Free Shadow of Shame: Book 1 of the Shadow series by Barbara Goss Page B

knowing how much she knows because of the conditions you’ve described.” They stopped talking when they noticed people nearby.
    “Can we talk more about this after you pay for the clothes?” Ivy asked.
    “Sure,” he said.
    She smiled. “I’ll wait outside for you.”
     
    They strolled the boardwalk toward Jonas’s buggy. The salesman had given him a crate to carry the clothing in. He was thankful he had the foresight to bring the buggy instead of riding his horse.
    He put the box on the floor of the buggy, and then turned to her. “Do you want to sit with me for a few minutes and talk?” He held his breath that he hadn’t been too forward in asking her into his buggy.
    “I’d like that,” she said.
    He helped her into the buggy and jumped in beside her. His new buggy was a red two-seater with a black canopy.
    “I love your buggy,” she said. She ran her hands along the upholstery. “It’s beautiful.”
    “Thank you. It’s fairly new. I like it because it’s small, and only needs one horse to pull it.” He was struck by how beautiful she looked in his carriage.
    “So, about the Sunday School,” he said. “I’m going to take you up on that offer, but as I said, I’m not even sure if she can talk. I haven’t had a chance to see much of her, and she was pretty quiet on the ride home. My housekeeper bathed her, and then she fell asleep. She slept in one of my shirts.” He chuckled after he said that.
    “How darling! Can you tell me anything about her life so far?” she asked.
    “I don’t know much. She was supposed to be living with her grandmother, but we stopped in for a visit today and found her in deplorable conditions—I mean, health risk deplorable—it was a pigsty, really. I can’t even describe it. I just found a comforter, wrapped her up in it, and put her into Caleb’s buggy.”
    “Oh dear! How horrible!” Jonas read sympathy in her eyes and expression. “If you allow me to visit her—at your convenience, of course—I could assess her abilities for you. I’d also like for her to get to know me…if I’m to take her from you for Sunday School.”
    “That’s a good idea. I hadn’t thought of that. Stop by any time—tomorrow, the next day, or whenever you can. I’m always on the ranch somewhere, and Thelma can ring the bell for me.”
    “Have you a nanny for her, or is your housekeeper going to care for her?” Ivy asked.
    “We found her a nanny today. Ingrid Smith. Do you know her?”
    “No, I don’t. I’m still quite new to the area, and I don’t know many people,” she said.
    Jonas was enjoying her being beside him in the buggy. He wished he could prolong her company, but he had to get the clothes to Zoe, as the poor child needed them. “I guess I should get these clothes home,” he said finally. “Can I drop you anywhere?”
    “That would be lovely. I’m going to the hardware store to pick up my sister. She’s visiting with a friend there,” Ivy said.
    “It’s right on my way,” he said, and he moved the buggy forward.
     
    Ingrid had Zoe upstairs, dressing her and putting away her clothes, when Quinn stopped by. As usual, Jonas had heard him ride up, answered the door, and invited him in.
    Jonas always listened for guests, due to the expensive horses he housed in the stables. Each year he added more. His father wanted him to get a watchdog, but he’d kept putting it off. Now he decided he should probably look into it, since with a child in the house, he might miss hearing a rider approach.
    Jonas invited Quinn into the sitting room.
    “I can’t stay, Jonas. I have to pick Mary Beth up. I just wanted to try to talk you into coming tonight. I’m seriously begging you.”
    “Why? So you can laugh at me holding hands with women, and skipping around to fiddle music?” he said with a chuckle.
    “I know.” Quinn also chuckled. “It’s silly, but women love it. You do what you have to sometimes.”
    “Sounds like you have a hook in your jaw,