The Dawn of a Dream Read Free Page B

his ears. “Who’d marry a person who spends his time scouting for the Army? I’d make a terrible husband.” He turned toward Lieutenant Calder, who stood a few feet away listening to the exchange. “Ask Ward here. Am I husband material?”
    Lieutenant Calder shook his head. “Don’t expect me to answer that. Mrs. O’Connell, what would you call husband material?”
    “I don’t think about it. I’m through looking for a husband.” She hoped her words were ambiguous enough not to be an outright lie.
    “That puts you in the minority, it would seem.” His words carried a touch of sarcasm.
    Franklin glanced between them. “My sister has always had her own way of looking at the world.” He took Luellen’s elbow. “Were you going for a walk when we interrupted you?”
    “No. I wanted to be alone in Papa’s office.” She disengaged her arm and turned toward the clapboarded cabin. “I need some time to think.”
    “We’ll leave you to it.” He strode toward his friend. “I want to show Ward around town. Tell Mother not to wait supper. We’ll get something at the hotel.”

    The mingled aromas of camphor and various tinctures greeted her when she opened the office door and slipped inside. In an adjoining room, Papa had established a small three-bed infirmary. Shadows cast by the silver maple behind the building created fluid images of dark and light on the floor beneath the window.
    She walked past the unoccupied beds and settled in a chair. Memories surrounded her. Here she’d grown up, studied her lessons, and dreamed of a life beyond Beldon Grove. Now those dreams seemed to rise and mock her.
    She started at the sound of the door opening and closing. Franklin hesitated at the entrance to the infirmary, then moved toward her.
    Luellen glanced behind him, expecting to see Lieutenant Calder.
    “I sent him on ahead. The hotel’s not that hard to find.” Franklin grinned and sat on the edge of a bed facing her.
    “I told you I wanted to be alone.”
    He leaned forward, forearms resting on his thighs, hands clasped between his knees. “That girl—Abigail—told me about your husband leaving.” Anger darkened his expression. “I asked her if she had proof, and she said she heard the story through some of the railroad workers staying at the hotel. From there . . . well, you know how folks love to talk.”
    Luellen cringed. “It’s worse than I feared. I’d hoped they were just guessing. Did she enjoy telling everyone at the wedding?”
    “I put a flea in her ear—told her if she said another word to anyone, I had a story or two of my own to tell.” He chuckled. “Not that I have anything, but she doesn’t know that.” Franklin’s eyes searched hers, depth meeting depth. “I teased you when we were growing up, but I’ve always been proud of you and your goals. Don’t give up now, Lulie.”
    Sighing, she rested her head against the back of her chair and stared at the ceiling. “I’m still so shocked I hardly know which way to turn. Today Papa said something about me being the only one left at home. He sounded so sad.” She studied her brother’s face, hoping he could understand her dilemma. “You know I wanted to be a teacher. I’ve worked at the hotel for the past four years saving money to attend normal school. Even if they’d admit me now, as a married woman, how can I disappoint Papa?”
    A moment of quiet rested between them. Franklin stood, his expression unreadable. “I’m your friend, as well as your brother, but the decision is yours.”

    Luellen walked toward the cottage she and Brendan had shared. She knew Mama and Papa wanted her to move back into their home, but she saw that as the first step in a commitment to a life of spinsterhood. Monday she’d call on the hotel’s proprietor and ask to be rehired. If she could resume cooking in the hotel kitchen, and if the rent on the cottage could be reduced, she’d remain where she was. Beyond that, she had no plan.
    When she