The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [104]
Aaron studied a huge wasp’s nest attached to the stone by Leah and Bert’s bedroom window. “John says a man who breaks the law does so for money or power or both. Which would it be for your brothers?”
Good question. “I never thought about it.”
“Power could mean they break the law to show they can,” Aaron continued. “And that means they get more pleasure out of getting away with something than whatever’s stolen or done.”
Bert recalled her childhood. “We grew up hungry, always wanting food in our bellies. Made my brothers mean and want to fight. Pa said his boys were like lean wolves. They made him proud.” Made me sick.
“But you escaped.” Evan’s voice gave away his longing, and she refused to look at him.
“I could have been just like them. God must have had His hand on my life.” Was God there when Simon … “Simon did the talking and the planning and gave the orders. He got Clint and Lester to do what he wanted by reminding them other folks looked down on us. He said they turned their heads when we walked by ‘cause we were poor. Laughed at our dirty and torn clothes. He told them he brought self-respect back to the family and took care of them like they deserved.” She paused while the sound of Simon’s voice haunted her. “Odd how they believed him, but I knew he lied.”
“How’s come you’re different?” Davis said.
Goodness, Davis didn’t need to hear this conversation. She tossed her best stern look at the other boys that meant to hush them. She’d seen it from Leah many a time. “I’d like to think God smiled on me and pulled me out of the snake pit.”
“Yep. Me too,” the boy said.
“You’ve just heard grown-up talk,” she said. “Promise me you won’t be telling any of your friends at school about my brothers or what your brothers have said.”
His eyes widened. “No ma’am. I mean, yes, ma’am.”
“Thank you. Your friends will find out about bad men soon enough. You don’t need to be telling them before they’re ready.”
“You sound like Mama.” Mark laughed.
First good thing she’d heard all day. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Maybe you’re practicing for when you and John get married,” Mark said.
Ouch. Evan shouldn’t have heard that.
“Yeah, John may find he has a bossy wife.” Evan laughed, and when she whirled around to see if his words were sincere, she saw a sparkle in his eyes.
Relief swept over her. She smiled at him and brushed the hair from her eyes. She turned toward the wasp nest and where they all were standing. Making her way to Davis’s side, she took his hand and led him away. The boy stood much too close to the nest. “Wait until tonight to knock it down,” Bert said to the two pranksters. “No point in any of us getting stung because you two want to have fun at our expense.”
“See, I told you,” Mark said. “She’s practicing on us for when she’s married. Poor John. He’ll never have a minute of rest.”
She began to laugh, and it felt like all the worries of the day had been lifted. Leah peeked around the front porch, and from the look on her face she’d heard every word. And she was laughing too.
“I have great news,” Leah said. “Rowdy is awake, and he’s acting fine. Of course, he can’t tell us his head hurts. But he’s alive.”
Now if only John were here, so Bert would know he was all right.
CHAPTER 48
Ralph Hanson had been dead for about a week when Sparky McBride’s young son found him. John and Wirt wrapped his body in an old blanket from Mrs. McBride and borrowed a wagon from Sparky to take the body back to town.
John thought about Ralph’s sister. He’d write her a letter tonight and explain the circumstances as delicately as possible and ensure her that Ralph would receive a proper burial. Now he wondered if Oberlander’s other ranch hand was dead too. He and Wirt had combed the area and found nothing. So many questions and no answers.
Sure hated the boy had found the body. John had done the best he could to shelter Davis from the harsh realities of life. He’d be introduced to it soon enough.
One more reason to find out who was behind the crimes in Rocky Falls. A past conversation repeated