The Fire in Ember

by DiAnn Mills

  “What is it?”

  “Ember. I like it ‘cause it’s different. Maybe you ought to consider being nicer to her. She might tell you what you want to know about Oberlander’s mare.”

  John refused to discuss being nice to Bert. Being around her made him jumpy, nervous. “I’ll think about it. Right now, let’s take a walk toward the house. I don’t want Mama alone with Oberlander for very long. She might not feel comfortable around him.”

  “Right.” Evan chuckled. “Looks to me like you want to make sure the whole family lives their lives according to your rule book.”

  John wanted to lecture Evan until nightfall. But that wouldn’t solve a thing. Perhaps Bert would show a side of herself that wasn’t appealing, and all of John’s concerns would fade.

  Ember? Strange name. Pretty too.

  A short while later, Bert heard the pounding of horse hooves and stood from her crouched position among the rows of pea bushes to watch Mr. Oberlander ride off. She must have caught John’s attention because he waved and walked toward the garden. At the sight of him, her heart hammered against her chest. He was a fine looking man, and she’d never forget his kindness.

  “Need some help?” he said, once he was a few feet from her.

  She glanced up into his blue eyes, like a piece of the sky. “My basket is nearly full.” She hesitated. “I heard what went on with Leon.”

  John’s face clouded. “Be careful. He has a quick temper.”

  She nodded. “I never meant to bring trouble on your family.”

  He studied her, and she longed to press him for his thoughts. “I don’t imagine you’d ever want to see anyone hurt.”

  His words warmed her, as though she might be a good person. “Thank you. I’ve never been happier since I came here.”

  “Even with all the work?” His eyes sparkled.

  “It’s not work at all when you’re with folks you care about. But John, I can leave anytime if you’re fretting about your family.”

  His face etched with something she couldn’t read. “I don’t want you to leave.” He paused. “I don’t know why.”

  Silence filled the air, and she wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “I think you’ve got enough peas there,” he said. “Let me take the basket.”

  She held it out to him, and their fingers brushed ever so lightly, and for the first time in her life, she didn’t flinch at the touch of a man.

  CHAPTER 13

  Storms blew across the 5T Ranch Saturday night. Each time Bert considered sneaking out of bed and taking out into the darkness, a flash of lightning and a roar of thunder shook the house, and another storm stampeded in. The streaks and crashes grew closer together until they followed each other without giving her a moment to breathe. Bert remembered the times her brothers had locked her outside their crude cabin during a storm. They’d laughed while she tried to be brave.

  The old emptiness crept unbidden into her, a narrowing dark hole that seemed to suffocate her. Here she’d felt safe with a real family until reality nipped at her heels. The idea of running had persisted with her all day and night, refusing to let her go. She longed to disappear into the night, not for herself, but for those who lived within these four walls. The storm’s insistent raging sounded like demons daring her to flee so they could throw bolts of lightning her way. The viciousness of nature gripped her attention. Oh, to not be afraid of so many things.

  Bert didn’t want to leave the 5T for all the reasons that gave her comfort and a sense of belonging, but wanting and needing were two different sides of the coin. A part of her believed Simon would be glad she was gone, and another part believed he’d come after her simply because he could. She lay beside Leah in the early dawn trying to figure out if she should simply get up and take her chances or wait for it all to end.

  “This will have to let up before we head to church,” Leah whispered.

  Bert had waited too long to leave. Now she must live with her decision one more day. “Maybe it will end soon.”

  “You and I both know that Colorado storms can last hours. We’ll have church here this morning.”

  Bert had seen the result of storms too many times not to understand. Man and animals often fell prey to a death-bolt. “How will we do that?”

  Leah turned over onto her side just as lightning lit up the room, followed by thunder so loud it pierced Bert’s eardrums. Rain splashed against the window and pummeled the roof. “We’ll pray, read God’s Word, talk about what He’s done for us, and have a little singing.” She laughed softly. “If you would consider playing the fiddle, we could sing hymns. Would you mind?”

  Music, the gentle poultice of her heart. “Not at all—”

  Davis burst into the room.

  Leah rose up on one elbow. “I wondered how long it would take before you scrambled this way.”

  He crawled into bed on Leah’s side. “John said I needed to grow up some, so I waited as long as I could.”

  Leah combed her fingers through his corn-silk hair just as lightning made the room as clear as day. “I’ve noticed you’ve been spending more time with your brothers. I’m proud of you.”

  “Yes ma’am. I’m going to be helping them bring in the cattle from the higher pastures in the fall.”

  “You are?”

  Bert heard the catch in Leah’s words.

  “Yes, and I’ll spend the nights away from you. Will you be all right?”

  Leah sighed. “I’ll try my best.”

  The sound of voices from the kitchen made their way into the bedroom. Leah threw back the thin coverlet and stood. “John Parker Timmons, don’t you dare go out in this weather until the storm calms down.”

  “Mama, Evan and I have things to do.” Irritation edged John’s tone, and Bert hoped he and Evan didn’t make their way into their mama’s room too.

  “You heard me.”

  “If the good Lord says it’s my time to go, there’s not a thing I can do.”

  “But there’s no point in shaking your fist and defying Him.”

  Bert hid her laughter. Leah would win out. She always did. She seldom raised her voice at her sons. Instead she spoke with a firmness that demanded obedience. Thunder shook the house again and caused Davis to startle.

  “There went a tree in the corral,” John said. “Right over the fence. I’m heading out there.”

  “John!” Leah grabbed her robe.

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Uprooted quick as you please,” Evan added. “Good thing it’s raining. The spark could have caused a lot of damage.”

  “That means we’ll need to ride to the higher pastures and check on the cattle,” John said. “Not exactly how I planned to spend my Sunday morning.”

  “Not until the storm stops and we have church,” Leah said.

  John chuckled. “Yes ma’am.”

  “At least Oberlander’s mare and Racer are in the barn.” Evan’s words caused Bert to breathe easier. That mare had been the cause of a lot of discontent.

  Another jagged sword crossed the sky with thunder resounding from its blade. A light from the kitchen revealed one of the boys had lit the lantern.

  “I’m chasing Davis out of here right now so Ember and I can get dressed. Some hot coffee and breakfast would taste real good.”

  “Ember?” John said. “When did you start calling Bert by another name?”

  “Since I learned her mother named her Ember.” Leah gently coaxed Davis to his feet, and the boy scurried out of the room.

  “How about a last name?” John said.

  Bert looked over at Leah. “That’s my secret. But I could be related to Billy the Kid or the James Brothers or the Dalton Gang. Do you really want to know?” The truth sent a shiver up her spine, but she refused to acknowledge it.

  “You’ve been around Mama too long and picking up her wit,” John said.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment, John Timmons.” Bert started to laugh. Amidst the storm capable of waking the dead
, they all took to laughing like crazy folks.

  While she dressed, she comprehended that real families laughed together a lot. It felt good, real good. Almost like she belonged.

  But she didn’t.

  Ember. John rolled the name around in his head. Bert was a better name. Safer. Now how was Mama able to learn her name when he’d about run out of ways to persuade Bert to tell him a thing?

  He shoved another dry log into the stove and poured himself a second cup of coffee. He wanted to get outside and check on the fence and the livestock, but not until the storm died down along with the wind. Truth be known, Mama’s wrath, if he ignored her orders of staying out of the weather, outdid any storm. When Pa was alive and Mama was unhappy, he used to say dynamite came in small sticks.

  Next to him Bert peeled potatoes for breakfast while Mama rolled out biscuits. Evan had sliced bacon, no doubt so he could be closer to Bert, and Aaron beat a bowlful of eggs.

  Mark had already set the table and was pacing the kitchen. A wildcat could be kept in a box easier than Mark inside the house. John caught his eye and winked; he and Mark were so much alike. Except that John had work outside bearing down on his mind, while Mark needed the outside to make him feel whole.

  John stole a look at Bert. His big brother talk with Evan had been as successful as spitting into the wind. John had not accomplished a thing except to learn Evan was thinking about a future with Bert. He was still uncomfortable with how that made him feel. Uncle Parker had told him once that how a man felt about a woman was a powerful emotion. Love could cause a man to be more than he ever dreamed possible or do things so evil that only the devil would have him for company. Thank goodness John wasn’t in love.

  A small cry escaped Bert’s lips and jolted John back to the present. He glanced her way and saw the blood dripping down her finger into the bucket of potato peelings. Moving quickly, he reached for a towel and wrapped it around her finger.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Oh my, yes. Just cut my finger. I should be more careful.” Her face turned a soft shade of pink. He’d seen the same color in wildflowers.

  “Mama has some small strips of cloth we can wrap around it, even some medicine if it’s cut deep.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine.” She peered into the bowl of potatoes soaking in saltwater. “Good, there’s no blood on them, but I’ll rinse those potatoes again to make sure.”

  John glanced down and saw he still held her fingers wrapped with the towel. Swallowing hard, he dropped her hand as though he’d been burned. When he stepped back, he saw Evan glaring at him, and his brothers watching on. Snatching up his hat and poncho from a wooden peg near the door, he stepped out onto the porch with the thunder and lightning shaking the earth while rain formed huge puddles between the house and barn.

  He’d made a complete fool out of himself in front of his whole family. For the first time, he considered calling Bert’s debt paid and allowing her to go free. At least he and Evan wouldn’t be at each other’s throats over the same girl.

  My mind should be on ranching. His efforts needed to be on the land and all the work required to support his family. Anything else was pure foolishness. All he needed do was believe it. Instead he seemed to be split in two like the uprooted cotton-wood in the corral.

  He snorted. It was a cottonwood that had introduced him to Bert.

  The door opened, and Mama joined him, closing the door behind her. “You’ve been out here a good thirty minutes.”

  He didn’t want to talk to anyone right now. “I’m watching the storm.”

  “You could get struck by lightning.”

  Odd, he hadn’t noticed the storm outside for the one inside of him. “So could you.”

  “Love means you take a few risks.”

  Now what did she mean?

  “Breakfast’s ready,” Mama said. “Then we’ll have church. Would you read from Luke 15 this morning?”

  That’s just dandy. The prodigal son. Which one of us is she thinking needs the reminder the most?

  CHAPTER 14

  Monday morning, Leah fretted with the wagonload of trouble that had been dumped in the middle of the Timmonses’ household. And the pile kept getting bigger. The animosity between John and Evan had extended beyond boyhood squabbles to serious problems, which had the potential of destroying their relationship. And she was at her wits’ end to figure out how to deal with the whole situation.

  The boys’ simmering anger reminded her of when she, Frank, and Parker were young people living in Virginia. She and Parker were two fifteen-year-olds when sweet love attached itself to them. Then Parker’s older brother Frank moved into the picture and swept her off her feet. She loved Frank and never regretted marrying him, but she regretted hurting Parker. The rift between the brothers took two decades to heal, and Leah would not let that happen in her household.

  Merciful beans and cornbread. What was she to do? If Frank were alive, he’d sit those boys down and explain the powers and dangers a woman possessed over a man. John and Evan, as different as night and day. Both falling for the same sweet-faced woman—a woman with a shadowed past. A woman who could hurt them, could separate them as brothers.

  Since the afternoon she first realized Bert was a girl, she rubbed calluses on her knees praying for her sons and Bert.

  She’d picked everything in the garden and preserved all she could find.

  She’d pulled weeds.

  She’d scrubbed the house until not a speck of dirt could be found.

  She’d beaten her scant rugs and then beaten them some more.

  Not a sock needed darned or a hole sewn.

  The washing was done—for now.

  Taking a deep breath, she walked out onto the front porch. The temperatures were scorching, adding heat to her mounting anxiety. Sighing, she chose to visit the small corral where Racer and Victor Oberlander’s mare were courting.

  Courtin'. Leah wished she’d never heard the word. John and Evan vied for Ember’s attention. Praise God the girl had the sense to ignore both of them.

  Victor Oberlander and his request the other day had amused and perplexed her. She had no use for a man when she had five boys to rear. Why add number six? To think he wanted to come courtin'. Lands, she was forty-one years old, and the beauty of youth had slipped by. Either Oberlander was blind, or he hadn’t looked around Rocky Falls for a single woman without children.

  I’d be honored if you’d let me take you for a buggy ride on Sunday afternoon.

  Leah had sensed his interest in the past, but she’d avoided him. She had too many disruptions in her life without adding another one. But Victor refused to let it rest. Mr. Charm had pushed away her polite refusal as though she were a … child who didn’t know what she needed. He could view her as a challenge or a burr under his saddle. No matter, he could take his fascination elsewhere.

  Should I ask John for permission?

  Leah hadn’t considered a buggy ride or asking John if he minded. She’d smiled and thanked Victor, making certain he understood she had obligations and responsibilities right there without adding more.

  I’m not giving up so easily, Miss Leah. I’ve thought about this for a long time.

  Victor could go on thinking about it from now until the good Lord returned. She had plenty of other problems to hold her interest—like keeping John and Evan from going to blows over Ember.

  Ember … How could one pint-size woman cause so much agitation? Had she stolen Mr. Oberlander’s horse? What lay in her past that gave her nightmares? And what could Leah do to keep her sons from fighting over her? John was the levelheaded one, but Evan was sensitive. Both boys—rather, men—were tasting first love with a young woman who might hand them a kiss of poison.

  All of that, and Leah liked Ember. Felt sorry for her and often saw the hurt in her eyes. Leah wanted a peaceful and satisfying life for the young woman. But a mama’s loyalty clung to her sons, and she’d do anything to protect them.

  Orang
e and purple streaks of daylight had barely met Tuesday morning when John stepped from the campsite along the northern section of Evan’s acreage and watched a rider approach them in the distance. John grabbed his rifle and studied the man, then relaxed. The steel-gray gelding, the high brimmed hat with a single center crease, and the way he sat tall in the saddle could be only one man—Bob Culpepper, Rocky Falls’ marshal and undertaker.

  And yet, for Bob to ride all this way so early in the morning meant trouble.

  “Looks like me and Evan will be working alone.” Mark stepped into the rising sunlight, drinking a mug of coffee that he’d made with enough grounds to cover a creek bottom.

  John nodded. “Evan doesn’t mind since we’re campin’ on his land.”

  Yesterday morning, the three had checked on the cattle grazing near the upper free range. After rounding up a few strays and driving them back into the herd, they rode to Evan’s land to build fence. John had the deed granting Evan the acreage, but a fence separating Evan’s land from the Wide O made sense.

  The three took turns cooking and cleaning up, always working hard and enjoying each other’s company. These were the times all of them would no doubt remember in years to come when they had families of their own.

  Thank goodness Mark had enough sense not to bring up the subject of Bert. Evan and John had an unspoken truce with the matter. But it was hard, real hard, not to persuade Evan to forget her and remember his future of becoming a veterinarian.

  “Mama hates it when you’re busy with deputy work,” Mark said. “I don’t like it either.”

  “We haven’t had any serious crimes for nearly five years since the McCaw gang tore through here. Could be Bob is taking the missus for a trip and needs me to fill in for him.”

  “Not this early in the mornin'.” Evan made his way beside John and Mark. “We might be younger, big brother, but we aren’t stupid. This means stealin’ or a murder. I can feel it in my bones. And Mama will be horrible to live with until you return.”

  Evan’s most likely right. “You can ease her mind by keeping the others from fussin’ and fightin'.” John clamped a hand on Mark’s shoulder. “You and Aaron need to ease up—not just while I’m gone but permanent-like.”