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

mother doesn’t have any worries about him being in the house with you?”
    “No, of course not. Why do you ask?”
    “He’s unmarried?”
    “Yes, but there’s nothing improper about him moving in. Adam is like a brother to me.”
    “There was nothing brotherly about the way he was looking at you.”
    Jo sighed. “George, what are you talking about?”
    “He was looking at you the way a man looks at a woman.”
    “He’s just trying to get over the fact that I’m no longer twelve. He didn’t even recognize me at first.”
    “Well, I still say you need to be careful.”
    Jo shook her head, but said nothing. How did one explain that Adam Morgan was harmless? Well, sort of.
    “You probably think I’m being foolish, don’t you?” George asked.
    “No, but you don’t have to concern yourself with this.”
    “If you say so.”
    “I do.”
    He looked into her eyes. “You’re pretty headstrong, aren’t you?”
    Jo searched his face. She wondered if this was more of his outdated thinking. “Yes, I am. It’s in my blood. Does that bother you, too?”
    He gave her a brief smile that appeared forced. “No, it doesn’t. Just never been around a woman who knew her own mind like you.”
    “You have to thank my mama for that, as well.” Jo decided that since she hadn’t had ample time to influence George’s outdated thinking, she shouldn’t let him upset her. George seemed to be an intelligent man and Jo was certain it wouldn’t be long before he learned to appreciate all aspects of the free-spirited, free-thinking young woman she’d been raised to be. With that in mind, she thought a change in conversation might serve them well. “So, what’s the most important thing I should know about you, George?”
    He pondered that for a bit, then offered in a genuine voice, “You should know that I’m a straight arrow. When I give my word, it can be counted on.”
    Jo liked that. “No skeletons hiding in your closet?”
    He grinned. “No, ma’am. I’m just George Brooks from Jackson, Michigan, and I’m very taken with you, Josephine Best.”
    The way his voice softened made Jo feel very special. “I think I’m taken with you, too, George.”
    He reached out and gently took her hand. She’d never held hands with anyone before and was unprepared for the happiness it gave her.
    “Ahem!”
    Jo and George jumped apart. They turned to see a grinning Trudy.
    An embarrassed Jo scolded her good friend. “Trudy Carr, you scared us to death. I thought you were my mama.”
    “I thought you might need a chaperone, and I was right.”
    Jo laughed. “Go away.”
    The tight-lipped George said nothing.
    Trudy strolled off in the direction of the wagon, saying, “You two better hurry it along. The mamas will be here shortly.”
    Jo ignored Trudy for the moment. “I had a nice time today, George.”
    “I did, too. I’ll call on you soon, all right?”
    Jo nodded.
    “Well, guess this is goodbye for now,” George said with regret.
    “Guess it is. Take care of yourself,” Jo responded.
    “I will and you do the same.” With that, he reluctantly headed back toward the house.
    After he took his leave, Trudy and Jo sat on Trudy’s wagon and waited for their mothers and Belle and Adam. They chatted as they waved goodbye to the other women from the church who were also heading home.
    “You know, Jo, if you and George were to be married, you wouldn’t have to change your embroidery because his name starts with a B, ” Trudy pointed out.
    Jo chuckled. “Only you would come up with something so practical.”
    “That’s why you keep me around. Now I have a question for you. What do you think of Dred Reed?”
    “He’s very handsome.”
    “Very. I’m thinking of breaking off my engagement.”
    Jo stiffened. “What! Why?”
    “Dred is handsome and exciting. Bert is, well, Bert.”
    “Trudy, you can’t be serious! You love Bert.”
    “Do I?”
    Jo couldn’t believe her ears. “What’s come over