The Course of True Love
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-4-
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The next morning Heyes gathered his things together in readiness for leaving for the cattle drive.
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“Are you sure you’re gonna be OK?” He eyed Curry, worriedly.
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Curry gave him a small smile that was intended to reassure him, but Heyes wasn’t convinced by it.
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“I’ll be fine. You just worry about yourself.”
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Heyes gave him a withering look.
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“I’ll either be here, or at the O’Reilly’s place when you get back.” Curry told him.
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Heyes nodded.
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“Well, good luck.” said Curry.
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“You too. See you in a couple of weeks.”
* * *
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After Heyes left, Curry made his way over to the O’Reilly’s farm.
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Patrick soon had him hard at work chopping wood, planting vegetables, milking the cow and grooming the horses, as well as helping with repairs to the farm buildings and fences.
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Curry found the work therapeutic and by supper time his mood was much improved from his melancholy of the previous day.
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At sunset they headed inside and Moira provided them with a hearty meal.
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“Tomorrow, I’ll fix the gate to the corral and then the roof of the chicken run.” Curry told Patrick.
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“If you keep on at this pace, I’ll have run out of work for you in a couple of weeks.” laughed Patrick.
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“Thaddeus, will you teach us to ride a horse properly when you get through all the chores?” Joseph asked now.
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“Ooh, yes please.” said Jennifer, “Pa never has time with all the farm work and he won’t allow us to try alone.”
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Curry laughed and ruffled Joe’s hair, “If your Pa says it’s OK, sure I will.”
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Patrick looked at him quizzically, surprised at how easy he was with the children and how they in turn seemed to have taken to him, “You’re a man of many parts, Thaddeus.”
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Curry shrugged, “When you drift around as much as I do, you have to be able to turn your hand to pretty much anything... including riding lessons.” he added with a wink to Joe and Jenny.
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“I guess so.” said Patrick, “Well, you two, it’s time you were in bed.” he said, turning to the children.
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“Awww, Pa...” Joe began to protest.
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“It’s still early...” added Jennifer.
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“If you want me to let Thaddeus teach you to ride, you’d better do as you’re told.” he told them, causing them both to scurry off to their bedroom.
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“Is there anything else you need me to do before I leave?” asked Curry.
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“No, thank you, Thaddeus.” said Patrick.
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Joe’s head re-appeared around the doorframe, “Thaddeus, will you come and read us a story?”
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“Please?” pleaded Jenny.
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Curry looked at Moira who nodded, smiling.
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“O.K, O.K, I’m coming.”
* * *
Heyes mopped his forehead and squinted up at the sun. Boy, it sure was hot! This guy Roper certainly made you earn your money. They had ridden hard all morning, and expected to reach the herd ahead of schedule if they hadn’t roamed too far from where they’d been told to find them. After they sighted the herd, they then had to herd them all the way back, past Denver, and on to where William Randle had his new ranch at Palmer Lake, south of Colorado Springs, where they would stay on to erect fences to contain the herd, before returning to Denver.
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The trip was expected to take 10-12 days plus a few more days to put up the fences when they reached Lake Palmer.
Heyes had decided that a little work was quite pleasant, but he didn’t fancy doing this kind of work on a permanent basis.
He pushed on to where the rest of the men were gathering in the shade of a large rock. The heat was not quite so intense there and they intended to have lunch and ride on again after midday.
“Ah, there y’are fella” a middle aged man addressed him, “We’re jest rustlin’ up some grub. Want some?”
“I could sure do with some.” smiled Heyes. He collected a plate of food and went to sit on a rock a few yards away.
The man who had addressed him came over and sat down alongside him.
“Ah don’t think we bin introduced proper-like” he said, in a broad accent that Heyes couldn’t place, “Ma name’s John McKenzie.” he held out his hand, “Ah didn’t catch your name.”
“Smith.” replied Heyes, reaching out to shake McKenzie’s hand.
“Ah’m right pleased to make your acquaintance Mr. Smith.
Heyes smiled.
“You from these parts?” asked McKenzie as he began to eat his food.
“Er... no.”
“Oh?” McKenzie waited for further information. When none came, he went on, “You a Northener?”
“Well, I’ve been working up here for a while, but I don’t come from anywhere in particular. I drift around.”
“Oh.” said McKenzie. He thought for a moment, “They aint a very friendly bunch, are they?” he continued presently, nodding to where the rest of the men were playing cards.
Heyes eyed the other four men. The foreman, the man who had signed Heyes up for the drive, was named George Roper. He was tall, dark and sinister looking.
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The two men sitting next to him looked like brothers Heyes thought. They were pretty young, with corn coloured hair and blue eyes. The fourth man was very shy looking, with a weatherbeaten face and steel blue eyes that took in everything discreetly. There were laugh lines around his eyes and mouth, but he spoke very little. The other three chatted as they played, but he merely threw in cards at his turn and listened to their conversation.
“Ah said, they aint a very friendly bunch, are they?” McKenzie repeated.
“I guess not.” said Heyes.
Putting down his plate, Mckenzie grunted and lay down, pulling his hat over his eyes, “Call me when it’s time to move.”
* * *
Kid Curry had been into town for supplies. He strolled along in the sunshine, wondering how Heyes was getting on.
As he arrived at the farm, Joseph and Jennifer O’Reilly were sitting on the gate waiting for him.
He stopped beside them, “Have you finished all your chores?” he asked.
“Uh-huh.” nodded Joseph, “You said, if we did ‘em quick, you’d give us a riding lesson.”
“Well, you go and get the horse in from the field and I’ll maybe give you one before lunch.”
“Will you really?” said Joseph.
“Ooh, thanks.” cooed Jennifer.
They jumped off the fence and ran, laughing, around the back of the house.
Curry carried the groceries into the kitchen.
“Oh, you’re back, Thaddeus.” said Moira.
“Yes.” He put the groceries down on the table, “The kids want me to give them a riding lesson before lunch, if that’s OK?”
Moira laughed, “I hope they don’t bother you too much.”
“No M’am. I enjoy having them around.”
“They’ve really taken to you since you arrived.” said Moira. As soon as the Kid had mentioned Heyes’ cattle drive, Patrick had insisted he stay at the farm with them instead of the hotel.
“Oh, I couldn’t impose.” Curry had protested.
“It’s no problem. It would be our pleasure, and it will save you having to travel over here every day.”
“Very well, then, thanks.” Curry had graciously accepted.
“Have you ever wanted your own kids?” Moira asked now.
“I don’t know. I guess so... I never really thought much about it. I think I’m too set in my ways now to think about marriage.” he added, immediately picturing himself and Hannah with two children like Joseph and Jennifer.
“Pity. You’d make such a good father.” Moira told him. She smiled, closing the cupboard door, “There, that’s the lot.”
“Well, I’ll go and give the kids their lesson.” said Curry, turning and heading outside before Moira could see the tears that sprung into his eyes at her remark.
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* * *
The night had turned chilly. Heyes, John McKenzie and the rest of the men had made camp and were seated around the fire laying cards. George Roper watched everyone suspiciously.
The two younger men who, as Heyes had suspected, were brothers, were named David and Andrew Pearson. They had become a little more social now and included Heyes and McKenzie in their card game.
The shy looking fellow remained indifferent, keeping himself to himself and speaking only when he had to. Heyes didn’t even know his name. The others had nicknamed him “The Stranger”.
David Pearson threw in his cards with a yawn, “Well, I quit. I’m bushed.” he said, getting to his feet.
“Goodnight Dave.” said Andrew.
‘night.” said Heyes. McKenzie flipped his hand in a wave.
The rest of the men dealt a fresh hand.
“What business are you in, Mr. Smith?” asked Andrew Pearson.
“Call me Joshua.” said Heyes, “I’ve done all kinds of jobs in the past.” he said truthfully.
“Oh? Such as?”
“Oh, mining, farming, ranching, all that kind of thing.”
They chatted a while longer and then McKenzie threw in his cards.
“Well, if you boys’ll excuse me, ah think ah’ll turn in.”
“Me too.” said Heyes, glad for an excuse to avoid any more questioning by the other men.
Climbing to his feet he said, “Well, see you tomorrow.” to Andrew Pearson
“Sure.”
Heyes unfolded his blanket and made himself as comfortable as possible on the hard ground. He felt eyes boring into his back and turned over to see George Roper sitting with a cigarette in his mouth, staring at him.
Heyes smiled amiably, and closed his eyes.
John McKenzie was first up the next morning, going around the camp and rousing all the men.
“Wakey, wakey, rise and shine.” “Come on... caint you two boys ever get out of bed..." "It’s your turn to make breakfast, Joshua.” he addressed each of the men in turn.
Crossing to The Stranger, he shook his shoulder, “Rise and shine, buddy.”
They all got up and Heyes took his turn to make breakfast. Then he went to a nearby spring to fill their canteens.
Half an hour later, they were saddled up and ready to leave.
Two hours later, David Pearson, who had ridden ahead to scout for the herd, came riding back, breathlessly.
“I’ve spotted them.” he said, “About a mile on around that headland over there.” He pointed in the direction.
“About time too.” grunted McKenzie.
“O.K. Move it on.” growled Roper, turning and glaring at the men and in particular, it seemed to Heyes, at him.
“You know, I get the feeling he doesn’t like me one little bit.” he said to McKenzie, as they rode on.
“What gives you that idea?”
Heyes shrugged, “I don’t know. Just... well, just something.”
McKenzie grunted, “Well, he seems his usual, grumpy, self to me.” he said, before riding on ahead.
A short while later, they came upon the herd, which hadn’t strayed too far from the position they’d been given for them.
They set about rounding them up and herding them back the way they’d just come.
Later on in the morning, Heyes was riding out a long way after a stray. Suddenly, his horse seemed to stumble over a rock and the next thing he knew, the ground was rushing up to meet him.
The fall caught him completely unprepared and he hit his head on a rock as he went down. He felt his arm jar as he landed with all his weight on it, before he whirled down into oblivion.
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* * *
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Heyes opened his eyes to see John McKenzie’s face peering down at him, through a maze of coloured stars.
“Are you O.K?” he asked.
Heyes half nodded, still only semi conscious.
“How in hell's name did ya manage to fall offa yer horse?” McKenzie questioned.
Heyes blinked, and the stars cleared a little, “I... I don’t know... It went over... a rock, I think... Caught me by surprise.”
Someone handed McKenzie a wet cloth.
“That’s a nasty cut you got yourself there. Let’s take a look.” he said, beginning to bathe the cut amid much protest from Heyes.
“There, that’s better. Now, come on, up ya git.” McKenzie hauled Heyes to his feet, Heyes flinching as he felt a sharp pain through his right wrist.
“What’s up?” asked McKenzie, his sharp eyes catching Heyes’ expression.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” said Heyes, rubbing his arm. He hated being put in embarrassing situations and was anxious to get moving without any more fuss.
McKenzie crossed to Heyes’ horse, standing peacefully a few yards away, while the other men rode on ahead to catch up with the herd.
“Well, he seems to be OK anyway.” said McKenzie, giving the horse a quick examination before bringing it over to Heyes.
“Let’s have a look at that arm.” he said, seeing that Heyes was still rubbing it.
“It’s nothing, I just twisted it is all.”
McKenzie took his arm and examined it, prodding around with his fingers, his sharp eyes noting the flinch Heyes tried to hide.
“Hmm, you sprained that pretty good.” McKenzie told him, “Lucky it aint broke.” He wrapped the wet cloth tightly around his wrist and secured it, “Keep this on it an ah’ll have another look at it when we make camp.”
“It’s all right, really.” Heyes waved him away.
McKenzie held the reins while Heyes mounted up and they rode hard to catch up with the others.
“You O.K. now, Joshua?” asked Andy Pearson.
Heyes nodded a little sheepishly, “Yeah. It’s years since I did anything that idiotic... Sure caught me that time.”
Andy laughed, “Happens to all of us sometime.”
Heyes spent the rest of the day trying to ride one handed and doing as little work as he could get away with.
By the time they made camp in the evening, he was feeling much worse for his experience. His wrist had swollen and was so painful he could barely move it and, after riding all day under the hot sun, his head was aching and he felt sick.
McKenzie helped him off his horse, “You sure got a good one there, but this’ll help stop some of the swelling.” he told him, wrapping another wet cloth around his wrist. “Try not to move it too much.”
“I won’t, you can be sure of that.” said Heyes.
They ate supper and then Heyes turned in early, beginning to wish he’d never signed up for this trip.
* * *
Kid Curry had settled in at the O’Reilly’s farm and was enjoying working with them immensely. They treated him more as one of the family rather than a hired hand, and he found their company, and the work, therapeutic as he worked through his grief over Hannah’s death.
He had become quite friendly with a friend of Moira’s, who came to visit every day or two. Her name was Josephine Reynolds and she and Moira had been friends since their schooldays.
She called in one afternoon while the Kid was giving Joseph and Jennifer a riding lesson. After she had finished visiting with Moira she came over to join them.
“Hello.” she said, as she watched Joseph ride around the field.
“Oh, Hi, Miss Reynolds. Nice day isn’t it?”
“Beautiful.” she acknowledged, “How are you getting along with these two?” she nodded towards the children, “Are they learning?”
“Yeah. Not bad at all.” Curry nodded, “Joe is the faster learner, but Jennifer has a natural understanding with horses.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Do you ride?” Curry enquired.
“A little. Please, call me Josie. Miss Reynolds is a little formal. Reminds me of work.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I work at the bank.”
“Aah.” Curry nodded understandingly, his mind going back to their bank robbing days, although he couldn’t recall seeing a bank teller who looked as pretty as Josie.
They stood watching the children in silence for a few minutes, before, on impulse, Curry said, “Would you like to join me for a ride some time... If you’re not busy that is.”
“I’d like that.” smiled Josie.
“How about this afternoon?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
They stood for a few moments longer, watching Joseph riding, before Josie said, “I’ll see you later then. Is two o’clock alright with you?”
Curry smiled, “That’s fine.”
“Until later then.” With a smile, Josie turned and headed back towards the house.
After lunch, while Curry was busy cleaning tack, Josie came riding up to him on a beautiful piebald mare.
He got up from his stool and crossed to look over the horse with an admiring gaze.
“She’s a beauty.” he said, patting the horse’s neck.
“Isn’t she?” smiled Josie, “Actually, my Father gave her to me. He only has the best.” She leaned over to pat the horse’s neck. “Are you ready?”
“Sure. Just give me a minute to put this stuff away.” Curry gathered up the things and disappeared into the stable. A few moments later he returned astride his own palomino.
“He’s pretty handsome too.” Josie eyed the animal admiringly.
They turned the horses and headed off around the side of the house.
“Wait!” Moira O’Reilly ran over to them, “I made you a pack lunch.” With a smile she handed a bag up to Josie.
“Why, thank you, Moira!” Josie took the bag and secured it to her saddle.
“Have a nice afternoon.” Moira grinned at them both before turning and heading back into the house, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
“Where are they off to?” Patrick enquired as he came up from the vegetable patch.
“They’re going for a picnic. Isn’t that nice?”
“Why?”
Moira shrugged, “Well, Josie doesn’t have many friends, and I think Thaddeus could do with some company too. He seems so sad sometimes. They’ll be good company for each other.”
“You haven’t got any of your ideas on matchmaking, I hope.” said Patrick, giving his wife a knowing look.
“Who? Me?” smiled Moira, turning and walking into the house.
* * *
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Josie and Curry were sitting by the river eating the sandwiches Moira had given them.
“Isn’t it peaceful here?” said Josie
“Beautiful.” Curry agree, “It’s not often I get the chance to appreciate things like this.”
He munched another sandwich, “What does your Father do? Is he a rancher?”
“Yes. He’s just having a new ranch built as a matter of fact. He keeps horses, cattle, pretty much anything that will sell.”
“What’s his name?”
“William Randle.”
“But, I thought your name was Reynolds?” Curry looked confused.
“Yes. It is. I was married, but I’m divorced now.”
“Oh?”
“It’s a long story.”
“We’ve got all afternoon.” said Curry.
Josie thought for a moment, before saying, “My father used to be the Preacher here, but he lost his faith and turned to drink. Eventually the townsfolk forced him to give up his post and made him an outcast.” She broke off, lost in thought.
“It was awful, the way they treated him.”
“What about your Mother?” asked Curry.
“She died when I was a baby.” Josie told him.
“I’m sorry.”
“I was picked on by all the kids at school, for being his daughter.” Josie continued, “Children can be so hurtful. It destroyed my confidence and I just wanted to get away. So I married the first man who asked me, a man named Harry Reynolds.”
“I see.”
“Well, that was a mistake.” Josie continued, “He used to go out nights, come back drunk and throw things around and beat me. So, eventually, I left him, came back here and got myself a job in the bank and a little house.”
“What happened to your husband?” asked Curry.
“Oh, he found another woman. I haven’t heard from him since. I got a divorce, but decided to keep the name Reynolds. It was easier than going back to being Randle. You know? People didn’t associate me so much with my Father's history that way.”
Curry nodded his understanding.
“My father moved away, sobered up, sorted his life out and established himself as a rancher and then came back, to prove to everyone that he wasn’t a loser.”
“Sounds like a determined character.” said Curry.
Josie nodded, “So, here I am, 26 and single, in a rut and not likely to get out of it. Not my father’s daughter I’m afraid.” She sighed, “But, that’s enough about me. Tell me about yourself.”
“Well, there’s not much to know.” said Curr,. “I’ve been most places, done most things.”
“That’s not very specific.” said Josie.
“I’m not a specific type of person.” smiled Curry.
“Well, where do you come from? How come you’re here?”
“I don’t come from anywhere in particular.” He sighed, “My folks were killed, in the border wars...”
“I’m sorry.” said Josie.
“After that, I just drifted... from place to place, and job to job... It’s been that way ever since.”
“Weren’t you bitter, when your folks were killed?”
“For a long time, yes.” Curry nodded, ”But I’ve learned that time really does heal.” He trailed off, thinking back to Hannah’s death just a few weeks ago.
“Thaddues!” Josie’s voice drew him back from his reverie.
“Mmm? Oh, sorry, I was miles away.”
“What were you thinking about?” asked Josie.
“Time.”
“Oh?”
Curry looked out across the river and sighed, “My partner and I came here about a year ago.” he began, “We had an argument and went our separate ways. I met this girl...”
“And...?”
“Well, to cut a long story short, my partner had an accident and ended up being looked after by her, and we ended up staying there for a couple of months until he recovered, ” He paused, remembering, “She was wonderful...” He paused, picturing her face.
“Was? What happened?” asked Josie.
“We left town.” he continued, “She wanted me to stay, but we couldn’t, we had other... commitments.” He sighed, “We came back here a few weeks ago and I went to visit her...” He thought for a moment before continuing, “I found out she was... dying... of this incurable disease.”
Josie drew in a sharp breath but said nothing, as Curry continued.
“The day I went to see her... we only had a couple of hours... She died that afternoon.” He broke off momentarily, his mind full of memories, while Josie waited for him to speak.
“It’s funny,” he said presently, “I’ve seen lots of people die... in lots of different ways, but nothing came home to me as much as the way she died. It seemed such a waste... She was so young, and innocent. I couldn’t take it in at first. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to talk about it, but, here I am, telling you now, like it’s a story from a book.” He shook his head to himself. “Time really does heal.”
“I’m sorry.” said Josie, “I shouldn’t have asked you. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s alright. I think it’s helped me to talk about it.”
“What about you partner?” asked Josie.
“He’s away on a job for a couple of weeks. He should be back fairly soon. He knows only too well how I feel about it, but he doesn’t like to intrude. He stays sort of in the background, but he’s there for me. Do you know what I mean?” He glanced at Josie who nodded sympathetically.
“It sounds like you’re very close.”
“We are. We grew up together. We have a lot in common... good and bad.” he added, “You can’t share half your life with someone and not be close, can you?”
“I guess not.” said Josie, “I never really had any close friends, because of what happened with my Father, apart from Moira of course.”
Curry nodded, “She and Patrick are nice people.”
They felt silent for several moments, before Josie said, “How are you enjoying working for them?”
“Very much. I only came to pass the time while Joshua is away, but I’m really enjoying it. They treat me like one of the family.”
“Yes, they’re lovely people.” nodded Josie.
Their eyes met and held. Josie’s questioning.
Curry broke their gaze first and looked away, “I think it’s time we were getting back.” he said.
“It is getting late.” Josie got to her feet and began to pack away the remains of their picnic.
Mounting their horses they rode most of the way back in silence. When they got near to her house Josie asked, “Would you like some supper?”
“That’s very kind of you, Josie, but not right now. I need to get back and finish the chores I didn’t get to before we left.” Curry tried to let her down politely.
“Of course. Some other time maybe?”
He nodded, “Thanks for a lovely afternoon.” he told her, as she dismounted and prepared to lead her horse around the back of the house.
“Thank you too.” replied Josie, “Goodnight, Thaddeus.”
Curry tipped his hat and turned his horse, riding away at a trot.
Josie watched him ride off and then turned to lead her horse away.
* * *
Heyes and McKenzie had become firm friends over the duration of their trip. McKenzie, it turned out, had been married, but his first wife had died in childbirth, leaving him a son to bring up alone. The son had grown up and gone to work in the North, but McKenzie had stayed on here alone.
“It might sound silly to you, but ma wife’s spirit is here. Ah couldn’t bring ma’sel to leave.”
“No, I understand.” said Heyes.
Mckenzie had been nursing Heyes’ injured wrist, but it hadn’t shown much improvement. After a discussion with Roper, McKenzie came to tell him that he had decided to drop him off in Denver the next morning, while they continued on to Colorado Springs to deliver the cattle and build the fences.
“Ah don’t think y’could manage that.” said McKenzie.
“You’re so right.” agreed Heyes.
“I’ll ride in with ya, and then catch up to the rest of the men later.”
“Thanks.” said Heyes.
The next morning, they rose early and Dave Pearson came over to bid Heyes farewell.
“Glad to have met you, Joshua.” he said.
“Sorry you have to leave early.” said Andy.
“Yeah. Hope we’ll see you around some other time.” said Dave.
Heyes smiled, shaking hands with them wrong-handed, “Me too.”
They packed up their camp and Heyes and McKenzie rode off in the direction of Denver while the other men headed on towards Colorado Springs.
It was close on lunch time when they reached the outskirts of Denver. They stopped on a ridge just outside of town.
“Well, Joshua,” McKenzie slapped him on the back, “make sure you y’get that arm seen to, an’ try not t’fall off any more horses.” he said with a giggle.
“I’ll try not to.” laughed Heyes, “You take care of yourself now, and thanks for all your help.”
“See ya around.” said McKenzie, and, giving him a mock salute, turned his horse and headed south, to catch up to the other men.
Heyes turned his horse and headed into town. He stabled his horse at the livery and checked into the hotel. A brief check of the register showed that the Kid had checked out, so he guessed he had gone to stay at the O’Reilly’s.
After freshening up, he headed across to the Doctor’s office and was surprised to see Dr. Marston back behind his desk. Heyes hadn’t expected to see him back at work so soon after Hannah’s death.
“Why, Mr. Smith! What have you been up to this time?”
Heyes laughed, “I suppose I am making a bit of a habit of needing your services.” He held up his injured arm, “Actually, you’re not going to believe this, but, I fell off my horse and twisted my wrist.”
Dr. Marston examined his arm, “How long ago did you do this?”
“Oh, three or four days ago.”
“Hmm, you’ve damaged the ligaments. It’ll be painful for a few weeks, but it will heal up in time.”
The doctor applied some liniment and applied a bandage.
“Rub some of this in a couple of times a day,” he told him, handing him a bottle, “and try not to be too energetic with it for a couple of weeks or so.”
“You can count on it.” said Heyes, “How much do I owe you, Doc?”
Dr. Marston waved his hand, “Forget it.”
“Well, thank you.” said Heyes, “How are you now?”
“I’m alright.” the doctor replied sadly, “Life goes on, doesn’t it.”
“I guess.” said Heyes. He stayed a few moments longer, making small talk before saying, “Well, I’d better be going. I have to go and find Thaddeus. He’s working over at the O’Reilly’s farm.”
“I heard.” said the doctor, “Give him my regards, won’t you?”
“I will. Goodbye, and thanks for the liniment.”
“Goodbye... unless you’re back again in a few days with something else?” smiled the doctor.
“I hope not – no offence.” laughed Heyes.
“None taken.” smiled the doctor.
Heyes left the doctor’s office and went over to the saloon to get a drink to wash the dust of the cattle drive out of his throat, before heading over to the O’Reilly’s farm.
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