The Sun Rises (Southern Legacy Book 4) by Jerri Hines Read Free Book Online

Percival adores her,” Jo said, fully aware that Grace Ann needed the children as much as the children needed her. “She hasn’t said so, but I believe she is hurt that Aunt Sybil hasn’t come.”
    “And well Mrs. Haynes won’t,” Mr. Whitney said in a strangled voice. “Her father has seen to that. I’m not sure you’re aware that he disowned Grace Ann after I sided with the Montgomerys after you married Wade.”
    “No…Grace Ann never mentioned it.” In silence, her eyes met his. There was an immediate understanding that Grace Ann, too, had paid a price. It was an upsetting thought.
    “I’m certain it is not Mrs. Haynes’s doing,” Mr. Whitney said flatly. “Though, she sent a note. In it, she also informed Grace Ann that Buck had returned to the Groves.”
    “Buck—home? I had not heard...” Her voice trailed off. An old fear sharpened. She had not thought of her cousins in such a long time. “Harry Lee?”
    “I heard a rumor that Harry Lee is in a Yankee prison camp, as I heard that Buck deserted.”
    Alarmed, Jo couldn’t ignore the unbridled fear that filled her. Stumbling over her words, she asked, “When…when did he return? Do…you…?”
    “I’m unsure, but would imagine it has been a couple of months. I have already alerted Andrew to the situation and he assures me that he is keeping a close eye on Buck. I would not be overly worried. I doubt Buck would make a move without Harry Lee. Moreover, despite that Wade is no longer with us, the arrangements he made are still in place.”
    She felt a chill up her spine, but also a sudden resolve that she would not be ruled by the fear her cousins inflicted by the mere mention of their names. She was a different person than she was before the war…unimaginable loss changes a person.
    “You are not alone.” Mr. Whitney reached over and squeezed her hand. “Go now and please tell Mrs. Whitney I will return by dark.”
    * * * *
    The drive back to Camden weaved the carriage along a path of devastation. The row of whitewashed slave cabins was gone. The only evidence was the blackened spots on the ground.
    As she looked out the window, she fought back melancholy as she studied the landscape. The sky darkened with the promise of rain. In her view, she noticed the split-rail fence broken and splintered; the slaves’ garden patches seemed to have been trampled. The livestock pens were emptied. Odd for five slaves to have caused such damage.
    At the end of the lane, a temporary shelter had been built for the homeless slaves…the ones who had stayed. Most seemed to have taken flight.
    Near the creek’s edge, the threatening clouds began to sputter raindrops. Suddenly, out of the woods, dogs ran wild on the trail of a scent. Barking madly, the pack swiftly crossed the water to the other side, followed closely by Johnnie Syms, Mr. Whitney’s overseer, on horseback.
    The carriage slowed to allow the overseer to cross. He turned and tipped his hat in a polite manner. Then an abrupt screech erupted: a cry for help. At first, Jo thought she imagined it, but another shriek, a gut-wrenching scream…from a child.
    “Stop! Stop!” Jo pounded her hand frantically on top of the carriage over and over until the carriage halted.
    Swinging back the door, she stepped out. Her eyes caught movement in the woods. Looking back over her shoulder, she called to the driver, “Don’t sit there. There is a child out there!”
    The old black man shook his head. “No, ma’am. Master says to getca back to town. Ya best get back in.”
    In front of her, Syms turned back to her. “Malcolm’s right, Mrs. Montgomery. It’s not safe for ya to go into these woods. Still rounding up the niggers who helped ole Willy.”
    Her heart pounded, but another cry pulled her out of the cloud of fear for herself. “Mr. Whitney would not allow me to go back alone if he was concerned about my safety…that is a child!”
    Not waiting for an answer, she rushed by Syms and through the