by DiAnn Mills
John cringed. “Figured so.”
“Best get back to Doc Slader. He won’t be happy about you slipping off.”
Again.
All of the thoughts swirling around in John’s head brought him back to the present. He’d wasted daylight sleeping, and with all of the happenings in the last day—or did staying up all night mean two days? Didn’t matter, he had work to do. Mama would be worried sick about him, and he had to let her know he was fine. Then there was Bert. And Evan.
The door opened before he had a chance to swing his legs onto the wooden floor. Mama stepped in with Victor Oberlander. Seeing those two together changed his mood from anxious to surly, but he vowed not to show it.
Mama rushed to his side with tears spilling over her cheeks. “I’m fine, Mama. Don’t get yourself all worked up over nothing.”
Her lips quivered. “You were shot. Could have been killed.”
“But I wasn’t. I knew I should have ridden home last night.”
“Nonsense, but I’m here to take you home now. Victor was kind enough to drive me here in his wagon. We have blankets in the back so you’ll be comfortable.”
We have blankets? John bit back his first initial response. “I’m not ready to go home yet.”
“Why?” She startled. “I can take care of you.”
“I have a few things to talk over with Bob, then I’ll ride home. Is everything at the ranch all right?”
She nodded, while another tear fell. He hated to see her cry. “The boys are working close to home today.”
John glanced up at Mr. Oberlander. “Thank you, sir, for bringing Mama into town. I’m sorry I won’t be joining you. But I promise I’ll be home this evenin'.”
“We can wait.”
Between his battered body and a hundred other pressing matters, John was about to forget his manners. He took in a deep breath.
“Are you in pain?” Mama touched his cheek.
“Of course not. But I have matters to tend to.”
Mama lifted her chin. “Victor said we’d wait, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
John believed if he were thirty years old, his mama would still think she could treat him like a boy.
“I have to talk to Bob. I’m also expecting a telegram, and I have to check on Bert at the hotel.”
“Ember. Her name is Ember. I can call on her while you’re taking care of other things.”
No point in arguing. Her mind was set. “I need for you to step out so I can get dressed.”
“By yourself? How can you manage?”
He shook his head and realized the motion made it hurt worse. “I learned how to dress myself a long time ago. Nothing’s changed.”
Leah’s shoes tapped in rhythm against the boardwalk all the way to the hotel. While she pacified John’s absurd whim to talk to Bob, she’d check on Ember and make sure the girl was all right. Bess would take good care of her, and staying at the hotel where John and Evan wouldn’t see her every day made sense. But Leah longed for the girl — her sweet temperament and gentle ways with all of them. Davis loved her stories, and the whole family adored her singing and playing. Leah loved her despite all the problems and rough waters between John and Evan. The caring had nothing to do with pity but everything to do with the pain in Ember’s eyes and the deep need for love.
The first glimpse of John this afternoon had brought back the nightmare of what happened to his father. Last night Victor had insisted John would be fine, even offered to check on him and report promptly to her. But she had to see for herself. Leah swallowed a lump of emotion. She was made of stronger earth than this.
She saw the glossy tolerance of pain in John’s eyes. Doc Slader said he’d been traipsing around all night and not getting the rest he needed. The wound had taken to bleeding again, which required more bandaging. Leah trusted Doc and the herbs and medicines he prescribed, but John needed his mama, and she was going to make sure he healed proper. While he rested in her care, she’d talk to him about tossing that deputy job like sour milk. She’d never approved. Outlaws had killed his father, endangered Parker and Sage, and now this. About time someone listened to her.
Leah walked into the hotel and immediately saw Ember sweeping the floor. The girl leaned the broom against the wall and rushed into Leah’s arms. And Leah welcomed her. They both clung to each other as though they hadn’t seen each other for years.
“You know about John?” Ember said, stepping back from Leah and wiping the wetness from her cheeks.
Leah pressed her lips together and nodded. “I came to take him home where he belongs.
“Is he better this morning?”
“Looks to me like his arm is hurting him and he’s incredibly tired.”
“He should have stayed at Doc’s last night instead of — ”
So John was with Ember. Goodness, do I want to know more? “Doc said he didn’t get much sleep. But he’ll rest at home. However, I hear he’s not a good patient.”
“I suppose not. Do you have any help in gettin’ him to the ranch?”
“Victor Oberlander drove me in. In fact he was the one who told me last night about John being shot.” Leah took a breath. Exhaustion had settled on her too. “Right now Victor is getting supplies at the general store.”
“Are the other boys all right?”
Is she concerned about Evan? “They’re all worried about John. None were too happy about Victor driving me into town, but his actions were simply a neighborly gesture.”
“Miss Leah, I think he likes you.”
Leah frowned. “Neighbor to neighbor, that’s all. I’d have been in town sooner, but Davis got sick in the middle of the night and didn’t stop until mid-morning.”
“I’m so sorry.” Ember shook her head. “If only I could help.”
“Taking care of sick children is one of those parts of motherhood. Davis seemed to be fine when I left. I hope the other boys don’t get it, especially with John needing my attention.” She paused and touched Ember’s face. “Sweet girl, do you want to come back too?”
A single tear slipped from her eye. “It’s best I stay here with Bess. She has a job for me, and I can pay John back with my earnings.”
“But I missed you as soon as you left.”
“Miss Leah, neither you nor I want John and Evan fussin’ over me. This is better.”
“Doesn’t mean I like the arrangement.”
“Why must men be so difficult?”
“I have no idea,” Leah said. “But they certainly are a handful.”
Bess called out a greeting. “Do you have time for some fresh coffee? No charge.”
“No, thank you. I need to hurry back to Doc Slader’s and get John home. But it smells good. Is that potatoes and ham?”
Bess beamed, her face red from being in the hot kitchen. “Your nose tells you right. Is John better?”
“He’s a bit disagreeable.”
Bess laughed. “He’ll be up and about in no time. I want to thank you for sending Ember my way. My, but she’s a hard worker.”
Leah wrapped her arm around Ember’s waist. “She’s a fine one. Don’t be motherin’ her too much. I’m rather partial to her.”
Another tear slipped down Ember’s cheek. Hadn’t anyone ever told her how special she was?
CHAPTER 27
A week had slipped by since John was shot, and Bert thought about him every moment of the day. The words he’d spoken when he chased her down that night repeated in her mind. They had feelings for each other, and the thought warmed her and alarmed her at the same time. He said the situation with Evan would work out. But what about Simon? Dwelling on how her heart swelled with the memories marked a foolish road. She and John could never be together.
Bert hurried down the street to get the flour and sugar Bess needed from the General Store before the afternoon cooking and baking began. She’d struggled with Leah’s invitation to live at the ranch again. The woman knew the source of problems between John and Evan, a
nd yet she wanted Bert at the ranch. How very dear of Leah. If Bert was ever to escape Simon, she’d welcome a home and a family. She’d tell her husband and her children every day how much she loved them.
A dream … how sweet a life with John would be. Ah, the child in her still lived in a fantasy world.
Bert stared up at the sun directly overhead and shielded her eyes beneath her bonnet. The brilliant light blinded her, but she liked the heat. She’d spent most of her life cold, and the hot days of summer had quickly become her favorite.
“Excuse me, Miss,” a man said.
Bert gasped and held her breath. The sound of the familiar voice made her dizzy with terror. She whirled around. Simon!
“I bet you didn’t think you’d see me today.”
Her chest hurt from its rapid pounding. “What do you want from me?”
He leaned on one leg. “The twenty dollars you took and my mare. A few other things would be nice.” He sneered.
“You stole the horse,” she said, too frightened to speak above a whisper. “I’ll get the money back to you.”
“I’ve added interest.” His gold-brown eyes glared, reminding her of a mountain cat.
“Leave me be, Simon. Please.”
“You owe me, little sister. And I’ve been watching you.”
An eerie chill crept up her neck. His threats had haunted her for six months. She wanted to get as far away from him as possible. She wanted to scream. But would anyone help her escape her cruel brother? If only she could gather the courage to bury her fists into his callused flesh.
He was still her brother. Gideon had said families stick together ‘cause they had no one else. But now she had the Timmonses, Bess, even Marshal Culpepper, and Doc Slader. They’d been kind, caring.
Simon laughed. “Since you don’t have anything to say, let me tell you what you’re going to do.”
“No.” Her voice sounded flat and ragged, but she’d not be bullied. Not this time. “I will not help you steal or set up someone to kill.”
“Yes, you will. If you refuse me, I’ll make sure John Timmons and his family are laid in a pool of blood at your feet. I shot him once, and the next time my bullet will take off his head. And do you really want to know what I’d do to his mother and that old woman at the hotel?”
Bert trembled. She fought the dizziness threatening to overcome her and the sudden throbbing in her temples. “No,” she whispered.
“No, you aren’t going to do what I say? Or no, you wanna see your new friends dead?”
She didn’t have a choice … None at all. “What do you want?”
“I’ll be in touch. Don’t try runnin’ or I’ll leave a trail of blood behind you.”
“Why?” she said. “Even before I ran off, you did this to me.”
Simon’s loathing stare chilled her. “We were happy until you came along. You killed the only two good people in this lousy world—Ma and Gideon. You’ll pay until the day you die.”
Simon turned and walked toward the hotel and saloon, his stride long and determined. No doubt he’d soon be drinking and mean as ever. Acid rose in her throat. Memories from the past darted in and out of her mind. She needed help. But who?
Gideon had told her she was a good girl; that it was Simon’s way of bullying her. But at times she wondered if Simon was right.
John’s first day back in Rocky Falls after letting his mother wait on him for a week, and already he faced bad news. Stepping into the marshal’s office, he tossed a telegram onto Bob’s desk. “I’m ready to ride to Denver and give my uncle a piece of my mind—a big piece.”
Bob glanced up and his spectacles dropped onto the desk. “Good to see you too. I take it your mama cut you loose.”
“Very funny.” The news of Mama’s march into town like a military general must have spread like wildfire. It would take a long time to live this one down. “I’d have been here sooner, but work at the ranch kept me busy.”
Bob chuckled. “I’m sure that was the reason. What’s going on? You’re red from the neck up.”
John slumped onto a chair across from Bob. Nothing seemed to go right lately, and this was proof of one more thing. “Read the telegram from Uncle Parker. I’m hoping he’s not serious.”
Bob perched his spectacles on his nose and unfolded the piece of paper. “Sending US Marshal to help with cattle rustlers. Stop. Wirt Zimmerman is on his way. Stop.” He lifted his bushy eyebrows. “Wirt Zimmerman? That’s the same US Marshal who was sent to help us five years ago. He was greener than grass.”
“My point.” John sensed his annoyance seeping through the pores of his skin. “He didn’t know anything about tracking or bringing in outlaws. In fact, he was quite a dandy.” He started to mention Wirt had written his mother for two years afterward, but thought better of it.
“I don’t think Parker is teasing.”
John blew out a sigh. “Trouble is, I don’t think he is either. Is Rocky Falls training ground for US Marshals?”
“I bet he’s changed,” Bob said. “Wirt’s had five years of experience since he last set foot in our town. Parker cares too much for the people here to send grief upon us.”
“Wirt could have had five years to become more arrogant. We’d be better off to handle things ourselves.”
Bob handed the telegram back to John. “But we haven’t. That’s why we need help. Evan came in to see me a couple of days ago.”
John frowned. “He was supposed to be staying at the cattle camp. What did he want?”
“He wanted me to deputize him.”
John’s stomach did a flip. “He’s just a boy.”
“Ah, you were eighteen when we went after the McCaw gang, and soon after, Parker deputized you.”
Evan didn’t have the maturity at eighteen that John had back then. “What did you tell him?”
“Told him he needed to be twenty. Of course he pointed out you were eighteen when you took an oath to uphold the law.” Bob leaned across the desk. “I told him Colorado’s laws have changed.”
John forced a grin. “Thanks. I appreciate it.” He rested against the back of the chair. “I need to get home after I check to see if Oberlander has any more missing cattle. And I need time to figure out what I’m going to say to Wirt after five years.”
“If he rides up all decked out like the man we remember, we’ll tell him we don’t need him.”
Best news John had heard all day. “Well, I’ll be headin’ back soon. Anything you need?”
“Just a report from Oberlander. Sure hope his men have located their cattle. But I’m sure he’d have contacted me if that were the case.”
“Makes me wonder when the rustlers will strike again.”
Bob rubbed his face. “Does look like we’re in for more stealing.”
“And why didn’t the shooter who grazed my arm finish me off?”
Bob appeared to study John’s face. “Good question. And I don’t have an answer.”
“I can’t believe it was a lucky miss.” John stood and refused to think about Bert and her possible involvement. No, he refused to give in to his own suspicions.
CHAPTER 28
All Bert could think about was her morning’s encounter with Simon. She tried to push it from her mind, knowing she couldn’t do a thing about his demands, but the nightmare still plagued her. The old sensation of a heavy weight bearing down on her shoulders had returned.
Late in the afternoon, she helped Bess roll out pie dough for berry and custard pies. Her thoughts continued to race about Simon … what he could do … what he’d planned for her.
Bess was in her preachin’ mood, at least that’s what Bert called it. And she did attempt to pay attention, if for no more reason than the things about God were important to the Timmonses and Miss Bess. But Bert’s problems were far more serious than what any God could handle. God would have to write a new book just for her.
“I sure like the Proverbs,” Bess said, breaking eggs into a bowl.
“Why?
” Bert measured sugar into a cup and poured it into Bess’s bowl.
“It’s filled with wise sayings telling us how to live. I like the no-nonsense language. It’s blunt. Just the way I am. One says there’s a friend who sticks closer than a brother, a brother who loves you no matter what you’ve done or will do.”
Gideon’s words repeated in Bert’s mind. He didn’t believe in God. He said a person lived and died. Nothing more. Whom did she believe? Gideon had been the only one who cared for her, the only brother who’d protected her.
“What if you have a brother, a good brother, who isn’t God-fearin'?”
“Same thing. God sticks close to those who trust Him. Better than a brother, who might be good or bad. But what the writer is talking about is a good brother.”
Could Gideon have been wrong? Bert let the words swim through her mind. She needed a friend she could trust, someone who’d not abandon her when the going got hard. He’d not be afraid of Simon, and he’d be bigger and more powerful.
“What if I wanted this friend?”
“God’s more than that, but you have to ask Him. He doesn’t come without an invitation.”
Bert carried those words inside her for the remainder of the afternoon and on into the evening. In the quiet of her room, she tried to remember what Leah, Bess, and Preacher Waller had said about trusting God. Leah said having God walk with her didn’t mean hard times wouldn’t come. It meant Bert didn’t have to walk the road alone. All the lonely nights while she shivered in the cold and listened for wolves filled her with an intense longing for a better life.
An incident with Davis came to mind. The boy had repeated a story Evan had told him. A mule wanted to be a horse in a bad way. He hated his ears and the way he had to work hard, when all he really wanted to do was run like the wind with the horses on the ranch. One day he refused to be hitched up to a plow. So the rancher couldn’t work the soil to plant wheat. When the winter winds blew and the cattle and horses weren’t able to graze, the animals had no grain to eat. The cattle, horses, and the mule grew very thin. Some even died. The farmer couldn’t take lean cattle to market. And the horses were too weak to run. The mule realized if he’d done his job, his friends would not be starving. He loved all the animals on the farm and considered running away. The rancher looked at all of the animals and told them how much he valued them. The mule vowed right then to always do his job. Every animal had a special purpose on the ranch, and if one failed to work, the others would suffer.
