Shadow of Deceit (Shadow #2) by Barbara Goss Page A

down information, and that was the only reason she had your address with her.  The poor woman.  What do you think of her?” Violet asked.
    “I really don’t think anything.  She’s a nice woman, but I don’t feel any inner urgings to get to know her better as I did with Julia.  But, in her favor, she didn’t seem put off by my limp.”
    “Well, I do believe she’s the answer to someone’s prayers,” she said.
    “It might be in answer to Iverson prayers, then.  Peggy’s been missing Ivy since Ivy’s marriage, and she already is taking Martha shopping.  Quinn and Mary Beth broke up two months ago, and Quinn has asked her to the Smith’s barn dance.”
    “She’s sure to stay in town, then.  Don’t you think you should ask her for an outing of some type?  Out of courtesy, mind you,” she added.
    “I suppose I should.  Maybe after dinner today I’ll take her for a ride and show her the area,”
    “That’s a marvelous idea,” she said.
    Caleb picked up the reins and was about to get the buggy moving when Violet grabbed his arm.  “Wait!” she cried. “I received a letter from Miles pouring out his heart.  I’m confused. Will you read it and give me some advice?”
    She handed him the letter.  He opened it, read it, and then he folded it and gave it back to her.
    “I think you should at least talk to him,” he said.  “Start with friendship and see where it goes,” he said.  “He is definitely sincere, because he told me much the same.  The young man is really smitten, but I wondered if he was good enough for you.  I still don’t know the answer to that.  I guess only you can be the judge.  God forgives us, so at least hear him out.
    “He said in the letter that his brother’s life was endangered, and that is true to what his sister told me,” Caleb said.  “So I believe him.  That would be enough to tempt many people.  You have siblings, what would you have done?”
    Violet moved closer and gave him a hug.  “Thank you, Caleb.”

    Lydia, Geoffrey and little Edward sat on the front porch with Julia, sipping lemonade.  It was midsummer, and hot.  Lydia and Julia fanned themselves. 
    “I think I remembered something this morning,” Julia said. 
    All eyes turned to her.  “A vision flashed before my eyes right after I awoke.  I saw you, Lydia, in the parlor of my cottage in Hays. You were standing by the door with a cake in your hand.  You were dressed in a pink dress, with a white bonnet.”
    “Really?” Lydia said.  “That’s got to be a memory because I do own a pink dress, and being one of my favorites, wear it often.”
    “Focus on that memory,” Geoffrey said.  “More are bound to start popping up.”
    “I hope so because I still have this nagging feeling that I’m supposed to be acting on something important,” Julia said.
    “Lydia, when I arrived did I say what my plans were after I helped Billy?”
    “You said as soon as his shoulder was healed you were taking him with you back to Abilene.  You were both going to live with Miles,” she said.
    “That doesn’t sound too urgent.  Maybe this feeling is just an aftershock from the fall,” she said.  “I did find the tickets in my reticule.”
    “Do you remember Abilene, and staying with Miles at all?” Geoffrey asked.
    “No, at least I don’t think so.  Sometimes a memory starts to come through and then vanishes.  I thought I saw Miles and a shadowy figure I couldn’t recognize.  It’s just flashes and as soon as I try to focus on it, it’s gone.”  Julia rubbed her temples.  “I do so want to remember.”
    Geoffrey stood. “I’m going for more lemonade, who else wants some?”
    “I’ve had enough,” Lydia said.
    “Me too,” Julia said.
    Geoffrey limped to the door. 
    “Stop!” Julia called, but he’d already gone into the house.
    “What is it, Julia?” Lydia asked, as she rocked little Edward.
    “Why is Geoffrey limping?” Julia asked.  She trembled without