The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [46]
“By running?”
“By maybe saving their lives.”
Leah moaned. “I’d kill anyone who tried to hurt my sons.” She caught her breath. “I—”
“I feel the same way. John’s taking me to town in the morning to stay with someone until this is over.”
Leah swallowed her relief. “Do you think all of us will be safe then?”
“You will be.” “Ember, will you be safe?”
Silence, and Leah chose not to prod any more tonight.
CHAPTER 19
John dressed the following morning feeling more tired than when he’d lain down on his bed. Last night, while riding back from Rocky Falls, he believed he’d be asleep the moment he pulled off his boots. But the worries marching across his mind made rest impossible. One conversation after another had taken root in his thoughts and kept his mind racing. Until the cattle thieves were found, the folks around him would be pointing fingers and accusing anyone and everyone.
Evan’s bed had groaned with his restlessness until the wee hours of the morning. But John knew better than to question what bothered him. Now his brother slept, and John hoped he finally got some much-needed rest. Aaron and Mark could do chores, and it gave John time to rouse Bert and leave for town.
John gathered up his boots and the roll containing Bert’s clothes and made his way downstairs. He couldn’t smell breakfast yet, which meant Mama was still in bed. Good. He could leave without having another confrontation with any of his family.
He made his way to Mama’s door. In the past he wouldn’t have gone into her room with Bert sleeping beside her. Last night changed things. He slipped into the bedroom and in the darkness, he touched Bert’s arm. Instantly she jerked, as though seared with a hot branding iron.
John touched a finger to his lips, and she nodded. He guessed she didn’t want a show of her leaving either. He handed her the bundle of clothes and made his way to the door. “You two need breakfast,” Mama whispered.
What did she know?
“We need an early start,” he said. “Bob and I have lots of work to do.”
The bed creaked, and Mama stood in the shadows. Her silhouette and Bert’s nearly matched. Two tiny women who held his heart; two tiny women who could be so stubborn.
Mama walked past him and into the kitchen where he heard her pick up a splint from the kindling box. Lighting it from the hot coals of the cookstove, she carried the burning stick into the bedroom. He couldn’t think of a single thing to say to her or Bert. Must be the weariness tugging at his eyelids. Mama lifted the glass chimney of the lantern and raised the wick slightly. Soon the lantern on her night table flickered, sending dancing flames around the room.
Mama would not let them leave for Rocky Falls without breakfast. But he had been born with her determination and refused to waste one minute of daylight.
From the doorway, he glanced at Bert, who stood in her nightgown clutching her clothes. A fragile-looking girl who held too much power over him. In the dim light, her face etched a map that led to fear and doubt. Normally, he’d have felt some kind of compassion, but the events of yesterday and last night, along with the lack of sleep, made him irritable.
“I’m not hungry,” Bert said.
“I’ll get breakfast for both of us at the hotel,” John said. “I promise. Right now, we need to ride.”
Mama pressed her lips together, then sighed. “Be careful.” She studied Bert. “No matter what the future holds for you, for this family, I’m praying God’s will is clear to all of us.”
“I’m sure Evan will tell you what’s going on.” He walked over and kissed his mother’s cheek and gestured to Bert. “Time’s wasting. Your boots are on the front porch.” He whirled around to head outside and saddle up the gelding. Bert could ride behind him.
By the time he led his horse from the barn, Bert was waiting beside the corral. She reminded him of a schoolgirl who’d gotten into trouble. I’m doing the right thing for my family and the good of the community. Without a word, he mounted and pulled her up behind him. She sobbed, and the sound bothered him more than