The Dawn of a Dream (2 page)

Arm in arm, Luellen and Lily covered the distance to their parents’ home, their footsteps loud on the boardwalk along Adams Street. A buggy rolled past and turned left at the corner of Monroe.

“Wonder who that was,” Lily said. “Ever since the railroad came through, we get more strangers all the time.” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean Brendan.”

“I know you didn’t. But it’s true. His was a new face—someone different than the boys I grew up with. I was so sure—” Her voice caught.

Lily squeezed Luellen’s arm. “We’re almost home. Take a deep breath. We’ve got to act calm. Mama’s going to be beside herself when she hears.”

Luellen slowed her steps when they passed the cabin where she’d lived most of her growing-up years. Now clapboarded and painted white, it held her father’s medical office and infirmary. It still felt like home in spite of the sign facing the street that read
Karl Spengler, Physician
.

“Maybe we could tell Papa, and let him talk to Mama.”

“It would be best coming from you. She’d just want you to repeat everything, anyway.”

Luellen sighed. “You’re right.”

They mounted the steps of the veranda and entered the front door of the spacious two-story house their parents built after Lily finished her schooling. The high-ceilinged entry felt cool after being out in the midday sun. Luellen removed her bonnet and fanned herself, gathering courage.

Their mother, Molly Spengler, stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “There you are. We missed you yesterday.” The corner of her mouth twitched in a smile. “I expect you and Brendan decided to keep the weekend to yourselves.”

Luellen released a slow breath. “Is Papa home?”

Mama stepped closer, frowning. “You don’t look well. Your eyes are all red. Do you need Papa to give you a tonic?”

Her careful composure fled. “I . . . I need to talk to both of you.” She felt herself tremble.

Mama rested a hand on her forehead.

“I’m not sick. Please. Get Papa.”

Mama turned to Lily. “He’s in the kitchen. Ask him to come in here.”

When her parents were seated, Luellen bowed her head and pressed her hands together. “Brendan’s gone . . . back to his wife in Chicago.” She stuttered out the words. Tears threatened to spill when she saw the shock on their faces.

“No. It can’t be.” Mama jumped to her feet and circled Luellen with her arms. “My poor baby girl.” She patted her on the back as though she were soothing a skinned knee.

Papa’s face flamed with anger. “When?”

“Friday.”

“Why didn’t you tell us right away? I could’ve chased him down, brought him back.”

She met his eyes. “To do what? He’s married to someone else.” Her face burned. “How could I have been so easily deceived? Why on earth didn’t I wait until we knew more about him?”

“He was awfully charming,” Lily said in a small voice. “We all thought so.”

“Charming. Yes, that he was. Charmed me right into bed with him.”

“Luellen!” Mama said. “That’s no way for a lady to speak.”

“Am I still a lady? I’m ruined. How can I face people?”

“People. Oh my word. The wedding Saturday.” Mama rubbed her forehead. “We just won’t say anything. Who’s to know?” She paced the length of the room and turned. “That’s it. By the time folks realize he’s gone for good, we’ll have an explanation.”

Papa rose and took Luellen’s hands. “You’ll always be a lady. It’s what’s in your heart that makes you who you are. We’ll get through this—all of us together.”

Grateful, she leaned into the comfort of his arms.

“But first we have to think of Lily’s wedding.” Mama continued to pace. “We have guests coming. Edmund’s family will be here. We can’t have scandal ruining everything.”

“You sound like Ellie’s aunt Ruby, God rest her soul,” Papa said, referring to his sister-in-law’s aunt. “We won’t say anything for now, but we can’t present a lie to the community forever.” He squeezed Luellen’s shoulder. “Come stay with us. Everyone will think you’re here to be of more help.”

Dizzy, she sagged into a chair. After Saturday, then what?

Early Saturday morning, Luellen stepped into the decorated parlor to add fresh bouquets of daisies and maidenhair ferns to the mantel. Her uncle Matthew, pastor of Beldon Grove’s leading church, would stand before the screened fireplace to perform the wedding ceremony.

Glad for a few minutes of quiet before the guests arrived, she stepped back and surveyed the chairs to be certain they’d provided enough seating. She counted as she mentally ran through the expected attendees—Uncle Matthew’s wife, Ellie, with their two youngest children, Sarah and Robert. Lily’s fiancé’s parents would be there, of course, as would Ellie’s uncle Arthur, friends of the family from the community, and several of Lily’s former schoolmates.

Luellen blinked back tears. Her sister’s wedding would be beautiful—nothing like her own marriage ceremony before a judge in the county courthouse. Brendan had assured her it wouldn’t matter. Now she knew why. She’d traded years of work toward a higher education for the persuasive promises of a man she hardly knew.

She wiped her eyes. “How could I have done such a thing?”

“Done what?” Papa walked up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders.

She turned and met his gaze. “Made such a terrible mistake.”

“Would it be easier for you to rest in your room during the ceremony? Having our guests question you about your missing husband is bound to be a trial.”

“Thank you, but no. I want to be here for Lily.”

He settled in one of the chairs. “It’s too bad James will miss it, and Franklin, too, looks like.”

“I knew James wouldn’t be able to travel all the way from Philadelphia, but I’d hoped to see Franklin. It’s been months.” Luellen sat beside him and smoothed her rose-colored taffeta skirt. Sitting with Papa in the quiet room calmed her spirit. She knew these were likely to be the last peaceful 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 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.”