South of Stavewood (Stavewood Saga Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

so good to me, he even says he tires of me saying thank you. I have so much I feel guilty sometimes.
          “Please stay,” she continued. “Your life can be good here, I just know it, and I have so much to share.”
          “I have nowhere else to go, Becky, so I will stay. I will not however stay at Stavewood longer than I have to. I am your cousin, but I need my own life. I’ll get a job, it will keep me busy. Show me your machine and then I want to see those gardens.”   
     
     
          Emma grabbed the hem of her skirt, wrapped it across her front and tucked it into her waistband. She squatted amid the rambling tomato plants and plucked off a huge green worm.
          “What that?” Louisa crouched down beside her, wrinkling her nose, as the worm squirmed in Emmy’s fingers.
          “It’s a bug. It’s eating all of your Mama’s fruit.”
          “Will it bite me?” The child moved away slightly.
          “Oh, heavens!” Rebecca gasped at the sight of the enormous worm. “What is that thing?”
          “It a bug mama. It eating the ‘matoes,” Loo informed her.
          “How could I not have seen that?” Rebecca leaned in close and examined the creature.
          “I imagine because of its clever disguise.”
          “It’s eyes?” Loo ventured closer.
          “No,” Emma explained. “It’s disguise . It means that the bug is a nice green, just like your mama’s plants. You can’t see it when it’s on the plant because it is the same color as the leaves.”
          “Well, I don’t like it,” Louisa declared, putting her tiny fists on her hips. She caught sight of Mark hauling hay into the stable and ran off yelling about bugs and tomatoes across the yard.
          “She’s beautiful, Becky. She looks just like you. I remember.” Emma studied her younger cousin, fit and healthy, dressed beautifully and nearly as lovely as the blooms in the flower garden.
          “We can tend to the garden later, Emma. Come back inside with me. Mark can keep an eye on Loo and I think I can do something for you that you’ll enjoy very much. I could do with a little special time myself.”
          Rebecca checked with Mark and led the taller girl upstairs to the attic.
          “Look at this,” Emma looked up into structure admiring the massive beams. “It’s like some kind of cathedral up here.”
     
          “Here it is,” Rebecca moved aside several crates and pulled open a large armoire. “Is there something in here that might fit you?”
          “What is all this?” Emma touched the fine fabrics and pulled a gown from the closet. “These are beautiful!” She gasped at the quality. Even the day dresses were finely made and expertly tailored.
          “They belonged to Timothy’s first wife. These are gowns she ordered, but never wore. I hated to give them away. I believe they might fit you. They look to be about your size.”
          “Oh, Becky!” Emma exclaimed. “I couldn’t wear these. Look at them. They’re fit for a queen.”
          “And you’ll feel like one wearing them. When I got here I had nothing to wear but boy’s clothing. The day that Timothy supplied me with gowns, made by the same woman who created these, is a day I will never forget. You told me you wanted to start fresh, leave that part of you behind in London that made a bad choice. Trust me, Emmy, a fine gown will make a new woman out of you. Please try.”
          “She never wore any of them?” Emma ran her fingertips over the fine lace and embroidery.
          “She died in a riding accident. No one ever wore them. No one would know them except the tailor. Pick one for dinner tonight. Let me share with you what has been given to me. Timothy and I already talked about it and he thinks it would be a wonderful idea.”
          “I wouldn’t have an idea which one to choose. You pick one,