Shadow of Deceit (Shadow #2)

by Barbara Goss

  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.

  Chapter 7

  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 o
f 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.

  Chapter 8

  Julia stepped off the train in Hays, walked from the train station to the livery, rented a buggy, and then drove the ten miles to Victoria. She parked in front of her friend’s home on Victoria Road. She knocked, and a woman about her own age, wearing an apron, balancing a baby on her hip, opened the door.

  “Julia!” the woman cried. “Come in. I hoped you were on your way here.”

  “Hello, Lydia,” she greeted. “Is something wrong? Where’s Billy?”

  “He’s in the back bedroom. They shot him two days ago.”

  “Oh no!” Julia ran past Lydia to the room in the back. It was here that Julia stayed after the landlord in Hays had evicted them from their shack for not paying the rent. She opened the door and gasped. Billy lay asleep with bandages around his shoulder and chest.

  “Billy! Are you all right?” she cried, frantically.

  Billy opened his eyes. “Julia?” He smiled. “They got me, but it’s only a scratch. It was a warning. The bullet went through my shoulder.”

  Julia sat on the edge of his bed. “See what comes with playing cards with killers? Have you learned a lesson at all?”

  Billy nodded. “I’m done with gambling, honest. But they said next time they’d kill me.”

  “No, they won’t. I managed to get the five thousand dollars. Who do I pay?” Julia asked.

  “They hang out in the Horseshoe saloon in Hays. Their names are, Killer Mulvany, Jed Bruenner, and Hank Barth.”

  “Killer?” Julia repeated.

  “His real name is Kilroy, but everyone calls him Killer.”

  “I’m going to pay them and then we’re going to Abilene. Miles has a cute house there and he says we’re welcome,” Julia said.

  “Where did you get the money?” Billy asked.

  “A very warm-hearted person gave it to me after hearing your story,” Julia said. “You can thank him when you get to Abilene, we’re betrothed.

  “I’ll ride to Hays first thing in the morning—”

  “Ha!” Billy laughed. “Do you think they’ll be there in the daytime?”

  “No?” she asked. “Where are they in the daytime then?”

  “I don’t know. I just know where they hang out at night.”

  Julia sighed. “I’ll have to go at night then.”

  “Alone?” Billy asked.

  “I suppose so.”

  “Wouldn’t Geoffrey go along with you?”

  “I would rather not involve anyone else. Lydia and Geoffrey have given us the use of their home twice now. I can’t impose on them anymore. They have a baby to care for, who I haven’t had time to visit with yet. I’ll come back later to visit with you,” she said. “Rest up, because we’re going back to Abilene later this week. I have the tickets all ready.”

  After playing with Lydia’s baby, Edward, she sat and had tea with Lydia. “How did Billy get shot? Did they come here to the house?”

  “No,” Lydia answered. “I told Billy to stay inside, but he got restless and rode to Hays to visit the girl he’s sweet on, Lida Andrews.”

  “He didn’t! I took pains to hide him and he does that? So they don’t really know he’s here do they?”

  “No. They haven’t come to Victoria.” Lydia said.

  “So then he came back with a hole in his shoulder.” Lydia shivered. “I had the doctor check him, and he said it was a flesh wound and that he’d heal quickly.”

  “I have to go find them and pay them off,” Julia said. “I’m a bit nervous about it.”

  “I’d have Geoffrey go with you, but he’s in Topeka picking up a new steam tractor. He’ll ride it home on a train, he just left this morning.”

  “I’ll go alone, but I’ll need a gun. Just in case,” Julia said.

  The next evening about an hour before sundown, Julia drove her rented buggy to Hays. She tied the horse Lydia had loaned her behind the buggy. She drove to the livery, returned the buggy, hopped on Lydia’s horse, and rode to the Horseshoe Saloon.

  She loaded the gun Lydia had loaned her, slid down from the horse, and regarded the saloon. She’d never been in one before. Even though she could plainly hear the voices of women inside, she knew that no respectable woman walked into saloons. She stood outside and tried to embolden herself to enter. She heard lively piano music, could hear glasses clinking, and male voices laughing. She took a deep breath, stood up straight, and opened the door.

  When she stepped inside, everything seemed to stop, even the piano player halted for a minute. All eyes were on her. She walked cautiously to the bar near where the bartender stood, and asked how she could find, Killer Mulvany, Jed Bruenner, or Hank Barth.” The barman stopped wiping the bar, and nodded to a round table in the corner near the front window. Julia thanked him and headed to the table.

  “Well,” one of them said. “Lookie what we have here.” He reached for her but she backed away.

  “I’m Billy Croft’s sister. I’m here to pay off his debt.”

  One of them stood, not the one who tried to grab her, but one with an unruly beard and mustache. “You got five big ones?”

  “Yes.” She handed him an envelope. And she saw him counting it.

  The man who tried to grab her stood. He had thinning, black hair, and while he was clean-shaven he had a scar that ran from his eyebrow to his chin. “What about our interest, missy?”

  “I’m sorry, that’s all I have,” Julia said. “Please, now leave us in peace.”

  The clean-shaven man laughed, “C’mon, give the Killer a little something for having to wait so long to get the money.”

  “I told you,” Julia said, “that’s all the money I have.”

  “Maybe it ain’t money I want.” He looked her over from head to toe. “Yer a mighty fine lookin’ woman. Mayhap we can do some personal dealin.’” He winked.

  “Sorry, I’m betrothed.” Julia turned and ran out of the saloon, jumped onto the horse and sped towards Victoria.

  Several times as she galloped away she thought she heard another horse or horses behind her, so she nudged her horse faster. It was a cloudy night and extremely dark. Alone and shaking with trepidation, she galloped faster, although it was hard to see in the dark. She was sure someone followed her.

  She dug her heels into the horse, and flew at a pace she’d never ridden before. She tried to swallow but the lump in her throat prevented it, and she hea
rd the noise of fear in her ears due to the blood rushing through the small veins. The wind whipped at her face and hair, she couldn’t see where she was going, and she hoped the horse knew its way. Her heart beat faster than it ever had.

  She peered behind her but could see nothing in the dark. What if she couldn’t outrun them? She knew she was far enough ahead of anyone who might be chasing her, because she couldn’t hear anything coming behind her. This caused her to urge the horse even faster.

  She could not see the trail. Her only hope was that the horse knew its way home. She just held onto the reins. The sensation of moving so fast and not be able to see a thing, was scary. If a branch were sticking out, it would smack her in the face. After thinking about that happening she ducked lower on the horse, which caused her to loosen her hold on the reins. It mattered little to her that she didn’t hold the reins tightly, because her horse ran independently, anyway.

  Julia sensed by how long she’d ridden that she must be close to Victoria, when without any notice, her horse tripped over something, and she went flying through the air.

  Caleb received another letter from the mail order ad. He threw it with the others. He walked out to his crafting shop and began working on the table for Jonas and Ivy. He’d just finished the final coat of shellac when he heard someone ride in. He stuck his head out of the doorway and was shocked to see Violet.

  “Violet!” he called.

  She was just sliding off her horse.

  “Hi Caleb,” she replied. She walked over to his crafting shop and peeked in. “Is that the table for Ivy and Jonas? It’s gorgeous.”

  “Do you think they’ll like it?”

  “I do. I know just where they’ll place it, right in front of the sitting room window with a lamp or something on it,” she said. “Is it still wet? I’m moved to touch it.”

  “Don’t touch it, I just put on the final coat of shellac.”

  “And what’s this?” she asked pointing at the half-finished toy for Zoe.