The Dawn of a Dream Read Free

moments they’d have today.
    “Franklin must be off scouting. He didn’t reply to your mama’s letter, and she sent it in plenty of time.” Sadness touched his eyes.
    “You miss the boys, don’t you?”
    Papa nodded. “And after the wedding Lily will be living in Springfield. Thankfully, we’ll have you at home with us.”
    His words rang an alarm bell in her head. Would that be her future? To be the unmarried daughter spending her life at home with her parents?

    Luellen paused inside the kitchen to gather courage before taking her seat in the parlor. She needed to hurry. Lily and Edmund would make their entrance at any moment.
    A strong arm seized her around the middle. A hand covered her mouth. As she struggled to free herself, a masculine voice spoke in her ear. “Shh. Don’t say anything and I’ll let go.”
    She nodded, and the hand withdrew. Her captor stepped in front of her, grinning.
    “Franklin!”
    “Quiet. I want to surprise everyone.”
    Luellen grabbed her brother in a hug. “It’s wonderful to see you. Mama and Papa will be thrilled.” She stepped back, studying him, noting his tanned face and his dark hair worn at collar length. He wore wedding attire—gray trousers and a frock coat over his white shirt, but his feet were shod in moccasins.
    “No wonder you crept up on me.” She pointed. “Shouldn’t you be wearing boots?”
    “Don’t have to shine moccasins.” Franklin winked at her, then beckoned toward the open back door. “Come in, Ward.”
    A man in dark blue Army dress stepped into the room. Shorter than Franklin by about four inches, and stocky where Franklin was lithe, he whipped off his black felt hat and bowed in her direction.
    “This is Lieutenant Ward Calder, a friend of mine from Jefferson Barracks. He’s likable in spite of the fact he’s an officer.” Franklin shot a teasing glance in the lieutenant’s direction. “Ward, this is my sister, Luellen O’Connell.”
    Lieutenant Calder bowed again. “A pleasure, ma’am.”
    Franklin rubbed his hands together. “Now that we’ve dispensed with the formalities, let’s join the wedding party. If I figured right, isn’t it almost time for Uncle Matthew to tie the knot on our little sister and her intended?”
    Luellen nodded, amused. Franklin’s cheerful outlook never failed to lift her spirits.
    As they started toward the parlor, he whispered, “Is your husband already seated? I want to meet the man who changed your mind about marriage.” He glanced at Lieutenant Calder. “My sister always swore she didn’t want to marry, but O’Connell won her over.”
    Her momentary lightheartedness evaporated. “He couldn’t be here today.” She hurried forward and opened the door, standing aside so her parents could see Franklin.

    The wedding breakfast covered the dining room table. Fresh peaches swam in a bowl of cream. On a round platter, sliced chicken surrounded fried sweet potatoes, and muffins were stacked in a pyramid on a footed glass plate. A sideboard under the window held the wedding cake. Luellen stood near the kitchen and helped with serving, hoping hunger would keep their guests from pressing her with questions about Brendan.
    She couldn’t help but contrast today’s elegant meal with the contents of the dinner pail she and Brendan had shared on their way back to Beldon Grove to tell her parents of their marriage. Cold ham sandwiches could have been a special memory between the two of them—if there were still two of them.
    She gave herself a mental shake and forced a smile at Lily and Edmund, who stood near the sideboard, waiting for the cake to be served. “I imagine you’re eager to start on your journey,” she said as she inserted a knife into the fruit-laden pastry.
    Lily blushed. “Yes. The train north will be here around two. We’re planning to stop in New Roanoke for the first night.”
    Edmund looked down at his bride. “Long train trips are fatiguing. For Lily’s sake, we’ll make