title: As Time Goes By (The Californians, Book 2)
author:  Lori Wick 
description: Lori Wick is a multifaceted author of Christian fiction. As comfortable writing period stories as she is penning contemporary works, Lori's books (more than6 million in print) vary widely in location and time period. Lori's faithful fans consistently put her series and standalone works on the bestseller lists. Lori and her husband, Bob, live with their swiftly growing family in the Midwest.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  As Time Goes By
  
  
  Lori Wick
  
  
  10Prologue
  
  
  
  
  
  Santa Rosa, California December 1871
  
  
  Jeffrey Taylor tiptoed up the back stairway of his house in stocking feet. His
  parents and brothers were all asleep and he stepped carefully along the
  upstairs hall way to avoid the reliable creaks and groans of the hard wood
  floor.
  
  
  Once in his bedroom he lit the lantern and undressed for bed. The sights and
  sounds from the Christmas party he had just attended came back to him. Jeff
  knew every one there, had grown up with most of them. They had laughed, sang,
  played games, and eaten for hours. And then the hostess' face, Sylvia Weber,
  swam before his eyes.
  
  
  "What's the matter with you tonight, Jeff? You haven't been very attentive
  this evening." Her voice was irri tated and Jeff was quick to apologize.
  
  
  "I'm sorry, I must be a little tired."
  
  
  "I'll forgive you," Sylvia said with a teasing light in her eyes, "if you come
  over right now and have one of these desserts I made."
  
  
  Jeff had gone, tel