The Treasure

Terri Sutro

“Well, will you look at that?" Kid Curry bent over and picked something up from the dusty ground. “Hey, Heyes, look at what I got.” He quickened his pace to catch up with his cousin who showed no signs of stopping. “Heyes, will ya slow up. I want to show ya this.”

“Kid, unless it’s a beer or a brunette, I don’t want to see it. Or maybe a horse. Or maybe a soft bed.” Heyes’ voice was weary. He just kept walking, ignoring his cousin’s request.

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

They had been minding their business. Having a quiet beer in a quiet saloon in a quiet town in Arizona. The Sheriff’s name didn’t mean anything to either man. He didn’t even look twice at the dusty men sitting at the corner table in that saloon. It was pure luck that Kid happened to get up to get another beer. And even better luck that he noticed the man talking to the Sheriff. The man whose wallet was considerably lighter after last night’s poker game. The man who kept looking at them in that funny way they had grown to know and hate. The man who was now very excited and pushing the Sheriff towards the Saloon. Both men had learned the hard way that when luck presented itself, you didn’t turn it away. They found the back door and their horses and headed west. Just in time.

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

The posse chasing them had finally given up. A few days late for their horses. One lost to a bullet. The other to exhaustion of two riders. They were walking. They had been walking for three days. Being at least thankful that it was April not July. Full heat didn’t arrive till mid day. They put one foot in front of the other and forced themselves to move. They kept thinking this desert had to stop. That a town had to be around somewhere. Unfortunately, somewhere hadn’t shown itself yet. So they kept walking.

Drinking sparingly of the little water they had. Finding small bits of luck in water holes that kept them going forward. Eating what they could catch or pick. Not bein’ real fussy as to what that might be. Kid had to agree with his cousin that he hadn’t been exactly overjoyed with whatever it was Heyes had cooked last night. Sleeping on hard, cold ground, which if you listened to Heyes was getting harder and colder every minute they were on it.

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

Heyes was trying real hard to ignore Kid. Real hard. He wasn’t having much success. But he was trying.

“Yea, but Heyes, I think our luck is gonna change. Will you stop walkin’ so durn fast. It’s hot enough, without working up anymore of a sweat.”

Kid finally caught up with his partner, passed him, turned, faced him and stopped. Heyes had no choice but to stop or walk right over him. Kid was grinning.

Heyes stared resignedly at his cousin and partner. His only living family. He didn’t think it was too mean spirited to wish at this moment that his cousin was a horse. He just sighed. A very put upon sigh. “All right, Kid. I know it’s not that beer or that brunette, and I know you just had to stop me from getting to whatever town I sure hope is over that next hill, so just what treasure did you find in this God forsaken wilderness.” He swept his arm around the bleak scene.

Kid’s smile faded. “Well, if that’s the way you’re gonna be, I’m not gonna show you. Ya know, Heyes, sometimes you can be the most disagreeable person known to man or beast. And maybe I’m just gonna keep this luck to myself. Yep, maybe that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. So you just keep bein' as miserable as you want.” He turned and strode off.

Heyes watched him walk away. He looked up at the heavens. ‘Why does this always happen?’ An answer was not forthcoming. He stared at his cousin’s back and shook his head. “Kid, all right Kid, I’m sorry. I’m just hot and dirty and tired. Come on, Kid, don’t make me run. My blisters have blisters and I think I’ve got about half of this desert in my boots. Please Kid, give me a break will ya.” He limped as quickly as he could to catch up with the other man, his voice a hoarse plea.

It appeared that he didn’t see the way the ground kind of sunk, being so intent on catching up with Kid, cause the next thing he knew he was sprawled out face down in the dirt and his cousin was standing over him, laughing. A big laugh. A laugh that said serves you right for being so ornery.

Heyes pushed his black hat back on his dark hair, propped himself up on both elbows and scowled at Kid. “I expect you’re happy now.” Kid just kept laughing. “Are you gonna help me up or should I just stay here.”

“See you’re still miserable.” Kid turned and started walking away again.

Heyes dropped back onto the dirt. He finally gave up. “Ok, Ok, Kid. I’m sorry. I want to see what you found. Really. Ok? Kid I don’t have the inclination to argue much more.”

Kid walked back to him, grinning again. “Well, you’re gonna feel better when ya see it Heyes. Here let’s get you up.” He grabbed Heyes’ arm and pulled him to his feet. “There, that better?” He was dusting Heyes off. “Here, look. Can you believe it? Out here. Why there isn’t any green for miles and miles and there it was, just lying there.” The heat was momentarily forgotten. The lack of food or enough water was pushed aside for a moment. He held out his hand, it was balled up into a fist. The expression on his face was that of a small boy who just won the prize agate in the marble contest.

“Well then, let’s see it.” Heyes was getting exasperated again.

Kid slowly opened his fist to show Heyes his treasure. It was a four-leaf clover. The smile on his face was enough to dazzle a small town.

Heyes just looked at the small green spot lying in the middle of Kid’s dusty hand. He looked at the smile that lit up his cousin’s face. He started laughing. He laughed until he had to sit back down on that hard ground. He was laughing so hard, tears welled up in his eyes. “Kid you’re amazing. We been runnin' for weeks. Almost got shot dozens of times. Lost our horses. Had no comforts for days. And you, you ... a four leaf clover, Kid you’re just amazing.” He dissolved into laughter again.

Kid Curry was an imposing man when he was smiling. Tall, blond, broad shoulders, muscular, few men would go up against him. Few women wouldn’t. Right now he wasn’t smiling. That was worse. When those blue eyes got mad they turned ice cold stormy. Men who saw those eyes usually found a different place to be. Women, well women usually didn’t see those eyes. Kid would never hurt a woman. He liked them way too much.

The blue eyes he was wearing now would have given an ordinary man the shakes. Unfortunately, Heyes was too busy laughing to notice the storm clouds. “Ya know Heyes, my ma told me that if I ever found one of these, I’d find good luck; that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. And I don’t take kindly to your finding this so dad gummed amusin’. Sometimes I just don’t know you at all.” He shook his head, and walked away.

Heyes once again looked up at his cousin’s back as it walked away from him. Realizing that maybe he had gone too far, he ran to catch up. He caught Kid’s arm to stop him. When he faced his cousin, he didn’t see anger. He saw sadness and memories. Memories of days when their mothers had told them stories of their families in Ireland and England and how they came to the United States to start a new life. Stories of the little people and the magic they possessed.

“Aw, Kid I’m sorry. I’m just tired and sore. You’re right. Maybe this will bring us luck. Finding that pot of gold sure would come in handy right now. Hey, will you look over there. A town.” He shielded his eyes from the sun and pointed at something that looked like buildings in the distance. “Looks like that shamrock has already brought us some luck. Come on Kid, I’ll buy you a steak.” He was walking backwards talking while Kid kept walking forward, ignoring Heyes entirely. Not watching where he was going he found another hole and wound up on his backside.

“Damn and blast, I hate this desert.” Heyes tossed his saddlebags off to the side and crossed his legs in front of him.

“That should teach you not to make fun of the four leaf clover, Heyes.” The storm passed. Kid’s eyes were showing summer again. He smiled as he offered Heyes a hand. “Let’s go find that steak.”

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

“Think this place is real Heyes?” They were at what appeared to be the main street through town. Stopping, they looked around. A few horses, a wagon in front of what looked like the hotel, but few signs of human habitation. “Don’t look real busy. Where d’ya think everyone is? Think there’s a saloon? Maybe it’s one of them mi-rages.”

“Nah, we both wouldn’t be seeing the same thing. Anyway, this sounds real.” He knocked on the building they were standing beside. “I’d imagine if they’re smart, maybe the folks that live here are inside outta this heat, which is where we should be. Come on, Kid. I want a drink. I want a lot of drinks. Hell, if that horse trough wasn’t empty I’d be in it. He grinned at the other man.

“No argument with that Heyes. I’d most likely beat you to the trough.”

The two men moved as quickly as their tender feel would allow to the relative cool of the saloon. Croaking out a request, they sank into the hard chairs at a corner table. A pretty girl in a tight, short red dress brought two pitchers of beer, maneuvering so that they had a clear view of her attributes as her poured. Neither man was looking at anything but the golden liquid as it foamed into the mugs.

They simultaneously reached out and she smiled at the prospect of choosing one of two very handsome men. Unfortunately, neither man was reaching for her. They finished the first beer and poured a second , downed it and set down their mugs. Sighing happily.

“Kid, I think life may just be worthwhile after all.” Heyes rested his head on his folded arms on the table and closed his eyes.

“Yea Heyes, I think you just may be right.” Kid was leaning back, eyes blinking back sleep.

Heyes looked up and over at Kid. He knew how tired and sore he was. He had no reason to believe Kid was doing any better. He sat up. “Come on Kid. Hotel’s ‘cross the street. Let’s get us a room and a bath and a bed. If we feel like it we can look for that steak later.” He smiled at his cousin who just nodded.

A tumbleweed sped past them as they walked down the main street. Entering the hotel, they found a sour faced clerk.

“Yea, what’d'ya want?

“And good afternoon to you sir. My friend and I would like a room, a double, if you have it with a bath, two baths. And directions as to where a couple of hungry men can get the best steak in town.” Heyes gave the man his very best smile.

“Room, bath and steak, huh? Well if that don’t beat all. Sure fells, just like you’re right there in San Fran –cis – c0.” He drew out the last word, picked up a newspaper and turned his back on them. ‘Steak, next thing they’ll be wantin’ clean glasses.’

Heyes looked at Kid and found an irritable expression looking back at him. He shrugged and tried again.

“Uh sir. We’ve been walking in that desert for three days, and whatever you’ve got that resembles a room and a bath, then that’ll be just fine with us. And I’m sure the town has a fine restaurant.” There was just a note of desperation in his voice.

The clerk scowled at them and slapped his newspaper down on the counter. “That’s real funny. Yep, you’re a real funny fella. Rooms we got, plenty. Nobody’s passed through here for months. I suppose we could figure out how to get enough hot water for two baths. Steaks? Well, if you can pretend real good, you can probably pretend a plate of beans looks like a steak.” Seeing the disappointment on their faces, he smiled. “No matter to me. Ya, want the room or not?”

“Don’t suppose there’d be another hotel in town?” Seeing the clerk’s face, Kid frowned. “Nah, I didn’t suppose there was. Sure sounds like we don’t have much choice.”

“Well, ya want it or not.” The clerk reached for the newspaper.

“Yea, yea we’ll take it. Can’t be as bad as sleeping on that hard ground.” Heyes took the key the clerk offered. He had to admit he didn’t understand why the clerk seemed to find that so funny. But he just smiled back at him. He figured he’d find out the answer to that pretty soon.

“Come on Kid, it’ll be fine.” Heyes was doing his best to convince both of them. They climbed the creaky stairs to the second floor and arrived at Room 205. “I mean, after all, a room’s a room. Can’t be that bad. You’ll feel better after a bath and some rest. So will I. Then we see what kind of trouble we can avoid in town.” He smiled. Kid did not respond. “It’ll be all right Kid. That clerk can’t possibly know everything’s that’s going on. Barely looked like he knew what was goin’ on here. We’re gonna find that steak and a couple more beers. Who knows, maybe even a poker game.” He looked hopefully at Kid. “But right now we’re gonna find a bath and a couple of beds.”

Kid looked skeptical. “Uh, huh. Sure Heyes. Here it is.” They looked at the room number hanging by one nail on the splintered door.

A bit of smile faded from Heyes face. He opened the door and stepped in. Just in. The smile faded entirely. “Uh Kid, ya know, on second thought, maybe a different room would be a better idea. Never liked the number 205. Bad luck, can’t have that, not with that shamrock of yours.” He backed out of the room and right into his partner.

“Heyes, what’re you talking about. A minute ago you said a room’s a room. It’s better than the cold ground isn’t it.” He pushed past Heyes and stopped. He surveyed the room. “Ya know Heyes, I’m thinking the ground isn’t so bad after all.” His voice was humorless.

The room was a square of no more that fifteen feet in any direction. The extent of cobwebs told them that some enterprising spider had been in residence here for some time. The dust that had been kicked up by their entrance indicated that the room had possibly been cleaned at some time – it would have been hard to determine when with any certainty. There were two beds – sunken in the middle from too much of something neither man wanted to know about. Something small with a long tail ran by Kid’s boots. He did not seem surprised. He did look at Heyes with an expression that spoke volumes. It said hard ground and your coffee is looking pretty darn good.

Heyes nodded as though he heard Kid’s thoughts. “Yea, Kid. Exactly what I was thinkin’. We’ll just go right on down there and see if they have a better room. And if they don’t we’ll just look for a different hotel. Must be another one. And if not, well who needs a stuffy hotel room anyway? Sleeping out under the stars. All that fresh air. And we got some jerky left.” He didn’t sound like he was convincing anyone, including himself.

They retreated down the hall. “Don’t say it Heyes. I know what you’re thinking. Just don’t say it.” Kid’s voice held a certainty that Heyes was just waiting to make some remark for the sole purpose of irritating him.

“I’m not thinking anything, Kid. ‘Cept maybe I’m glad not to share a room with that little furry fella back there. Let’s just get outta here.” He stopped. “Oh, you mean the shamrock.”

Kid tensed up and closed his eyes, waiting for whatever Heyes was gonna say. He relaxed a bit as Heyes continued.

“Nah, Kid, I got nothing to say. Maybe we’ve gotta finish out some bad luck before the good luck can start. All I really want is a bath and a bed.” He smiled. Few could resist Heyes when he was smiling. Kid wasn’t in the mood to try.

He smiled back. “Sure Heyes, me too.”

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

The screams startled them both. “Oh, please sir. I’m a good girl. I just came to deliver me vegetables. Please let go of me arm, you’re hurtin’ me.”

Running down the hallway, they broke into the room where the screams came from. She was lying on the bed; the man was kneeling over her, his intent clear. She was crying and trying to push him away.

“ ‘Scuse us. The lady doesn’t seem to be enjoying your company. Perhaps you should get off her and find a more willing companion.” Heyes always tried reason first.

Kid, on the other hand, never let reason stand in the way of rescuing a damsel in distress. He grabbed the man and flung him to the floor.

“I paid for her, she’s mine. Get your own girl.” He was very drunk. And very foolish in getting up. He lurched towards Kid.

“Kid…” Heyes started, took one look at is cousin’s face, shrugged and leaned against the doorjamb.

Kid’s first and only punch sent the man reeling. He stayed down this time.

“Ma’am, are you all right.” He took his hat off and sat on the bed next to the girl.

“Oh sir, I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you. That man, he just dragged me up here. Said he’d paid for me. Oh, sir, I’m a good girl. I don’t know how he coulda gotten such an idea. Oh sir, if you hadn’t stopped him…” Her eyes grew wide and filled with tears. She threw her arms around his neck, and started crying.

“Don’t cry, you’re safe now. He won’t hurt you any more.” He looked helplessly at Heyes. For his part, Heyes had seen this coming. Having seen it dozens of times in the past. He just pursed his lips and nodded. ‘Yea, Kid so far that shamrock sure has brought us good luck all right’ he thought. ‘Glad ya only found one of them things or we’d just be rolling in more luck than we could stand.’

He did take a close look at the girl, still clinging to Kid. Well she was beautiful. Young no more than twenty, pale porcelain skin, red hair curling past her shoulders and from what he could see, very green eyes. Irish from the sound of her voice. What would someone like this be doing in a town as dead as this one? In the middle of the desert.

Heyes thought it seemed like a good time to rescue his cousin. He had to admit Kid didn’t look like he either wanted or needed rescuin’. But Heyes was sure Kid would thank him for this later. He moved from his post at the door towards the bed. “Uh, ma’am? Do you live around here, with your family, I mean. My friend and I would be happy to make sure you get home safely.”

She looked up at him through tearful eyes and rewarded him with a beautiful smile. “That’s so kind of you, sir. Sure, you’ve saved me life from that horrible man. It would be shameful to ask you for just one more thing.” She looked back to Kid, her arms still around his neck and a hopeful look in her eyes.

“Why ma’am, you just tell us how we can help. We’ll be glad to do whatever we can.” Heyes’ charm was legendary and he was using every bit of it here.

She turned back to him. “Well, sir, I live just a wee bit south of town, in a lovely little valley. With me uncle and sister. Well, ordinarily I wouldn’t be so trusting, but ya both bein’ such fine gentlemen and all. If you could just make sure the hotel manager, evil man that he is, always giving me looks, like, well you know the kind.” She re-focused on Kid. Well, if you can make sure he’ll be letting me leave the hotel without any more trouble, if that isn’t too much to be askin’ of ya both?”

“Course, we’ll make sure you get anywhere you want. A real sad thing when a young lady like yourself has to be afraid to be walking around alone.” Kid’s glare at Heyes was pretty clear. Forget it Heyes, I found her first.

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

“You’re both so kind, how shall I ever repay you?” She was walking down the stairs between them her arms through theirs. “Surely, you’ll not be stayin’ in this place?”

“Well we were going to, but to be honest, the ground looks like it might be cleaner.” Heyes smiled at her. “There wouldn’t be any place in town to stay, would there?”

She smiled back. “That’s true enough. Tis a terrible place. Hardly fit for walkin’ through much less sleepin’ in. Now there’s a boarding house just down the way a and it’s passable clean” She paused. “Wait, I know the very solution. You’ll both stay with me and me family. We’ve plenty of room and me uncle would welcome the company of a couple of fine young men such as yourselves. Poor fella, all he’s got to keep himself company is me sister and me.”

She stopped as they reached the front door of the hotel. No one had tried to prevent their leaving, as a matter of fact, there wasn’t a soul in the lobby. The men looked around, curious as to why even the clerk wasn’t around.

“Ah, probably drinking himself into sleep. She disengaged her arms from theirs and turned to them “If I do say so myself, my sister and I are good cooks. And we keep the house as clean as the finest hotel. Aah, please gentlemen, me uncle will want to be thanking you personally for saving me virtue. You’ll be saying yes, won’t you?” She looked from one to the other.

“Well, ma’am we wouldn’t want to be putting you and your family out.” Kid was always polite where a lady was concerned.

“Oh, but sir, you’d be doing me a great favor by letting my family repay your kindness. You’ll just be coming along with me. My wagon’s just outside, just over there.” She pointed to a sturdy wagon, two sturdy work horses hitched to it, tethered to the hitching rail outside the hotel. “It’s just a short ride to the valley.” She stopped again. “Heavens, where are my manners. We haven’t even been introduced. My name’s Briana O’Rourke and I’m pleased to be making your acquaintance.” She gave them a small curtsy.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss O’Rourke. I’m Thaddeus Jones and my friend’s name is Joshua Smith.”

“Jones, you say.” She looked at him quizzically. At his nod, she continued. “Not the name to match those eyes. There’s some of the old country in those eyes. Where are your people from, Mr. Jones?”

Kid looked surprised. “Why from Ulster, ma’am. Londonderry. My family came here to escape the famine and to start a new life.” There was a trace of sadness in his voice.

She stopped and looked directly into his eyes. “Aah, a common tale. Indeed, as did mine own. My own Dadai was murdered by the heathens. My Mathair, may she rest in peace, died on the ship not three days from this glorious new land. So it’s down to my Uncle Seamus and me sister. Runnin’ from the troubles to a new land. Still, they’re at peace now.” She directed her attention to Heyes. “And you, Mr. Smith, sure there’s the devil in your eyes, do ya have the old sod in your bones, as well?”

Heyes gave her his most brilliant smile. “No, ma’am, my family’s English.”

For a moment, she looked sad for him. “Aw, well, ‘tis a pity. But you needn’t be worried, Mr. Smith, we won’t be holding any grudges against you yourself just for the sake of your family. We’re in a new land. And we’ve vowed that the troubles won’t be following us.” She smiled at him kindly, as one would smile on a child who had to shoulder a great burden not of his own making.

She brightened again. “Ah, there’ me wagon. And me home’s not more that a wee bit away. Why thank you Mr. Jones.” Kid helped her into the wagon.

Kid smiled broadly as he joined her on the seat leaving Heyes the back. Heyes just frowned. ‘Fine, Kid. But when you get into trouble, and we know you will, you can just get yourself out of it.’

Tara

It was indeed a short ride to the Valley the girl described. “It’s just around that next bend, boys.” She said smiling happily and pointing.

“Can’t believe you’re excited about living in a place that’s so dry and parched. Why just this morning, I think I found the only green…” Kid stopped talking suddenly. Sure enough, there it was. Kid drew up the reins and stopped the horse on the ridge. He gave a low whistle. “Well will you look at that?”

There before him was a beautiful valley. The hills were covered in green. Flowers bloomed in wild bunches everywhere they looked. Thatched roofed houses sat in clusters and shops lined what looked like the main street of the town the entrance to which was where the wagon was stopped.

“Ma’am, I don’t believe I’m seein’ this right. Is that real?” Even Heyes, noted for his agile mine was struck dumb at the sight of the quaint almost perfect town sitting in the middle of a desolate area of desert in Arizona.

“It is lovely, isn’t it? It’s called Tara. A little spot of Eire in this desert.”

“Oy, Bri, who’ve ya got there in your wagon?” A male voice called out.

“Never you mind, Iain. I’ll be by later and you can meet me guests.” She answered the young man who took hold of the reins. He laughed and walked on. “Here now, we’ll have plenty of time to show you off. We should be getting home. My uncle will be getting worried.” She pointed straight ahead through town.

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

The cottage she directed them to was picture perfect and sat in the center of a lush meadow. It was surrounded by flowers and trees and looked well tended and comfortable.

“Here we are, safe and sound. Come along boys, my uncle will be eager to meet you.” She accepted Heyes’ hand and easily jumped down from the wagon. She called out, “Uncle Seamus, it’s Briana and I’ve brought guests.” She started walking towards the cottage door, calling out brightly.

“Have you now, girl. Well it’s about time you got yourself home. Your sister and I were beginning to worry. And just who have you brought to us?” A tall man approached the pair. The girl ran over and hugged him.

“Ah, Uncle these two saved me from a terrible fate. This horrible man thought I was one of them poor unfortunate ladies…”

“Who is this man? No one takes liberties with my niece and lives to see another day.” The man’s voice was raised and his face was red with anger.

“It’s all right Uncle. These two gentlemen saved me. I told them they could stay with us. As repayment for protecting my virtue, ya know.” She patted his arm to calm him down.

“Saved you, did they? Well then we surely do owe them a debt.” He looked the two men up and down and seemed to make a decision. “And I won’t be hearing of your staying elsewhere. All right now, get yourself in there girl and help your sister with dinner. I’ll see to our guests.”

Uncle Seamus was about 6’ tall with hair that once had been red. It was now a salt and pepper mixture. He had a thin face framed by a long beard and as many wrinkles as a man can have and still have a face. He was smoking a long stemmed pipe. “Seamus Flynn O’Rourke, at your service. Tis a pleasure to be meetin’ with ye. And a blessing to be sure.” He stretched out his hand.

“Joshua Smith and believe me, it’s our pleasure.” Heyes accepted the hand with a smile. “My friend, Thaddeus Jones.”

“Smith and Jones, eh?” O’Rourke said with a smile as he shook Kid’s hand.

“Yessir. Two simple straightforward names.” Kid always felt they should come up with some really good reason for those names.

“Why of course they are and why shouldn’t they be? Honest names, same as my own.” There was a peculiar twinkle in O’Rourke’s eyes as he said those words. “Well, boys my Briana wouldn’t have brought you here if you hadn’t shown her a great kindness. Come in then and have a pint with me. You can tell me how you saved my girl.”

“Thank you sir, if you’re sure we’re not intruding. We’ve been traveling for some time now and would certainly welcome your offer. Your niece was very kind in thinking we might be able to stay here for a few days. We wouldn’t want to inconvenience you, though. And we’ll gladly work for room and board.” Heyes turned his most ingenuous smile on the older man.

“Now, I won’t be hearing none of that. My Briana’s a trusting child. Saints alone know what might’a happened to the girl if the two of you hadn’t happened along. Aah, we can talk about all that later. Here we are boys. Nothin’ I like better than lively conversation over a cold pint.” He led them into a comfortable parlor furnished with simple but solid looking furniture. “Sit, sit. Where’s the ale? How can a man expect to be comfortable in his own home when he has to beg for a meager pint of ale?” He was shouting, but there didn’t seem to be any anger in his voice.

“Quiet now, uncle. Here’s your ale.” The girl was laughing, obviously comfortable replaying a familiar scene. O’Rourke handed out the ale, two mugs with white foam spilling over the top.

“Here ya both are.” He raised his glass. “A drink to your health – here’s a health to your enemies enemies. Sit yourselves down, boys and tell me how you came to save my girl.”

Heyes and Kid just looked at each other with grins that said maybe that little shamrock really does work after all. Heyes started the story. “Your niece had the bad fortune to meet up with a man who thought she was something she wasn’t. We merely helped him to understand how a lady should be treated.” He settled back in one of the chairs. He was really hoping there hadn’t been some mistake and that this valley wasn’t just some desert heat induced dream.

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

A while later, they were laughing over a story O’Rourke was telling, when a voice rang out, “Supper will be ready in an hour, so those who are hungry had better be ready.”

“Are ye hungry boys? Why that’s a foolish question, two strappin’ young fellas like yourselves. My girls do a supper proud, if I do say it myself.” O’Rourke was refilling his own mug and turned to offer the same to the two men.

Heyes stood up and shook his head. “Actually Mr. O’Rourke, we’ve been on the road a long time. Would it be possible for us to wash up before we join your family for supper?”

“I must have left my manners behind in Eire, sure enough. I’ll have the girls run baths for you both. We’ll just keep supper till you’re good and ready.” He laughed, a funny high-pitched cackle. “You just follow me, boys, you’ll be feeling like brand new in the blink of an eye.” He led them through the house and pointed towards a room at the end of the hall. “Aah, I can see the girls have beaten us again. You just go on, now and take your time. Supper will be waiting.”

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

When they entered the room they saw two shiny brass tubs already filled with steaming water. Masses of bubbles frothed on top of the water. Briana was just emptying a final pail of water into one of the tubs. The room was full of a scent – floral but not quite.

She looked up at the pair as they stood in the doorway. “I thought you might be needing a tub. Tis an extravagance to be sure. Two of them. The tubs I mean. But my system get to chatterin’ and…well there I am doin’ it again.” She laughed. “I’ve put a special oil in the tub for ye. Heather from the old country. Make ye both soft and sweet.” Her smile was infectious. The two men were grinning.

“Well my friend could probably use it, more’n me” Kid laughed.

“indeed now. Well from the looks of you, ye both could be using something sweet just now.” She eyed them thoroughly. “Don’tcha be worrying ‘bout supper either. It isn’t nearly as ready as we said. You just leave your clothes right outside and I’ll be getting them cleaned for you. We put the rest of your things in your bedroom, right through there.” She pointed through a connecting door.

Laying out a stack of fluffy towels, she walked towards them. Giving them both another careful appraisal, her voice teased, “Sure, ye won’t be needing anyone to wash your backs?” Her slightly wicked smile was the last thing they saw as she stepped between them and disappeared through the door.

“Kid, hit me.” They were alone in the room.

“Huh? Why would I want to hit you Heyes?” Kid was stripping off his dirty clothes in eager anticipation of the warm water.

“’Cause we must be dreaming. This can’t be real.”

Kid laughed as he cautiously opened the door and dropped the dirty clothes into the waiting basket. “Heyes, we can’t be having the same dream. And even if we are, I’m getting into that tub, then I’m gonna put on some clean clothes and then I’m gonna have what smells like a great supper. Then I’m gonna see if Briana would like to take a walk and show me the town. Now if you wanna stand there and figure out why this isn’t happening, you just go on ahead.” He stepped into the tub and sighed happily.

Heyes watched his for a second, then stripped off his clothes, deposited them on top of kids and got into his own tub. “Kid, you’re right, if this is a dream, then it’s the nicest dream I’ve had in a long time.”

“Only thing missing is a cigar.”

As if on cue, the girl entered the room holding a cigar and a silver cutter. Looking at both of them as if trying to decide, she walked towards Heyes.

“Uh, ma’am, we, uh…” Heyes was blushing and his silver tongue deserted him as the girl walked around the tub until she was behind him. She squatted down until she was level with the back of his head. Heyes was trying to turn around, but gave up as every one of his movements also kept moving the bubbles that were the only defense his modesty had.

Kid was watching he with a look of wry smile on his face. It was seldom that he got to watch Heyes complete caught off guard. But he sure was disappointed that the girl apparently favored Heyes.

“I thought you boys might be wantin’ the enjoyment of a cigar.” She carefully clipped the tip and slid both arms around him, resting them on his shoulders. Heyes was beginning to enjoy this, his initial blush and modesty fading. She slid the cigar into his mouth, lit the match smiling at the sizzle it made; she placed the fire to the tip of the cigar and leaned closer to him. “Is there anything else that I can get for you, darlin’?” she whispered in his ear.

Heyes took the cigar from his mouth. Favoring her with a dazzling smile, the one that many women had fallen victim to, he turned to her and spoke softly, “Many things, beautiful lady. But we’ll talk more about those if you’ll allow me to share some of your time, say after supper.” Few women could resist both the smile and the charm of Hannibal Heyes.

“Why, I’d love to. We have many lovely things to see in town.” Her chin was resting on his shoulder and her voice soft in his ear.

“Aah, nothing, I daresay that could match the beauty I’m looking at right now.”

She laughed and rumpled his hair. “Are you sure you don’t have a bit of old Eire in you, darlin’? Your eyes have a devilment in them.”

“No, ma’am. And I’d never tell anything but the truth to a lady such as you.” His voice and expression reflected a cherubic choirboy who always told the truth.

She laughed again and stood up. She turned to Kid. “Would you be liking a cigar as well? Ah, never you mind, shan’t be but a moment.” And she was gone.

“Looks like the lady had a change of mind, Kid. Probably just came to her senses.” Teasing his cousin was one pleasure Heyes enjoyed immensely.

“Some day, Heyes. One of these days, I’m gonna find a way…” He was interrupted by the door opening again. She was back. This time Heyes got to watch as she stepped behind Kid. Carefully preparing the cigar and presenting it to him. Nuzzling his ear and resting her hands on top of his shoulders, she whispered, “Such beautiful golden curls. The ladies must love running their fingers through those curls.” She demonstrated what she meant. “Will you be wanting to see the town? I’d be pleased to show it to you after supper.”

Kid’s smile would have warmed the coldest of winter days. “It would be my pleasure ma’am. A man would have to be plum crazy not to want to share some time with you.”

She drew a finger across his chest and laughed softly. “Then I’ll be leaving you to your bath, ‘till later darlin’ ”.

And they were alone again. Neither man spoke. Both stared at the door as if expecting, what? Neither of them seemed to know entirely what to say.

“Uh, Heyes?

“I have no idea, Kid. I got absolutely no idea what just happened. ‘Think we should be worryin’ about it?”

“Well, mebbe it’s just like it looks. For once.

“Mebbe, Kid. Maybe we’ll just see what happens. Who knows, maybe we really did get lucky.”

They were both silent for a long time, sitting in those tubs, smoke from the cigars gently drifting upward, looks of blissful wonder on their faces.

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

They sat in the tree whose branches spread outside the house. It allowed an unobstructed view of the room where the two men were bathing.

“Pretty aren’t they?”

“Hmmm. And young. And trustin’. They believe everything we’ve shown them.”

“Aye, the spell we’ve cast has caught them well and fair.”

“I think they’re sweet.”

“Hmmm, very sweet.”

“Will Seamus let us keep them?”

“I wouldn’t be getting’ my heart set on that. You know he only wants one thing from those two.”

“Aye, but t’were us that found ‘em. And now that they’re ours, if we’re wanting something else?”

“Well it would be a powerful shame to trouble poor old uncle with our silly girlish plans, wouldn’t it now sister?”

They smiled at each other.

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

The Twins

The boys shaved and dressed. Feeling altogether better, they walked down the hall towards the smells of supper. Looking around expectantly, they saw no one in the large room.

Seamus O’Rourke entered from a side door. “Why there you are boys. Sit down, sit down, make yourselves ta home. Where’s the ale, aah, can’t a man expect some simple comforts in his own home.” He bellowed at no one in particular.

“Here now Uncle, there’s no need for ye to be bellowing like old Mary’s prize bull. Here’s your glass and the same for our guests as well.” She handed the three frothing pints of ale to the men. Sighing, she smiled gently at the two younger men. Twice in the same day, the smile said. When she handed Heyes his glass, she favored him with a different smile; one that left little to the imagination. They watched her as she flitted from the room.

“Your niece is lovely, Mr. O’Rourke.” Heyes spoke the words, but both his and Kid’s eyes were focused on the girl as she left the room.

O’Rourke’s eyes narrowed and an odd smile creased his face. “Indeed, my boyo. And as innocent and pure as her sainted mother, may she rest in peace. Now I know you’re young men with young men’s eyes, but don’t be getting any foolishness in your heads now. I don’t mind a bit of fun now and again, but …”

He was interrupted by the girl’s return. They did not catch the scowl she leveled at her Uncle. And there was nothing but a sunny attitude in the voice that announced, “Supper’s on the table, if you’ll be wanting’ it hot, you’d best be sittin’ down.” She linked her arm in Kid’s and led him to the table. “You sit right here, Thaddeus, by me. I’ll be getting the roast.”

Heyes and Curry exchanged glances. The girl seemed to be unable to make up her mind which man she favored.

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

They sat on opposite sides of the table, Seamus at the head. She re-entered carrying a platter laden with a huge roast surrounded with vegetables. The scent was making their mouths water. She stepped to the table next to Kid and set the platter in front of him. “P’raps you might do the carving for us Thaddeus.” She leaned over and handed him the carving tools, managing to brush his cheek with her hair in the process.

“And p’raps you might help yourself and then pass the potatoes, Joshua.” She bent over and handed him a bowl of potatoes fragrant with herbs.

Kid’s mouth was open. So was Heyes’. There were two of them. Identical. Twins. “Identical twins.” Heyes found his voice first. The girls laughed as though this was so obvious that only the poor fool without a mind would have had difficulty in figuring that out.

“Well of course, surely you knew that!” The one next to Kid spoke.

“Her eyes aren’t as green as mine.” Heyes’ added.

But my hair is curlier!” Kid’s countered.

“But mine…”

“Girls, girls, where’re your manners. Put an end to this terrible noise and let us enjoy this wonderful food.”

“Excuse me, Mr. O’Rourke.” Heyes looked at the girls, one then the other. “We know one of you is Briana. Who might that be and who’s the other?” Heyes still looked amazed. Kid looked like that shamrock had just delivered the treasure he always dreamed of.

O’Rourke was laughing at their confusion. “Pardon me boys. T’is nothing but a bit of fun we’re having with ye.” He waved his hand at the girl standing by Kid. “The sweet one there is Briana Flann.” Directing his hand towards the one next to Heyes he announced “and that mischievous beauty is Ceara Maeve. A miracle when their dear mother brought them into the world. A pity she never saw what lovely and dear girls they’ve become.”

The girls lowered their heads and looked sad in unison.

“I’m sorry, ladies. Joshua and I lost our parents when we were just kids too.” Kid covered Briana’s hand with his own. She smiled shyly at him.

“Joshua, perhaps you’d do the honor of saying grace.” Seamus said as the girls sat down.

Ignoring the ‘Oh I gotta hear this’ look that was on Kid’s face, Heyes stumbled over a reply. “Uh, well we haven’t been regular church goers, Mr. O’Rourke.” Kid swallowed a smile as Heyes glared at him.

“Never mind that, you just go right on.” O’Rourke persisted.

Heyes nodded. “Well all right. I’ll try.” He cleared his throat. His voice was still husky as he began, “Dear Lord, thank you for allowing us to find this welcoming house and these generous people at a time when friends are so few. And please guide us as we find a way to repay them their great kindness to two lonely strangers.” There was silence when his voice stopped.

“Oh, Joshua, that was lovely.” Ceara looked like she might cry.

“Indeed, my boy, a fine start to a fine meal. Well, Joshua, Thaddeus, ye don’t mind if I call you by your given names do ye boys? We’ve never been much on formalities in this house. We’re plain, simple folk.” His smile and voice radiated sincerity.

“Not at all, we’re not much into formal things ourselves.” Kid agreed.

“Good, good. Well then, may you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings, slow to make enemies, quick to make friends, but rich or poor, quick or slow, may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward!!” He lifted his glass in a toast.

It felt like family. There was laughter, conversation and genial teasing. Supper itself was very enjoyable. The food was hearty and there were quantities of roast, potatoes and vegetables enough to satisfy even the legendary appetite of Kid Curry. The girls paid rapt attention to every word that Heyes or Curry said. The men seemed entranced by the two girls. Heyes was trying to ignore Ceara’s hand which seemed to have found a permanent home on his thigh. Briana burst into giggles any time Kid smiled at her.

Supper finally at an end, Briana and Ceara shooed the three men to the main room. O’Rourke lit his long stemmed pipe, a dudeen[1], he called it. “Sit boys and enjoy the fire. The girls will be bringing out some sweets soon.” The blazing fire made the room warm and comfortable.

“So, Mr. O’Rourke, what line of work are you in.” Heyes was sitting on the overstuffed sofa across from the man. Kid stood next to the fireplace.

“A humble profession of cobbler, Joshua. And if ye persist in calling me Mr. O’Rourke, I shall be thinking you’re not intending to be friends. It’s Seamus. Aah yes, and shoemakin’s not a fancy trade but an honorable one. Been passed from one O’Rourke t’another for generations. T’is a blessing t’ave had it now that we’re in this new country. It’s kept a roof over our heads and food on the table.

Then by the most fortuitous bit of luck we found this little spot of heaven just when hope of finding any kindred souls was about run out. Aye, a bit of the old country.” He looked wistful. “Everyone helpin’ each other. Well at least almost everyone. But that’s a story for another day. And mebbe there’s a way you can help me out.” He looked at them with narrowed eyes. “It’s the girls I worry about. Oh, don’t get me wrong, they’re both good girls and will make good wives. But they’ve not shown they care for the boys in town. Plain simple men, not much to excite two young girls.”

Heyes started to ask about Tara. This place shouldn’t be here. They’d been in this part of the world before and never run across it. He wanted to know more. “Mr. O’Rourke, about this place….” He was interrupted by one of the girl’s voices.

“Uncle, are you talking about us again?” The girls re-entered the room carrying a platter of fragrant apple fritters and mugs of steaming coffee. “Will ye be wanting some dessert, boys?” Briana asked the question, looking directly at Kid.

The girls were gigging as they served their uncle first then the two younger men. The sofa got crowded as Ceara curled up close to Heyes and Briana pulled Kid over to join them. The mischievous looks that passed between the girls were not missed by their uncle.

“Don’t tell me that you made these fritters?” Heyes was on his second.

“Haven’t had anything that tasted this good in as long as I can remember.” Kid was finishing his third.

“Why sure enough we did. Who else would be making the food in this house? But we thank you for the sweet words.” Briana dusted some powdered sugar from Kid’s chin and smiled coyly at him.

“Well boys, would you be interested in joining me at the local pub for a pint and maybe a game of Magpie?”[2] At their confused looks he continued, “Sure you learned that game when you were boys? No? Why tis a crime, to be sure. There, it’s settled, once you’ve had a chance to learn it, we might even play for money – oh, just pennies.” He smiled through a puff of smoke from his pipe.

“Uncle I was thinking that maybe Joshua will be wanting to join me for a walk. It’s a lovely warm evening.” Ceara looked intently into those dark chocolate eyes.

“I can’t imagine that any man would be able to turn down such an invitation from a lady as lovely as you are, Ceara.” He met the intensity of her look. “That is, of course, Seamus, if it’s all right with you.”

“Oh, Uncle lets us make own evening plans. Don’t you Uncle? As long as our chores are done. And you can go to that old pub any time. Come along Joshua, I know a lovely quiet spot where we can talk.” She slid her hand up his forearm and leaned into him.

“Uh, well then, yes, that would be a perfect end to the day. Sir, I promise to have Ceara back early.” Heyes smiled at the prospect of a quiet evening with a beautiful girl. “Will you need a coat Ceara? Wouldn’t want you to get cold.”

She gave him a smile that clearly said she could figure out ways to stay warm that did not involve a coat, but only said, “Thank you darlin’. I think I shall be just lovely as I am.”

“Well, I hope you’ll not be makin’ any such promise, Thaddeus. There’s a dance in town and I can’t think any way of making those other girls green with envy but to arrive on the arm of such a handsome young man.” Briana certainly looked like dancing would be one of the adventures she’d like to experience this evening.

Kid looked like he could use an adventure or two himself. “Then, I guess we should go. Wouldn’t want to miss that dance.”

“Well that’s the way of the world, you young people go off and have a good time. Don’t be worrying about me.” O’Rourke was almost pouting.

“Oh we won’t be worrying, Uncle” Ceara kissed him on the cheek.

“Don’t be waiting up, Uncle” Briana kissed him on the other cheek.

O’Rourke watched the two couples walk off arms linked and snuggling close to each other. Heyes and Ceara in one direction and Kid and Briana in the opposite.

‘Oh I’ll be waitin’ up sure enough and we’ll be having a talk. Changing the tale just when we’ve got those boys believin’ the world as we’ve made it. Makin’ your own plans, are ye? I saw those looks, me lovelies. Thinking you’ll be pulling the wool over on your poor uncle. We have a use for those boys, and may I be afflicted with the itch and have no nails to scratch with, before I give up on those plans. I want me treasure back, and those lovely boys are just what I need to get it.”

He spoke to the moon, full and bright. And it was in the shadow cast by the moon that had one been watching, one might have noticed a strange change in Seamus O’Rourke. A strange glow and a reflection of a pointed hat and buckled boots. But O’Rourke and the moon had been keeping this secret for a long time and mistress moon never shared her secrets with mortal man.

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

“It was a lovely evening, Joshua.” Ceara was holding onto his arm with both hands and walking very close to him. They had talked for hours. Hannibal had told her much about he and Kid. He found himself almost confiding the truth about their identities to her a number of times. He fought off the urge, not knowing why he trusted her so quickly. He knew he liked her, liked her a lot. More than he was willing to admit. He didn’t know how that had happened either. Normally suspicious about people, things were moving a lot quicker than Hannibal Heyes was used to or liked. He couldn’t seem to make them slow down and what was worse he was having difficulty remembering why he wanted them to slow down.

They stood at the door of the cottage, arms around each other. “Oh Joshua m’love. It was fate that brought us together, darlin’.” She kissed him gently on the lips. Tracing his mouth with her finger, she slid her arms around his neck and kissed him again, longer and more fervently. When they separated, Hannibal seemed unable to move. He gaze fixed on her eyes. She had her hands in his hair, playing with the silky locks.

“Ceara Maeve. Your name sounds like music.” His voice was a husky whisper. He held her shoulders, his hands moving to caress her neck, then to hold her face close to his. He was losing himself to the green eyes that engulfed him.

“What sweet words. Some of the local boys just cut it off. Ky’, they say. Oy, Ky, how are ye? Oy Ky will ye be goin’ for a walk with me?. I like the way you say my whole name. My second name means intoxicatin’, did you know that?” She was tracing his cheekbones with her fingers. “Do I intoxicate you, Joshua?” Her lips moved against his cheek. He shivered at the feel of it next to his face and the whisper of her voice.

His answer was to pull her lips to his. “Entirely” he murmured their lips touching.

It was her turn to lose herself in a kiss. Hmmm, this wasn’t supposed to be happening. She was the one in control. It was her spell.

“Ceara, I don’t know how this is possible. I don’t know how I can feel so lost in you when we’ve just met. Ceara, I think I’ve fallen in love with you. Can you possible feel anything for a stranger you’ve just met.” His eyes pleaded the words to her. He held her tightly, burying his face in the soft red hair curling at her neck. She drew back slightly and smiled softly at him, her eyes almost glowing in the moonlight. He blinked – what had he said, she looked different, something sparkling in the dark. Then it was gone. All there was was her voice.

“Oh yes, Joshua, me sweet. Tis magic, that’s what ye are. But truth, I have strong feelings for you.” She looked around. “But m’love, we shall have to be careful. Uncle won’t approve. So you mustn’t tell him of your feelings.”

“But Ceara, I don’t understand. I can’t offer you much, but I’m serious in my feelings. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.” Heyes shook his head – there was a strange buzz – faint, but persistent.

The door to the cottage opened. An angry Seamus O’Rourke approached the couple.

“Tis about time you brought my girl home. Ceara Mauve get yourself to yer room. I’ll brook no argument, girl. Get along with ye.”

She gave her uncle a cold hard look, but said nothing as she kissed Heyes softly, stepped past the older man and entered the cottage.

“Seamus, I meant no harm, we didn’t, I mean, nothing happened, we just talked. Seamus, I believe I’m in love with your niece. I know this is sudden, but, well, to be perfectly honest with you, I can’t explain it. One moment we were talking, the next, I just felt…. Well I just don’t know what I felt. I’m not making much sense am I?” Heyes threw up his hands and surrendered.

O’Rourke squinted at Heyes. When he spoke it was a calmer voice that Heyes heard. “On the contrary, me boy. You’re making perfect sense. Here join me in a pint and rest a spell. I believe Thaddeus will be returning soon. The three of us will have a nice talk. I believe I may have a way you and Thaddeus can repay my family. If you’re still of a mind to do that. To prove you’re intentions, of course.”

Heyes was quiet. ‘What was the buzz in his head.’ He shook it off. Ceara was the only thing that was important. He couldn’t get her eyes out of his mind. “Of course Seamus. We’ll help you however we can.” He followed the man into the house.