The Fire in Ember

by DiAnn Mills

  Mark frowned. “I thought we were doing a good job.”

  John laughed. “You are. But a reminder never hurts.”

  “Who’s going to watch after Ember?”

  The sound of Evan’s voice when he mentioned her name cut through John’s heart. I can’t let him think his feelings aren’t real. “She’ll be fine. Mama talks to her, and that’s probably all she needs. I want you two to hear exactly what the marshal has to say, so when Mama asks, you have the right answers. No surprises or exaggerations of the truth.”

  Bob rode up and dismounted. After exchanging “Mornin’s” and Mark getting him a mug of coffee, he eyed John. “We got trouble.”

  “Figured as much. What’s happened?”

  “Possible cattle thieves.” Bob took a gulp of the coffee. As strong as Mark made it, the brew would part his hair—what he had left. “Two ranchers have missin’ cattle. About fifty head total.”

  John remembered Leon’s threats and wondered if any Oberlander cattle were missing. He didn’t want to consider Leon, but he had to. “What are the plans?”

  “Question the ranchers involved again. Call on some of the other ranchers to see if they have the same problem. Check out a few nearby canyons cattle and horse thieves have used in the past.”

  John nodded. “Who reported the stolen cattle?”

  “Sparky McBride and Walt Breacher.”

  Neither one had large ranches. “That’s a lot of livestock for them to lose. Did either see anything unusual? And did either of them question if the missing cattle were due to Sunday’s storm?”

  “Both ranchers made the discovery on Sunday after the storm. Breacher sent ranch hands out looking, but horse tracks indicated they were rounded up and driven south. Then it rained again, and they lost the trail. McBride reported the same kind of thing.”

  “But somewhere in the canyons south of here?” Which could be in a number of secluded areas. “Unless the thieves are driving them to Denver.”

  “Chances are they haven’t had time to change the brand. Any of yours missing?”

  “Not to my knowledge.” John moistened his lips. Bert. Surely she wasn’t involved in this. He hated to accuse anyone without proof … but she had been caught riding Oberlander’s mare. “I’ll ride back to the ranch and then head to Rocky Falls. I’d like to talk to Victor Oberlander. See if his place is all right. He fired one of his hands, and that man could be behind this.”

  Bob rubbed his chin with his knuckle. “I’ll ride with you as far as your place. I’d like to talk to the boy you saved from a hanging a few weeks ago.”

  “How’d you know about that?”

  “Word gets around. He might know something.”

  Evan cleared his throat, but John refused to look his way. “The boy was a girl, and she’s been right here ever since,” John said. “We can both talk to her.”

  “Where’d she come from?”

  “She hasn’t said, and I don’t have a last name either.”

  Bob stared out toward the snow-capped mountains as though pondering John’s information. “Sounds suspicious to me. Could be she’s working with somebody.”

  “She said she didn’t steal the horse.” Evan’s shaky voice gave away his loyalty.

  “They all say they’re innocent, son,” Bob said. “If you’re looking down a hangman’s noose, you’ll say anything to save your neck.”

  John silently agreed with Bob. He cared for Bert, but he wasn’t naïve enough to believe she couldn’t be involved in illegal activity. Could things get worse? “I’m ready to ride. We can talk to Bert, then I’ll get my gear.” He swung his attention to Evan. “You’re in charge. You and Mark check on the cattle again before riding back to the house. If any are missing or you see something suspicious, send Mark or Aaron into town. Don’t get involved in a shootout. Once the job here is finished, head home. I shouldn’t be gone but a day or so.”

  Within the hour, John and Bob stood on the front porch while Mama and Bert sat on the rocking chairs. The girl’s face blanched, and she refused to answer most of Bob’s questions.

  “I hope you realize you’re putting yourself at the top of the list of suspects.” Bob leaned against the porch post. “Missy, folks don’t take to cattle and horse thieves. You were lucky once. You might not get a second chance.”

  “Yes sir.” She glanced at Mama and then at John. “I could lie, but that’s not right.”

  “Then give me your name, where you came from, and why you were riding Victor Oberlander’s mare.”

  Bert stiffened. “Can’t do that. All I can say is I’ve never had a hand in stealing horses or cattle.”

  John bent down and took her hand. She trembled. “I don’t believe you had a thing to do with this. But Marshal Culpepper and I need a few answers.”

  Bert glanced down at the hand around hers. “I can’t tell you my last name or where I’m from. If it wasn’t for owing John money, I’d not be around here.”

  “Or hanged.”

  She startled. “Yes sir. You’re right.”

  “Whoever you’re protecting isn’t worth it. Looks to me like they left you to take a hangman’s noose.”

  Bob spoke the words that had rolled around in John’s head for days. More than once he’d considered talking to Mama about it, but why cause her to fret? Sometimes his mama spent more time worrying about one of them than she did breathing. Yet he knew Bert was afraid of something or someone—and she was ready to die for him. Who could have such a hold on a person? Another man? John would be a fool to think otherwise.

  Still on one knee and holding her hand, John faced her squarely. “Bert, any man who’d let another person die for him is dirt. I don’t care who he is or what he means to you.”

  Bert swallowed hard and shook her head. “You don’t know what you’re sayin'.”

  “So you’re protecting another man?”

  “I don’t know a thing about the stolen cattle.”

  “Looks like I’m right, you — ”

  “John, I swear I don’t know a thing about the cattle.”

  He pressed his lips together while noting the fear in her eyes. Had this man she protected ever held her or told her she was beautiful? Had anyone ever told her not to be afraid? Given the right circumstances, he’d welcome the chance to protect her. And with no logic or proof to back up her innocence, John believed Bert wasn’t a part of the thievery. But he also realized with every bit of strength in him that she knew who was behind the missing cattle.

  “You’re lying to me.” His voice sounded gentle even to him. “At this point, we don’t have missing cattle. What do you think the other ranchers will say about the 5T cattle being safe and accounted for? What will it take to break through your stubborn head? I hope it’s not someone getting shot or killed.”

  The fear in her eyes changed to terror. What thoughts kept her paralyzed?

  John released her hand and stood. His mother whisked away a tear. “I’m leaving with Bob, and I’ll be gone a few days. Send one of the boys into town if you need me.” He swung his attention back to Bert. “Don’t leave the ranch. As I’ve said before, if you leave, I’ll come after you. Not for what you owe me, but because Bob and I are sure you know something about what’s going on.”

  CHAPTER 15

  Leah forced a shaky smile for John. If she protested his leaving with Marshal Culpepper, then bad feelings were sure to simmer between them until he returned. She remembered sending Frank off to Rocky Falls the day he was killed. She didn’t want to think about it, but the memory hammered against her thoughts every time John rode off to help the marshal. Her heart felt like it would break at the slightest hint of turmoil. Cattle thieves were deadly, just like the outlaws who had gunned down Frank. She believed God had all of her sons safely tucked in his arms. Trust was such an expensive commodity. It took her body and soul to hold her faith together.

  She believed her oldest son—the rock of the family—had sincere affection for Ember, and his attempt to
prod the truth from her in a gentle fashion proved it so.

  Evan and Mark knew about the cattle rustling too, and they were out riding the range. Oh, dear, her worries kept mounting.

  The entire Timmons family could be foolish to believe in Bert’s innocence when she’d been found atop Queen Victoria’s back. No reason to be riding the mare. No explanation as to where she’d come from. They wanted to believe her because they’d all grown to care for her. So why didn’t Ember see fit to tell Bob and John what they needed to know? Her silence made her look guilty, and maybe she was.

  When Leah pondered what had happened since the girl had arrived, she failed to remember any time when John had openly stated he believed in her innocence. Oh, her poor boy. His heart had been plucked away while his mind fought to maintain reason.

  And Evan … Aaron, Mark, and sweet Davis. If anything happened to one of her dear sons because of Ember, Leah would tear her apart with her bare hands.

  Leah startled. Her emotions were as torn and varied as her sons’ temperaments. She glanced at Ember, wanting to reassure her, but she couldn’t smile at the girl. With the truth holding her in a staggering hold, she wished she’d never set eyes on her.

  If Leah felt this confused, how must John feel?

  The girl kept her life private except when she relaxed and talked about her brother Gideon. How much should Leah reveal to John about those conversations? Yet Gideon might not be her deceased brother’s real name. And he might not be dead. Or he might not have been a brother.

  Would any of them ever find the answers? Leah prayed the truth about the mare and the current missing cattle didn’t lead back to Ember.

  Frank, I need you!

  “Do you want me to help you put a few things together?” Leah stood from the rocking chair.

  Her gaze met John’s, and she saw his perplexed emotions. “No thanks. I’ll only be a minute. I’m in a hurry to get this handled.” He glanced at Bert, his features stoic as though some inner resolve had given him strength. Lifting the latch, he marched inside.

  Within a few minutes, John joined Leah, Bert, and Bob on the front porch. He slung his saddlebag over his shoulder.

  “Take care, son. And Godspeed.” Leah would not cry. She’d see him off just as she’d done the other times — wishing him well and being brave. “We’ll all be praying for you.”

  John hugged her and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Appreciate it. I’ll be home as quick as I can. Bob’s riding back to town, but I plan to visit a few ranchers first.” He narrowed his gaze at Bert, then nodded.

  What was her boy thinking? Regret for allowing his heart to overrule common sense? Leah watched Bob and John ride off, her emotions threatening to crash in around her … remembering again when Frank wore a deputy’s badge and paid for it with his blood. At that moment, her heart felt like it would break. She eased onto a porch step and emptied her heart through a flood of tears.

  All the way to the Wide O, crossing over his newly purchased land, John fumed at the thought of cattle stolen. The business with cattle thieves had brought Bert’s possible horse thievery to the forefront again. Just when he thought the summer would trickle by like the summers before, a pint-size bundle of trouble had landed on his front porch. Now one of his brothers thought he was falling in love, and two ranchers were missing cattle.

  John believed the good Lord never handed out more than a man could bear. Perhaps He needed a reminder that John Timmons had requested it all to end.

  John found Victor Oberlander at home reading the latest cattle prices in the Rocky Mountain News and drinking coffee mixed with brandy. The bottle sat beside a silver coffeepot. Mama did not need this kind of man in her life, especially when whiskey had dealt their pa a raw hand. Oberlander could take his “need” to town, just like he’d advised John.

  “What brings you to see me?” Oberlander laid aside his paper. “Or did you read my mind?”

  John sat in Oberlander’s parlor with the distinct odors of money and liquor swirling around him. “If you have missing cattle, then we need to talk.”

  Oberlander lifted a brow and poured a jigger of brandy into his cup—minus the coffee. “How’d you find out?”

  “Marshal Culpepper paid me a visit this morning. Sparky McBride and Walt Breacher reported missing cattle. Breacher trailed them until rain washed away the tracks. How many of yours are gone?”

  “About fifty head. Discovered it this morning.”

  That meant at least a hundred stolen so far. “Have any idea who’s behind it?”

  Oberlander took a healthy drink from his cup. “I think we both know the answer to that.”

  “Leon Wilson didn’t take too kindly to you firing him.”

  “It got worse. We had more words, and he knows better than to ever come near my property again.” He set the cup on a small table. “Any of yours gone?”

  “Not to my knowledge. I’m having my brothers check the summer pastures.”

  The look on Oberlander’s face revealed the same thing John suspected. “We got ourselves two possible thieves—Leon and that gal staying at your place. Since Leon tried to hang her, I don’t think the two would be working together. He’s most likely out for revenge since I fired him, and he decided to add a few heads to his herd.” Oberlander added coffee to his cup. “Not sure Leon’s part makes sense with cattle missing from different ranchers. Have you learned anything about Bert?”

  “Nothing. She refuses to talk about herself. Culpepper questioned her too.” John’s thoughts stayed fixed on the possibility of Bert’s involvement. If she was in custody, Evan might think twice about his feelings. But that was wrong—John didn’t have evidence to arrest her. Neither did he want to. If only life were simple. If only the sight of her didn’t cause him to think about a family of his own. “She’s been at the house the whole time. Works hard too.”

  “Never met a lawbreaker yet who didn’t try to outsmart his — or her—victims.” Oberlander stared into his cup. “I’ll show you where the cattle disappeared. Some of my men are out looking for those—” He stood. “I know you disapprove of cursing, and most times I do too unless there’s a no good thief taking what belongs to someone else. You have my word on this. When they’re caught, I’ll hold the hangman’s noose myself.”

  John wasn’t about to lecture about cursing or the law. Victor Oberlander knew the difference between right and wrong.

  The two men rode out across the Wide O’s acreage, through a sprinkling of pine, and on through more green pasture, steadily climbing to higher ground where the trees grew thicker. Their horses picked over the brush and the stones of a clear gurgling stream. Chipmunks scampered and birds flew from the tree-tops as though they sensed trouble on the horizon. In the distance, the variegated shades of green led on to the foothills, but that wouldn’t be where the thieves had taken the cattle. They’d have driven the livestock to where the cattle could be hidden in canyons.

  Oberlander drew in his reins. He pointed to the northeast parcel of land that now belonged to the 5T. “That’s where they drove the cattle across.”

  “Right after the storm,” John said. “Looks like they were waiting for just the right time.” He pondered a moment on the situation. “If the thieves were looking to cast the blame on someone like Bert, seems to me they’d leave my ranch alone.”

  “Makes sense. For that matter, someone could accuse you or Evan.” He wiped the sweat beading on his forehead. “Let’s keep our eyes and ears open to see if that rumor starts. If the rustler is local, he’d start the talk.”

  “Right. Do you know where Leon is? Or if he has family in these parts?” John wanted to talk to him in a bad way.

  “He’s from down near Silverton. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll disappear. By the time I’d gotten back from delivering the mare, he was drunk—mean drunk.”

  “I’ll send a wire. He has it in for both of us.” John considered Leon seizing the opportunity to take his vengeance out on the 5T … his fami
ly … or Bert. He couldn’t ignore the likelihood. Neither could he run scared. He had a job to do.

  With John gone, Bert was free to run. The thought ate at her like varmints picking at Miss Leah’s garden. For her own good, Bert needed to hightail it out of Colorado and head south to Texas where she wouldn’t need to worry so much when winter blew its cold winds.

  Every time she remembered the agony in Leah’s weeping when John left, Bert wanted to break down too. Leah … the strong mother who raised her boys with a mixture of love and real life had been devastated. Bert had started the trouble in this family, and she must be the one to make sure it stopped.

  She stared up from breaking green beans to the small corral where Racer and Queen Victoria kept company. The mare was a constant reminder as to why she had weeks left to work out her indebtedness. She paused to calculate how far she’d get before John came after her. And she had no doubt he’d ride night and day until he caught up to her. He’d be terribly angry.

  Aaron talked nonstop about the cattle thieves, and he blamed Leon, reminding them of the greasy man’s threat. Aaron also wondered why their ranch had been spared. The longer Aaron talked, the more nervous Bert grew.

  According to Marshal Culpepper, other ranchers hadn’t reported missing cattle. Aaron didn’t know for sure; he’d wait for Evan and Mark to report back. The 5T could be minus a few head too.

  If the culprit had been Simon and he knew Bert was staying with the Timmons family, he’d have taken their livestock before the other ranchers'. Surely her worries about her brothers’ involvement were unfounded. She’d seen the results when Simon got even with a person, and his vengeance meant a dead body. And in this case, it would be hers.

  She dropped a handful of crisp broken green beans into a huge crock. If she left now, John might be too busy to come after all. She relaxed a bit. That made sense. She had to get away before Simon found her, before —

  “What are you thinking about?” Miss Leah reached for a handful of fresh beans from the basket and placed them in her lap to trim and break.