Read Online To Have and To Hold by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller - Free Book Online Page A

curled her lip in disgust. “’Course it tastes like grape. Any fool knows scuppernongs are grapes.”
    â€œWhat Aunt Thora meant to say is that scuppernongs are a white grape that is grown in the South, Mr. Parks. It’s used much the same as darker grapes.”
    â€œWell, it sure is tasty.” If Aunt Thora’s remark offended him, he hid it well. “By the way, did you know the investors hired a doctor? Hear tell his two little girls will be coming, as well. We’ve made some adjustments to one of the overseer cottages where the family will be living.”
    Mr. Fenton nodded. “Yep, should be arriving today or tomorrow. Dr. Wahler from Atlanta.” He arched his long neck and puffed his chest, obviously pleased to add an additional piece of gossip.
    Audrey perked to attention at the news. A doctor’s wife would prove a wonderful addition to the island. The company of another woman was always a welcome thought. Audrey loved Aunt Thora, but there were times when she longed to have someone closer to her own age, someone in whom she could confide. Still, Audrey was surprised that a doctor and his wife would want to leave Atlanta and move to Bridal Veil. The change would surely be difficult, but she’d do her best to see that they didn’t find island life monotonous or dull.
    â€œThat is exciting news. I look forward to meeting them, especially Mrs. Wahler and the children.” Had Audrey known they were arriving, she would have arranged to have basic supplies delivered to the cottage. Then again, perhaps Mrs. Wahler had the foresight to take care of that herself.
    â€œOh, ain’t no Mrs. Wahler coming.” Once again, Mr. Fenton’s neck stretched until his beaklike nose overshot his plate, and Mr. Uptegrove, the third boarder, nodded his shiny bald head. “Word is, Mrs. Wahler’s dead. Just gonna be the doctor, the two youngsters, and their housekeeper. If I understood correct, she’s a colored woman.” He lowered his voice to a whisper when he uttered the final two words.
    Aunt Thora slid her napkin onto her lap. “There’s no need to speak in whispers, Mr. Fenton. We know all about colored folk.”
    â€œMaybe. But this woman ain’t a slave. He listed her as an employee .”
    A giant whoosh escaped Aunt Thora’s lips. She directed a look of disgust at the man. “Nobody owns slaves anymore, Mr. Fenton. You may recall there was a war over slavery not so long ago.” She’d sweetened her sarcastic words with enough honey to attract every bee in three counties. “That’s back when you Northerners came down here and burned our—”
    â€œThat’s enough, Thora. The war is over, and we’ll have no more discussion of it at this table.” Audrey’s father slapped his knife onto the table with a decisive thud.
    â€œAs you wish, Boyd, but I’m just saying . . .”
    Audrey’s father held up his hand to silence her. “Does your trip into Biscayne this morning mean that we should expect additional boarders in the near future, Mr. Parks?”
    â€œI think we’ll have a houseful by week’s end. I just hope they’ll prove to be a good lot.” Mr. Parks directed the final comment toward Audrey.
    She hoped they would be a good lot, as well, but Mr. Parks’s comment was enough to set her slightly on edge. There had been enough evidence in her past to prove construction workers could be a difficult group. Some were fine, upstanding men who offered a day’s work for a day’s wages, went home to their families, attended church on Sundays, and lived at peace with the world. Others, like her father in years past, enjoyed the taste of liquor, and though they performed their work, their families didn’t see them—or their wages—on a regular basis.
    Remembering the many days when her father stumbled into their house, his breath reeking of