No Regrets
​
- 4 -
​
On Monday morning, Lom went into town to follow up his idea of trying to get Heyes another job at the Courthouse. Heyes had moped about the cabin all weekend, spending long periods alone in his room, or sitting on the porch gazing vacantly into space, and Lom was keen to help him find work to give him something to take his mind off his problems.
It was lunch time when he left the Courthouse, after a lengthy discussion with Ben Walters. With a satisfied smile, he mounted his horse and rode back to his cabin to share lunch with Heyes and reveal the results of his meeting.
“I know of a job if you’re interested.” He told Heyes as they ate lunch.
“Oh? Doing what?” Heyes enquired, his tone less than enthusiastic.
“I ran into Ben Walters in town.” said Lom, choosing his words carefully. If Heyes realized that Lom had pleaded with Ben to give him another chance, Heyes would refuse to accept. “He asked me how you were doing, and I told him you were O.K. and looking for work. He said he has a job vacant at the Courthouse, if you’re interested?”
Heyes looked thoughtful. Originally he had only gone to work at the Courthouse as a temporary measure, after the Kid moved in with Laura, until he could find something else. It had never been his plan to stay there forever but, now, it would be a good job to have since he could no longer manage heavy, manual work as a legacy of his illness.
His mind wasn’t as sharp as it had been, but he could still figure better than most people, and his handwriting, though still a bit childish, was at least legible, which, in a community where few people could read or write, was a distinct advantage.
“I guess I could handle that.” he said presently.
Lom smiled. “We can go into town tomorrow and see him if you like.”
Heyes nodded. “O.K.”
The following morning they headed into town to visit Ben Walters, so he could see that Heyes was fit enough for work. Heyes felt a little awkward seeing him again after their heated exchange on the day he’d left for Cheyenne with Lom, but Ben made no mention of it and told him he was glad to see him recovered and glad to have him come back to work at the Courthouse, and that he could start the next morning if he wished.
Lom had to smile, the next morning, at the sight of Heyes in his “Sunday best”, a dark brown suit with a brown and tan striped waistcoat, which he wore so rarely, he looked out of place in it, his dark hair slicked down and his shoes freshly polished.​
“Do I look O.K?” he asked apprehensively.
Lom gave him a quizzical look. “Why so nervous?” he asked, “You’ve done the work before.”
Heyes shrugged. Before, it had just been a temporary job. Now, it was likely to be his only chance of earning an honest living, and he felt the need to make a good impression.
“You look the image of a Courthouse clerk.” smiled Lom, sensing his mood.
He rode into to town with Heyes, bidding him good luck at the door of the Courthouse before riding on to his own office.
Heyes coped with the work quite easily, and even found himself enjoying it. He’d never given much thought to enjoying it before, since he hadn’t taken the job with any long term future in mind, but now he decided that it was a job he could stick with. It was a case of having to now. His options were limited.
After receiving his first week’s pay, he re-rented the rooms he’d earlier lived in above the tailor’s shop and moved in over the weekend. After going to Cheyenne to help the Kid after Laura’s murder, and then being injured and going to the Institute, he’d never gone back to them, and they had, for a time, been let to someone else but were now vacant again. When he received his second week’s pay, he went over to Lom’s office and put a portion of it down on the desk in front of him.
“What’s that?” Lom looked from Heyes to the money and back again.
“It’s towards the cost of my treatment.”
“Oh, Heyes...” Lom began reproachfully, but Heyes spoke over him.
“I want you to stop taking the Kid’s money. It’s my duty to pay you back, not his.”
“I don’t want your money, Heyes.” Lom told him, “You have rent to pay and food to buy.”
“I can afford it.” said Heyes, “And I want you to have it. Please, Lom. I feel terrible that you used all your savings to send me to the Institute.”
Lom sighed, knowing that Heyes wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Very well.”
“How much has the Kid paid you?” Heyes asked now.
Lom shrugged. “About $250 dollars.”
“Give it back to him. I’ll pay it back to you.”
“I doubt he’ll take it.” said Lom.
“He will if I send a note with it.” said Heyes, “If I write one, will you deliver it, with the money?”
“You could take it yourself, and try and work out your differences while you’re at it.” Lom said reproachfully.
Heyes shook his head. “It’s too late for that.” he told him, “Will you take it? Please?”
Lom sighed again, shaking his head despairingly. “I’ll take it.” he said presently, “But only because I never wanted his money in the first place. Or yours.” he added pointedly, “I was happy to pay for it myself.”
“Well, I’m not.” said Heyes. Picking up a piece of paper he sat down on the other side of Lom’s desk. After a few moments he began to write.
'I appreciate you giving Lom money towards the cost of my treatment, but now that I’m working, I can repay him myself, and I’ve asked Lom to return all the money you’ve paid him on my behalf. It’s my debt, and my duty to repay it.'
He signed it just as ‘H’ before folding the sheet of paper and sealing it in an envelope, writing the name ‘Thaddeus’ on the front and then holding it out to Lom.
“Put that with the money and return it to him.” he told him.
“As you wish.” Lom sighed, reluctantly taking the envelope.
* * *
Lom rode out to the Baxter’s farm two days later, the money and the note in a large envelope.
“I’ve been asked to give you this.” he told the Kid, handing him the packet.
The Kid opened it, his eyes widening at the wad of notes inside.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Read the note.” said Lom.
The Kid opened the envelope and unfolded the sheet of paper. Silently he read the letter, his face impassive, while Lom looked on, wondering just what Heyes had written.
“I hope you’re not offended.” he told him, “It was his idea, not mine. He insisted I return the money to you. He says it’s his duty to pay me back, not yours.”
“No, I’m not offended.” said the Kid, folding the note up and stuffing it into the pocket of his pants along with the money. But Lom could see the disappointment in his eyes at what he knew the Kid would see as a rebuff by Heyes. Lom knew Heyes was just trying to do what he believed was the honourable thing, but he knew the Kid wouldn’t see it that way.
“Any message?” he enquired.
The Kid shook his head. “Where’s he working?” he asked, in a deliberately casual tone.
“He’s gone back to work at the Courthouse.”
The Kid nodded thoughtfully.
“How is he?” he asked presently
“He’s O.K. as far as I can tell.” said Lom, “He’s moved into rooms in town, so I haven’t seen too much of him. What about you?” he asked, “How’s it going?”
“I’ve never worked so hard in my life.” said the Kid, “But I’m enjoying it. I find it… rewarding, working with the land.”
“I never thought I’d hear you say something like that.” grinned Lom
“Me neither.” The Kid smiled, but Lom noticed that it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
They spoke a while longer before Lom said he had to leave. “Keep in touch.” Lom told the Kid as he mounted his horse.
“See you.” replied the Kid, giving him a mock salute as he rode off.
When Heyes came to Lom’s office the following Friday to bring him some more money, Lom told him that he had carried out his wishes and returned the Kid’s money.
“Did he make a fuss?” asked Heyes.
Lom shook his head. “No, he didn’t say anything at all.”
Heyes nodded thoughtfully.
“How’s the job going?” Lom changed the subject. He thought Heyes looked tired, and a little pale, and he wondered if maybe it was too soon for him to be working full time.
“Great.” Heyes replied, with a cheerfulness that somehow didn’t ring true, “I was thinking of maybe doing some serious studying of the Law. I could borrow books from the Courthouse to study from. Maybe I might even get to be a lawyer some day. What do you think?”
“You’ve always thought like a lawyer anyway.” grinned Lom, “That’s how you’ve managed to keep one step ahead of the law all these years.” He nodded slowly, “I think you’d make a great lawyer.” He put his papers into his desk drawer and locked it. “I’m going over to the saloon for a drink.” he announced, “Join me?”
“O.K.” Heyes replied, a little too quickly, drawing a quizzical look from Lom.
“Are you O.K?” he asked, as they stood at the bar in the saloon.
“I’m fine. Why?” Heyes asked without looking at him.
Lom shrugged. “You look a little pale. I hope you’re not overdoing it.”
“I’d hardly call sitting behind a desk all day ‘overdoing it’.” scoffed Heyes.
In truth, now that his mind was no longer occupied with the details of moving into town and sorting out his finances, and the novelty of going out to work each day was beginning to wear off, Heyes was feeling pretty lonely. He couldn’t get too friendly with his colleagues in case his identity was found out, and going home to an empty room every night with no-one to talk to was infinitely depressing, and gave him time to brood on all that had happened between himself and the Kid which he managed to put out of his mind during the day.
“Well, just be careful.” Lom told him, “You need to take care of yourself.”
Heyes shrugged dismissively.
Several weeks passed and, even though he tried to hide it, Lom could tell, from Heyes’ lacklustre demeanour, that his lonely existence was taking its toll on him psychologically. He would see him each Friday when he came to his office to give him money towards the cost of his treatment, and sometimes he would accompany Lom to the saloon for a drink or two. He had been studying the Law with a view to taking the necessary exams that would enable him to become a lawyer but, of late, Lom sensed that he had lost some of his enthusiasm for it.
Lom had long since worked out that his lack of ardour was directly linked to what had happened between him and the Kid, but didn’t have any idea what to do to remedy the situation.
In contrast, working at the Baxter’s farm seemed to be doing the Kid the world of good. Lom could still see the sadness of Laura’s death deep in his eyes, and in the detached manner with which he’d treated everyone since that day, as though holding himself back from getting too attached to anyone again for fear of losing them the same way he’d lost her, but he seemed to have finally begun to make some peace with his loss and was beginning to find pleasure in life once more, in simple things like working with the land, watching seeds he planted grow and bloom and produce fruit.
* * *
Just over eight months later, however, Clem Baxter died, suddenly, of a heart attack, devastating his wife and children, and the Kid who had grown very fond of all of them over the past year.
The Kid and Lom attended the funeral, looking solemnly on as their two children wept over their father’s coffin.
After the service, Mary Baxter approached the Kid.
“Thaddeus, could I have a word with you?” she asked.
I’ll be in the saloon.” Lom told him, excusing himself. The mourners were to meet there, after the burial, for drinks in Clem’s honour.
The Kid nodded and turned his attention back to Mary as Lom tipped his hat to her and left.
“Yes M’am?”
Mary Baxter sighed. “With Clem gone, I couldn’t run the farm, even if I wanted to.” she told him, “So, I’ve decided to move to my Mother’s house in Denver.”
The Kid nodded politely.
“Would you care to buy the farm?” she asked now.
The Kid’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Well, M’am, there’s nothing I’d like better, but unfortunately, I don’t have the money.” he replied.
Mary Baxter nodded slowly. “Nor do too many others.” she said. She thought for a moment, “You’ve worked so hard on it, I hate to see it go to a stranger, even if I could find someone who wanted to buy it … so … I’d like to make you a proposition.”
“M’am?” the Kid looked puzzled.
“I’m alright for money.” Mary told him, “In the short term anyway. We had a little put by, and it won’t cost me anything to live at my parent’s house, and hopefully I will get a job in Denver. So, how about you take over the running of the farm, and send me, say…10% of any profit you make. Then, at such time as you’ve paid me the market value of the farm, I’ll sign it over to you?”
The Kid’s jaw dropped open in shock.
“Well, what do you think?” Mary asked.
“Well…” the Kid was too stunned by her offer to think of anything to say, “I think… that’s a very… generous offer… but…” he shrugged, “I’m gonna need to think about it…”
Mary Baxter nodded. “Of course. I won’t be leaving until the end of the week, if you could let me know by then?”
“Sure.” replied the Kid.
Mary took her leave then, leaving the Kid standing there, stunned. He’d been so shocked by Clem’s sudden death, he hadn’t given any thought as to what would happen to the farm, or his job there.
Becoming aware that everyone had now left the cemetery, he walked to the gate, mounted his horse and rode into town. He tethered his horse next to Lom’s but instead of going into the saloon to join everyone, he crossed the street and went into the restaurant, not because he was hungry but because he wanted somewhere quiet to think about Mary’s proposal.
“What can I get you?” the waitress’ voice broke into his thoughts.
“Oh… er… just coffee thanks.” the Kid muttered.
The waitress disappeared, and returned moments later with a pot of coffee.
“Can I get you something to eat?” she asked, as she poured the coffee.
“Not right now, thanks.” replied the Kid.
He sat with his chin cupped in his hand, gazing into his cup as he contemplated Mary’s offer.
He’d grown to enjoy working on the farm, and could see himself living and working there permanently. But what if he couldn’t make it pay? What would Mary do about that? And even though he liked the idea of having his own business, the idea of doing it alone didn’t appeal to him much. There was no satisfaction in pleasing oneself. You needed somebody to share the achievements and disappointments with. He sighed, wistfully, thinking about Laura, and the small farm they had run together.
His thoughts were interrupted as Lom entered the restaurant. After seeing his horse outside, it was the only other place likely for him to be other than the saloon.
“I wondered where you’d got to.” he said, sitting down at the table, “Are you alright?”
“Yeah.” replied the Kid, “I just needed a bit of time to think.”
Lom nodded sympathetically.
The waitress appeared, to see if they wanted to order.
“No, thanks.” said Lom. Then, turning to the Kid, “Are you ready to go now?” Since Clem’s death the Kid had gone back to stay with Lom, not wanting to intrude on the family’s grief.
“Yeah.” The Kid got to his feet and paid for the coffee before following them across the street to their horses.
The Kid didn’t say anything about Mary’s proposal that evening. He wanted to think about it some more beforehand.
He broached the subject with Lom the next morning as they had an extra cup of coffee after breakfast.
“Can I run something by you?” he asked.
“Sure.” Lom gave him a quizzical look, “What’s on your mind?”
The Kid looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, “Yesterday, at the cemetery… Mary Baxter made me a proposition.”
“Oh?”
The Kid nodded. “She’s moving back to her parent’s place in Denver. She says she can’t run the farm on her own.”
Lom nodded agreement.
“She asked me if I wanted to buy the place.” the Kid continued, “I had to tell her I couldn’t, even if I wanted to.”
“How much was she asking?” asked Lom.
The Kid shrugged. “I didn’t ask. However much it was, it was more than I can afford. Anyhow, when I told her I couldn’t buy it, she suggested that I take over running it, and send her 10% of any profit I made until I’d paid her the value of the farm, at which time she’d sign it over to me.”
Lom nodded thoughtfully. “That could take a long time, unless you could make it more commercial.”
“I know.” said the Kid, “And what if I made a loss? She didn’t say what she’d do then.” He sighed.
“You’d need to discuss that with her.” said Lom.
The Kid nodded thoughtfully.
“Heyes and I used to talk about going into some kind of business after we got the amnesty.” he said presently, “But farming wasn’t one of them.”
“But you want to do it?”
“I’m tempted.” the Kid nodded, “I’m sure I could make a go of it, Lom.”
“But?” asked Lom, sensing his reluctance.
The Kid shrugged. “On one hand it’s a marvellous opportunity.” he said, “To run a business, be my own boss, with no financial outlay… it’s too good to be true…” He paused, thinking. “But what if I failed? I’d hate to be responsible for Mary losing her assets. She says she can’t find a buyer for the farm, but I’m sure she could if she persevered. I think she’s just saying that because she feels she owes me something for helping them, which is nice of her, but it’s a big responsibility and I‘m not sure if I’m up to it.”
Lom nodded.
“What do you think?” the Kid asked now.
Lom took a deep breath and let it out in a controlled sigh.
“As you say, it’s a wonderful opportunity. You don’t have to raise any money, you’d be safe there, and, if you made a go of it, you’d own your own place in a few years.”
“Do you think I should take up the offer?” asked the Kid.
“Well, you’d have to discuss all the options with her first.” Lom told him, “Find out how much she wants and whether you think you can make enough money to pay her, and what she’ll do if you don’t.”
The Kid sighed, heavily. “I guess. “But…” he trailed off, gazing absently through the window.
Lom eyed him, thoughtfully. “But what?” he asked, when the Kid said nothing further.
The Kid returned from his thoughts and shook his head. “I know I aint seen Heyes in a while, but… we always planned to go into some kind of business together... if we ever got the money together… I’d sort of feel as if I was betraying him all over again if I took this on without even discussing it with him...”
“So, why not go and discuss it with him?” Lom suggested, "It’s time one of you backed down and made the first move to sort things out between you.”
The Kid shook his head. “It’s too late for that. Anyhow, he wouldn’t be interested. He hates farming. He’s not strong enough to do it now anyway, even if he wanted to.”
“Maybe not, but Heyes isn’t stupid. I’m sure he’d see what a good opportunity it is. And you don’t know, he might decide to come in with you financially perhaps?”
“I doubt it.”
“Well, if you don’t ask, you won’t know, will you?”
The Kid shook his head dismissively. “I’ll have to think on it some more.”
“Well, I think you should speak to Mary and discuss all the ins and outs and then, if it’s what you want, go for it.” said Lom.
The Kid nodded. “I guess.”
The Kid went to see Mary Baxter the next day to discuss her offer in more detail, and, after lengthy discussions on all of the possible problems to be encountered, he told her that he would accept her offer. She seemed pleased, and told him that she would get the necessary papers drawn up and that he could have the keys on Saturday when she left for Denver, and move in whenever he wanted to.
He felt guilty about making the decision without having discussed it with Heyes, but pushed it to the back of his mind. They’d gone their separate ways now. What each did was no longer any concern of the other.
The Kid put a lot of time and effort into making the business work and increased the sizes of the crops he grew to sell commercially in Porterville and the surrounding settlements. He worked long hours, seven days a week, and was too tired for anything other than to fall into bed at the end of the day. He left the farm only when he had to, to get supplies, or take produce to market. There was no time for socializing, and if Lom hadn’t popped in every week, to check how he was getting on, he would never have had time to see him.
* * *
​
Over the next six months the Kid continued to do well at the farm and, after working out his profits, was able to send Mary 20% and still be able to afford to take on a young lad, Joey, part time to help him with the work. Even with Joey’s help, it was hard work keeping things going, but the Kid seemed to thrive on it.
One Saturday morning a few weeks later, the Kid was chopping logs for the woodpile when Lom arrived with some groceries for him.
“When I was here last week I noticed you were getting low on supplies, so I thought I’d bring you some over.”
“Thanks, Lom. How much do I owe you?”
​
Lom shook his head. “My treat.”
“Thanks. Come in and I’ll make some coffee.” said the Kid, taking the box of groceries from him and heading into the house.
They chatted, while the Kid made coffee, about the farm and various local affairs.
“I saw Heyes, yesterday.” Lom said presently.
The Kid stiffened slightly, as he always did whenever Lom tried to steer the conversation around to his and Heyes’ relationship, thinking he was going to try and persuade him to contact him and try and rebuild their friendship.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, he was telling me, the workers at the Richards Brothers mine are looking to bring a case against the owners, for negligence. They’ve had a number of accidents at the mine and the workers are saying it’s due to unsafe working practices, but the Richards’ don’t want to know. The Site Manager there has asked Heyes to go up there and look the place over to see if they have any grounds. He’s going over there this morning.”
“Might be an uphill struggle. I guess the owners have the best lawyers available.” said Curry.
Lom nodded. “It would be a feather in their cap if they could win a case like that though.”
The Kid nodded. “Well, I guess I should get back to work.” he said, draining his coffee cup, “Thanks again for the groceries.”
“No problem.” said Lom, getting to his feet and heading outside, “I’ll be seeing you.”
* * *
​
The Richards Brothers Coal Mine was a mile or so north of the Kid’s farm. Heyes rode out to the mine and met Bill Jenkins, the Site Manager, outside the office. The owners weren’t around at weekends, which was precisely why he’d asked Heyes to come out on a Saturday, so they wouldn’t know what the men were planning.
They chatted for a few moments before entering the mine. They walked down the shafts, Bill pointing out what he described as the unsafe way they were shored up, and various other cost cutting procedures that the owners used for getting maximum profit for minimum outlay.
They were probably half a mile inside the shaft when there was a sudden ominous creaking sound.
“Cave in!” yelled Bill. “Run!”
Heyes didn’t need telling twice, turning and running after Bill as the creak turned into a groan, and then an almighty roar, as the roof of the tunnel caved in fifty yards from where they had been standing, burying anyone who happened to be beneath it, and cutting off those behind.
With his weak leg, Heyes couldn’t run as fast as Bill and fell several yards behind him.
Other miners ran past him, desperate to escape the falling debris.
As the cave in set up a chain reaction and more of the roof of the tunnel began to come down behind them, Heyes was struck by flying rocks and knocked sprawling. He scrambled to his feet and ran on, but was then hit on the back of the head by a large rock that knocked him to the ground. He tried to rise but was engulfed by a red mist that grew rapidly darker until he whirled into black oblivion.​
* * *
​
​
​
​
​
