The Glenmore's: Caught Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘em”
    Joseph, Virginia and Nellie laughed. “Lucky she didn’t get hurt son. I’d have felt real bad is she had” Joseph muttered as he jumped one of Ben’s checkers and put it onto his side of the board. “What’s she like son?”
    Virginia spoke before Ben could open his mouth. “She’s a tiny little thing Joe and she has the most terrible burns on her face and neck. She’s real feisty too like Rebecca, gave Ben what for about the bull breakin’ down the fence and Ben’s handsome face. Told him he’s used to gettin’ around women with his looks but it wasn’t gonna work on her. She had him worked out real well” She laughed and Joe threw back his head and guffawed.
    “Finally a gal who’s not blinded by good looks; sounds like ya met ya match son. I’m gonna have to meet this little gal. Did she say how she got burnt? Cain’t imagine it’s been easy for her” Joseph mused.
    “She didn’t say what happened and I didn’t think it was the right time to ask. Nellie, Alice and me were too busy watchin’ Ben tryin’ to use his charms on her and her rejectin’ ‘em” Virginia told him.
    “I guess she’ll tell ya when she’s ready darlin’. Wonder if she’s comin’ to the dance on Sunday”
    “I liked her Joe. She seems real sad though; some awful tragedy’s touched her life and I got a feelin’ this is a new beginnin’ for her” Nellie joined the conversation.
    “She coulda had a new beginnin’ somewhere else instead of makin’ my life hell” Ben muttered under his breath but it was still loud enough for the others to hear.
    “She has a good man in Josh and a darn good crew but we’ll help her any way we can son” Joseph told his son leaving no room for argument.
    “Goin’ on how she acted both times I saw her this mornin’; I don’t think she’ll be wantin’ any of our help pa” Ben grumbled.
    “Be patient with her son; anger might be her defence against gettin’ hurt” Joseph had seen people use anger to distance themselves before and even though he hadn’t yet met Justine he had a feelin g this might be happening with her. “How about askin’ Justine, Millie and Josh over for Christmas dinner Ginny? Give her a chance to meet the girl’s and make some friends her own age”
    “That’s a real good idea Joe. She’ll be feelin’ mighty lonely not knowin’ anyone here although Millie and Josh will take real good care of her. Will ya ride over and ask ‘em tomorrow please son?” Virginia asked.
    “Ma, she hates me; I don’t wanna go over there” Ben whined.
    “Ben, please do as ya mother asks” Joseph spoke sternly.
    “Yes sir” Ben answered reluctantly.
    “Ask her to the dance while ya there. Give her the opportunity to meet some of the townsfolk”
    “I already did and she told me no” Ben informed his father.
    They continued with their activities until supper. The storm broke with full force just as the ladies were doing the dishes and the y watched out the window as debris was flung all over the yard. Several branches and twigs were tossed against the window and Virginia and Nellie jumped back in fright. Joseph and Ben had been sitting at the table finishing their coffees when they heard the sounds of an upstairs window shattering.
    Joseph and Ben immediately jumped to their feet. “Ginny, Nellie; please move away from the window ; the dishes will just have to wait” Joe ordered before he headed upstairs with Ben. The ladies happily went and sat in the parlour and began on their sewing once more.
    Joseph and Ben checked the upstairs rooms one by one until they found the broken window in the guest room.
    “What a mess” Ben commented. A branch of the huge oak tree outside the window had broken free and was now lodged in the window. Glass was scattered all over the floor and the curtains were torn; rain poured in through the opening.
    “I’ll go get some boards and nails pa” Ben offered.
    “I’ll get the broom” Joseph told his