OUTLAW OF THE BRIDE

The Wedding of Kyle Mertree

Drena Hills

 

 

'A good marriage is at least 80% good luck in finding the right person at the right time.

The rest is trust."

-

Nanette Newman

 

June 1885

 

 

                "Daddy why can't I go to a bachelor party, I'm Kyle's friend," four year old Shaun Curry asked following his father out the door of the large three story home on the outskirts of Cheyenne.

 

                "Afraid you're just a little too young," his father replied picking him up so they could talk face to face.

 

                "Aunt Clem says you're all gonna get drunk sick and fall down and have wanton women.  What's a wanton women?"

 

                "Daddy I want to be a wanton woman?"  Bridget said bursting out the door at a run, pigtails flying behind her; afraid she was missing out on something.

 

                His partner, Hannibal Heyes, looked over straight faced from where he was tightening his horse's cinch interested in what the answer was going to be.

 

                "Aunt Clem is mistaken. Shaun we are just going to play a little poker and maybe have one or two drinks with Kyle, nobody is going to be wanton or fall down."

 

                "Except maybe Kyle," Heyes said softly.

 

                Kid glared at him.

 

                "Daddy is Kyle going to be a daddy too now?" Bridget asked and wearily her father sat down on the step seeing his escape would not be easy.  "How do you get babies?" 

 

                "Oh its easy to get babies," Shaun said knowledgeably.  "Uncle Heyes explained the whole thing to me."

 

                "He what?" Kid said turning on his partner who looked up surprised.

 

                "Well in that case can I have a little sister?" Bridget said snuggling onto her father's lap knowing that always got her just about anything and even if it didn't it was still her favorite place in the whole world.

 

                "No, but if you behave for Aunt Clem and Mrs. Trevors I'll see about those puppies you've been on about."

 

                "You mean it!"  Shaun said overjoyed, a puppy easily beating out a baby.

 

                "One each?"  Bridget negotiated.

 

                "Each?" he roared.

 

                She smiled and hugged his neck.  "I love you daddy."

 

                Kid gave up, "Inside, we'll discuss this later and don't get into any trouble."

 

                "I'm gonna go ask Aunt Jenny to teach me to be wanton," Bridget said scrambling up followed by her brother.

 

                "Yea well Trev and I are gonna teach Johnny Hale and Joey Sinclair how to play poker just like Uncle Heyes," Shaun yelled back at her not to be outdone.

 

                "You've been teaching him poker?" Kid said staring at his partner.

 

                "Well only the important parts," Heyes said mounting up quickly and changing the subject.  "Should be quite a party Wheat is throwing."

 

                "Let's just hope Kyle is up for getting hitched after it," Kid said as they turned out onto the road to town.

 

                "Aw them boys have hoorahed before and still been able to ride," Heyes said dismissing any thought of a problem.

 

                "Kyle married," Kid whistled.  "Beat us all, that worry you Heyes?"

 

                "Kid, Kyle's been worrying me since the first day we met him."

 

 

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

 

 

                                                                                Nebraska 1864

 

                "You two will be in dormitory C.  Take your blankets and find a bed," the fussy elderly woman said as if just the concept of two more little boys gave her starts.

 

                Hannibal Heyes and Jedediah Curry looked around that vast room and the pairs of eyes watching them from assorted bunks and bunk beds.  They were in enemy territory and they knew it.

 

                "We'll need bunks together," Heyes said quietly, but loud enough to be heard by everyone.

 

                The woman stared at him in amazement.  "You will take what you get and be happy with it young man!"

 

                "I'm afraid that won't do ma'am, my cousin and I stay together."

 

                She stared at the calm, unwavering brown eyes and then back down at the large blue worried ones and bristled visibly.  "I think the headmaster shall hear about this!"  And with a hurumph she scurried from the room to report this outrageous defiance.

 

                "Come on Jed lets find you a bed," Heyes said nudging his ten year old cousin forward into the narrow aisles that divided up the rooms.

 

                Reaching a corner they discovered a bottom bunk free. 

 

                "This will do for you Jed," Heyes said quietly.  "Be warmer underneath."

 

                "No you take it I'll be fine," Jed said stubbornly.

 

                Heyes rolled his eyes, "Jed I'll get a bed stop worrying."

 

                "Yea well I'd like to get some sleep if you two don't mind?" the owner of the bunk above the vacant one said peering down.

 

                He was easily 14 and the scowl on his face made everyone else in the room roll over and pull their blanket in tight.

 

                "Well then how about you do us a favor and take that bed over there so we can stay together," Heyes smiled reasonably.

 

                "Just who do you think you are?" the boy said getting up to show he was a good six inches taller than both of them.

 

                "Hannibal Heyes, of Lawrence Kansas," Heyes smiled offering a hand.  "And of course I wouldn't dream to ask you without offering some form of compensation."

 

                "What did you say?" the boy stared, clearly not the brightest of the room's occupants.

 

                "I'll give you something for trading," Heyes sighed.

 

                "Well what if I just take what you got and keep my bed and maybe thump you to boot?"

 

                "Then I'll take your eye out right now and the other in the morning when you ain't looking," Jedediah said quietly and the boy looked up to see a sling shot aimed straight at him.

 

                "You can't hit anything with that…"

 

                Jedediah seemed to be waiting for the challenge and in response tossed up a marble and then pulling back another used it to shoot the first out of the sky.  The room audibly awed in wonder.

 

                "How'd you do that?" the boy said slightly shaken.

 

                "Just does and be better for you if you weren't in target range don't you think?" Heyes said.

 

                The boy grumbled something and then meeting Jedediah's frosty blue eyes picked up his blanket and shoes.

 

                "Here, appreciate your help," Heyes said handing the boy a nickel.

 

                The boy nodded at this and the room approved.

 

                "Kyle get over here," the boy said as he shuffled away.  "I can't kick you from there."

 

                "But I like this bed," a voice said from under its blanket.

 

                "You want me to pummel you?"

 

                "No Zeke," the boy said wearily.

 

                "Reckon he should sleep where he wants," Jedediah said quietly.

 

                Heyes sighed, it was wearing enough looking after just Jed, but he caught his cousin's resolve and stepped forward.

 

                "My cousin is right."

 

                The room stared in amazement, surely this boy wasn't going to push his luck a second time for a complete stranger.

 

                "You sure do like having your nose in everything for a new kid," Zeke said throwing down his shoes angry.

 

                "Nope, just looks like you need a real leader here that's all.  Reckon I'll have to take the job on, man can't shirk his God given responsibility my Pa always says...said."

 

                "This ain't over Heyes."

 

                "Reckon not."

 

                "And I got friends."

 

                "Seems doubtful, but whatever you say," Heyes said climbing up on the top bunk.

 

                "You mean I can stay here?"  Kyle said in wonder then paused.  "You gonna thump me?"

 

                "Don't see no reason to thump a man lessin he's hurtin me or mine," Heyes replied sleepily.

 

                Kyle looked at the two boys in wonder as they settled down to sleep and noted the older stayed awake longer than anyone and then deciding it was safe finally let himself fall asleep.

 

                Over the next few days Kyle watched as a strange transformation came over the home.  Though Heyes was the newest and not the oldest he had somehow transferred the leadership of the boys to himself.  Slowly, one by one, boys came to ask his advice or help.  His games were always the most interesting and when he told a story the other rooms would try and sneak in to hear. 

 

                He seemed to have a natural ability at bedazzling the administration and teachers and took extreme delight in turning the home inside out with his ideas and adventures, while never getting caught.

 

                Enviously Kyle admired the way the two watched each other's back, never making a big deal about sharing or giving up so the other would have what he needed.  The friendship was a revelation to him and he became their shadow that first month.

 

As for the cousins' response to his hero worship it was accepted, but not abused and Kyle found himself for the first time, since arriving a year ago, feeling safe and getting his share to eat.

               

                It might have gone on that way if they hadn't of found him crying that November morning all alone in a closet.  It was Jedediah that had heard him, the two checking the house out for what Heyes called 'opportunities'.

 

                "Hey Kyle whatcha doing in there?" Jedediah asked as they stared at him from the open door.

 

                "Go away and leave me alone," he said miserable.

 

                "Well I don't see as we can do that, you looking so melancholy and all," Heyes said.  "What's the paper you got?"

 

                "None of your business," Kyle said clutching it to him afraid it would be taken.

 

                "It's okay Kyle we ain't gonna take your letter," Jedediah assured him.

 

                "How did you know it was a letter?" he asked suspicious.

 

                "Got your name on the envelope," Jedediah said confused.

 

                "You can read?"

 

                "Well sure, can't you?" Heyes asked surprised.  Reading had been such a big part of his family it never occurred to him that others didn't grow up the same way.

 

                "Nope, not much anyway.  My momma gave me this letter when she died.  I hid it from them when they took me here, I was afraid they'd keep it and not give it back."

 

                "Well what's it say?"  Heyes asked growing bored with this.

 

                "Don't know, never read it."

 

                "Oh good grief," Heyes said snatching the thing.  "Kyle you are a wonder, let me see, whom it may concern, my son Kyle…Kyle you got family!"

 

                "I do!"

 

                "Yea says here you got family in Kansas, Uncle and an Aunt and they are to contact them to come get you, even has an address!"

 

                "How come you didn't know you got family?" Jedediah asked sitting down next to him.

 

                "My Pa sent us here to get out from the war, but my mama's family got all mad cause she'd married a reb, wouldn't help us none.  Then she got sick and my little sister got sick and then they…" he looked about ready to cry again.

 

                "It's okay Kyle, kinda understand how you feel," Jedediah said awkwardly.

 

                "Yea but this kin is your Pa's they won't care, we gotta write them!"  Heyes said now energized by a mission.  Heyes was fairly easy going, Jedediah always said, as long as he had a problem to solve.

 

                "You can write too?" Kyle said in wonder.

 

                "Sure can, trick is to get into the office and get some paper and an envelope…" Heyes's eyes sparkled at the challenge.

 

                "Why don't we just tell the headmaster Kyle's got family and let him write the letter?" Kid asked sensibly.

 

                Heyes looked at him and rolled his eyes at such a mundane solution, "Because where's the adventure in that?  Besides this way we know it gets done right!  Now first thing were gonna needs is some stink bugs!"

 

 

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

 

                In the end Kyle's family did come for him.  They were clearly of same down to earth stock, but seemed pleased to have him, his aunt even hugging him and saying he looked just like his Pa, which made Kyle cry and the two cousin sniff once or twice till Heyes complained about the dust and dragged Jedediah away.

 

                As papers were being signed Kyle escaped and met them outside beside the great oak.  He looked so happy he might explode and Heyes just grinned as he bubbled over at his good fortune.

 

                "But here's the best part!  I told them about you and they said one of you could come too!"

 

                Kyle's announcement did not produce the looks of rapturous joy he had expected and he went on explaining, sure that they hadn't understood.

 

                "They can't take both, but they said two is as easy as one.  So what you say Han?  Jed, you wanna come?  We could be brothers!"

 

                "We need to talk a minute Kyle thanks," Heyes said pulling his cousin aside.  "Opportunity Jed," he said softly not looking up from the ground he was studying as if his life depended on it.

 

                "You gonna take it?" Jedediah said staring back at him hard.

 

                Heyes looked up sharply.  "You think I'd leave you?"

 

                "Well you were thinking I'd leave you!" Jed said annoyed.  "I oughta flatten you!"

 

                "You couldn't flatten Mrs. Harpuddle!"

 

                "Oh yea?"

 

                "Yea!"

 

                The last Kyle saw of them was the two of them fighting to the death on the Home's front lawn as the wagon rolled away.

 

 

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

 

                "Well you can't say Wheat didn't go all out," Kid said stepping into the cathouse and ducking the stocking legs swinging over him and catching a garter immediately tossed to him.

 

                "Kyle is gonna be dead by morning," Heyes decided looking over and seeing the ex outlaw surrounded by women paid to be at his beck and call.

 

                "Oh I don't know Heyes," Kid grinned as a pretty red head caught his arm.  "There are worse ways to go."

 

                "Your forgetting the next time we ran into him, remember?"

 

 

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

 

                                                                                Abilene 1874

 

            Hannibal Heyes wasn't sure if he was dead, surely death could not be that painful.  He opened one eye and deciding that was a terribly mistake shut it, but he had gave himself away.

 

                "Han!"

 

                The sound of his first name was enough to get him past the pain to open his eyes and peer over at the figure peering down at him sharing his cell.

 

                "Got the wrong man," he said and with a groan sat up.

 

                ""Han it's me!  Kyle!  Kyle Mertree!"

 

                "I don't know any Kyle Mertree and would you please stop yelling!" Heyes moaned holding his head.

 

                "Drugged you real good didn't they?  I know how that feels, took me three days to recover from that special brew of Martha's."

 

                Heyes looked up sharply, "Martha's…the cat house Madame?"

 

                "Yup, drugs up likely ones until she finds out what they are wanted for and then turns them in for the reward. You’re a real catch Han, $2000!  Hooowheeee, your famous."

 

                "Will you stop calling me Han? It's Heyes, just Heyes all right?"

 

                "Sure Heyes.  Always knew you'd grow up to be famous!  Why even at the Home for Waywards…"

 

                Heyes looked up startled, "The what?"

 

                "You remember, where they stuck us during the war, ceptin you and Jedediah got me to my family."  His face suddenly got sad.  "Least wise until the railroad decided our farm was on their land..."

 

                He slumped back down onto his bunk, some memory draining all the enthusiasm of the reunion from him.

 

                "Kyle?"  Was that what he had said his name was?  "Kyle my partner is he in here?"

 

                "Jedediah? Nope, didn't get him, one of the girl's took a fancy to him and warned him and he got out a back window."

 

                "How long ago?" Heyes asked eagerly.

 

                "Two days, but they just brought you here this morning, you think he's gonna do something to git you out?"

 

                The rumble started slowly and both men looked at each other as the walls began to shake.

 

                The roar became louder and suddenly from above them a section of roof ripped open.

 

                "Yea I'd say that was real likely," Heyes grinned.

 

                "Heyes you coming or do I gotta stampede me another stockyard full of cows!" Kid yelled above the noise.

 

                Grinning Heyes caught the rope offered him and then suddenly look over at Kyle watching in awe.

 

                A moment later he had shimmied up and dropped the rope back down.

 

                "What are you doing?" Kid yelled at him.

 

                "Another prisoner," Heyes yelled pulling Kyle up.

 

                "Heyes I ain't got enough horses to save the whole jail!" Kid yelled.

 

                "Jed!" Kyle cried hugging him.

 

                Heyes would later tell the story and explain it was worth it all just to see Kid Curry being hugged on a jail roof in a sea of cows.  What Kid thought of it never did get cleaned up enough to put down.

 

 

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

 

                "Daddy?"

 

                "Oh darlin not now," Kid groaned from the pillow of his bed, which he was certain he would never rise whole from again.

 

                Bridget climbed onto her father's bed and laid her face down on the pillow to face him.  "Daddy are you awake?" she whispered quite loudly.

 

                "No Bridget and I may never be again," Kid said firmly.

 

                "But I want to show you my flower girl dress."

 

                "Honey daddy can't open his eyes or he will die, you don't want daddy to die do you?"

 

                "Uncle Heyes says you hoorahed too much with wanton women.  He said you broke your dozen record, what does that mean daddy?"

 

                "It means when Daddy finally can open his eyes he is going to take his gun and shoot Uncle Heyes."

 

                "Hey Bridget got your Daddy up yet?" Heyes grinned from the doorway, coffee cup in hand.

 

                "He says he's going to shoot you, I'd leave Uncle Heyes, daddy shoots really good, he never misses."

 

                "Don't worry Bridget he's been trying for years and never got me yet.  Why don't you go see if you can get cook to make your dad a reallllllllllll big greasy breakfast with sausage and slabs of grits and syrup and…"

 

                Kid just made the bathroom.

 

                "Is Daddy sick?" Bridget asked worried.

 

                "Yes sweetheart, but he'll be better in a few minutes."  Heyes looked down at her worried face concerned; "He's fine honey really."

 

                "But he said he was gonna die and now he's sick.  He won't die like mommy will he?  He didn't even look at my dress!"

 

                Heyes bent down and scooped the little girl up and held her tightly.  "Your Daddy is the toughest man in the whole world, he's just a bit poorly, you don't have to be afraid at all."

 

                "Is he tougher than you?" Bridget asked head on his shoulder.

 

                "Yup, tougher than me and he loves you very much and as soon as he's had some coffee I bet he would love to see your new dress, but you have to promise I get the first dance with you all right?"

 

                "Okay," Bridget said pacified and setting her down she headed for the door and stopped.  "Oh these are pretty!  Can I have these?"  And scooping up the garters carried them off before Heyes could think of suitable reason for saying no.

 

                "You scared your little girl, fine father you are coming home falling down drunk with wanton women," Heyes lectured as his partner stumbled out of the bathroom looking near death.

 

                Kid sunk into a chair and sighing Heyes picked up a rag and wetting it handed it to him with the coffee.  "Jenny's secret hangover cure in there, should help.  Why don't you take a shower."

 

                "Where's Bridget?" Kid asked worried.

 

                "She's fine, but if you tells you some story about me saying you're tougher than me, it's all lies."

 

 

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

 

 

                "Heyes we got us a problem."

 

                Heyes shut his eyes and then ran his hands over them with a sigh reserved for only the most long suffering of men.

 

                It had been a long week all ready.  Despite years of experience with impossible adventures involving dozens of people, he had quickly learned nothing prepared a man for a wedding. 

 

                Kid had given up midweek and had taken to shooting his gun in the air every time a dispute with a caterer or florist arose.  Heyes had to admit it had convinced the tradesmen of Cheyenne that doing business in their most efficient manner truly was in their best interest.

 

                Of course volunteering their back yard for the event had also meant they had been over run with strangers and worse still 'women with a wedding' from day one and only Heyes's vast experience leading outlaws gave the entire event any form of order or reason.

 

                But somehow they had made it to the wedding day.  Why even the governor himself was attending.  They had merely one hour to go before the I do's.  What could possibly have found a way to go wrong?  There was only one answer, the groom.

 

                He turned looking quite resplendent in his morning coat, every inch a proper gentleman of refinement.  It was a shame one couldn't say the same of the two men standing nervously waiting for a response.

 

                Heyes finally looked up at Preacher and Lobo.  He had hid out in the garden gazebo presuming at last his work for the affair was done.  He should have known better by now.

 

                "Where is he?" Heyes guessed accurately, knowing refusing to get involved was hopeless.

 

                "Saddled a horse and took off.  We sent Kid to catch him, while we found you," Preacher said nervously.  This was his first wedding to be performed since reclaiming his duties as a minister and having the groom hightailing it an hour before the ceremony did not bode well.

 

                "That should be interesting," Heyes said picking up his book.

 

                "He said he was gonna shoot him before Wheat did," Lobo explained.  "That way it would be a nice clean quick shot and less painful.

 

                Heyes nodded seeing the logic in this, "My partner is a very sensitive man."  He let out another long sigh.  "You two go keep an eye on the guests, I'll try and think of something to say to the bride to be."

 

 

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

 

                "Kyle you can't just leave, you'll break the girl's heart," Kid said standing beside the determined outlaw as he tried to get back on his horse.

 

                "Kid this is the best thing for her," Kyle said his desperation to leave overcoming his nervousness of defying the ex outlaw beside him.

 

                "What you don't love her any more?" Kid asked deviously.  He was not up to pulling punches this late in the game.  This wedding had been one problem after another and he was gonna make darn sure it happened.  Added to that the collar of his suit was too tight, his head and stomach still weren't sure they were over the night before and the two run ins with the security detail of the Governor's had left him in no mood for it have all been for nothing.

 

                Kyle turned on him almost angry and Kid had to step back to avoid being hit.

 

                "I love her with my life!" Kyle said fiercely.

               

                "Then marry the girl!"

 

                "Can't."

 

                "Kyle if you ride off now Wheat is gonna hunt you down like a dog and shoot you more full of holes than Jenny's ceiling," Kid said yelling now.

 

                "Ya don't understand!"  Kyle yelled back and then stopped and looked at Kid miserably.  "I ain't good enough for her.  I've known that from the day I met her."

 

 

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

 

1878

Kansas

 

 

                The rain had been relentless and once or twice Heyes was sure they had lost him.  When the small farmhouse came into view the outlaw gang with its wounded rider had breathed a sigh of relief.

 

                No on had been quite sure if the information Kyle had was correct and Wheat had been in no condition to verify it.

 

                "They're gonna look for him here if they know," Kid said quietly.

 

                "I'm just afraid she's gonna turn him away," Heyes sighed letting his partner and Kyle Mertree support the unconscious man between them as he rapped on the door.

 

                He shuffled through a few good arguments for letting them in and steeled himself as the door opened.

 

                There was no welcoming light and it took a moment for them to focus on the small, slight figure standing just inside the door.  Heyes's first thought was she was just a child, but as his eyes adjusted he realized she was just tiny and the rambunctious brown curls running down to her shoulders only made her appear younger.

 

                She was nothing like the men had expected with her light dusting of freckles standing there in her nightgown clutching her shawl to her.

 

                "Yes?" she said softly, slightly frightened.

 

                "Ma'am?" Heyes said pulling off his hat.  "Are you Lucy Carlson?"

 

                "Yes I am," she said softer now truly worried.

 

                "Ma'am its your brother, he's been hurt, can we bring him in?" Kid said realizing it was hard to tell whom they had between them with him slumped over and the rain having drenched them all.

 

                "Nathaniel?" she said concerned taking a step forward.

 

                Kid and Heyes looked at each other and Kid mouthed Nathaniel?"

 

                "Yup ma'am, that be him," Kyle said.

 

                "Oh please bring him in!" she said horrified and opening the door wider to the small one room house.  "Place him on the bed."

 

                She quickly moved to fetch towels while Heyes found a light and lit it as she hurried off in the dark.

 

                "Better get them wet things off him," Kid said as Wheat groaned and quickly they had him stripped down and into the warm bed.

 

                "Where was he hurt?"  Lucy said returning with a basin of water and towels.

 

                "Shoulder ma'am, we think the bullet is still in there," Kid said concerned for the young woman as she sat down on the edge of the bed and began feeling her way up the body until she reached his forehead.

 

                "He has a fever," she said and Heyes frowned something suddenly occurring to him.

 

                "Yes ma'am, that's why we had to bring him here, we didn't mean to endanger you, but we figured you'd want to help if you could," Kid said.

 

                "Hold it right there!"

 

                The shotgun was almost bigger than the scrawny black man who wielded it and Kid found himself thinking he must be a 1000 years old.  Behind him a more rotund woman, possibly his wife hovered nervously.

 

                "Shoot him Abraham, for he hurts Miss Lucy!"

 

                "Abraham, Ruth, its all right, its Nathaniel, these men are his friends," the young woman said standing with a smile and moving in front of them as Lobo and Hank burst in the door guns drawn.

 

                Heyes shook his head no and the two men reluctantly lowered their weapons and returned to their vigil outside.

 

                "You sure?  Thought he was hanging out with outlaws?" Abraham said the weapon not wavering as he glared at the intruders.

 

                "It's him!  I'd know that poor angel anywhere!"  Ruth suddenly cried out hurrying over to Wheat.

 

                Kid and Heyes considered this.  They could honestly say with certainty that this was the first time they had heard Wheat referred to as an angel.

 

                "Please Abraham?" Lucy said taking a step forward her hand out to him.

 

                The man finally nodded and set the weapon down and walking over reached her with a comforting arm around her shoulders.

 

                She then turned in their direction and spoke looking past them.

 

                "Thank you for risking your lives to help my brother, if you have to leave I understand."

 

                Heyes gave Abraham a concerned questioning look and pointed to his eyes, the old man shook his head no.

 

                The three outlaws glanced at one another.

 

                "No ma'am, we'll stick around, make sure he's got whatever he needs, don't you worry," Kid said suddenly feeling awkward and speaking louder.

 

                A faint smile crossed her lips, "Thank you for your concern.  I'll bring the fire up and get you some hot water and bandages."

 

                "Here ma'am let me do that!" Kyle said eagerly.

 

                "I am quite used to looking after myself," she said slightly indignant.

 

                "Nothing to do with that," Kyle said honestly.  "Pretty girl shouldn't have to lift her own water and wood."

 

                She flushed charmingly, but recovered.  "Then let me get your men some food."

 

                "Yes ma'am," Heyes said fighting the urge to help her over to the stove. 

 

                "I'm fine really…is it Mr. Heyes or Mr. Curry?" she said smiling as if she had known what he was doing.

 

                "Heyes?" he said surprised.  "How did you?"

 

                "My brother's letters, he mentions you and Mr. Curry and Mr. Mertree often.  It only made sense if he was hurt you would be the three to bring him."

 

                "Bullet is still in, gonna need to get it out," Ruth said all business.  "Abraham bring the good knife, I'm gonna need your boys to hold him and the powder out of one of your bullets."

 

                The procedure went far easier than it should have and the woman had clearly removed her share of bullets in her time.  Fortunately Wheat had remained unconscious through the entire operation and gratefully the wound was cauterized and closed.

 

                "You'll be leaving now, thank you for bringing him here," Lucy said quietly stepping up to them.  The whole time she had concentrated on keeping the rest of the gang in hot coffee and food with Kyle's help.  Heyes had watched her fascinated as she moved gracefully around the kitchen sightless, yet never faltering in her movements.

 

                And she was right with daylight coming and with the storm easing up they needed to be moving on.

 

                Heyes and Kid looked at each other.

 

                "I'll stay with him," Kid said quietly.

 

                Heyes glared at him and pulled him aside.

 

                "Kid we took $40,000 from the cattleman association.  They are not going to be happy people."

 

                "Yea, which is why he's gonna need someone here to help should they stop by."

 

                "It's too risky."

 

                "Which is while I'll stay," Kyle said quietly behind them.  "My partner, only right."

 

                "Kyle you don't have too," Kid said seeing the fear in the man's eyes.

 

                "Nope, right thing, can't leave Miss Lucy alone to deal with them."

 

                The two outlaw leaders looked at each other.

 

                "Well I guess we could draw them away better, its us they want," Kid said still doubtful.

 

                "Look you hear anyone you get Wheat down into the cellar and you stay hid understand?" Heyes said not liking the idea of leaving a fallen man behind, but knowing he had no choice.  "Kid and I will be back for you as soon as we lose them."

 

                "I know you will Heyes," Kyle smiled.  "You always do."

 

 

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

 

                Shaking the posse had taken close to three weeks before they could double back.  The farm looked different in the bright sunlight and the two outlaws approached cautiously, but their wariness was unneeded, as the farm was peaceful and silent.

 

                "So you come back," Ruth said in the doorway disapproving.

 

                "Morning ma'am," Heyes smiled as they dismounted.

 

                "Off to lead him back into a life of sin!"

 

                "Don't take no never mind boys she's been nothing up uppity since the proclamation," Wheat said from the doorway.  He was thinner and paler, but definitely on the mend.

 

                "Get yourself back in that bed Nathaniel Davis Carlson or I'll whoop you as easy as I did when you was five!"  Ruth said.

 

                "Whiskey, and three glasses," Wheat said giving her a wink.

 

                "You know your sister don't carry the devil's brew in her home!"

 

                "Yea, but I also know Abraham keeps it under the floor board, don't argue Ruthie, he's the first person ever got me drunk.  Sit a spell boys, figured you'd be back sooner."

 

                The three men took a chair on the porch; not really friends, but something more than acquaintances and small talk never came easy for them.

 

                "Had trouble shaking them, finally managed at the border," Heyes said.  "You look better than we left you."

 

                "Shouldn't have brought me here Heyes, Lucy don't need no part of this, she's seen enough bloodshed, don't need her brother's staining her bed."

 

                "Kyle's idea, he saved your life," Kid said.  "Thank you ma'am," he added taking the glass of whiskey.

 

                "Outlaws," the woman sniffed shuffling away.

 

                "Don't mind her looked after Lucy and me growing up," Wheat said embarrassed.  "Kept her safe when the war came and my mother and her were left behind."

 

                "That how she…" Kid stopped when Wheat glared at him. 

 

"Yea that's where she lost her sight," he sighed.  "Sherman's Yankees over ran our place, when I got back everyone was gone, place torched.  I thought she was dead until Ruthie got word to me that her and Abraham had taken her west, gotten them a couple of acres."

 

"You ever think of stopping, settling her with her?" Kid asked.

 

"Too late, by the time I found her, price all ready on my head.  No she's had enough trouble, I won't bring any more on her."  He coughed suddenly embarrassed at having shared so much.  "Where is Kyle anyway, he went off to help her with the chickens and ain't been back for hours."

 

"I'll go look," Kid laughed getting up and strolling across the empty courtyard to the barn beyond the house.

 

"Kyle?" Kid yelled walking into the barn and blinking at the cool darkness.

 

He heard a scramble of movement behind him and whirled in time to see Kyle hastily jumping up from a stall full of hay followed a minute later by Lucy.  Both were blushing, covered in hay and Kid blinked clearly aware of what he had walked into.