The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [101]
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.”