The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [15]
“How old are you?”
Bert looked down at her toes peeking out from under Mama’s dress, then peered square into John’s face. “Seventeen.”
Mama gasped. Evan coughed. Aaron and Mark laughed. Davis appeared oblivious to what was going on. A hundred more questions marched across John’s mind like an army headed to battle.
“You could have told us the truth about your age.”
“Yes sir. I can be on my way so as not to cause any more problems. When I get to where I’m going, I’ll find work and send you the money I owe.” Bert gulped, and John read desperation into her words. “But I’ve already proved to you I can work hard.”
“You did,” John said. “With the garden coming in, I think you’d best help Mama. Davis can give us a hand outside.” Truth was he didn’t want Bert near his brothers. “That is, if we vote you should stay.”
“Then let’s get at it.” Evan had yet to take his eyes off her.
“Don’t you boys have any questions? Mama?” John didn’t like the way this was heading at all.
“I don’t have any questions for Bert, but I do have something to say. A few days ago, we agreed with John to let Bert work off a debt. As a boy, he’d been beaten and looked like he hadn’t eaten a good meal in a long time. The only thing that’s changed is Bert is a young woman—a little older than we thought. I’d welcome the help for the garden and some of the other chores inside and outside of the house that I haven’t had time to do.”
They all want her to stay. But how did he feel, other than frustrated and overwhelmed? Add deceived … “Well, let’s vote. Who’s for Bert staying?”
Every brother raised his right hand, and so did Mama.
John’s insides churned like curdled milk. “Looks like Mama has some extra help.”
“What about you?” Davis’s eyes were round—and far too innocent. “You didn’t vote.”
Wouldn’t have done me any good. John smiled. “Looks like all of you decided for me.” He continued to smile and focused on Bert. “Could we take a walk? Not long. The sun’s setting and tomorrow is the Lord’s day.”
“Do you need me to accompany you?” Mama asked.
“John isn’t courtin', Mama,” Evan said. “He’s only going to give Bert the rules.”
John braced himself for the teasing to come about Bert being a girl, and his brothers did not fail him. After all, he was a grown man. But his feelings about being duped made him furious.
Still … if he allowed himself to be completely honest, other unbidden feelings had stepped inside him and taken up residence. When he saw how different Bert looked in a dress, it reinforced a need to protect her from unscrupulous men like Leon or anyone else who’d want to abuse her. But he’d never admit that to his brothers — or Mama. He thought about taking her hand, politelike, and helping her down from the porch. Instead, he stuffed it in his jeans pocket. This little gal had a few questions to answer.
When the laughing stopped, Bert slowly stood. She trembled, and he almost felt sorry for her. Almost. She descended the porch steps, holding up her dress so as not to trip. He’d seen Mama do the same thing plenty of times. Why did Bert look, well, fetching doing the same?
The two walked toward the creek. That seemed a fittin’ place since the truth came to light in those rocky waters.
“I didn’t know how to tell you.” Bert’s voice cracked. “I was afraid. But I am beholdin’ to you for saving my life.”
Why hadn’t he been able to tell that soft voice came from a female? No point dwelling on it any longer. The milk had been spilled, so all he could do was clean up the mess.
“I’m concerned about my brothers fussin’ over you,” he said. “They aren’t used to a girl being around.”
“I’ll be respectful, like you said before.”
John needed to know a few things to protect his family. “Is the one after you a husband?”
She shivered. “Not at all.”
“A man lookin’ for you to be his?”
“No sir.” Her eyes widened.
I know fear when I see it. “Is the law after you?”
“I’ve never broken the law, at least to my knowledge. I’ve picked berries from other ranchers’ lands, fished from the streams, and caught a rabbit or two.”
“I don’t call those