Read Online Josephine by Beverly Jenkins - Free Book Online Page A

softly, “Lord, if Bert ever looked at me that way—”
    Trudy’s voice broke the spell. Jo turned to her and asked, “What?”
    “Nothing. Just a comment.”
    Jo had no idea what Trudy was referring to. “You’re not making sense, Tru.”
    “I know. It’s all right though.”
    Jo shrugged and they resumed their walk. “I wonder if George has had a chance to talk to Mama yet?”
    “What about?”
    “Calling on me.”
    Trudy’s voice rose excitedly, “Really?”
    Jo nodded, pleased. “I hope she says yes.”
    Their eyes met. Trudy asked, “So you like him?”
    “I do. But I’m not looking for a beau, of course.”
    “Of course not.”

six
    When Jo and Trudy reached their mothers, the women were folding the garments they’d been mending for the soldiers and placing them in a pile on the table. Later, Mrs. Oswald would make certain the items were returned to the proper owners.
    Barbara Carr, a taller, older version of Trudy, had a smile on her face as the girls walked up. “Well, we’re all heading home. You two ready?”
    Trudy and Jo nodded that they were. Jo didn’t want to look in Adam’s direction but couldn’t help herself. His eyes were waiting. His gaze was so direct it put a weakness in her knees. Startled by her response, she hastily looked away from him only to see George walk up.
    Mrs. Best greeted his presence with a cheery, “Well, hello, George.”
    George nodded, then said quickly, “Mrs. Best, before you leave, I’ve something I need to ask.”
    Cecilia eyed him. “Yes?”
    George looked around at the small group of people. He seemed to see Adam for the first time. “Have we met?”
    “No. I’m Adam Morgan.”
    George stuck out his hand. “George Brooks.”
    Adam leaned over his crutches and shook George’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
    Cecilia asked, “George, you had a question? Adam’s tired and I need to get him home.”
    “Home?”
    Adam explained. “Yes. I’m moving in with the Bests for a while.”
    George seemed taken aback by that. His eyes swept to Jo’s face for a moment before refocusing on Adam. “I’m assuming you’re a friend of the family, then?”
    “I am.”
    Cecilia’s voice had just a touch of impatience in it now. “George? Your question.”
    George looked away from Adam, who appeared slightly amused by the whole affair. “Yes, well, I’d hoped to do this in a more private setting, but—” George glanced over at Jo once more, then as he began to speak to Mrs. Best, his nervousness was plain. “I’d like your permission to call on your daughter. If I may, of course.”
    Cecilia studied him, then asked Jo, “What should I say, Josephine?”
    Jo smiled. “Yes would be fine, Mama.”
    Cecilia nodded. “Then I suppose my answer is yes.”
    George broke into a grin. Jo grinned, too, but when she happened to glance at Adam, his coolly raised eyebrow made her own eyebrow raise. She asked him, “Is something wrong?”
    Adam gave George a quick, dismissive look, then said, “No. Just waiting for you and your beau to finish so I can get to the house.” Adam then asked, “Belle, do you still make those great biscuits?”
    “Sure do,” she responded proudly. “Would you like some with breakfast in the morning?”
    “Is Jeff Davis a Reb?”
    They all laughed.
    Her mother then asked, “So, George, when may we expect you?”
    “I’m not sure, ma’am. But I’ll come as soon as I can.”
    “Well, you will be welcome at any time.”
    “Thank you.”
    George then asked Jo, “May I walk with you to your wagon?”
    “Sure.”
    Feeling Adam’s eyes on her back, Jo walked off with George.
    Once they were out of earshot, he asked, “Did I sound nervous?”
    She chuckled. “A bit, but it was sweet. Mama must like you.”
    “I like her, too, I think.”
    They laughed.
    George then asked, “How long have you known that Morgan fellow?”
    “Most of my life. He and his brother, Jeremiah, are my brother’s best friends.”
    “I see. Your