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

here on Main Street,” Caleb said.  “You have to go down to Buckeye Road and Broadway, it’s right on the corner.  It’s my church.  You’ll like it.  Reverend Jeffries is a fantastic minister.”
    “You know him?” she asked.
    “We’re practically related.  His daughter just married my brother, Jonas.”
    “Really?” She dug into her reticule.  “My brother wrote out the directions to the church, and I thought I put them in my—”
    “Jeffries doesn’t usually have office hours at the church until eleven.  If you would like, I could drive you there.  I’ll take an early lunch break.”
    “Your boss won’t mind?” she asked.
    Caleb laughed.  “You might say I am the boss.  My father and I are joint owners.”
    “How impressive,” she said.  “I would be ever so grateful if you could.  In fact, if I might impose a bit further, I’ll buy you lunch at the restaurant over there,” she pointed to Sam’s Eatery.
    Caleb hesitated.  He’d want nothing more than to spend more time with Julia, but how would she feel walking in public with him?  He had to accept her offer, just on the chance that it might be his miracle. 
    “I’d love to,” he said.
    “Good, I’ll be back at eleven, Caleb.”
     
    Sitting across the table from Julia, he’d surely thought this must be what heaven was like.  Every man in the place had turned to look at her when they walked in. 
    She must have gone home and changed because now she wore a practical outfit, a red and white-checkered dress with a lace hem and collar under her red woolen cape; a suitable attire for visiting a minister.
    “It’s very kind of you to help me, Caleb,” she said.  “Do you know you are the first person I’ve met since moving to Abilene?”  She smiled.  “My first friend.”
    Caleb warmed to hear that she considered him a friend.  He said nothing, but returned her smile.
    Caleb had hobbled to the restaurant with her on his arm and she hadn’t seemed a bit embarrassed.  He’d finally accepted the fact that his limp didn’t faze her at all.  This gave him the confidence he needed to further the friendship.
    “Since we are friends,” he said, “I will offer my services to show you around the area.  How about on Sunday, after church?”
    “I’d love that!” she said with enthusiasm.
     
    After lunch Caleb drove her to the church.  Before she alighted his buggy she asked, “Since you know the minister, do you suppose you could introduce me?”
    “Of course,” he said.  He then proceeded to walk her into the church and around the foyer to the minister’s office. 
    “Caleb!” Hiram Jeffries greeted.  “Come in.”
    “Reverend Jeffries, I’d like you to meet Miss Julia Croft.  Julia is new to Abilene and I offered to escort her to meet you.”
    Hiram stood.  “I’m pleased to meet you Miss Croft.  Won’t you have a seat?”
    Caleb said, “I have to get back to work,” he waved and ducked out.
     

     
    Julia wasn’t much of a cook, but she threw together a salad and a stew.  She sat down to eat with Miles.
    “What no biscuits?” Miles asked.
    “I don’t do biscuits,” she said.  “You’re lucky to get a stew that you can eat with a fork and not a spoon.”
    “So,” Miles said, “how are you making out with Caleb Armstrong?”
    “Your information about Grace Church was accurate.  I got him to drive me there today, and he took me to lunch as well.”
    “Good.  Be gentle with him, he’s well-liked around town and he comes from a good family.” Miles said.  “When the time comes, please let him down gently.”
    “I’m just hoping he’ll help me financially so I don’t have to actually marry him to get the money.”  She played with her stew.  “It certainly isn’t his looks.  He’s surely handsome.  When we were sitting in the restaurant, and I forgot about his limp, I actually felt something for him. I guess it’s just the romantic in me, but he is handsome and his