Shadow of Deceit (Shadow #2) Read Online Free Page A

day?” George asked.
    “Yes, I wrote to all three.  Since the mail is so slow, I doubt I’ll hear anything for weeks.”
    “Join us for a light supper tonight, Caleb?” Phoebe asked. “Jonas, Ivy and Zoe—along with the Jeffries family are coming.”
    “I’m sorry, I have some work to do in my wood shop.  I’m still trying to finish Jonas and Ivy’s wedding gift.”
     
    At precisely one, Caleb pulled up in front of the little gray house, and walked to the door.  Julia answered, still wearing the gray dress with red trim, she’d worn to church.  After putting on a gray coat, she waved goodbye to her brother, and allowed Caleb to escort her to the buggy.
    “It’s a lovely winter day for a ride,” Julia said as she allowed Caleb to help her into the buggy.  “A bit chilly, but when the sun shines, it makes it seem warmer.”
    “I agree,” Caleb said, picking up the reins and starting the buggy.  “First I’ll take you to The Merchant’s Hotel.  It’s our oldest hotel.  They hold social events in town now, in case you get invited to one, you’ll know where to find it.”
    Then he showed her the jailhouse, the constable’s office, the courthouse, the doctor’s residence, and the new market.  Then he headed away from town a few miles and stopped.
    “See the rutted road on the left, that’s what’s left of the Chisholm Trail.  That’s where the cattlemen used to drive their cattle to Abilene to sell.  But the cattle drives brought a lot of undesirable people to town and—well you wouldn’t have wanted to live here then.”  He started the buggy moving.
    “Why was it so bad?” she asked.
    “Well, there were shootings, killings, drunken cowboys, women of ill-repute,” he paused, “begging your pardon.  All sorts went on.”
    “And you lived here then?” she asked.
    “Yes, but we seldom came to town, and when we did it was in the daytime when it was a bit quieter,” he said.
    “Where are we going now?” she asked.
    “I thought I’d show you the Smoky Hill River before we head back.”
    After a rather short drive, they came to a large body of water.
    “This is the river.  Did you know Abilene was first named Mud Creek?” 
    She shook her head, delighted with the view.
    “I always liked this spot.  Would you like to get out and walk a bit—stretch your legs?  I know it was a long and bumpy ride.”
    “I’d love to,” she said.
    They walked slowly down an embankment and Caleb prayed he wouldn’t stumble or fall over as he sometimes did when going up or down hill.  Julia seemed to sense it for she held his arm tighter, which helped him keep his balance.
    Once down the embankment, they walked along the shore.  Caleb wanted to take her hand in the worse way, but thought it was probably too soon to make that move.  However, after a few moments, she slipped her arm through his bent elbow.
    “I hope you don’t mind,” she said, “once again I wore the wrong shoes, and I’m hoping if I hold onto you, I’ll not slip and fall.”  She looked up at him, and gave him a slow, seductive smile that made his knees so weak that he thought he’d take a tumble, and pull her down with him.
    When they reached a slippery spot she pulled him closer and his arm was pressed against her chest, making his insides feel like jam.  He thought maybe this walk along the river wasn’t the best idea.
    When they came upon a large boulder, Julia said, “Could we stop here and rest for a bit?”
    “Of course,” he said.  “I hope I haven’t walked you too far.  Are your feet sore?”
    “No, they’re fine.  I just want to rest and look at the view.  It’s beautiful here,” she said.  “Do you suppose you could help me to sit on the rock?”
    “Certainly,” he said and took both her hands in his and pulled her up to the top of the rock, and then he seated himself beside her.  “This is a great view.” But he looked at Julia and not the river.
    She reached over and squeezed his