Soldier Doll by Jennifer Gold Read Free Book Online Page B

fancy wedding. When you return.” The breeze was picking up again, stronger now. Meg gritted her teeth, determined, and closed her eyes as the breeze became a wind, whipping against her face with increasing ferocity.
    . . .
    â€œSo, did he do it, then?” Jim Merriweather gave his daughter an appraising look and put his hammer down as she entered the small cottage. He was building a kitchen pantry for the Thomas family next door. He picked up a rag and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His large size and wild hair gave him a rather intimidating appearance, but his eyes were kind and his soul gentle.
    â€œThat’s romantic, Father.” Meg’s voice was dry as she hung up her shawl. “What if he hadn’t? You’d have ruined the surprise.”
    â€œBah,” Mr. Merriweather picked up the hammer again. “He couldn’t have kept it a secret. Boy was never much good at hiding things. Feelings written all over his face.”
    â€œWell, the answer is yes.” Meg grinned. She held out her hand to show off her new ring. “He did ask, and I accepted.”
    Mr. Merriweather nodded his approval. “He’s a good chap.” He hammered a nail into the door of the pantry. “You’ll be happy with him. Promised me he’d take good care of you.”
    â€œHe’s going off to war, you know.” Meg tried to sound casual, but her father looked up. He was a perceptive man and caught the change in her tone immediately.
    â€œHe’s a strong boy,” said her father, his tone brusque. “Doctor says he’s in good shape now. He’ll do fine. Everyone is saying the war will be over soon. He’ll be back in no time at all. You’ll see.” His voice was strong and reassuring, but he didn’t look at her. He busied himself with the hammer in his hands, as if inspecting it for some sudden and previously overlooked defect.
    â€œTom and George didn’t come back.” Meg sat down across from her father in the little chair he’d made especially for her so she could watch him work. It was a touch small for her now, but it was still her favorite place to sit. She folded her hands in her lap and stared down at them, and crossed and uncrossed her feet.
    â€œNow, Margaret.” Her father’s tone was sharp. “Is that any way to talk? To think, even? You must be strong for Ned.” With a loud bang, he hammered another nail into the cabinet.
    â€œI know, Father.” Meg looked abashed. “But I can’t help worrying. He’s been so ill. And then I think of all the boys who haven’t come back…” Her voice trailed off.
    Mr. Merriweather sighed. “It is a terrible war,” he acknowledged. “There’s never been one quite like this before.”
    â€œHe doesn’t want to be wed right away,” said Meg. “He wants to wait until he returns. He wants a proper wedding. And he says I’m too young.”
    â€œThat seems sensible. And he’s right. You are very young. Little more than a child.” Her father put the hammer down and stared across the room, his eyes softening. “Your mother and I, we had a beautiful wedding.”
    â€œOh?” Meg looked at her father in surprise. He rarely spoke of whimsical things like weddings. She waited, hoping he’d say more.
    â€œOh, yes.” Her father had a faraway look in his eyes. “We didn’t have much money, of course. But it was June, and the flowers, they were lovely. Your mother, she must have spent days gathering them. And her dress. Such a pretty white dress. Made it herself, she did. She was a fine seamstress, Bess was. She would have made you a beautiful dress.” He looked down at his daughter, his eyes sad now.
    â€œI know, Father.” Meg smiled and gently placed a hand on his arm. She sighed inwardly, resigning herself to wait for a fancy wedding. There seemed to be no escaping it. “I’m