Hope at Dawn Read Free

father or her younger brother Allen to come collect her.
    Outside the dance hall, she inhaled the crisp air to clear away any lingering moisture from her eyes. She descended the steps and started past the wagons and automobiles parked in front of the building.
    “Livy!”
    She spun around and saw her father standing beside the family wagon.
    “I was just about to come inside and look for you.” Josiah Campbell placed his worn hat on top of his brown hair. A few gray strands had sprouted near his temples since Livy’s brothers had left to fight, but he still didn’t look his true age of fifty-one.
    “How’d you know I needed a ride?” Livy asked as she walked toward him. Had something happened to one of the family? Or perhaps Robert was hurt or ill—and not drunk after all. “Is everything all right?”
    “Everything’s fine.” Josiah gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze that soothed her concern. “Mrs. Drake came over an hour ago to say Robert wasn’t feeling well. She was sorry to hear Allen had already driven you here. I came to drive the birthday girl home.” He smiled, but Livy struggled to return the gesture.
    Her suspicions tonight about Robert had been correct, after all. Mrs. Drake always used the excuse “he isn’t feeling well” when she and Livy both knew the truth—he was passed out from drinking.
    “Up you go, sugar,” Josiah said as he helped her onto the wagon seat. Livy sat numbly as he unhitched the horses and climbed up next to her. He guided the horses away from the dance hall and onto the street. “Pretty night, huh?”
    Livy glanced up at the stars scattered across the black sky. “I suppose.” She began gnawing at her cheek again, wishing she had the courage to tell her parents about Robert, but she kept her lips clamped together. Robert’s continued trouble with alcohol embarrassed her. Why couldn’t he lean on her instead?
    “Something on your mind?”
    “Just thinking I feel old.” And tired. She linked her arm through his as he laughed softly. “Thanks for coming to get me.”
    “Sure thing, sugar. I’m sorry Robert wasn’t able to make it. Did you have a nice time anyway?”
    “Yes,” Livy answered and she meant it. She thought of her “birthday rescuer” and a real smile lifted her lips. Once she’d stopped waiting around for Robert and actually danced, she’d felt much better.
    Maybe that’s what I need to do from now on. She was tired of waiting—waiting for her life to start again now that she’d left college, waiting for her brothers’ safe return, waiting for Robert to give up alcohol, waiting for a proposal.
    Robert had mentioned marriage for the first time about a month ago—the same day he’d received word a buddy from his squad had been killed. Livy doubted he could remember much of their conversation, even when his hangover had ended. If she did marry him, how many more nights would she find him that way? How many times would she have to drag his unconscious body into the house and nurse him back to awareness?
    The possibility brought a prickle of cold fear creeping over her. She didn’t think she could live that way. She wanted a marriage like her parents had—one full of love and warmth.
    A feeling of being trapped grabbed hold of her, squeezing at her throat and lungs. Was there nothing she could do to change her life, her circumstances? The conversation she’d had with the kind young man about the teacher position repeated itself through her mind. This could be her chance to pursue her dream and give her and Robert some needed space, too. It might be a long shot, but surely one worth taking. Even considering the idea resurrected Livy’s earlier hope and excitement. The sensation of claustrophobia faded in the wake of her enthusiasm.
    “Daddy, what would you say if I were to get a job?” No matter how badly she wanted this, she wouldn’t do it without his and her mother’s blessing.
    “What sort of job?”
    “A teaching one. I