Josephine by Beverly Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page B

know.”
    Trudy then gushed. “Lord, did you ever see anyone so handsome?”
    Jo had to admit she had not. “He doesn’t recognize either of us, though. He called me beautiful.”
    Trudy stopped dead in her tracks. “He did?”
    “Yes.” And as Jo recalled the incident now, she could still feel her insides shimmering like sun on the lake.
    Jo and Trudy found Mrs. Oswald. She’d joined Cecilia, Belle and the other women sewing beneath the trees. Before Jo could say a word, Trudy announced quickly, “Mrs. Best, Adam Morgan is here!”
    Cecilia and Belle sat up in surprise.
    Trudy added, “He didn’t recognize us. He called Jo beautiful!”
    Jo wanted to bop her friend in the head for revealing that, but nothing could be done about it now.
    Cecilia echoed skeptically, “Beautiful?”
    Jo waved her hand dismissively. “Mama, you remember how Adam and Jere were? No female was safe from their silver tongues. Well, apparently, nothing’s changed. Trudy’s right about him not recognizing us, though. He didn’t.”
    Cecilia smiled. “Adam and Jere were handfuls. Always respectful, but they lived for turning a young lady’s head. Won’t he be surprised when he finds out who you two really are!”
    Once he did, Jo doubted he would call her beautiful again, and for some reason that knowledge didn’t sit real well with her. Jo, however, thought it wise not to put any stock in whatever Adam had to say. She’d seen the Morgan brothers work their magic on young ladies for many years, and she personally had no desire to be put through her paces by a café-au-lait Casanova. Besides, she was supposed to be starting up with George. She wondered where he’d gotten to. She glanced around the grounds and saw that he was still engrossed in his chess game.
    Mrs. Oswald rose to her feet, saying, “I should go and meet the young man and assign him a space.”
    Cecilia and Belle got up, as well.
    “You know, Patricia, I loved those Morgan boys as if they were my own,” Cecilia said to Mrs. Oswald. “Depending on how long Adam’s going to stay and what his plans are, I’d be willing to take him into my home. We’ve the room. Haven’t we, ladies?” Belle nodded enthusiastically. Jo wasn’t so sure about having the blarney-filled Adam Morgan under her roof.
    Cecilia studied Jo for a silent moment, but Jo responded with a smile she hoped would allay any concerns. “That might be nice, Mama.”
    Cecilia nodded. “Good. Then let’s go and see him.”

five
    Seated in the parlor alone, Adam Morgan glanced around at the room’s well-worn furnishings and threadbare rugs. The house wasn’t fancy, but it was clean and smelled pleasant. Having to recuperate here might not be too bad, he mused, then cast his mind back to the intriguing black-eyed beauty he’d just encountered. Why wouldn’t she reveal her name? Had she chosen to remain anonymous because she was married or perhaps engaged? Adam didn’t remember seeing any rings on her fingers, but knew that meant nothing. Many married and engaged women didn’t wear rings. No matter, though, he found her stunning and vowed to ask Mrs. Oswald about her as soon as possible.
    Adam heard someone coming, and hoped it would be the young woman returning to tell him her name. Instead, Cecilia Best and Belle entered the room. The sight of their familiar faces filled him with such happiness and joy, he snatched up his crutches and struggled upright.
    Cecilia came to him with open arms. “Oh, Adam. It’s so wonderful to see you.”
    Adam embraced her as best he could and felt her love flow through him with such force it put a sheen of tears in his eyes. When she finally let him go, he said emotionally, “It’s good to see you again, as well.”
    Then Belle stepped forward. She gave him a strong hug too. “Welcome home.”
    Adam couldn’t believe they were here. The last time he’d seen the Best women had been more than five years ago. He and his older brother, Jeremiah, had been half