by DiAnn Mills
Soft sobs and a gentle shudder caused him to wonder if he’d spoken too much too soon. Or if she had plans for her future that didn’t include him.
“I’m sorry to upset you.” John did his best to sound strong when inside his heart lay open.
“You haven’t made me sad, but happy. I love you—have for a long time.” Her stammered words served to enforce what was written in her eyes. “I’ve had feelings for you since you blew a hole through Leon’s hangman’s noose.”
“And I thought you were a boy.” He laughed. “Strange how one scraggly boy could blossom into one beautiful woman.”
“I think you’re wearing blinders, but I appreciate your words just the same.”
“They’re true.” He squeezed her lightly. “I’m looking forward to the long months of winter when we can get to know each other better.”
“Are you sure I should continue to stay here? Shouldn’t you take a family vote?”
“No one will want you to leave, especially me.” John resolved to make sure no one ever hurt his Ember Rose again.
CHAPTER 45
John made the early morning trek to the barn while Ember started breakfast. Since they’d talked three nights ago after Simon’s arrest, they’d grown closer. For the past few mornings, she’d risen from Mama’s room when she heard him in the kitchen. Together they read a passage from the Bible and prayed for each other and those they loved. John made a point to pray for Simon, Clint, and Lester; however, Ember hadn’t been able to mention her brothers. John silently prayed for the day when she could forgive them. He knew leaving the past behind was hard, especially when he was having a difficult time himself. Their early morning moments with God were special, a precious glimpse of what life with Ember could be like, and John didn’t care if his choice of words to describe it sounded poetic or like a moonstruck calf.
He entered the barn with a lantern in hand. Davis kept the stalls sweet smelling, always taking pride with his chores. Hard to tell what the future held for Davis, but he was young with lots of experiences ahead to form him into a man.
Last night, John kept Racer inside since he had a morning ride into Rocky Falls. He and Wirt planned to escort Simon to Denver. After the news about the man’s capture had reached the US Marshal’s office in Denver, several other warrants for his arrest mandated that he be taken to the state’s capital to stand trial. Warrants for the arrest of Clint and Lester circulated not only in Colorado but in neighboring states. John wanted them caught. They’d willfully broken the law and needed to face justice.
John whistled for Racer, but the horse didn’t respond with the familiar whinny. “Hey, boy. Are you ready for a ride this morning?”
He lifted the lantern and walked back through the barn to the far left corner. The stall door stood open, and Racer was gone. Rowdy lay on a pile of straw where the stallion had stood.
“Rowdy?” When the dog failed to respond, a feral groan escaped John’s lips while a mixture of grief, anger, and alarm consumed him.
John knelt at the dog’s side and tried to rouse him. When the dog didn’t respond, he bent his ear to his heart. A faint beat gave him hope. He eased his arms under Rowdy and felt for blood. Nothing. As he gently worked his hands around the dog’s body, he felt a huge knot on the back of his head.
Dear God, please let this poor animal recover. He’s never done a thing to deserve this.
He scooped Rowdy up into his arms and grabbed the lantern. Remembering his rifle propped against the porch wall, he felt defenseless against anyone who still might be lurking in the barn. He knew better than to be without his weapon, and his stupidity could get him—and his family killed.
But the horse thief was long gone, and Rowdy needed attention. A frightening thought passed through him. If someone had stolen Racer and hurt Rowdy, then he could have gotten into the house and hurt his family.
John took off on a run. He had to make sure Mama and his brothers were all right. He raced through the barn carrying Rowdy to the house.
Simon might be in custody, but he could have left standing orders.
Bert leveled a cup of flour with a table knife and dumped it into a bowl for the morning biscuits. A smoked ham sat on the sideboard for her to slice for breakfast. Peace flowed through her. No fears. No looking over her shoulder for a hand to clamp down on her body and spin her around. The nightmares of the past might always be with her, but they would not plague her future.
The door flew open, and John rushed in carrying Rowdy. One glance and she saw the family pet wasn’t moving. He laid the dog on the rug in front of the hearth and hurried back onto the porch. A second later the door slammed, and John’s ashen face greeted her, while his hand gripped his rifle.
Alarm took over. “What happened to Rowdy?”
John’s gaze darted first to her and Leah’s bedroom and then the loft. “Was Mama all right when you left her?”
What’s wrong? “I think so. She didn’t say anything or stir.”
“John, I’m fine,” Leah called from the bedroom. “What’s wrong?”
Without responding, he handed Bert the rifle. “Don’t hesitate to use this.” He hurried up the steep stairway that led to the loft, calling out his brothers’ names.
Leah appeared in the doorway with sleep still evident on her face. Her friend appeared as confused—and frightened—as Bert.
“I have no idea what John found or saw outside. But Rowdy’s hurt.”
Leah rushed to the dog’s side. “He’s breathing.” She looked to the stairway leading to the loft. “John, what’s going on?”
“In a minute,” he said.
“We’re fine,” Evan called. “We’re all here. Awake. What’s going on?”
“Racer’s gone, and whoever took him hurt Rowdy. He’s still alive, but he has a big knot on his head.”
“I’ll tend to him,” Evan said.
Bert gasped. Who would do such a thing? Couldn’t be Simon. Would Clint and Lester steal a horse?
Of course they would.
Carrying the rifle, she raced out the front door to the barn, ignoring Leah’s cries to be careful. She refused to stop until she reached Racer’s stall. In the darkness she sobbed. This was Simon’s doing. She recognized her brother’s vengeance and spite. He must have managed to leave orders with a man or men who feared Simon more than the law.
“Ember.” John’s voice rang from the rafters.
“I’m here. In Racer’s stall.” She heard his footsteps, but she couldn’t bear to face him, even in the dark. His arm wrapped around her shoulders. “I’m so sorry.” She longed to weep, but emotion would not bring Racer back. “Who do you think did this?”
“I have no idea,” John whispered. “As soon as daylight hits, I’ll ask Mark to look for tracks while I ride over to the Wide O. I want to see if Oberlander has his mare.”
“It’s a warning,” she said. “Meant to frighten us because of Simon.”
“You may be right. I can’t ride to Denver this morning with this going on.”
“That’s what they want. If you don’t go, then those out there have you right where they want.”
“You can’t mean I should leave all of you alone?”
“John, every one of us knows how to use a gun. Do your job, and let us mind the ranch.”
“What if something happens to one of you?”
“We could be hurt regardless of where you are.”
His arm tightened around her shoulder. “I’ve faced danger many a time, but I’ve never felt as helpless as I do right now. So many crimes, and just when I thought our troubles were over.”
A black picture of the past slipped into her memory. She understood what it meant to be helpless and afraid. “When Simon used to … I lived with this dark, empty feeling deep inside me. I wanted to be dead, fearing everyone knew my shame. Somebody stealing Racer and hurting Rowdy while we slept makes me feel the same way. Except this time I’m angry, and I’ll do anything to stop Clint and Lester — or wh
oever is behind this. No one is going to hurt those I love. Not as long as I have life and breath.”
CHAPTER 46
John arrived at the Wide O just as sunrise lit the horizon. He grieved for Racer, and fury had him locked outside of good sense. Deep-rooted bitterness for the unfairness dealt his family and friends was about to wipe out his control. During the ride, he’d attempted to force logic to rule his tongue and actions instead of the desire to render his own judgment for those responsible.
He blew out his anger in a heavy sigh. He had no idea who’d taken Racer, but he’d find out. The suspects—Clint and Lester Farrar—were nowhere to be found. The only other men who might have been a part of the lawbreaking were the Wide O’s two missing ranch hands.
Tying his horse to a hitching post, John mounted the steps to Oberlander’s front door and knocked hard. He remembered the harsh words that had passed between them in the ongoing struggle to find the cattle thieves. For a moment he believed all of his rage about Racer went into his fist.
The door flung open. Oberlander’s face registered surprise. “John, your knocking could have raised the dead.”
“With the mood I’m in, I could wake a graveyard.”
Oberlander’s brows narrowed. “This isn’t a social call, is it?”
“No sir. We need to talk.”
“Come on in, then.” Oberlander stepped back from the door.
“I’d rather find Queen Victoria.”
“Why? Do you have reason to believe my mare’s been stolen again?”
“Yes.” John summoned a calm composure, realizing the man before him valued his horses more than people. “Someone stole Racer last night, and if my suspicions are right, your mare may not be in her stall either.”
Oberlander rushed out the door to his stables with John beside him. The man hurried inside the building toward a rear stall. Flinging open a stall door, he uttered a deep guttural grief that John recognized as how he’d felt when he discovered Racer was missing.
Victor Oberlander swore. John stepped out of the stall and allowed the man his ranting. He’d considered using the same language—as heathen as it sounded.
When Oberlander emerged from the stall, hatred burned from the pores of his skin. “Any idea who’s stolen our horses?”
“I have a few suspects.”
“My missing ranch hands are at the top of my list.”
“Add Clint and Lester Farrar. Bob, Wirt, and I wanted to believe they’d left the territory. But that’s changed.”
“Stealing a man’s property is worth a hanging,” Oberlander said. “And I’d welcome the chance to do it. Queen Victoria’s been stolen twice, and she’s the finest horseflesh I’ve ever owned.”
John wanted to agree, except he valued a man’s life more than an animal’s. He had a feeling more men would die before this ended.
Leah stood on the porch while Evan coaxed Rowdy to open his eyes. Aaron, Mark, Davis, and Ember knelt beside the dog as the solemn scene unfolded in front of her. She’d shed more tears this morning than she’d done for a long time. Racer’s disappearance and Rowdy’s condition were like more bruises to a battered family. Right now all she could do was pray for Rowdy to fully recover and pray for Racer to be found.
This morning, John feared his family could have been harmed. When she thought about it, she realized the improbability of such a thing happening. But John had much on his mind. He’d been wild, frantic with the realization someone had stolen valuable property while the family slept.
How much could John handle with the evil surrounding them? They’d all thought it was over with Simon’s arrest. Now the situation had grown worse. She thought of how a cat played with a mouse before killing it … and the gut-wrenching fear accompanying those emotions made her physically sick.
She stared at the rifles lined up by the barn within easy reach. Glancing behind her, she viewed her own borrowed weapon close by. Oh, Lord, watch over my family. Help John, Bob, and Wirt find who is doing this. Please.
“Come on, Rowdy.” Davis stroked the dog’s side. “I know you can do it.”
A tear slipped from Leah’s eyes. Her baby boy loved that dog.
“Maybe he needs to sleep some more,” Mark said.
Evan nodded. “I’ll carry him back inside and keep watch. He took a nasty blow to the head, and it may take awhile for him to wake up.”
“Let’s feed the animals and do a few chores while we wait.” Aaron stood and caught Leah’s eye. “The time will pass quicker if we’re doing something.”
Good. They could work off their angst. Hopefully they’d talk and help each other. She grabbed her rifle and walked toward her family.
“Did you boys pray again for Rowdy and John?” she said.
They nodded.
“And I prayed John or Marshal Culpepper or Mr. Zimmerman finds Racer.” Davis’s young voice filled with conviction. “John loves Racer. He told me when Jesus comes again, He’ll be riding a horse like Racer, ‘cept that horse will be white.”
Had it been just the other night when they’d gathered in the parlor after supper? They’d laughed and enjoyed apple cobbler. Later Ember sang a new song. Taking a deep breath, Leah remembered the words.
Where do I go when life’s unfair,
When my heart aches
And the world’s cold?
Where do I hide from sin and shame,
When my heart aches
And the world’s cold?
Where do I go when life’s unfair?
I bathe my soul
In love and prayer.
Leah’s oldest son often refused the help of others, thinking he had to handle life all by himself. In many respects he was getting better. Ember’s presence had helped him understand that love was giving and receiving. But today, all of his family longed to help ease his sorrow, and she hoped he knew how very much they loved him.
CHAPTER 47
John couldn’t recall a time when Bob Culpepper had ever displayed anger, but when he heard what happened to John’s and Victor Oberlander’s horses, he rushed to his feet and stomped over to Simon’s cell. “Who else is behind this?”
Simon sneered. “Told you all hell was gonna burst open.”
Bob pointed a finger at Simon. “Shut up. Wirt and John can’t get you out of here fast enough.”
“I say hang him,” Oberlander said. “Why go through the formalities of a trial when we know he’s guilty?”
“Can’t do that,” Bob said. “But it’s tempting.”
Oberlander slumped in a chair across from Bob’s desk, red-faced and grim. Deep signs of an explosive temper were etched across his features. At least when the man shouted with language that belonged in the outhouse, John could read his feelings.
“I thought this had all been settled.” Bob’s words spat like sparks from a forest fire.
“I did too,” John said. “I found one set of boot prints and horse tracks, which means we’re looking at one more man.”
“A dead man,” Oberlander added. “Who’s out to get us, John? When I think about the cattle rustlings, killings, and now this, I wonder what we can expect next. Here I was ready to offer you a good price for your ranch.”
Strange. “I just bought land from you.”
“I know, but with all that’s been going on, I thought you might want to sell out and move to Denver near your Uncle Parker.”
“The 5T is not for sale.” John wanted to focus on the lawbreakers, not on selling land. “In my way of thinking, the Farrar brothers and possibly your missing ranch hands are continuing without Simon.” John could almost read Oberlander’s mind from the way his eyes hardened.
“Trouble started when that gal rode through on my horse.” Oberlander nodded at Simon. “His sister.”
“So you’re going to blame Ember for running away from her brothers and attempting to return your mare?” John swallowed his ire, realizing exchanging barbs wouldn’t solve the problem.
“You don’t know for
sure. Odd, how she’s still here and troubles keep mounting. You ought to think about where your fondness for her leads.”
John clenched his fists. Easy. “She’s been at my ranch, except for a couple of days spent with Miss Bess. Unless she can be at two or three places at one time, you need to back off your accusations.”
“She ain’t worth it.” Simon laughed. “Can’t trust her either. How do you know we didn’t plan for me to get arrested?”
“You—” Oberlander pointed his finger at John—"had better open your eyes to a gal who’s out to steal from all of us. What happens when she pulls the trigger on someone in your family? Is that what it will take to prove me right?”
John took a step forward. He’d taken enough threats and bad-mouthing.
“Slow down, John,” Bob said. “Fighting won’t solve this mess.” He glared at Oberlander. “Even if the man is talking through his rear.”
John turned heel and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Bob said.
“To find Wirt and tell him I’m ready to take the prisoner to Denver. We’ll be back in a couple of days.”
“Why’s he coming back once Farrar’s been delivered?” Oberlander’s face had reddened even more. John almost told him about Wirt and Mama. Almost. Except Oberlander’s next stop would be to convince Mama to marry him instead of Wirt.
“Unfinished business,” John said. “I suppose he’ll be here a while longer with what we found this morning.”
Oberlander’s features hardened. “We don’t need a US Marshal or any of their kind. I’ll pay men to chase down our stolen livestock.”
“Last time you said that, Leon Wilson ended up dead, and I was shot. No thanks. I’ll take my chances on those trained on how to find lawbreakers.”
Bob cleared his throat. “We need to find out if any of the other ranchers have been hit.”
John thought about the never-ending chores at the ranch, but he was needed more right there wearing a deputy’s badge and escorting the murdering cattle rustler to the proper authorities. The idea of his brothers and Mama and Ember carrying a rifle sat like a rock in his stomach. Being armed for impending danger because lawbreakers were on the loose was the difference between civilization and two-legged animals. If he thought about it long enough, worry would drive him crazy.
