Love and War: The Coltrane Saga, Book 1 Read Free Page B

about each other.”
    “I’ll talk to Poppa about it,” she said finally.
    “You don’t have to tell him that Mr. Edwards will be there.”
    “He probably already knows about it. Poppa hears all the gossip and talk.”
    “Would he forbid you to come?”
    She shook her head. “He lets me make my own decisions.”
    He sighed with relief, then said, respectfully, “You and your father are very close, aren’t you?”
    “Yes. I love Poppa very much, Nathan. My mother and I, well,” she bit her lip, then went on, “we don’t agree on many things, and we quarrel a lot. She blames it on Poppa, saying he’s raised me as though I were the son he always wanted but never had. But that isn’t true. I just happen to believe that I have the right to speak my own mind and live my own life according to my will…and no one else’s.”
    His sparkling eyes reflected the pleasure he felt over hearing a young lady speak in such a manner. “I’ve never known anyone like you, Katherine Wright. You really are a free spirit, aren’t you? Maybe that’s why I find you so fascinating, because you’re such a challenge. I think I’d like to be the man to tame that spirit of yours.”
    “You think it can be tamed?” she challenged him.
    “I think I’ve wanted to since that day you sat on James Freeman in the mud puddle.”
    Her hand flew to her mouth in astonishment. “Did I really sit on him, Nathan? Oh, I don’t remember doing that. I just remember Momma whipping me for it.”
    “Yes, you sat on him,” he assured her, laughing, “and I’ll never forget the sight. The other girls were horrified, and I think they and a lot of the boys have been scared of you ever since.”
    The smile faded from her lips, but Nathan did not notice, nor did he know that he had just triggered painful memories. The other girls had avoided her for as long as she could remember; but she had tried not to let it bother her. There had been plenty to do to keep her busy on the farm, but still it hurt to hear of a birthday party or a summer afternoon tea she was not invited to.
    Nathan was prodding her once again. “Will you come to the party, Katherine?”
    She almost said yes, because she wanted to go with all her heart, but then she remembered that she had nothing to wear. “Nathan, I don’t even own a ball gown. We’re poor people, and there’s no money for such things. I’m very flattered that you invited me, and I’d be honored to go with you, but I don’t have a proper dress to wear.” The muslin dress she had on and another for Sunday were the only two dresses she owned. Her other clothes consisted of old pants and shirts of her father’s that she cut down to fit.
    “I’m sorry.” She blinked back tears. “I really am.”
    “It doesn’t matter. I know it matters to girls, though. Look, my sister, Adelia, is away in school, and she has ball gowns in her wardrobe that have never been worn. I could slip one out to you, and no one would ever know.”
    She was flattered by his thoughtfulness but knew how hurt her father would be if he found out she borrowed a dress to wear. And she knew, but did not want to say, that her mother would find a way, if one were possible, to get a dress for her to wear to the party. If anyone could work a miracle at that point, it would be Lena Wright, who would be very anxious to have her daughter attend a party at the Collins plantation.
    “Could you ride by in a few days, Nathan? I will give you my answer then.”
    He kissed her again, rekindling the flames, his hand sliding around her waist, aching to touch the tempting swell of her breast, but not daring just yet. This time, there was no giggling, snooping child to make them draw apart, only the furious beating of two flaming hearts, pounding in unison, stirred and driven by the passion swelling between them.
    Reluctantly, he drew away. “I’ll come by, Katherine, and I’ll be praying that you’ll tell me you’ll go to the party with