The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [60]
She nodded, while another tear fell. He hated to see her cry. “The boys are working close to home today.”
John glanced up at Mr. Oberlander. “Thank you, sir, for bringing Mama into town. I’m sorry I won’t be joining you. But I promise I’ll be home this evenin'.”
“We can wait.”
Between his battered body and a hundred other pressing matters, John was about to forget his manners. He took in a deep breath.
“Are you in pain?” Mama touched his cheek.
“Of course not. But I have matters to tend to.”
Mama lifted her chin. “Victor said we’d wait, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
John believed if he were thirty years old, his mama would still think she could treat him like a boy.
“I have to talk to Bob. I’m also expecting a telegram, and I have to check on Bert at the hotel.”
“Ember. Her name is Ember. I can call on her while you’re taking care of other things.”
No point in arguing. Her mind was set. “I need for you to step out so I can get dressed.”
“By yourself? How can you manage?”
He shook his head and realized the motion made it hurt worse. “I learned how to dress myself a long time ago. Nothing’s changed.”
Leah’s shoes tapped in rhythm against the boardwalk all the way to the hotel. While she pacified John’s absurd whim to talk to Bob, she’d check on Ember and make sure the girl was all right. Bess would take good care of her, and staying at the hotel where John and Evan wouldn’t see her every day made sense. But Leah longed for the girl — her sweet temperament and gentle ways with all of them. Davis loved her stories, and the whole family adored her singing and playing. Leah loved her despite all the problems and rough waters between John and Evan. The caring had nothing to do with pity but everything to do with the pain in Ember’s eyes and the deep need for love.
The first glimpse of John this afternoon had brought back the nightmare of what happened to his father. Last night Victor had insisted John would be fine, even offered to check on him and report promptly to her. But she had to see for herself. Leah swallowed a lump of emotion. She was made of stronger earth than this.
She saw the glossy tolerance of pain in John’s eyes. Doc Slader said he’d been traipsing around all night and not getting the rest he needed. The wound had taken to bleeding again, which required more bandaging. Leah trusted Doc and the herbs and medicines he prescribed, but John needed his mama, and she was going to make sure he healed proper. While he rested in her care, she’d talk to him about tossing that deputy job like sour milk. She’d never approved. Outlaws had killed his father, endangered Parker and Sage, and now this. About time someone listened to her.
Leah walked into the hotel and immediately saw Ember sweeping the floor. The girl leaned the broom against the wall and rushed into Leah’s arms. And Leah welcomed her. They both clung to each other as though they hadn’t seen each other for years.
“You know about John?” Ember said, stepping back from Leah and wiping the wetness from her cheeks.
Leah pressed her lips together and nodded. “I came to take him home where he belongs.
“Is he better this morning?”
“Looks to me like his arm is hurting him and he’s incredibly tired.”
“He should have stayed at Doc’s last night instead of — ”
So John was with Ember. Goodness, do I want to know more? “Doc said he didn’t get much sleep. But he’ll rest at home. However, I hear he’s not a good patient.”
“I suppose not. Do you have any help in gettin’ him to the ranch?”
“Victor Oberlander drove me in. In fact he was the one who told me last night about John being shot.” Leah took a breath. Exhaustion had settled on her too. “Right now Victor is getting supplies at the general store.”
“Are the other boys all right?”
Is she concerned about Evan? “They’re all worried about John. None were too happy about Victor driving me into town, but his actions were simply a neighborly gesture.”
“Miss Leah, I think he likes you.”
Leah frowned. “Neighbor to neighbor, that’s all. I