The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [118]
What were a few more miles when he’d lost everything?
Without the cattle, Mama and Wirt had nothing to build a home and provide for his brothers. John would never agree to relinquish the 5T to a power-hungry man like Victor Oberlander. And he hoped Wirt wouldn’t either.
And Ember … he wanted to hate her. All the good he’d seen and the sweetness were a mask for the evil in her heart. John shivered with anger so intense that he realized its fervor matched the fury of nature around him. How could God allow this to happen? Or was this punishment for not seeing through Ember’s lying ways? He’d fallen in love with a woman who’d set out to use him. John stiffened in the saddle. He didn’t understand how God could allow him to be deceived. The need, the vengeance to go after the men—and the woman—who had stolen his cattle stalked him like a lone, hungry wolf. They were about to meet the end of his smoking gun.
CHAPTER 55
John followed the tracks of cattle and shod horses toward the canyon, its narrow entrance hidden by rock. The thieves would have a difficult time herding cattle through the narrow opening and down into the canyon, but once inside, the area opened wide.
He dismounted and led his horse through the canyon opening. Squeezing the rifle in his hand, he was ready to use it, itching to take revenge. Rain poured from the rim of his hat and off his slicker while thunder cracked with ear-piercing closeness. Standing behind a slab of rock that jutted out like an old man’s knees, John bent to study the canyon where he remembered it widened to a copper and gray stone corral. He brought his binoculars to his eyes. This was the site where his pa had taken him years before. They’d climbed down the gradual descent amazed at the beauty of rock streaked with gray and copper color. But not today.
Today the canyon was filled with his cattle and those of his friends.
In the distance, he saw Racer. So had Ember chosen to ride his stallion like she’d ridden Oberlander’s mare?
About two hundred feet from where he crouched, four men stood at strategic points ready to defend the canyon. He searched for anymore men. A small, slumped figure caught his attention and would not let him go. He held his breath. Ember huddled down in the rain with her back against the rock.
Her hands were tied.
Not what he expected from one who’d assisted cattle rustlers. He couldn’t see her face … Inching closer, he had to see if she was all right. How could he love her and want her behind bars at the same time?
“When’s this storm gonna stop?” a man cursed. “All we need is a rush of water running through this canyon and causing a stampede.”
“Stop your bellyachin'. It’ll quit soon.”
“Good. I’m hungry.”
“Lester. You’re an idiot. We ain’t buildin’ no fire here.”
Lester. Ember’s brother.
“Aw, we ain’t had no good cookin’ since Bert stole Simon’s mare.” He pointed toward the herd. “At least we got the stud horse.”
“It’s her fault we’re holed up in this canyon. She told Timmons about Simon and got him arrested.” The man turned toward Bert and delivered a kick to her thigh. She tumbled over, but she didn’t cry out. “She’ll get her due.”
John winced. Dear Lord, what have I done? His heart thudded against his chest, and his face flushed hot. He’d been wrong; he’d accused, judged, and destroyed Ember Rose without knowing the truth. He’d taken off like a foolhardy kid who thought he had the answers to everything.
The rain beat down harder in time to the misery consuming his soul. Should he attempt to free her or head back for help? Another man emerged from the shadows. Five men against one, and they were all armed. A part of him wanted to believe God would help, but why should He when earlier John had questioned God’s hand in all that had happened?
God, forgive me. I didn’t know. He remembered when Ember said she’d