because she answered right away. "Summer's Song and Fall's Whisper."
They are our two younger studs; Summer's Song is the one Chrissy calls Black Beauty and Fall's Whisper is dark brown with two white socks in the rear. Both are beautiful animals.
We were all tired when the photographer's assistant started to pack all the gear in their wagon. I paid the photographer in cash with a bonus, "for your patience," I told him. He took me and the Kid aside.
"This road that leads to your house, it's called Curry Road?" he started. "It has a few shops and a library and a blacksmith shop?"
"That's right," I answered.
"I've been looking for a place to settle down and finish raising my daughter right. I met Felix Birde in Lincoln when I took the governor's picture. He speaks highly of Three Birds. Was thinking maybe I'd like to open a photography shop and live around here," Crest said almost wistfully. "You got room for that shop with maybe a small apartment over it here on Curry Road? I can pay whatever price you want."
"The land is not for sale but we will lease enough land to you to build whatever you want. Wouldn't you get more business if it was in Three Birds?" I asked.
"I probably would, but most of my business includes traveling somewhere. I prefer my shop somewhere quieter. My daughter, Roseann, deserves to live near neighbors." He leaned closer to us. "And a place where she might find a beau. She is nineteen years old and I'm still dragging her around with me. Besides, people will always find my shop if they need a good photographer," he told us. I'm scheduled in Nevada and California for the next few months but I'd like to build as soon as we get back. "What do you say?"
Me and the Kid locked eyes and I knew he agreed with me. "Mr. Crest, we would be honored to have your shop on Curry Road."