White - A Reluctant Belle

June 1860

Tree limbs slapped Joelles face as she ran through the woods behind the bathhouse. She could feel the underbrush snatching at her bathing costume, snagging the short, full skirt and balloon-like pants legs under it. Her tender bare feet slid on rotten leaves, tangled on some briars, and she fell hard. Rolling up onto her knees, she sat on her heels and stared at the scratches on her palms.

There was no reason to have run this way, into the woods, instead of along the path toward the road. No reasonexcept humiliation and horror. She could still feel the weight of that creature in her hair, a blob of sliminess on top of her head, flailing about in its own terror. Literally one of her worst nightmares come to life. It wouldnt have touched her hair, except shed removed her bathing cap. Its July, shed retorted when Selah protested the immodesty, hotter than blue blazes. She took off her shoes too and jumped into the pool.

Now she knelt on the forest floor, winded, panting, regretting that decision. The creepy feeling along her scalp, the bruises and scratches on her feet, were a terrible price to pay.

Somehow, some way, at some time when he least expected it, Schuyler Beaumont was going to pay. This was all his faulthim and his giant bullfrog. His idea of a joke.

Boys .

She and Selah and Camilla had been laughing over some silliness, when the frog crashed the party.

She put her stinging palms to her cheeks and shoved the angry tears away. Thirteen wasnt a baby, for heavens sake. Control regained, she sucked in a deep breath. Frog successfully outrun. Now what? All desire to swim with the other girls was gone.

The sound of running footsteps through the woods made her leap to her feet.

Joelle! Where are you?

That was Schuyler, she could tell by the abrupt octave shift in the middle of the last word. Shed enjoyed teasing him about his changing voice for the last couple of days while his family visited from Mobile.

What if he had another frog? The hair on her arms lifted, and she took off running again.

He was upon her within a few seconds. Joelle! Stop! I just wanted to say Im

Leave me alone! As she whirled around, her hand hit him in the stomach.

He doubled over with an oof , and she stood there shaking like a jelly. Served him right.

Under the blond hair falling over his eyes, his face was red, the wide mouth clenched. I said Im sorry, he said through gritted teeth.

That was a foul thing to do.

Amphibian. He gingerly stood up, clutching his skinny middle.

Foul , not fowl , she spat. Horrid. Disgusting. Mean.

He flinched. Yes, it was mean, he said quietly. I apologized.

And then made a joke.

Youre bleeding. He walked up to her and took her hands to turn them palm up. Better wash this, or theyll rot and fall off.

She snatched her hands away. Dont touch me.

His eyes were a dark, stormy blue-gray. It was the first time shed been close enough to notice their color. She also noticed that she had to look up to meet them. Hed gotten taller over the summer.

Something shifted between them. His gaze dropped to her nose, then her lips. Then lower. She suddenly realized her dress was still damp, and inappropriate for mixed company. He was a boy. A boy , becoming a man.

She crossed her arms over her chest. Whats wrong with you?

He shook his head. I dont know. Now his voice was deep and rumbly, which rattled her even more.

Well. Go home. I mean, back to the house. Just leave me alone.

I cant leave you here by yourself. Itsits not safe.

He had that right. She did not feel safe at all. Not that he would actually hurt her. He might scare her half to death, but he would never lay a hand on her in anger. When she thought of Schuyler, laughter came to mind. Im sorry I hit you, she blurted.

I deserved it. He sighed. Sometimes I do things without thinking about the other persons feelings. I know how much you hate frogs.

She blinked. How did you know that?

Selah told Camilla a long time ago. They were laughing about it. I thought it was funny too.

Selah was Joelles older sister, Camilla was Schuylers, and they were best friends. Its not funny, she said. I have nightmares.

Listen. He tilted his head for a moment, holding her eyes. The noises of the woods took over, birds twittering, a breeze rustling the leaves, and underneath it a harsh, monotonous cheeping sound.