The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [99]
Simon might be in custody, but he could have left standing orders.
Bert leveled a cup of flour with a table knife and dumped it into a bowl for the morning biscuits. A smoked ham sat on the sideboard for her to slice for breakfast. Peace flowed through her. No fears. No looking over her shoulder for a hand to clamp down on her body and spin her around. The nightmares of the past might always be with her, but they would not plague her future.
The door flew open, and John rushed in carrying Rowdy. One glance and she saw the family pet wasn’t moving. He laid the dog on the rug in front of the hearth and hurried back onto the porch. A second later the door slammed, and John’s ashen face greeted her, while his hand gripped his rifle.
Alarm took over. “What happened to Rowdy?”
John’s gaze darted first to her and Leah’s bedroom and then the loft. “Was Mama all right when you left her?”
What’s wrong? “I think so. She didn’t say anything or stir.”
“John, I’m fine,” Leah called from the bedroom. “What’s wrong?”
Without responding, he handed Bert the rifle. “Don’t hesitate to use this.” He hurried up the steep stairway that led to the loft, calling out his brothers’ names.
Leah appeared in the doorway with sleep still evident on her face. Her friend appeared as confused—and frightened—as Bert.
“I have no idea what John found or saw outside. But Rowdy’s hurt.”
Leah rushed to the dog’s side. “He’s breathing.” She looked to the stairway leading to the loft. “John, what’s going on?”
“In a minute,” he said.
“We’re fine,” Evan called. “We’re all here. Awake. What’s going on?”
“Racer’s gone, and whoever took him hurt Rowdy. He’s still alive, but he has a big knot on his head.”
“I’ll tend to him,” Evan said.
Bert gasped. Who would do such a thing? Couldn’t be Simon. Would Clint and Lester steal a horse?
Of course they would.
Carrying the rifle, she raced out the front door to the barn, ignoring Leah’s cries to be careful. She refused to stop until she reached Racer’s stall. In the darkness she sobbed. This was Simon’s doing. She recognized her brother’s vengeance and spite. He must have managed to leave orders with a man or men who feared Simon more than the law.
“Ember.” John’s voice rang from the rafters.
“I’m here. In Racer’s stall.” She heard his footsteps, but she couldn’t bear to face him, even in the dark. His arm wrapped around her shoulders. “I’m so sorry.” She longed to weep, but emotion would not bring Racer back. “Who do you think did this?”
“I have no idea,” John whispered. “As soon as daylight hits, I’ll ask Mark to look for tracks while I ride over to the Wide O. I want to see if Oberlander has his mare.”
“It’s a warning,” she said. “Meant to frighten us because of Simon.”
“You may be right. I can’t ride to Denver this morning with this going on.”
“That’s what they want. If you don’t go, then those out there have you right where they want.”
“You can’t mean I should leave all of you alone?”
“John, every one of us knows how to use a gun. Do your job, and let us mind the ranch.”
“What if something happens to one of you?”
“We could be hurt regardless of where you are.”
His arm tightened around her shoulder. “I’ve faced danger many a time, but I’ve never felt as helpless as I do right now. So many crimes, and just when I thought our troubles were over.”
A black picture of the past slipped into her memory. She understood what it meant to be helpless and afraid. “When Simon used to … I lived with this dark, empty feeling deep inside me. I wanted to be dead, fearing everyone knew my shame. Somebody stealing Racer and hurting Rowdy while we slept makes me feel the same way. Except this time I’m angry, and I’ll do anything to stop Clint and Lester — or whoever is behind this. No one is going to hurt those I love. Not as long as I have life and breath.”
CHAPTER 46
John arrived at the Wide O just as sunrise lit the horizon. He grieved for Racer, and fury had him locked outside