Mischief and Magnolias by Marie Patrick Read Free Book Online

the cellar. She stifled an oath—indeed, she stifled a scream of frustration—when she saw the mess the soldiers had left.
    She wended her way through the small path between sacks of flour and potatoes and other foods she couldn’t identify at the moment, found a spot on the table where she could put the lantern, and began setting the room to rights.
    A short time later, the cellar had some semblance of order. Smoked meats hung from hooks in the sturdy beams above her, and everything else had been stacked neatly, clearing a wide path to the shelves in the back where Brenna stored the vegetables and fruits they had preserved. Shaelyn loaded two jars of green beans and three of sliced peaches in heavy syrup into the well she’d made with her apron and brought them upstairs.
    Warmth from the oven heated the kitchen. Fine tendrils of her mother’s dark hair clung to her forehead and cheeks, and yet she didn’t seem to mind. Indeed, she seemed quite happy, if the tune she hummed was any indication. Her mother had always enjoyed cooking and toyed with the idea of writing a cookbook one day.
    “Look at you!” Brenna exclaimed when she turned around and spotted her daughter placing the jars on the table. “What took you so long? Did you decide to roll in the dirt?”
    “No, Mama, I straightened the cellar.”
    “They did leave it in quite a mess, didn’t they?” A warm chuckle rose from Brenna’s chest as she swiped at the perspiration gleaming on her forehead. “Go get yourself cleaned up. By the time you finish, they should be finished putting their things away and ready for supper.”
    Again, as she never wanted to see her mother as upset as she’d been earlier, Shaelyn did as she was told.
    Deep, rich voices in a multitude of accents alerted her that the officers had arrived in the dining room. Presentable in a clean skirt and blouse once more, she stepped out of her room just in time to grab the coffeepot and a pitcher of cold tea.
    Major Harte sat at the head of the table, in her father’s customary spot, although she hadn’t set a place setting there. The sight of him in that chair brought a flash of anger, yet at the same time, a comfort she couldn’t explain. His officers had taken places on either side of him and seemed relaxed in each other’s company, as if they’d known each other for a long time, which she supposed they had. The major watched her, his warm gaze bringing an uncomfortable flush to her cheeks and a slight tremor to her hands.
    Back and forth through the swinging door, Shaelyn brought the mashed potatoes, the green beans, bread and butter, and a gravy boat filled to brimming with the leftover brown sugar glaze. With each trip, she felt more and more self-conscious, especially with the major’s eyes watching her every move. She didn’t look at any of them until she heard Jock clear his throat. She glanced at him and caught his wink, his light green eyes, the color of new leaves, glowing with merriment and not a little bit of mischief, before she scurried back to the kitchen and the last item to be brought to the table.
    “I must admit, I am anxious to see these riverboats you’ve boasted about, Jock.” The comment came from Aaron Falstead, who grinned, showing off a complement of pearly white teeth.
    “Ach, ye’re in for a treat, laddie,” the Scotsman replied, smiling. His eyes sparkled as he winked at her once more. “Finest riverboats on the Mississippi.”
    “Tomorrow will be soon enough,” Remy said as he draped a linen napkin over his lap and took the platter of ham from Shaelyn’s suddenly shaking hands. He flashed that charming smile that sent liquid honey gathering in the pit of her belly and, without a word, passed the heavy plate around, making sure everyone had theirs before taking several slices for himself. He placed the platter in the middle of the table.“Thank you, Miss…Shae.”
    The way he said her name sent a jolt of pleasure to her heart, and the warm