The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [65]
She could have heard a biscuit crumb fall to the floor. “I guess I owe all of you an apology. Bringing Ember into our home means we all need to take a vote.” Leah caught her breath. “I’ll abide by your decision.” She turned her attention back to Davis. “What is your vote?”
“I like Bert. And she plays Pa’s fiddle real nice.”
Leah focused on Mark.
“I’d like to see her again too.”
On to Aaron.
“I miss her, Mama. And I know you enjoy her playin’ and singin'.”
Leah nodded and moved on to Evan.
“Of course I’d like to see her here again.” He looked into John’s face. “You and I have always gotten along. Since it’s no secret that both of us care for Bert, I’m willing to stand aside and be her friend while she decides which one of us she prefers.”
“She may not be interested in either of you,” Leah said. “Be prepared for that.”
John nodded and reached across the table to shake Evan’s hand. “I’ll do the same.”
Leah swiped at a tear. “Do you know how proud I am of you two? There are many grown men who would be tearing into each other right now.”
John laughed. “Now, Mama, you have no idea what we’ll be doin’ when you’re not around.”
All she could do was pray her older sons would be able to keep their word.
CHAPTER 29
Bert tapped her foot against the buckboard floor and silently urged Aaron to hurry the horse along. For a moment she considered jumping from the wagon and running the rest of the way to the 5T. But that would have made her look like a child, and she was full grown. Ever since Leah had walked into the hotel this morning and announced the time had come for Bert to return home, she’d felt like dancing — and for certain singing.
“I need to bring our Ember home,” Leah had said. “We all miss her too much.”
“How can I argue with you?” Bess said. “I see the love you have for that girl, and as much as I’d like to stomp my feet and demand she stays, I can’t do it.” She tilted her head at Bert. “If things don’t work out, you have a place here to live and work.”
“Thank you for taking me in.” She turned her attention to Leah. “What about—” She couldn’t bring herself to say John and Evan in front of Bess.
Leah waved away her concern. “We had a family meeting this morning. Any problems at home have been talked through.”
However, the problem with Simon would not go away. Bert clung to the belief that it made little difference if she lived at the hotel or at the Timmons ranch. When her brother was ready to strike, God would provide a way to make things right. Trust. She had to believe in the God of her new faith.
“It won’t take long to put my things together,” Bert said. “In fact, less than five minutes.”
“Don’t forget the Bible I gave you.” Bess planted her hands on her hips and nodded at Leah. “We have a new believer.”
Leah gasped. “Oh my. On the way home, you’ll have to tell me all about it.”
“I’ll sing it,” Bert called over her shoulder.
Once they were on the road, Bert had a moment of hesitation. Surely Simon wouldn’t stop them as they traveled.
“Leah, I am so happy about being a believer. I’m still fearful about things—things I can’t talk about. But I’m happy for the first time in my life.” Could God take care of Simon so Bert would never have to deal with him again? She wanted to believe, and from what she’d read, God could do anything. But He might choose not to. She breathed in deeply. Whatever happened, He’d be there with her. That should be enough.