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he came back.
He had to come back. Beau was the chance
to make all of Branford s sins right. It would not
absolve him from the many mistakes and not-so-
hidden sins, but Beau would be happy, and his
woman would be happy. In the end, that was all a
body could ask for out of this life. All the money
and power in the world had not made Branford
happy. He only really knew one of his five
children. Beau would know every one of his, and
they would all call him  Daddy to his face.
 Did you forget something? Worried
suspicion was etched deep in Georgie s frown as
she walked out on the porch as soon as Branford
got out of the car. There was a broom clasped by
her side.
Branford didn t believe for a second she
had been sweeping. He had to admire her pluck.
He had no doubt if he made one false move, she
would have brained him but good. She was every
bit the woman he had thought her to be.
 Did you tell him? Branford looked
pointedly at her stomach. Georgie was no fool, but
then, neither was he. She had to have been at least
three months along. He was frankly amazed his
son hadn t realized Georgie was carrying, but he
did.
 No. Georgie lifted her chin and stared at
the man that was not only Beau s father, but the
most powerful man in the county. She would not
most powerful man in the county. She would not
apologize for her action, nor would she be
intimidated. No one was going to take away her
child in any way. If Branford even thought about
suggesting she go see the root woman, she would
be so far away from Blakely before he woke up
from her braining him, no one would ever find
her.
She was more than a little shocked when
Branford simply sighed with a sad little smile and
sank down to sit on the bottom step. He was
rubbing his head with handkerchief though the
oncoming dusk brought a cool breeze that belied
the need to wipe sweat from his brow.
 May I ask you why? was his only
question.
She considered lying, but what would be
the point now? Beau was gone, maybe never to
come back.  He wouldn t have left, and he
couldn t have lived with that.
Despite the fact that she felt Beau was ten
times a fool for risking his life for somebody else s
country, she understood Beau. It was the principle
that mattered to Beau. He really felt this man, this
Hitler and all his allies had to be stopped. She had
learned so much more than fine literature from her
lover. Beau shared everything with her, just like
she was his wife.
But you re not his wife, she reminded herself
harshly. And you never will be.
Swallowing the lump that had formed in
her throat, Georgie perched on the rocking chair
on the porch and considered Beau s father. He
looked much older than she had ever noticed
before. He was still rubbing his forehead, looking
off in the distance at nothing in particular. Why
was he here? What could he do about the baby?
 I would be much obliged if you would
stay here at the house while Beau is& away,
Branford finally asked her in a quiet, but gruff,
voice.  We can t have anything happening to you
or Beau s& my grandchild. Ida will be out to keep
you company no doubt. I will be hiring some men
here bouts to see to you, ah, security. I would
really appreciate it if you only went to visit your
pa during daylight. You need to go in town, you
come see me. I will escort you every time you go.
Standing to go, he finally faced the woman his son
Standing to go, he finally faced the woman his son
loved.  I m not trying to boss you none. I just want
you and the baby to be safe. I need to do this for
my son. I will talk to your pa about all this, though
I am pretty sure he will agree.
Branford walked with heavy steps towards
his big fancy car, turning around as he reached the
driver s side door.  Please try to stay away from
the big house, especially when you start showing.
Lily is& well, she ain t always right in the head,
you ken? It might& It would just be best if she
didn t see you.
Climbing into his car, Branford left a visibly
stunned Georgie to stare after him in wonder. He
had done what he could do about warning her,
now he needed to make sure she was protected.
No one on earth could help him out with that
more than James Willard.
Chapter Six
He thought he could shake him, but the
German was just too good. No matter how Beau
maneuvered his small plane, the German plane
was right on his tail. The first shots had just grazed
his left wing, but he knew he was in serious
trouble. His only prayer was to lead the German
plane back to where Beau knew there were other
full loaded RAF planes to get him off his ass.
Bullets whizzed by so closely he could hear them.
Bullets whizzed by so closely he could hear them.
Damn it! He had to make it. The single-engine
Lysander was for search and rescue, it was great
for short take offs and landings, but it didn t give
him much in the way of tricks once he was
spotted.
He never should have volunteered for
this mission over France. They needed someone to
look for Resistance fighters, and flying was a hell
of a lot better than sitting. He was much better in a
Mosquito, which moved light as air, probably [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]