The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [35]
“Yes sir.” She glanced at Mama and then at John. “I could lie, but that’s not right.”
“Then give me your name, where you came from, and why you were riding Victor Oberlander’s mare.”
Bert stiffened. “Can’t do that. All I can say is I’ve never had a hand in stealing horses or cattle.”
John bent down and took her hand. She trembled. “I don’t believe you had a thing to do with this. But Marshal Culpepper and I need a few answers.”
Bert glanced down at the hand around hers. “I can’t tell you my last name or where I’m from. If it wasn’t for owing John money, I’d not be around here.”
“Or hanged.”
She startled. “Yes sir. You’re right.”
“Whoever you’re protecting isn’t worth it. Looks to me like they left you to take a hangman’s noose.”
Bob spoke the words that had rolled around in John’s head for days. More than once he’d considered talking to Mama about it, but why cause her to fret? Sometimes his mama spent more time worrying about one of them than she did breathing. Yet he knew Bert was afraid of something or someone—and she was ready to die for him. Who could have such a hold on a person? Another man? John would be a fool to think otherwise.
Still on one knee and holding her hand, John faced her squarely. “Bert, any man who’d let another person die for him is dirt. I don’t care who he is or what he means to you.”
Bert swallowed hard and shook her head. “You don’t know what you’re sayin'.”
“So you’re protecting another man?”
“I don’t know a thing about the stolen cattle.”
“Looks like I’m right, you — ”
“John, I swear I don’t know a thing about the cattle.”
He pressed his lips together while noting the fear in her eyes. Had this man she protected ever held her or told her she was beautiful? Had anyone ever told her not to be afraid? Given the right circumstances, he’d welcome the chance to protect her. And with no logic or proof to back up her innocence, John believed Bert wasn’t a part of the thievery. But he also realized with every bit of strength in him that she knew who was behind the missing cattle.
“You’re lying to me.” His voice sounded gentle even to him. “At this point, we don’t have missing cattle. What do you think the other ranchers will say about the 5T cattle being safe and accounted for? What will it take to break through your stubborn head? I hope it’s not someone getting shot or killed.”
The fear in her eyes changed to terror. What thoughts kept her paralyzed?
John released her hand and stood. His mother whisked away a tear. “I’m leaving with Bob, and I’ll be gone a few days. Send one of the boys into town if you need me.” He swung his attention back to Bert. “Don’t leave the ranch. As I’ve said before, if you leave, I’ll come after you. Not for what you owe me, but because Bob and I are sure you know something about what’s going on.”
CHAPTER 15
Leah forced a shaky smile for John. If she protested his leaving with Marshal Culpepper, then bad feelings were sure to simmer between them until he returned. She remembered sending Frank off to Rocky Falls the day he was killed. She didn’t want to think about it, but the memory hammered against her thoughts every time John rode off to help the marshal. Her heart felt like it would break at the slightest hint of turmoil. Cattle thieves were deadly, just like the outlaws who had gunned down Frank. She believed God had all of her sons safely tucked in his arms. Trust was such an expensive commodity. It took her body and soul to hold her faith together.
She believed her oldest son—the rock of the family—had sincere affection for Ember, and his attempt to prod the truth from her in a gentle fashion proved it so.
Evan and Mark knew about the cattle rustling too, and they were out riding the range. Oh, dear, her worries kept mounting.
The entire Timmons family could be foolish to believe in Bert’s innocence when she’d been found atop Queen Victoria’s back. No reason to be riding the mare. No explanation as to where she’d come from. They wanted to believe her because they’d all grown to