The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [57]
“Yes sir. I heard you were shot while going after cattle rustlers.” Already the boy had made his way to John’s gelding in a rear stall.
“Yeah, got in the way of a bullet.”
A few moments later, the boy led the horse to John. He tossed him a nickel and swung up into the saddle as awkward as a city slicker. A deep groan escaped his lips, and he felt embarrassed. Grown men, especially those who uphold the law, were supposed to be tough.
Touching his heels to the gelding’s flanks, he set his sights on finding one girl on a dark road.
Lord, I need help. Where would she have headed?
When he found her, they were going to finish the discussion they should have finished the day he brought her home.
CHAPTER 25
Bert followed the road out of Rocky Falls southeast in the direction of Denver. Ordinarily, she’d cut across fields and keep moving, but no one would be looking for her tonight. The new moon lit a faint silvery trail and stars dotted the clear night. As much as she hated that John had been wounded, the situation allowed her to leave town undetected.
Still, she hurried. The five-dollar gold piece tucked into her britches would have to be rationed out if she were to make it to Denver and then on to Texas. She’d run for six months before, and she could walk even longer to keep all of the Timmonses safe.
She wore the same clothes she’d worn the day Leon tried to hang her, except they were clean. But she’d remember wearing a dress — and so much more.
The terrain heading to Denver was rolling, easy to walk, not like heading north into the foothills and then the mountains. However, she fretted about taking the flatlands, even though they were easier to walk; folks could see a lone figure for miles on those stretches.
Heading west and north had its own share of danger. The mountains offered a reprieve from anyone trailing her, but the ability to hide came with a price. Narrow, rocky trails and dangerous ledges could send her to her death. And the higher she climbed, the more she risked colder temperatures. She’d made the right decision by heading south. Maybe in Denver she’d find work—change her name so Simon wouldn’t be able to find her. And then on to Texas.
Better yet, maybe he’d given up trying to find her. Figured she wasn’t worth it. He’d never believe she wanted to return Oberlander’s mare. Instead he’d think she rode the horse to wherever she was going.
A plan … she needed a better plan and needed to stick to it.
Bert yawned. The chores from today had made her more tired than usual. She’d sleep at daylight until about noon before moving on. Already loneliness had crept inside, leaving her cold and empty. The sound of hoofbeats seized her attention. She swung around, realizing she didn’t have a weapon and she couldn’t see well in the dark.
“Bert, you have become worse than a case of chiggers.”
John. Defeat caused tears to form in her eyes. Why wouldn’t he leave her alone? She turned back around and continued to walk.
“You can keep on walking, but I’m riding beside you.”
“Please leave me alone. I don’t know how else to make you see that it’s better this way.”
“Try me. I might understand.”
She read the hopeful lift in his voice. “There is nothing I can do.”
“Why not tell me the truth about yourself?”
Her shoulders slumped as the impossibility of what he asked coursed through her weary body.
“Well?”
“I’d be better off if you’d shoot me right now.”
“That’s rather pathetic for a gal with spunk.”
“The spunk’s all gone. Not so sure I ever had any.”
“I think you’re feeling sorry for yourself.”
“And what if I am?”
“It doesn’t solve anything, Ember.”
Ember. He’d not used her given name before. “I’ve told you all I can. I’m not running from the law or a husband.”
“Fine.”
What did he mean by that? “So you’re letting me go?”
“Nope. Are you tired of walking yet?”
“I’m not tired at all.”
“How about running?”
She