Heaven in a Wildflower Read Online Free PDF Page A

her in secret places that made her feel as though she were burning with fever. Her flesh, she’d said, seemed about to burst into flames.
    And the way those people were dancing, Anjele realized, she could almost feel the heat emanating from them, as well.
    Instructing Anjele to stand at the edge of the clearing, Simona brought her a bowl of turtle stew and a mug of scuppernong wine, then left to go and join her husband Frank. Emalee at last spied her beau—and Anjele found herself all alone.
    At first she enjoyed just watching, for it was a treat to witness such revelry. Never again, she realized, would she be satisfied with staid old balls and tea dances, for she was swishing her hips from side to side in time with the music and soon her feet had even picked up the beat of the jigging rhythm. Setting down the bowl and empty mug, she clapped her hands softly, laughing out loud over the way Frank lifted Simona up in the air and whirled her about till they were both dizzy and drunk with merriment.
    The evening wore on, and Anjele became apprehensive that maybe Simona was getting drunk on something besides merrymaking. Frank carried a small jug, even as they danced, and both took turns drinking from it. When the two of them at last stumbled over to where Anjele stood watching, she knew her suspicion was confirmed.
    “A good time, eh?” Simona laughed, voice slurred. “You maybe like to dance with my man, no? I loan him to you, but only for a little while.”
    Frank, his arm around his wife, had a lopsided grin on his face. “Sure, why not? We make fun…” He held out his hand to Anjele.
    Anjele knew and liked Frank but wasn’t about to dance with him, especially when he was well into his cups. “No, but thank you and maybe another time.” To Simona, she said anxiously, “It’s getting late. I think we’d better start back.”
    Simona slapped her shoulder good-naturedly and cried, “You don’t got to worry. We have you tucked in bed way before you momma and poppa come home.”
    She threw herself into Frank’s arms, and Anjele could only watch helplessly as they danced and drank their way back into the center of the party.
    It was late. She could feel it in her apprehensive bones and knew she had to be getting home or risk her mother coming in to check on her and finding her bed empty. There’d be hell to pay then, for sure. Simona was of no help, because Anjele had no intentions of following a drunken guide in the dense, dangerous bayou, much less get into a boat with her.
    Frantically Anjele looked around for Emalee and was relieved to spot her dancing with her beau but appearing sober. Pulling her to the side, she told her about Simona and asked hopefully, “You do know the way out, don’t you?”
    “Sure.” Emalee tried to sound confident. Actually, Simona was the one who knew her way around at night. She merely followed Simona. “Tell you what. I ask my Anton to come, too—” She turned and was stunned to find he had disappeared, melding into the crowd. “He go to get more wine. I find him.”
    She started to move away, but Anjele grasped her arm.
    “There’s no time. I’ve got to get back right away. You’ve been down that path a thousand times, Emalee. You can do it.”
    But never at night, alone, Emalee cried within, not about to admit out loud. She knew Anjele well enough to know she’d strike out by herself if she didn’t guide her. And that would be dangerous. Sucking in a deep breath of determination, Emalee said, “I try. If I find the way is forgotten, we turn back, okay?”
    Anjele had no intention of turning back, and cursed herself for coming in the first place. “Let’s go. Get me to the other side of the water, and I think I can make it from there.”
    Emalee was trying not to let her fear show, and as they hurried to where the flatboat had been left on the bank, she continued to dart anxious glances all around, hoping to spot Anton so he could take over.
    Anjele helped push off