Shadow of Second Chances: Shadow Series~ Book 6 (The Shadow Series)

by Barbara Goss

  “Thank you. I’d love working for you and the camp.”

  He winked at her. “You and I are going to get along just fine, Peggy. Now let’s go to Dora’s—I’m starving.”

  Chapter 5

  Gavin sat before Billy’s desk on Monday. “How can I fix things with Violet?”

  “Let’s see,” Billy said, leaning back in his chair, “you’re on the right track with your courtship with Peggy, but I need you to know that I don’t want Peggy used. Are you using her just to fix things with Violet, or do you really care for her?”

  “Right now we’re in strong like. We’ve both agreed to the courtship for two reasons, because we like each other, and because we both want to fix things with Violet and make this the best Christian camp ever,” Gavin said.

  “I’m happy to hear that. I think it will go a long way in helping with Violet. I spoke to Miles, yesterday, after church, and he is in complete agreement, so that’s another plus. He holds no hard feelings, and he wants to continue as the camp’s financial person. He’d also like to one day return and work with the boys again. His biggest worry is Violet, of course. You scared her pretty badly when you tried to force your affections on her, rather strongly—to put it mildly.”

  Gavin looked down at his feet. “I know. I’ll do anything to make it up to her.”

  “How are you doing as far as your previous problem?” Billy asked.

  “You mean the nonexistent problem? It’s been tested and is no longer a problem. Rachel must have heard about my weakness and tried to use it against me by purposely touching my arm and neck while trying to blackmail me into letting her stay on,” Gavin said. “I’m afraid I had a strong reaction to it—anger, and a sick feeling, but that’s all. She’s attractive, but her evilness is what I felt from her touch.

  “I rubbed salve on Peggy’s burns, I’ve put my arm around her, and…well, I did feel something when I put my arm around her yesterday. It felt good. I now have a friend who shares my hopes and dreams. She’s a wonderful woman, and I seriously think it could grow into more.”

  “No sexual urges?”

  “Nothing that I can’t handle,” Gavin said.

  “Now,” Billy said, sitting up straight in his chair. “Miles is going to speak with Violet and ask her permission to allow you to apologize at the church picnic next week. Once there, I’d like you to approach her, and say all the right things. Let her know the Holy Spirit is now in control, and you are a new man in Christ. Maybe that’s where John Wesley got the term ‘born again,’ as you’ve surely become a new person.”

  “Should I approach Violet with Peggy, or alone?”

  “With Peggy. It will make her feel more secure,” Billy said.

  “Hey,” Gavin said, “your wife is not only beautiful, she’s a tough cookie! I bet you’re proud of her sticking up for Peggy like that.”

  Billy chuckled. “That’s my Anna—and that’s all I’ll say about that.”

  Gavin had arranged to pick Peggy up for lunch after his meeting with Billy. He pulled up in front, and tied his buggy to the post, and walked to the front door. Peggy opened the door, looking smart in a navy blue dress, styled like a sailor’s uniform. Instead of her usual bun, she wore her hair tied back with a ribbon, and Gavin was stunned by her beauty, a beauty he hadn’t noticed before. He’d been more attracted to her personality than her looks, but she looked lovely, and was extremely pretty.

  She introduced him to her mother, who sat on the sofa, knitting. She smiled and returned his pleasantries. When they left, he helped Peggy into his buggy. After jumping up he took hold of the reins, but before starting the buggy, he turned to her and said, “You look lovely, Peggy.”

  “Why, thank you, Gavin,” she said blushing.

  “Where would you like to eat lunch?” he asked.

  “Dora’s place, of course.”

  “I’m not familiar with Abilene yet, so let me know which direction, and where to turn and we’ll eventually get there.” He laughed.

  After lunch, Peggy offered to show Gavin around Abilene.

  “No wonder you love Abilene,” he said, “it’s quite nice. I like the way the town is laid out, and you have some good stores and markets,” he said. “There’s the hotel I stayed in last year.”

  “Would you like to see our waterfront area? It has a nice little park, which is quite new,” Peggy said.

  “I’d love to see it. Then I must get back to Salina and my son, Timothy. He’s staying with a blind neighbor that we look after.”

  “You will be back for the picnic won’t you?” Peggy asked.

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” he said. “I wanted to bring Timmy, but under the circumstances, Croft and I decided it might not be a good idea, in case things don’t go well.”

  When they reached the Smoky Hill River, they parked the buggy and walked along the shore.

  “This is lovely,” Gavin said.

  “Over there is the green area that we call a park,” Peggy said. “The town is planning to enlarge it since it’s been such a favorite with everyone. You can sit and feel the breeze from the river, and relax in the shade.”

  Gavin took out his timepiece and glanced at it. “I have a few minutes, let’s try that relaxing—heaven knows I could use it.”

  He took her hand and they ran up the slight incline to a bench facing the river.

  Gavin dropped her hand and sat down after she’d slid onto the bench.

  “Oh, yes!” Gavin said. “This is heavenly. I feel cooler already.”

  “But you must relax,” Peggy said. “Close your eyes, and take a deep breath of the air, and let it out slowly.”

  Gavin complied, several times. “Hmm, yes. I do feel relaxed.”

  Gavin smiled at Peggy. She had made herself pretty today, just for their luncheon date. He thought that was significant. He smiled at her. “Thank you, Peggy, for the lovely day.”

  She returned his smile. “You’re welcome. I enjoyed it too.”

  “I hope we can enjoy more days like this. Do you think we could?” he asked.

  “I’m hoping so, since we are courting.”

  “I’m still so unsure of myself,” Gavin said.

  “Don’t be.” Peggy patted his hand. “I like you very much and I enjoy being with you.”

  “How soon is too soon for a small kiss to show my appreciation?” he asked.

  “A small one?” Peggy put her index finger on her cheek. “I think the rule is that a small kiss on the first official outing is allowed, but only if both parties agree.”

  “Oh, I see,” he said. “You aren’t making this easy.” He laughed.

  “Some things are worth the trouble,” Peggy said, with a definite twinkle in her eyes.

  Gavin looked into her eyes and saw what he needed. Her eyes said, “Kiss me, please.”

  Gavin slowly touched his lips to hers and kissed her softly. Then because it had felt so good, he dove in for one more that lasted a few seconds longer. Peggy closed her eyes for several seconds after he broke off the kiss.

  “That was very nice,” Gavin said. “What are the rules for the second outing?”

  “I’ll have to look that one up, but I’m pretty sure the kisses continue to increase in length, if both parties agree.”

  “Then if I come back one more time before the church picnic, you’ll allow me to bring you back here—after a meal of course,” he said.

  “Of course. I can hardly wait,” she said, looking at him with a blush.

  “You know, Peggy, I’ve never been one much for rules. How about you?”

  “Never.”

  “Then let’s break them just a little, shall we? Is that a mutual agreement?” he asked.

  “It sure is,” she said.

  Gavin put his arms around her and kissed her long and hard, then, he gathered her into his arms and held her closely. He had really enjoyed the kisses, and he felt the need to hold her, and he actually thought he felt sincere feelings for her, something he’d never felt befo
re. He couldn’t find the words in his head to describe the feeling. It wasn’t lust, definitely not, or he’d be praying like a mantis. He felt lightheaded and peaceful. He loved holding her and kissing her, and all he wanted was nothing more than make her happy. Was what he felt just plain adoration? Was that the word he was looking for?

  “I have to go, Peggy. I don’t like leaving Timmy for too long. I’m trying hard to be a better father than I’ve been in the past,” he said. “But at the same time, it’s rather hard to leave you. I feel so comfortable with you here, like this. I wish…well there’s no sense in wishing. We live a distance apart and courting will be difficult, but I’ll be back in two days, I promise. Let’s see, today is Monday, the picnic is Sunday, I’ll be back Wednesday. Can we do a lunch again? Dinner is difficult for me, because I really need to get home for Timmy.”

  She smiled. “I feel the same, Gavin. This has been a delightful day, and I wish you didn’t have to leave, but I will see you on Wednesday, and we do have a date for the picnic.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t see you more than that. I will have a bit of a surprise for you next time you see me, though,” he said. “Croft and I agree that it might be a good idea if I shave off my beard and mustache for the picnic. He thinks if I look a bit different it might be easier for Violet.”

  “I can’t wait to see it. I’ll be there at your side when you see Violet, if you want me to be,” she said.

  “I do want you to be.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Peggy waved to Gavin as he drove off. . She closed her eyes and leaned back against the door after she’d closed it. Wow! What a delightful day this had been.

  “Is that you, Peggy?” Pearl Iverson called. “Why aren’t you coming into the sitting room?”

  Peggy pushed herself off the door, and walked into the sitting room, and sat on the sofa beside her mother.

  “What an odd smile,” her mother said. “You look like you’re in a daze. What’s wrong? Or should I say, what’s finally right?”

  “I think I’m in love,” Peggy said. “I’ve never felt like this before. I had the most wonderful day, Mother.”

  “With McKenzie? What’s his first name, again? I keep forgetting it.”

  “Gavin, Mother. I think it’s a Scottish name.”

  “He seems nice, but I prefer clean shaven men,” Pearl said.

  “I do, too, but he can always shave,” she said. “It’s so strange, Mother. I never in a million years thought I’d end up with someone I didn’t even like a few weeks ago. He’s just so kind and tender. He’s a real gentleman.”

  Pearl patted her hand. “I’m happy for you, Peggy. I’ll pray that things finally work out for you.”

  Chapter 6

  Miles Croft rocked his infant son, and worried about how to tell Violet about the proposed meeting at the picnic with Gavin McKenzie. His first thought was to not tell her, but she’d be furious with him if she discovered he’d known about it and hadn’t confided in her. But when he did tell her, she may very well refuse to go to the picnic. Then what?

  Billy had urged him to tell her—honesty and all that—but Billy didn’t have to live with the results. He and Violet had a great marriage, and a loving relationship, but it could end at any time, and that’s what he feared. Would she think him disloyal for planning this without her knowledge?

  He stood, and carried Andrew to his bed, and tucked him in. He was so beautiful, mostly because he favored his mother. His fuzzy head had strawberry blonde hair, and his eyes were as blue as a summer’s day. He kissed the baby’s forehead, and turned to see Violet, standing in the doorway, smiling.

  “How’s our little prince doing?” she whispered.

  “Perfect. He’s the perfect baby,” Miles said.

  Violet stood beside him and he put his arm around her. They watched Andrew sleep. “We’ve made a miracle,” she said.

  Miles kissed her forehead. “I need to talk to you about something. Can we go into the sitting room?”

  “But we haven’t eaten dinner yet,” she said.

  “I want to get this over with.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that. You’re scaring me, Miles.”

  “Come,” he said. He steered her down the stairs, into the sitting room. He sat her down on the sofa, and slid in beside her.

  “Do you agree that the camp is the best thing to happen in the area? Isn’t it a great place for children to learn about God while having the time of their lives?” he asked.

  Violet sighed. “I know what this is about.”

  “You do?” Miles asked.

  “You want to chaperone next year as well as do the finances. That’s fine. Andrew will be older, and I can always go and stay with one of my sisters. The kids at camp loved you, so you should do it.”

  “I’d like that, but there’s more. You see, Billy did the service on Friday, and seven children accepted Christ as their personal savior, and—”

  “Miles!” she gasped. “That’s wonderful!”

  “Yes, it is. And here’s the thing…” He hesitated before even mentioning McKenzie’s name. “Gavin wants to make the camp mostly connected with Grace Church and Billy. He wants Billy to be partners with him to make it the best camp, ever. They want to take contributions and build cabins and such. What do you think?”

  “It would be fantastic,” she said, with a sincere expression.

  “Billy has agreed to work with Gavin with just one stipulation,” Miles said.

  “What’s that?”

  “He won’t partner with Gavin until things are set right between you and him. He is firm on that. Billy respects you, Violet, and while he wants this partnership for the camp, he won’t hurt you in the process.”

  “Really?”

  Miles noticed her face pale somewhat, but he couldn’t read her expression. She seemed to be stunned, and thinking about it all.

  “So,” Violet said, drawing out the word. “The success of the camp for children depends on my forgiving nature?”

  “Basically, yes.”

  “That’s easy enough. I have forgiven him, twice in fact. I just don’t want anything to do with him.”

  “If Gavin is going to work with Billy he needs to come to Abilene often. We—that is Billy and I—think—well, we don’t think, we know—Gavin wants to apologize to you at the picnic, Sunday,” Miles blurted out those last words quickly.

  “I see.”

  “I had a very hard time working with him myself, this year—at first. He hurt you and that was hard to forgive. It’s even more difficult to forget, but he’s changed since Billy’s been working with him, he honestly has. He’s also courting Peggy, and they really like each other.”

  “Peggy?” Violet said. “I hope you’re right that he’s changed. Poor Peggy if he hasn’t.”

  “Violet, Billy can’t divulge any confidences, but he’s assured me that Gavin can be trusted. All he’d tell me is that he’s a new man, and Spirit-filled, which he doubted he truly was before.”

  “Billy thinks he deserves a second chance. He had a bad beginning to his life and…well, God forgives us, so—”

  “I’ll go to the picnic and hear what he has to say—for the children.”

  Miles sighed. “I’m so proud of you for doing this, Violet. I know how hard it will be, but don’t forget: I’ll be right there at your side.”

  Violet put her hand over his. “At first I was terribly upset that you could work with him again after what he did to me. At first I felt betrayed, but then I thought about it, and realized that that’s just the type of person you are. You’re good—I mean, truly, a good, God-fearing man.”

  “Sweetheart, you have no idea how hard it was. I agreed to do the finances for the children, and I had very little to do with him other than give him the financial report. I’ve forgiven him, but like you, I still had doubts. I’m doing this for Billy and the children. Let’s just see how it goes.”

  “I love you, Miles Croft. I’m so thankful tha
t you’re a forgiving man, and that you give second chances. If you weren’t so forgiving, we’d not be sitting here together, and with our beautiful son sleeping upstairs. God’s forgiveness teaches us to be like Him.” She slipped onto his lap. “I can do this, Miles.”

  “I love you more than ever, Violet. Just when I think my love can’t grow anymore for you, it does. No one will ever hurt you again as long as I’m alive.”

  He picked her up and carried her up the stairs.

  On Wednesday, Peggy donned the new dress she’d bought, a light green taffeta with a bonnet decorated with matching green flowers and ribbons. She couldn’t wait to see Gavin again.

  She paced the sitting room and kept peering out the window. It was past noon. Where was he? Soon it was one o’clock, and still no Gavin. She sat down on the sofa and felt like crying. Had he been leading her on? She’d thought he was feeling the same as she was, especially since that last kiss, the one that seemed to turn her inside out. She’d never been kissed like that before. She really thought it was love. Now, he’d not shown up for their lunch appointment, and now…

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the front door. She flew across the room and peeked out the window. It was Gavin! She smiled, took a deep breath, walked calmly to the door, and opened it.

  “Peggy! I’m so sorry I’m late. My neighbor couldn’t sit with Timmy today, and I was left scrambling for a sitter at the last minute. Finally, Mrs. Thompson offered to keep him—in fact,” he smiled, “she’s keeping him overnight. Her son, Adam, and Timmy are school friends.”

  “So you don’t have to rush back?” she asked, trying to tone down her excitement. “Oh, my! I just noticed you’ve shaved. I like it. You have such a handsome face, why did you ever want to cover it?”

  “Another of my idiosyncrasies from childhood—trying to hide myself, I guess. I don’t know. So, you like it” Really?”

  “I love it,” she said. “Would you like to come in?”

  “I thought if we hurried we could still catch some lunch at Dora’s,” he said. “You haven’t eaten, have you?”