The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [75]
Victor’s face wore the lines of hard work and worry. “Any idea what happened?”
“Bullet in the head, sir. In fact, Aaron and I heard the gunfire and rode to investigate.”
Bert stood on the front porch beside Leah while the men lifted Ted Hawkins’ body from his horse. Numbness swept over her, and all she could feel was the agony of what Simon had done to others, and the pounding question in her brain about whether he had done this too.
She remembered the old man who’d done his best to talk Leon out of hanging her. If Leon were not dead, she’d assume he’d shot Mr. Hawkins.
The sensation of being in a fog vanished, and in its wake came a throbbing in her temples and pain that swept throughout her body. Tears filled her eyes, not only for Mr. Hawkins, but for others who had befriended her before their lives ended.
“He tried to save my life.” She folded her arms over her chest. “In fact he did, since he found John. If not for Mr. Hawkins, I’d be cold in an unmarked grave.”
Leah wrapped her arm around Bert’s waist. “Those men out there will find who is threatening our lives. I have faith in their abilities and know that God is a God of justice.”
Bert nodded and wiped away the wetness on her cheeks. “I wish my faith were stronger. But this — “ She pointed to those gathered around Mr. Hawkins’ body “—proves what was often said to me.”
“What, Ember?”
“I destroy everything I touch or care about. I can’t stay here, no matter how much I want to or how much I owe John.” She started to say “love John” but to voice it meant her feelings were real.
“Look at me.” Leah touched her cheek.
Bert hesitated before she complied. At times she feared Leah or John could see to the depths of her soul.
Leah caught her gaze. “You called on the name of Jesus and stepped into eternal life—a life now and forever that is blessed. Anyone who said this to you lied to manipulate and control you.”
Bert admitted Simon’s words and actions had done those very things. She shivered in the late afternoon heat. From her earliest memories, Simon had lashed out at her with his fists and his tongue. Only Gideon had stepped in to stop him. Then he died. Mr. Hawkins stepped in, and now he was dead. What about John? Leah? And the other Timmons boys?
“I want to believe you. And from what you and Miss Bess have told me about God, I know He’s supposed to be looking after me. But who will look after those who try to help me?”
“Pray for God to protect your loved ones. Ask Him to stop the man who holds you captive.”
“I am,” Bert whispered. “And I will continue. I … I have no choice.”
Leah kissed her cheek. “You can’t carry this burden yourself. All of us here want to help.”
“I know. Perhaps I should pray for courage.”
“An excellent idea.” Leah smiled. “We will weather this.”
But Bert was not so sure. Had Simon killed Mr. Hawkins, and if he did, why?
CHAPTER 34
John pulled the rope taut, securing a dead tree to a pair of mules. Now he and his brothers would take the walk back to the house where they’d chop it up for wood. The long cold months ahead weren’t far away, and he wanted more than an ample supply. Heavy blizzards would blow in from the mountains and keep them inside for a few days or a week at a time. The tree had fallen some years before and had reached its prime for burning. It would keep them warm and provide many a good cook fire.
Two weeks had passed since Ted Hawkins’ murder and not one incident of cattle rustling had occurred. Neither had Ted Hawkins’ killer surfaced. Some folks claimed he was involved with the rustling, but John knew better. Ted Hawkins lived the difference between right and wrong. The man had the respect of Oberlander and the other ranch hands of the Wide O. Hawkins had no doubt been privy to information that would put the guilty thief in a bad position.
John refused to believe the lawbreakers had escaped capture. He spent a few days with Bob and Wirt scouting for missing cattle and searching out remote areas of the foothills and