Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

I want to see to that cut on your lip."
    Apprehensively the young girl moved into the cabin. Again she was surprised by what she saw. The room was light and airy. Above the open fireplace hung an iron pot, its bubbling contents sending a delicious aroma through the room. A table and chairs, which had been painted bright yellow, added to the cheerful setting. Bottles and jugs were neatly lined up on shelves.
    Apprehensively, Liberty picked the young boy up. "I think we should first make certain your grandson is unhurt."
    Zippora looked her grandson over carefully and then smiled at him. "Reuben is not hurt," she said at last. "Go out in the yard and play, while I tend to our guest," she instructed her grandson.
    The young boy's eyes were shining as he reached out and softly touched Liberty's cheek. She laughed and planted a kiss on his forehead just before he scampered out the door.
    Zippora pointed to one of the kitchen chairs. "You will sit there while I tend your wound."
    Without hesitation, Liberty obeyed. Zippora raised the young girl's face to the light and frowned. "This is not bad, and it will require only a little salve. It could have been much worse."
    "Oui," Liberty agreed. "If you hadn't come along when you did, it could have been much worse for me."
    Zippora mumbled to herself as she moved her bony finger over the labels of the bottles and tins. When she found what she was seeking, she nodded her head and returned to Liberty. Opening the tin, she liberally applied the rose-scented salve to the young girl's lips. Standing back, she nodded approvingly.
    "Oui, that will do very nicely."
    Liberty smiled. "Thank you for your care, but I really must be going now."
    "Not yet. You will eat while I mend your gown. We cannot have you going about with your clothing half torn off." Zippora gave Liberty little time to refuse. Tossing a flowered robe into the girl's lap, she ordered Liberty to undress.
    The girl obeyed slowly. "I shouldn't—"
    "Tie the belt," Zippora ordered in a soft tone.
    "I should be leav—"
    Zippora silenced her with a glance. Pushing Liberty down in a chair, she ladled some of the bubbling soup into a wooden bowl, which she placed on the table in front of Liberty. "I am a very good cook. You will like this."
    "What is it?" Liberty questioned, unable to identify anything, except carrots, she saw in the milky substance.
    "It is my own mixture. You will find it delicious."
    Liberty took a deep breath and raised a spoonful to her lips. Her tongue peeped out and tasted the soup, and she smiled brightly. "This is delicious!"
    "Did I not say it was?" Zippora asked. The old woman bent down and retrieved a sweet potato from among the red-hot ashes. Placing it on a plate, she broke it open, filled it with creamy yellow butter, and placed it beside Liberty's bowl. She then seated herself on a stool by the window, threaded a needle, took up Liberty's gown, and began to take neat little stitches.
    "You are much too skinny. You should eat more," Zippora observed.
    "I do eat, but I don't seem to gain weight," Liberty said, with her mouth full.
    "It is not seemly for a young lady for your standing to talk with food in her mouth, Liberty Boudreaux," Zip pora scolded mildly. "I am surprised your mother has not taught this to you."
    "Oh, my mother does not bother with me. She says I am not pretty like Bandera. And I fear I am a constant trial to her, for I cannot seem to stay out of trouble. My father has very little money left, and the plantation is in a state of ruin. I fear Bandera will have to marry into money, while I may be forced to enter a convent." Now that Liberty had lost her fear of Zippora, the words flowed unchecked. Never had she had anyone to confide in, anyone who was interested in what she had to say.
    Zippora stared at the young girl, searching for any sign of jealousy or resentfulness at her mother's neglect and cruelty, but saw none. Zippora knew that Liberty's mother, Ursula, had been married to a