Josie’s pale face pinked, and her forehead glistened. What was she afraid of? Travis had forgotten all about his discomfort while they danced. He became so lost in the moment that he rather enjoyed it, despite his inner protests.
“Thank you for the dance, Travis,” Josie said with a curtsy, and she took off into the crowd, leaving Travis standing still as a statue among the sea of dancers.
Josie gently tucked Jonas into his bed, smoothing the covers up to his chin. He smiled up at her, his blue eyes sparkling.
“Thank you for teachin’ me how to dance, Josie.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, sweetheart,” Josie replied, brushing his hair from his forehead.
“I want to be a good dancer like you when I grow up.”
“You will, Jonas. Just keep practicing, and I promise you’ll be the best dancer around.”
“Can you teach me next?” Ivy asked, rolling over with her hand under her pillow.
Ivy’s voice made Josie’s heart skip a beat. “I would be delighted to.”
Josie kissed the top of Jonas’s head. “Goodnight, Jonas.” She walked over to the girls’ beds and kissed them too. “Good night, my lovely girls.”
“Goodnight, Josie,” Lillian said with a grin on her face. “I love you.”
Josie’s lips parted. Those words nearly knocked the breath out of her. “I love you, too.” She glanced over at Jonas and then down at Ivy. “I love all of you.”
Josie closed the door behind her, and when she turned, she nearly screamed. Travis stood behind her, holding his hat against his chest.
“Travis,” she whispered, tightening her shawl around her shoulders. “What are you doing here?”
Travis cleared his throat. “I hope I didn’t offend you earlier.”
“What do you mean?”
Josie thought back to earlier, her hand rested on her hammering chest.You’ve been acting like I’m going to strangle you each time I’m near.To him, it seemed like a harmless joke, but the fact was true. It was the nightmare she had lived for seven years and was finally free from.
“Dancing with you. I haven’t . . . danced in a while. I hope I didn’t . . . embarrass you with my rustiness.”
Josie covered her mouth as she laughed quietly. “I haven’t danced in ages. I thoughtIwas the rusty one.”
A smile formed from Travis’s corners, lightening the tension. “I’d like to thank you again for being such a good mother and . . . wife.”
Josie’s pulse quickened. Travis stepped closer, and her mind raced.Now or never. Was this the moment she desperately hoped for? Would this night save her child? Caroline’s story still lingered in the back of her mind. Could she really go through with deceiving him?But if it’s this easy, then why not do it?
Travis leaned down, his breath brushing against Josie’s cheek, sending shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes, her temples throbbing like a frantic drum. She hadn’t much experience with kissing, let alone a lover. Marcus had always felt like an obligation—an attempt to calm him, a desperate measure to shield herself from his wrath.
However, this could be different. As Travis drew closer, a warmth cascaded from her chest to her toes. Now, she would taste the realness of what a kiss was supposed to be.Whatever you need, you can come to me,echoed in her ears from the dancefloor. But those words were limited. If he only knew what she needed . . .
To her surprise, the kiss didn’t land on her mouth but her cheek. Josie opened her eyes and watched Travis put his hat back on. He tipped it in her direction, stepping back.
“Goodnight, Josie.” He turned and walked away, leaving Josie standing there, too shocked to respond. The door clicked shut behind him, and tears pricked in her eyes. Her heart slowed as sorrow consumed her. She needed to accept the truth.
It’s too late now. You’re doomed, Josie.
Part II
Chapter Thirteen
Statesville, North Carolina; Mid-July 1872
GeneralMarcusWellingtongroanedas his heavy eyelids lifted. His temples pulsed like two bass drums during a march to battle. He raised his hand, touching his tender forehead, only to discover a bandage and a sharp, zapping pang. Biting back a moan, he blinked twice until the blurry room became clearer. A canopy draped above his bed like a veil, and darkness clouded his vision.
