Free Always & Forever: A Saga of Slavery and Deliverance (The Plantation Series Book 1) by Gretchen Craig Page A

tilted her face up in readiness for his lips, his lovely
full lips. She took a step forward, but her smooth leather-soled shoes held no
traction. Before she could catch herself, her bottom thudded onto the muddy
ground.
    A burst of laughter escaped Phanor’s lips, the same lips
she’d wanted to kiss only seconds before, and she thought she would kill him.
She glared at the hand he offered her.
    He grinned, set his rifle and bag down, then hauled her up
by her arms. She brushed against his body when he heaved her up, but she
stepped away quickly. Could he feel her breasts through his shirt?
    She tried to straighten her skirt with all the dignity she
could muster. She wouldn’t look at him. He must think she was a fool, and a
wanton woman at that. She’d been about to kiss him!
    “Please, Josie. I’m sorry I laughed, but it happened so
quickly. I couldn’t help it.”
    She turned a frown on him, but he only smiled back, his
black eyes merry. “I do apologize, truly I do.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head at
him. “Truly?”
    “ Oui , truly.” He put his hand over his heart and
wiped the smile from his face.
    “Well, perhaps I will forgive you then -- someday.”
    His moment of contrition was over, and a hint of amusement
played around his lips again. “I will live for that moment.” He picked up his
rifle and bag once more. “Would you like me to help you back to the house?”
    “Oh. Oh no. That would look very odd indeed.” She looked
back in the direction of the house where Papa and Grand-mère were going about
their day, confident Josephine was behaving as a young lady ought to. And here
she was alone in the woods with a young man. In a dress covered in mud.
Thinking impure thoughts.
    The weight of propriety descended on her once again. “Thank
you, no. I will not require assistance.”
    He tilted his hat to her and turned to leave. She’d been too
abrupt. She hadn’t meant to be harsh.
    “Phanor?” He stopped and looked back at her. “Thank you,”
she said.
    He smiled and headed into the trees.
    Josie slogged through the mud toward the house and pondered
whether it was quite proper to be friends with Phanor. After all, he was Cajun,
and poor, and – could he even read? She didn’t know. Imagine not knowing how to
read. Oh, but he was so very kind to help her with Maman’s crypt. And it wasn’t
just that he was handsome. He was smart, too. She liked him, and she wouldn’t
be a snob like Grand-mère.
    On the way back to the house, Josie stopped in the carriage
barn to return the trowel. It was dim in there, and Josie squinted to find the
hook where it belonged. A rustling in the far buggy caught her ear, and she
thought she’d better tell Grand-mère the squirrels were nesting in the carriage
house again. But the rustling became a giggle.
    Maybe some of Elbow John’s grandchildren had sneaked in to
play. She bet it was Laurie and some of her cousins. They all spoiled her
silly, cute as she was.
    Josie moved to the high-backed carriage to see what Laurie
was up to. I bet they’re giving their dolls a ride .
    But it wasn’t Laurie at all. It was Cleo – with a slave boy!
Josie was sure she smelled Maman’s perfume too. Grand-mère would have Cleo
beaten for that if she found out. Josie had never had to protect Cleo from
Grand-mère before; it might be more difficult than with Maman.
    Cleo’s laugh was forced. “You caught us,” she said.
    Josie examined the boy sitting so close to Cleo. A handsome
boy, high cheekbones and a slender neck. Bold, too. He didn’t let go of Cleo
when Josie eyed their clasped hands.
    “Who’s this?” Josie said.
    “Dis here Remy. He Elbow John’s grandson.”
    Josie looked at Cleo a long time. Her sister. And Papa’s
favorite. What would Papa think about Cleo sitting out here with a field hand
with sun scorched hair? And no chaperone.
    Not unlike Josie herself a few minutes earlier. Was Cleo as
lonely as she was, then?
    “Why are