by Barbara Goss
Shadow of
Second Chances
Barbara Goss
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
All scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this book is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.
Copyright © 2016 Barbara Goss
All Rights Reserved
Kindle Edition
Cover design by: Samantha Fury
Dedicated to Tammy. Thank you for all your help and input.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
EPILOGUE
THE END
Characters:
The Armstrong Family
Father – George
Stepmother- Phoebe
Children: Jonas (Ivy); Caleb (Julia)
Jonas and Ivy (Zoe and Joanna)
Caleb and Julia (no children)
The Jeffries Family
Father - Hiram
Mother- Lavinia
Children: Ivy (Jonas); Violet (Miles); Rose (Quinn)
The Iversons
Father – Calvin
Mother - Pearl
Quinn (Rose) and Peggy
Eliza and Jeremy- out of state
The Crofts
Julia (Caleb)
Miles (Violet)
Billy (Anna)
Chapter 1
Peggy Iverson jumped down from her buggy and walked the worn path to the church, climbed the steps, and entered the foyer where she opened the heavy, wooden door that led downstairs to the office of the Reverend William Croft. Walking down the long hall she practiced what she’d say to him. She knocked lightly on the door and heard him bid her enter.
William, better known to family and friends as Billy, stood and greeted her. “I don’t think we’ve met, Miss Iverson, but I’m well acquainted with your brother, Quinn.” He allowed her to sit and then resumed his seat behind the desk.
“How can I help you on this beautiful, spring morning?”
Peggy played with the folds in her cotton skirt. “I’ve been thinking of joining the camp team again this year. I so enjoyed it last year, but I need some advice. I’m a bit nervous about joining this year. I loved being outdoors and working with the children.”
“I’ve heard about the camp and am just now learning all about it. Why do you need advice about working there again?” Billy asked.
“It’s run by Gavin McKenzie.”
“Oh.” Billy’s lips clamped together. “You know I can’t divulge any information about him since I’m counseling him. He’s also become a friend.”
“Can you at least assure me that I’ll be safe?”
“Naturally, I can’t promise you that. I can’t tell you that your ride home will be safe, either. However, I can tell you that he’s not the same man he was last year. He is a man devoted to God, his teaching, and the camp. Those are the things that keep him going. I would sign up, if I were you.” Billy folded his hands on the desk.
“I’m looking forward to doing the devotions this year. I think he has me scheduled for the last day of camp. This will be my first year, but I support the camp fully. I hear the children love it,” Billy said.
“Do you know if Violet and Miles will be there this year?” she asked.
“Since they have an infant to care for, I rather doubt it. So I’m sure the camp could use your help because of it,” Billy said.
“I witnessed the attack on Violet by Gavin McKenzie, that’s what’s bothering me,” she said. “I guess I’ll sign up. I hope to see you there on the last day.” Peggy stood and walked to the door. She turned and looked at him. “Thank you.”
Peggy drove her buggy to Salina, which was about ten miles from Abilene. It was where Gavin McKenzie lived and taught school. She hadn’t seen him since last year at camp, and she was more than a little intimidated at having to see him in order to sign up for camp duties.
Violet Jeffries Croft—at last year’s camp she was just Violet Jeffries—had been courted briefly by Gavin after she broke off her betrothal to Miles Croft, but then she married Miles shortly after camp and the “episode” that ended her relationship with Gavin.
If only she hadn’t tried to get Miles to court her. If only she’d have minded her own business, and not set up that phony meeting between Gavin and Violet, then she wouldn’t have witnessed Gavin trying to force his affections on Violet. Nothing had happened, of course, but only because she ran and fetched Miles who had used his fists to stop Gavin from getting physical with Violet.
She learned her lesson. She’d never meddle in the affairs of others again. As it was, she was now in her mid-twenties and still had never been seriously courted. She’d had a few carriage rides, picnics, and dances, but she’d never been courted long-term. She’d had a kiss or two by the river after a buggy ride or after a dinner, but nothing more.
Peggy feared she was destined to be a spinster. Now that she was five years away from thirty, who would give her a second glance?
Peggy had been told that sign up for the camp would take place at Gavin’s school, and that he’d be there accepting volunteers daily, from three to four in the afternoon. She pulled up in front of the school, a large wooden building, at ten minutes to four. She quickly jumped down from her buggy and hurried into the school. She asked a man who was standing in the foyer for directions to Gavin McKenzie, and he told her it was the third door on the left.
The door was open and she spotted him sitting at a large desk in front of empty student benches. She swallowed hard and walked in.
He looked up and smiled. “Hello. Peggy, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “I’m here to sign up for camp.”
“Excellent. What would you like to do this year?” he asked.
“I’d like to teach the youngest ones. I hear Violet Croft won’t be teaching this year, now that she has a little one herself.” She noticed Gavin’s smile fade when she mentioned Violet’s name. This was more than awkward.
“That’s true, but we’re also losing Miles Croft, our best chaperone and teacher. The children here in Salina are already asking for him,” he said with a smile. “I liked Miles.” He looked at Peggy with a sympathetic look. “I know you did too.”
Peggy simply ignored his comment. She hoped he couldn’t see her hands shaking as she gripped her reticule. “So, you’ll notify me of meetings and such?”
Gavin pulled a timepiece from his vest pocket and glanced at it. “Sit down a moment, Peggy,” he said. He stood and walked to the door and closed it.
Fear gripped Peggy. What was he going to do? She didn’t sit, but stood in place, groping her reticule tighter, preparing herself to hit him with it and run if necessary.
He surprised her by sitting behind his desk again. “Relax, Peggy, and sit down. I only want to talk to you.” His voice softened and he
added, “Please.”
Peggy sat gingerly on a student bench.
“I think we need to talk about what happened last year. If we don’t, we’ll never be able to work together. Hear my side of the story, won’t you?”
Peggy loosened her hold on her reticule and tried to relax. “All right.”
“I thought I was madly in love with Violet.” His face took on a far-away look when he said it, and then his eyes turned to her. “I’m over it. Finally. There was something about her that drove me to commit foolish acts, but have no fear; I’m not a danger to you or anyone else.”
Peggy could do nothing but nod.
“The word obsession seems to fit what I had for Violet. Not love, but obsession. I’ve been seeing Reverend Croft for some time now, and he’s made me see that I was never in love with Violet at all, rather, I was obsessed with having her for my wife. I was being driven by retaliation, and obsession, but never love. The obsession drove me to aggressive behavior in order to bend her to my will, to get my way, and have her accept my marriage proposal. I’ve learned since then so much about this condition.
“You have nothing to fear from me, thanks to Reverend Croft. I can’t sing that man’s praises enough. I love that man,” he said.
“So fear not, I’m a reborn Christian man, and I’ve a personal relationship with God—a real one this time. I had a weakness, but I never really lost my love for God, and He’s helped me get back on track,” he said.
“So,” he said, “do you think we’ll have a problem working together?”
She shook her head. “It’s just going to be hard to forget, is all.”
“Peggy, have you ever done something you’re ashamed of?” he asked.
“More than once.” Peggy smiled mischievously.
“I’m ashamed, too, but I refuse to hide myself and let it stop me from my work with the children, whom I love. Teaching and bringing children to God is what I live for. It’s my passion. I’m using my energy in a different way now, and it’s working,” he said. “I no longer have the problem I was once cursed with.
“It’s up to you, Peggy. I’m willing to take you on and work with you, but if you feel you can’t forget, maybe you should find another way to serve the camp. You could do advertising or promoting, and never have to come into contact with me at all. Would you be more comfortable doing something like that?”
Peggy considered her options. “No,” she said, a bit weakly, and then said with more confidence, “I can work with you.”
Gavin stood. “Good.” He smiled at her and walked to the door. “I’ll be in touch.”
He opened the door, and she passed through it. She started down the hall toward the front door, and turned back to see if he was still watching her, but he’d already gone back into the room. She felt relieved. He wasn’t watching her walk away. That was a good sign.
Gavin sat at his desk and stared out the window at Peggy getting into her buggy. She was afraid of him. Lord help him! God had forgiven him, but the world hadn’t. He shook his head as her buggy disappeared. He’d been ashamed of his behavior, and he couldn’t figure out what had taken hold of him to make him attack Violet, until Reverend Croft told him it had been Satan tempting him at his Achilles’ heel. Gavin realized that he was right. He’d said the sinner’s prayer again with Billy, and Billy had been adamant on his truly meaning every single word. Gavin had even added a few sentences of his own. He invited the Spirit to dwell within him, and he prayed for help in his fight with Satan.
Immediately after he’d said amen, he was filled with love for everyone, and he truly felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. God had forgiven him and the Spirit dwelled within him. Now all he needed to do was convince the world that he was a changed man in Christ.
Peggy stood before her mirror. She smoothed her auburn hair and tucked her blouse into her skirt. She still had a nice shape and she still looked decent for her age. Her childhood freckles had finally vanished, and she loved that she'd been left with a smooth, clear complexion. Maybe there was someone out there who would want a twenty-five year old spinster.
Quinn was the only sibling to get the blond hair from their mother, Pearl. Her older sister, Eliza, had red hair.
Marriage had never occupied her thoughts until she’d spent time with her sibling’s children. She thought she’d love to have some of her own. Children have always had a special place in her heart. She’d always taught Sunday school and she loved working at the camp with the children.
She put her hand to her stomach. Would it ever hold a child?
She thought that at one time she’d loved Miles Croft, but she soon realized he’d never love anyone except for Violet Jeffries. She’d also thought Henry Bannister might be the one. When he went off to college he promised to write, but after she’d written her first letter, she never heard back from him. She’d had short courtships in the past but never anything that lasted.
What was there about her that made men soon forget her?
She peered into the mirror again. She thought she was fairly pretty, but not memorable. No wonder no one ever wanted to marry her. She could never measure up to her friend Ivy, or any of the Jeffries sisters. And Julia Croft was probably the most gorgeous woman she’d ever met.
So what was a plain Jane like her to do? She didn’t want to be single because she wanted more than anything to be a mother. She’d have to pray about it. Not that it would make a prince knock on her door anytime soon. After all, she was willing to bet anything that Julia prayed nightly for a child. Was she doomed to pray nightly and never receive her prince? It was like Reverend Martin had told her once: God has a plan for your life. Accept what He gives you and be thankful.
She sighed. All the best catches in Abilene had already been caught. Maybe she should move to another town. Then again, if God wanted her to have a husband he’d send her one. Maybe she was being too fussy.
She’d never worked, because she had to stay at home to care for her elderly mother. She’d been a change of life baby, and now her mother was in her seventies and lately having dizzy spells and rheumatism. If she could go out and work, her chances of meeting someone would be greater, but there would be no one to care for Pearl Iverson.
Until camp started she’d just have to continue with her life, teaching Sunday school, working in their garden, keeping house, and caring for her mother.
With such a mundane life it was no wonder she was excited to finally receive a notice from Gavin McKenzie regarding the first meeting of the camp team that was to be held at Dora’s Place, Abilene’s newest restaurant.
She was surprised to find several people she knew on the team and they welcomed her warmly, making her feel comfortable. Miles was once again doing the finances, but he wasn’t staying at the camp after registration, because he didn’t want to leave Violet alone with their baby, Andrew. Gavin seemed especially pleased that he’d been able to talk Miles into taking the job. It surprised her that Gavin should be so fond of Miles, when it was Miles he’d lost Violet to. She guessed it showed he was, after all of his faults, a man of God.
Also, there was Dora who’d be doing the cooking, and her husband, Michael, who’d be a chaperone. She saw two young women there she didn’t know, as well as Carl, and Gavin.
As usual, Gavin had everything perfectly organized, and by the end of the meeting, everyone was clear on his or her duties. He introduced the new members of the team, Charlotte Pierce, and Rachel Connelly.
It was good to see so many people sacrificing a week of their lives so these children could learn about God while having fun.
Just as the meeting was closing, in dashed a man mumbling apologies for being late. Peggy couldn’t take her eyes off him. He wasn’t classically handsome, but he was good- looking. His nose was a bit too long but he had light blue eyes that you noticed right away, even at a distance. His hair was dark and wavy and he looked to be about thirty or a bit older. She wondered who he might be.
Gavin
introduced him as Ethan Douglas, a fellow teacher from Salina, and told them that he’d be joining the team as a chaperone.
“This year we’ve also added two more tents, making eight altogether. We can fit up to eight children in each tent. If we should be lucky enough to enroll more children, we can add a tent or two, but right now we have eight chaperones, four women and four men, which should be perfect.
“See you all next week. As you leave Dora will hand you all a list of essentials you’ll need to bring.”
Peggy heard Gavin say, “Ethan, if you’ll stay a few minutes, I’ll fill you in on what you’ve missed.”
Ethan had nodded.
Peggy tried to catch his eye so she could smile at him, but failed. Maybe this year’s camp would prove even more interesting than last year’s.
Chapter 2
Peggy sat at the registration table with Miles, giving out the tent assignments and nametags, while he handled the money. They spoke casually as they registered campers. As soon as the last child had been registered, Miles talked to Gavin briefly and then left.
Peggy introduced herself to the two new chaperones, Rachel and Charlotte. She guessed them to be about eighteen or nineteen, both of them very young and pretty. Charlotte was quiet and shy, while Rachel was more outgoing.
Carl greeted her. He’d worked at the camp last year. He was an older man in his forties, was married and had five children, all of which were campers.
She spotted Ethan talking to Gavin by the shelter, wearing an open-collared, white shirt, rolled up to the elbows, unlike Gavin, who always dressed in a long sleeved white shirt and string tie.
Peggy met her eight girls at the assigned tent. They were in the five, six, and seven year old group. She smiled at their excitement and hoped the week would prove to be a good one for them. Their eyes gleamed with anticipation. They worked together at setting up their beds and belongings in the tent. She was disappointed not to have Zoe in her group—Zoe who had just turned nine, was in Rachel’s group. Zoe did manage to run up to Peggy and gave her a big hug, and Alfie waved to her from the boys’ area.
