The Course of True Love
​
-6-
​
After making his rounds, spreading his story about his missing Deputy, Lom made his way to the Sheriff’s office.
​
“Morning. What can I do for you?” the Sheriff greeted him, eyeing Lom’s tin star on his vest.
​
“I’m Sheriff Lom Trevors, of Porterville.” Lom extended his hand to the Sheriff who shook it.
“Sheriff Warren Baxter.” the Sheriff acknowledged, “What brings you all the way over here from Porterville?”
“I’ve heard tell you’ve got my Deputy in jail.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. A guy by the name of Joshua Smith.”
“Smith...? Oh, you mean the outlaw guy.”
“The what?” Lom pretended bewilderment.
“Outlaw.” repeated the Sheriff, “We had a local trail boss come in, respectable guy, who claimed he was the outlaw Hannibal Heyes, so we brought him in while we make further investigations.”
“That’s ridiculous.” said Lom, “Joshua has worked for me for around four years now, and I can vouch for his identity.”
“Do you have any Proof of Identification with you?” the Sheriff asked.
“It’s in my hotel room, I’ll have to go and get it.”
“O.K.” said the Sheriff.
Lom went back to the hotel to get his papers, which he’d purposely left behind, wanting to make it look as though he’d arrived at the Sheriff’s office as a last resort after a tip off, rather than a deliberate intention.
Meanwhile, over in the saloon, Curry had been spotted by McKenzie, who had come into the saloon with George Roper.
"Oh, no." Curry muttered to himself. This was the last thing he needed.
“Hey, Mr. Jones. How are you?”
“Fine, McKenzie, fine.”
“Ah’d like t’introduce ya to George Roper.” said McKenzie, turning to Roper, “This here’s Thaddeus Jones. He’s a friend o’Joshua’s. Thaddeus, Mr. Roper was the foreman on our trip.” He winked at the Kid, thinking he was doing him a favour by introducing them.
Curry tried to hide his dislike for Roper and nodded towards him, “Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.” muttered Roper, looking at Curry suspiciously and Curry knew just what he was thinking.
They eyed each other, warily, while McKenzie made conversation.
* * *
Sheriff Baxter studied Lom’s papers, “Well, I guess you’re in order.” he said, handing the papers back to Lom, “Looks like I may to have to take your word for it about your deputy, but not until after we see him and see if he backs up your story.”
“Sure.” said Lom.
The Sheriff opened the door to the cells and they went inside. Heyes was lying on his bunk with his hat over his eyes.
“Hey, Smith, or whatever you call yourself.”
Heyes sat up.
“Someone to see you.” the Sheriff stepped aside to allow Lom to come forward.
“Lom!” said Heyes, “Am I glad to see you!”
“Joshua! How on earth did you manage to get yourself mistook for an outlaw?” growled Lom.
Heyes shrugged, giving him a sheepish grin.
“Who is this man?” the Sheriff asked Heyes.
“This is Sheriff Lom Trevors of Porterville.” said Heyes.
“And is it true that you’re his deputy?” asked the Sheriff
“Er... yeah.” Heyes shot Lom a quick glance, hoping he was saying the right thing.
Lom gave an almost imperceptible nod from behind the Sheriff’s shoulder.
“Well, if you have a job working for him, how come you were on the cattle drive with George Roper?”
“I came down here on vacation, to visit an old friend...” Heyes began, rapidly trying to concoct a plausible story, “I was in the saloon when I heard Mr. Roper was hiring for the cattle drive and I thought I’d sign on, make a little extra money.”
The Sheriff pondered on Heyes’ story for a moment, before turning to Lom.
“But why would you come looking for him?” he asked, giving Heyes a disdainful look, “You can hire Deputy’s a dime a dozen.”
“That’s true enough, but, as well as being my deputy, he’s also my Ward. I’ve been his guardian since his folks died when he was a lad. He’s like a son to me.”
The Sheriff scratched his head, “But, if you already have a job, why would you want to work for George Roper?” he asked Heyes, “Cattle driving is hard. Being a Deputy seems like a much better option to me.”
Heyes shrugged, “Working as a lawman can be a dangerous occupation. I thought I’d give cattle driving a try, to see if it might be a safer career choice, and a better paid one. But, you're right, it is hard. I think I’ll stick with being a deputy from now on.” he added with a sheepish smile.
“Hmm...” the Sheriff nodded, thoughtfully, while Heyes held his breath, hoping he would believe their story.
“...Well, I guess you two check out.” the Sheriff said presently, crossing to Heyes’ cell and unlocking it.
With a glance at Lom, Heyes collected his hat and jacket and they headed towards the door.
“Thanks, Sheriff Baxter.” Lom shook the Sheriff’s hand.
“You take care, Sheriff Trevors.” said the Sheriff, “If I ever get over Porterville way, I’ll look you up.”
“You do that.” smiled Lom, putting on his hat and following Heyes out of the door.
Once outside, they headed towards the saloon, trying to look as casual as possible, even though Heyes had an almost uncontrollable urge to run away from there as fast as his legs would carry him.
“Lom, I’ve never been so glad to see your ugly mug in my life.” Heyes told him as they walked.
Lom laughed, “Just think yourself lucky that this town has a really stupid sheriff.” He told him.
* * *
In the saloon George Roper had been trying to find some excuse to get away from McKenzie and Curry so that he could go and tell the Sheriff that he had found Hannibal Heyes’ partner.
Curry knew what he was planning and was desperately trying to think of a way to stop him.
As McKenzie turned to offer to buy him another drink, Roper seized his opportunity.
“No, thanks. I have to be going. There’s someone I have to meet.”
“Oh.” said McKenzie, “Well, I’ll see ya agin on the next drive?”
“Sure.” said Roper, turning to go.
“Hey.” said Curry.
Roper turned back to face him.
“You know... I don’t think I like you.” said Curry, and with that he threw a punch at Roper that sent him sprawling.
McKenzie gazed open mouthed at Roper, on the floor, and then back to Curry, wondering what the hell was going on.
Curry guessed that Lom would be in the Sheriff’s office now, and he had to try to delay Roper long enough to give him a chance to get Heyes out of jail.
Roper got up and threw himself at Curry, and they both fell over a nearby table, breaking a couple of chairs on the way.
McKenzie was astonished, and stood watching, not sure which of the two to cheer for.
Still throwing punches at each other, they fell through the saloon doors onto the boardwalk outside.
Roper got up and swung at Curry and they both tumbled off the boardwalk onto the street as a number of the saloon’s patrons pushed their way outside to watch the fight.
They were still fighting several minutes later when Lom and Heyes rounded the corner of the street.
“Hey, isn’t that the Kid over there?” said Lom, “And who is that guy he’s fighting with?
Heyes looked across and then stopped abruptly, taking Loms arm and pulling him behind a nearby wagon.
“That’s Roper.” he told him.
Lom peeped around the edge of the wagon for another look.
“We gotta get outta here, Lom.” Heyes said anxiously, “My guess is that hr'd realized who the Kid is, and the Kid’s trying to stop him going to tell the Sheriff.”
Lom nodded agreement, “You go on, Heyes, I want to see how this turns out. You take my horse and head back to the O'Reilly's place and I’ll get the Kid and we’ll see you there. It's the black one over there." He pointed to where he'd tethered his horse a couple of buildings up from the Sheriff's office.
Heyes thought for a moment before nodding, “O.K.”
Heyes disappeared back around the corner the way they’d just come, while Lom continued watching from behind the wagon.
The crowd around them had grown now, the townsmen never missing the opportunity of watching a brawl.
Curry was beginning to wonder if this was all worth it. This guy Roper wasn’t going to give up the chance of the $20,000 reward on their heads easily and, as they were both more or less evenly matched in size and strength, they were giving each other a hell of a beating.
Hidden behind the wagon, Lom decided that Heyes would have had enough time, now, to get out of town, and so he wandered over to where the two men were fighting and pushed his way through to the front of the crowd.
Both men were getting tired now, and Curry was relieved when he saw Lom’s face push through the crowd and give him a reassuring nod.
Looking at Lom for that instant, Roper caught him a blow on his jaw that all but knocked him senseless. He fell to the ground, stars exploding before his eyes, as Roper staggered off towards the Sheriff’s office.
Curry managed to get to his feet, and dived at Roper, pulling him to the ground. With as much strength as he could muster, Curry hit him square on the jaw with his right hand, and then again with his left. Roper went down, out cold, and Curry, exhausted, collapsed in a heap alongside him.
The crowd began to disperse, arguing amongst themselves about the fight.
Lom went across to Curry and hauled him to his feet, slapping his face to bring him to his senses. He half dragged, half carried him to a nearby water trough and pushed his head under the cold water for a moment, while a couple of the saloon’s patrons carried Roper back inside the saloon.
Curry pushed up, shaking his head and showering Lom with water.
“Wh-where’s... Roper...?” He looked around in confusion.
“It’s O.K, take it easy.” said Lom, “They took him into the saloon to come round.”
“He didn’t tell... the Sheriff?” asked Curry, swaying on his feet.
Lom took his arm to steady him, “No. But he will do as soon as he knows what day it is.”
“Where’s... Heyes...?” Curry asked, suddenly remembering the reason for the fight.
“It’s O.K, he’s gone on ahead.” Lom told him, “He guessed you were stalling for time. Come on,” he slapped Curry on the shoulder, eliciting a groan of pain from him, “let’s get outta here while we’ve got the chance.”
Going to where Curry had left his horse, they both climbed on it and then headed back towards the O’Reilly’s farm at a pace.
* * *
Heyes had decided not to continue on to the farm but to wait on the road for them and he rode out from behind some bushes as Curry's horse approached.
“Well?” he asked
“O.K. For now.” said Lom, “But you two had better leave town pretty sharpish, before the Sheriff finds out he’s been tricked and comes looking for you.”
Heyes nodded, looking serious.
“Well, I guess we ought to leave you here, Lom. The less you’re involved, the better.”
Lom nodded, “I guess so. You two take care of yourselves now.”
“Thanks for your help, Lom.” said Curry.
“Yeah, thanks, Lom.” smiled Heyes. Without Lom’s help he would have been shipped off to Wyoming and his twenty year jail sentence.
​
Heyes dismounted Lom's horse and handed him the reins before climbing up behind Curry.
Lom gave them a mock salute, before turning his horse, “I’ll be seeing you.” he told them, before riding away at a brisk gallop.
“Are you O.K?” asked Heyes.
Curry nodded, sullenly.
Kicking the horse into a gallop they headed back to the farm.
​
They rode in silence, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. Heyes wondering how long it would be before Roper got to the Sheriff and he turned up at the O’Reilly’s farm looking for them, while Curry was wondering which part of him ached the most.
When they arrived at the farm they found all of the family, and Josie, about to sit down to lunch.
They were all surprised, and pleased, to see Heyes back again, and he was immediately pounced on and bombarded with questions as they escorted him to the table and sat him down.
“What happened?” asked Patrick.
“You must be hungry, let me get you some lunch.” said Moira.
“Are you alright?” asked Josie.
“Yes, I’m fine.” said Heyes.
“I can’t believe someone accused you of being a wanted outlaw.” Moira shook her head in disbelief.
“I was so worried.” said Josie, “You read about cases of mistaken identity.”
Heyes nodded, “We’ll be leaving shortly, but thanks for the offer of lunch M’am, I could sure use some. Aint eaten yet today.”
“You’re leaving so soon?” asked Patrick.
“Yes. I don’t want to risk them changing their minds and coming after me. The sooner I get into another State, the better I’ll feel.”
​
“Hmm, I can understand your concern.” said Patrick.
Unnoticed, Curry slipped outside onto the porch. He walked over to the water pump and ran some water to wash his face and arms which were now beginning to ache profusely. He washed dried blood from a couple of cuts around his mouth and on his forehead, flinching as he touched one eye. No doubt he would have a real shiner come morning. And what thanks had he got for his efforts?
As he was washing Moira came out onto the porch to get something and, noticing Curry, came over to him.
“What on earth happened to you?” she asked, on seeing his cut and bruised face.
“Nothing of importance.” Curry said sourly.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you were hurt... With all the fuss that was going on...”
“No, I guess you wouldn’t.” Curry replied, without looking at her.
“Come inside, and let me fix those cuts for you.” she said, taking hold of his arm.
“No.” Curry pulled away, “Thanks, but I’m O.K.”
“Well, come and have some lunch at least.”
“No thanks, M’am, I’m not hungry.”
Moira bit her lip. “Very well. But don’t stay out here too long.” she told him before heading back to the house.
It occurred to her that in the excitement of seeing Joshua back, nobody had noticed he had been in the house, let alone, hurt, and she had a hunch that Thaddeus deserved much of the credit for Joshua’s return.
She went back inside, where everyone had just started eating. They were still chatting eagerly to Heyes, and they were halfway through the meal before Josie stopped eating and looked around.
“Where’s Thaddeus?”
The others looked around, vaguely surprised that he wasn’t with them.
“He’s outside.” said Moira, meeting Heye’s gaze across the table.
“But, why?” said Josie
“I think he just wanted a few minutes to himself.” said Moira.
Heyes lowered his gaze.
“Er... excuse me.” he said, getting up and heading for the door.
He looked around for Curry but couldn’t see him anywhere. After a search he found him in the barn, grooming one of the horses.
Heyes went inside and closed the door.
“Hey.” he said quietly.
“Hey.” Curry replied, without looking up.
“Don’t you want any lunch?” asked Heyes, seating himself on a nearby bale of hay.
“No, thanks.”
Heyes eyed him for several moments as he continued to groom the horse, noticing the cuts on his face and the bruises that were only now starting to come out.
“Kid, I’m sorry.” He said finally.
“What for?”
“You know damn well what for.” said Heyes, “I’m grateful for what you did for me back there...”
When Curry didn’t speak he continued “...It’s just that...”
“I know. It’s just that they were so pleased to see you back, they didn’t notice if I was there or not.” Curry spoke over him.
Heyes raised his eyes to the ceiling but refrained from making any comment.
“You know,” Curry continued now, “I get sick and tired of being pushed into the background when you’re around.” He brushed the horse vigorously, “I get dragged into all sorts of hair-brained schemes that you think up, end up in jail, get beaten up, and what thanks do I ever get...? What recognition...? I’m just ‘Joshua’s friend’... ‘Heyes’ partner’... ‘What’s his name’... If I get noticed at all that is.” he added, throwing down the brush and beginning to pace the barn, hands on hips, talking to himself now as much as to Heyes.
“Even my women drop me in favour of you.” he growled, “Why can’t somebody, just for once, see me...? Care about what happens to me? Not you, not us, but me...” he prodded himself in the chest with his index finger and shook his head disgustedly, kicking angrily at a bale of hay and conjuring up an image, in Heyes’ mind, of the ten year old Curry having a tantrum.
“Kid...” Heyes said quietly.
Curry didn’t answer, standing with his back to Heyes, hands on hips, breathing heavily.
“Never think you’re not needed... or wanted.” Heyes continued, “It’s just not true.”
Curry responded with a grunt of disgust.
“Hannah cared for you. She loved you... and if it hadn’t been for you she’d have died unhappy. If it hadn’t been for you, Patrick would be struggling to run his farm. They all care about you; Patrick, Moira, the children, and Josie... Lom cares too...” he paused, “...and, so do I.”
Curry made no response.
“I’m sorry for what happened back in the house.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Curry said now, “They were all worried about you.” He shrugged, “It’s only natural they’d want to know all the details.”
Slowly he turned to face Heyes.
“Yeah, and I missed out the most important one,” said Heyes, his apologetic gaze levelled on Curry, “that it’s down to you I’m here. If Roper had gotten to the Sheriff before Lom got me out, that would have been that. For the both of us.” He got to his feet now and walked towards him.
“Thanks, Kid.” he said quietly, putting a hand on the Kid’s shoulder, “Thanks a lot.”
Curry shrugged, looking embarrassed.
“Did you give him as good as you got at least?” Heyes asked now, trying to lighten the mood.
Curry smiled to himself, “Better. I knocked him out cold.”
“That’s good.” smiled Heyes, slapping him on the shoulder.
“Owwww.” Curry flinched.
“Sorry.” chuckled Heyes, “Listen, come on in and let Moira fix those cuts before we leave.”
Curry shook his head.
“Please, Kid.” pleaded Heyes.
After a moment, Curry got up and led the horse back into its stall. Coming back to Heyes, he shrugged, “O.K.”
Heyes smiled, broadly, relieved he’d managed to talk him round.
“And don’t let’s have any more of this ‘nobody cares about me’ rubbish, O.K?” he said, as he led him outside.
Curry looked sheepish, “O.K.” he said quietly.
“Thaddeus!” smiled Mary as they entered the house.
“Where’ve you been?” asked Patrick.
“We thought you’d forgotten where the door was.” smiled Josie.
“Come and have some lunch.” said Moira, pulling out a chair for him, meeting Heyes’ gaze over the Curry’s head as he sat down, and exchanging a knowing smile.
As soon as Curry had eaten, he and Heyes gathered their things together ready to leave.
As Heyes went outside to secure their things to their horses, Josie met Curry’s gaze, her eyes despairing. Curry wanted to tell Heyes of Josie’s love for him but her eyes forbade it.
He couldn’t stand to see her despair and slammed out of the house, disgusted with his partner for the second time that day.
They secured their belongings and stepped up onto the porch to say their goodbyes.
“Well,” said Heyes, “thanks for your hospitality. I hope you don’t mind us rushing off like this, but...”
“We understand.” said Patrick.
“Thanks for all your help, Thaddeus.” Patrick turned to Curry now, pushing a wad of notes into his hand, “And anytime you’re back this way, you’ll always be welcome here. You too, Joshua.”
“I’m sorry to run out on you at such short notice,” said Curry, “I know how much work needs to be done.”
Patrick waved away his apology, and Curry moved over to hug Moira, noticing Josie, standing in the doorway trying her best to look unconcerned, and Curry felt a pang of anger at Heyes.
Heyes caught his partner’s look and, excusing himself from Patrick, took his arm and pulled him a little further down the porch, “What now?” he whispered, “Why all the dirty looks? What have I done now?”
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” snapped Curry.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Heyes.
“You must be blind if you can’t see it.” Curry hissed at him. He pushed past Heyes to where Josie was watching them, holding her breath.
“I’m sorry, Josie. Truly.” He pulled her to him in a hug and bent to kiss her on the cheek.
“Thank you, Thaddeus.”
He smiled and made a mock punch at her jaw, “Chin up.” he said, and with that stepped off the porch and went to speak to Joseph and Jennifer, standing a few yards away.
Josie turned abruptly and went back inside, while Patrick and Moira crossed to join Curry and the children.
Heyes stood there, pondering Curry’s words, to him and to Josie, wondering what he’d been saying without actually saying. He looked at the now closed door of the cabin, picturing Josie’s face as Curry had said goodbye to her. He couldn’t have been talking about Josie, surely? But, the more he thought about it, the more obvious it became. Josie had a crush on him.
But why was Curry so angry, if that was the case? Heyes pondered. Jealousy perhaps? After all, he and Josie had been seeing each other before Heyes arrived.
He opened the door and went inside the cabin, closing the door behind him.
Josie was sitting at the table, staring into the fire.
“Josie?”
She jumped at the sound of his voice, turning, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw him standing there.
He crossed to the table and pulled her gently to her feet, studying her intently.
She looked back at him with wide blue eyes that, at this moment, looked uncertain.
“I came to say goodbye.”
“You won’t come back?” Josie asked, quietly.
Heyes shook his head, “Not for a long time, if at all,” he said, “and, by then, you won’t remember who we are.”
“I’ll remember.” she whispered.
Heyes tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes. Eyes full of sadness, and tears, and... love! Love for him. That’s what Curry had been trying to tell him. Josie was in love with him, and he hadn’t even seen it.
“I’m sorry.” he said softly.
He averted his eyes as she began to cry, feeling suddenly, strangely emotional.
​
“Don’t...” he shook his head, “Please, don’t...”
Josie reached up and turned his face towards her, lifting hers to kiss him, a kiss that was everything she had dreamed of. She wanted to throw her arms around him and beg him not to leave, but she knew it would do no good.
Finally, Heyes pushed her to arms length, stunned by the feelings her kiss had ignited in him. But all he said was “You look after yourself now, do you hear?”
Josie nodded, “You too.”
Heyes finally let go of her and turned for the door.
“Joshua?”
Heyes turned to look back, and their eyes met and held, hers sorrowful, his regretful. He hadn’t paid her any attention, believing her to be interested in Curry and, now, he knew it was something he would regret forever.
“Goodbye.” Josie whispered.
Heyes smiled, and then turned abruptly and left the house without a backward glance.
As the door closed, Josie collapsed onto a chair in tears.
“Are you ready?” curry asked.
Heyes nodded, his expression sombre, and crossed to mount his horse.
“Well,“ Curry turned back to Patrick and Moira, “thanks again for everything.”
“Thank you too.” said Patrick. “You sure saved me a heap of work this summer.”
“Be sure you come and visit if you’re back in these parts.” said Moira.
“We will.” said Curry.
They turned their horses and headed down the track, Joseph and Jennifer running alongside them until they got to the gate and then waving at them until they were out of sight.
They rode for several minutes in silence, Curry eyeing Heyes’ unusually distraught expression.
“Found it harder then you thought, eh?” he said presently.
“What?” asked Heyes
“Saying goodbye to Josie.”
It was several moments before Heyes nodded an acknowledgement.
“So, you do have feelings after all, underneath that cool exterior.” said Curry.
Heyes didn’t reply.
It was several more minutes before Heyes said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” Curry feigned ignorance.
“How she felt about me.”
“She asked me not to, because she knew you didn’t feel the same way. She has her pride.”
Heyes shook his head, his expression anguished, “The way she looked at me just now... it tore me apart.” He sighed. “Under different circumstances, maybe...” he let the rest of the sentence go.
“I thought she was nice,” he continued presently, “but I thought you and she were...”
Curry shook his head, “No. We saw a little bit of each other, but I was too wrapped up in Hannah’s memory to get involved. And the minute she set eyes on you, she dropped me like a hot brick.”
Heyes just stared at him, for once lost for words.
“I’m sorry.” Curry gave him a sympathetic smile.
Heyes lifted his shoulders in a shrug, “C’est la vie.” he said, lightly, but, as they looked at each other, both saw, for the first time, a side to the other that neither knew they had.
The Kid discovered that Heyes had deeper feelings than his easy-going demeanour belied, and that he was deeply touched by Josie’s love for him and regretted he hadn’t had the chance to find out if he could have felt the same way about her.
Heyes, on the other hand, realized that Curry was far more shrewd and diplomatic than he had given him credit for, realising how much he’d matured since giving up the outlaw life to chase the amnesty. Not, as Heyes still thought of him, a ‘kid’, anymore, but a mature and sensitive adult.
They rode in silence for several more minutes before Heyes said, “Hey, Kid.”
“Hmm?”
“Next time I get hauled in jail, I’m going to name you as my captor. If I have to go to prison, you may as well benefit from the reward money.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” said Curry.
Heyes merely smiled.
“Anyway, what makes you think there’ll be a ‘next time’?” grinned Curry, responding to Heyes’ attempts to lighten the mood.
Heyes shrugged.
A few moments later, Curry said, “Anyway, what would I do with $10,000.”
Heyes gave him a withering look, “Oh, I’m sure you’d find something.”
Curry pondered, “I guess I would.” he said presently. Then, turning to Heyes, “O.K. You’ve got a deal.” he joked.
“Come on. Let’s get moving. I don’t want to make camp until we get out of this State.” said Heyes, spurring his horse. He laughed, his spirits rising at the thought of outwitting any posse that might come after them.
Curry chuckled to himself as they galloped along.
“What’s so funny?” asked Heyes.
“Well, I just realised that, for all your brains and philosophizing, when it comes down to the basic things in life, you’re just as stupid as the rest of us.” he said, in reference to Heyes' ineptitude in spotting the signs that Josie was in love with him.
Heyes stared at him, unable to think of a suitable answer.
The Kid grinned and spurred his horse, Heyes following as they rode into the sunset. They had each lost a chance to find a lasting love, but they still had each other and, for now, that was enough.
​
-ooOOoo-
​
​
