The Dawn of a Dream

The Dawn of a Dream Read Free Page A

Book: The Dawn of a Dream Read Free
Author: Ann Shorey
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the journey in short segments.”

    Once the cake had been shared among the guests, Lily hurried upstairs to change into her traveling costume.
    Luellen joined her in the bedroom. “It was a perfect wedding.” She lifted her sister’s green and blue checked shawl from the bed. “Too bad Maria and Graciana had to miss it. You three have always been as close as sisters.”
    “Those two.” Lily’s smile carried the fondness she felt for her cousins. “Marrying brothers, living next door to each other in Quincy, expecting their babies the same month. I wonder if their children will grow up as close as we were.”
    “I don’t see how they can help it.” Luellen settled the shawl over Lily’s shoulders, arranging the fringe so it fell smoothly over her hoop-skirted, oyster-gray dress.
    Lily turned and clasped Luellen’s hands. “Thank you for all you’ve done to make my wedding special. I know how hard it’s been for you to keep smiling.” She kissed her cheek. “God has something better planned for your life than Brendan.”

    Luellen stopped, hand on the knob of the kitchen door. Voices from inside carried through the polished walnut panel.
    “Did you see how she’s dressed? No hoops—just those heavy petticoats.”
    “And those eyeglasses. She looks like she’s forty years old. No wonder her husband left.”
    Luellen self-consciously tucked her glasses in her pocket. Her face burned. If Lily’s friends knew, the news had to be all over town. No wonder few of the guests had mentioned Brendan.
    She pushed the door open and strode into the room. Two young women stood at the counter, washing dishes from the wedding breakfast. They sprang apart, their hoopskirts swaying.
    “Luellen! We thought you were . . .” Abigail’s fair skin flushed scarlet.
    “Mama’s resting. I told her I’d give you girls a hand.” Luellen gave them her sweetest smile. “Why don’t you join the others? My brother’s around someplace with that friend he brought with him. I’m sure they’d enjoy some fashionable company.”
    “How kind of you. We’d love to visit with Franklin, wouldn’t we? He’s been away for ever so long.” Abigail preceded her companion through the doorway, tipping her hoops sideways to negotiate the narrow opening.
    The other girl swept by with embarrassed words of thanks. They hurried through the dining room, past the table covered with the family’s best linen, and into the parlor where the last guests lingered.
    Once they were out of sight, Luellen rested against the edge of the counter and leaned forward, eyes closed. At one time, she’d wanted more from life than a husband. Why did she ever let Brendan change her mind? She knew why. Loneliness. The flattery of his Irish charm worked its way into her heart and she’d dropped her guard.
    She pushed up the lace-trimmed undersleeves of her dress and settled a stack of sticky plates into the basin. Cloudy water covered her hands. She couldn’t see her task any more clearly than she could see her future.

3
    When the last plate was washed and replaced on the shelf, Luellen slipped out the back door and headed toward Papa’s office. He wouldn’t be there, but neither would anyone else. She wanted time alone.
    Franklin rounded the corner of the house and planted himself in front of her. “Did you loose those simpering girls on me?”
    Luellen managed a smile. “Better you than me. I’m tired of being gossiped about behind my back.”
    “Don’t let them bother you. Not one of them has half your brains.”
    “Brains weren’t enough—” She cleared her throat. As far as she knew, her parents had kept the news about Brendan from him. But who knew if he’d heard the gossip?
    She changed subjects. “It’s just not fair. You’re twenty-five, and no one talks about you.” Luellen mimicked a high-pitched voice. “He’s not married. Why do you suppose that is?”
    Franklin swept his fingers through his straight hair, pushing it behind

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