The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [87]
She began to weep, and Wirt wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Thank you, sir. I’ll never forget you. My brother has broken the law and still you are looking out for me.” She lifted her weathered face to him. “Even if you pay for my traveling, I can’t tell you more about Ralph.”
“John and I are determined to find who’s behind the cattle rustlin’ and murders. We think Ralph is involved. Understand I can’t guarantee what will happen to him.”
“Yes sir.”
John admired and respected what he’d just witnessed in Wirt. Mama had a good man. From this moment on, he’d never worry about Wirt Zimmerman and his mother.
CHAPTER 40
Dead ends. John had seen enough of them. The ranches around Rocky Falls had not reported stolen cattle in two weeks. And like before, the folks were spooked. He held his breath and waited. Meanwhile, the weather for mid-August had stayed warm, but soon the days would drift into autumn, and that meant winter would soon be knocking on their door. Tomorrow all of the boys would haul more dead trees from higher ground for firewood. Mark had cured hides to tan. John always felt anxious this time of year with winter on their heels and so much to do.
He leaned on the corral fence and watched Racer pick up his head as a northern wind blew across the pasture. This afternoon they’d take a ride to check on the cattle.
“You feel it too?” he said to his stallion. “Soon the leaves will fall and snow will fly. Then we’ll be stuck mending bridles and harnesses instead of spending so many hours on the range.”
“And we’ll all be shivering,” Ember said.
He whirled around and smiled at the young woman who had stolen his heart. She handed him a cup of coffee. “Supper is about ready.”
“I’m on my way. Heard the dinner bell and wanted to enjoy a few more minutes of the sunset.” He took a sip. “How’s my girl?”
“Very happy.”
“Hope I can take the credit.”
“You can, especially today.”
“Why’s that?”
“It’s my birthday.”
“Wonderful!” John scanned the area to see if any of his brothers could see from the house. Satisfied they were alone, he planted a kiss on her full lips. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Mr. Timmons. Even if it wasn’t my birthday, I’d still be incredibly happy, and you can take all of the credit.” She touched her finger to her chin. “God takes the credit first.”
John warmed from the inside out, while affection for her caused him to think things he dare not say or do.
“If you could be anything in this great wide country, what would it be?” she said.
“Strange question for you to ask.”
“It’s my birthday, so I’m asking.” She gestured all around them. “I already believe you are the best rancher in the country. But I imagine there’s more.”
Did she know him that well? “I’ve told only one other person this.”
She tilted her head, and he thought about kissing her again. “So it’s a secret?”
“Guess you’d say so.” He shook his head. “Not sure I can say it aloud again. A dream is rather personal. Although I did mention it to Wirt after he told me how he felt about Mama.”
She nodded. “A bigger ranch? Fine horse stock? A thousand head of cattle?”
“None of those things.”
“I have no idea. To me, you could do anything you set your mind to.”
He lifted his hat and raked his fingers through his hair. “I’d like to go to law school and help Rocky Falls grow into a fine city. The railroad line hauls sandstone from the quarry, and we’ve drawn in a few folks because of their health and the benefits of the mountain air. But businesses here can only grow with the expansion of the railroad.”
“What about ranching?”
“I love the land and cattle, but it’s been a means of taking care of my family. There’s a law school in Austin, Texas, and in a few years Denver may have one too.”
She gave him a special smile, one he’d come to recognize as reserved for him. “You’d make a fine lawyer, John. You listen and you’re fair.” She pointed to the top rail of the fence. “See how straight this is? It’s you.”
He gazed into the brown eyes he’d grown to love. “I’d like to think so.”
“With the coming months, you’d have time to