"All right what’s going on?" Hannibal Heyes said his arms folded tightly in front of him as he stood in the barn entrance.

The Devil’s Hole Gang turned as one to stare at their leader and then back at his partner, Kid Curry, who frowned at his presence.

It was cold, too cold to be out and his leg ached at the exertion it had taken to get over to the barn from the Leader’s cabin without a crutch. To make matters worse it was taking every inch of resolve he had not to grip the doorframe to keep upright. But it didn’t do to let your men see you weak and so he clenched his fists and didn’t let on how badly he wanted to sit down.

Since their last job a week ago the gang was down to its core of 5 members: Wheat Carlson, Kyle Mertree, Hank, Lobo and Preacher. Everyone else having received their share of the Dodge job and taken off for warmer climates.

He and Kid would have done the same, but his leg injury had forced him to rest up until he could ride again and the inactivity was driving him crazy.

"Heyes, Doc said for you to stay off that leg," his cousin said calmly ignoring his question. It was something only Kid could do and to say the gang looked at his partner with relief was an understatement, what the hell had they been up to?

Heyes managed to cross the space between the door and his men slowly, but without registering any of the pain it cost him to achieve.

"What’s all this?" he said looking down at the wagon of supplies they were all doing their best to block.

"Just some stuff we collected," Kyle said with a hopeful smile that was going to work.

"You got enough ‘stuff’ to feed an army here," Heyes said frowning and Kid didn’t miss the casual way he gripped the sideboard of the wagon.

"Boys and me just gonna make a little side trip before you and I head out," Kid said and his look told him not to push it.

"Side trip to where?" Heyes said pushing it.

"Woebegone," Kyle said and was rewarded with a punch in the arm from Hank.

"WHAT!" Heyes exploded. "After all the trouble we had eluding that posse you wanna walk right back into their back yard? May I remind you we just pulled off the biggest train job west of the Mississippi? The reward price on our wanted posters is still wet from being raised! What could possible make you want to go back to that dust blown back alley little nowhere town?"

"Sort of a long story," Lobo shuffled his feet.

"And your part of this?" Heyes said staring at his partner.

Kid remained poker face, "I found out about it and said I’d help them,"

Heyes looked at each man’s face and finally to their amazement exhaled instead of exploding.

"Well its too cold out here for a long story so you all might as well come back to the cabin where I can have a drink and there’s a fire."

The men looked at each other and grinned. There was not a man there that secretly hadn’t hoped for Heyes’s input on the problem and the thought that he might become involved lifted their spirits considerably.

"And later were gonna talk," Heyes said darkly to his cousin.

Kid sighed. He hadn’t thought they could keep it from his partner, but wished he had been given a chance to explain before Heyes found out on his own. As leader he had a right to know what his men were up when it effected the gang and something as crazy as this certainly qualified.

But his injury had been a bad one and the Doctor had insisted he get rest and more rest and Kid had done everything in his power to ensure that he had. Trouble was what worked good on most folks wasn’t necessary the cure for his partner. Heyes thrived on a problem; a puzzle and inactivity ate at him until he had almost driven them both mad.

"Expect so," though was all Kid said and began to walk away until his name caught him at the door.

"Jed?"

He turned back to see his cousin looking hurt and confused.

"You could of told me."

Kid sighed, the gang and most of the west viewed Hannibal Heyes as one of the toughest, most confident men alive. Only Kid knew how he occasionally doubted himself and fretted over his leadership of the gang. The fact his partner and his men hadn’t trusted to tell him about this affected him far more than his damaged leg ever could.

"Well truth is Heyes they were kinda embarrassed. Each of them started out planning something on their own and when I found out I told them they could get far more accomplished if they worked together and then I sorta just got roped in."

"What are they up to?"

"Christmas Heyes, they wanna help out that town," Kid raised a hand as his partner moved to start a tirade on how crazy that was. "Yea I know Heyes Woebegone is on its last legs, The drought, the railroad, bank collapse, but you gotta remember we’re are all farm people originally," he pointed out and Heyes noticed he included himself. "And seeing folks suffer that could be yours well it gnaws at a man."

"What exactly happened in that town?" Heyes said amazed.

Kid smiled, "Like Hank said, sort of a long story. What say we get you off that leg before you fall down and I’ll have them tell it to you."

"My leg is fine," Heyes growled and caught the doorframe just in time.

"Yea I can see that," Kid said shaking his head with a small smile. "Race you for the cabin?"

"Very funny and don’t go pouring them all my whiskey."

"Wouldn’t think of it Heyes," Kid smiled.

***********************************

"So," Heyes said trying not to show how good it felt to slip down into his chair next to the fire. His leg ached like death and the cold had chilled him more than he wanted to let on.

Taking a sip of whiskey he sighed as his men licked their lips watching him.

"Get a glass," he finally groaned. "Probably get more out of you with this any how."

Grinning his men instantly found cups and Heyes liberally poured them all a drink and then waited as they savored the fine Scotch whiskey that had been a present and kept for special occasions.

"Well Heyes it all started after you got hurt," Preacher said as everyone looked at him to start.

"So this is my fault?" Heyes said amused in spite of himself.

"Oh no its was Hanks," Lobo said. "You got that leg saving him."

Hank nodded sheepishly. "I would have been killed dead for sure Heyes if you hadn’t of pulled me clear when that brake slipped. The only reason your leg got trapped was cause you stayed to free me when I slipped between the cars and I want you to know I’m grateful. Ain’t many men that would do that for me."

Heyes repressed a shiver at how close he had come to not only losing Hank, but his leg as well. They had almost been done with the job when Hank had moved to release the last car and let the train move on. But the engineer in his fear and haste had released the brake sending the train backward into Hank and only Heyes’ fast thinking and action had saved him, but in the process tore up his own leg, tore it up so bad they had all been afraid he was going to lose it for sure.

Well not everyone. Kid had never doubted for a minute. It was his younger cousin who had cleaned the wound, stopped the bleeding and packing the leg in snow rode like a demon to get him to a doctor.

The closest town had been Woebegone and Kid had gotten them a room at the hotel and then gone in search of a doctor. Heyes had been out of his head by then and only vaguely remembered the young man Kid had practically dragged into the room in his concern and worry.

"Yup Heyes it all started when we got to Woebegone…" Preacher said taking another sip of whiskey. "And us staying out of trouble just like Kid said!"

*******************************

Kid Curry paced the room stopped every second turn to look over the doctor’s shoulder.

"Sir I can’t do this with you…"

"Kid come on lets get some air," Preacher said taking Kid by the arm and leading him out onto the upstairs porch of the hotel where the rest of the gang was waiting.

"You give the boys their share?" Kid asked surprised not everyone had rode off. The gang had been 15 strong when they had hit the train.

Wheat nodded, "Yea, nearly $2000 a piece, real happy they was, but me and them thought we’d just stick around make sure you and Heyes, well if you needed a gun or two so he could rest up."

Kid nodded, "Grateful for that, but Heyes is gonna be fine just needs a little patching up and the Doc is gonna take care of that."

"Still nice little town figure we’ll just hoorah it a bit," Lobo said.

"Kid can you tell Heyes, well will you let him know…" Hank was embarrassed and grateful and to be honest still in shock that anyone had sacrificed themselves so to save him.

"I will Hank, don’t let it eat at you, you know Heyes, gang comes first."

"Yea which is why we’ll be down at the saloon if you need us," Wheat said simply and the small group filed away.

"Just stay out of trouble! Go on Preacher I’ll be fine," Kid said as the older man hesitated.

"I’ll have them send up some food," Preacher said moving to go with the others. "I’ll be praying for him son."

"Thanks Preacher, know he’d appreciate that."

Kid watched him go and then gloomily stared out at the small town. Woebegone was a town in its last death throes. Every other building was boarded up and closed with Foreclosure signs painted across its front. Still open were the General Store, Saloon, Stable and Hotel, the rest long since closed or abandoned including the sheriff office and bank, which had recently failed.

"Hopeless a more fitting name eh?" came a voice and he turned to see a man about his age leaning against the post smoking a cigar.

"Had some bad luck have they?" Kid asked.

The man grinned ruefully, "More like the 10 plagues of Egypt, sorry Preacher’s son, Frank Church."

Kid shook his hand.

"Heard you brought in a friend hurt pretty bad," the man said curious.

"And that would be of interest to you?"

"Reporter, New York Sun."

"You’re a long way from home, Mr. Church."

"Holiday, came to see my father," the man said amiably.

Kid nodded suddenly realizing it was Thanksgiving. Heyes was notorious for planning jobs around holidays. Not only were there fewer men on guard they were distracted, plus it kept them and the gang’s minds off their circumstances.

"Nice you got people you care about, man should cherish that," Kid said quietly and turned so the man could see his hand resting on his gun.

Church smiled and nodded tossing down his cigar, "Ah message understood. Have to forgive me, hard to turn off instincts even on holiday."

"No offense taken," Kid said but his eyes remained like granite until the man walked away.

He was suddenly very glad his men were not far away.

******************************

"No poker?" Kyle said incredulously as the five outlaws stared at the forlorn little saloon. "Sure hope they got wimmin!"

"Better be! All this money in our pocket and nothing to waste it on," Lobo grinned.

"Sheila got a customer," the old man behind the bar said to one of the two women sitting at a table.

A tawny haired woman rose awkwardly clearly uncomfortable in the undergarments she wore. Taking a step forward she shyly touched her hair unused to having it down.

She was not unpretty, but she was approaching thirty and her nervousness was confusing.

"Hell she’ll do," Wheat said finally when no one made a move towards her and slapping down a coin on the bar took her hand and led her up stairs.

The other woman smiled attempting to look coy, but she was nearly 50 if she was a day and Kyle muttering about his grandma turned with the others and decided maybe they could play poker with just four after all.

**************************

"Well I think I saved his leg, but he’s gonna need to stay off it and rest for quite a spell," the doctor said washing his hands and nervously trying not to stare at the gun swung low on Kid’s hip. He was recently from back east and the overpowering presence of this westerner was terrifying him.

"Thanks Doc, I really appreciate what you’ve done," Kid said pulling out several gold coins. "How much I owe you."

The doctor’s eyes widened, "Uh twenty?" said bravely.

Kid hid a smile at the man’s nervousness.

"Make it 50, I’m real grateful," Kid said slipping the money into the man’s hand.

The Doctor stared at the coins, "Don’t often see payment here, thank you this will help me get through the winter and in turn help some others."

"Things bad as they look?" Kid asked as the man put on his coat.

"Worse, drought, crop failure, then the bank closed, last of three bad years. Most folks lost their farms to the railroad expanding and having to foreclose. Only about ten families left and their squatting in town hoping to get through winter and then try and make a move west."

Kid nodded, he had heard the story before, but it still moved him. He was the son of a farmer and he knew what it meant to lose your land.

"If he needs anything else let the desk clerk know."

"Doc?" Kid said as the man moved to leave.

"How come you stuck around?"

The man let a wisp of a smile escape, "Wish it was something noble, but one of those farmers? Got him a daughter, prettiest angel you ever laid eyes on."

Kid grinned back and shut the door, but it faded as he turned back to the figure on the bed.

"Hang on Heyes your gonna be fine," he said aloud and then sat down beside the bed to do the thing he did worse, wait.

***************************

Wheat sat down on the bed and began pulling off his boots.

"Uh do you want me to lie down?" the woman said scrunching the side of her skirt in her hand.

Wheat looked at the woman like she was an idiot; "Well you got another way?"

"No, no course not," she said horrified at the very thought and dutifully she laid down on the bed.

Wheat turned and frowned. She hadn’t asked for money. He had yet to meet a whore who didn’t get the money first.

Looking down he realized her eyes were closed, tightly, almost as tight as the hands she had clenched.

"Damn this is your first time ain’t it?" he said disgusted.

"Oh no!" she said worried he wouldn’t want her. "I was married…"

Wheat said something rude under his breath and at that moment the door burst open and a little boy and girl dashed into the room and over to the bed.

"Mama!" the girl no more than three cried. "I’m hungry."

"I tried to keep her down Ma, but she woke up crying and wanted you," the boy said thin as a rail and barely pushing 8.

They suddenly noticed Wheat and looked up shyly.

Wheat Carlson swore again.

"Who are you?" the girl asked as her mother quickly got up and took the two children to the door.

"I am so sorry," the woman said trying not to cry. "You both go back to our room and I’ll bring you some food in just a bit," she added looking hopeful that Wheat wouldn’t reject her.

"Ya hungry huh?" Wheat said and the two children nodded.

Wheat shook his head and gave us, "Yea well so am I, lets see if we can do something about it."

*******************************

"But Wheat they got a restaurant at the hotel," Kyle said twenty minutes later as Wheat placed his order down on the counter of the General Store.

"Yea well I found me a woman that will cook for me," Wheat said gruffly.

"You mean that whore…"

"Mind your mouth," Wheat said sharply and Kyle looked confused as the two children ran up.

"Mr. Carlson mama says if you get apples she’ll make pie!" the boy practically shouted.

"Well I reckon we better get apples," Wheat said willing Kyle away.

Kyle, however grinned, "I like pie."

"Yea well this is my pie," Wheat said firmly picking up the two boxes of supplies.

"Got enough supplies there to last a month," Kyle added innocently.

"I’m real hungry okay?" Wheat glared and taking the children stomped out.

Kyle shook his head confused and then turned to go almost running into an old man.

"Excuse me son not as steady as I used to be," the man said trembling.

"All right old timer."

"I told you old man I can’t give you no more credit!" the man behind the counter said angrily.

"Ain’t for me, its Mrs. Morgan if she doesn’t eat she can’t feed her baby, all I’m asking is a little credit, just so she can feed the baby."

"What’s going on?" Hank and Lobo said coming in.

"Man letting babies starve," Kyle said dangerously.

The storekeeper looked up to say something scathing and was met with three sets of hard dark eyes.

"Ain’t right letting baby’s starve," Lobo said unhitching his gun.

"What you need old man?" Hank asked feeling flush and grateful.

"Family, next door…"

"Damn sodbuster squatters," the storekeeper said.

"My daddy was a farmer mister," Lobo said tightly.

"What you think we should do?" Kyle asked.

"Kid told us to stay out of trouble," Hank said.

"I don’t think buying supplies is getting into trouble," Kyle reasoned painfully.

"Yea!" Hank agreed. "What kind of trouble could that cause?"

"Look I ain’t suppose to be selling to them, Mr. Bradley said…"

Lobo cocked back his gun.

"Yes sir, what would like?" the man said quickly.

"What would we like?" Kyle asked the old man.

The man smiled, "Well we have a lot of hungry people…"

"Reckon we’d like the store," Hank said pleasantly. "Just box it to go."

**************************

"Jed?"

Kid looked up and grinned, "Bout time you returned to the living, here let me get you something to drink," Holding his friend against him he let him take a sip and then gently set him back down on the pillows.

"Where are we?"

"Pretty much nowhere, farm town."

"Hank?"

"He’s fine, you will be too after you rest up."

"Leg is on fire."

"Should be. Getting careless letting trains run over you Heyes."

"Yea guess I am."

"He left some laudanum, but knowing how you feel about that I also got some whiskey."

"Whiskey be fine thanks. Where are the boys?"

"Paid off most, few stuck around, they are down at the saloon staying out of trouble."

"You believe that?"

"Just need you to, get some rest Heyes."

And what scared him is his friend didn’t argue.

*********************************

"Father why do you hang on?"

"Because my congregation needs me!" Reverend Church said wearily trudging through the snow.

"What congregation?" his son Frank said rolling his eyes. "A handful of farmers slowly starving to death?"

"Bad luck doesn’t change things. I am still their shepherd and they my flock," he said steeling himself before opening the door to the abandoned restaurant where he had ordered everyone to gather in an attempt to feed them a meal for Thanksgiving. His son had given what he could, but he knew the few supplies would not go far with so many mouths to feed.

Opening the door the two men froze in amazement.

The pitiful scene had been replaced by something hopeful and down right joyous.

Boxes of food everywhere, children laughing and from the kitchen the smells of something cooking that made their stomachs growl.

"Welcome friend," Preacher said from a table where he was peeling potatoes.

"It’s a miracle!" Reverend Church said his face breaking into a heartfelt grin of relief.

"What it is, is an outrage," a voice said from behind them.

They turned to find a large round man with graying hair warmly dressed flanked by two ranch hands.

"Mr. Bradley I thought all this joy would tickle your senses into a response," Frank said amused at the man’s outrage.

"Church these people are squatting on my land! This is my building!"

"Sir it is just a small Thanksgiving…" the Reverend said trying to placate him.

"I want these people gone! The railroad is coming through and…"

"In the spring Mr. Bradley and until then they need a place to stay and these buildings are not being damaged providing shelter for them," Frank said.

"What’s all this yelling about?" Wheat said coming over carrying the little girl in his arms whom was smiling up at him adoringly.

"Fella seems to think these people should go without food and shelter," Preacher said standing and unhooking his gun.

Wheat set the child down and pushed her behind him, "That right mister?" Wheat said with a growl.

Bradley watched amazed as Kyle, Hank and Lobo joined their comrades and with a curse turned and exited calling his men to follow.

"Kyle you watch the door," Wheat ordered. "Don’t let no more riff raff in."

Kyle grinned, "See it done Wheat!"

***********************

"You!" Bradley said storming up to Kid as he turned away from the bar a bottle of whiskey in his hands.

Kid looked at him wearily. He was tired, worried and real short on patience.

"What seems to be the problem?"

"Are those hooligans your men?"

Kid looked heavenward, "More than likely what they done?"

"They are trespassing!"

"That it?" Kid asked.

"I am serious unless they are gone in one hour my men will remove them and the rest of those squatters!" and with another huff he stormed off.

Kid stood for a moment considering this. He really did not need more trouble now. Glancing up he figured Heyes would sleep for a spell after nearly drinking that whole bottle of whiskey. Setting the new bottle down on the counter he told the bartender he would be back for it and strode across the street.

***************************

"Kyle I thought I told you not to let anyone…oh hello Kid!" Wheat said suddenly nervous.

"Howdy boys," Kid said looking around the room that had froze on his entrance.

Had to be at least 60 people most looking thin and sick and long on desperate.

"We was just having us a little party," Wheat said.

Kid nodded, "So I been told."

"They ain’t got no food," Kyle told him softly. "Not even the babies."

"Saw too much of that in the war, figured well figured we oughta see if we could do something," Preacher said simply.

Kid nodded, "All right, fair enough."

"Your welcome to stay," one of the women said hesitantly as Kid turned to go.

He turned back and managed a small smile, "Thank you ma’am, but I got me a friend who needs me. Be grateful for some soup if you have a mind." And with that he turned and left.

*****************************

"Where you going?" Heyes asked softly an hour later.

Kid cursed his timing and replaced the gun he had been checking.

"Gonna get you something to eat."

"With a gun?"

"Quit your worrying Heyes and get some rest."

"Kid…"

But he was gone.

****************************

"How you wanna do this?" Hank asked nervous as the five men stood on the porch outside waiting.

"Well I’m pretty fast," Wheat said bluffing. "Maybe if we tell them who we are they’ll back off."

On these words Bradley appeared flanked by six men all carrying rifles.

"You men step aside," he ordered. "Those squatters are leaving now."

"Maybe you wanna reconsider that," Kid Curry said moving to the center of the street to face the group.

"Hot damn its Kid!" Hank breathed with a grin.

"Woooohooo!" Kyle laughed proudly. "He’ll outdraw the lot of them!"

"This ain’t your concern mister."

"Reckon it is, they’re my men and besides I don’t like seeing women and children starved neither."

"This is my land it’s all legal."

"Found out long time ago legal don’t necessarily mean right," Kid said pulling off his glove.

"Oh and your gonna play justice, who do you think you are mister?"

"He knows who he is, that mister is Kid Curry!" Wheat yelled knowing full well what the name would do.

A ripple of fear ran over the group.

"That true?" Bradley asked as the Devil’s Hole Gang moved next to Curry.

"Yea its true," Kid said.

"Yea and were the Devil’s Hole Gang!" Kyle said with a growl.

"You could kill us all," one of the men said in a whisper that carried.

"Yep reckon we could," Kid said simply sounding bored.

"John I didn’t sign on to face the fastest gun in the west," one of the men said turning to go.

"Me either! I’m sorry John, but those squatters can wait a month," another said backing away.

"He’s just bluffing!" Bradley roared. "He can’t be that fa…"

He never finished. Kid drew and the rifle in the man’s hand skidded down the street.

It was followed very quickly there after by the of the men running.

**************************

"What the hell are you doing? What part of losing your leg didn’t I make clear to you!" Kid yelled angrily as he came into the room to find his cousin out of bed and trying to reach the door his gun in his hand.

"I heard your gun," Heyes said looking him over worried before toppling forward.

Kid caught him at the waist and half carried him back to the bed.

"Heyes your gonna be the death of me worrying I swear. Now sit down I got your soup."

"You had to fire your gun for soup?"

"Its really good soup!" Kid growled at him. "And you are gonna eat every bite."

Heyes collapsed back against the pillows still not ready to give up, "The rest of the gang?"

"Is fine, they are having thanksgiving and stealing the local women, happy?"

Heyes tasted the soup. It was wonderful and he realized he was starving.

"I still don’t know why you need a gun for soup in this town."

"Just eat before I’m forced to use it on you!"

***************************

Everyone waited as the story ended and Heyes considered it all.

"So I’m guessing you all just planned to go back and bring them supplies to see them through winter?" he said quietly.

"We tried to offer them money, but well they’re proud people, food was hard enough," Wheat said understanding and respecting their reaction.

"Besides stolen and all," Kyle said embarrassed.

"What about this Bradley fella?" he ain’t gonna take kindly to you coming in and stirring things up again. I take he’s the one who got the posse back on our trail?"

"Yes," Kid admitted.

"I see so you all just plan to sneak in during the dead of night and what play Santa Claus?"

The men fidgeted uncomfortable.

"Your gonna need a plan, a proper one," Heyes said quietly and six faces looked up amazed. "First off we gotta get them a place to stay…legal and then we gotta get them a stake to move on with. And we gotta do it in a way they’ll accept. What’s today?"

"2nd of December," Preacher grinned.

"All right let me think," Heyes said all ready lost in thought.

"You heard my partner boys clear off and let him think," Kid said his eyes twinkling.

"Then you ain’t mad at us no more?" Kyle said as they reached the door.

"Sure am, worse plan I ever heard, you all ought to be ashamed of yourselves, thought I taught you better," Heyes growled. "Now out!"

*****************************

"And my signature," Heyes smiled at John Bradley two weeks later. "Thank you very much Mr. Bradley," Heyes said picking up his best hat and the papers transferring ownership of the hotel to him.

Bradley laughed amused looking at the cash in front of him, "My pleasure Mr. Rembacker! Good day!" He watched Heyes limp out the door and sat back and laughed. "Stupid fool thinks he can put one over on me! I know the railroad is going right through that hotel!"

*******************************

"This can’t be right," Reverend Frank stared down at the deed Heyes placed in his hand as the farmers and their families gathered around them.

"Yes sir, government feels your land was unfairly taken from you by the railroad and has awarded you the Fremont Hotel, 26 rooms, three stories, restaurant, kitchen, all perishable supplies and all land there upon in retribution."

"This means we have somewhere to stay the winter!" one of the women said bursting into tears and hugging her husband whom looked like he was in shock.

"I can’t thank you enough sir, you don’t know what this has done for our community," the Reverend said shaking his hand as Heyes tried to get away from the thanks being poured over him.

"Government?" said the doctor waiting with the Reverend’s son just outside the door to catch him. "And you shouldn’t be walking on that leg Mr. Heyes."

"So my cousin keeps telling me."

"Well thank you either way that hotel will keep everyone warm and dry until the railroad comes to demolish it in the spring and."

"Uh…not exactly…" Heyes smiled innocently. "It seems their surveyors moved the line over about 50 feet. Hotel is gonna be right next to the station."

"That’s impossible, the surveyors were here last week I saw the plan," Frank said. "It was sent out finalized on…"

"The 8:15 to Denver," Heyes grinned. "Yea I saw it along with their recommendations to demolish the hotel and run the track through it."

"Are you saying you…"

"I’m saying the railroad got a plan for the new line," Heyes said simply. "And before they start laying track they’ll be out here to buy up whatever land they can including a hotel they think they need. Figure those folks will be long gone for anyone realizes the tracks now go straight into the river."

Then with a smile he tipped his hat and climbing into the carriage rode down the street.

"That cunning devil," Church said in awe turning to the doctor excited. "You know whom that was don’t you!?"

"Yea I believe I do. I met his elves earlier," the Doctor laughed.

"His what?" the reporter said confused.

"Elves What’s the matter Frank, don’t you believe in Santa Claus?"