Read Online Where Love Runs Free (Tales from the Upcountry) by Caroline Friday - Free Book Online

asked him about it, and he says your mama sold, fair and
square.”
    “He’s a liar—”
    “He is not. Edward is an honorable, trustworthy man.”
    As soon as Angelina spoke these words, laughter and giggling
from a group of young women filtered into the room. “Oh, Miss Mabel, can you
believe we went all the way to Mildred’s and there wasn’t a single table to
seat us—and Edward even made a reservation . . .”
    Angelina’s cheeks flushed a deep red at seeing Edward enter
the room with a lovely, young girl on his arm. Ben cut his eyes in her
direction, relishing in the fact that Edward was proving his case. “Already out
and about with another lady,” he said with a smirk. “How honorable.”
    “Why, Angelina!” the young woman said coolly, obviously
confused by Angelina’s harsh expression. Then seeing Ben, her tone changed. “Oh,
hello,” she cooed, cocking her head in a flirtatious way as he stood to greet
her. “You must be Mr. Smith. We haven’t met, but I’m Isabella Richardson, Isaac
Richardson’s daughter. You know, the breeder of Midnight Storm?” She giggled,
revealing a set of white teeth and exquisite features that brought a bit of
levity to the situation, despite the fact that Ben was staring his nemesis face
to face.
    “Call me Ben. Ben Eagle-Smith.” He glared at Edward before
accepting Isabella’s dainty hand and brushing it against his lips. She giggled
again, and Ben caught the scent from her skin—the smooth, powdery aroma of rose
petals.
    “Edward,” Angelina said nervously, “you remember Ben?”
    “Yes—Mr. Smith.” He spoke sternly, offering his hand.
“Edward Millhouse.”
    “Mr. Millhouse.” Ben’s jaw muscles flexed as he looked into
Edward’s dark, beady eyes. “I believe I have something for you.” Then reaching
into his back pocket, he pulled out a thick wad of folded paper. Carefully, he
opened it and slapped it onto Edward’s chest. It was the FOR SALE sign written
in the blood-red ink.
    “Ben!” Angelina cried.
    “I’m putting you on notice,” Ben said in a low growl that
rose up from deep within him. “I don’t wanna ever see you on my property again,
you got that straight?”
    Edward stared at him with a fiery expression, not moving a muscle.
Ben nodded and then strode out of the hotel, not even taking the time to thank
Mabel for the fine food or have that visit with her. He would have to do that
later. All he could think about was the empty, blackness in Edward’s eyes. It
was the same look he remembered as a boy, the same look that had haunted his
thoughts all of these years. He had first seen it the night his father died.
     
     

Chapter 8
     
     
    “Child, I do declare, you look just like your mama standin’
there like that.” Ella dabbed her eyes with the edge of her apron as she stared
at Angelina in her rose-colored silk damask dress with velvet ribbon, ruby
necklace, and matching earrings. Jessie had styled her hair in a curled
up-sweep adorned with miniature roses and secured with the tortoiseshell comb.
The finishing touch was a dusting of rose-colored powder to her cheeks and a
splash of rose water to her wrists and behind each ear. Angelina felt like a
delicate flower that had just bloomed.
    “No one’s as pretty as Mama,” she mused, staring at her
reflection in the vanity mirror. She did look pretty—even beautiful—which was
appropriate, since this was her night to celebrate. It was the evening of her
long-awaited engagement party, and all of Laurel Grove was buzzing with
excitement over the festivities. Even Jessie.
    “You do look like her, you know,” Jessie said, “even if you
don’t want to admit it.” She kissed Angelina’s cheek and fluffed the skirt of
her dress. “And you act like her too.”
    “Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.” Angelina smiled at
Jessie, admiring her sister’s appearance. It was nice seeing her dressed up in
a lavender silk gown with a touch of lace around the bodice that