Free Divine Deception by Marcia Lynn McClure Page A

Late in the evening, one of Julia’s hands arrived to deliver a message to Fallon and her mother.
    “ The mare’s in a bad way, Mrs. Donavon. We’re really hopin’ to save the foal. He apologizes to you as well, Mrs. Ashby, and wants ya to know he will be home to greet ya as soon as the birthin’ is over,” the young man told Fallon and her mother as they stood on the porch.
    “ If it’s all right with you, darling, I’d like to retire if he won’t be home anytime soon,” Mary Etta said. It was obvious to Fallon her mother was overly fatigued. “I’ll see him tomorrow. Explain to him, will you?”
    “ Of course, Mother,” Fallon assured her. “I’m sorry he was called away, but I understand the mare is a very valuable animal.”
    
    The hour was late. Very late. As the parlor clock struck three, Fallon wiped the tears from her eyes and pulled a large quilt tightly about her shoulders. Drawing her feet up under her in the chair, she sat awaiting Trader’s return.
    Disturbing thoughts had tortured her mind throughout the long night and only increased as time passed ever so slowly. Surely he had been telling the truth, she thought. He was indeed at Julia’s helping a new foal into the world. He wouldn’t engage in a dalliance of any sort with Julia. He was, after all, a good man, and good men were faithful to their wives no matter what the circumstances. Weren’t they?
    Fallon drew in a quick breath and listened as she heard the kitchen door open, followed by the distinct sound of heavy boots on the floorboards.
    “ It’s very late, Trader,” Patty whispered. Fallon crouched further down into the chair. For some reason, she didn’t want Trader to find her waiting up for his return. “Is it a colt or a filly?” Patty asked in a low voice.
    Fallon heard Trader yawn. “What? Oh, the foal. A strong, healthy colt, Patty. We lost the mare though.”
    “ Well, you need to get some rest. Fallon has already gone to bed, so try not to disturb her when you—” Patty began, and Fallon’s eyes widened. What would happen when he entered his bedroom to find it empty? Then he would surely know she had waited up for him.
    “ I’ll take the sofa in the parlor, Patty,” Trader interrupted. “Just get me a quilt from the linen closet, will you, please?”
    Fallon held her breath as she heard his heavy footsteps leave the kitchen and enter the parlor. The chair in which she was concealed was facing away from the sofa. She prayed silently he would settle himself to rest without walking anywhere near her.
    “ Aaahhh,” he moaned as he sat down solidly on the sofa behind her.
    “ Here you go, Trader,” Patty said. “Sleep tight.”
    “ This confounded hood,” he muttered. “Wake me before anyone begins prowling around in the morning, Patty.”
    “ Of course, dear.” Fallon listened as Patty’s soft footsteps drifted into silence down the hall.
    She sat paralyzed with anxiety as she listened to Trader moving around on the sofa. Her only choice was to wait until he was asleep and then quietly go to his room. As the clock ticked away the minutes, Fallon sat perfectly still, trying to breathe as shallowly and quietly as possible. She was grateful for the darkness of the night, for it would surely hide her well as she tried to leave the parlor.
    When the clock struck the half hour, she waited, listening to see if he stirred. When he remained still, breathing slowly, she rose from her chair and turned to leave. As if by some odd enchantment, the bright light from the moon broke through the clouds that had hidden it only moments before. Its soft yet luminous beams streamed through the parlor window. The beams of moonlight fell fully on the massive form of Trader Donavon as he slept. Fallon stood mesmerized by the sight before her.
    He lay on his stomach. One arm, having fallen from the sofa, hung down limply to the floor. He still wore his trousers and boots but had removed his shirt and hood. Silently Fallon