Free Shadow of Deceit (Shadow #2) by Barbara Goss Page A

They’ll take you in until someone else from church can.  That is, if they can’t make it long term.  We’ll see.” Caleb stood. 
    “I’d like you to stay here until I return.  I’ll have Elsie bring you some tea, while I go and talk with my father.  Is that all right?”
    She nodded. “Thank you, so much Caleb.  I appreciate it.”
     
    Caleb had Barney get his buggy ready.  With his bad leg, he couldn’t quite manage getting on and off a horse, although Jonas had tried several times to show him he could. 
    Once his buggy was ready, he set off for his father’s house, about two miles away.  He hadn’t had such an exciting day in a long time.  So much happened, his mind whirled.  Violet came for a visit, and helped with the letters.  He was thankful now that she had, or he’d really be befuddled by Martha’s appearance. 
    Then Miles’ visit, which was somewhat upsetting.  And then Martha’s showing up.  He had doubts about whether or not he had been too naive, because he fell for Julia’s sad story and now he fell for Martha’s.  He believed her, but he’d need help from his friends and family this time.  He’d not make any decisions on his own when it came to a sympathy story, because he was like putty when a woman cried.
    She was attractive.  Not as beautiful as Julia, or Violet, but pretty in a simpler way.  She’d had her hair pulled back in a hairstyle he associated with old women, and her clothes were plain.  Her face was pleasant, and he thought with a little help she could be more attractive.
     
    Once seated in the Armstrong sitting room with Phoebe and his father, he felt more confident about whether or not he was being taken for a fool, again.  They’d know.  He couldn’t trust his own judgment anymore.
    He relayed to them her whole story.  He could see sympathy on Phoebe’s face, but concern in his father’s expression. 
    “How old would you guess her to be?” George Armstrong asked.
    “I’d say a about the same age as Jonas, maybe twenty four or five.”
    “So, you need a place for her to stay until she gets sorted out?” George asked.
    “Yes.  She can’t stay with me,” Caleb said.
    George looked at Phoebe.  “What do you think, honey?”
    “I don’t see why not.  It will give us a chance to really assess her.  Maybe she is the gift from God, you’ve been waiting for, Caleb?”
    “I don’t know.  She seems nice, but so far no bells are ringing, and I just don’t feel anything.  We’ll see,” Caleb said.  “Can I bring her over now?”
    “I have a pot roast dinner that will be ready in about ninety minutes, so yes, bring her, and we’ll all have dinner together,” Phoebe said.

    Miles was frustrated.  Yes, he’d made a big mistake, but he just couldn’t lose Violet.  What could he do? She wouldn’t talk to him.  Maybe if he wrote her a letter, she’d at least read what he had to say.  He’d pour out his heart to her.  He couldn’t think of another way to get her to listen to him.  He wrote:
    Dearest Violet,
    I love you because you are soft spoken, gentle, understanding, moral, a good listener and just the most beautiful person I’ve ever met—inside and out. 
    I made a mistake but I’m sorry, and I tried to right the mistake by confessing to Caleb.   Your own words of praise, and respect for Caleb made me feel so guilty about what I’d done to a man I didn’t even know at the time. 
    Did I mention that my brother’s life was on the line if I didn’t agree to my sister’s plan?  It was wrong.  I’m so sorry.  No one could be sorrier. 
    I miss your smile, I miss your voice, and I miss your innocent kisses.  I have tried very hard to forget you.
    I took several women for rides and dances, but when I look at them I just feel disappointment because they aren’t you.
    Why do I want you back, besides the fact that I love you?  Because, you make me a better person.  You are the one that made me realize how wrong I