The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [125]
“I’ll ride for Doc Slader,” Mark said, and took off at a run. “He’s still at the High Plains taking care of Mr. Culpepper.”
Evan removed his shirt and ripped it into bandages. Life continued on around John, but he failed to pay attention. All of his senses focused on Ember and watching her take short, shallow breaths.
“Hey, brother. What can I do?”
John tore his gaze away from Ember to see Aaron standing beside him. As if shaken in a dream, it occurred to him that Evan, Aaron, and Mark had helped Wirt and Parker. “Why … why are you all here?”
“You know Mama and her feelins'.” Aaron bent beside him. “She said you were in trouble and needed help. Told us to get our horses and rifles. Then sent Davis to town to find Uncle Parker and Wirt.”
John looked about. Clint and Lester Farrar lay in a puddle of blood, no doubt dead. Three other men were staring at the end of Uncle Parker’s and Wirt’s rifles. Mama had a rifle on a fourth man.
“How did she know I was here?”
“She said her and Pa used to explore these canyons.”
“Praise God,” he whispered and studied Ember’s pale face. “Victor Oberlander is behind the cattle rustling and murders. Simon and his brothers were working for him.”
“Wirt will make sure Oberlander gets his due,” Evan said, his focus on wrapping his torn shirt around Ember’s wound.
“Good thing it’s not up to me. He confessed to all of it.” John picked up Ember’s hand, so small. “Evan, tell me how she’s doing.”
“We’ll get her fixed up,” Evan said. “You know your Ember. She’s a fighter.”
“I want to believe so.”
“Good. ‘Cause I want to be there when you two get married.”
John smiled while choking back the tears. “I’ll need a best man.”
“Deal. Like Mama, I think you two should get married at Thanksgiving too.”
“Did you hear that, Ember?” John said with a light squeeze to her hand. “Evan’s agreed to be best man at our wedding. Fight hard. Please.”
Hours later, Ember laid on a bed at the High Plains Ranch.
John held her hand and watched Doc Slader fight to save her life.
“I’ve got the bullet.” Doc wiped beads of sweat from his forehead. “Keep praying, and I’ll stitch her up.”
“She’s got to live,” John said.
Doc wiped blood from his hands. “I think she has a fighting chance of pulling through this.”
A finger moved in John’s hand, and that’s when he knew his Ember would live. They would have a life together.
CHAPTER 59
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
Ember burst into the marshal’s office waving a letter. She tingled with excitement. “I have something for you.”
John lifted a brow with a half smile that she recognized as meaning more than brief amusement. “Mrs. Timmons, what are you suggesting?”
“No, not that.” She blushed red, knowing how he felt about their intimacy. “This is the letter you’ve been waiting for.”
Laughing, John stood and gathered her up into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Now what could be more special than this?”
“I have to agree, but the letter’s from Austin, Texas, for Marshal John Timmons.”
She put the letter behind her back. “I think I’d like a kiss, please.”
“I just gave you one.”
“Delivery charges.” She giggled.
He planted a kiss on her forehead, nose, and lips. “Thought you might like a few extra for your trouble.”
She handed him the letter, hoping and praying it was good news. Parker had written the school on John’s behalf to recommend him for their law program. Since then Bob Culpepper had retired, and John had been voted in as town marshal.
John opened the envelope and lifted the letter from inside.
“It’s good news. I know it is.” She stood on tiptoe to read it over his shoulder. But he hid it from her.
She watched his face while he read the contents. Not one trace of emotion revealed what the letter stated. For a moment she feared the worst. John folded the letter and placed it back into the envelope. He caught her eye. Still nothing