The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [28]
One more reason to leave the Timmons ranch.
John was surprised Victor Oberlander lingered at the ranch after he sent Leon packing. Racer and Queen Victoria were getting along fine, so there wasn’t any reason to stick around.
“Is Miss Leah around?” Oberlander stared at the house.
Misgiving crept across John’s mind. “Yes sir. She’s inside, most likely baking bread.”
Oberlander had the same moonfaced look that Evan had when he looked at Bert. What was happening to this family? John had paid no mind to the many times his neighbor made a point of speaking to Mama on Sunday mornings and making sure he either sat with them in church or close by. Now it all made sense—and John didn’t like it one bit.
“I’d like to say hello to your mama if you don’t mind. Just to be sociable.”
“She’ll want to offer you a glass of cool water or fresh buttermilk.” John wrestled with being hospitable or asking Oberlander about his intentions. No one had appeared interested in Mama’s company since Pa died. Oh, a US Marshal had written her for a while, but his letters stopped coming about three years ago.
Oberlander seemed like a decent fellow, but this was John’s mother. Earlier conversations with the rancher about women pelted his mind like fist-sized hail.
“Water sounds good.” Oberlander took a few steps, then turned to John. “Your mama’s a fine woman.”
“That she is.” Right then John decided he didn’t like any man thinking about his mama in the same terms he thought about Bert.
“She shouldn’t work so hard. A woman like her needs an easier life.”
John sensed heat rising up his neck. “We all work together here. Bert’s been a big help.”
Oberlander studied him. “I don’t mean any disrespect, son. Just making an observation.”
I’m not your son. Neither do I have any notion to be related to you.
Oberlander tipped his hat. “I’ll be greeting Miss Leah now.”
John watched the big man saunter toward the front porch with feelings as varied as the different shades of rock in the distant mountains. For a moment he thought Oberlander looked skittish. Was Mama aware of the man’s interest?
Evan made his way to John’s side. “Is he wanting to court Mama?” The words sounded incredulous, but John knew the answer.
“Why do you say that?”
“Ever watch how he looks at her on Sundays?”
Mama seemed happy with the way life was. Didn’t she? “Never paid any attention.”
“That’s your problem.” Evan spit his answer like a man with a chaw of tobacco in his mouth. “All you think about’s the ranch.”
John focused his attention on Oberlander. He didn’t know which was worse—Mama courtin’ or Evan chasing after Bert. The two problems continued to pick at him.
He paused in his thinking when Mama opened the door and smiled at Oberlander. She was simply being neighborly. If Oberlander returned with no purpose but to call on her, then John would step in. As head of the household, he needed to protect Mama from getting hurt or letting some man take advantage of her.
“I’m going to take Bert a drink of water,” Evan said. “She’s been working in the garden for a long time. Wouldn’t want her to get sick from the heat.”
John frowned. This matter he could handle. “I’ve noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time around her.”
“Maybe so. She’s right pretty. Works hard too. Makes a man think about the future.”
John wanted to take a swing at him. “What about your schooling? This isn’t the time to worry over a girl — especially one you don’t know a thing about. You have years ahead of you after schooling to consider a woman.”
“I know enough about Bert to make a good decision.”
John dug his fingernails into his palms. This was worse than he suspected. Much worse. “Are you two sneaking off when I’m not around?”
Evan snapped his attention John’s way. “Now when would we sneak off? I happen to take what I do around here seriously, big brother. And in case you’re blind, you and I work side by side.”
John swallowed a shovelful of regret. “You’re right. Don’t know why I accused