The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [48]
“I’ve heard it before.” He refused to put any emotion in his words. She might learn how he felt about her and use it against him. “But I’ll find you a decent place to stay.”
“I heard you mention Bess. Who’s she?”
“You’ll meet her at the hotel. A good woman. Her lot in life seems to be taking care of soiled doves and cooking fine meals.”
Bert didn’t respond. He started to add he wasn’t accusing her of earning a living like them. But she could have. He shoved away the thought, not wanting to think of her as a woman who used her body to earn her keep. Right now he was convinced God must have played a joke on him by having him fall for a woman he knew nothing about.
“How long will I have to stay in Rocky Falls?”
“Until this blows over.”
“I want to finish paying you back. Either working it out at your ranch or sending you the money from somewhere else.”
“The money no longer has any importance. Other things have taken over.” And that was all he intended to say about the matter until he sorted out the problems in his life.
Once inside the hotel, Bess caught his eye. She greeted him and pointed to a round table covered with a blue-flowered cloth. He had his speech all prepared about Bert, and he should have felt good about getting rid of her. His heart said no to abandoning her, but reason said he needed to keep her and his family safe.
Bess brought two mugs of coffee and set them in front of John and Bert. “Is this the little lady Bob was telling me about?”
“Yes ma’am. Miss Bess, this is Bert—no last name. Oh, her first name is really Ember.”
Bess patted Bert’s arm. “I’ve known lots of girls with no last names. Do you prefer Bert or Ember?”
“I’ll answer to either.” She glanced at John, and he read the sadness.
“Well, I like Ember. I’ll get you both a plate of breakfast, and then we can talk.”
Good, Bess must have been agreeable to the idea of Bert living there.
Within thirty minutes, Bert had a small room near the kitchen and a job keeping things clean. John figured if he had to entrust his charge to anyone, Bess was the person. He was hungrier than he thought, but Bert picked at her food like a chicken pecking at pieces of grain.
“We’ll be back later,” John said when he paid the bill. “Thank you for helping us.” He turned to Bert, prompting her to show some gratitude. She said the right words, but misery cloaked her voice and eyes.
Once they began their walk to the marshal’s office, John considered voicing his thoughts while he still had Bert alone. “I appreciate the fact you didn’t ask Evan to help you get away.”
“I wouldn’t put him in danger or take advantage of his affections.”
“Then I’m going to ask you to continue by staying with Widow Bess. She’ll be good to you.”
“Ugly things could happen whether I’m here or at your ranch.”
John stopped and studied her again. Unless he was a fool, she was more scared than trying to cover up a crime. He sure wished she didn’t have such big brown eyes and smooth skin. Her lips reminded him of flower buds, and her hair … “When are you going to trust anyone?”
Tears welled her eyes. “If I could, John Timmons, it would be you.”
Now why did she have to say that?
CHAPTER 20
That afternoon Bert swept out the dining room of the hotel, wishing hard she had the means to leave town. But Marshal Culpepper told her she’d be thrown in jail if she so much as visited the outhouse without letting Widow Bess know. She’d rather be at the 5T helping Leah, but she didn’t have a choice there either. In fact, nothing was her choice.
Make up a song. That would capture her worries. Except neither the words nor the joy of a tune comforted her.
Bess stepped from the kitchen, her swishing skirts announcing her arrival. She busied herself behind the registration desk that faced the dining area. Bert pretended to ignore her, when in fact the woman made her feel uncomfortable. Seemed like Bess saw right through her, and some things Bert chose to keep private. Maybe some of the girls who worked at the saloon had