by DiAnn Mills
“Mr. Oberlander,” Clint called. “Did you bring someone without an invite?”
“Sure did.” Oberlander pushed John toward the men, the rifle firmly fixed against his back. “Guess he didn’t take me serious about shooting trespassers.”
“Maybe you should have told me your new ranch hands were hired guns.” John’s voice sounded strong and confident. But it would take more than a fearless stand to save him from these men.
“Bring him over by Bert,” Clint said, “where we can keep an eye on both of ‘em.”
Her gaze flew to John’s face, hoping he looked her way so she could silently tell him her many regrets. And her love.
Oberlander shoved him toward her, and one of the other men tied his hands behind him.
“The rain’s let up a bit,” Oberlander said. “I need you men to get the cattle branded.”
“Yes sir. That means buildin’ a fire, but if that’s what you want, then we’ll get it done. Can’t get ‘em all done before nightfall though.” Clint sneered. “What about Timmons here?”
Oberlander lifted his chin. “Do I have to tell you everything?”
“No sir.”
“And get rid of the girl too before leaving in the morning.”
Lester stepped forward. “Despite the trouble she’s been, she’s still our sister.”
Oberlander frowned. “And do you think she’s going to keep quiet after turning Simon into the law?”
And I once thought he was a good man.
“There’s a place in Denver,” Lester continued. “I talked to a man there who’ll pay a good price for her.”
Oberlander hesitated. “I probably know the same man. She won’t run from him. Those who do end up dead.” He swung his glance back to Lester. “Go ahead and sell her to him. But if she takes off, I’ll gun you down myself.”
Lester nodded. Bert saw the possibility of getting Lester to help her and John. Her brother had taken up for her in the past, and he’d not been as influenced with money and broken promises as Clint.
Oberlander peered into Clint’s face. “I’ll contact a lawyer in Denver about Simon once these cattle are branded and driven back to my herd.”
“How long will it take to get him out of jail?”
Now Bert more clearly understood what had been going on. Stealing John’s cattle had given them some assurance of getting Simon free.
“Have no idea. Might take more money on your part.”
“But you said you’d handle it all.”
Oberlander laughed. “I said I knew a lawyer who had the means of freeing him. If he wants more money than what I’ve paid him, then you two will have to take care of it.”
Bert’s gaze flew to Clint. His face tightened, and he bit down on the corner of his mouth. For sure, her brother was making his own plans.
“You take care of things here, and I’ll do my part,” Oberlander said. “We don’t need Bob Culpepper, Wirt Zimmerman, and Parker Timmons out looking for John. I’ll set up a diversion in town to buy you some time.”
“You won’t get away with this,” John said. “Folks already suspect your hand with this. Hired guns put you at the top of the list.”
Oberlander shook his head and chuckled low. “You should have let me marry your mother, and none of this would be happening. Blame yourself, John Timmons. I would have treated her like she deserves, much better than that poor excuse of a US Marshal.”
“Right. Then you could have added our ranch to yours without so many killings.”
“You got into the middle of things when you stopped Leon from hanging this girl.”
“Does that mean you gave the mare to Simon?”
“I’m not stupid. He stole it thinking it would cause me to keep my side of the bargain. Simon had no idea who he was dealing with when he took Queen Victoria.”
“So all of this has been about adding acreage to the Wide O?”
“Land’s about to double. The stone quarry has more business than it knows what to do with, and gold’s been found. Breeding good horseflesh and adding to my herd of cattle means more money for me.”
“You’re getting rich at the cost of the men you’ve murdered?”
Oberlander shook his head. “I didn’t kill those men.”
“But you ordered it,” John said. “Makes you just as guilty.”
“Money buys whatever I want.”
Bert studied Oberlander’s hard features. Not while John has breath in him.
“You’ll be stopped,” John said. “If not by me, another man will make sure justice is served.”
“Big talk for a dead man.” Oberlander’s words were laced with bitterness. He whirled around and pointed at Clint with his rifle. “See if you can follow orders.”
Oberlander disappeared from the mouth of the canyon. Clint barked orders at the other men and stomped toward a wagon that held branding tools. Ember drew in a ragged breath and turned to John.
“I’m so sorry.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry for what I’ve been thinking about you.”
She couldn’t blame him, not when she hadn’t given him a reason to trust her. “Clint threatened all of you if I didn’t leave with him.”
“I know that now.”
She had to make sure he knew all of the truth. “I didn’t help them steal a single cow. They made me ride with them so it would look like I lied to you.”
His eyes moistened, and seeing his emotion moved her to shed one tear after another for all the trouble she’d caused. “I’ve been such a fool. Not trusting you. Doubting why you’d disappeared.”
“If I’d given you a reason to trust me, then perhaps I could agree.” She wanted to say so many things before their lives were forever changed. “Maybe I can convince Lester to let you go.”
John’s eyes narrowed. “We’re in this together. Both of us will walk away from these men.”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand. I give up.”
“Where’s your spunk? Your faith?”
“Faith? I left it at the 5T.”
“Then you’d better find it ‘cause faith is the only thing that will save us now.”
Anger swelled in her. “Do you think God’s going to send an angel in here with some flaming sword?”
“Nope.” His jaw tightened. “But he could send a posse.”
She stopped her unfaithful thoughts. “You’re right. I’m just scared. We have to pray for God to deliver us.”
“Look at those two love birds.” Clint stomped their way. “Shut up, before I blow a hole right through both of you.”
Bert no longer cared. “I thought you wanted me home. Someone to tend to Pa. Now I hear you’re selling me to a brothel.”
“Pa’s dead. A rattler got into the cabin and bit him while he slept.”
She should have had a reaction—and she did. Sorrow for never having a pa who cared for her or saw her as anything but a nuisance. Grief for a family that had never been or would ever be. Faith? She had to believe in God because she had nothing else that truly mattered.
CHAPTER 56
Leah paced the barnyard. How long would John, Evan, Wirt, and Bob be gone? Shadows loomed around her. She should be cooking for the boys. Reading to Mark while he lay in bed. She should be on her knees. Yet all she could do was pace with Rowdy at her heels.
“Mama, I’ve cut slices of ham and bread,” Davis called from the doorway. “And there are beans too.”
Her precious baby. She choked back a sob. “Your brothers will appreciate supper. Thank you, son.”
“Can I bring you a plate of food?”
“No, darlin'. I’m too upset to eat.”
“Me too,” his voice cracked. “I’m worried about John and Evan—and even Bert. She was nice to me, Mama. And now it looks like she played sweet to us so her brothers could steal and murder.”
Leah hated that her youngest knew so much about life when he should be playing, fishing, anything but experiencing harsh reality. “God wil
l make sure it works out.”
“Do you really believe He will?”
“Of course.” She walked toward him. All of her sons’ needs took priority over hers.
“But where was God when Pa died? And when John got shot? What right does God have to pick and choose? Does He have favorites?”
Such heart-wrenching questions from one so young. She lifted her skirts and stepped onto the porch. The confusion on his young face yanked at her heart. She wrapped her arms around him. “We have to believe God knows best and to anchor our prayers in Him. I’ve been angry at God too. Remember when you read how David didn’t understand why God allowed King Saul to try to kill him? All David could do was trust God to bring an end to the bloodshed.”
“It’s hard, Mama.” Davis wiped the wetness from his cheeks.
“I know,” she whispered. Almost impossible.
She heard horse hooves pounding against the ground and whirled around to see riders headed their way. She released Davis and grabbed her rifle, but then she saw a familiar painted horse. Drawing in a breath, she saw only three men. What had happened? She hurried back down the steps to await them. Wirt arrived first.
“Where’s John?”
Lines etched into his face. “Leah, we thought he might be here.”
“What do you mean? And where’s Bob?”
Wirt dismounted. His face held the lines of worry—and trouble. “Bob had a heart attack. He’s at the High Plains, and Doc Slader is with him.”
She glanced about and attempted to gain her senses. Davis was watching, listening. “Will he live?”
“Doc thinks so. But he doesn’t want him moved for a few days.”
“But John … Why don’t you know where he is?”
“When Bob had the heart attack, Evan went back to town to get the doc. John rode on to the next ridge to see if he could spot the cattle. He didn’t show up at the High Plains. We hoped he was here.”
“Well, he’s not!” She lifted her shoulders and slowly let them fall. “I’m sorry. I simply need to know if he’s all right.”
“We’ll find him.” Wirt pulled her into his arms, and she laid her head against his chest. “He probably took shelter from the storm.”
“It didn’t rain here. Just got black.” Her own words mocked her. Was the devil himself trailing her son? “When can we leave to find him?”
Wirt breathed in deeply. “Parker and I have decided to round up a posse in the morning. Not sure where he went, but we’ll pick up his trail.”
Fear twisted through her. “But you have an idea where to begin. You saw where he rode.”
When Wirt didn’t answer, she drew back away from him. “You think he’s dead, don’t you?”
“Of course not, we—”
“Don’t lie to me, Wirt Zimmerman. That’s my son out there. Did he take out across Wide O land? You know Victor has armed his ranch hands with orders to shoot trespassers.” She tensed not only her voice but her whole body.
“Leah, we all know the circumstances.”
“So what are you going to do about it?”
“Soon as I leave here, we’re riding to the Wide O to talk to Oberlander.”
Leah could not believe her ears. “You mean you’re going to ask permission to ride over his land? Aren’t you a US Marshal?” She flashed her anger at Parker. “You two sound like a couple of schoolboys asking permission to use the outhouse.”
“That’s not it at all.” Parker dismounted. “His men may have reported seeing John. And we can’t find him in the dark. Tonight we’ll round up some men to leave at first light.”
“And what if the all-powerful Victor Oberlander refuses to let you ride over his land?”
“That would make him look guilty of harboring information,” Wirt said. “He’d be a fool to try to stop us.”
Angry tears rolled down her cheeks, and she quickly whisked them away. “In the meantime, my John could be lying out there—bleeding and hurting.”
“Mama, getting upset won’t fix things.” Evan stood beside her. When had he dismounted? She wanted to acknowledge his words— the truth. But the panic had taken residence in her throat, and she couldn’t speak.
“Leah,” Parker said, his tone gentle. “He’s my nephew and soon to be Wirt’s stepson. We want to find him too. But it won’t happen until daylight. Taking the road back to town is one thing, but trailing John in the dark is impossible.”
How could she exist through the night not knowing if her dear son was alive?
Early morning Leah paced the porch with four of her sons seated around her. Parker and Wirt had ridden into Rocky Falls last night with a plan of leaving at first light in search of John.
Thoughts of John repeated in her mind. She remembered the joy of the infant she carried inside her. The proud day of his birth and Frank’s tears when she presented him with his first son. John’s first steps. His first words. The way he cared for his family. Oh God, don’t let his life be over.
The anguish tearing her apart grew worse. She wasn’t a coward, and she knew how to fight. Evan, Aaron, Mark, and Davis stared at her. They were men. Even Davis would soon show signs of being a young man instead of a child.
“You boys get your rifles. We’re going after John. Mark, if you aren’t steady, then I want you to stay here.”
“I’m fine, and I’m going.” Mark stood.
She turned to Davis. “I want you to ride into Rocky Falls. I’m hoping you can find Uncle Parker and Mr. Zimmerman on the way. Tell them that we’re riding after what’s ours. If they want to join us, that’s fine. And if they don’t, then they’re cowards.”
“Where do you think he is?” Aaron said. “I’m afraid he might have fallen for another one of Bert’s lies.”
Leah lifted her head, refusing to look at Evan. “Whatever we find, God is already there. We’ve all prayed for John. I’m holding on to those prayers.”
“I agree,” Evan said. “We’re in this together.”
Leah’s confidence raised a notch. “Mr. Oberlander says he won’t let anyone cross his land because he’s protecting it, but I think he has something to hide. And I have an idea where John might be.”
“Where?” Mark turned his head as though disbelieving her words. Oh, but he was so much like John.
“When your father and I first moved out here from Virginia, we used to explore the mountains and canyons along the strip of land currently belonging to the Wide O. Several canyons there could hold cattle.”
“But there’s no grass in a rocky canyon,” Evan said. “They couldn’t stay there long, except for the rustlers to change the brand.”
“I’m thinking the same thing too,” Leah said. “That’s why we’re leaving now.”
“His ranch hands are armed,” Aaron said with a firm grip on his rifle. “I’m ready for whatever it takes to help John.”
“Let me go too.” Davis stood and stretched to his full height.
Evan bent to Davis’s level. “What you’re doing is more important than anything right now. We need help, and those men can provide it.” He placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “We’re counting on you to ride fast. Tell them about the canyon. I bet Uncle Parker knows where it’s at too.”
“Yes sir. I’ll show you I know how to be a Timmons man.”
Leah blinked back the tears. “All right. Let’s get our horses, and make sure you have plenty of ammunition.”
CHAPTER 57
The sun steadily rose across the canyon, and John realized if the good Lord had decided to call him and Ember home, then he needed to say a few things to the woman beside him. He hadn’t given up on getting out of this mess, but he had no idea what the future held. He’d made so many mistakes with Ember that he would not make one more. The smell of burnt hide and the constant bawling of cattle while Oberlander’s men branded stolen cattle with the Wide O brand gave him time to talk to Ember.
Victor Oberlander had tricked a town full of good people. To satisfy his greed, he’d st
olen cattle and murdered to scare folks into selling out. He’d have prime property when businesses got word of railroad expansion into Rocky Falls.
He hoped Wirt or Parker pried into Oberlander’s dealings and demanded a bill of sale for all the extra cattle running over the Wide O. That would nail Oberlander and his thieving and murdering ways. He turned his attention to the woman he loved.
“I wanted to ask you to marry me,” he said. “I know I hinted at it, but I never asked you proper. Never made it serious.”
She slowly turned to look at him, as though she’d heard wrong. “With all you know about me?” Her brown eyes moistened. “I have nothing to offer. No loving family. A brother who did unspeakable things to me.” She glanced away then back to him. “Your brothers are good. Mine kill and steal.”
“I don’t care about Simon, Clint, or Lester. It’s you I want in my life. It’s you I want to spend the rest of my days with. It’s you I want to be the mother of my children.” John realized something he’d never thought possible. “I … I need you, Ember. My life is useless without you beside me.”
“And I love you. I think I always have.” She turned toward the sound of her brothers swearing at each other, and the men helping them brand the cattle roared within the canyon. “I want to believe that it’s not too late to have a life with you.”
“We’re not giving up. God hears our prayers, and He’ll deliver us.”
“From what I’ve read, sometimes our prayers are answered in this life, and sometimes our prayers are answered in the next.”
She was right, but he refused to cease hoping until he breathed his last. “We’re not giving up, not until we breathe our last breath.”
Clint walked their way. John had seen the grim look of determination before, and whatever he planned was not for Ember’s or his benefit. He jerked Ember up from the rocky floor and untied her hands from behind her back.
“You wanna live, little sister? I have a job for you.” Without waiting for her to answer, he slipped his revolver from his gun belt and shoved it into her hand. He forced her to face John. “Pull the trigger. That will prove your loyalty.”