The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [124]
Clint snickered and raised his revolver.
“Do it,” Ember said. “You’re the one who’ll have to live with all the murdering.”
A rifle shot echoed through the canyon, and then another. Clint and the other men grabbed their weapons and raced toward the incline of the narrow rock entrance.
Leah and her sons had taken positions inside the mouth of the canyon so their rifle fire sounded like more than four people. But when she heard Wirt’s voice behind her, she realized Davis had flown like the wind to find them.
“I’m here,” Wirt repeated. “Parker’s with Evan. And Davis is back with the horses.”
Later she’d cry. Right now, she had a son in trouble and a battle to win.
“You’re surrounded by US Marshals,” Wirt called, his voice booming around them. “You men had better put down your guns and walk on out here with your hands up.”
“We got John Timmons and Bert. Sounds like you’d better be the ones to back off, or we’ll kill them both.”
Ember?
“We’re no fools,” Wirt said. “You plan on killing them no matter what we do.”
A coarse laugh from inside the canyon told Leah that Wirt was right.
“Let Ember go,” John said, and Leah stifled a cry.
A man swore, letting them know what he thought of John’s request. Leah saw a shadow above her as Mark and Aaron crawled up and over rock. Oh, God, protect my sons. She saw where the two could slip down undetected. Rifles in hand, they inched closer to the men inside. Where was Parker? We have to free John. We have to.
“Name who’s behind this, and the law will go easier on you,” Parker said. “No point in all of you hanging to protect one man.”
“I don’t believe you.” A different man responded. Perhaps the two were Ember’s brothers.
“It’s the truth,” Wirt said, creeping farther into the canyon and hiding behind rock. “We want who’s started all the trouble. Is it Victor Oberlander?”
Leah wanted to aim her rifle at any of the men who might attempt to harm her sons. Frantic, her gaze darted back and forth. She couldn’t protect them all. Only God could keep them safe.
“What makes you think Oberlander’s behind this?” said the second man.
Wirt laughed. “You’re on his land, and my guess is some of you are his ranch hands. Do you think he’d risk his neck for any of you?”
Leah understood Wirt and Parker were stalling for time, and yet her heart pounded for her sons who’d managed to get closer.
Rifle fire echoed around the canyon. Evan, Wirt, and Parker rushed inside. Leah followed, ready to end the life of anyone who attempted to harm her sons.
Bert bent next to John and feverishly untied the knots binding his hands. She hadn’t seen the men hiding in the shadows to rescue them, but she’d recognized Mr. Zimmerman’s and Mr. Timmons’s voices. John’s prayers had been answered, but they weren’t rescued yet.
Her attention swung to Clint with the understanding he’d not be taken alive, and he’d take anyone he could with him. She glanced back at John, fearing for him.
“I warned you.” Clint aimed his rifle at John. “Timmons is a dead man.”
Bert screamed and rushed toward her brother. White hot fire knocked her backwards. And blackness overtook her senses.
CHAPTER 58
All John could see was blood. Ember’s blood. He leaped to her body while another shot sent Clint sprawling to the canyon floor. He’d not move again.
“Ember.” His words breathed out into a prayer. He knelt beside her and attempted to wipe away the blood pouring from her left shoulder. She didn’t answer him. Neither did she look to be breathing. Quiet. Still. No, God. Please. He leaned his ear to her chest. A faint heartbeat, like a distant mantel clock, met his ears. Could one so frail survive this?
“John.” Evan’s voice shook him, and John realized his brother had been the one to shoot Clint. “Let me see if I can help.”
Every nerve in his body stood at alert while emotion spilled through him. “Yes, please. Ember’s hurt bad.” He moved so Evan could tend to her.
Evan wrapped his arm around John’s shoulder. “I’ll do what I can until we get her to Doc Slader’s.”
All John could do was nod. Evan gently