Read Online Redeeming Gabriel by Elizabeth White - Free Book Online Page A

when he’s up there on the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon.”
    “But it didn’t come through Jamie this time. And it’s different, somehow. For one thing, he didn’t sign it, and he didn’t give me a key to decode it.”
    “Let me see.” Portia took the paper Camilla handed her. “Why you got to set your heart on that rapscallion…” She frowned. “What’s Joshua and the land of Canaan got to do with anything?”
    “I don’t know.” Camilla’s needles attacked the sock again. “Do you suppose he’s on a spy mission? Maybe he’s trying to tell me he’s coming down south.”
    Portia smoothed the paper. “Could be. He spent a lot of time here with your family when he was in medical school. He knows the area inside out and could blend in. But I hope he’s not planning to make his base here. We got troubles enough of our own.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Rumor says the Federals will target Mobile next, now that New Orleans fell. Military regulations will be tighter. The colonel asked some mighty awkward questions when Willie took him the liquor. We got to be more careful than ever. The freedom runs are over ’til further notice.”
    “Portia, no!”
    “We can’t risk our station. Burn this thing. We can’t take no chances.” Portia slapped the Bible shut.
    Camilla tucked the note back into her pocket. “Why don’t you like Harry? He’s on our side.”
    Portia picked up a knife to stem a bowl of bright red strawberries. “I got nothing against him. But it’s been a long time since you’ve seen him, and I’m afraid you’re mixing up romance with politics.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Portia sucked in her cheeks. “Haven’t you had this discussion with your grandma already?”
    “Lady won’t let me talk about Harry. Oh, Portia, I want…I don’t even know how to tell you what I want!” Camilla stood and plucked a strawberry from the bowl. “Harry used to listen to me and teach me things Jamie and Schuyler wouldn’t, and he treated me like a grownup. He said when I got old enough, he’d marry me and take me to Tennessee where it snows on the mountains and the leaves turn orange in the fall…”
    “Milla, baby, come here.” Portia opened her arms and scooped Camilla into the safe harbor of her embrace. “Now listen real good and try to understand what I’m gonna say. Harry Martin’s the only boy besides your brothers you’ve ever known. I’m not saying he’s not grown into a good man, but how long’s it been since you’ve even seen him?”
    “Five years.” Camilla tucked her face against Portia’s shoulder. Remembering the day Papa had found out Harry had Yankee sympathies still put a shiver between her shoulder blades.
    Portia stroked her hair. “Doesn’t that strike you as a long time between conversations?”
    “We’ve stayed in touch.”
    “Milla.” The strong, dark hands, sweet with the smell of strawberries, cupped her face. “What if he’s using you?”
    “Harry wouldn’t—”
    “What’s he write to you about?”
    Camilla stepped back. “He tells me he misses me! That he remembers the fun we used to have. He’s interested in everything. My sewing, how the fishing’s been…Schuyler’s schooling, Jamie’s runs to Cuba…” She hugged herself, remembering the last few letters before it had gotten so hard to get correspondence through the lines. Harry had asked questions about Papa’s railroad business that she’d taken for simple family concern. Portia’s wry expression forced her to wonder. “Harry wouldn’t use me!”
    “Maybe not. But I hope you won’t waste your life waiting on a man who doesn’t consider your welfare above his own.” Portia went back to the strawberries. “The Lord wants to give you to a man after His own heart.”
    “I think Harry’s that man.”
    Portia’s shoulders lifted. “I pray you’re—”
    The outside door flung open. Schuyler catapulted into the room, bringing with him a distinctly horsey