Southern Beauty Read Online Free Page B

hand and help her down off the horse.
    Taking his hand briefly, they both felt a bolt of lightning strike their unsuspecting hearts, although their reactions differed. David held his breath surprised by the strong connection he felt when they touched hands.  Johanna too angry, ignored the shock, and stepped down.  She came face to face with him and with a blunt slap, she reddened his unshaven face.
    “I am sure you are quite familiar with ladies of the evening, being in the military and all.   Here in the South we are much more than ladies.  Just because the women in the North are easy, never mistake me for one of your harlots again.  I am above you in manners and in class and you , my sir, will never have the fortune to love a lady like me, in body and in heart.”
    David was taken back by her slap and her harsh words toward him.  He knew he deserved it, but still felt the shock of being scolded.  He realized he was still holding her other hand.  Her words were sharp as a knife, but her hand was so soft it pierced his heart and as she let go, her touch lingered. 
    “I’m going to wash,” she looked the men up and down.  “I am sure you men are accustomed to smelling like that, but I am not.”  She marched towards the river ever so proud of her last words to the man she had learned to despise. 
    The men all stood staring at one another, and then Preston smelled his armpits and shrugged his shoulders.  They all looked back at Johanna who was walking toward the river’s edge. 
    Preston laughed at his friend’s encounter, while he tied the horses up to the nearest tree. 
    “She’s got fire in her blood, that one,”
    “Shut up and go make dinner, ” David glared, trying to hide his pride that had been damaged far worse than his cheek.  He rubbed his face and stared in Johanna’s direction. 
    “What do we do now, McPherson?” Jacob interrupted.
    “We need to stay out of sight and keep watch.  There is no way Lee would leave his own niece stranded.  He’ll come or he’ll send someone for her,” said David.
    Down at the river’s edge, Johanna was enjoying the refreshing waters.   She felt so calm and serene as she washed her face of dirt and grime.  The currents tickled her velvet skin as she washed her hands and arms.  She inhaled the pleasant odor of the forest’s evergreens.  Losing herself in the congenial surroundings, she reminisced of her uncle and her playing hide-and-seek in the woods when she was young.  Although she was concerned for his safety, a smile formed on her thin lips, she closed her eyes.  She hadn’t come here since she was very young and she couldn’t bear the thought of remembering each wonderful memory.  But, now she felt oddly comforted. 
    Johanna looked around making sure no one was watching her while she undressed. Although her petticoat would not leave her body, she wanted to wash her dirty dress.  She leaned in closer for a better advantage point when she plunged right into the ice cold water.  The river was unexpectedly colder than she thought and screamed from the shock. She began to panic when she realized she had fallen out of reach of the river’s edge, Johanna did not know how to swim.  She screamed for help as she gasped for air.  Her heart beat madly in her chest as if it was about to burst.  She opened her mouth to scream again, but only inhaled the water.  Her hands desperately searched for something to keep her afloat, her petticoat clung to her and her helpless body weakened as she struggled to stay alive.  She heard a voice from the water’s bank and thought she could see David peering down at her, a panicked look on his face.
    Diving into the water, David grabbed Johanna by the hair, standing her up on her feet.  Out of fear she did not realize she had only been in three feet of water.  She fell again and he drove her close to him and picked her fragile body up in his muscular arms.  As David pulled her limp form onto the