Having Prudence Read Free Page A

he finally breathed a little sigh of relief. So far, so good.
    “Just hold tight, Prudence,” he told her reaching back and touching her through the blanket. She was on her side and his hand touched the curve of her breast. “I’ll have us out of here in just a minute. One night and then the rest of our lives.”
    She didn’t make a single sound but he’d seen the love and trust in her eyes. She believed in him and that alone made him believe in himself. Tomorrow Prudence would become his wife and nothing would be able to take her from him ever again. All they had to do was get through tonight.

    Prudence must have fallen asleep on the trip out to Johnny’s family’s place. When she woke up she was no longer in the truck wrapped in a blanket that made her feel like she couldn’t breathe. Instead she was lying on a wide cot with a blanket thrown over her, and she was naked again.
    “Johnny thought you’d be more likely to stay put and listen to him if you didn’t have clothes on,” came a voice from the corner and Pru barely kept the scream in her throat from escaping.
    She could make out the shape of his mother and saw that she was sitting in some rocking chair knitting. She thought his mother had gone to visit her sister for the week. Wasn’t that what everyone in town was saying?
    “I thought you were gone, Mrs. Wharfton?” Pru asked, sitting up while keeping the blanket tucked safely around her.
    “That was Johnny’s idea,” his mom said proudly. “And please call me Paula. If everyone thought I was gone then I could stay down here with you when Johnny can’t. It’s getting dark now so your dad or someone should show up any time looking for you. They’ll never find us down here, and Johnny said with me down here you won’t panic and do something… Well, he just didn’t want you alone.”
    Mrs. Wharfton blushed and Pru knew that Johnny was afraid she would do something stupid. Sadly, he was probably right. He knew her better then she knew herself sometimes.
    “Where are we?” Pru asked quietly. She didn’t remember seeing this room ever. Of course her visits here had been short and far between. They hadn’t wanted anyone to know about their relationship. Not when she was already engaged to someone else.
    “This old farmhouse holds a lot of secrets,” Paula stated as she continued knitting. “It was once used to hide slaves who made it this far south while still being pursued. Some people will do anything to keep what they feel they possess.” This comment was made with fire in her eyes and Pru had to wonder if it was meant towards her and her sisters’ situation as well. “During Prohibition it was used to make and hide moonshine,” and she giggled at this. “It’s served many purposes in this world and tonight it will be used to shelter you until the preacher gets here tomorrow.”
    “There’s a preacher coming here tomorrow?” Pru asked and her heartbeat picked up. He’d said they only had to make it through tonight.
    “Yes, my nephew is a minister,” Paula said proudly. “He’ll be here first thing in the morning.” Her smile softened and she looked at Prudence the way she had always imagined her mother might. “And this time tomorrow you will be my daughter. And God help any man who tries to take you from us.”
    Now Prudence knew exactly where Johnny got his strength of character and will. His mother might be tiny like Pru was but she seemed to be a force all her own. She remembered when they were kids and Johnny would have to run home so his mom didn’t get mad. Pru had always found that funny. But seeing the strength in the woman in front of her, perhaps she better understood now.
    “Johnny is very lucky to have you, Mrs. Wharfton,” Pru said and bit her lip to try and keep the tears from filling her eyes.
    “Prudence, dear,” his mom said her eyes not seeming to leave her knitting. “Your mom was an amazing woman herself. I’m not sure what if anything you