Thicker Than Water
- 4 -
​
It was almost dark as Heyes entered their hotel room. Curry was asleep on top of the bed after spending most of the day hanging around the hotel waiting for Heyes’ return.
As Heyes closed the door he woke with a start, instinctively making a move towards where his gun would normally have been. He had, however, removed it to clean it and left it on top of the cupboard by the side of the bed while he took a nap.
A slight smile touched the edge of Heyes’ mouth as he took in the involuntary movement. No matter where they were, he was always prepared for trouble.
His smile faded as Curry sat up, raking his hands tiredly through his hair as he swung his feet to the floor. He turned to look questioningly at Heyes, whose expression remained carefully blank.
After a long moment, Heyes said, “She’s all yours, Kid.”
Curry studied him.
​
“What about you and her?” he asked presently.
“There is no me and her.” Heyes replied, “Never was.”
“Heyes…” Curry began, reproachfully, but Heyes spoke over him.
“I guess I just got a mite lonesome stuck here on my own waiting for McCreedy’s wire while you were away in Silver City. Gives a man unrealistic notions. She’s not for me. If you want her, the field’s clear. You have my blessing.”
Curry eyed him, trying to read his face, but Heyes had that look in his eyes that he’d used on the Devil’s Hole gang to keep them in line, his ‘don’t argue with me’ look.
“Are you sure, Heyes?” he asked now.
“I’m sure.” Heyes said, through gritted teeth, “She likes you.” he added with a forced smile, hoping to imply that she had chosen him.
Curry looked uncertain.
“If you’re sure... I might go see her. I’ve a few things I want to discuss with her.”
“I’m sure.”
Curry put on his jacket and picked up his hat.
“Just be careful, Kid. Don’t forget our… situation.” Heyes said to his back, which was the only warning he felt able to give him without making himself seem embittered. He sat down on the bed as Curry opened the door.
“I won’t.” he said, turning to look at Heyes, pausing, as he caught a brief glimpse of the anguish that Heyes had been hiding ever since he’d come into the room, before Heyes smiled at him and it was gone as quickly as he’d seen it. He stared at him for a long moment before saying quietly, “I’ll see you later.” and leaving the room.
As the door closed, Heyes put his elbows on his knees and dropped his face into his hands, shaking his head to himself. He knew he should have gone to tell Veronica his decision face to face, and felt bad for not doing so, but he just couldn’t face it. He just hoped she would understand his reasons.
* * *
Curry looked in at the restaurant to make sure Veronica wasn’t there before heading up to her house.
Veronica answered his knock at the door, not seeming surprised to see him.
“Hello, Thaddeus.”
“May I come in?”
“Please, do.” Veronica ushered him inside and followed him into the parlour.
“You’ve spoken to Joshua?” she asked anxiously.
Curry nodded, “That’s why I’m here.”
“Wh-what did he say to you?” Veronica’s voice was a whisper.
“He gave us his blessing.” Curry told her shortly, not wanting to upset her by repeating the rest of what Heyes had said.
Veronica nodded thoughtfully, a sorrowful look in her eyes. For him to have stepped back so easily, in favour of his friend, reinforced, in her mind, the belief that he hadn't cared for her as much as he'd tried to make her believe.
​
“How is he?” she asked quietly.
Curry eyed her, “A little upset I think.” he replied, “Which is only natural after walking in on us the way he did.”
Veronica nodded, “I feel awful about it. But I really did think he’d gone for good. I wouldn’t have started seeing you if I’d thought he was coming back. You do believe me, don’t you?” she asked, eyeing Curry anxiously, “I wouldn’t have hurt him, or you, on purpose. I don’t go out with just anybody. In the five years since Henry died, I’ve only had two menfriends.”
Curry nodded, “I believe you.”
Veronica looked relieved.
“Have you eaten?” she asked now.
“No.”
“Let me fix you something.” Veronica offered.
“That would be nice.” smiled Curry.
“Sit down. I’ll go and rustle something up.” she told him.
Veronica disappeared into the kitchen and Curry sat down on the sofa, gazing thoughtfully out of the window. Presently, Veronica returned with a tray containing two plates of cold meat and salad with some crusty bread.
“It’s a bit too late to cook.” she apologised as she set down the tray.
“That’s alright.” replied Curry, returning from his thoughts.
As they ate, Curry said, “You know, I was really angry with you for not telling me it was Joshua you were seeing, but then I got to thinking, why would you? You didn’t know I knew him.”
Veronica nodded, “I didn’t deliberately mislead you. If I’d known you two knew each other, I would have said something.”
Curry nodded, thoughtfully. Maybe they had all over-reacted. Heyes did always tend to think he had women in the palm of his hand. Whatever his feelings for Veronica he would have been shocked to find her in the arms of another man, especially his best friend, his pride wounded as much as anything, and Veronica’s reaction to seeing him was quite understandable, given that he’d sneaked into her house with no announcement, which would have been a shock to her, especially if she hadn’t been expecting to see him ever again. Maybe Heyes had been telling the truth when he’d said that he’d imagined more between them than there was because he’d gotten lonesome, stuck here, while he had been away in Silver City, and had just had a fit of pique when he’d seen her in his arms, causing him to over-react.
He’d almost managed to convince himself of that, and that the whole thing had been a misunderstanding, until much later, when, as they were making love on the rug in front of the hearth, Heyes’ words to him, when he’d asked him if he loved her, suddenly sprang into his mind. “I’m not sure what that word means, but… if it’s wanting to be with someone… of thinking of them every minute you’re not with them… of feeling like your guts have been ripped out when something like this happens… then, yes… I think so.”
“What’s wrong?” asked Veronica, as she felt him hesitate.
“Nothing.” Curry tried to dismiss the words, but they wouldn’t leave his mind, and a few moments later, he rolled away from her and sat up.
“I can’t do this.” he ground out, raking his hands through his hair.
Veronica looked anxious, “Why not?”
“I have to go.” said Curry, not listening to her.
“Why, what’s wrong?” asked Veronica, as he got up to dress.
“I have to talk to Joshua.”
“Now?” Veronica looked astonished.
“Yes. I think he’s been lying to me.”
“What about?”
“Just what, exactly, did he say to you this morning?” Curry demanded now, ignoring her question.
“I-I don’t think it’s my place to—” she began to protest, but Curry cut her off.
“Tell me.” he demanded, his expression hard, “Every word. I have to know.”
Veronica gave a defeated sigh. “He… he demanded to know why I’d betrayed us by seeing you. He was angry. He said he thought we had something special.”
“Then what?” demanded Curry.
“I apologised. I told him that I believed he wasn’t coming back otherwise I wouldn’t have started seeing you.”
“What then?” Curry prompted, when Veronica fell silent.
“We… you know…” she looked embarrassed.
​
Curry let out a shocked gasp, beginning to realise the truth.
​
"I... we didn't mean to... it just... happened..." she tried to explain.
​
“And then?” he ground out, sinking down onto the sofa.
“He told me… we shouldn’t have done it… because now, there wasn’t just him and me… there was you too.” said Veronica, beginning to cry now, “He wanted to know what I felt about you… if I liked you more, or less, than him… I told him I liked you both in different ways… that you’re both like… two sides of the same coin… He asked who I would choose if asked,” she shook her head, “I told him not to ask me to do that… because I care about you both… and I don’t want to lose either of you.”
Curry put his face in his hands with an anguished groan.
Veronica got up and sat next to him on the sofa, “I do care about you both.” she insisted, leaning over to put her hand on his shoulder.
Curry recoiled from her touch and stood up, “But you can’t have us both.” he told her.
She gave a tremulous sigh, “I know.” she said sadly, “But I can’t choose. I don’t want to hurt either of you by choosing the other. I like you both too much for that. You two have to make that choice.”
“Joshua did. He chose to step aside for me.”
Veronica said nothing.
“But I can’t do it.” Curry shook his head.
“Do what?”
“Stab him in the back.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He stepped aside for me, because he knows I care for you.”
“And I care for you too.” Veronica gave a tearful smile.
“But he’s in love with you.”
“What?” Veronica looked stunned, “He didn’t say that to me.”
Curry nodded, “He told me he thought he was in love with you before he came up to see you.” He turned away, pacing the room, realising now just what his and Veronica’s conversation about who she liked best would have meant to Heyes, why he hadn’t revealed his feelings to her, and why he had then made out that there was nothing between them, so as not to influence his decision as to whether or not to continue seeing Veronica himself, or spoil things for him.
Veronica sat with her hands pressed to her lips, shaking her head to herself as she realised that her initial feelings had been right. Joshua had felt the same way about her as she had about him, and she had ruined it by going with Thaddeus, not only another man, but his best friend. She briefly contemplated going to find him, and trying to put things back to how they had been, but even as the thought entered her mind she knew there was no way back to the way it had been. Joshua would never trust her again now she had betrayed him, and since she had met Thaddeus, she had fallen for him too, and didn’t want to hurt him either.
“I’m sorry it had to come to this Thaddeus,” she croaked, “I do care about Joshua, a great deal… and if I hadn’t met you, perhaps we might have had a future together… But I did meet you, and I care about you too. I didn’t want to hurt either of you… but…” She eyed him momentarily, “Joshua has made his decision… and he’s given you his blessing… so, we can carry on seeing each other, can’t we?”
“No. I can’t do that to him.”
“Why?” asked Veronica, “You said yourself, he stepped aside for you.”
“Because, he’s my family.”
“Family?” Veronica looked confused, “But, you’re not related, are you?”
“As good as. He’s been my brother, my father and my mother since we were kids.” Curry told her, and Veronica suddenly remembered Joshua’s words on the night they’d met, when he’d told her of how bushwhackers had murdered his family, realising now that he hadn’t only been speaking about his own family, but Thaddeus’ too, and her heart went out to both of them for what they’d both suffered.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Curry continued.
“He’s as close to me as any blood relative could be, and… blood is thicker than water.”
“Please, Thaddeus,” said Veronica as he began to move towards the door, “I care about you. Don’t go. Joshua chose for it to be this way.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s over.”
Veronica hurried after him as he strode down the hall.
“Please, Thaddeus…” she grabbed his arm, “stay… we could have a future together…” knowing, even as she said it, that it was pointless. The bond between him and Joshua went too deep for either of them to allow her to come between them. She cursed herself for her stupidity.
He turned to look at her, his face softening slightly.
“If it wasn’t for Joshua… maybe we might have had something.” he said softly. Then, bending his head, he kissed her lightly on the cheek, before whispering, “Goodbye, Veronica.” and leaving the house.
Veronica stood in the doorway, tears running down her cheeks as she watched him leave.
* * *
As Curry entered their hotel room, it was in darkness. He lit the lamp. Heyes was nowhere to be seen.
He assumed he’d gone to the saloon to drown his sorrows and was about to go over there when, as he turned, his eyes fell on a sheet of paper folded up in the middle of the bed.
He crossed to pick it up and unfolded it, frowning as he read the few words on it.
‘Lom will know where to find me if you need to. Take care. H ‘
Curry sank down onto the bed, cursing himself for being so naïve. He should have known Heyes was lying about there being nothing between him and Veronica after what he’d said earlier about his feelings for her, and he was angry with himself for allowing his own desires to let him believe that Veronica had chosen him over Heyes. He had wanted it to be true because he’d cared for her, still did. But caring wasn’t the same as loving. He thought again of Heyes’ words when he’d asked him if he was in love with her. “I’m not sure what that word means, but… if it’s wanting to be with someone… of thinking of them every minute you’re not with them… of feeling like your guts have been ripped out when something like this happens… then, yes… I think so.” He was very fond of Veronica, but she’d never aroused in him the feelings Heyes had described so eloquently. He was sad he’d had to end it, but he couldn’t have continued seeing her knowing how Heyes felt. He couldn’t hurt him that way.
He lay down on top of the bed, the note still in his hand, pondering on what to do.
* * *
It was ten o’clock and Sheriff Lom Trevors was just about to retire to bed in his cabin in Porterville, Wyoming, when he heard the sound of a horse approaching.
Taking his gun, he moved alongside the door, and, as he heard someone step onto the porch, called out, “Who’s there?”
“It’s just me, Lom.” a familiar voice replied.
“Heyes?” Lom moved to open the door.
“Hi Lom.” Heyes stepped out of the shadows and gave him a weary smile.
“Heyes! What the hell are you doing here?” He shook his head reproachfully, “You should know better than to sneak up here at this time of night. You could easily have got yourself shot.”
Heyes merely gave him a sardonic look. They both knew Heyes was too wily for that.
“Well, are you going to ask me in, or what?” Heyes raised an eyebrow.
Lom gave him a withering look and moved aside to allow him entry.
“I thought you were in El Paso?” he said as he closed the door.
I was, until two days ago.” Heyes replied. After leaving the hotel in El Paso, Heyes had ridden on to the next town where he could catch the stage, and the following morning had headed for Porterville, first by stage and then by train, picking up a horse from the livery on his arrival in Porterville.
“Where’s the Kid?” Lom asked, crossing to the dresser to pick up two glasses and a bottle of whisky.
“Still there.” said Heyes, somewhat abruptly.
Lom shot him a quizzical glance as he poured whisky into the glasses, “You two fallen out?” he asked, crossing to hand Heyes a glass, before taking a sip from his own.
“No.” said Heyes, taking a sip of the drink.
“So, how’d ya come by those?” Lom indicated the fading bruise on his cheek and the partially healed cut on his lip.
Heyes shrugged, “Someone took exception to me cleaning him out at the poker table.”
Lom gave him a disdainful look, “So, what’s the Kid doing in El Paso?”
“He has some… unfinished business.”
“Ah.” Lom nodded knowingly, “So, you thought you’d nip all the way up here, across three states, just for a quick visit?” He raised a sceptical eyebrow, obviously doubting the truth of his words.
“Well, it’s been a while.” grinned Heyes.
Lom gave a cynical snort, “What did you fall out about this time?” he persisted.
Heyes’ grin faded slightly, “We didn’t fall out.” he insisted.
“I don’t believe you.” Lom gave him a knowing look.
Heyes’ grin disappeared now. He turned away from Lom to pace the room as he took another sip of his drink.
“It’s the truth.” he said presently, “He’s… seeing someone. I didn’t want to play gooseberry.”
“I see.” said Lom. He took another sip of his drink, “Is it… serious?” he asked presently. Both of them knew the risks that getting involved with anyone carried until they got their amnesty. He was surprised that either of them was prepared to take those risks, or be willing to leave the other to their own devices, in case of trouble.
Heyes shrugged, his back to Lom, “I don’t know.” he replied, taking another sip of his drink.
Lom sensed that there was more to it than Heyes was letting on, but as Heyes turned to face him, he had that hard look in his eyes that Lom well remembered from when he’d ridden with Heyes’ gang before going straight, the look that said ‘don’t question me’ and so he refrained from any further conversation on the topic, saying instead, “Are you hungry? Have you eaten?”
Heyes shook his head, “I’m not hungry.” Then, “You don’t mind if I stay a day or two, do you?”
“Hell, no.” Lom smiled, “I’ll be glad of the company.”
Heyes made an effort to brighten up, giving Lom a cheery smile, “Thanks.”
They sat talking for a while, about what Heyes and Curry had been doing since their last meeting, and what the latest news was regarding their amnesty, before turning in.
​
* * *
Heyes was up first the next morning. He hadn’t slept well, his mind still occupied with everything that had happened in El Paso.
He put some water on for a pot of coffee, and when it was made, he poured himself a cup and went outside, seating himself in one of two chairs that Lom kept on the porch.
The sun had just risen clear of the treetops and the birds were singing merrily in their branches, but Heyes was unaware of the beauty of the day as he gazed vacantly into the distance, lost in his thoughts.
He was so engrossed, he didn’t hear Lom step outside forty minutes later, a cup of coffee in his hand, leaning against the doorframe for several minutes as he sipped the coffee, eyeing Heyes’ perturbed expression and wondering just what exactly had happened down in El Paso.
Presently, he moved to the other chair and seated himself in it.
Becoming aware of his presence, Heyes mentally shook himself and took a sip of his coffee, grimacing when he realised it had gone cold while he’d been sitting there.
“You’re up early.” Lom commented.
Heyes shrugged.
Lom took another sip of his coffee.
“Something wrong?” he asked presently.
“I…” Heyes began, staring pensively into his cup, “I’m just… worried about the Kid.” he muttered.
“Oh? Why?”
Heyes shrugged again, “I…” he began, and then stopped, “This… relationship he’s involved in…” he continued presently, “I’m not sure how it’ll work out… and …” he shook his head, “I don’t want him to get hurt, like—” he’d been about to say ‘like me’, but broke off abruptly.
Lom smiled, “You can’t protect him from everything.” he told him, "He’s old enough to make his own mistakes.”
“I guess.” muttered Heyes, his gaze still fixed on his cup.
“Come on in, I’ll fix us some breakfast.” said Lom, getting to his feet.
Reluctantly Heyes followed.
He made an effort to shake off his gloomy mood, and even went into town with Lom to the saloon that night.
He sat in at the poker table, but his mind was elsewhere and he couldn’t concentrate. After losing every game he played, he decided to quit before he lost all his money. Lom gave him a quizzical look when he rejoined him at the bar so soon, but refrained from comment.
The next morning, after another sleepless night, Heyes decided he had to take himself in hand. It was no good brooding on what had happened. Whether it had been the Kid or a total stranger that Veronica had taken up with - or even if she hadn’t taken up with anyone at all and had waited for him to return - there would have been no future for him with her. Apart from the fact that he would never have been able to trust her again, until they got the amnesty, if they ever did, there was no future for him with anyone. Even on his journey back from Alamogordo, as he’d made his plans to speak to the Kid about staying in El Paso so he could pursue his relationship with Veronica, somewhere, at the back of his mind, he’d known it was impossible. To have any kind of permanent relationship with Veronica, he would have had to tell her everything about himself, and not only was he not at liberty to do that, under the terms of their deal with the Governor, but deep down he suspected that had Veronica known his true identity and background she would have ended it anyway. She was looking for someone like her husband, someone honest, respectable, not an outlaw, even a reformed one. He remembered the words she’d used to describe her feelings for the Kid. “Thaddeus is kind, and gentle… steady… he makes me feel safe. He reminds me a lot of Henry.” That was what she wanted. Someone steady, with a steady job, who was happy to spend their life in one place, doing good works for the local community and entertaining their small town friends, an existence that Heyes knew he could never sustain. He needed space, freedom to be able to go wherever he wanted whenever the mood took him. Heyes realised now that her attraction for him had been mostly for the brief excitement he had brought into her life, that feeling of ‘living dangerously’. He briefly recalled the words she’d used to describe how he’d made her feel “…when we’re together, you make me feel… wild… reckless… you make me feel… alive.” feelings which she had enjoyed for a time, but weren’t what she wanted long term. As much as it broke his heart to admit it, she wasn’t that kind of woman.
The Kid’s temperament was more appealing to her in the long term than his, Heyes acknowledged. He yearned to be able to put down roots, get married, raise a family. He was tired of always having to be on the move, looking over their shoulders for the law, and was getting more tired of it by the day. Marrying someone like Veronica would be perfect for him, Heyes had to admit - even though it tore at his heart to do so - but not until he was a free citizen once more. He just hoped the Kid would be smart enough not to risk jeopardising not only himself and Heyes, but his relationship with Veronica, by telling her the truth about himself, because, more than anything else, Heyes wanted the Kid to be happy, and if being with Veronica was what it took for him to be happy, then, even though it cut him to the bone, he had his blessing. Hopefully, he would keep up the pretence of being Thaddeus Jones and try to remain inconspicuous until the Governor finally got around to granting their amnesty. As for Heyes himself? Well, there would be other places, other women, and, after they got their amnesty, maybe one who would make him feel the way Veronica did, who would accept him, and his past, and be prepared to take him on. He gave a deep sigh. One day. Maybe. In the meantime, he would move on, try to find some work, and try to keep out of trouble.
When Lom got up, Heyes made a concerted effort to put his gloomy mood behind him, although it wasn’t easy, chatting to him amiably over a leisurely breakfast, since today was Sunday and Lom didn’t have to work, before volunteering to chop some logs for the woodpile in return for Lom’s hospitality. Lom agreed, promising to prepare lunch for the two of them after doing the rest of his weekend chores.
Heyes went out to get the axe, while Lom washed up their breakfast dishes.
​
After only his second swing of the axe however, pain shot through the wrist he’d injured falling from his horse on the cattle drive just over a month earlier, causing him to drop the axe with a yelp of agony.
Lom heard his cry and hurriedly exited the house to see what was wrong, to find Heyes bent over, hugging his arm to his chest, cursing ardently.
“What’s the matter?” Lom tried to get him to stand still so he could see what he’d done, but Heyes continued cursing, twisting away from Lom’s attempts to examine him.
“Will you stop cussin’ and stand still.” Lom reprimanded him.
Heyes moved to sit on the porch step, still hugging his arm, biting his lip as he sucked his breath in painfully.
“What did you do?” Lom moved to stand in front of him, eyeing him anxiously. His first thought had been that Heyes had injured himself with the axe, but he didn’t seem to be bleeding so it didn’t look as though he had.
“I hurt my wrist a few weeks back.” Heyes replied, hoarsely, “I thought it was healed… until I hit that log.”
Lom gave a sigh of relief, “I thought you’d hit yourself with the axe.” he told him, He moved to sit by Heyes’ side, “How‘d ya get hurt?” he enquired.
“It was on the cattle drive. My horse stumbled and threw me. I landed full on my arm, damaged some ligaments in my wrist and bruised my shoulder.” Heyes explained, still gingerly nursing his arm.
Lom began to laugh, at the idea of Heyes being so unceremoniously unseated, quietly at first, then loudly, with gusto.
Heyes eyed him indignantly, not finding it at all amusing, but then he too began to smile.
“Quit laughing, it wasn’t funny.” he attempted to scold Lom, laughing himself, despite the piercing pain in his wrist, “I could have broken my neck.”
Lom managed to get himself under control, “I’ll go and find something to strap it up with.” he told him, getting to his feet and going into the cabin, still chuckling to himself.
When he returned a few moments later, Heyes was lost in thought, his mind back on the night he’d met Veronica, when she’d offered to cut up his meat for him after he’d first injured his hand.
“Here.” Lom told him, taking hold of Heyes’ arm and beginning to bandage his wrist tightly, noting Heyes’ reflective mood but making no comment.
“I think I’d better finish the logs.” he told him with a smile, as he fastened the bandage.
“Sorry.” Heyes gave him a meek smile.
Lom gave him a withering look, as though to infer he thought Heyes had put on the injury to get out of chopping the logs, even though he knew it wasn’t true.
* * *
They’d just finished lunch and were sitting on the porch drinking coffee, when the sound of horse’s hooves met their ears.
They both turned, expectantly, to see who was approaching, both of them looking surprised when Curry appeared around the bend in the track.
He slowed his horse and pulled up in front of the cabin.
“Well, this is a surprise.” said Lom, getting to his feet, “I thought you were living it up in El Paso?”
“Hi, Lom.” Curry replied, not looking at him, his gaze fixed on Heyes.
Lom glanced across at Heyes, who was returning Curry's gaze, an unspoken conversation passing between them.
“I’ll… er… go and make some coffee.” he muttered, moving towards the door. He’d just made a pot, but it was obvious that they had things to discuss and didn’t want him hanging around.
He went inside the cabin and closed the door, as Curry dismounted and stepped up onto the porch. He moved to sit in the chair Lom had just vacated, eyeing Heyes who was now gazing out over the treetops.
“Why’d ya do it, Heyes?” He said presently.
It was several moments before Heyes said, “Do what?”
Curry sighed, “Make me think she’d chosen me.”
Heyes shrugged, still staring out over the trees, “I didn’t want to spoil things for you.” he said quietly.
“Aw, Heyes…” Curry shook his head to himself. He’d done a lot of thinking, on the trip up here, about Heyes’ reasons for letting him think he wasn’t interested in Veronica and that she was interested in him.
When Heyes turned his head to look at him, he said, “When are you going to stop trying to Mother me?”
A ghost of a smile tugged at one corner of Heyes’ mouth, before he shifted his gaze back to the treetops.
“Why didn’t you tell her?” Curry said presently.
“Tell her what?” muttered Heyes.
“That you were in love with her.”
Heyes bowed his head, fiddling with the bandage around his wrist.
“Because…” he began, his voice hoarse, “…she didn’t feel the same way… and, I…” he trailed off, shaking his head to himself.
“And… if she had?” Curry had to know.
Heyes closed his eyes, giving a deep sigh and shaking his head. Presently, he said, “I’d have… given up everything… to be with her.”
Curry eyed him, understanding the meaning of his words, and also the depth of his feelings towards Curry himself for the unselfish way he’d hidden his love for Veronica to give him his own chance with her.
“I’m sorry.” he said presently.
Neither spoke for several minutes.
Eventually, Heyes said, “So, what happened?”
Curry shrugged, “I… ended it.”
Heyes looked at him now.
“But…” he began, looking confused, “…you told me you cared for her…”
Curry nodded, “I did… do.”
“Then why…?” Heyes began, but Curry spoke over him.
“I do care for her… but, caring isn’t the same as loving… What you said… you know, when I asked you if you loved her?” He shook his head, “…She never made me feel like that.” He shrugged, “I couldn’t go on seeing her, knowing how you feel… I couldn’t do that to you.”
Heyes just stared at him, lost for words. Eventually he said, “How did she take it?” his voice a whisper.
Curry lifted his eyebrows in a shrug, his gaze on his lap, “She… was upset. She tried to persuade me to stay. She said you had given us your blessing… She didn’t understand why I said I couldn’t.” He lifted his eyes to meet Heyes’ now, “I told her… you’re… my family… and… blood is thicker than water…”
Heyes stared at him, his eyes bright with unshed tears, “Oh… Kid…” he choked.
Just then the door opened and Lom came out with the coffee pot in one hand and an extra cup for Curry in the other.
“Excuse me…” Heyes croaked, getting hurriedly to his feet and stepping off the porch, heading off towards a copse a short distance from Lom’s cabin, lifting his arm and wiping his sleeve across his face as he went.
Lom looked from Heyes’ receding figure back to Curry who was watching Heyes with a compassionate expression.
“Everything alright?” he asked, as he poured the coffee and held out the cup.
Curry took it, turning to look back at Heyes with a thoughtful expression. No other woman had ever touched Heyes’ heart the way Veronica had, and giving her up would be hard for him to come to terms with. But Curry knew too that if Heyes gave his heart to someone, it would be unreservedly, wholeheartedly, forever, and anything less in return would be unacceptable to him. The fact that Veronica hadn’t loved him unreservedly had made it impossible for him to go on with the relationship, but that wouldn’t make ending it hurt any less. But, in time, he would get over it.
He gave a deep sigh, nodding slowly in answer to Lom’s question, “It will be.” he said quietly.
Lom eyed him, wondering again just what had happened in El Paso, but decided not to press. They would tell him, eventually.
* * *
It was two hours before Heyes returned to the cabin, where Curry was helping Lom prepare supper.
He entered and closed the door as they put the food out on the table.
“Just in time.” smiled Lom as he crossed to the stove to get the coffee pot.
Curry eyed Heyes across the table, “O.K?” he enquired. His tone was casual, but his eyes conveyed the deeper meaning as Heyes moved to sit down at the opposite end, nodding in answer, his expression pensive, still stunned by Curry's actions, and touched by his words earlier on the porch.
Curry gave him a gentle smile, knowing how deep his feelings for Veronica went, and how much it had cost him, emotionally, not only to walk away from her, but to give him his own chance with her. Heyes kept a lot of himself hidden away, showing only what he wanted people to see, and Curry often felt that he hardly knew him at all. But, occasionally, like now, Heyes would reveal a glimpse of his inner self, and he would find himself amazed at the revelation, his admiration and respect for him growing deeper every time.
Lom sat down on the other side of the table and handed plates around.
“It’s nice to have the two of you here without you being in any trouble.” he quipped, drawing a smile from both of them.
“At least, I hope you’re not in trouble?” he looked from one to the other and back again.
“Well, no more trouble than usual.” replied Curry as he loaded up his plate, winking encouragingly at Heyes who gave him a watery smile.
“It makes a change.” growled Lom.
“Aw, Lom, we don’t only come to visit you when we need you to bail us—I mean, help us out.” Heyes put in now.
“Oh yeah?” Lom raised a sceptical eyebrow, “Name the last time you paid me a purely social visit?”
“Well, there was March--” Heyes began but broke off when he realised that that particular visit, four months ago, had been to get Lom to help them out of trouble.
“Last October--” Curry began, also stopping when he realised that that visit too was for Lom to help get them out of trouble.
“June?” Heyes eyed Curry, who shook his head.
“Definitely April.” Heyes said firmly.
“O.K. I’ll allow you that one.” said Lom, “But that was fifteen months ago.”
“Sorry.” muttered Curry, trying to look contrite.
“Aw, you know you love it.” teased Heyes, his mood brightening slightly, “Makes you feel wanted. What will you find to do with yourself after we get the amnesty and you don’t have to look out for us anymore?”
Lom gave him a withering look.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Curry said now, delving into his pocket and withdrawing a piece of paper, “I went to the telegraph office the day I left El Paso. I was intending to wire Lom I was coming up here, but then changed my mind.” At Heyes’ perplexed look he said, “I wasn’t sure you’d be here, but I knew if you were, and you knew I was coming, you’d do a runner on me.” in explanation, drawing a sheepish smile from Heyes.
“Anyway, this telegraph was waiting.” Curry handed the telegraph to Heyes, who unfolded it and began to read it out loud:
‘Well done boys. Contact me on the 1st of next month.
I’ll have another job for you. McCreedy.’
Heyes lifted his eyes from the telegraph to meet his friend's gaze across the table. A slow smile spread across Curry’s face.
“Well, what do you vote we do?” he enquired, studying Heyes’ face, “Wire him, or not?” He didn’t think Big Mac would turn them in, but he was willing to go with whatever Heyes thought best.
Heyes cocked his head to one side as he pondered the question, before raising an eyebrow in a ‘what the hell’ expression.
“I vote… not. Definitely… not.”
Curry put his hands together as though in prayer and raised his eyes to the ceiling.
​
“Halleluiah.” he said, with feeling, and they all burst out laughing.
--ooOOoo--
