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

hand.  “Thank you for the wonderful afternoon, Caleb.  I’m enjoying it ever so much.”
    Caleb felt things he never had before.  His heart raced and his body reacted strangely.  She didn’t remove her hand after squeezing it.  Her hand seemed to burn his into the rock.  They were fortunate, since it was January, that it wasn’t too cold and the sun was bright and warm.
    She edged closer to him, “It’s getting a bit colder, now.”
    Without thinking he put his arm around her to offer warmth, even though the sun had him so warm he was tempted to remove his coat.  Had he thought about it first he may not have had the nerve, but what was done, was done.  She didn’t pull away.  In fact, she looked up at him and smiled.  He had an inkling that she used being cold as a ploy to get closer, given the mild, sunny afternoon.
    That was all the encouragement he needed.  He bent down and kissed her lips. He meant to only kiss her lightly and quickly, but she put her arms around his neck and kept his lips pressed on hers.  She returned his kiss, passionately, which threw Caleb’s mind into turmoil.  He thought she was going to break the kiss but she simply moved her head to get a better angle for the kiss.
    This was a first for him, and he didn’t know what happened to his body.  He experienced changes that he’d never felt before and urges he knew he could never fulfill.  She was a lady and he had to treat her with utmost respect.
    He hoped she’d release him soon as he started to breath heavily, and he didn’t want her to detect him being out of control. He didn’t want her to know this was a first for him. Instead of letting go of him, she broke the kiss but then laid her head on his chest. 
    Since, she didn’t pull away and slap him or anything, he hugged her to him and rubbed her back. 
    “Are you warm, now?” he asked.
    “Very warm.  How about you?”
    “Hotter than Hades,” he replied with a chuckle.  “I think we should head back before we both catch pneumonia.”
    Caleb put his hands in his pockets, and walked her back to the buggy.  She slipped her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked.
    Caleb thought he’d died and gone to heaven.
     

     
    Julia knew that Caleb hadn’t had experience with women.  He was shy and lacked self-confidence.  His kiss started out like a simple friendly peck, so she’d encouraged him, and then knew immediately, that he enjoyed it as much as she had.  In fact, it startled her that his kiss traveled from her head to her toes.  She thought it must be because she knew this was his first, and that may have made it more exciting for her.  What else could it be?
    She really liked Caleb and started to feel a prickling of guilt for her manipulation.  Yet, she knew he enjoyed it, and every man had to experience his first romantic episode.  It was high time he had his.
    The strangest part of the whole day was, when they walked back to the buggy she didn’t even notice his limp.  It certainly didn’t go away, yet she never even thought about it.

Chapter 4
     
    After tossing and turning in his bed, Caleb couldn’t get comfortable.  His leg ached from all the walking.  He’d put some salve on it but it still throbbed.  He finally found a comfortable spot, closed his eyes, and once again, all he could see was Julia’s face.  He could still feel her lips on his.  He wasn’t sure, since he’d never been there, but he thought he might be in love.
     
    He didn’t see Julia for several days, and he missed her, but wasn’t sure if it might be too soon to call on her again.  About mid-week she popped into the mill’s store around lunchtime.  She carried a basket. 
    “Hello, Caleb.” She held up the basket.  “I’ve brought us lunch.”
    Caleb greeted her warmly.  “Where will we eat it?  This place is full of sawdust.”
    “Oh,” she said.  “I hadn’t thought about it.  It’s much too cold for an outdoor