Juliet's Moon Read Online Free

highly of Martha. We were at the path that led to the holler now. From the distance you could hear echoes of hammering through the thickness of the trees. He slipped off his horse and gestured that I should do so as well. I did. Then I followed him down a steep path into the valley, where there was a trickling stream at the bottom. A narrow wooden bridge straddled it. I expected to lead my horse across, but we just stood there on the bank while the horses watered.
    "You can't even see it from here for the trees," I whispered to him. "All I can see is some big sprawling thing with fences and a porch and"—I stood on tiptoe—"why, it looks just like ours did, Seth!"
    "Does that surprise you?"
    "No, I guess not."
    "I've got everything Pa had. Parlors, big windows, an office, a nursery, I've even got a room for you. Upstairs. It's just that it's made of logs."
    "Really? Could we go see it now?"
    "No," he said. "Leave everyone to their work. The negroes we had at home are harvesting the corn and wheat and just about everything else. I've had some of them here working all summer, with Pa's permission. Now Maxine's stepped in as overseer."
    "Maxine?"
    "Don't laugh. She could put on a tall hat and be Lincoln, that woman. Look, I just wanted to let you know how to get here in case you need to someday."
    "Why would that be?" I pushed.
    We led our horses back up the hill. "If the Yankees come and fire the Anderson place. Or just run you girls off. Or if, in any instance, you just need a place to stay. I'd want you to bring the others here. Promise me that, Juliet."
    I knew what he was doing. Providing, in case something happened to him. "I promise," I said.
    "And, if I fall in a fight, I'd like you to stay in this house with Martha and her sisters. It's got everything you all will need. Course, it'd be your house then." He cleared his throat. "I've made some arrangements."
    "Seth, are you going to die?"
    He grinned. "Course not, honey, I'm too pumpkin-headed, toad-rotten mean to die."
    "I don't think you're mean, Seth."
    "Then let's hope I never have to be mean to you, honey. Look, anybody with half a brain has got to make arrangements. I've a lot to think about now. My wild days are over."
    "Are you going to marry Martha?"
    He had the decency to blush.
    "I've never kissed Sue," he said quietly. "I promise you that. But God help me, I am smitten with her. There's something about her that can bewitch a person. But I never kissed her or put a hand on her. Tell Martha that for me, will you, please? I know you two talk and tell secrets."
    "Yes, Seth, I'll tell her." Proud to be confided in, I was. Proud that he trusted me, this brother of mine. And I wanted to say something to let him know how much I loved him. And all the rest of it was teasing on my part. But he knew it, I was sure. Brothers always did, didn't they? When it came right down to it, when push came to shove, they'd die for you, wouldn't they? Bill Anderson's sisters knew that about Bill, and I would know no less about Seth.
    We rode back to the house in near silence. There was nothing more to be said.

Chapter Six
    T HE MEN left at five the next morning, just as old Caesar, the rooster, was welcoming the day, which was as yet all mist. I heard muffled talk, laughter, from downstairs. I smelled coffee and bacon. I put on my robe and slippers and crept down to see them all huddled around the dining room table, still using lamplight, which, in itself, cast long shadows over the scene.
    Judah, the Andersons' girl, was making pancakes. I sat on the lower step and watched, unseen for a moment. And then the ever and all-seeing Quantrill spotted me and nudged Seth, who got up and came over.
    "Go back to bed," he said.
    "I want to eat with you all."
    "We're going soon."
    "Then I want to say good-bye."
    "I thought we did that yesterday on our ride."
    "Are you going to kiss Martha good-bye?"
    "Checking up on me, is that it?"
    "I think you should take her out on the porch and kiss