He sounded gruff, but his expression told her he liked looking at her bare breasts, especially her cold-hardened nipples. She folded her arms more tig...tly against her ribs, pushing her tits up and closer together, deciding to talk to him for awhile. Maybe he could tell her something interesting, like... 'Why are you still here? There are no supplies - you would've starved to death before spring, trapped in forty feet of snow.'Instead, she asked, "You need any help in there?" mockingly waving. "I looked again at the girl who appeared at least as white as I am. "She a slave?" I asked, dumfounded and probably sounding it."Mine," he said, "an' I can do whatever I want with her, including beating her to death if I choose." He sniffed. "An' I choose. Goin' t'do it t'day."I looked at the young woman's back. It bore three long welts across the deep groove of her spine. "Cut her down," I said to no one in particular, and when none of the slaves moved, I pulled my little knife and cut her. Bell's brother Hank and his wife, JoAnna stood with us, along with Colleen's brother, Coulter, who refused to stand beside his mother for some unknown reason. Mr. Bell's dying hit Hank so hard he hadn't spoken a word since Tuesday when Winnie called and gave him the sad news.'Where did you go, Rebecca?'Are you there with Mr. Bell, today?'Are you smiling again?'Did the sickness relinquish its hold on you?'Are you happy????'The thoughts that tormented me were all about regrets.What part did I. I forgot. You're the one having the baby." Don't be sarcastic." Well, what are you tense about? Weena's in good health, no one's told her to lie still or keep her knees up or whatever they say these days. The fashions change so often. But the babies get born anyhow." Thanks. What time is it?" Before 11." I'm meeting with Chaz and then dragging him back here. We should be here before two. I'll have my mobile with me, in case Weena calls." You're getting over-wrought again." I guess so. I'm.