Free Storm Clouds Rolling In by Ginny Dye, Virginia Gaffney Page B

course. When the time is right, Carrie will find that special person. Until then, I am going to enjoy having her at home. I’m not anxious to see her leave us yet.”
    Abigail fell silent. When he put it that way, there was really nothing she could say.
    Thomas smiled and blew out the light. He had scored a victory.
     

     
    Moses pulled his wool blanket closer to his chin and snuggled down against the early spring chill. At least Sarah had been right about some of the things she had said. The slaves at Cromwell were at least treated a little better. His bed back at the Smith Plantation had consisted of a few hard boards nailed to a support coming off the wall. Here there was actually a rough horsehair mattress to soften the familiar boards.
    The sweet potatoes had been another surprise . He could still taste them. He could hardly believe they still had some this time of the year and had been amazed when one of his cabin mates told him Cromwell allowed them to store vast quantities to take them through the months in between harvests.
    “You all right, Moses?”
    Moses recognized the rough tones of Jupiter, one of his cabin mates. Jupiter wasn’t much older than Moses and had lived all his life on Cromwell Plantation.
    “Yeah. I be all right.” He was not about to tell Jupiter of the tears choking his throat and the pain that seemed to be pulling his heart in two. Where were his mama and Sadie? How were they being treated? Would their new overseer beat them? What about June? What was going to happen to him? Stifling the groan that rose to his lips, Moses rolled to face the wall.
    “It’s better here you know,” Jupiter said quietly. Silence stretched for several moments before he continued, almost as if he was speaking to himself. “We’re still owned like animals—and treated like animals—but at least we get treated pretty good.”
                 
                 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    FIVE
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Carrie glanced up at Robert Borden shyly as he looked out over the early morning mist hovering over the fields. Normally, she would have been focused on the beauty of fresh green trees glimmering in the mist but not today. Robert looked incredibly handsome astride Granite. The Thoroughbred’s gleaming iron coat was the perfect background for his dark good looks. She let her eyes drink in the sight before she cast them back down to the carriage where she sat waiting with her mother for her father to join them. She was uncomfortably aware of her mother’s speculative gaze and could only hope her cheeks weren’t as red as she feared they were.
    The early morning air was crisp , but the lap rugs Miles had carefully placed over them kept them warm. Miles had then given his assistant, Charles, a stern lecture about being careful with the carriage and horses. Carrie was glad they were getting an early start. She didn’t want to miss a minute of the festivities and it would also give Granite a rest before the tournament began.
    “You look quite handsome this morning, Mr. Borden.”
    Robert turned to smile down at his hostess. “Thank you, Mrs. Cromwell. You are looking quite lovely yourself. The blue of your gown brings out the beauty of your eyes, ma’am.”
    Abigail smiled graciously. “Thank you. I hope you do well in the tournament today, Mr. Borden. There is quite stiff competition I understand.”
    Robert inclined his head modestly. “I will do my best. The wonder of it is that I have such a fine animal to ride. Your daughter has been quite generous. I’m afraid, though, that she may have been too generous. The offer of one’s horse is no small matter. I’m afraid I may have been remiss in accepting such an offer.”
    Carrie raised her head quickly. “Oh no, Mr. Borden. I truly wish you to ride Granite.” She met his eyes briefly and then looked back down quickly, but not before