The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [91]
John weighed Mama’s and Evan’s words. He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake. Offering Christian hospitality was one consideration. Opening up his home to a thief or a murderer was another. “Trust for me can be hard to come by. But we could give him a chance today. If we see anything that makes us uncomfortable, then I’ll ask him to leave right then.”
“Sounds fair enough,” Evan said.
“I agree,” Mama chimed in.
Two voices out of three made sense. He’d put Steven to work for the day.
Bert couldn’t tell what was being said inside the house. She wanted to know, but she didn’t. For sure the topic had something to do with Simon. She’d fought hard to get the courage to tell John about her brother, but her dearly loved family could be murdered in their sleep.
How could Simon have such a powerful hold on her? Because I’ve seen him kill without blinking an eye.
Simon dismounted his horse—one she hadn’t seen before and probably stolen. Davis had managed to make his way to Simon, and the child’s position frightened her. She’d heard the tale more than once about how outlaws had kidnapped the boy when he was a four-year-old. Davis had to be kept safe.
Bert clenched her fists. If she were strong enough, she’d shoot him herself. But Gideon’s words echoed in her mind. Families must stick together. Oh, the horrible confusion.
She didn’t love Simon; she despised him. He pretended to be a ranch hand who wanted a job. He’d taken a gamble by giving John two places to wire about his “trustworthiness.” If she didn’t help Simon, he’d kill the Timmonses. And if she did, then she’d be stealing from those she loved. How did one choose between two horrible wrongs? Her insides ached.
Bert wanted to bury herself in a remote place where no one could ever find her. She’d never thought things could get this bad. Simon had done all he’d ever threatened, and she feared what would come next. He’d shot John and probably Leon and Mr. Hawkins. Now he wanted to work for John. All the while he was planning something terrible. Where was God when she needed Him? How could He view this nightmare and do nothing?
“Mornin', Miss Bert.” Simon touched the brim of his tattered hat. “Sure is a right pretty day.”
Could John or Marshal Culpepper or Wirt or even God stop a killer?
“John Timmons and his family have a handsome ranch. I see all of you work good together.”
Gut-wrenching hate whirled through her. Where were Clint and Lester? Were they waiting for orders from Simon as they always did? Trapped and cornered, and she saw no way out.
CHAPTER 42
John and Steven rode fence along the northern parcel of the 5T. John noted more broken fencing, an endless job. Later in the week, they’d get the repairs made. The rest of the boys were felling trees, which suited John fine since he wanted time alone with Steven to make sure he was a fitting man to be around his family. His family. And that meant Ember Rose. He’d never felt so certain about anything in his life than wanting a future with her.
“That is some horseflesh.” Steven sent an admiring glance at Racer.
John grinned and patted the stallion’s neck. “He’s a champion. I bought him on a whim a couple of years ago when cattle prices were up. Never regretted it. There’s a powerful feeling sitting atop him when he’s racing with the wind.”
“Must be where you got the name.”
“You bet.”
“Have you bred him?”
John nodded. “The owner of the Wide O—Victor Oberlander—bred Racer to his prize mare. I’m real curious to see the colt once it’s here next spring.” John wasn’t about to give the circumstances surrounding Ember.
“The Wide O, you say. I was going to stop by there to see about work. Like I said earlier, I figured other ranchers are skittish, like you, because of trouble with cattle rustlers.”
John nodded. “A man can’t afford to make mistakes when his family and his means of earning a living are at stake.”
“Oh, I understand. My folks would feel the same.”
John breathed in relief. The concerns he had for acting foolishly may not have substance.