by DiAnn Mills
Wirt glanced at the empty cell. “Where is he now?”
“John and I, along with some other men, rode out to where we heard he was hidin’ out. He opened fire and was killed.”
Wirt gave John a calculated stare, as though he knew just the right moment to peer into John’s soul. “So that’s how you were wounded?”
“It is.” John turned his attention back to Bob. He still felt stupid about not listening to him the day Leon shot him.
“While John was recovering, he figured out Leon couldn’t have shot him from inside the cabin due to the angle the bullet entered his left arm.”
“That was a sure way to shut Leon up.” Wirt paused. “What did Oberlander’s ranch hands have to say about it?”
“A couple of them rode with us. None of them cared for Leon. Claimed he was a loner, drank too much, and liked to fight. I asked them if Leon mentioned another man or men working with him to get even with Oberlander, but they believed he worked alone.”
“Which he obviously didn’t.” Wirt poured the coffee into two mugs. “Do you trust those hands?”
Bob shrugged and shifted his huge frame in the small chair. “Don’t have a reason not to. One of them opened fire when John was shot. None of them have ever been in trouble. John here can tell you more about Leon, since he had dealings with him that led up to him getting fired.”
John inwardly moaned. But if they were going to catch the cattle rustlers, then Wirt needed to know about Bert. Not a subject he felt comfortable discussing. But he must. “Just before the rustlin’ started, I was riding over to see Oberlander when one of his hands stopped me. Leon and two other Oberlander men were going to hang a boy for stealing a mare. The horse happened to be a prize mare belonging to Oberlander. I stopped the hanging and later took the boy to my ranch. A few days later, Oberlander and Leon brought the mare to the 5T to breed with my stallion. Leon still smarted from our dealings, and when he learned the boy he’d tried to hang was really a girl, he got even madder. His reaction is what got him fired. He rode off and threatened both of us.”
Wirt set the coffee in front of John and sat down. “Where is the girl now?”
“At my ranch. She claims to have been traveling for about six months. Won’t tell any of us where she came from, but someone’s chasing her. Whoever he is has her scared to death. She told me a few nights ago that ‘he’ has stolen and killed. She called him a snake.”
Wirt toyed with the handle of his cup, his attention obviously focused on John’s words. “How old is this girl?”
“Seventeen. She claims the one following her is not a husband or a man wanting her for those reasons.”
“Hard to believe she was working with Leon when he tried to hang her. Unless he planned to double-cross her.”
“Could be.” John recognized his own defensive attitude about Bert. “By the time I got there, he’d beaten her pretty bad.”
“What’s her name?”
“She goes by Bert—no last name. Her given name is Ember Rose. I had Bob check around the area to see if anyone knew her, and I wired Parker for the same.”
“Anything turned up yet?” Wirt glanced at Bob.
“Nope. John here doesn’t think she’s involved, but I have my suspicions. When I questioned her, she acted like a scared rabbit. That could have been an act, but the fella she’s tryin’ to avoid is probably our thief.”
“Do you mind if I talk to her?” Wirt swung his attention between both men, then back to John.
“Guess not.” John’s insides swirled. “On the way, we could stop at Victor Oberlander’s ranch, the Wide O.”
“Good. I have a couple of other questions before we ride. Could I have a list of those ranchers who’ve reported stolen cattle?”
“Got it right here.” Bob pulled a piece of paper from his drawer. “We’ve looked for a pattern. Nothing. And the tracks always indicate the cattle were driven toward Denver. But that’s it. A lot of canyons between here and there.” Bob handed the list to Wirt.
“What about those ranchers who haven’t had problems?” Wirt glanced down at the names.
“Are you thinking the thief might be someone we know?” Bob’s brow arched, and John saw the challenge. “We’ve talked to ranchers and hands and everyone else in between.”
“I’m sure you have.” Wirt’s calm, in-control tone was a new trait that John respected. “Later when I’m thinking through all the things you’ve told me, I want to be sure I’ve asked all the right questions. I know you’ve done your job.”
Tension hung in the air like a pendulum that had forgotten how to swing. Bob finally nodded. “At the bottom of the list of names are those ranchers who haven’t lost any cattle. All the ranchers have taken into account the open range and summer pastures.”
“Do you have any idea why these ranches haven’t been hit?”
“The thieves would have to ride over open range south. Too easy to detect.” Bob tipped his chair back and grabbed the coffeepot on the stove. After pouring a mug of strong brew, one he’d declared a few moments before he didn’t want, he pulled a map from his stuffed desk drawer. “John or I can show you where the ranches are located.”
“Thanks. I’d like to talk to all of them,” Wirt said. “I’d prefer meeting them face to face. Would one of you have time to ride with me tomorrow and get started on this?”
Bob smiled at John. “Do you mind?”
John hid a smirk, knowing Bob didn’t want the job of showing Wirt around. “No problem. I could introduce you.”
“Can we get started early in the morning?”
“Just name the time. I’m not expected home for a few days.”
“Six o’clock? I plan to stay at the hotel. Is Widow Bess still there?”
“She is,” John said. “Feisty as ever.”
“Oh, I remember.” Wirt finished his coffee. “I’d like to take my horse to the livery and see about a room at the hotel.”
The men stepped outside into the brilliant sunlight. Bob rubbed the left side of his chest, something John had noticed a lot of late. He followed them out onto the boardwalk and tossed a grin John’s way. That lopsided smile meant the joke was on John. He’d have to put up with Wirt Zimmerman until the man proved his mettle.
Bob Culpepper was the stabilizer here, since he seemed as timeless as the mountains. What a threesome. For sure, working with Wirt Zimmerman would be interesting.
John swung up onto his saddle, still feeling the awkwardness of grabbing the saddle horn with his right hand. But this time he had a better attitude.
Soon they’d have those thieves and murderers behind bars.
Soon he’d convince Mama she didn’t need Victor Oberlander.
And soon he’d get the truth out of Bert, and Evan would back down from pursuing her.
“I saw your mama earlier today,” Wirt said as the horses trotted toward the livery. “She looks as pretty as a picture. Just like I remember.”
John gritted his teeth.
CHAPTER 33
Leah sensed heat rising up her neck and flooding her face.
Drowning sounded like a sweet escape from two of the men seated around her table. Why ever did John bring Wirt and Victor to the 5T? Just like hungry boys who picked and teased at each other, Wirt and Victor talked and joked, each attempting to secure her attention while she and Ember dished up berry cobbler and poured fresh coffee.
She sensed their intense study of her, as though she were some filly. Make that a mare. In any event, she didn’t welcome their gawking. What did they want her to do? Open her mouth so they could check her teeth? Mercy, grown men could be so bothersome.
Smoothing her apron and slipping one of her many wayward curls behind her ear, she handed Ember a bowl of cobbler to set before one of the men. The girl looked as ready to crumble as a brittle leaf in fall. Every man in the room had questioned her about the cattle rustling. Maybe later they could both laugh about this humiliating situation.
Mercy, why couldn�
�t they have discussed their business at Victor’s? The Wide O had a much bigger and fancier parlor, with a servant. Leah had seen the fancy dishes that had been Victor’s grandmother’s from Germany.
Victor sat the closest to her—the man who never ceased to voice his devotion and his desire to court her. At his right sat Wirt, whose marriage proposal she refused three years ago because of his dandy ways. And poor John, who was dancing to the tune of protecting his mama from both men and holding down a discussion about the best way to catch the cattle rustlers and clear Ember’s name.
If adversity bred character, then she and John already had their mansions in heaven.
“Miss Ember, are you sure you can’t help us?” Wirt said, after thanking her for his cobbler.
Ember stared straight at him, with no looks of helplessness cast at Leah or John. “Sir, I have no idea where the cattle are or where to find the rustlers.”
“What about who’s behind the stealing?” Wirt stood, and Bert took a step back. “Miss, you’re shaking. I didn’t set out to frighten you, only to see if you might know something that would help us. Why not sit here before you fall. Are you ill?” He pointed to his chair. “I’ll help Miss Leah with the cobbler and coffee.”
Leah caught a granitelike stare from John.
Ember took the offered chair. “If I could answer your questions, I would.”
John reached over to take Ember’s hand, and this time Leah nearly gasped. Lord help them all if Evan walked in.
“I know you’re afraid of a man. I know that person is capable of some bad things. I know you’re too scared to give us his name, but we’re your friends. And we’ll protect you.”
Ember continued to tremble, but her gaze focused on John. Leah could see she did care about him very much. If the girl could tell any of them what she knew, it would be John.
“I can’t,” she whispered. “He and those with him would find a way to kill all of you.”
“You don’t think the men of this town could stop them?”
“I’m afraid who’d be killed. Maybe he’s gone since you can’t find the cattle.”
“Do you really think that?”
Ember sighed. “I’d like to believe he’d never strike here again.”
The door opened and Evan stepped in with Aaron. He nodded at Bob. “Marshal Culpepper, I’m glad you’re here. You too, Mr. Oberlander. Aaron and I found a body on the land John bought from you. It’s one of your hands—Ted Hawkins.” He shifted and his gaze took in John and Ember’s hands woven together like two fishing worms. “A horse was grazing close by, and I assume it was his. Has the Wide O brand. So I have Mr. Hawkins and the horse.”
Victor’s face wore the lines of hard work and worry. “Any idea what happened?”
“Bullet in the head, sir. In fact, Aaron and I heard the gunfire and rode to investigate.”
Bert stood on the front porch beside Leah while the men lifted Ted Hawkins’ body from his horse. Numbness swept over her, and all she could feel was the agony of what Simon had done to others, and the pounding question in her brain about whether he had done this too.
She remembered the old man who’d done his best to talk Leon out of hanging her. If Leon were not dead, she’d assume he’d shot Mr. Hawkins.
The sensation of being in a fog vanished, and in its wake came a throbbing in her temples and pain that swept throughout her body. Tears filled her eyes, not only for Mr. Hawkins, but for others who had befriended her before their lives ended.
“He tried to save my life.” She folded her arms over her chest. “In fact he did, since he found John. If not for Mr. Hawkins, I’d be cold in an unmarked grave.”
Leah wrapped her arm around Bert’s waist. “Those men out there will find who is threatening our lives. I have faith in their abilities and know that God is a God of justice.”
Bert nodded and wiped away the wetness on her cheeks. “I wish my faith were stronger. But this — “ She pointed to those gathered around Mr. Hawkins’ body “—proves what was often said to me.”
“What, Ember?”
“I destroy everything I touch or care about. I can’t stay here, no matter how much I want to or how much I owe John.” She started to say “love John” but to voice it meant her feelings were real.
“Look at me.” Leah touched her cheek.
Bert hesitated before she complied. At times she feared Leah or John could see to the depths of her soul.
Leah caught her gaze. “You called on the name of Jesus and stepped into eternal life—a life now and forever that is blessed. Anyone who said this to you lied to manipulate and control you.”
Bert admitted Simon’s words and actions had done those very things. She shivered in the late afternoon heat. From her earliest memories, Simon had lashed out at her with his fists and his tongue. Only Gideon had stepped in to stop him. Then he died. Mr. Hawkins stepped in, and now he was dead. What about John? Leah? And the other Timmons boys?
“I want to believe you. And from what you and Miss Bess have told me about God, I know He’s supposed to be looking after me. But who will look after those who try to help me?”
“Pray for God to protect your loved ones. Ask Him to stop the man who holds you captive.”
“I am,” Bert whispered. “And I will continue. I … I have no choice.”
Leah kissed her cheek. “You can’t carry this burden yourself. All of us here want to help.”
“I know. Perhaps I should pray for courage.”
“An excellent idea.” Leah smiled. “We will weather this.”
But Bert was not so sure. Had Simon killed Mr. Hawkins, and if he did, why?
CHAPTER 34
John pulled the rope taut, securing a dead tree to a pair of mules. Now he and his brothers would take the walk back to the house where they’d chop it up for wood. The long cold months ahead weren’t far away, and he wanted more than an ample supply. Heavy blizzards would blow in from the mountains and keep them inside for a few days or a week at a time. The tree had fallen some years before and had reached its prime for burning. It would keep them warm and provide many a good cook fire.
Two weeks had passed since Ted Hawkins’ murder and not one incident of cattle rustling had occurred. Neither had Ted Hawkins’ killer surfaced. Some folks claimed he was involved with the rustling, but John knew better. Ted Hawkins lived the difference between right and wrong. The man had the respect of Oberlander and the other ranch hands of the Wide O. Hawkins had no doubt been privy to information that would put the guilty thief in a bad position.
John refused to believe the lawbreakers had escaped capture. He spent a few days with Bob and Wirt scouting for missing cattle and searching out remote areas of the foothills and beyond for the thieves. Nothing. The rustlers and the cattle had seemingly disappeared.
A man or men had lined their pockets with money from stolen livestock.
Wirt wired Denver and alerted authorities to be looking for cattle carrying many of the ranchers’ brands. Of course, the thieves could have already changed the brands before driving the herd to market.
John massaged his arm. Although he’d tossed the bandage protecting his arm, it didn’t take much work to get it sore and aching again. His constant striving to make sure every chore and responsibility around the farm was completed to perfection had slid downhill while he mended.
“Let me lead the horse,” Mark said. “Give that arm a chance to rest.”
“It’s healing fine.” But John stepped back and allowed Mark to take over. “You’re probably right. It won’t heal as long as I work it.”
“Yeah, we need you with two good arms.” Mark grinned, always the happiest when he was outside working.
Evan tightened the rope on a second dead tree. He motioned for Aaron to take the bridle and lead the horse toward home. “You sure it’ll be all right for me to leave for a couple of days?”
“Yes sir.” John said, more than anxious for his brother to start his studies.
“I’m kinda excited about visiting the school,” Evan continued. “But I’m nervous about the entrance exams.”
Mark pretended to choke. “You who had perfect marks in school? The school will be asking you to teach.”
Hold on to these times. Someday we’ll all be grown men.
The walk home would take an hour, but the time allowed all of them to talk. Davis raced up beside Evan, no doubt wanting the older brother to tell a story. While Evan’s voice raised and lowered with the familiar tale about a bear who could not find a home for the winter, John’s thoughts trailed in another direction. He had a new situation to consider, and he refused to call it a problem—yet. Wirt Zimmerman and Victor Oberlander vied for Mama’s attention. Fortunately, she wasn’t giving in to either of their pursuits. But John saw the look in her eyes when Wirt came calling. She’d invited him to supper a few times for the sake of friendship, and she hadn’t extended the invitation to Victor Oberlander. At least Wirt hadn’t asked John for permission to court. If John pondered the possibility of Wirt and Mama finding love, he welcomed that union before a relationship with the owner of the Wide O. A fine house and fancy clothes made life comfortable, but he wanted Mama to love a man who loved God more than anything else.
Sometimes John’s desire to pursue his own dreams floated to the top. Thoughts of a life with Ember stayed with him. But what if he learned things that turned him against her? He shoved away the rising number of questions with no answers, realizing the futility of it all.
Sometimes he believed God didn’t want to answer him, so why continue to ask for direction?
“Then the bear stood on his haunches and saw a cave far off in the mountains—beyond the foothills of Rocky Falls and beyond the mountains outside of Estes Park. There, when his belly was full of nuts, berries, and fresh fish from the streams and rivers, he’d sleep the whole winter. No one would tease him about being a small bear, because when spring came again and melted the snow, he’d be the biggest bear of all.”
