Shadow of Deceit (Shadow #2) (5 page)

He sat through the dinner patiently, and waited for the time when they all moved into the sitting room for coffee and tea.  When they were all seated, and after Violet opened all her gifts, and thanked everyone, he stood.

“You aren’t leaving us already?” Lavinia Jeffries asked.

“No, I’d like to make an announcement.  Is everyone ready?”  He studied every face.  They all looked puzzled except Violet.  She smiled.  It was as if she somehow knew, but of course she couldn’t. 

Jonas tapped his foot impatiently. “Well?”

“I’ve asked the most beautiful woman in the world, present company excluded, to be my wife, and she accepted.  She loves me, limp and all,” he said.

Caleb enjoyed watching their mouths hang open.  It was several seconds before anyone spoke. 

Then they all said in unison, “Who?”  Except, Violet.  He thought that strange.

“She’s new to Abilene, she came to visit her brother and has decided to stay here.  Her name is Julia Croft.  You will all love her,” Caleb said proudly.  “I can’t wait for you to meet her.  I feel so fortunate.”

“I’ve met her,” Hiram Jeffries said, “She seems like a very nice young woman.”

“She’s the fortunate one,” Violet said. 

Caleb smiled at her. “Thank you, Violet.”

“So when do we meet her?” Jonas asked.

“Yes, we’d love to meet her Caleb,” Ivy said.

“She had to travel to the Hays area to bring her brother back here.  When she returns, you’ll meet her,” He said.  “Don’t start planning a wedding yet though, because since we haven’t known each other long, we’ve agreed on a longer than usual betrothal.”

“I’ll have another dinner,” Lavinia said.

“No, no,” Phoebe Armstrong, Jonas and Caleb’s stepmother, said. “It’s my turn.”

“When will she return to Abilene?” George Armstrong asked.

“As soon as she can tie up a few ends, collect Billy, and get on a fast train back to Abilene.  I hope soon.  I miss her.”

After everyone had left the room except Violet, Caleb cornered her.  “Happy Birthday, little sister,” he said.

“Thank you,” she replied. “And thank you for the beautiful bracelet.”

He nodded and then asked, “How did you know what my announcement would be?”

She looked surprised.  “Me? What makes you think I knew?”

“I could tell that you were the only one who wasn’t surprised.”

“All right.  I did know, but I was sworn to secrecy.”

“By whom, pray tell?”

“I can’t say. I don’t want to get him into trouble.”

“He?  Oh, let me guess, and then you won’t be revealing his identity.  Could he possibly be Miles Croft?” He asked.

She nodded.   “He and I are friends.  He wasn’t aware that you hadn’t announced it yet.”

Caleb smiled and ruffled her hair.  “That’s fine.  He seems nice.”

Miles took Violet for a ride along the outskirts of town.  When they came to a small stream, he pulled over. 

“Would you like to walk for a while?” he asked.

“I’d love to.”

They disembarked from the buggy, and Miles took her hand.  She smiled up at him when he did, and Miles breathed again.  He sensed her vibes, and was fairly sure she’d let him hold her hand, but there was always that chance that he would offend her.  He was glad he took the chance.

“Caleb came to dinner the other night and made the announcement,” Violet said.

“He did?”

“Every one was surprised and happy for him,” she said.  “Look,” she held out her other arm, “he gave me this bracelet.”

Miles glanced down at it, then brought her arm up for a closer look.  “That’s a jewelry store bracelet.  It must have cost a fortune.  It’s lovely.”  He was afraid to ask the next question.  “Is there something more to this gift?”

“There is,” she said.

Miles stopped walking and he dropped her hand.  “What?”

“It was my eighteenth birthday.”

“Oh!” he said and grabbed her hand again.  “Happy birthday!” 

She smiled and squeezed his hand. 

Miles spotted a log that looked dry, on the side of the path where they walked.  “Would you like to sit for a while?”

“Sure.” She sat down and he sat beside her. 

“I think I owe you a birthday kiss.” he said, and then held his breath.  He made sure he made the question sound a bit like humor, just in case she was offended. 

“Maybe, just a little one,” she said, blushing. 

He leaned down slowly and pecked her lips.  He pulled away quickly, and saw that her eyes were closed.  That encouraged him to move in for a better kiss, which she returned, much to his delight.  He had to concentrate on acting like he’d done this a million times.

Although, he and his friend Michael had a few romps with saloon women, this was the first decent young lady he’d ever kissed.  One behaved differently with a decent young lady.

As they kissed, she touched his shoulder, and then she touched the back of his neck.  Her touch made him increase the passion in his kiss.  Before he knew it he had both arms around her and she had her arms around his neck. 

When their lips finally parted, Miles wanted to dive back in for more, but she stood.  “Maybe we should walk some more,” she said.

He stood.  “Are we still all right?  I mean, have I gone too far, too soon?”

“Probably, but I enjoyed it.”  She smiled at him. 

He searched her face.  She seemed truly okay with it.  “Boy,” he said.  “Your eyes are really blue.  They’re beautiful.  I bet you hear that all the time.”

“Only from family,” she said.  She grabbed his hand.  “I want to see if there are any frogs in the creek.”

“It’s still winter, at least for a few more weeks.  I think you’ll only find pollywogs,” he said.

“Oh.”  She looked at him with disappointment.

“I’ll bring you back here when the frogs are out,” he said.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

They then headed back to the buggy.  After they were seated, Miles put his arm around her and drew her closer to him. 

“When will I get to meet your sister?” she asked.  “I’m excited to meet her.”

“She won’t be back for at least another week.”

“I’m anxious to see the woman that put the joy back into Caleb’s life.  You should have seen him the other night, he was elated,” she said.  “You know, he’s always been pleasant and polite, yet, you could always see the loneliness and sadness in his face.  That’s gone.  I really can’t wait to see the woman who changed his life.”

Miles, kept silent.  He fought with his conscience again.  He had to find a way to fix this.  He couldn’t lose Violet.  Sweet Violet with the bluest eyes he’d every seen.  She was gentle, intelligent, pretty, and he liked being with her.  He couldn’t risk losing it all when Julia either didn’t return, or she returned, and let Caleb down. 

On the ride home, Violet said, “My father told me that before Caleb met Julia, he wrote to three women, from the newspaper.  You know, mail-order brides.  I guess men still do that.  But I suppose now he won’t bother answering any of the women he wrote to.”

After a few days of fighting his conscience, Miles decided he had to take action.  He couldn’t deal with this any longer. His first impulse was to go to the minister and ask him how to fix his problem, but since the reverend was Violet’s father—that would never do.  He decided the only thing to do was tell Caleb himself.  He’d promise to pay every penny back with a few dollars every week. This poor man had a chance to maybe meet someone more worthy with the mail-order women.  He’d lose that chance if he kept waiting for Julia.

Six weeks had passed and still Julia hadn’t returned. Miles knew someone had to tell Caleb the truth. Would Caleb tell everyone what he’d done? Of course Mr. Lebold would fire him.  Miles didn’t know how to get himself out of this situation.  How he wished he’d never gotten involved.  He supposed he deserved whatever he got. His relationship with Violet was becoming serious. He had to tell Caleb.

Miles rode out to Caleb’s place, after getting directions from Quinn Iverson.  It was Sunday afternoon, and he hoped he’d be home as most people relaxed on Sunday.  He tied his horse to the post on the side of the house, mounted the steps and knocked on the side door.  When no one answered right away, he turned to leave thinking it was just as well, since he had now lost his courage.  But then, a voice called to him from the barn.

“Hello?  Is that you, Miles?”

He turned to see Caleb in the doorway of a room at the back of the barn.  Miles walked slowly to where Caleb stood.

“Caleb,” Miles nodded.  “I need to have a word with you.”

“Julia?  Did something happen to her?” Caleb asked with a frantic look. 

“Can we sit somewhere?” Miles asked. 

“Come into the house,” Caleb said and Miles followed him into his home, where they sat in the sitting room.

“What’s happened?” Caleb asked.  His face looked pale and he had worry lines on his forehead.  “What’s wrong?”

Caleb stared at Julia’s brother.  Why doesn’t he speak?  What could have happened?  Julia’s been gone too long.  Something happened.

“Miles,” he said tensely.  “Tell me what happened, please.”

“I don’t think Julia’s coming back,” Miles said.  “I’m sorry, Caleb.”

“What?”

“It’s a long story—”

Caleb grabbed Miles’s shirt collar. “You better tell me right now.  What is it?”  Then Caleb realized he was scaring the lad.  He let go of him.  “I want the story, now.”

“Julia came to Abilene to find me.  She knew I worked at a bank.  She asked me to find her a rich man—”

“What?” Caleb stood.  “Don’t tell me—I think I know the rest,” he said through his teeth. “You gave her my name and she used her feminine charms on me to get the money to bail out Billy.”

Miles looked down at his feet and seemed to be sincerely sorry.  “Pretty much,” Miles said.

“She isn’t bringing Billy home, is she?” Caleb asked.

“I seriously doubt it.  She’d have been back by now.”

“So
you
told her I was wealthy?” Caleb asked pointedly.

“I refused at first, because I knew it would cost me my job, but when she told me all the trouble Billy was in.  The men were going to kill him!  She needed the money or my brother would die.  She didn’t like the idea of leading you on, but she had no choice.” 

Caleb rubbed his face with both hands.  “Why did you come and tell me?  I’d never have found out.”

“Because, I think I’m in love with Violet, and she told me how fond of you she was, and how happy you were since your betrothal.  I just couldn’t let you continue to believe it was true.” Miles fidgeted. “And when Julia failed to return, I knew you’d do some checking and find out anyway.”

Standing and pacing the floor, Caleb finally said, “I won’t report this to the bank, because you came to me and told me the truth, but if you tell another soul about my money, so help me you
will
be fired.”

He walked Miles to the door. “You have my blessings with Violet, but only if you sincerely care for her.  No more deceit.”  He opened the front door. “Now I’d like to be alone.”

After he’d gone, Caleb went into his room and took out his Bible and tried to find a passage he’d circled some time ago.  The passage was about accepting God’s plan for your life.  Then he read it several times.  He then turned to another passage he had marked.  It was about coping with the loss of a loved one.

After that, he lay on the bed, closed his eyes and wondered how he’d get through this.

It had been two months since Julia left for Hays.  Caleb hadn’t told anyone that he probably wasn’t betrothed any longer.  He’d have to do it, but it would be the hardest thing he’d ever have to do.

Every Sunday after church either the Jeffries family or the Armstrong family hosted dinner. This Sunday the dinner was at the Jeffries’.  He knew he had to tell them he was no longer betrothed. 

He tried to analyze his feelings.  He felt more humiliated than heartbroken, which shocked him.  Shouldn’t he be craving Julia and miserable for having lost her?  Yet, he wasn’t.  Perhaps it was because she’d tricked him, and that left him with a sour taste in his mouth.  If she returned tomorrow he’d not speak to her.  His heart wasn’t broken; it was hardened.

Again he waited until coffee and tea were served in the sitting room before telling his family his news.  It was hard to confess he’d been used.

Seated around the room were Jonas, Ivy, George, and Phoebe Armstrong, Hiram, Lavinia, and Violet Jeffries.  Rose, the Jeffries youngest daughter, took Zoe upstairs to play with her dolls.  While Rose was fifteen, and no longer played with dolls, they were kept mainly to entertain Zoe when she visited.

Caleb cleared his throat.  “I have something to tell you all, and this isn’t going to be easy.”

He had their full attention and he could tell by their somber expressions that they knew it would unpleasant news. 

“I’m no longer betrothed,” he paused to think of his next words.  “It seems Julia was a phony, and she didn’t really have feelings for me after all.  I should have known it was too good to be true.”  He shrugged and continued.  “She found out I had money, sweetened me up only to tell me a sob story about her brother and his gambling debts.  I gave her money to bail him out, and she left for Hays, and hasn’t returned.  I discovered recently that the whole thing was a hoax.”

“Who told her you had money saved up?” George Armstrong asked.  Caleb was thankful that his father was smart enough not to mention he had a small fortune.   As yet the Jeffries family were unaware.  Until he was married, the money had to be kept secret.

“It isn’t important, the person who told her has promised to never tell anyone again.  I don’t want to see anyone fired.  The person came to me, and confessed because he felt badly for me.  The person risked his job and livelihood to tell me the truth.  So please, don’t raise a fuss about it,” Caleb said.

“If you’re sure,” George said. 

“I am,” Caleb said.  “So there you have it.”

“How much did she take you for?” Jonas asked.

“Five thousand plus train fare,” Caleb said.

“I’m so sorry,” Lavinia said, and her face displayed her sympathy. 

“You’re taking it well,” Jonas said.  “I would have expected you to be heartbroken, or furious, or something.”

“I’ve had time to pull myself together.  I’ve known for a few weeks, but it took me longer to build up the courage to announce it.”

Phoebe walked over and hugged Caleb.  “There is someone out there for you, Caleb.  I just know it.  Hang in there.”

The only one who didn’t come forward and show him support was Violet.  Caleb looked at her, and wondered when she’d say something.  Yet, she sat there with a thoughtful but sad look on her face. 

“Mama, Papa!” Zoe called from upstairs.  “Come see, come and see.”

Ivy and Jonas climbed the stairs, and the grandparents followed.  Everyone doted on little Zoe.  She’d had an unfortunate start to life, and everyone tried to make it up to her.  It was easy because she was so adorable and well behaved.

That left Caleb and Violet in the parlor.   She came over to the sofa, sat next to him and said.  “I’m so sorry.”

Caleb waved it off.  “It’s all right.  I accept that it wasn’t in God’s plan for me.”

Her eyes widened.  “That’s an excellent way to look at it.”

“I believe it,” he said.

“It was Miles, wasn’t it?”

Caleb looked down at the floor.  “I don’t wish to say.”

“He is the only one who could have.  It’s his sister, and he works at the bank,” she said.

“Will that make a difference in your relationship with him?”

“You bet!” she said.  “I don’t want anything to do with him anymore.”

“He told me he loved you, and it was one of the reasons he came and told me the truth.  He didn’t want it to ruin his relationship with you,” Caleb said.

“Caleb, it doesn’t matter what the reason, he did something that I can’t forgive.  He played a part in hurting you.  I won’t stand for that,” she said.

“How did I ever get such a loyal little sister?” he asked.

“Because you are such a wonderful person.  You know, if Julia had explained why she needed the money, you’d have given it to her.  I know you would have.  They were both deceitful, and I don’t think I could ever trust Miles again,” Violet gave Caleb a sisterly hug.  “If you ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to come to me Caleb.”

It was strange.  Violet’s hug moved him in a way it shouldn’t since she was like a sister to him.  He quickly erased the thought from his mind.  He was just reacting to her sympathy and loyalty.  That’s all. He’d always had a soft spot for her.  She was sensitive, intelligent, sympathetic, and personable.  Ever since they’d met she’d always championed him. He was relieved that she didn’t want anything to do with Miles, because he wasn’t half good enough for Violet.

“Have you had any replies from the letters you wrote to the women from the mail order bride ad?” Violet asked.

“I had two responses, but I didn’t even open them.  I thought I was betrothed,” he said.

“Maybe you should open them,” she said.

“I don’t have much faith in my judgment of people, anymore,” Caleb said.  “I also worry about what the person would look like or what kind of person they were.  Anyone can write a letter and tell you things you want to hear.  I’ll open them if I ever feel that desperate.”

“What if Julia returns?  What then?” Violet asked.

“Nothing.  I don’t want to see her or talk to her.   She would just be returning to squeeze more money out of me.  I’ll steer clear of her if she returns,” he said, standing.

“Tell everyone, I had to leave,” he said sadly, as he walked to the door.

“Wait!” Violet said.

“What?” he said as he turned from the front door.

“I want you to stand straighter, hold your head higher, and look in the mirror,” Violet said as she studied his face.  “You are a handsome man with so much to offer someone.  Don’t let what happened beat you down.  Forget your limp.  The limp is not what or who you are.  You are a warm, generous, sensitive Christian man with much to offer any woman.  You need to stop thinking of yourself as a deformed person.”

“Thank you, Violet.  I’ll remember your advice.”  Caleb leaned over and kissed her cheek, and then went out the door.

After church that Sunday, as Violet left the sanctuary, Miles caught up with her. 

“Care to take a ride in my buggy today,” he asked.  “It’s a gorgeous spring day?”

“No thank you,” she said and walked away from him.

“Wait,” he yelled.

Violet kept right on walking down the front steps of the church and onto the walkway.  He grabbed her arm.

“What’s wrong?”

Violet yanked her arm back.  “We’re no longer friends, Miles.  I heard what you and your sister did to Caleb, and it was wrong.  I see that my friendship with you was misplaced.”

“No.  Don’t say that,” he said. “I’m truly sorry.  That’s why I went and confessed it all.  I didn’t want to lose you.  I love you, Violet.”

“I’m sorry, Miles.  I’m also sorry for what you two did to Caleb.  It was cruel and dishonest.   I could never trust you.  Please don’t speak to me again.”  She walked to parking area and hopped into her buggy to await her family.

Miles turned to his buggy and drove away.

Violet didn’t feel proud of herself for having to hurt Miles.   Tears rolled down her face.  She’d really liked Miles, and had he really said he loved her?  But Caleb was practically family, and she adored him.  Yes, he did the right thing by confessing all to Caleb, but what kind of person would even be tempted to such dishonesty?  Anyone could be sorry after the fact.  No, she’d never be able to trust a man who did what he did.