The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [92]
Four days later, Bert realized she had to find a way to turn the Timmonses against Simon without telling them the truth. The thought occupied her waking and sleeping hours. Leah and John suspected she was ill, and that was fine with her. Anything but the struggle within her to protect those she loved from evil — the worst imaginable.
She remembered reading in the Bible about the truth setting a person free. But free from what? Telling anyone about Simon invited her brother to start a killing spree. From the past, she knew his vengeance could be taken out on anyone who got in his way.
While she drew water from the well, she heard Simon talking to Davis—an innocent child who’d seen enough tragedy in his life.
“I brought you something.” Simon dipped into his pocket and pulled out a peppermint stick. He bent down and presented it to Davis. “I went with your brother into Rocky Falls. Saw this and thought you might like it.”
Could it be that John had finally sent those telegrams?
Davis beamed. “Thank you, Steven. Peppermint’s my favorite.”
“Good. I thought so. And I brought one for Miss Leah and Miss Bert.” Steven pulled out two more candies from his pocket.
How would Simon explain the money to buy penny candy? He thought through everything he said, and this would be no exception.
“I’d be glad to give it to them,” Davis said.
Simon patted Davis on the back. “Someday I hope to have a son as fine as you are.”
Bert wanted to scratch his eyes out — take his rifle and blow a hole through him. What can I do?
“Where did you get the money to buy candy?” Evan said as the two washed up for supper.
“I had a few dollars. Didn’t want to spend them unless I had to. A few pennies for candy are the least I can do for all your family has done for me.”
Bert lifted the bucket from the well while she fought the urge to be sick. Simon was close enough for her to smell him. Normally she walked to the stream where cool, fresh water tasted the best, but she feared Simon might find her alone. Glancing toward Evan, she caught his attention. He’s the only member of the family who doesn’t trust Simon.
A gasp nearly escaped her lips. She must act soon. Keep an eye on Simon and follow him when the others were asleep.
Davis reached out to give her a peppermint. “No, thank you. Why don’t you save it for yourself?” The child’s eyes sparkled.
Bert had to find a way to end this. If only she knew what Simon planned. If only she could figure out how to get all three of her brothers together so the law could make an arrest. They’d hang for sure.
How could she live with herself after that? The Bible didn’t say a thing about what to do when families were killers. At least she hadn’t read anything about it yet.
Bert carried the bucket of water inside the house and set it on the table. Leah kneaded bread, and Bert could feel her friend’s gaze.
“I thought perhaps you were sick,” Leah said. “But now I sense something else.”
“I feel fine,” Bert said. “Would you like for me to take the ham off the stove?”
“Not yet.”
Bert recognized Leah’s motherly tone of voice, and there was no escaping it. And she’d pry until Bert told her something that satisfied her.
“You don’t like Steven, do you?” Leah continued to knead the bread.
Bert picked up the broom and swept an already clean floor. “Why would you ask me such a question?”
“Because when you’re upset, you stay to yourself. You talk, but you don’t add anything to the conversation. You’re with us, but you’re not. Excuse me for putting the situation this way, but the lantern is lit except no one’s minding the house.”
Please, Leah. “I’ve had much on my mind lately.”
“Are you jealous because John spends a lot of time with Steven?”
Tears filled Bert’s eyes. If only the truth of her feelings could be explained so easily. “No ma’am. Watch him, Leah. He’s only out for himself.”
“Do you know him?”
How could Bert answer the question? She was a child of God. Lying was wrong. But Simon would kill