Shadow of Deceit (Shadow #2) (9 page)

After dinner, Caleb asked Martha if she’d like a tour of Abilene. She eagerly accepted.  He took her down the main street and showed her all the businesses; he showed her the courthouse, jail and the small park.  He then took her to see the Lebold mansion built just last year. 

“It’s beautiful,” she said.  “It’s more like some of the early homes in Richmond, but without that tall tower.  I rather like the yellow bricks and the white trim on the windows.”

“I hear it has twenty-three rooms,” Caleb said.  “Makes you wonder if all the money you put in the bank goes into Lebold’s pocket.”  He laughed.

“Do you think you’d like living in a house like that someday?” she asked.

“No.  I would never find the rest of the family.” 

“Abilene’s like a different world than Virginia,” she said.  “I like it though.  It’s quaint.”

“And this is the lumber mill that my father and I own.”

“It’s larger than I’d had it pictured.”

“Yes, we do the milling, drying, and distribution,” he said.  “Abilene is growing and with that growth comes a demand for lumber to build homes and stores.  We’re kept busy.”

“I like your father,” she said.  “He told me all about the mill.  I just pictured it smaller.”

“Well, that’s about all there is to see in Abilene.”  Caleb couldn’t take her to the river.  It had memories he’d rather not stir up, like his first kiss.

“I like Phoebe too.  How old were you when she married your father?”

“Almost eighteen.  My brother and I built our own homes, and when I turned eighteen, my house was finished and I moved in.”

“Your house is lovely, and fits in with the rural location,” she said.

“It’s all a single guy needs.”

“Can I ask you a personal question?” she asked, as they started back to the Armstrong’s.

“Sure, if I think it’s too personal, I may not answer though,” he said with a smile.

“How is it a handsome man like yourself is still single?”

Caleb thought about his answer.  He didn’t think it too personal.  He’d asked her plenty of questions the other day.  “I was betrothed, but it didn’t work out.”

“I’m sorry.  Was your fiancée, Violet?”

“Oh no.  Violet is a close friend; she’s like a sister to me.  We sincerely care about each other—but not romantically,” he said.  He found it hard to describe his relationship with Violet.  She was, indeed, special to him.

“No, her name was Julia.”

“Pretty name.”

“She was beautiful,” Caleb’s mood changed, when he started thinking about Julia. 

“We can talk about something else,” Martha said.  “What can I expect from the barn dance?”

“You’ll like it.  It’s something you have to experience at least once.”

“Did you?”

“Just once,” he said with a chuckle.

“What is Quinn like?  Was I right in accepting his escort?”

“Absolutely!” Caleb said. “He’s been Jonas’s best friend since they were young lads.  Quinn is honorable, so you’re in good hands.”

“I’m glad,” she said with a smile.

They pulled into the Armstrong’s yard.  “Well, here we are,” Caleb said.

“Will I see you again?” Martha asked.

“Of course.  I visit here all the time.”

He really didn’t care if he saw her again.  For some reason, he just wasn’t attracted to her. She’d fixed her hair.  No doubt Phoebe did it for her.  She even dressed better, and she was attractive, but maybe after Julia no one would attract him anymore. 

Martha’s hair was so dark brown that it appeared almost black.  Her face was round, with a pug nose, and her eyes were brown.  She’d look Spanish if her skin weren’t so light. He’d classify her as more cute, than beautiful.

Caleb eased himself down from the buggy, and then helped her down.

“What happened to your leg?” she asked.

“I had a run-in with an angry bull a few years ago,” he said.

“Does it hurt when you walk?”

“Not really, it’s just that I was still growing when the accident happened, so the injured leg was bound tightly, and didn’t grow as fast as the other.  Now one leg is a bit shorter than the other.”  He opened the door to the house for her.  “I’ll be heading back.  Talk to you soon, Martha.”

Julia tried not to look at Geoffrey when he walked.  There was something about his limp.  She felt it over and over. 

She’d had a few more memories return.  She now remembered her brothers as adults.  But she still didn’t remember Abilene.  Her memory stopped at living with Lydia.

“Lydia,” she said one day, “do you think I should just go back to Abilene?  Maybe that would spark some memories.  I can recall almost everything but Abilene.”

“That might work.  But take Billy with you.  I wouldn’t like you traveling alone,” she said.

“Oh, I shall.  I already have the tickets, so I must have planned on returning after I settled Billy’s problems.  Although, I still don’t remember coming here, or settling Billy’s debt.”

“Give it time, but going to Abilene is a great idea,” Lydia said.

She thought so too.  Then she wouldn’t have to watch Geoffrey limping around.

Violet had managed to avoid Miles in church a few times since his letter.  She still wondered if she should see him again.  She’d been fond of him, but didn’t think it was love, although he’d professed his love for her.  It was flattering, but she wasn’t sure how she felt about him.  She wondered if every time she looked at him she’d remember how he’d hurt Caleb.

She and Peggy Iverson went to the barn dance, mostly to spy on Quinn and Martha, and also because they had nothing else to do that night. 

When they arrived they stood by the refreshment table and just watched the dancers.  Violet didn’t dance, but Peggy was asked out on the dance floor a few times.  Finally Violet spotted Martha and Quinn.  They danced in the yard outside of the barn.  She thought they looked good together.  Every so often they smiled at each other while they swung themselves around.

“Hello, Violet.”

She turned quickly to see Miles.  He looked fine in a green shirt and black pants.  He had his dark hair slicked back.  He had a look on his face that told Violet he was unsure of his reception.  She decided to ease his mind.

“Hello, Miles.  I thought you didn’t like the dances.”

He laughed.  “I thought you didn’t like them, either.”

“I just like to watch,” she said. “But now I’m bored with it.  Why did you decide to come?”

“Quinn mentioned that he thought you’d be here.”

He looked at her as a love sick puppy would.  She took pity on him.  “Did you ride a horse or drive a buggy here?” she asked.

“I rode my horse, why?”

“I need a ride home, but if it’s too inconvenient, I can –.”

“No!” he almost shouted. “I’ll go home and get my buggy, or we could ride double on Poncho,”

“Poncho?”

“Hey, I didn’t name him.  Julia did.”

When he mentioned Julia, Violet could feel her face drop. 

“Sorry,” he said.  “Do you want to try riding double?  It will be fun?”

“I don’t have my riding skirt, I’ll have to sit side saddle.”

“I’ll make sure you don’t fall.”

“All right,” Violet said.  “I’ll tell Peggy, I’m leaving.”

Miles set Violet on the horse in front of him.  He held the reins and told her to put her arms around his waist.  She did, gingerly at first.  “Do you feel secure?  I’ll ride easy.”

“I feel secure,” she smiled up at him.

Miles thought he’d died and gone to heaven.  She felt so good close to him again.  The scent of some sort of flower filled the air around her.  He’d doubted of ever being this close again to his own sweet Violet.  He felt sure she’d forgiven him, but could she forget?

“Violet?” he asked as he trotted slowly down the road.  “Have you forgiven me?”

She turned her big blue eyes on him and he melted.  His whole body reacted to her with a pleasing thrill.

“Yes,” she said.   “But trusting might be harder.”

“Doing something wrong wasn’t easy for me.  My brother got himself in trouble by gambling.  The men he owed were going to kill him if my sister didn’t get the money to bail him out.  I didn’t want that.  I love Billy, despite his wildness.  Losing our mother so young, we all took care of each other. 

“You know what though?  If I had been in love with you then, as I am now, even Billy’s eminent death wouldn’t be enough to make me hurt Caleb.  He’s a wonderful man.  I don’t know what I’d have done.  Sold my house maybe, or borrowed the money from someone.  I’ll never ever hurt you.  That’s a promise.”

“I didn’t know about Billy,” she said.  “I guess you did what you had to do.  But don’t ask me to forgive Julia.”

“I’ll have a problem with that, myself,” he said.

When they’d reached her house, he helped her down from Poncho, and walked her to the door.

He didn’t know what to expect from her, but certainly not a kiss.  She put her arms around his neck and kissed him.  He heard a strange sound and realized he’d groaned loudly.  Then he put both his arms around her, repositioned his lips without breaking the kiss, and he put all his built up passion into it.

She turned his whole insides upside down.  He tingled all over.  She had him bewitched, but he was the happiest man alive.

When the kiss finally broke, he laid his forehead on hers.  “When will I see you again, Violet?”

“I’m not sure,” she faltered.  “I’m a bit confused and overwhelmed right now—”

“I’m sorry.  I’ll give you some space,” he said pushing her gently from him.

“It’s…it’s… I’m not sure how I feel anymore.”  She moved closer and laid her head on his chest.  “I didn’t think it mattered if I saw you again or not.  Then when I saw you tonight, I did want to be with you.  And that kiss—that really confused my feelings.  I’m not sure if I like you, am fond of you, or—or…”

“It’s all right.  I won’t push for more.  I just wondered if we might go to the river again or perhaps, go to Pete’s for dinner some night.  It’s your call,” he said.

She smiled up at him, making his heart feel warm.  “I think I’d like to do either of those things.  Just to be sure.”