Read Online Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond - Free Book Online

“Hmm, good jam.” His finger squeaked against the bowl. “You’d better have a taste.”
    His silhouette blocked the starlight. She turned her head and a sticky kiss landed below her ear. She tried to relax, but her arms wouldn’t move from their defensive position on his shirtfront. His next kiss grazed her cheek.
    â€œJesse.”
    â€œYou remembered my name.”
    â€œThis is not—”
    â€œI know.” He whispered, “It’s your time of the month.”
    Was nothing private? Susannah twisted away, grateful the darkness hid her blush. “Men aren’t supposed to know . . .”
    â€œDidn’t Matt tell you we have four sisters?” The canteen gurgled. “Anyway, you need more courting time.”
    She gulped in a breath. “Thank you.”
    â€œYou get a better view lying down.” He rolled onto his back, pulled her beside him, and settled her head on his shoulder.
    â€œI’ve been thinking—” His voice came out muffled. “About marching through the woods in Virginia, near the Shenandoah. Rumor said Jeb Stuart hid there, that behind every rock itched a Reb wanting to take us out. Turns my guts to ice thinking of it. We’d try to be quiet, but someone’d swat a fly, step on a twig, cough. Those Rebs watched us sneak through their woods. I’d have given a month’s rations to know where they were.” His words came clearer. He must have turned toward her. “I know what it’s like to be afraid. Susannah, we’re on the same side, you and me.”
    She tried to respond, but the words wouldn’t come.
    â€œIf someone hurt you, if you tell me, then I won’t do the wrong thing, and we’ll be easier with each other.”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    â€œI thought it might not be so difficult to talk out here in the dark.” He paused for three long breaths. “Guess not.”
    Susannah had been shy her whole life. Perhaps she wasn’t cut out to be a wife. She had often thought she would have been better off alone. By herself, perhaps, she could open her Pandora’s box of thoughts, sort through them, make peace with them. In front of this stranger who pried at her with a crowbar? Impossible.
    â€œGuess not,” he said again, his words so slow and heavy they hung in Susannah’s ears instead of blowing away.

    Susannah jerked awake and sat up. “We fell asleep outside.”
    â€œGood morning,” Jesse said. He stretched toward the rosy glimmer in the east. “What’s wrong? Weren’t you warm enough?”
    â€œWhat will people think?”
    â€œWhat people? Jake had a good time. Didn’t you, boy?”
    The dog’s curly tail wagged in agreement.
    The sky turned the color of peach skin. “What a sunrise,” Susannah murmured. “And last night’s stars—”
    â€œGod’s beautiful creation.” He wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “Like you.”
    With her hair matted and dress wrinkled? Did he need spectacles? “If you’ll let go, I’ll fix you a hot breakfast to make up for last night’s supper.”
    â€œBreakfast isn’t what I’m hungry for, Miss Susannah.” His eyelids lowered. He drew a line down her neck.
    Oh, this man! Susannah grabbed the food basket and marched down the hill. Jesse followed, serenading the dawn with a jaunty rendition of “Little Old Sod Shanty.”
    When they reached the front door, Susannah bent to examine three purplish-white flowers planted among her herbs. “Asters?”
    â€œThey grow wild hereabouts. Fellow’s supposed to bring flowers when he’s courting.” He tipped his head, a question in his eyes.
    â€œThank you.”
    Jesse finished his morning chores all too quickly and came back to roost on the trunk while Susannah finished cooking breakfast. The cornbread would be a minute yet. She served