The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [113]
“That’s the plan. You don’t have a choice.”
“I don’t want to go with you.”
“You don’t have a say. We’re headin’ home once we’re done here.”
Her mind pushed Pa and his fiery temper to a faraway place she hoped never to venture again. If she couldn’t have a life with those she loved, she wanted no life at all.
“How is stealing the Timmonses’ cattle going to free Simon?”
“We’re guaranteed a lawyer to get him out.”
John wouldn’t even be around to protect his family or his livestock. He’d believe she had betrayed all of them and used them for her own gain. Her stomach twisted. He’d think she’d lied about her love for him.
Dear God, if You love my adopted family as I know You do, help them. I don’t care what happens to me. But help John and his family. Please.
CHAPTER 53
John and Parker spurred their horses toward the 5T. Mama should be there with Wirt, then the four of them could try to make some sense of Ember’s disappearance. Each time an image of Clint and Lester hurting her entered his mind, John pushed it away. Crazy ideas made a man forget his good sense, and he was nearly there. Other thoughts fed on his worries—like what Simon had done to Ember and what her brothers were capable of doing.
At the 5T, Wirt’s painted horse hitched to the post out front told him Mama did not have to pass the time alone. For the first time, he wished Davis was there too.
If only he’d open the door and find Ember inside, smiling up at him with a sparkle in her eyes meant only for him. She’d have a reason why Mama couldn’t find her and an explanation for the two men at the river. They’d take a walk and plan the future.
Foolish man. Accept it. You may never see her again—alive.
Wirt sat at the kitchen table with Mama. Both had full cups of coffee in front of them, and John failed to see any steam rising from the tops. Mama’s eyes were red, and if he weren’t a full grown man, he’d cry on her shoulder. Fear … a formidable thing.
“She hasn’t returned,” Mama said. “I keep waiting.”
John gave her a grim smile meant to reassure her and nodded at Wirt. “Parker told me what happened. I’m going to follow the tracks.”
“I’m going too,” Parker said. “Are any of the boys here?”
Mama shook her head. “They all went to drive the cattle back. I don’t expect them before tomorrow.”
“I’ll head their way,” Wirt said. “Hopefully I can find them in case … Perhaps hurry things along. I can find them in the dark.”
John understood what Wirt meant. Concern for his brothers also plagued his mind. He leaned on the table. “Mama, this means you’re going to be alone for a while. We’ll all do our best to get back here soon. In the meantime, keep the door locked and the rifle with you.”
She nodded. “Seems like I’m praying as much as I’m breathing.”
Wirt picked up Mama’s hand. “Without your prayers, none of us have a chance of finding Ember.”
With nightfall creeping in, Wirt left for the free range and summer pastures, and John and Parker led their horses to the garden to pick up Ember’s trail from the river.
Parker bent to the ground to study the tracks. “Doesn’t look like she struggled. Of course, he probably had a gun pointed at her.” He stood. “There’s where they crossed the river.”
Another thought crawled up John’s spine. Would she have gone willingly? But he shook it off. The two followed the trail until darkness stopped them, noting the men wasted no time in riding west toward the mountains.
Parker reined in his horse as the shadows danced off the rocky peaks. “We’re going to lose them.”
“I’ll start fresh in the morning.”
“We’ll both start fresh then. What are you thinking?”
John twisted in the saddle for a panoramic view of the countryside. Fall glistened all around them, the end of harvest and the steady march of winter. Some folks called winter the death season. Lifting his binoculars to his eyes, he searched for a sign of any man. But just like the past miles had indicated, the riders had seemingly disappeared into the foothills.
“I love her,” John said. “No point denying it. Except right now