A Shadow of Bitterness

By Julie A. Alspaugh

After their father and brother were killed in a fire that almost claimed their lives, Titus and Ruth were forced to move out west to live with their uncle. When they arrived they discovered that their uncle was hiding a terrible accident that claimed the lives of their mother, aunt, and her unborn child.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jan 4, 2004
• ISBN: 9781466956834

Julie A. Alspaugh

Julie Alspaugh is a recent homeschool graduate. Her love for Christ, children and books has influenced her to write compelling and creative stories. She lives with her parents and siblings in the State of Florida where she spends her spare time writing, drawing and working with children.

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© Copyright 2004 Julie A. Alspaugh. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Alspaugh, Julie A., 1985-

A shadow of bitterness / Julie A. Alspaugh.

ISBN 1-4120-0885-9

ISBN 978-1-4669-5683-4 (ebook)

I. Title.

PZ7.A467Sh 2003         j813’.6          C2003-904220-0

Image305.JPG

This book was published on-demand in cooperation with Trafford Publishing. On-demand publishing is a unique process and service of making a book available for retail sale to the public taking advantage of on-demand manufacturing and Internet marketing. On-demand publishing includes promotions, retail sales, manufacturing, order fulfilment, accounting and collecting royalties on behalf of the author.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my sister Alissa, for her help with the development of this story. Miss Christina Levy, Ms Laura Myers, and Mrs. Janna Schledorn for their editorial help and encouragement. Alex for his technical help, and my family and friends for their loving support.

Prologue

The fire truck rattled to a stop outside the flaming house, and all five of the city’s firemen jumped out.

Get back! They yelled to the neighbors who stood dangerously close.

As the buckets were passed and poured onto the blaze, the flames died, only to flare up when left alone.

Jacob! a neighbor screamed, as the flames spread rapidly through the house.

A firefighter ran to her.

Is someone in that house?

Yes, they’re all in there! She sobbed uncontrollably.

Chief, there are people in the house! he yelled across the yard.

How many? the chief called back, glancing at the flaming house.

The firefighter turned back to the lady who was now crying hysterically.

How many?He asked again when she didn’t answer.

Jacob and the children. Ma’am we need to know a number, and we need it fast. Four.

Chief there’s one man, three kids, he shouted.

Great! And the house is almost gone. Adam! Caleb! Get in there, and get them out. They’re probably trapped in one of the back bedrooms.

Without a moment of hesitation the men ran for the house.

They’re going to die! the woman screamed. They’re only fourteen. Don’t let them die!

We’ll do everything we can to help them, the fire chief assured her.

They were all in the same room, Adam said quietly.

Triplets, two boys, a girl, and their father, Caleb added.

The chief’s brow creased as he asked, What condition are they in?

The girl’s leg was badly burned, one of the boys was… Adam paused. He was dead before we got him out of the room.

The father and the other boy?

The father died last night. There was nothing they could do for him. However, the boy had only minor burns. Adam stopped and looked away.

It was always hard to lose fire victims, especially when they might have been saved.

How are they doing?

Good. The boy is going to be fine; the worst he will have is a few scars. They think the girl’s leg will heal enough so that she will only have a slight limp.

Chapter 1

One Year Later...

Amos leaned against the hitching rail in front of the stage coach station. He looked at the sun; the coach was late again.

John! Amos yelled. Tm not seeing any coach."

Mr. Conchino, it will arrive any minute. Calm down, John answered. He glanced down the road and hoped he was right.

They stood in silence, watching the road. Finally, Amos removed his hat and wiped the sweat off