Chapter 12

After breakfast, Saya took her around the plantation as promised. She didn’t realize it was so big and wondered how it all came to belong to Garrison. When she was told that she would be staying at the big white house that was set in the middle of the property, she liked to have fainted. Back home, their house would have been considered small compared to the house here. Garrison had disappeared with Samuel, Big John, and Lil Boaz right after they ate. She had offered to help Bell with the cleaning, but the woman told her she worked quicker alone. For the past hour or so, she had just walked around with Saya glued to her side.

“It’s hotter than two hogs tied together. Hows ya stand it with that funeral parlor skirt on?” Saya asked her.

“I honestly didn’t realize how hot it was going to get down here. I would love a lighter skirt, but I have to find a seamstress and fabric to get it done, and that could take weeks. Is there a swimming hole around here anywhere?” Victoria a