The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [74]
John swung up onto his saddle, still feeling the awkwardness of grabbing the saddle horn with his right hand. But this time he had a better attitude.
Soon they’d have those thieves and murderers behind bars.
Soon he’d convince Mama she didn’t need Victor Oberlander.
And soon he’d get the truth out of Bert, and Evan would back down from pursuing her.
“I saw your mama earlier today,” Wirt said as the horses trotted toward the livery. “She looks as pretty as a picture. Just like I remember.”
John gritted his teeth.
CHAPTER 33
Leah sensed heat rising up her neck and flooding her face.
Drowning sounded like a sweet escape from two of the men seated around her table. Why ever did John bring Wirt and Victor to the 5T? Just like hungry boys who picked and teased at each other, Wirt and Victor talked and joked, each attempting to secure her attention while she and Ember dished up berry cobbler and poured fresh coffee.
She sensed their intense study of her, as though she were some filly. Make that a mare. In any event, she didn’t welcome their gawking. What did they want her to do? Open her mouth so they could check her teeth? Mercy, grown men could be so bothersome.
Smoothing her apron and slipping one of her many wayward curls behind her ear, she handed Ember a bowl of cobbler to set before one of the men. The girl looked as ready to crumble as a brittle leaf in fall. Every man in the room had questioned her about the cattle rustling. Maybe later they could both laugh about this humiliating situation.
Mercy, why couldn’t they have discussed their business at Victor’s? The Wide O had a much bigger and fancier parlor, with a servant. Leah had seen the fancy dishes that had been Victor’s grandmother’s from Germany.
Victor sat the closest to her—the man who never ceased to voice his devotion and his desire to court her. At his right sat Wirt, whose marriage proposal she refused three years ago because of his dandy ways. And poor John, who was dancing to the tune of protecting his mama from both men and holding down a discussion about the best way to catch the cattle rustlers and clear Ember’s name.
If adversity bred character, then she and John already had their mansions in heaven.
“Miss Ember, are you sure you can’t help us?” Wirt said, after thanking her for his cobbler.
Ember stared straight at him, with no looks of helplessness cast at Leah or John. “Sir, I have no idea where the cattle are or where to find the rustlers.”
“What about who’s behind the stealing?” Wirt stood, and Bert took a step back. “Miss, you’re shaking. I didn’t set out to frighten you, only to see if you might know something that would help us. Why not sit here before you fall. Are you ill?” He pointed to his chair. “I’ll help Miss Leah with the cobbler and coffee.”
Leah caught a granitelike stare from John.
Ember took the offered chair. “If I could answer your questions, I would.”
John reached over to take Ember’s hand, and this time Leah nearly gasped. Lord help them all if Evan walked in.
“I know you’re afraid of a man. I know that person is capable of some bad things. I know you’re too scared to give us his name, but we’re your friends. And we’ll protect you.”
Ember continued to tremble, but her gaze focused on John. Leah could see she did care about him very much. If the girl could tell any of them what she knew, it would be John.
“I can’t,” she whispered. “He and those with him would find a way to kill all of you.”
“You don’t think the men of this town could stop them?”
“I’m afraid who’d be killed. Maybe he’s gone since you can’t find the cattle.”
“Do you really think that?”
Ember sighed. “I’d like to believe he’d never strike here again.”
The door opened and Evan stepped in with Aaron. He nodded at Bob. “Marshal Culpepper, I’m glad you’re here. You too, Mr. Oberlander. Aaron and I found a body on the land John bought from you. It’s one of your hands—Ted Hawkins.” He shifted and his gaze took in John and Ember’s hands woven together like two fishing worms. “A horse was grazing close by,