Chapter 23

"Are you gonna let me in on it or not?"  Kid asked his partner who rode along beside him on the back of Odin the big black stallion.

"Let you in on what?"   Heyes asked turning briefly in the saddle to check on the pinto he was leading by rein.

"What ever it is that's got you grinning like the cat who just ate the canary."

"Can't a man be happy and smile about it without you thinking he's keeping something from you?"

"This is me you're talking to Heyes.  I know when you're not telling me everything.  So out with it."

 When Heyes just shook his head in amusement and continued to smile silently, Kid figured out what was going on.  "It happened didn't it?  I knew it.  I knew if you two rode out alone together you'd give in.  I can't believe you, Heyes,"  Kid said in a disapproving tone.

"Me?  Look who's talking.  If you and Livvy get anymore fresh air you're both gonna leave the rest of us choking for lack of oxygen."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kid replied, his innocent act less than convincing.

"This is me your talking to Kid.  I always know what you're doing and who you're doing it to.  You and Livvy have been foolin' around for weeks now.  Don't deny it."

"Alright, I admit it.  But she's a grown woman.  And she's not a virgin one either.  But then again neither is Evie anymore I take it."

 Heyes wasn't going to answer that question.  A gentleman never kissed and told. But his silence spoke volumes.

"I sure hope Mr. Peterson and his son will be happy with this pinto,"  he changed the subject.

"Uh huh.  That's what I thought,"  Kid replied,  taking his partners unanswer for the affirmative answer he was looking for.  He didn't say anymore about it.  He just let his partner keep smiling while he rode along on the back of the powerful black stallion.

If anybody had a right to smile it was him.  Heyes couldn't remember being this happy before in his life.   He'd promised Evie he'd come to her room last night and he'd stealthily climbed through her window around one am.  He hadn't left until five am.  He had not wanted to leave her then.  He had wanted to stay and just hold her and watch her sleep.  But he knew that wasn't a good idea.  So he had kissed her on the forehead and left her sleeping.  He hadn't seen her yet today.  She was sleeping in no doubt.  He was going on two hours of sleep himself but he wasn't complaining.  He was too happy to need sleep.  When he'd crawled in his bunk  in the early morning hours to the sound of Kid's light rhythmic snores, he'd lain there for a while and he'd made a decision.  He'd decided he didn't care anymore about the amnesty .  Evie's trust fund was gong to change everything.  Just like she had said, they could disappear to anywhere they wanted.  They could build an impenetrable fortress if they wanted.  And with that promise of stability in their future there was no reason he couldn't marry her.  To heck with hand fasting.  He was buying her a ring  as soon as possible and then he'd get in contact with their old friend Preacher and he would marry them.  He was after all an honest to goodness ordained minister of the gospel.  Albeit one who drank like a fish and dallied in any number of illegal activities.  But still a minister none the less.   And they wouldn't have to use any aliases.  He could marry her as Hannibal Heyes.    Sure they would have  a fake ceremony using his alias to satisfy Livvy later on, but she would really be Mrs. Hannibal Heyes.  His grin just kept getting bigger and bigger.

"Kid, I've got some news to tell you."

"Aw no.  Don't tell there really is a shotgun wedding in the immediate future."

"Will you shut up?  It's the best news we've had in a long time.  Maybe ever."

"Well, what is it?"

"In two years Evie will be twenty-one."

"Yeah, so?  What's news about that?"

"When she turns twenty-one she can start using a trust fund that her grandfather started for her."   Heyes came to a stop when Kid whoaed his mount.  " It's worth seventy-five thousand."

Kid's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "Did you say, seventy-five thousand?"  He whistled low and long.

"Yep.  With that kind of money we can disappear to wherever we want until the whole world forgets who Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry ever were.  And with that in mind I've made a decision.  I'm going to marry Evie.  As soon as possible.  I admit it, we got a whole lot closer to each other last night.  And I did sneak into her room last  night and it just about killed me to have to leave her this morning.  I don't want to leave her anymore.  I want to go to sleep beside her and wake up next to her.  I'm going to try and find out where Preacher is and have him come out and marry us.  He's the only one who can marry  us using my real name."

"You won't have to search too far, Heyes.  It was supposed to be a surprise but I may as well tell you.  When I told Livvy that we had an old friend who was an ordained minister, she insisted that I find him and have him come out to officiate over the ceremony.  He'll be here on the stage tomorrow at noon.

Heyes smiled at the thought of seeing his old friend again.  And he laughed out loud when he realized he wouldn't have to wait to marry Evie.  This day was just getting better and better.  "Looks like I'd best be buying a ring today then."

They arrived in town mid morning and headed straight for the blacksmith's.  They were puzzled when they found the place empty.  No fire going in the forge.  They had brought many horses here to be shod since they'd been wrangling the mustangs and old Mr. Boone was always in his shop early.   The two walked over  to the livery stables and asked the stable master if he knew where Mr. Boone, the old blacksmith was.

"He fell from the hayloft in his barn yesterday morning.  Busted his leg and a couple of ribs.  Doc has laid him up for quite a spell.  I went over to see him this morning and he said to tell any body that came asking that they should take their business to Cold Springs.  There's a young fella over there that just took over as the town smithy.   He said the fella calls hisself Shep."

"What should we do, Heyes?  If we start for Cold Springs now it'll be dark by the time we get back."

"Yeah, and the girls will be worried sick wondering where we are."

"Oh, shoot.  There's that barn dance tonight too.  Livvy'll skin me alive if I don't take her."

"I guess we'll just have to leave early in the morning and ride into Cold Springs.  What choice do we have if we want to get this pony shod by Monday?"

"I guess Cold Springs in the morning it is then.  Let's get back to the ranch.  I didn't get to see Livvy this morning before I left and you know, Heyes,  I miss her.  I feel like something's been missing from my morning.  And it's seeing her face."

Heyes cracked a big old grin.  "Well, now.  You wouldn't be gettin' interested in more than just sharing fresh air with the lady would you?"

"I don't know, Heyes.  There's just something about her that fits me you know?"

"Oh, yeah.  Believe me I know.  Evie was still asleep when we left this morning and I didn't get to see her either.  If I could have gotten past Georgia I would have went in her room and woke her up just so I could see her face and hear her voice before I left."

"What's happened to us, Heyes?"  Kid asked with a slow, puzzled shake of his head.

"I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, Kid.  We're turning into family men."

"Hadn't we oughta go see about that ring before we start talkin' about families?"

Heyes placed an affectionate hand on his partner's shoulders as they headed down the street towards the jewelers.  Both with big smiles on their faces.  Both anxious to get home to see a lady.

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The bright rays of sun that came abruptly through the curtains shocked her from her sleep.  She woke to find Livvy pulling the curtains and letting in the sunlight.

"What on earth are you doing still sleeping at this hour.  It is 9:30.   You and Joshua were home before eight last night and you were in bed by ten.  Didn't you get enough sleep last night?"

No, Aunt Livvy I didn't get any sleep last night.  It's hard to sleep when Hannibal Heyes is in your bed showing you exactly what a silver tongue is used for.  A faint blush crept up her cheeks as she recalled the hours he'd spent in her bed last night, teaching her the finer details of lovemaking.  She had lain awake in anticipation the three hours before he'd climbed through her window at one a.m.  And it had been nearly dawn before she'd finally fallen asleep from exhaustion after two more bouts of lovemaking.   She barely recalled his gentle kiss to her forehead before he'd slipped out the window again. She threw back the covers and moved to get out of bed and winced at the soreness in her entire lower half.  She mustn't let Livvy notice her discomfort.  Otherwise she'd have some heavy explaining to do.

"No, I didn't get much sleep,"  was her truthful, groggy reply.

"Well, we still have a lot to do today and tomorrow to get ready for Sunday.  And the barn dance is tonight.  You still haven't tried on your gown to make sure the alterations are right.  And if they aren't we will have to take it back into town tomorrow.  Georgia needs help with the cake.  A minister friend of Joshua and Thaddeus is supposed to be arriving tomorrow and we have to make up the spare room for him.  Mr. McCreedy has even cancelled his Saturday night poker game to help with everything..."

"Alright, I'm up, I'm up."  She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and just sat there, still not ready to relinquish the comfort of her bed.    "Did Joshua and Thaddeus go into town to shoe that pinto?"  she asked yawning.

"Yes, I saw them ride out about half an hour ago.  I'll leave you to get dressed.  Meet me in the kitchen."   Livvy glided elegantly as always out the door, closing it behind her.

Evie fell back onto her bed, threw her arm over her eyes and groaned.  She didn't want to get up.  She didn't want to do anything except lie here.  She stretched and yawned.  Then smiled lazily as she recalled again the glorious night she had spent in the arms of Hannibal Heyes.  Nothing that Sally had told her had prepared her for the reality of what came natural between a man and a woman.  It had been the most magnificent experience of her entire life.  And it had not been only the physical pleasure that had been so wonderful, it was the intimacy that came with it. She had never felt so connected to another human being as she did to the ex-outlaw she could now safely without a doubt say was her "Gabriel."   "I found him, Mama.  Just like you said I would."    She couldn't find words to describe her love for Hannibal Heyes.  She missed him fiercely right now. And oh how she wished it were her wedding day she was looking forward to the day after tomorrow.

She rose from her bed and looked out, the window.  The same window he'd climbed through just hours ago.  She gazed upon the sunshiny morning.  Everything seemed to be brighter this morning.  The sky was bluer, the trees greener,  her curtains pinker.   She should get dressed and get started.  The sooner she started the sooner it would all be finished and she would have plenty of time to make herself beautiful for the dance tonight.  She had no doubt that she would have the most handsome escort there.  And she wanted him to think he was escorting the most beautiful woman there.

Her mind kept lingering on memories of her night with him.  She had been afraid last night when they were riding in that everyone would be able to take one look at her and know that she had just lost her virginity.  But Hannibal had laughed at her and told her how silly that was.  And he had been right of course.  He was always right.  No one had suspected a thing. He was handsome, he was smart, he was hers.  An anxiousness built inside her.  She couldn't wait for him to get home.   She hurried to get dressed.

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"How do I look?"  she asked as she stepped from behind the dressing screen in Livvy's bedroom.

"Oh, Evangeline.  You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.  It's a good thing for Joshua that he's already snatched you up because there's no doubt about it, you will be turning the head of every male at this barn dance."

"Well, they can look all they want, but all my dances are for one man."

The sound of voices at the bottom of the stairs turned both lady's heads towards the bedroom door.

"And speaking of  that one man,  I do believe he has arrived to escort you to the dance."

Dressed in crisp white linen shirts with bow ties, the boys waited anxiously at the foot of the stairs for the ladies to make their appearances.

"Since you couldn't find a ring in town today, are you still going to tell Evie about your plans or are you going to wait to see if you can find a ring in Cold Springs tomorrow?"  Kid asked his partner while they waited.

"I think I'll wait until I have the ring tomorrow night when we get back, then I'll officially pop the question."   Heyes wide grin slowly faded into a worried frown.  "Hey, Kid I just thought of something.  What if she says no?"

Kid just rolled his eyes and was about to tell his partner that that was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard come out of his mouth, when Livvy appeared at the top of the staircase wearing a lovely silk gown of a deep purple color.  She was exquisite. Kid couldn't take his eyes off her.  She was more beautiful than most women half her age.

Livvy descended the stairs to take the waiting arm of Thaddeus Jones who looked incredibly handsome in his white shirt and bow tie.

When Evie appeared at the top of the stairs,  Heyes' breath caught in throat.  He was spellbound.  As she gracefully descended the stairs, everything and everybody else in the world disappeared.  She was the picture of perfection.  Her pale blue silk gown was covered in lace.  The creamy skin of her chest and arms were left uncovered by the scooping neckline and cap sleeves.  She beautiful hair was mounded in curls atop her lovely head.   He met her at the bottom step where he took her silk gloved hand.

He brought her hand to his lips, his dark gaze never leaving hers of silvery blue.  "No doubt about it.  I'm going to be escorting the most beautiful lady at that dance tonight."

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Everybody in three counties had shown up for the barn dance.  There were buggies and buckboards parked everywhere.

The boys spent most of the evening turning down requests from other gentlemen to cut in. Livvy and Thaddeus were sitting this one out...to get some fresh air.  Evie and Heyes shared a private laugh at that, but the truth was they probably did some air.  It was getting a little stuffy in the crowded barn.  They were both beginning to get a little warm themselves as they swayed slowly together among the other couples.

"Have I told you you're the most beautiful woman here?"  he asked as he held her closer than most people probably considered appropriate.

"Yes, you have.  About five times now I think.  And have I told you that you are the most handsome man here?"  she said as she placed a kiss to his clean shaven cheek.  She ignored the disapproving glares she received from the offended couples who were dancing close by.

"Yes.  But you can say it again if you want."  She laughed at him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Oh, I can do better than that.  You are the most handsome, most intelligent, funniest, sweetest, most talented man in the room."

"Talented?  Are you referring to my skills at breaking into safes or playing poker or...."

"You know what I'm talking about."   She snuggled closer to him as they swayed to the music.  "Um.  You smell so good.  You smell like shaving tonic and cigars and sweet whiskey all at the same time."

"Want to know what you smell like?"

"What?"

"You smell like Evie.  You have a unique scent that's all your own.  I could pick you out in a room of a hundred women blindfolded."

"Why, Mr. Heyes, the things you do say.  Makes a girl need some....fresh air."

"Don't tempt me, you little tease,"  he growled into her ear.

"Who's teasing?  I'm going outside to cool off for a moment.  Meet me by the surrey in ten minutes,"  she whispered seductively in his ear.

"Do you know how bad I want start pulling those hair pins out so I can run my fingers through your hair?"   He nuzzled the mass of fragrant curls as he spoke.

Was it just her or was it getting unbearably warm in here.  "On second thought make it five minutes,"  she said as she walked gracefully off the dance floor and out the barn doors.

Heyes ogled her hourglass figure as she strolled through the barn doors.  He made his way to the long table at the far side of the room where all the refreshments and the huge punch bowl sat.  He dipped himself a cup of punch and leaned against the wall watching the couples dancing to the music of the five piece band.  He checked his watch.  Another four minutes and he'd go in search of his lady love.

He sat his cup on the table ready to make his way towards the door, when two small gloved hands crept around him from behind and pulled him behind the row of hay bundles and corn shocks that were behind the refreshment table for decorations.

He couldn't help but smile to himself as he let her draw him back into the dimly lit corner of the barn, away from prying eyes.  "Don't tell me you couldn't even wait five minutes.  Gee, I think I've created a....,"  he turned around to stare down into the gaunt, hollow eyed face of Laura Thompson, "...monster."  His smile disappeared.  His expression went flat.

"I thought I'd never get you alone."   She ran her skeletal fingers up and down the front of his shirt, caressing the firm muscles beneath.  "I've been waiting all night to get you all to myself."

"What do you want?"  he asked curtly.

"Is that any way to greet an old friend, Hannie?   I only came to this stupid old dance because I was hoping you'd be here."   He pushed her roaming hands away from his body.

"Where's your husband, Laura?"

"What makes you think I have a husband?"

"A woman doesn't usually have seven kids by sleeping alone."

"Oh, who cares?  He's probably found himself a poker game where he's losing all our money and getting drunk.  And he'll still be drunk when we get home and he'll climb in bed and expect me to play the part of the dutiful wife where he'll probably plant another of his demon spawns in my belly."

Heyes frowned down at her.  Her face turned ugly when she spoke of her husband.  And what kind of mother called her children demon spawns?  He felt an overwhelming urge run far away from her.  Before he could spin around to leave she wrapped her frail arms around his waist and pressed her thin body flush to his.

"You don't know how many nights I've lain with that man on top of me and pretended he was you just to get through it.  I've kept every newspaper clipping I've ever read about you and Jed.  And I've bought all the dime novels about you."

He pryed her arms from around him and set her away.  She was not deterred.  She stalked closer to him.  He backed away feeling suddenly a bit like a hunted animal.

"So many long lonely nights, Hannie, I've lain awake dreaming and fantasizing about you.  Ever since I saw that first newspaper clipping describing how you and Jed stopped that train in Rawlins and robbed it.  I'd dream that you would come and carry me away and take me back to Devil's hole where you would make me your woman.  And we'd make passionate love before you rode off to your next robbery.  And when you came back I'd be waiting for you.  And you'd make love to me again.  Only this time with all that money spread out beneath us."

She was just like all the other women he'd ever met.  She didn't really care about him.  It was the fantasy of being taken away and ravished by a desperate outlaw that they were in love with.  And desperate was exactly how he was starting to feel.  Desperate to see the face of the one woman who really did love him.  He felt like a child who'd been separated from its mother and was surrounded by unfamiliar, uncaring faces.  This woman actually scared him a little.  He had to get out of here and find Evie.

But Laura had him backed against the wall.  Her pale bony fingers caressed his chest again.  He grasped her wrists and put her hands back to her sides.  "You shouldn't talk that way.  You're a married woman."

"Ppfftt.  Unhappily married.  I don't care about him.  Let's run away together tonight.  We can have it all.  All the money and each other."

Was she crazy or just stupid?  Did she really think he had all the money he had ever stolen?  And did she really think he gave two figs about her anymore?  And what about her children?  Was she willing to just leave them all behind to pursue a fantasy?   He needed to get out of here fast.

"I know you loved me once and you will again, I promise.  I'll make you love me.  I should never have let you go for that other boy when we were kids.  I know we would have gotten married and we would be living like royalty on all that money you'd steal for me. And our babies would have been beautiful and sweet.  Not like those devils I've already given birth to.  Although, my two youngest aren't even my husband's.  I got knocked up on purpose by a young man my husband hired to help out around the farm.  He had brown hair and brown eyes just like yours.  I wanted babies that looked like you.  So I could pretend they were yours.   I named them both after you.  Doesn't that show you how much I love you?"

Love?  He could tell she had no idea what the word really meant.  "Laura, I thought I loved you once.  But I was just a kid.  I didn't know what love was.  But I do now.  I'm in love with someone and she's taking up every bit of space in my heart.  There's no room in there for anybody else."

"Are you talking about that girl you were with in the mercantile.  The one you've been dancing with all night?"   Laura threw her head back and cackled.  "She's obviously too young to know what to do with a man like you.  I'll bet she hasn't even let you past her petticoats has she?  But me....,"  she crowded close to him again.  And this time her hands went straight for his manly parts.  "...I know exactly what to do with a man like you."

"Whoa!  Will you please get your hands off me and get out of my way?  She's waiting for me."

"What a foolish girl.  I'd never make either of us wait, Hannie,"   she crooned as she brought her face close to his.

He was about to reach for her groping hands when she spun suddenly away from him.  He had an horrific moment of deja vu when he saw her head snap backwards as her chin made contact with the silk gloved fist of Evangeline Webb.

Evie had come looking for him when he hadn't shown up in ten minutes.  She'd heard his voice from behind the wall of corn and hay.  She'd stopped to listen and knew that the walking skeleton had cornered him.  She was going to just walk away and let him handle it.   She didn't want to cause any scenes. But when she knew that ugly bag of bones had her hands on him, and that he would never do anything to hurt a woman, she knew she was going to have to step in and save her man.

Heyes caught Laura's slumping body before it hit the floor.  He looked up at Evie, her face scowling in anger, her hands balled in fists at her side, chest heaving.  "What did I tell you about that?"  he griped as he laid Laura's thin body against the barn floor.

"You said not to go around slugging innocent people.  Well, she's not innocent.  I heard what she was saying to you and then I knew she was putting her hands on your....oooooh, I want to strangle her!"

Heyes restrained her as she started with outstretched hands toward the dazed and prostrate woman on the barn floor.  "No, what have I told you about drawing unnecessary attention?  Come on let's get out of here."

Laura's moans drew their attention.  She was struggling to stand.  Always the gentleman, Heyes helped her up.  Once she was on her feet she lunged for Evie. Heyes stepped in front of Evie before Laura could get to her and shielded her from the fuming older woman.

"You little bitch.  You'll pay for that,"  Laura hissed between clenched teeth.

"Oh, I wish you would try it, you bony old hussy,"   Evie spat out as she tried to step around Heyes to get another shot at her adversary.

"Stop it! Both of you."   Heyes said firmly.  "Laura, I think you had best be finding your husband.  And I hope I've made myself clear that I don't want anything to do with you.  I'm trying to live a straight life now.  We haven't done any outlawing for a year.  And we don't need any trouble."  He took Evie's hand and led her from the barn and out to the surrey, their evening having been obviously brought to an abrupt end.

They left behind a very angry, very bitter woman who stared a hole through their backs as they left.  "I may have rejected you once, but nobody rejects me.  You may not want trouble, Hannibal Heyes, but you found it anyway.  You and your little bitch."

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There were flames.  First small flames, then large shooting flames.  "The smith.  Not the smith."  Lilly Webb stood by the flames yet she shivered as if she were cold.  Then Hannibal was there, smiling.  His smile faded.  She reached for him.  But he could not hold her.  His hands were bound and he was fading into the darkness.  "No!  Don't leave me!"


She sat bolt upright in her bed with a huge intake of breath.  She felt all around her.  Her bed.  She was in her bed. Fire.  There had been fire.  What does it mean, Mama!  She didn't know what it meant, but she knew that she had to see Hannibal.  Now.  She had to see that he was alright.  Had to touch him.  Had to talk to him. She wrapped her robe around herself and pulled slippers on her feet.  She snuck through the dark house and out the front door and ran until she reached the bunkhouse.  She slipped through the door to be greeted by a cocked Colt .45.  "It's me,"  she said quickly.

Kid put his gun back in its holster before rising to light the lamp.

"What's wrong, is everything alright?"  a sleepy eyed Heyes asked as he sat up in his bunk.

Evie sank to the floor on her knees at his bedside.   She touched his face and then lifted his hand to her lips.  "Please, don't go into town tomorrow.  I want you to stay her at the ranch.  Please."

She was pleading with her eyes as well as her words.  Heyes looked at Kid who only shrugged.  "Why?  Has something happened?"

"No.  It's just that....well....I've been having these dreams again and....." She stopped when both men sighed and looked visibly annoyed.

"Aw, no.  Evie, you thought Livvy was going to be some sort of evil step mother from hell type because of the other dreams you were having and look how that turned out.  Livvy is nothing like that,"  Kid tried to ease her mind.

"No, Aunt Livvy wasn't.  But that Laura certainly is.  I know Mama was warning me about her in those first dreams.   And I'm afraid if you go into town tomorrow she'll be there and she'll turn you in to the sheriff."
"What exactly did you dream, sweetheart?"  Heyes asked, stroking her hair to comfort her.

"Mama is always there telling me something about the smith.  And it's something bad because she says no or shakes her head.  And then you are always dragged away in shackles.  But tonight there were flames.  And Mama always looks like she's cold.  So I think she's telling me that you shouldn't go to the blacksmith in Cold Springs because Laura's going to be there and she's going to turn you in.  And now she's mad because you made a fool of her at the dance.  She'll be wanting to get even with you."

The boys exchanged looks.  "We have to go there, or we won't be able to deliver Mr. Peterson's horse on his son's birthday like we promised.  And you know us.  If we get there and anything seems out of the ordinary, we'll high tail it out of there."   She wasn't swayed.  She still had that worried look on her face that was pleading him not to go.  "Look, I'll make you a promise.  We'll go straight to the blacksmith's.  He'll shoe the pinto.  We'll get right back on our horses and head for home.  We won't even go to the saloon for a drink.  We'll stay right there and wait.  And the blacksmith's name is Shep.  We've never met anybody named Shep.  So if he's the only person we see, we're safe. How's that?"

He was treating her like a child and she didn't like it.  "Don't patronize me.  I'm being serious.  I feel it in my gut that something is not right.  I'm asking you please to trust my instincts and what I feel and don't go to Cold Springs tomorrow."

Heyes looked to Kid for assistance. "Now, what are the odds that we'll run into her again.   You're a gambling girl.  If the odds are in your favor you always bet,"  Kid said.

"He's right.  The chances of us running into her are almost none.  She'll be home looking after all those kids most likely.  And we won't be in town more than an hour.  You're worryin' over nothing."

"You probably had that dream because of what happened at the dance tonight,"  Kid reasoned.

"I've been having these dreams for weeks.  Ever since Livvy got here."

"We have got to get that horse shod and delivered by Monday morning.  And we can't do it Sunday.  We have to go to Cold Springs.  That's the closest smithy around since Mr. Boone is laid up.  We can't just change our plans because you had a dream."   That last part sounded more harsh and dismissive than he had intended.  But before he could tell her he was sorry and try to make her see that he wasn't trying to placate her she stood and headed for the door.

She could see that she was getting nowhere fast. And she was a little angry and hurt that he wasn't taking her seriously.  "Fine,"  she said flatly as she jerked open the bunkhouse door, "don't listen to me.  Go to Cold Springs then.  I just hope it's not the last place you ever go before they cart you both off to Wyoming!"   She rushed out of the bunkhouse and back to the ranch house.  Heyes jumped up and started pushing his legs into his pants, intent on following after her.  Kid stopped him with a hand in the air.
"Don't bother. She's already on the porch."

Heyes went to the door anyway and looked out across the yard.  He could just make out the white of her robe as it went through the front door of the house.

Kid crawled back into his bunk while Heyes paced.

"I guess that was your first official spat, huh?"  Kid asked after a bit.

"Yeah, I guess.  I feel bad.  I should go up to her room and try to smooth things over."

"Yeah, I know what you'll end up smoothin' over if you go up there.  Give her a little time to be mad at you first.  Then you can make up with her in the morning before we leave.  Try and get some sleep.  All that pacing's keeping me awake."

Heyes turned down the lamp and crawled into his bunk. But he couldn't sleep.  He lay awake for hours fighting the urge to climb through Evie's window and make up with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She wasn't in the kitchen when they ate breakfast.  She hadn't come to the stables while he saddled his horse.  They would be riding out in a few minutes and she still hadn't shown her face.  Heyes felt terrible.  He wanted to tell her he was sorry for not being more respectful of her feelings and her doubts.  But he couldn't tell her if she wouldn't come out of her room.  He sighed heavily.  She wasn't even going to come out and see him off.  He had his foot in the stirrup when he heard the screen door slam.

He turned and saw her standing at the top of the porch steps.  Their gazes locked.  There was no need for words.  They had both said "I'm sorry"  without saying a word before she even took that first step down the stairs.     Then she was running to close the distance between them.  He met her and caught her up in a tight embrace.  She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as he lifted her off the ground.  "I'm sorry,"  he told her between kisses.  One's he was giving and one's he was receiving.

"No, I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have given you something to worry about when it probably means nothing.  You have enough to worry about without my nonsense."

"Do you want to come with us?  It might make you feel better.  I'll saddle up Rusty if you want to come?"

She thought about it.  She really would like to come along.  But she knew Livvy would throw a fit if she did.  "No, I've got to help Livvy with all the final preparations and we have to be in town at noon to meet your minister friend."

"Preacher?"  His head snapped towards the Kid.  Kid gave his partner an approving, go ahead nod.
 "Come on.   I've got something to talk to you about."  He took her hand and led her inside the bunkhouse.  He took off his leather gloves and laid them on his bunk.

"I've been doing some thinking.  And your trust fund money will change everything for us.  And since Preacher is coming, I was thinking....well....."  he got down on one knee and took her hand.  "I never really did make it official, so..."

Evie's mouth fell open and tears formed in her eyes.  "Miss Evangeline Webb, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"  The tears fell like rain.  She couldn't form words.  "Is that a yes?"  She just nodded  her head.  "I'll get you a ring today in town.  That will be the only place we'll go besides the blacksmith's.  And tomorrow night, we'll get Preacher to marry us.  I thought under that big old oak tree would be perfect.  And Preacher can use my real name.  It won't be on any books but we can put it in your Mama's Bible and it will be just as good as legal."   As he spoke he wiped tears away from her cheeks with his fingers.  "Only thing is we'll have to keep it a secret from Livvy for now.  Only you, me, Kid and the Preacher will know.  Then later on when the amnesty comes through...hopefully...we'll be able to tell her the truth and have any kind of wedding she wants to plan."

Still too emotional to speak she simply threw herself into his arms and held on for dear life.  "So, tomorrow night I will be Mrs. Hannibal Heyes?"  she asked when at last she was able to speak.

"That's right."

Was it possible to die from happiness.  Probably not.  If it were she would be six feet under.  They walked hand in hand back to his horse where Kid was waiting.  The smile on Heyes face and the tears on Evie's let him know that her answer was obviously yes.

"I take it congratulations are in order."

For an answer, Evangeline threw her arms around the blue eyed ex-outlaw and hugged him tight.  "I'll need somebody to give me away.  Would you do me the honor?"

Kid's face beamed, his blue eyes glowed.  "The honor would be all mine."  

"Please take care of each other and please come home to me soon.  I've got even more reason now for you to.  I love you," she said as she gazed into the brown eyes of her soon to be husband. "Both of you," she added as her gaze turned to Kid Curry, already in the saddle.

"I love you.  See you at supper."

 After one last kiss Heyes mounted Odin and they headed out for Cold Springs.

She watched until she could no longer see them over the hill.  She shivered and hugged herself tightly as a cold wind came blowing in from the north.  For some reason she had a feeling the weather was about to change.  A prickly feeling rose up the back of her neck.  For a brief second she opened her mouth to call out to them and tell them to come back.  But she didn't.  She prayed silently that the weather was the only thing that was going to change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She couldn't stop smiling.  She hummed to herself as she stood in the kitchen chopping fresh mint leaves while Georgia and Livvy iced the big cake and talked about the strange yet charming man that was now inhabiting the spare bedroom upstairs.  Evie had spent the last two hours in that room with Preacher listening to tales of his adventures with Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry.  Her visit was of course under the guise of seeking spiritual advice from a man of the cloth before taking such a big step tomorrow.

"What did the man say his name was?" Georgia asked.

"He didn't.  He said his friends just called him Preacher.  And you know if I didn't trust Thaddeus' word that he was a real honest to goodness minister I'd have sworn I smelled whiskey on his breath."

"He sho is humble.  Looked at us like we was crazy for inviting him to stay in the house.  Like decent folk would let a minister stay out in the bunkhouse with the hired hands."  Georgia observed.  "It ain't like he'd steal anything from us."

Evie's smile grew wider.  If you only knew she thought.  Then her thoughts returned to the real reason for her smile.  Tomorrow night, she would be Evangeline Heyes.  Mrs. Hannibal Heyes.  Hannibal Heyes would be her husband. Even if it was in secret, he would still he her husband.   She almost laughed out loud.  Her husband.  She loved the sound of it.  Her husband.  Husband.  Her hand went still. She looked up from her work. Her smile disappeared.

"Aunt Livvy?"

"Yes, dear?"

"The woman in Cold Springs.  Laura with all the children..."

"What is your fascination with her Evangeline?"

"Just humor me, please.   Do you remember what her husband's name was?"

Livvy  huffed in frustration, not understanding her niece's need to know everything about that woman and her family.  "His name was Bradley.  Mr. and Mrs. Bradley.....oh, shoot what was that last name?"

"Bradley."   She said the name out loud.  "I punched that boy in the nose. Then she informed me that I was too young and immature for her and Bradley was her new beau.   Then I went off by myself and cried like a big baby."  She recalled the story he had told her when they were riding in the wilderness of the Trans Pecos. Bradley was the name of the boy who had taken Laura away from young Hannibal.  So she had married the boy.

"Shepherd!"  Livvy exclaimed.

"What?"

"Shepherd.  That was their last name.  Bradley and Laura Shepherd."

Evangeline's insides started to quiver.  She had to sit down. "Do you remember why they were coming to Cold Springs?"  she asked, gripping the side of the table for support as she sank into the nearest chair. She had a feeling she already knew the answer but she had to hear it out of Livvy's mouth just the same.

"Oh, yes.  They came here to get a new start.  Mr. Shepherd was going to be the new blacksmith in town. I suppose the boys will be meeting him soon."

Air.  She needed air.  She was going to be sick.

"Evangeline what's wrong with you?  You've turned white as a ghost."

Laura Thompson had married Bradley Shepherd whom everyone apparently called Shep.  He was the new blacksmith in Cold Springs.  He had to be the boy Hannibal had caught Laura kissing.  The boy he had punched in the nose.   And if Laura had recognized him, surely...Oh, dear Lord.  And if he had any idea that his wife  harbored fantasies of leaving him for Hannibal Heyes he probably hated him more now than he had the day  he'd punched him in the nose. He wouldn't think twice about turning them in to the sheriff.  We're worth the same dead as we are alive. The Kid's words echoed in her mind.  If the wrong person recognizes me and wants to turn me in dead he has the legal right to do so.  And Hannibal's words as well.  Bradley Shepherd probably wouldn't think twice about killing them before claiming the reward on their heads.  It wasn't Laura her mother had been warning her to keep them away from.  It was Laura's husband the blacksmith.   She stood quickly knocking her chair over in the process.  All the blood dropped to her feet.   "I have to warn them,"  she whispered on a ragged breath before she fell to the floor in a dead faint.