Shadow of Hope: Book 4 - Shadow Series (10 page)

All during the registration Miles kept his eyes on Violet as she sat under a tree with McKenzie.  Was she crazy?  He was taking money, recording it, and making change, keeping one eye on Violet all the while. When the last parent had registered, he locked the moneybox.

Peggy must have noticed his preoccupation, because she said, “Why were you staring at Violet and Gavin?  Is there something I don’t know?” she asked.

“Not now, Peggy. Later.”

“Quick, Miles!  Kiss me! Violet’s looking this way,” Peggy moved in closer to him. 

“No,” He said firmly, moving away from her.  “This is ridiculous! This plan is childish, and I’m done with it.”

“What?” Peggy asked.

“If Violet doesn’t love me, then she doesn’t love me.  There is nothing I can do about it.   I should never have agreed to this silly game.  The only excuse I have for going along with it in the first place is that you caught me at a weak time.”

“But I discovered I really like being with you Miles,” she said.

“What about Henry?” he asked.

She shrugged.  “I started out to help you, but now I think I’m in love with you.”

“How can you be in love?  We’ve done nothing except eat a few meals together, and maybe hold hands—for the benefit of Violet, not from affection.”

“I know, but—”

“I warned you at the beginning of this farce, that my heart wasn’t available.”  He paused.  We’d better get to our tents. The children are waiting.”

Gavin ignored Violet, but she didn’t care, because she was enjoying the camp.  The children were a delight.  They were all so excited and well-behaved, except for Timothy, of course, but thankfully, he was the responsibility of the male teachers, now.  She watched Miles with interest.  She’d never seen him in this type of setting before.  He took the boys fishing every morning, played ball with them, swam with them—he seemed to be enjoying it, and the boys loved him.  He’d make a good father, some day. 

Violet loved the fresh air, and even sleeping on the ground didn’t put her off of the camp’s enjoyment.  For instance, eating breakfast with the group, but especially with Miles, that was something new.  To see him fresh out of bed in the morning with sleepy eyes was indeed, different, and exhilarating, as was the whole camp experience.

Gavin had told her that the camp would now be an annual event, and that was why they went to the expense of building the fire pit, outhouses, and the large, covered shelter.   He said they might consider building little cabins, eventually.  She could be a part of this every year, giving her a teaching experience, while still living in Abilene.

Behind the tents were two large outhouses, and Violet thought it would be chaotic with everyone needing to use them at once, but it never seemed to become a problem. 

Violet taught Bible lessons to the five, six, and seven year olds.  Peggy had the eight, nine, and ten year olds, and a woman named Betty had the teenage girls.  Gavin had the youngest group, as she did, a man named Carl had the same age group as Peggy, and Miles had the older boys.  So Gavin had his own son in his group, and Violent smiled to herself when she realized that he'd finally see what she had to put up with all through the school year with him.

When they sat for meals, they sat with their groups, so she was mainly with the females, but almost every time she looked up she saw Miles’ eyes on her. She knew it was probably more a protective thing than a romantic thing, which was all she deserved after breaking off with him the way she did.  And all because she was attracted to a man who she’d thought reminded her of her father.   Their being separated for months at a time was a problem, too. If she’d only measured the importance of having someone as special as Miles to a teaching job in a strange city, she might not have broken off with him. 

The school council talked about tightening the requirements for teachers, and if that happened, she’d probably lose the job anyway.  They planned to hire teachers qualified with a college degree.  Up until now, having graduated and passed a test was enough. That plan would take some time to put into action, but she’d already decided she preferred to stay in Abilene with her friends and family, anyway.

Violet had to also admit that she missed Miles. Just seeing him everyday, but not being with him, hurt deep inside her chest. She missed their dinners at Pete’s, she missed their rides to the park and the river, she missed being kissed and held—if he would just look her way now and then and smile, it would lift her spirits.  She missed his smiles the most, and every time she looked at him, her eyes went to his lips.  He was such a great kisser.  Yet, while Miles looked at her constantly, he never smiled.

She missed everything she’d given up to teach.  Ivy had been right:  you sometimes don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone.  And she feared Miles was now lost to her—she could tell by the looks Peggy gave him that she had feelings for him, too.  Now, she feared it would become a family squabble if she and Peggy had a falling out.  Peggy hadn’t been friendly with her at all during the camp.

Peggy felt angry.  All Miles did was watch Violet.  She also noticed there was no friendly interaction between Violet and Gavin.  What had happened there?  She noticed Gavin giving Violet looks that could only be described as angry. 

When all of the children went to their tents and settled in for the night, some of the adults drifted back to the campfire each night.  Gavin was always there, but Miles never went, and neither did Violet or Betty.  That evening it was just Gavin and Carl.  She hadn’t gone before, but since this was the last night of the camp, she decided to go.  She sat down beside Gavin. 

Gavin and Carl were engrossed in a Biblical discussion when she arrived, so she just sat there and poked at the fire.  Gavin and Carl turned, and both men greeted her.  Carl excused himself, leaving her alone with Gavin.

“Gavin, what happened with you and Violet?  I thought you two were a couple now.  Yet—”

“It’s personal,” Gavin snapped.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Peggy said.  “It’s just that I have an interest in this, too.”

“You? How is that?” Gavin answered, seemingly annoyed.

“You see, I think I may be in love with Miles, but all week his eyes have been on Violet, which makes me angry.  I thought Miles was free, now that you were courting Violet, so naturally, I wondered—”

“I plan to marry Violet.  Miles is just a friend, I assure you,” Gavin said.  “We had a minor disagreement is all. Things will be patched up, don’t worry.”

“Well, if you need any help getting back with Violet, just ask.  I tend to come up with some pretty neat ideas,” she said.

“Ideas?” he asked.  “Like what?”

“Well, it’s a very romantic night, and I could tell Violet that Miles wanted to see her in the shelter, but of course, it would be you,” she said. touching his arm.

Gavin drew his arm back quickly, and stared at her.

“What’s wrong, Gavin?  I only touched your arm.”

“I’m not used to casual touching, is all.”

Peggy laughed, leaned over, and kissed him on the cheek.  “That’s for good luck.”  She got up and said.  “Hurry, and get to the shelter.”

Violet always had a hard time sleeping in strange places, but the ground seemed to get harder each night.  She twisted and turned in an effort to find a good position.  She was listening to the evening summer sounds of the crickets, katydids, and an occasional owl, when Peggy stuck her head in the tent. 

“Violet?  Are you awake?” she whispered.

“Yes, why?”

“Miles wants to see you in the shelter.”

“Miles?  What does he want?”

“I wish I knew.” Peggy sighed.  “But he said it was important.”

At camp the adults slept in light clothing instead of nightclothes, in case they had to deal with a problem with a child at night, or walk them to the outhouse.  So Violet just slid into her shoes and went out into the night.  She was wearing a summery, shear, white short-sleeved dress.  She approached the shelter, but didn’t see Miles.

“Miles?” she whispered.

“Here,” a voice said softly.

She walked over to the darkest corner of the shelter and she was shocked to see Gavin sitting on a table. 

“You!” Violet turned to walk away, but he pulled her arm and brought her back to him. 

“Violet, please marry me,” he pleaded, as he held her arm. 

“Please don’t attack me, because I’ll scream so loud they’ll hear me in Abilene and Salina,” Violet said.

“You’re so beautiful,” he reached out and ran his fingers through her hair, which was loose, and fell almost to her waist.  “Marry, me—now I’m begging.  I do want to touch you and make love to you. I want to so badly, and I’m praying for control, here.  See?  I can control myself.  I need you, Violet.” His tense voice scared Violet.

“Gavin,” she said, “I can’t forget the attack, I’m sorry.” 

A mild oath escaped his lips.

“Gavin!” He was always the most disciplined, Christian man, and Violet was shocked to hear him curse.

Gavin grabbed her by the waist and drew her to him.  He still sat on the table, but he pulled her between his legs, and held her loosely.  “See, I have control,” Violet.  “Can I help it if you drive me to do things I shouldn’t?”

“I’ll scream,” she warned.

Gavin slid down from the bench and in one fast movement he covered her mouth with one hand, and pushed her to the ground with the other.  Before he managed to cover her mouth she was able to get out a half scream, but she doubted it would be enough to arouse anyone who was asleep. 

Gavin groped her, and she trembled in fright because her fighting was not enough to stop him.  She was terrified.  This time she’d not be rescued and she’d be ruined.  What she’d been saving for Miles would be gone. She made as much noise as she could with her mouth covered, and she kicked with all her might.  Her foot connected with a bench and knocked it over.

The thought of what could happen next made her fight even harder… but Gavin’s progress stopped. 

“I’ll stop right now if you agree to marry me, Violet.  I don’t really want it this way, but if it’s the only way to get you to agree, then this is what I have to do.  One way or another, I
will
have you.  Either tonight or after we’re married, the decision is yours.”

She continued to struggle, so he continued fondling her bosom and pressing himself against her, the feel of his readiness created a rage within her… she scratched at his face, she kicked, and then she managed to open her mouth enough to bite his hand.

“You—” he cursed.

She was poised to scream, when, once again, Gavin flew from her, and was thrown against the wall, and Miles punched him in the mouth.  “I warned you, McKenzie, now I have no choice but to turn you in.  You shouldn’t even be around children, you’re an animal!” Miles spat.

Peggy stood behind Miles with her hand covering her mouth.  She reached out and helped Violet to stand. 

Violet was crying and trembling.  Miles let Gavin go with a final shove that sent him fleeing the shelter and running out into the night. 

Miles held out his arms to Violet and she flew into them.  “Don’t let me go, Miles, Please.”

“I don’t intend to,” he whispered, squeezing her tighter.  They stood there swaying in each other’s arms and didn’t even notice that Peggy had left.

It felt so good to hold Violet in his arms again.  He felt his eyes tearing with the thrill of it, but he knew it was just because she was scared.  She wasn’t there to stay.  She could never be there to stay again.  He’d hold her as long as she’d let him, but he’d never let her hurt him again.  He couldn’t handle a second rejection from her, so he’d have to keep his distance.  Once bitten, twice shy.