The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [56]
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay until they get here.”
She smiled and let relief flow through her. “I appreciate your kindness. Excuse my poor manners. Can I get you something?”
“I’m fine. I’ll just sit here with Davis until your sons ride in.”
For once Leah was glad to have Victor Oberlander for company.
John didn’t realize how much his left arm hurt until he stepped out onto the dark street and attempted to take his usual stride toward the hotel. The laughter of those who chose to solve life’s problems with whiskey and gambling, and in the arms of paid women, resounded from the saloon. His father had used the diversion of strong drink and gambling as an ointment from Civil War memories. But he’d been faithful to his wife. Because of Frank Timmons’s weakness, John kept a watchful eye on his brothers. They remembered how their father coped with his demons, and John didn’t want them indulging in the same.
He moaned with the sharp stab of pain, a reminder of what had happened to him in an effort to question Leon. The man’s body had reeked of alcohol. If he’d not been drinking, maybe he would have listened to Bob. Instead he lay dead. Sad to see a man’s life wasted. Made him more determined to find out who was working with him.
But what about Bert? At times John feared she’d end up the same way. So much he didn’t know. What he did know was she’d been hurt and was scared. She had a kind heart and didn’t mind work … Music seemed to be a part of her, like a fire inside her. He marveled at the way she could pick up the fiddle and play like it was second nature. And when she sang, her clear voice reminded him of an angel.
The day would come when he’d be able to say her real name, but not yet. Right now he had to stop her from running again.
The reality of her leaving hit him in the gut, and anger seemed to make the throb in his arm hurt even more. Were his actions tonight merely concern for a lost and lonely girl? Or was it a nagging suspicion that she was playing some kind of a game, and her sweetness was a cover-up for something else? He stomped onto the boardwalk in front of the hotel with the awareness that fury didn’t solve a thing. Easier to give out advice than it was to follow it.
He stepped inside and glanced about, hoping to see Bert working. Bess bustled about the dining area, smoothing out tablecloths and placing silverware to the right and left of where a plate would be set. She glanced toward the door at him. If her glare had been a bayonet, he’d have been a dead man.
“What are you doing out of bed?” Her tone should have startled him, but he was a man on a mission.
“I need to see Bert.”
“She’s in bed. I worked her pretty hard today.”
“Check on her for me, will you? If she’s there, ask her to meet me out here.”
“What do you mean ‘if'? I saw her go to bed.”
John had no intention of explaining the situation to Bess. “I want to make sure she’s all right.”
Bess shook her head and disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes later she approached him with quickness in her step. Was that a new line on her face?
“John, she’s not here. I’m sorry. No one saw her leave. She must have climbed out the window.”
“Thanks. I’ll see if I can find her. She couldn’t have gone far on foot.”
Bess frowned. “Unless she stole a horse.”
A queasy sensation in his stomach once more churned doubt about the girl. “Let’s hope not, but I’ll start at the livery.”
John hurried toward the livery, not knowing if he wanted to find her there. Sure would reinforce the accusations flying around if she was caught with a horse. A stable boy sat by a bale of hay reading a dime novel by lantern light.
“Anyone show up tonight wanting a horse?”
The boy’s head jerked to attention. He must have been knee-deep into the story. “No sir. Haven’t seen anyone.”
“Are all of your horses here?”
Confusion etched into his young face. “I reckon. Would you like for me to check, Mr. Timmons?”
“I’d appreciate it.”
The boy rushed to his feet, novel in one hand and a lantern in the other. “They’re all here,” he said from the back of the livery.
“Thanks.