The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [23]
Evan whistled. “I’ve waited a long time to be eighteen, and it doesn’t feel any different from any other birthday.”
John had watched a leggy boy turn into a man. “That’s a sign you’re getting old. In another year, you’ll be heading off to veterinary school in Fort Collins.”
“At last I’ll be learning how to doctor animals properlike. I’ve been thinking about starting sooner.”
“Sounds like a fine idea, which means you’d finish sooner.”
“My idea too. Do you suppose Bert will be around then?”
John shouldn’t have been surprised, the way his brother gawked at Bert at meals and in the evenings. “Who knows? She’s obliged to us until mid October.”
“Be nice if she’d stay on. Mama sure likes having her around. And Davis has been tied to Mama’s apron strings for too long.”
“I agree about our little brother. We need to have him doing more than feeding the chickens and helping around the house.”
“Wonder when her birthday is?”
“Mama’s is in January.” John knew exactly what Evan was referring to.
“I know that. I mean Bert. Wonder when she’ll be eighteen.” He pressed his lips together and gazed toward the house. “I don’t think she’s a horse thief.”
“I have my doubts. But until she feels comfortable enough to tell us what really happened, we’ll have to wait for the truth.”
“I’d like to think she’d feel good about telling me—”
“Any of us.” If today weren’t Evan’s birthday, John would sit him down and talk about planning the future—without a woman.
“Sure.” Evan breathed out a heavy sigh. “Have you ever felt something real special about a girl?”
How did he answer that? Be honest. “Yes, the beginnings of what could be called special.”
“What did you do about it?”
“Prayed for God to lead me on the right path.” Now that sounded like fatherly advice.
“Good advice for my birthday. I’ll do the same about Bert.”
Two brothers fallin’ for the same girl?
No, John wasn’t falling for anyone. His feelings rose out of nothing more than wanting to protect Bert—like when Leon wanted to string her up. He didn’t have time for any other nonsense.
Bert thought her insides were going to burst with jumping crickets. And all because she’d agreed to play the fiddle for Evan’s birthday. She’d spent the afternoon putting together a short song and hoped it was fittin'. Too many times, she’d observed Evan looking at her in a way he shouldn’t. She didn’t want to encourage him, especially since the time would come soon when she’d have to leave. John might skin her alive if she considered anything else.
The eldest Timmons brother puzzled her. Or rather she didn’t quite understand how being around him made her feel jittery—not afraid or excited, just something in between. Goodness, what was she to do?
For Evan’s birthday, Leah baked a milk cake and showed Bert how to mix the butter, flour, sugar and honey, eggs, and milk into a lovely smelling treat. From the whispers going on, the other brothers must have something special for him. How this family loved one another. Even when they bickered and exchanged punches, they always made up. So different, so very different from what she had experienced with Pa, Simon, Clint, and Lester.
Made her wonder if she’d fallen and bumped her head, and this place wasn’t real at all.
“Gift time,” Leah said once they’d all enjoyed huge slices of cake with wild strawberries and cream. “Let’s make our way into the parlor and do this proper.”
Evan sat on the sofa, which had arms artfully decorated with needlepoint cloths in pretty colors of blue, yellow, and green. The other boys gathered around on the floor and in chairs. Leah disappeared to her room and quickly returned with Evan’s new white shirt all neatly folded. “I thought you might be needing this when you visit the school in Fort Collins.”
Evan handled the shirt as though it were pure gold. “Thank you, Mama.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll take good care of it. John and I talked about me starting school this year instead of next.”
Leah smiled through her tears. “Oh, you’ll be a fine veterinarian.”
“I’ll need to ride to Fort Collins and take the entrance exams. This