The Fire in Ember

by DiAnn Mills

  “Let Mama sing, and let’s dance,” he’d said.

  Shocked at his request, Bert simply stared until John laughed and pulled her to the center of the parlor. “Line up boys, we’re having a party.”

  The other boys joined Leah in the singing, but they all took turns swinging Bert and Leah around the floor.

  Bert cringed at first, especially when Evan held her a little tighter than she wanted, but it had nothing to do with the dancing.

  Shaking the memory aside, she eased from the bed and grabbed her roll of clothes from beneath it. Earlier she’d placed them within easy reach where she could change in the barn and leave Leah’s nightgown for her to find. She’d not take food. Again, she reinforced her belief that stealing made her no better than her brothers. Well, not all of them. Clint and Lester didn’t brag about what they did with Simon. Neither of them would be breaking the law if not for Simon pushing them. When he wanted one of them to do something, he could turn a phrase and make the vilest idea look like the proper thing to do.

  She inwardly gasped, for she was no better than Simon. She’d taken twenty dollars of his money in the name of needing it for herself. Still had five of it hidden away. Between the money and Oberlander’s mare, Simon did have reason to be angry. This time when she ran, she’d have to find a way to get to a town big enough where she could find work. Change her name and become respectable. She’d learn more about readin’ and writin’ and doing figures. No one would call her stupid again. Neither would she ever allow a man to hit her or—

  In the blackness, she allowed one quick glance at Leah sleeping peacefully. Even though she couldn’t see the dear woman, she’d never forget her kindness. Later she’d reflect more about John and the things about him sealed in her memory. But not now when her heart wanted to stay in the warm bed beside Leah with her dreams to keep her company.

  Bert snatched up her boots and tiptoed across the floor and through the kitchen. The smells of fried chicken from supper and the cinnamon apples with sweet cream wafted about the room. The homey smells of food made with love were treasures to be remembered during the lonely days ahead. Someday she’d have a home like this.

  Crazy thought. Who would ever want me?

  Sweeping aside her silly notions, she concentrated on what must be done. A couple of times today, she’d practiced opening the front door without making a sound. Holding her breath, she lifted the latch and crept out onto the front porch. The stars were like a million candles lighting up the dark night, and the half moon would help her find the way south beyond the 5T, beyond Rocky Falls. She didn’t like traveling at night, but what choice did she have? At least John wouldn’t be after her in the morning, and she hoped he stayed gone for a long while. However, Evan might attempt to trail her.

  Rowdy nudged against her leg. She smiled. What a friendly dog. Together they stepped down from the porch and made their way to the barn. Rowdy couldn’t go with her, even if she wanted his company. The boys loved the dog, their dog, not hers. Bert stopped in front of the barn door. She could change into her britches and shirt out here, but she needed to put Rowdy in a stall.

  A figure stepped in front of her. She sucked in a breath and nearly screamed.

  “Just where do you think you’re going?”

  John wanted to grab Bert by the shoulders and shake some sense into her head. All of his suspicions about her were true. He’d been tricked, fooled, and lied to. Angry didn’t begin to describe the fury racing through his veins. He wished she were a boy ‘cause then he’d escort him to the woodshed.

  “I said, just where do you think you’re going?”

  “John … I thought you were in Rocky Falls.” Her voice broke. Good. She ought to be shaking in her bare feet. “I … couldn’t sleep, so I was taking a walk.”

  “Carrying your clothes?” John grabbed her shoulders. “And your boots?”

  “Please — ”

  “Please what? Step aside so you can run off? Steal one of my horses? Meet up with whoever’s rustlin’ cattle? What else do you have wrapped up in that bundle?”

  “Nothing. Just my clothes.”

  “Right. I want to take a look.”

  “I have to leave.”

  She was crying; he could hear her sob. But he wouldn’t back down from what he needed to do. “Why? What are you hiding? Who are you hiding from?”

  “I’ve told you over and over. I can’t tell you.”

  John was tempted to swear like a drunk denied another bottle. He’d been in gun fights, gotten himself beaten, gone after a gang who murdered his father and kidnapped Davis, and gone against odds alongside Bob Culpepper to uphold the law. But never had he been provoked to lose his temper like now.

  “I think you’d better do some explaining, or I’m going to arrest you.”

  She gasped. “For what?”

  “Holding back information that could lead to finding cattle rustlers.”

  “I don’t know who’s stolen the cattle.”

  “What about Oberlander’s mare?”

  Her silence ground at his nerves. “So what’s it going to be, Bert? Are you going to tell me about yourself, or am I forced to take you into Rocky Falls and have you face questioning again and possible arrest?”

  “I haven’t broken any laws.”

  “Do you expect me to believe that?”

  “I suppose not. But it is the truth.”

  “Ever spent a night in jail?” John couldn’t remember a woman ever spending a night in Rocky Falls’ jail, and he didn’t want to think about locking up Bert in there either. Unless he slept in Bob’s chair to watch over her.

  She stiffened. “No, but I’m sure a jail’s not any worse than sleeping in the rain or snow.”

  “I’m not feeling sorry for you. Leave those sentiments for Mama or Evan.” John released her shoulders. His head pounded with the exasperation of finding Bert ready to take off. He’d try Mama’s way. Be gentle. “I’m sorry if I hurt you. Please, why won’t you tell me the truth?”

  “I don’t want anyone else hurt.”

  “Have you witnessed a murder?” When she didn’t respond, he realized he’d inched closer to the truth. “I’m a deputy. I can help you.”

  “It’s too muddy. Too many people involved. Can you be with your mama and your brothers every minute?”

  “My brothers know how to use a rifle.”

  “Maybe on a wolf or a bear, but what about another man? I’ve heard the story about what happened to Davis. Do you want that scare repeated?”

  It was John’s turn not to respond as he took time to contemplate her words.

  “Let me leave,” she whispered. “I care too much for all of you to risk anyone getting hurt.”

  The front door of the house closed, and John jerked his attention to the porch. “Who’s there?”

  “Me. Evan. I thought you were in town.”

  Could things get any worse? No point in holding back why he was there. “I had to take care of things here first.”

  “Like what?”

  “I have to take Bert to town.”

  Evan stomped down the porch toward them. “For what?” His voice thundered through the darkness.

  “Keep your voice down. You’ll have everyone up.” John blew out an exasperated sigh. “I’m taking her in for her own safety. Talk in town has her part of the cattle rustling.”

  “Because of Oberlander’s mare?”

  “What do you think? And none of our livestock is missing. Or is it?”

  “Nah. We have them all.” Evan stood before them. John could feel the animosity seeping from the pores of his brother’s skin. He didn’t want an argument or a fight. On the ride back from town, he’d thought through Evan’s feelings for Bert and how best to persuade him that this was the best way to protect her.

  John reached down inside him for what had to be said. “We don’t want a mob riding out here. You know what could happen, and our brothers would see it all.”

  “Where will she stay?�
� Evan’s soft voice revealed his heart. John hated this. Why had God shoved Bert into their lives? What good reason could cause all of this turmoil?

  “I’m thinking Widow Bess might take her in. Maybe give her a job at the hotel.”

  “I’m not so sure I like Bert being around those women at the saloon.”

  “Do I have a say in this?” Bert said. “Since you two are deciding my future.”

  “No.” John had no problem adding firmness to his words. “Little lady, you cost me money, time, and the safety of my family. You have no say in anything until this is resolved.”

  “Don’t you think you’re being hard on her?” Evan’s voice rose.

  “Not at all. She refuses to talk about where she came from, and that spells trouble. Sometimes I’d like to ring her pretty neck.” John caught his own words. He’d actually said “pretty.”

  “Just leave me alone,” Bert said. “Fighting among brothers isn’t right. I’d rather take my chances on my own. I’ll send you the money I owe once I get settled.”

  “I don’t care about the money, and the answer is still no.” John would tie her up if she tried to take off. He lifted the bundle of clothes and boots from her arms. “You can go back inside and get some sleep, or we can ride back to Rocky Falls tonight.” The latter would make him one tired man, but he’d do it.

  Irritating silence met him.

  “Tonight or in the morning?” he said.

  “John, quit badgering her.” Evan’s tone had reached fighting level. John had heard it enough through the years.

  “In the morning,” Bert said.

  “I want your word you won’t try to run off,” John said. “And think about this while you’re scheming to get away. If you leave, the other ranchers are going to blame me and my family for harboring a cattle thief. And if you have any feelings for Mama and my brothers, then you’d be wise to think twice before putting them in danger.”

  “I’ll not run off.” Her passive voice indicated her resignation.

  “Thank you. Now go on to bed. You’ve been enough trouble for one night.”

  Bert turned and walked back to the house. She didn’t ask for her clothes. Neither would he have given them to her. Now he had Evan to deal with. Would this night ever end?

  “You can’t believe she’s a cattle rustler,” Evan finally said.

  “Have you forgotten she was caught as a horse thief?”

  “You and I know there’s a reason. You and I also know she’s running from somebody who’s trying to hurt her. She’s too good and kind to be on the other side of the law.”

  “Evan, please. I’m tired, and I don’t want to argue. This situation is beyond us. It’s the law.”

  “Sounds like an excuse to get her off the ranch so you can court her yourself.”

  John rubbed his face with the sleeve of his shirt in an attempt to wipe the exhaustion, frustration, and all of the other things plaguing him from his mind. “Evan, my family and the law come first. It’s my responsibility. I don’t want to keep you from a girl you care about, but I do want to keep you safe. And her too. I’m done talking tonight.”

  He left Evan standing alone in the barn in hopes his brother would listen to reason. But after a few steps he swung back around. “I’ve got her clothes in case you two have any ideas.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Leah heard Bert slip back into the dark room, just as she’d heard Evan shouting at John outside. The other boys probably knew more about the details of the argument than she did. Leah wrestled with getting up to find out the problem or allowing her sons to settle their differences like grown men. Except sometimes they acted more like scraping toddler boys fussin’ over a toy. But this time the object was not an item to tug back and forth with a shout of “mine” but a seventeen-year-old girl.

  Obviously John had returned from Rocky Falls.

  Obviously he and Bert were discussing something outside. And why was she out there in her nightgown? Mercy, do I even want to contemplate such a scandal?

  Obviously Evan had walked into whatever had compelled them to meet at midnight.

  And obviously her sons had argued about Bert.

  Dear Lord, can this get any worse? The words barely left her mind before she realized that yes, a whole lot more things could go wrong. And she’d better be prepared for it. Might as well begin now. If only she could see Bert’s face, but that couldn’t be helped unless she got up and lit the lantern. Sometimes a person could talk easier in the dark.

  “Did John and Evan get into a fight?”

  Bert climbed into bed and released a sigh. “Almost.”

  “Do I want to know why?”

  “You probably already do. Part of it anyway.”

  Keep going. The situation would eat at her until she did. “What were you doing out there in your nightgown?”

  “I … I wanted to leave. Didn’t expect John to be there.”

  “Do you have feelings for either of my sons?” Silence. Bert was so good at saying everything with nothing. “I assume the answer is yes. And I think I know which one.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “He’s a hard man to understand.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “And he hides his feelings. Instead of voicing them.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Leah took a deep breath and realized the burden of guilt she carried because of John’s temperament. “And he’s eaten up with a worm called responsibility.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “He’d do anything for us. He was born with a purpose of caring for his family. Even before his father died, he looked after his brothers and me. But no one’s ever done it for him. He won’t allow anyone to wait on him. Says he doesn’t need lookin’ after.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Does John have any idea how you feel about him?”

  Silence. Poor Evan was about to get hurt. Maybe John too.

  “How could I tell him in one breath and not give him my last name in the next?”

  Oh, my dear girl. What stalked her like a grizzly?

  “There’s more and it’s not good,” Bert said.

  “I figured as such. You could make life easier on yourself and those who care about you by telling what you know.”

  “That’s what I was trying to do tonight.”

  “By running?”

  “By maybe saving their lives.”

  Leah moaned. “I’d kill anyone who tried to hurt my sons.” She caught her breath. “I—”

  “I feel the same way. John’s taking me to town in the morning to stay with someone until this is over.”

  Leah swallowed her relief. “Do you think all of us will be safe then?”

  “You will be.” “Ember, will you be safe?”

  Silence, and Leah chose not to prod any more tonight.

  CHAPTER 19

  John dressed the following morning feeling more tired than when he’d lain down on his bed. Last night, while riding back from Rocky Falls, he believed he’d be asleep the moment he pulled off his boots. But the worries marching across his mind made rest impossible. One conversation after another had taken root in his thoughts and kept his mind racing. Until the cattle thieves were found, the folks around him would be pointing fingers and accusing anyone and everyone.

  Evan’s bed had groaned with his restlessness until the wee hours of the morning. But John knew better than to question what bothered him. Now his brother slept, and John hoped he finally got some much-needed rest. Aaron and Mark could do chores, and it gave John time to rouse Bert and leave for town.

  John gathered up his boots and the roll containing Bert’s clothes and made his way downstairs. He couldn’t smell breakfast yet, which meant Mama was still in bed. Good. He could leave without having another confrontation with any of his family.

  He made his way to Mama’s door. In the past he wouldn’t have gone into her room with Bert sleeping beside her. Last night changed things. He slipped into the bedroom and i
n the darkness, he touched Bert’s arm. Instantly she jerked, as though seared with a hot branding iron.

  John touched a finger to his lips, and she nodded. He guessed she didn’t want a show of her leaving either. He handed her the bundle of clothes and made his way to the door. “You two need breakfast,” Mama whispered.

  What did she know?

  “We need an early start,” he said. “Bob and I have lots of work to do.”

  The bed creaked, and Mama stood in the shadows. Her silhouette and Bert’s nearly matched. Two tiny women who held his heart; two tiny women who could be so stubborn.

  Mama walked past him and into the kitchen where he heard her pick up a splint from the kindling box. Lighting it from the hot coals of the cookstove, she carried the burning stick into the bedroom. He couldn’t think of a single thing to say to her or Bert. Must be the weariness tugging at his eyelids. Mama lifted the glass chimney of the lantern and raised the wick slightly. Soon the lantern on her night table flickered, sending dancing flames around the room.

  Mama would not let them leave for Rocky Falls without breakfast. But he had been born with her determination and refused to waste one minute of daylight.

  From the doorway, he glanced at Bert, who stood in her nightgown clutching her clothes. A fragile-looking girl who held too much power over him. In the dim light, her face etched a map that led to fear and doubt. Normally, he’d have felt some kind of compassion, but the events of yesterday and last night, along with the lack of sleep, made him irritable.

  “I’m not hungry,” Bert said.

  “I’ll get breakfast for both of us at the hotel,” John said. “I promise. Right now, we need to ride.”

  Mama pressed her lips together, then sighed. “Be careful.” She studied Bert. “No matter what the future holds for you, for this family, I’m praying God’s will is clear to all of us.”

  “I’m sure Evan will tell you what’s going on.” He walked over and kissed his mother’s cheek and gestured to Bert. “Time’s wasting. Your boots are on the front porch.” He whirled around to head outside and saddle up the gelding. Bert could ride behind him.

  By the time he led his horse from the barn, Bert was waiting beside the corral. She reminded him of a schoolgirl who’d gotten into trouble. I’m doing the right thing for my family and the good of the community. Without a word, he mounted and pulled her up behind him. She sobbed, and the sound bothered him more than he’d ever admit to anyone. But her arms wrapped around his waist gave him a strange sense of comfort.