Shadow of Deceit (Shadow #2)

by Barbara Goss

  A lantern hung from the wall. He lit it with a match that he kept on a ledge near the door. “Watch your step,” he said. He led her down a flight of stairs and immediately she felt cold.

  “This is where I store my vegetables, butter, and other perishable food,” he said. “Think you can handle it?” he asked.

  She nodded, anxious to move away from him, as his male scent was intoxicating. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and stay there. He looked so handsome in a white shirt and black pants. She turned and headed up the stairs ahead of him.

  When they reached the top, he blew out the lantern and rehung it. He closed the root cellar door. “That’s it,” he said.

  “I think you should know, I’m not much of a cook, but I’ll do my best,” she said.

  “And I think you should know, that I’m not a fussy eater. You’ll do fine.” He smiled at her then, a smile that made his eyes twinkle like they always used to when he was happy. It made her feel warm all over.

  They walked back to the side door of the house and went inside.

  “I supposed I should head to work,” Caleb said. “I usually come home about five, and my supper is usually on the stove and I simply warm it. You can leave whenever you’ve finished your chores for the day.”

  He walked to the door. “If you have any questions, or need anything, you can either write me a note, or stick around until I come home,” he said on his way out the door.

  After he’d gone, Julia started in on the dishes. This would be easy, she thought, one plate, one cup and a fork. She dried them and put them away. She then dusted the house, straightened his desk, polished the stove, and went to his room to make his bed.

  She could see he was a light sleeper, for his bed was hardly messed. As she bent down to adjust the pillow covering, his scent drifted up. Julia sighed. Maybe this wouldn’t be so easy. Each day she saw him, she loved him more. Never had she known a man so honest, upright, Godly, generous, and handsome. She hugged his pillow, and finished making his bed. His laundry basket was nearly empty, so she didn’t need to do laundry. Now—she’d do the hardest part. Cook his dinner.

  As she turned to leave his room, she saw a paper sticking out from a drawer in his armoire. As she opened the drawer, intending to put the paper back inside, it fell to the floor. She bend to pick it up, and couldn’t help but read the large written words: I.O.U. $100,000. TO BART TROUTMAN, ASAP. As she returned the paper she saw a whole stack of I.O.U’s for all different sums, to all different people and businesses. She shrugged, and went about cooking supper.

  That afternoon Caleb’s father, George Armstrong walked into his store from the mill in the back.

  “Caleb,” he began. “What’s going on? Phoebe said you gave Elsie an extended vacation with pay?”

  “Yep,” Caleb answered, and offered no more.

  “Why? Who’s going to keep house for you?”

  Caleb hadn’t planned on telling his family about this yet, but he had little choice now. Nothing was secret for long in this town.

  “I hired a woman who really needed a job—more than Elsie did. That’s all there is to it.”

  “Oh,” his father said. “I’ll have to stop over and meet her someday. Did you hear the biggest news of all?”

  “I heard that Violet is betrothed to Miles Croft,” he said.

  “That’s old news,” his father said. “Martha and Quinn Iverson went missing last weekend.”

  “What?” Caleb’s mouth dropped open.

  “Of course they’ve since been found—married. They eloped.”

  “No joke?” Caleb asked.

  “No joke. Quinn rented a bigger flat behind the barbershop. Phoebe and I have to think of what to get them for a wedding gift.”

  “I finally finished Jonas and Ivy’s table. I’ll bring it over on Sunday. I suppose I’ll make something for Quinn and Martha. I hope they’re happy.”

  “I think they will be. It was all chemistry, I guess. They took one look at each other, and wham, they knew.”

  “I guess it happens that way, sometimes.” Caleb picked up his pen and continued logging figures.

  “Ah, Caleb,” he said with a sigh. “We have to find someone for you.”

  “No, you don’t. I have someone all picked out. I’m just keeping it a secret until I’m sure this time.” he said, without lifting his head from his book.

  “Would it have something to do with the new housekeeper?” his father asked.

  “It’s all above board. I don’t even see the housekeeper. I leave in the morning before she arrives and when I get home, she’s gone and my dinner is just waiting to be heated.”

  “Well,” he said, “then I will keep praying for God to send you someone.”

  “But, I may need your help in the next few days to secure my future,” Caleb said.

  “You can count on me,” George said.

  Chapter 15

  Caleb was anxious to get home and see what his supper would be like. He had no expectations since she told him she wasn’t much of a cook.

  The door was locked so he knew she’d gone. On the table sat a candle burning inside of a tall glass that he used as a vase sometimes. His plate of food balanced atop of the vase, already warm! How clever of Julia! He sat down and almost burned his hand removing the plate from the vase.

  He welcomed this new way of keeping his dinner warm. Before he’d had to light the stove, wait for it to heat up, turn it off and leave his plate on the stove for a good thirty minutes, and it still wouldn’t be very warm.

  She’d placed another plate upside down over his plate. The food was hot. It looked like stew. He tasted it, and it was pretty good. He wished for a biscuit, but enjoyed the dinner. He wouldn’t mind having that every night. He set his plate in the sink and went out to his craft building. He’d start a gift for Martha and Quinn Iverson. He supposed another table would do. Thinking of Quinn gave him another idea for his plan.

  On Julia’s third day, as she scrubbed Caleb’s floor, there was a knock on the door. She jumped up to answer it. A young couple stood there.

  “Hello, we’re the Iverson’s. Caleb told us we could come and look at the house tonight, but we have another engagement then. Might we take a look now?” Quinn asked.

  Stunned, Julia hesitated. “Look at the house?” she asked.

  “Yes,” said Martha. “We’re newly married, and he said he’d give us a good price for it.”

  “He’s selling his house?” Julia asked with unease.

  “Yes, he is.”

  Julia invited them in. “You can tour the house, while I finish my floor.”

  She heard their remarks as they viewed each room. “Oh this is perfect, I love this, we’ll make this room the nursery, and oh, look an indoor laundry room.”

  When they’d finished the tour, they bid her goodbye, but Quinn called over his shoulder, “If anyone else come to see the house, tell them it’s sold. Good day, and thank you.”

  Julia hoped Caleb enjoyed his stew, for it’s the only dish she knew how to make that turned out well enough to serve anyone. Three days in a row, she would soon be expecting a complaint. She’d have to find someone to show her how to make something other than stew.

  She wondered why Caleb would be selling his house, and why did he owe so much money?

  That night at dinner, Miles talked a mile a minute about his upcoming wedding, while Billy tried to shove his vegetables off his plate. Julia scolded him.

  “But Julia we had stew every night this week,” Billy said. “And you put in more vegetables than you do meat.”

  “I make up a big pot, give Caleb the best of it, since it’s his food, and bring home the rest,” she explained.

  “That reminds me,” Miles said. “Has Caleb paid you yet?”

  “Of course not, I haven’t been there a full week yet. He’ll probably pay me tomorrow. Why?”

  “His bank account which used to be full of money is now showing a negative balance. It was brought to m
y attention by my supervisor. He wanted me to check for errors. But I found none. Where did all his money go?”

  “Is he a gambler?” Billy asked.

  “No!” Julia said quickly. “He’d never gamble. I have no idea, but I found out today that his house is for sale.”

  “Something’s not right,” Miles said. “Good thing you left him, Julia, I think he’s as poor as a church mouse now.”

  “I didn’t leave him!” she exclaimed. “Nor shall I.”

  “Then you still care for him?” Miles said.

  “I never stopped,” she said. “He discarded me, and for good reason.”

  On the last day of her first week working for Caleb, Julia took the buggy midday into town, and hoped she wouldn’t run into Caleb. She ran into Pete’s restaurant, and bought a plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and carrots. She couldn’t possibly make Caleb stew again.

  When she reached Caleb’s house, a horse was tied in front. She parked the buggy and walked around to the side door to find a man sitting on the steps.

  “Are you the new housekeeper?” he said, standing.

  “I am,” she said. “And you are—”

  “Caleb’s father, George Armstrong.”

  Julia was surprised, but pleased to meet him. “Please come in,” she said. “I’m Julia Croft”

  “Oh. Miles’s sister. Nice fellow.”

  “I don’t want to bother you,” George said, “but could you give this envelope to Caleb. He’ll need it later today.” His father tipped his hat and walked toward his horse. “Nice meeting you,” he said over his shoulder.

  Julia set the meal down, and peeked into the envelope. It contained the exact amount of money he owed her for the week’s work. She shrugged and set it by Caleb’s plate.

  She was about to leave for the day, when Caleb walked in. “Glad I caught you,” he said.

  “Did my father stop by?” he asked.

  “Yes, he gave me an envelope to give to you.” She pointed it on the table.

  “I’ll be right back.” Caleb grabbed the envelope, and ran into his bedroom. He came out seconds later. “I have your pay,” he said holding out a different envelope.

  Julia refused the money. “Put it toward my debt. All of it. I still have money left from the hotel job,” she lied. How could she take money from him when it was obvious he was broke?

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Absolutely,” she said. “The more I can put toward the debt the better.”

  He shrugged, and pocketed the money.

  “Has my job met with your approval?” she asked.

  “Your work is perfect, and I love how you keep my dinners warm. Ingenious!”

  She pointed to the table. “Meatloaf tonight,” she said. “I should be getting back to cook dinner for my brothers.”

  “You’ll be back next week, I hope,” he said.

  She nodded, and left the house.

  When she reached home, she raced into her bedroom and opened her jewelry box. She didn’t have much, but she’d sell the best pieces. She couldn’t let Caleb starve. She took out several pieces, some had been her mother’s, and raced to the general store with them. The owner gave her twenty dollars for them. She would make another payment to Caleb on her debt.

  Then she left Miles a note on the kitchen table saying he’d have to cook his own dinner because she wouldn’t be available. She drove the buggy down to the hotel and begged for her job back, asking to work the night shift. With the night shift came working weekends, but she didn’t care. Weekends with no hope of seeing Caleb were long and boring. At least at his house, during the week, she felt closer to him.

  Coming out of church on Sunday, Miles called to Caleb as he climbed up on his special-made buggy. He turned around and waited for Miles to catch up.

  “I need to talk to you. It’s important.” He said.

  “Hop up, we’ll go to Pete’s for dinner,” Caleb said.

  Once they were seated at Pete’s and they’d put in their orders, Caleb said, “Now what’s so urgent?”

  “It’s Julia!”

  “What happened?” Caleb asked.

  “She sold all her jewelry to help pay off her debt to you.”

  “Why would she do that?” he asked.

  “Because she thinks you’re broke! I played my part well. I hate lying to her, but I know you must have good reason. Besides, I needed to pay you back for not turning me in to my boss.”

  Caleb smiled. “I do have a good reason, and if she sold her jewelry, it’s working just the way I’d hoped.”

  “But some of the pieces were heirlooms from my mother,” Miles said.

  “Where did she sell them?”

  “The general store.”

  “I’ll go tomorrow and buy them all back. Trust me.” Caleb smiled.

  “I hope this doesn’t backfire,” Miles said. “Did you know she’s back working at the hotel?”

  “What?” he asked. “She has a job.”

  “She’s working nights, and days, to help pay off the debt since she thinks you might starve.”

  Caleb sat speechless. “I’ll have to end this soon then. What a woman! I knew it, I just knew she was sincere.” He smiled, filled with elation and concern at the same time.

  “She’ll be sick soon from working so hard. I think you need to end it very soon,” Miles said.

  Caleb simply smiled. “Sooner than I’d thought.”

  Two days later, Caleb took his time dressing for work and then stayed in his room. He noted the other night that the I.O.Us had been moved. So, she’d seen them. His father did his part, as did Quinn and Miles. Maybe now was the time to end it. He heard dishes tinkling, and knew Julia had come in and had started washing his dishes.

  He walked into the kitchen. She turned around. He noted dark circles under her tired-looking eyes. It was time.

  “Good morning, Julia,” he said.

  “Good morning, Mr—um Caleb,” she said. “I have another payment for you to go on my account.” She held out an envelope.

  Caleb sighed. “Sit down, Julia. I need to talk to you.”

  She sat down on one of the kitchen chairs and he took the one beside her.

  “Things have happened lately, and I feel I should tell you I’m having some financial difficulties.”

  Julia simply looked at him and nodded.

  “I forgive you for the past, and I still have feelings for you, but I no longer feel worthy since I’m now poorer than a street urchin.”

  “Gambling?” she said with sympathy. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “No!” he said quickly. “Not gambling, just some really bad business investments. After you left I was depressed and didn’t care much if I lost money or not.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she said. She put her hand over his. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll be your housekeeper without pay until you get back on your feet.”

  Caleb looked into her bright, green, sympathetic eyes and said, “I still love you, Julia.”

  He noticed her swallowing hard, and he worried about her reply, if she did reply.

  Finally she said. “I never stopped loving you, Caleb, even when my brain had forgotten you. That’s why I experienced such anxiety when I saw anyone limp. My heart knew.”

  “Even now that I’m no longer rich?” He stood. “And with my horrible limp?” he asked, pulling her up to stand before him.

  “I never had money growing up, or as an adult. I’ve learned to live and be happy without it. It’s just paper and metal, but we are humans with feelings, doubts, fears and the ability to love,” she said. “I don’t even notice your limp anymore.”

  Caleb drew her to him and hugged her. She clung to him. When he finally moved away enough to see her face she had tears running down her face. “What is it, Julia?”

  “I thought you’d never forgive me or trust me again. I thought I’d lost you,” she said with emotion. “It feels so good to be in your arms again. That’s wh
y the tears. I love you so much, Caleb.”

  He wiped her tears with his thumb and then slowly touched his lips to hers. The touch turned into a fiery, feverish meeting of emotions. Caleb reacted like a thirsty man walking in the desert for weeks, who’d just been given water.

  Pulling her even closer, their kiss became even more intense. The kiss slowly mutually broke, and they both had trouble catching their breath. Caleb pressed her head to his chest, and rubbed her back until they could breathe normally again.

  “Will you marry me?” he asked.

  “Yes. I will,” she said without a moment’s hesitation. “And if you continue to kiss me like that, I think we should do it today.”

  Caleb laughed. “I agree,” he growled, hugging her tighter. “You know I’ve sold the house.”

  She nodded. “We can live with Miles. At least until his wedding.”

  “Julia, Julia,” he whispered, as he kissed her neck. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world. Let’s go in the sitting room. I need to confess something—and get it off my chest.”

  “What now?” she asked with a worried look.

  She took a seat on the sofa and he sat as close to her as he could. He took her hand, and looked into her eyes. “I’m afraid there’s been some deceiving—on my part this time.”

  She cocked her head in confusion. “As long as the deception doesn’t affect our love for each other. You can tell me anything—what deception?”

  “I’m not broke. I’m as wealthy as ever. The I.O.U’s were planted and fake, I had Miles tell you I had no money in the bank, I had my father drop off your pay. I really did sell the house to Quinn though.”

  “But why?” she asked. “Why would you do all that?”

  “I forgave you for your deception, but I feared trusting you again, even though I wanted to. I had to be sure you loved me, even if I were poor. You passed the test with straight A’s.”

  Julia stood. She frowned at him with her hands on her hips. “Caleb Armstrong! Do you realize that I sold all my mother’s heirloom jewelry, and I took a night job, all to help you financially?”