The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [93]
“Choices are usually right or wrong.”
“Leah, you are so dear to me, but in this instance you’re wrong.” She glanced toward the door, her thoughts filled with the wickedness of her brothers. “I’ll place the ham on a platter now.” Without another word and feeling the intensity of Leah’s gaze, she smiled all the love in her heart. “I may be a new believer, but I know God is watching out for those who love Him.”
The answer to the nightmare frightened her, the choice that would change the lives of all of them. But when she weighed the magnitude of all Simon and her brothers had done and all they were capable of doing, she knew she must commit herself to the task.
Clint and Lester allowed Simon to give them orders. When he wasn’t around, they didn’t hurt or steal from others. Without Simon, her brothers lacked a leader. If she knew where her brothers were camped, then she could lead Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. Culpepper, and John to them. Since that seemed impossible, she’d have to expose Simon and pray her brothers left the area and rode back to Idaho.
The whole nightmare would be over. Gideon’s words about families sticking together no longer meant anything to her. Gideon may have been the only member of the family who’d protected her, but his kindness didn’t make him always right. In the last several weeks, she’d learned what it meant to live and love according to the Word. God had laws about how people should treat each other, and those who chose to commit crimes still needed to answer for what they’d done. Even if they were family.
She had to do this. Her life had been filled with turning her eyes away from unspeakable things. But no more, and she had to do her part. Mr. Zimmerman could return as early as tonight. Lately her songs had been influenced by the Bible and Leah’s hymnal. This one seemed to come from God Himself.
In Your hands I place my trust
In Your hands I find righteousness
In Your hands all fear is gone
And by Your Spirit I find rest.
CHAPTER 43
The following day, Sunday afternoon, Leah strode into the barn where she knew John was brushing down Racer. She made her way to his side and admired the sleek stallion’s glossy coat.
“I need to have a word with you.”
“Sure.” He grinned. “I can tell by the look on your face something’s on your mind. No one’s here in the barn.”
“I want Steven gone.”
He startled. “Why? He’s been a big help and a friend to all of us.”
“I don’t trust him.”
John ceased the brushing. “What’s happened to make you think this? You know how I feel about keeping the family safe.”
How did a woman explain feelings to a man? “The way he looks at us. The way he glares at Ember. The way he never slips and shouts or says something improper. It’s not real.”
“I disagree, Mama. I need something I can see and hear to discard a new friend. Do you want me to tell him that you don’t trust him?”
Leah stiffened. She felt certain her inclinations were right. “All right. I’ll find the proof. In the meantime, I don’t want him alone with Davis or Ember.”
“Maybe you’re just missing Wirt.”
A flash of fury swept through her. “I am missing Wirt, but not for the reasons you may think. Steven is dangerous.” She lifted her chin. “Have you checked to see if the rancher in Wyoming or anyone from Missouri has responded to your telegrams?”
“Haven’t been in town except the day I rode in to get feed. Then I was in a hurry to get back. So, no, I haven’t checked for a wire.” He went back to brushing Racer, and Leah remained by his side with her arms folded across her chest. She had no intentions of leaving the barn until she received the response she needed from John.
“Ember doesn’t trust him.”
“Why? She hasn’t said a word to me.”
“Maybe she’s afraid to.”
John turned to her, his gaze troubled. “All right, Mama. I’ll tell him tonight after supper that it’s time for him to go. And tomorrow, when he leaves, I’ll send Mark or Aaron into town to see about those wires.”
Every portion of her