Read Online Spirit of the Revolution by Debbie Peterson - Free Book Online

off limits. Everyone understand that?”
    Mathias exchanged glances with each of his companions and shrugged. Then, as she turned on her heels and made her way back up the stairs, she caught sight of Sam from the corner of her eye. He waved a hand in dismissal toward her, shook his head, and tsked.
    “Women,” he muttered and the comment made her laugh.
    About forty-five minutes later, she returned dressed in a white tuxedo blouse and black slacks, ready for her day. Since the boys still poked about the stereo as if totally intrigued with the thing, she picked up the remote and turned it on.
    “This stereo has a three hundred disk carousel, which is almost full,” she said. “That means it holds hours and hours of music. I have everything from classical to new age already loaded.” She explained the function of each button and said, “Does everyone understand how it works?”
    William took the remote from her hand and showed her he could follow simple directions. Seconds later, the deep, rhythmic beat of “Smoke on the Water” boomed out of the speakers. Jo laughed at their initial reaction to the song her father used to play so often during her childhood. However, not until William and Alexander got down with the music, in what she could only describe as an eighteenth century boogie to a twentieth century song, did everyone else join in the laughter. Sam laughed so hard at the spectacle they made of themselves, Jo almost expected tears to run down his cheeks. Jed and Mathias weren’t far behind in the hilarity of the exhibition, either.
    “All right, all right,” Jo sputtered as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “I can’t take any more of this, so let me show you how to use the remote for the TV, the satellite box, and the Blue-ray machine. I’ve got lots of must-see movies too.”
    Once she finished the lessons, Alex bowed his head and said, “Well thanks, Jolena. I believe you’ve provided us with some new entertainment.”
    “Indeed.” Sam shifted his gaze toward her and nodded. “I hope you’ll return shortly to enjoy the day with us.”
    “Well actually, I won’t be back until quite late,” she said. “I have a few errands after my work day is over, and then I promised my friend Carolyn I would stop by for a visit. So if you guys don’t mind, would you look after Dak for me, while I’m gone?”
    “I’d be happy too, Miss Jolena,” Jedediah replied.
    Jo made her way to the table and picked up her car keys before retrieving her bag and violin. “Thanks, and I guess I’ll see you all later this evening. Have fun with the stereo and the television,” she said as she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out the door.
    Mathias insisted on accompanying her to her car, to make certain she stayed safe, he said. She couldn’t imagine anything adverse befalling her path in broad daylight. Still, she appreciated the gallant gesture as well as his company. He said they’d all anxiously await her return. The comment warmed her from head to toe.
    At that moment, she had no idea the day would pass at a snail’s pace. She fidgeted and sighed all the way through the rehearsals. Far too many times to count, she lost and found her concentration. At the end of the day, she bolted through the doors ahead of everyone else. From the parking lot of the concert hall, she bounced into her car and drove straight to the library.
    After locating all the available books she could find on Morgan’s Rangers, and the part they played during the Revolutionary War, she searched for and found one on Major John Clark. Satisfied with her selections, she returned to her car and made the ten minute drive to Carolyn’s house.
    Jo wanted to see her, not only because they hadn’t seen each other since she moved into the house, but also because Kay truly believed in ghosts. Her interest and belief in the supernatural might give her the insight she needed and help her know what to expect in the days ahead. She gave the