Shadow of Hope: Book 4 - Shadow Series

Shadow of Hope: Book 4 - Shadow Series by Barbara Goss Page A

Book: Shadow of Hope: Book 4 - Shadow Series by Barbara Goss Read Free Book Online
Authors: Barbara Goss
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what happened between Miles and Violet, I had to at least try.”
    “I think you should talk to Violet and make sure she doesn’t mind you being courted by him,” Pearl said.
    “Mother, Violet broke it off with Miles!  He’s free to court anyone he chooses to.”
    “Well, I’m surprised he agreed to court you.  From what I hear, he was devastated when she broke it off.  I thought it would take him longer to recover from it than that.”
    “Mother, right now we’re just friends and I’m helping him get over her.”
    “Just be sure that things between you and Violet stay friendly.”
     

     
    The constable formed a posse including Jonas, Caleb and Quinn, and they combed roads all over Abilene looking for Zoe or Samson.  They searched until it became too dark, to search any more, before the constable called a halt to the search.
    “What do you mean, stop for today?” Jonas asked.  “We haven’t found Zoe yet.  We can’t stop.”
    “Jonas,” the constable said.  “We could ride right by her and not see her in the dark.  We’ll continue at dawn.”  He turned to his posse.  “We’ll start again at seven in the morning.”
    The posse rode away, leaving Jonas with Caleb and Quinn. 
    “C’mon Jonas.  Go home and get some sleep,” Caleb said.
    “You won’t be sharp for tomorrow’s search if you don’t,” Quinn said.
    Sadly, Jonas headed his horse toward home.  He felt empty and filled with hopelessness.  His baby girl was out there somewhere, and probably frightened.  He felt so helpless.

     
    Quinn stopped at his livery to give orders to his foreman, Jed, before heading to the constable’s office to continue the search.  Jed had relieved the night foreman, so Quinn could leave the livery without worry.  As he headed to his horse, Randy McMullin called to him. 
    Quinn frowned, and wondered what Randy could possibly want.  Randy owned the other livery in town and they were competitors, and sometimes, intense rivals.  Quinn figured he’d purchased a new buggy, or something else he wanted to brag about.
    He nodded, “Morn’n, Randy.”
    “You need to come to my livery, quick!” he said.
    “Why?  You got another new buggy to show off?” Quinn said.
    “No, I’ve found the little girl,” he said.
    “What?”
    “C’mon!” Randy called and they both ran down the street toward Randy’s Livery. 
    Once inside, an employee of Randy’s, held a horse by the reins, and there on top of the horse, sat Zoe. 
    “How did she get here?” Quinn said as he held his arms out for Zoe.
    Zoe went to him and held him tightly around his neck.  “Take me to Papa and Mama, Uncle Quinn.”
    “Papa will be here any moment for you, sweetie.  We’re so glad you’re all right.”
    “Samson rented the horse from me, and it came wandering in around dawn with this little elf on top of him,” Randy said.  “My horses know where the food is when they’re hungry, so he came straight back here,” Randy said.
    Quinn hugged Zoe.  “We’ve been so worried.”  He turned to Randy.  “Why didn’t you tell someone Samson rented one of your horses?  We’ve been hunting for him.”
    Randy shrugged.  “I heard the little girl was missing, and we were all told by the constable to keep our eyes out for her, but no one mentioned Samson.”
    Zoe laid her head on Quinn’s shoulder. 
    “I see. Well, thank you, Randy,” Quinn said.  He shook his hand and then headed for the constable’s office across the street.
    Jonas, Caleb, the constable, and several other men, sat on their horses in front of the constables office, awaiting the rest of the posse.  At first, all they could do was stare, as Quinn approached carrying Zoe.
    “Jonas,” Quinn said, “I think I have something that belongs to you.”
    “Zoe!” Jonas slid off his horse and ran to her.  She leaped from Quinn’s arms and into Jonas’s.  She held him so tightly she nearly choked him.  Jonas thanked God, out

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