One Good Turn
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- 3 -
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“Hey, sleepy head, you slept well. Never heard a thing out of you last night.” smiled the Kid as he entered Heyes’ room the next morning.
Heyes barely acknowledged the Kid’s presence in the room, too angry to speak to him. The Kid crossed to the bed and bent to help him get up, but stopped when Heyes turned his angry gaze on him.
“Is something wrong?” asked the Kid, his expression concerned.
“You tell me.” growled Heyes.
“I don’t understand…” The Kid began.
“Don’t you have something to tell me?” Heyes spoke over him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Heyes. What’re you so mad about?” The Kid looked confused.
“My so-called partner not having the guts to tell me he lost us our amnesty! That’s what!” snapped Heyes, his eyes, like chips of coal, boring into the Kid’s gaze.
The Kid’s stomach lurched, and his jaw dropped in shocked surprise.
“H-how did you..?” he stammered
“Didn’t think I could hear you, last night, out on the porch, did you?” sneered Heyes.
“Heyes, I was gonna tell you, but you were so sick, after the fire, I didn’t want to add that to your problems, and then, as you started to recover, I figured that if I told you then it might set you back.” The Kid’s eyes pleaded for forgiveness, but Heyes’ angry gaze never wavered.
“Heyes, I’m sorry.” the Kid tried again, “I didn’t mean to keep it from you. It’s just that the time just never seemed right.”
“And just when were you going to deem the time was right?” Heyes glared at him.
“I… er… I…” the Kid began but then trailed off, looking uncomfortable.
“Some partner.” Heyes muttered under his breath, shifting his gaze from the Kid’s face, to stare at the wall, effectively withdrawing from him.
“Heyes?”
“Get lost!” snapped Heyes.
“Heyes, I…”
“Just go away.” Heyes said quietly, his tone clipped, sending a shiver through the Kid. Heyes angry was disconcerting enough, but the quiet coldness of his tone was even worse because it meant he’d gone past just being angry. He felt betrayed, and, even worse, by his best friend.
The Kid eyed Heyes for a moment before turning on his heel and striding out of the room as a wave of nausea rose up in him.
Lom looked up from making coffee, as the Kid strode past him, out of the door, without a word. A few moments later, Lom heard him ride away.
He finished making the coffee and then went into Heyes’ room. Heyes was staring blankly out of the window, but Lom could feel his anger from across the room.
“Kid didn’t seem too happy as he left.” he said now, “You two had words?”
“You could say that.” Heyes replied angrily, “I didn’t appreciate him losing us our chance at getting the amnesty, thanks to his stubbornness, especially when he didn’t have the guts to even tell me to my face.”
“He told you?”
“No. I overheard you two talking last night.”
Lom’s mouth formed a knowing ‘O’.
“I’m sorry, Heyes.” he told him, “But you’ve got to let it go. Who knows, maybe the Governor will reconsider, when he’s calmed down.”
“And maybe he won’t.” snapped Heyes. He shook his head, “It’s not just that, Lom. The Kid’s supposed to be my best friend, my partner, yet he didn’t have the guts to tell me, not because he was worried about my health but, because, he knew it was down to him being so damn stubborn in not wanting to ride on to Cheyenne the day we arrived in Porterville. If it wasn’t for that, we’d never have been involved in that fire and would have made it to the meeting.”
“Now, come on, Heyes, that’s not fair. The Kid was genuinely concerned about whether you would pull through after the fire. He wouldn’t have wanted to risk setting you back any, with that kind of news, while you were so sick.” said Lom, trying to pour oil over the troubled water.
“Lom, you have your opinion, I have mine.” Heyes cut him off, “I’ve known the Kid a lot longer than you, and it was his own selfish reasons that stopped him telling me, nothing else. I just wonder how long he was gonna go on leaving me in the dark for.” he added angrily.
Lom didn’t agree with Heyes, but decided it was best to just let the subject drop. Maybe if he let Heyes chew it over for a while he would calm down and see reason. After helping him to dress and cross to the chair, he fetched him some breakfast, before leaving for work.
When Kate arrived, a couple of hours later, she entered Heyes’ room to see a plate of untouched food on the table at the side of the chair.
“What’s the matter? You lost your appetite today, Joshua?” she enquired.
“Yeah, I’m just not hungry today.” Heyes said quietly, "Hello, by the way.” he added, realising his rudeness.
Kate disposed of the plate of cold food and returned to tend to Heyes’ burns. As she chatted to him she realised that he wasn’t paying any attention to her conversation, seeming lost in a world of his own.
“Is your friend, Thaddeus, coming over again, later, to check how you’re doing?” Kate asked presently.
“It’s highly unlikely.” replied Heyes, sourly.
“Oh dear, has something happened between the two of you?”
“You could say that.” Heyes said flatly.
“You two seem so close. I can’t imagine you disagreeing over anything.” said Kate, remembering the conversation she’d overheard between the two of them the previous day. She sighed, “I wish I’d had a friend like that. You know, he was at your bedside every day that you were sick, at the doctor’s place. If I fell sick I don’t think anybody would notice, let alone worry about me.”
“Yeah, well things happen, even between friends, sometimes, that take a lot of getting over.” Heyes said, bitterly, before falling silent once more.
Kate quietly continued her nursing. After she had tended to Heyes’ burns, she made his bed, as well as she could with her injured wrist, and tidied the bedroom. She then went into the kitchen and cleared away the breakfast dishes that Lom had left unwashed, realising that these men had a lot to deal with, without having to worry about small household chores.
She thought about Joshua. Yesterday he had looked a lot better, and had seemed to be progressing well with his recovery, but, today, he looked drawn and tired, and she wondered what could have happened to have set him back.
When she went back in to talk to him, he was quiet and withdrawn, barely seeming to be listening to anything she said, and so, after a while, she decided to leave him alone to work through whatever was bothering him.
“I’m going to go now,” she told him, “and you should get some rest. You look tired. I’ll come back again tomorrow.”
Heyes returned from his reverie and gave her a brief glance.
“Yeah, O.K. Thanks.” he muttered vaguely, before returning to his thoughts.
A few moments later, Heyes heard her ride away on her horse. Sitting there, by himself, he tried to gather his thoughts together, but nothing seemed to make any sense. Eventually he fell into a restless sleep, and was still asleep when Lom returned from work a few hours later.
Quietly, he entered Heyes’ room and gently shook him awake.
“Heyes, are you OK?” he asked, noting the strain in his face.
“Yeah.” Heyes muttered.
“I bumped into Kate, in town, and she said she was worried about you. She also said that you hadn’t touched your breakfast.” Lom chastised him.
“I wasn’t hungry.” muttered Heyes.
“Isn’t the Kid back yet?” asked Lom.
“No.”
Lom looked thoughtful. He’d worked a little late today, and had expected the Kid to already be here by the time he got back.
“Well, Heyes,” he said, dismissing the Kid’s late arrival for the moment, “I’m gonna fix supper and you’re gonna eat all of it, y’hear? Don’t think you can get away with that ‘I’m not hungry’ crap with me.” He crossed to the door, pausing, in the doorway, to look at Heyes, “And,” he pointed a finger at Heyes, “when Kid gets back, you two had better get together and talk things out.” he growled, before going out and banging the door shut.
Heyes stared at the door in surprise. It was rare Lom lost his temper, and even rarer for him to lose it with him or the Kid.
Lom left Heyes to stew on what he’d said while he made supper. When it was cooked he carried two plates into Heyes’ room and handed one to Heyes before sitting on the bed opposite his chair. Lom started to eat his supper, glaring at Heyes, as he chewed, daring him not to eat anything. Heyes sat, quietly, avoiding eye contact with Lom, realising that he had to eat something, even though he was too churned up to face the thought of food, or the two of them could be there all night, staring into space, neither saying a word. Once Lom was satisfied that he’d eaten enough, he took Heyes’ plate and, without a word, left the room.
It was getting dark when Lom returned to Heyes’ room.
“Heyes, are you ready to get into bed?” This time it was Lom’s turn to avoid eye contact with Heyes, feeling guilty for having left him there, alone, for so long, but, hopefully, he’d had time to think things over and, when the Kid got back, would talk things through with him. Before Heyes could reply, Lom was already starting to turn down the bed covers.
“Yes.” Heyes said quietly, realising he didn’t really have a choice in the decision.
Lom helped Heyes to undress and get into the bed. As he pulled the covers over him, Heyes, in a deliberately casual tone, asked. “Is Kid back yet?”
“No.” Lom replied, his sharp eyes not missing the anxious look that passed briefly through Heyes’ eyes.
“He was pretty upset when he left for work this morning.” Lom continued, “He probably went to the saloon for a while, to cool down.”
“Probably.” Heyes acknowledged.
Lom gave a wry shake of his head, “Sometimes I don’t know who is the most stubborn out of you two.” he told him, although deep down he did.
Heyes lay, staring into the darkness, thinking over the events of the past ten days. Although he’d laid the blame, for getting hurt, at the Kid’s feet, for his refusal to ride on to Cheyenne, which had resulted in them being caught in the fire, deep down, he knew it wasn’t really anyone’s fault, just a case of bad luck. What he couldn’t deal with was having to overhear that the Governor had revoked his offer of amnesty, rather than be told in person. Whatever happened, however bad, he and Kid were always honest and up front with each other, and, to know that the Kid had deliberately kept it from him, for whatever reason, had damaged his trust in him. If he could keep something that important from him, what else might he hide in the future? He sighed, furious about the whole situation. The fire may have been an accident, which they’d had no control over, but, sometimes, it seemed as if fate was conspiring against them. If the Kid hadn’t refused to ride on, they wouldn’t have been involved in the fire, Heyes wouldn’t have gotten hurt and they’d have reached Cheyenne in time for the meeting and might even be free men now. And, if the Kid, instead of remaining in Porterville, after the fire, had attended the meeting alone, and explained what had happened, maybe the Governor wouldn’t have lost his temper and revoked the amnesty offer. Once again, his anger at the Kid flared up. He could understand the Kid wanting to stay with him after the fire - if the situation had been reversed he would have felt the same way - but, sometimes, you had to look at the bigger picture and do what was best in the long term. The Kid had allowed his heart to rule his head and, ultimately, it had cost them the amnesty, and Heyes wasn’t sure he could forgive him.
He closed his eyes, his head spinning as he bounced from one viewpoint to the other and back again. He wasn’t sure how to resolve the situation, but, knew, if he didn’t, there was no way forward. As he slipped into a restless sleep, his dreams were full of gun battles, with faceless bounty hunters, and of executioners placing a hangman’s noose around his neck, constantly looking around him for the Kid’s ever present presence at his side, but finding himself alone.
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* * *
“Hey! Heyes!”
Heyes woke to the sound of Lom’s voice booming in his ear.
“Are you O.K?” Lom asked, worriedly. Usually, Heyes was awake when they came to help him up for breakfast.
“Yeah.” Heyes replied, huskily, “I didn’t sleep too well is all.”
Lom raised a quizzical eyebrow, but made no comment as he helped Heyes up out of bed and into his pants before supporting him as he limped across to the chair. The swelling was almost gone from his ankle now, but, after nearly two weeks of immobility it was stiff and painful. The burns too were healing well, although he still couldn’t lie on his back or put any pressure on them, but he was still in pain from his fractured ribs and collar bone, and, with his arm in a splint there was still very little he could do for himself at the moment.
After settling him in the chair, Lom left the room, returning a few moments later with some breakfast.
Heyes opened his mouth to protest that he wasn’t hungry, but Lom cut him off with a harsh, “Eat!”
He stood there, hands on hips, watching him, as Heyes reluctantly began to eat.
Presently, Heyes said, casually, “Kid gone to work?”
Lom shook his head, “He didn’t come back last night.”
Heyes chewed his food, his expression carefully blank even though his stomach had just turned a cartwheel at the news.
“I’m as mad at him as I am at you.” Lom growled, “You’re both as stubborn and pigheaded as each other.
Heyes said nothing, his mind elsewhere.
“I’ve got to get to work.” Lom said presently, “Will you be O.K. until Kate gets here?”
“Yeah.” Heyes said, quietly.
Lom left the room, muttering, under his breath, about the inconveniences that they were causing him.
Heyes watched Lom ride away, his mind once again returning to his conversation with the Kid the previous morning. After the way he’d spoken to him, Heyes couldn’t really blame him for staying away last night. He knew the Kid would be feeling bad about what had happened and Heyes’ harsh words would have just compounded his feelings. He felt the need to go and search for him, tell him that he didn’t blame him, that what had happened was just an unlucky set of circumstances, and he cursed the injuries that prevented him from doing so. The Kid took stuff to heart, brooded on it. Without being able to see him, face to face, explain that he’d spoken in the heat of the moment and that it didn’t matter if they never got the amnesty as long as they still had each other, the Kid could very likely decide to clear out for good. Heyes’ stomach turned over and his chest contracted at the thought.
Just then, Kate rode up to the cabin and slid out of the saddle.
A few moments later she entered the bedroom, with a cheery smile.
“Hello, Joshua. How are you feeling today?” she enquired.
Heyes, who had been staring blankly out of the window, blinked, as her voice drew him out of his reverie, and half turned his head towards her.
“I’m alright.” he said quietly.
“Would you like some coffee, before I tend to your burns?” asked Kate.
Heyes sighed and gave a half nod, “Thank you.”
“Did you sort things out with your friend?” Kate enquired, as she gathered up fresh dressings and salve and crossed to put them on the table at the side of his chair.
Heyes shook his head, “No.” he said quietly, his gaze fixed on his lap.
Kate eyed him, noting his subdued manner and glum expression.
“I’m sorry.” she told him, placing a hand on his shoulder. As Heyes shook his head, she said, “I’ll go and get that coffee.” turning and going back into the kitchen.
As she re-entered the bedroom, Heyes was hunched forward, his elbow on his knee, his face dropped into his hand.
Kate set the coffee on the table and crouched at the side of the chair, placing her hand on his arm.
“Joshua, I don’t know what the problem is, but it seems to me that you need to get it sorted out. I don’t think it’s doing you any good and I’m worried about you.”
Heyes shook his head, his hand still covering his face.
“Joshua.” Kate gently pulled at his arm, trying to see his face.
Heyes dropped his hand and looked at her with a tortured expression, the look of pain and anguish in his eyes making her stomach contract.
“Surely it can’t be that bad?” Kate questioned, giving him a sympathetic smile.
Heyes opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again, as a single tear slid down his cheek.
“Oh, Joshua.” said Kate, reaching up and brushing the back of her hand gently across his cheek to wipe away the tear.
Heyes grasped her hand and held it tightly, pressing his forehead against his and her hands as he fought a losing battle to control his emotions.
Kate got up and perched on the arm of the chair, putting her other arm around his shoulders
“Ssh, it’s alright.” she told him.
Heyes leaned into her shoulder, embarrassed at breaking down in front of her, but unable to control himself, overcome by everything that had happened over the past week – the fire, the debilitating injuries he’d received and the pain and sickness resulting from them, the frustration, and embarrassment, of having to be looked after 24 hours a day, unable to do anything for himself, but, most of all, for losing their chance of the amnesty, because of the Kid’s pigheadedness, and his feelings of betrayal by the Kid, for having kept it from him.
“Ssh.” Kate said again, holding him tightly in her arms, the comfort of her embrace making him even more emotional.
Eventually, he pulled away from her, wiping the back of his hand over his eyes.
“I’m sorry.” he croaked, his voice barely audible.
Kate reached over and took Heyes’ hand in hers.
“Joshua, I don’t know what’s happened between you and your friend, but, I think, for the sake of your health, and for your friendship, you need to sort it out.”
“I can’t.” croaked Heyes, “He left.”
“Left?” Kate looked puzzled.
Heyes nodded, pulling his hand from hers and wiping it over his eyes once more.
“Something happened…. we had words about it… I told him to go away… He hasn’t been back since…”
“I see.” said Kate.
“He thinks what happened was all his fault…” Heyes continued, “and I pretty much laid the blame on him too, but… it wasn’t all his fault… I shouldn’t have blamed him.” He shook his head, “He went off in a huff… I need to apologise, or he might not come back… but I can’t even go and look for him…” he broke off as his voice faltered.
“I’m sorry, Joshua. This is all down to me. If you hadn’t come back to rescue me, none of this would have happened.”
Heyes shook his head, “It’s not just because of the fire… there was something else.”
“I see.” said Kate. When Heyes didn’t elaborate further she continued, “Well, I’m sure your friend will come back. After what I’ve seen, I don’t believe he would just walk out on you.”
Heyes gave a vague nod, hoping that she was right.
Kate patted his arm and then reached over to pick up the cup of coffee she’d brought in.
“Here, drink this and I’ll tend to your burns.”
“Thank you.” muttered Heyes, taking the cup from her and taking a sip, while Kate moved behind him to tend to his burns. After she’d finished, she made Heyes’ bed and then took his cup out to wash it before returning to bid him farewell.
“Will you be alright?” she asked, anxiously, worried about him being here all alone in his present mood.
Heyes made an effort to brighten up.
“Yes, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” he gave her a weak smile, “I’m sorry for laying my problems on you.” he added.
“It’s no problem at all.” smiled Kate. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Heyes nodded, and Kate left.
* * *
When Lom returned home from work, he found Heyes in subdued mood. He’d become so frustrated at being stuck at the cabin, unable to do anything, he had attempted to get up and move around on his own, but had got no further than an arms length from the chair. His ankle was still too stiff and painful to stand on and, after one faltering step he had almost fallen flat on his face, only having just managed to grab hold of the wing of the armchair in time to stop himself, the sudden jolt, as he’d pitched forwards, sending shafts of pain through his ribs and collar bone and, because he’d automatically thrown out his right arm to balance himself, the sudden, sharp, movement had jarred his arm and that was throbbing now too, all of which had just added to his frustration and anguish.
Lom noted his mood, but said nothing, as he handed him a plate of food before sitting down on the bed, opposite him, with his own. He eyed him as Heyes absently pushed the food around the plate, his mind elsewhere.
They ate in silence for some time before Heyes finally said.
“Did you see the Kid in town?”
Lom put down his fork, “No, Heyes, I didn’t.” he told him, “I went up to the livery to talk to him, but old man Jenkins said he didn’t turn in today.”
Heyes’ eyes snapped onto Lom’s face, “Didn’t you go and look for him?”
Lom sighed, “No, Heyes, I didn’t. I had work to do, and besides which, I ‘d rather not get involved in your disputes.”
“But, he might have left town… “Heyes began, his eyes sliding off Lom to some point beyond his shoulder.
“I guess he might.” acknowledged Lom, continuing with his meal.
“If I wasn’t stuck here, I could have gone after him, talked it through.” Heyes said angrily.
Lom looked up to see Heyes jabbing angrily at his food, but his expression was one of anguish mixed with what seemed, to Lom, almost fear. He put down his fork as the implications of what Heyes had said sunk in. The Kid blamed himself for Heyes getting injured and for them missing the meeting with the governor. Heyes had probably compounded his feelings with whatever he’d said to him the previous morning, and, without Heyes going after him and talking it out with him, he would very likely think it for the best if he cleared out for good.
“If you like, after supper, I’ll go look for him.” he offered now.
Heyes gave a half nod of agreement, still jabbing his food angrily around his plate. Finally he lifted his eyes to Lom’s., “Thank you.” he said quietly.
After they’d eaten, Lom helped Heyes into bed and, within minutes of him leaving the room, Heyes heard Lom’s horse leaving the cabin. He had thought, after the fire, that life couldn’t get any worse, but, now, as he lay there in the dark he realised it could. The helplessness of the situation washed over him in a great wave. Lom was riding into town to search for his best friend, his partner, while he lay, helpless, in bed waiting for whatever outcome the night might bring. Normally it was down to him, Heyes, to think, and act, and solve problems, and, having to lie there without being able to do anything to resolve this problem, which was of his own making, was almost more than Heyes could bear. He closed his eyes as a lone tear slid down his cheek, praying that the Kid hadn’t left town and that Lom would be able to find him.
He didn’t know how long he’d lain there, in the dark, when he suddenly heard the sound of horses approaching the cabin. A wave of relief washed over him when he heard Lom say.
“O.K, Kid, come on, slide off your horse, I’ll catch you.”
“Whoah, Lom, are you sure now? Maybe I could just stay on my horse and sleep out here tonight?” came the Kid’s somewhat slurred reply.
“Yeah, Kid, that sounds like a great idea, but I think mine is slightly better.” Lom humoured him.
“Well, O.K, if you think so, Lom. Ready or not, here I come!”
Heyes heard what sounded like two bodies crash to the ground, and could only picture the scene as he listened to Lom trying to get himself and Kid to their feet. Next, the cabin door slammed open followed by the sound of heavy footsteps somewhat unsteadily crossing the kitchen.
“O.K, Kid, lie down and let me get your boots off.”
“Ohhhh ma darling, ohhhh ma darling, ohhhhh ma darling Clementine, you….”
“Yeah, very nice, Kid, but do you think you could keep it down a bit?”
“Ssshhh! Sorry, Lom, we don’t want to wake up… Who don’t we want to wake up, Lom?”
“Half of Porterville at this rate! Come on, Kid, pull, these boots are on pretty tight.”
There was another sound of a body hitting the floor. Heyes presumed it was Lom, falling, as Kid’s boot slipped off his foot. As miserable as he felt he couldn’t help but smile at their antics.
Eventually things quietened down, and soon the cabin fell silent. Heyes had expected Lom to come in to speak to him before going to bed, but guessed he was still angry at the two of them and not in any mood for philosophical conversation. But, knowing that the Kid was safe, albeit rather drunk, was compensation enough for Heyes and it wasn’t long before he fell asleep himself.
* * *
The next morning Lom entered Heyes’ room with some breakfast on a plate. Heyes was awake and met Lom’s gaze with a slight smile, not really sure what Lom’s mood would be like today.
“Morning, Heyes. I’m not even going to ask if you want any breakfast. It’s here, on the plate, and you’re going to eat it.” he said, in an ‘or else’ tone of voice, “I’ll help you sit up and you can eat it in bed.”
“Lom I…”
“I haven’t got time to argue with you, Heyes. I was up half the night with the Kid, and I’m behind schedule this morning. Now, eat, while I try and get the Kid up so, hopefully, he can get into work today before old man Jenkins gives him the boot. To be honest, Heyes, I’m pretty darned sick of the pair of you. I feel like a substitute Mother to you two sometimes.” growled Lom, as he propped Heyes up into a sitting position and placed the breakfast on his lap, “Eat it all, Heyes, you don’t want to be messing with me today.” he ordered, as he walked out of the room.
Heyes stared at his breakfast and decided it was in his best interest to eat it. Lom was obviously infuriated by all of the problems they were causing him and Heyes couldn’t really blame him. He could hear all sorts of noises coming from the kitchen, as Lom battled to get the Kid out of bed and get some black coffee into him. Heyes felt sorry for Lom. It wasn’t often the Kid got himself drunk, in fact, of the two of them, it was usually Heyes who would get drunk, the Kid was always too wary of possible pursuit, that might require him to use his gun, to let himself go, but, when he did get drunk he was dreadful the next morning.
Eventually, Heyes heard the Kid leaving on his horse and a few moments later Lom returned to his room.
“OK, your turn, Heyes. You never know, I might even manage to get to work myself this morning.” he added sarcastically, “Thank goodness for Kate, because I don’t have time to come back later today to check on you.”
“Is the Kid O.K?” asked Heyes
“Well, OK just about covers it.” said Lo,. “He’s on his feet. That’s about all. He didn’t want to see you.” he added, “Said he couldn’t face another argument, feeling the way he does this morning.”
Heyes said nothing, stung by the implication of the Kid’s words.
“It’s a lovely day today, would you like to sit out on the porch for a change?” asked Lom, as he helped him up out of bed.
“I guess.” replied Heyes, without much enthusiasm, as Lom fetched his pants and began to help him put them on.
“Did you find out where he’d been?” asked Heyes.
“From what I could gather, he booked himself a room at the hotel, after he left here, got himself a bottle of whisky and drunk himself into a stupor. He must have slept through most of yesterday and, when he woke up, headed on over to the temporary saloon they’ve got set up, in town, and started all over again. That’s where I found him last night.”
As Lom reached down to help him to his feet, Heyes said, “Will you hand me my shirt, Lom, I think I should be OK to wear it now.”
Lom raised a quizzical eyebrow before going to fetch the new, blue, shirt that the Kid had bought for him, after the fire, and helping him into it, settling it carefully on his shoulders before moving in front of him to do up the buttons. The right sleeve was pulled tight, over the splint on his arm, and it wasn’t possible to fasten the cuff, so Lom folded it over a couple of times.
“O.K?” he asked.
Heyes carefully flexed his left shoulder, flinching slightly, but then nodded. He was aware of the pressure of the fabric on the burnt skin, but, while it was somewhat uncomfortable, it wasn’t unbearably so.
Lom helped Heyes to his feet and supporting his weight, started towards the porch, noting that, although Heyes was still limping and hopping, he seemed to be moving easier than before. He eased Heyes into the rocking chair and placed a blanket over his legs before going back inside and fetching a pillow to place behind his back. Although the burns were healing well, he still couldn’t bear much pressure on them.
After checking that Heyes had everything he needed Lom left for work, leaving Heyes alone with his thoughts once more.
He sat on the porch, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine on his face and the quiet tranquillity of the location which, before long, lulled him to sleep, to be woken, some time later, by Kate’s horse approaching the cabin. She was still riding one handed, Heyes noted with a smile.
“Hey!” Kate shouted as she dismounted, “Look at you, outside! And dressed too! You must be feeling better?”
“A little.” Heyes replied with a small smile.
“I saw your friend, Thaddeus, in town last night. He seemed a little the worse for wear. Is he alright?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him.”
“Didn’t he come home again last night?” Kate asked with a frown.
“Yes, Lom went to pick him up from town, but he hasn’t spoken to me.”
“Oh dear, are things still not sorted out between you yet then?” she enquired, adjusting the blanket that Lom had placed over Heyes’ knees before he left.
“No. I think he is still pretty angry at me.”
“I thought it was you that was angry with him? Did I misunderstand?” asked Kate.
“Its complicated.” said Heyes, “Thaddeus and me, well, we’ve been through a lot, but, he can be real stubborn at times and, because of his stubbornness, well, we lost something that meant a lot to us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. So, Thaddeus won’t be coming back today, to check on you, then?”
“I doubt it.”
“Well, I can stay all day today, if you’d like. I don’t have to work until tonight. The saloon owner has set up a temporary saloon in an empty building in town and he’s put up a large tent, at the back, for customers to ‘entertain’ themselves.” she shrugged, “There’s only so much entertaining a girl can do in a tent, so we’re working in shifts. If I’m honest with you, Joshua, it’s a relief to get a day to myself.” She grinned into his sympathetic brown eyes and realised that this man, who was rapidly working his way into her heart, did not judge her in any way. Maybe, when he said he understood more than she realised, about her life’s choices, he really did mean it.
She went into the cabin, returning a few moments later with two cups of coffee. She handed one to Heyes and then sat down on the porch step with her own. They chatted about local town gossip, since Kate could sense he was still preoccupied and didn’t want to risk saying anything too personal in case it upset him.
When they’d drunk the coffee, Kate gathered clean dressings and salve in order to treat his burns. The blisters were almost gone now and although the skin was still red it looked as though there wouldn’t be much, if any, scarring once it healed.
Later she prepared a lunch, of cold meat and salad, for them. Heyes’ mood had brightened, slightly, since her arrival and they spent the afternoon in pleasant conversation, Heyes regaling her with stories about various places he and the Kid had visited and telling her some of his tall tales. It was the first time Kate had actually seen him laugh and she was enchanted by his roguish smile, his wit and his easy charm, and was disappointed when she realised the time had come for her to leave.
Gathering her things together, she asked him if he would be alright there, alone, until Lom got home, to which Heyes replied that he would. Kate bent to adjust the blanket around Heyes’ knees and, as she did so, Heyes, on a sudden impulse, leaned forward and gently lifted her face to his and kissed her tenderly on the lips. She responded, eagerly, but, as she did so, Heyes suddenly pulled away.
“I’m sorry, Kate. I don’t know what came over me.” he apologised.
“I don’t mind, Joshua, really.” she said, leaning forward to kiss him again, but Heyes pushed her gently away.
“It’s because of me working as a saloon girl, isn’t it?” she said bitterly, “Decent men don’t want to get involved with working girls.”
“No, Kate. It’s nothing like that.” Heyes reassured her, “I don’t think of you as a working girl. It’s just…” he sighed, heavily, “I can’t… it’s complicated, and it wouldn’t be fair for me to allow you to have feelings for me.”
“Joshua, I’m a big girl and I can make those decisions for myself.” Kate replied, looking indignant.
“Kate, no, I’m sorry, I really can’t. You don’t understand.”
“Well, then, Joshua I think it’s time you explained. I poured my heart out to you the other day. Now, maybe, it’s time for you to trust me and do the same.”
Heyes looked into her eyes. Could he trust this woman? Somehow, he sensed that he could, and he wanted, needed, to explain everything to her so she would understand why he was holding back from her, why they couldn’t have a relationship together, that it was nothing to do with her being any less worthy because of working as a saloon girl. Why he felt the need to tell her everything, he didn’t know. All he knew was that he wanted to, for her as much as for himself.
“Alright.” he said finally, “You’d better sit down, it’s a long story.”
Heyes started at the beginning. He felt that Kate would understand the paths their lives had taken if she knew how it had all begun, especially after her own tragic life. He told her of their parents’ murders, while they were still small children, and of how they had fallen into outlawing as a means of survival.
“My name isn’t Joshua Smith,” he told her, “it’s Heyes, Hannibal Heyes, and Thaddeus is Kid Curry.”
Kate’s eyes widened in shocked surprise.
“But we’ve given up the outlaw life.” Heyes continued hurriedly. He explained how they’d decided to try for an amnesty from the Governor and had asked Lom to approach him on their behalf, and of the conditions imposed on them which they had
worked so hard to honour, trying to keep out of trouble even when fate seemed to conspire against them. He told her of their disillusionment at the Governor dragging his feet on honouring his promise, when, suddenly, the Governor had sent a telegram saying that he wanted to see them, and of how they had disagreed over the reasons for the meeting; whether the Governor was going to grant, or refuse, them the amnesty, a disagreement that had resulted in them staying in Porterville, that fateful night, rather than travelling on to Cheyenne, and of how the missed meeting had resulted in the Governor withdrawing the offer of amnesty.
“The rest you know, Kate. Kid refused to travel on to Cheyenne, just to rile, me ‘cos he was in a bad mood. If we’d gone on, like I suggested, none of this would have happened...” He sighed, deeply, “Then, to overhear we’d lost out chance for the amnesty, and he hadn’t even had the decency to tell me...” He trailed off, shaking his head.
“Joshua, I mean Hannibal…” she began, but Heyes cut her off.
“Please, just call me Heyes, everyone else does, or Joshua. That’s the name I live under now.”
“Alright,” nodded Kate, “Heyes, where does the blame begin and end? If you’re looking for blame, you could blame me too. If I hadn’t have been so scared of the fire, and had gotten out of the saloon in time, you wouldn’t have had to rescue me and then you wouldn’t have got injured and wouldn’t be laying the blame at Kid’s feet because you would have been able to leave for Cheyenne the next morning, as planned, and would have made your meeting. Yes, Thaddeus – Kid should probably have told you sooner, but none of this is his fault, any more than it’s yours, or mine. What happened was just bad luck. He was trying to protect you by not telling you. You were very sick. He probably thought that was the last thing you needed to hear, the state you were in. He was worried sick about you. I’m sure he would have told you when he thought you were ready to hear it.”
Heyes looked at the floor. What she had just said made more sense than anything else; all his thoughts, or any of the things Lom had said to him.
“He cares about you a great deal. He wouldn’t deliberately do anything to hurt you, I’m sure.”
Heyes shook his head, “I’ve been a fool, haven’t I?”
“No, I think frustration, helplessness and despondency took over until you couldn’t think straight. It was bound to come out one way or the other and it’s usually our best friends and loved ones that get caught up in the repercussions.”
Heyes smiled up at her, “You understand, now, why I can’t let the two of us get any closer, don’t you?” he asked, “It’s not that I wouldn’t like to, but, it wouldn’t be fair. You’ve lost everything once, and, with the life I lead, if we got together, you could lose everything again and I’m not prepared to let you take that risk.”
The steely look in Heyes’ eyes told Kate he had made his mind up. She could feel her eyes pricking with tears, but she knew in her heart he was right and so she forced back the tears, and drew herself up, acknowledging him with a slight nod of her head.
“You’re a good man, Heyes. I’m sure you can find it in your heart to forgive your best friend and move on with your life.”
Heyes gave a small nod, his discomfited gaze fixed on the floor. Kate bent to place a tender kiss on his cheek. Heyes lifted his head, his brown eyes meeting her blue ones.
“You’ve made me see things clearer, too, in my own life, for the first time in a long time.” Kate told him, “But for you, I would have died in that fire. Now I have a chance to start afresh; move on, leave my past behind.” She smiled, “If Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry can do it, Katherine Johnson sure can.”
Heyes gave her a dimpled grin, “I know you can.” he told her, reaching out to squeeze her hand.
Their eyes held for a long moment before Kate lowered her gaze and moved towards the edge of the porch.
“I won’t need to come out here again. You’re almost healed now.” she told him.
Heyes nodded, his dark eyes following her as she moved to mount her horse, turning it to face him.
“Don’t worry. Your secret will be safe with me.” she told him.
“Thank you, Kate…” said Heyes, “for everything.”
Their eyes held, once more, before Kate turned her horse to leave.
“Good luck with the Governor!” she grinned, “I’ll keep my eyes open to read the news when you get that amnesty.” she added, before heading off at a gallop.
Heyes watched her go, his gaze remaining fixed on the trail long after she had vanished from sight.
* * *
Lom returned, that evening, to find Heyes in a somewhat melancholy mood.
“How are you feeling? Did Kate come today?” he asked.
“Fine, and, yes, Kate came today, but she won’t be coming back again. She’s a sweet girl, but I’m almost healed now so there’s no need for her to ride out here anymore.” he replied, more lightheartedly than he felt, “You know, I think that girl’s gonna make something with her life.” he added, with a grin that belied his true feelings.
Lom went inside to start preparing supper and a few minutes later the Kid arrived. He tended to his horse and then headed towards the cabin. When he saw Heyes sitting on the porch, his heart sank. He just couldn’t face getting into another argument with Heyes. The effects of his heavy drinking session the night before had lingered all day and he was exhausted, and just wanted to eat supper and go to bed and sleep it off, but, with Heyes sitting by the door, there was no way of avoiding him.
As he reached the porch Heyes said, “You don’t look so good.” a slight smirk on his face.
“You don’t say!” the Kid replied with sarcasm, making to walk on past him into the cabin.
“Kid, wait!”
The Kid stopped walking and looked back over his shoulder.
Heyes sighed, “Look, Kid could you sit down a minute? I need to talk to you.” At the Kid’s suspicious expression he added, “Please. There’s something I need to say.”
The Kid eyed Heyes, momentarily, before moving to lean against the railing around the porch and folding his arms.
“I’m listenin’.” he said, his expression carefully blank.
Heyes took a breath, “It’s taken someone very special to make me realise that I’ve been an idiot.” he began, his gaze fixed on his lap, “I can’t blame you for everything that’s happened to me. You lost out on the amnesty too, and I know that will have cut you up just as much as me. The day we got here, none of what happened was your fault. We made a decision, and it just happened to be a bad one. Wasn’t the first and won’t be the last.” He risked a glance at the Kid who stood, silently, his expression unreadable.
“We’ve been through a lot together, Kid. I don’t want this to come between us.”
Still the Kid said nothing.
Heyes sighed, lowering his gaze once more, “What I’m trying to say, Kid, is… I’m sorry.” He shook his head, “Losing out on the amnesty is tough… but, not as tough as if I was to lose you…” he broke off as his voice caught, his anguished gaze fixed on his lap.
The Kid eyed him for a long moment, before a ghost of a smile lit in his eyes, and an expression of obvious relief came to his face. When Heyes had said he had something to say to him, he thought it was that he wanted to break up their partnership.
“I’m sorry too.” he said quietly.
Heyes’ gaze snapped onto his face, his expression a mixture of uncertainty and hopefulness.
The Kid’s face creased into a smile and Heyes’ expression changed to one of relief before breaking into a dimpled grin.
“There was no guarantee the government would ever have given us the amnesty anyway, Kid.” he told him, “But, as long as we stick together, we’ll get by, amnesty or no amnesty.”
The Kid nodded, solemnly.
Heyes put out his left hand, “Partners?” he enquired, raising a questioning eyebrow.
The Kid smiled, at Heyes’ left handed handshake, and, reaching out his own left hand, gripped his hand tightly, “Partners.”
“So, “the Kid said, presently, “where do we go from here?”
Heyes pondered the question, “Well, I reckon in another four or five weeks I’ll be fit to travel.” he said presently, "I heard in the saloon, just before the fire, that there was a cattle drive coming up, round about then, if you don’t mind a trip down to New Mexico?
“If we have to, although there’s got to be better ways to earn money.”
“It’s legal, and profitable, Kid, and that’s what counts.” grinned Heyes.
The Kid gave a wry shake of his head, chuckling to himself.
Just at that moment Lom walked out on to the porch,
“So, that’s your plan, huh?” he enquired.
“If that’s O.K. with you, Lom?” said Heyes.
“Of course it is, boys, no problem. I’m just glad you’re both seeing sense.”
They all smiled at each other, and then the Kid Helped Heyes inside, for supper. Later, as they sat around the fire, sharing a few glasses of scotch, Lom said.
“By the way, Heyes, I had cause to go into the temporary saloon this afternoon, and the bartender told me that Kate quit.”
“Quit?” The Kid raised a questioning eyebrow.
Lom nodded, “Apparently she told him she was going to Denver, to start a new life.”
Heyes smiled, “I bet she’ll do it too.” he said, a tender looking coming into his eyes as he gazed into the fire, “If anyone deserves a fresh start, she does.”
* * *
The platform of the train station in Cheyenne was crowded as people waited for the arrival of the train that had travelled down from western Wyoming, through Green River, Rawlins, Walcot and dozens of other communities as it wended its way towards Cheyenne and then on to Denver and points further south in Colorado.
On the platform, Lom Trevors stood, anxiously checking his pocket watch. The train was fifteen minutes late, and there was still no sign of its approach. He hoped that nothing serious had happened to delay it. Not today, of all days.
He went back inside the waiting room to double check the timetable and see if anything had been posted about why the train was late, or an estimate of its arrival time, but found nothing. After seeking out one of the staff, all he was able ascertain was that the train had left its last stop, Laramie, on schedule.
Just as he stepped back outside onto the platform he heard a train’s whistle, and breathed a sigh of relief when, a few moments later, he saw a train come into sight on the western line.
The train pulled in, in a hiss of steam and smoke. A moment later the doors of the carriages opened and the platform became a sea of bodies as people embarked and disembarked from the train.
Lom began to walk alongside the carriages, his eyes anxiously scanning each door and window, his face suddenly creasing into a relieved smile when he spotted Hannibal Heyes exiting through the door of the next carriage, Kid Curry tossing their bags down to him before jumping down alongside him.
It had taken six weeks for Heyes’ fractures to heal, and, three weeks after that, he and Kid had bid Lom farewell and set off, southwards, in search of work, planning to work their way down towards New Mexico or Texas, for the winter months, and maybe join one of the many cattle drives that were pretty much a continual event in that part of the country.
One week after they’d left, just a week ago, Lom had received an urgent telegraph from the Governor with an instruction for Lom, Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones to meet with him at the Cheyenne Court House on 1st November at 2pm sharp. It made no mention of what the meeting was about, other than to say it was in Mr. Smith’s and Mr. Jones’ interest that they be there and that they missed the appointment at their peril.
Lom had sent an urgent telegraph to Walcot, from where Heyes had mailed him, two days earlier, saying they were planning to stay there a couple of days before heading south into Colorado and then on to New Mexico, praying that they hadn’t left town yet and would get his wire advising them that the Governor had sent for them and instructing them to meet him at the railway station in Cheyenne on 1st November, without fail. The following day he had received a reply acknowledging his telegraph and saying they would be there.
The train had been due in at twelve thirty. It was now almost twelve fifty.
Lom pushed his way through the crowd towards them, as Heyes and the Kid headed towards the entrance.
“Joshua! Thaddeus!” Lom called, putting his arm up and waving.
Heyes glanced around on hearing their names being called and, nodding to the Kid, they changed direction and headed towards him.
“Hello, boys, I was beginning to worry you wouldn’t get here in time.” said Lom, as they reached him.
“What’s going on, Lom? What does the Governor want to see us about?” asked Heyes as they exited the station and stood under the awning.
“I don’t know, Heyes, but he made it fairly plain that you miss this appointment at your peril.”
“But he revoked the amnesty offer, Lom.” the Kid put in now, “Why would he want to see us?” His eyes narrowed, “You don’t think he’s gonna have us arrested, do you? 'cause if that’s the case, I aint gonna be there.” he said stubbornly.
“Why would he need to send for us to have us arrested, Kid?” said Heyes, “Its probably only a matter of time before we get arrested for something, and if he wanted to speed up the likelihood, he could just issue a notice telling people our aliases, and wait. The first lawman who heard the name Joshua Smith or Thaddeus Jones would haul us in right away.”
“I guess so.” agreed the Kid.
“Maybe it means he’s cooled off and is prepared to reinstate the amnesty offer, with a fresh set of terms and conditions?” Heyes speculated.
“That’d be more like it.” the Kid grunted cynically, “Another year’s wait probably.”
“Let’s not go getting ideas, boys, let’s just wait and see, shall we?” said Lom, “I see you’ve come dressed prepared.” he added, noting that they were clad in their ‘Sunday best’ a brown suit, with a brown and tan patterned waistcoat, for Heyes and a grey suit, with a lavender and grey striped waistcoat for the Kid, “I’ve booked rooms at the hotel. There’s just time for you to freshen up before we head up to the Court House.”
They headed across the street to the hotel where Lom had booked two rooms, a twin bedded one for Heyes and the Kid, and a single one for himself.
After washing up, the three of them headed up the street to the Court House. Heyes and the Kid paused, on the steps, looking apprehensively up at the impressive building with it’s Grecian style portico, before exchanging glances with each other, wondering what they were walking into.
“Come on, boys.” Lom called, holding the door open for them, seeing the silent conversation passing between their eyes. He waved them through the door, giving each of them a brief squeeze of the shoulder as they passed by him.
Once inside, they removed their hats, and Lom crossed to a suited man behind a desk and announced that they had an appointment with the Governor.
The man checked their names on a list and then led them down a corridor, stopping outside a large oak door.
“Please wait here.” the man instructed, pointing to a bench on the opposite wall before going through the oak door and closing it after him. He returned a moment later with the Governor’s aide.
“The Governor will see you shortly, gentlemen.” he announced, before disappearing back through the oak door, while the man who had greeted them, on their arrival, went back to his post at the front desk.
Lom leaned back against the wall, lifting his right foot and placing it across his left knee, turning to regard Heyes and the Kid, seated at his side. The Kid sat stiffly upright, turning his hat nervously in his hands, his usually relaxed features set, while Heyes sat, head bowed, appearing relaxed until Lom noticed he was clutching his hat so tightly his knuckles were white. A slight smile touched the corners of his mouth to see them both looking so tense, but he guessed it was understandable. Whatever happened in the next few minutes would very likely affect the rest of their lives, one way or the other.
A few moments later, the door opened and the Governor’s aide came out and said.
“Would you come this way please?”
The three of them followed him through the door, into a large office, and across to a pair of heavy, oak, doors set in the opposite wall. The aide knocked, before opening the doors, and ushered them into the room before exiting and closing the doors behind him.
Behind a large desk in front of the window sat the Governor of Wyoming, Francis E. Warren.
“Lom.” The Governor inclined his head towards Lom, “Mr. Heyes, Mr. Curry.” he acknowledged, looking first at the Kid and then at Heyes.
“Er… He’s Curry, I’m Heyes.” said Heyes.
“My apologies.” said the Governor, “Please, sit down.” He indicated three chairs placed in front of his desk.
Lom took the first seat on the left, the Kid sat in the middle and Heyes took the seat on the right.
“As you are aware, you were supposed to meet with me here, in August, but you failed to attend.” the Governor said, sternly, his handlebar moustache bristling.
“Yes, we’re very sorry about that, sir, but we were unavoidably detained.” said Heyes.
The Governor nodded his head, thoughtfully.
“Sheriff Trevors, here, had assured me that you had changed your ways and become honest, law abiding, reliable, citizens,” he continued, “so, as you can imagine, I was very angry that, after making a detour, in my travels, especially to meet with you, you failed to turn up.”
“We’re very sorry, sir.” muttered the Kid.
“Sheriff Trevors told me you had wired him with an explanation as to why you couldn’t attend, but, I’m afraid I was in no mood to listen and told him I was revoking the offer of amnesty made to you.”
Heyes and the Kid nodded sorrowfully.
“So, you’re probably wondering why I’ve called you here today?”
“We are a mite curious, sir.” said Heyes.
“Well, two weeks ago, a young woman, by the name of Kate Johnson, turned up here, demanding to see me.” said the Governor, “At first, I refused, but, it seems she’s… ahem… ‘acquainted’ with my nephew, and, well, to cut a long story short, she darned well refused to go away until I agreed to see her. She told me everything that happened the night before you two were supposed to meet me, about the saloon catching fire and everything. Kate was with my nephew at the time, who jumped out of the window and left her to fend for herself, and she said that if it hadn’t been for you two, she would have died.” He scanned around the three faces in front of him.
“I understand that you, Mr. Heyes, were badly injured while carrying out this task?”
“Well…” Heyes looked sheepish, fiddling with the brim of his hat.
“Yes, he was.” the Kid said now, “He almost died.”
The Governor turned to Lom, “And you didn’t think I ought to know this? What do you take me for, Lom?”
“I’m sorry, Governor Warren, it’s just that you’re so busy and I didn’t know if you would believe it. I mean, you know my past. I thought, maybe, you’d figure I was just spinning you a yarn to help two old friends of mine. I mean it is a bit of a coincidence that it should happen just as they were on their way to meet you, and….”
“Lom, shut up! I know you better than that, and you should have given me more credit.” shouted the governor.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Lom was contrite.
“And how are you now, Mr. Heyes?” The Governor turned his attention back to Heyes, who looked uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze.
“I’m fine now, thank you, sir.”
The Governor nodded. Getting to his feet, he moved to stand at the window, his back to them.
Heyes and the Kid threw questioning looks at Lom, who shrugged, as much in the dark as they were.
“You’ve honoured the conditions imposed on you, and stayed out of trouble longer than the original year designated.” the Governor said presently, without turning round, “You also risked your lives, to save a young woman from burning to death, and, despite believing all hope of getting amnesty was lost, have not returned to a life of crime but have continued to work towards an honest future.” He turned to face them now.
“Not only that, but, when you came in here just now, and I spoke about you missing your original appointment, you made no excuses, nor any claims for special consideration for missing the meeting because of what happened in Porterville. To me, that shows a great deal of character.”
He moved from the window back to his desk, hooking his thumbs under the lapels of his coat and bouncing on his heels.
“I think, therefore, it’s time that the Government, and I, as its agent, honoured our part of the deal.” He looked around at the three men seated before him.
“Hannibal Heyes and Jedediah Curry, as of this day, 1st November, 1885, I hereby grant you both amnesty from your crimes. Gentlemen, you are now free men.”
For a long moment, no-one moved. Then, the Kid looked at Heyes, and Heyes looked at the Kid, uncertain smiles coming to their faces that slowly spread into huge grins as the Governor’s words sank in. They both jumped up, throwing their arms around each other, and hugging each other tightly, before breaking apart and taking turns to shake the Governor’s hand, tripping up over words of thanks and gratitude, while Lom looked on with a broad grin on his face.
Eventually, Lom managed to guide them outside, after the Governor had explained that the necessary forms would be drawn up and that they were to return the next day to sign them and formally be presented with their pardons.
“I can’t believe it!” said the Kid, as they stood on the steps of the courthouse. He grabbed Heyes’ arm, “Heyes, can you believe it?” He turned to Lom, “Lom, we finally got it! I can’t believe we finally got it!” he said, half laughing and half crying, while Heyes just stood there, looking stunned.
“Yeah, Kid, you finally got it!” laughed Lom, throwing his arms around both of their shoulders, “And all because of Kate!”
“Kate!” Heyes said now, suddenly seeming to wake up to the reality of the situation. He turned to the Kid, “I told you there was more to that girl than met the eye, didn’t I?” he grinned, suddenly remembering her words, about keeping her eyes open to read about them getting the amnesty, and suddenly thinking that perhaps Denver might be a good place to start their new lives as free men.
“Yeah, Heyes. Funny how things turn out, aint it?” said Lom, “If you hadn’t stayed in Porterville, and rescued Kate that night, who knows if, or when, you might have gotten the amnesty? Just proves the saying - one good turn deserves another!”
“I guess it does.” grinned Heyes. Then pressing his fingers to his lips, he blew a kiss into the sky and yelled, “Thank you, Kate!” at the top of his voice, before, laughing, the three of them headed into town, to the nearest saloon, to celebrate their freedom.
“Kid…” Heyes grabbed the Kid’s arm just before they walked through the saloon doors.
“What, Heyes?” the Kid threw him a questioning glance.
“Just don’t make any suggestions about staying here tonight, will you?” he said, a worried look on his face.
The Kid looked blank for a moment, not understanding his meaning. Then, realising, broke into a grin, “No, Heyes. Next time you suggest moving on, I’ll be right behind you!”
Heyes grinned before pushing open the door and leading the way inside.
-ooOOoo-
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