The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey Read Free Book Online

morning.”
    “You weren’t gone that long. It’s past seven thirty now—much more than an extra hour.”
    Luellen removed pasteboard squares from her reticule. “I went to the train depot before returning to the hotel. These are my tickets to Allenwood.”
    He scanned them and whistled. “Pretty steep price.”
    Luellen nodded. The flutter in her stomach was back. “I didn’t expect the fare to cost so much. I won’t be able to come home very often.” She darted a glance at her mother, expecting to see tears.
    Instead, Mama asked, “When are you leaving?” in a matter-of-fact voice.
    “September 7. It’s a Monday.”
    “So your mind is made up.”
    “Absolutely.” Luellen wished she felt as certain on the inside as she sounded on the outside. She took her mother’s hand. “I’m sorry, Mama. If I don’t do this now, I’m afraid I never will.”
    “Don’t be sorry. I’ve thought about your plans all day. I understand your determination.”
    “You do?”
    Mama leaned forward. “I remember how I felt when I wanted to leave your uncle Matthew’s house and find my own cabin. You were too young to understand then, but my brother opposed my leaving. Even after Uncle Arthur found me that little place north of town, Matt kept after me to come back and live with them. Worrying about Franklin, trying to take care of you children, and fighting my brother all at the same time was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.”
    “But she did it,” Papa said. “I’d never seen anyone like her. She won my heart without even trying.”
    Mama flashed him a smile and turned back to Luellen. “After I recalled all that, I realized I was doing the same thing to you by wanting you to stay here with us.” She shook her head. “It was wrong then, and it would be wrong now. Go to Allenwood. You have my blessing.”
    Luellen exhaled and leaned back in her chair. Of all the reactions Mama might have chosen, this was one she hadn’t anticipated. Love for her mother brought sudden tears to her eyes. “I remember that cabin. We weren’t there long. After that we lived in Mr. Pitt’s house. I guess I never thought about how you felt—you were just Mama, busy all the time.”
    “I’m still Mama.” She grinned. “We have less than two weeks to get your things together before you leave.” Standing, she looked at Papa. “Did Mr. Stebbins say how long they’d wait to hear back from Brendan?”
    He shook his head. “We’ll find out tomorrow.”
    Brendan . His unseen presence threatened to unravel her plans. Papa was right—the Normal School wouldn’t waste a teaching certificate on a married woman.

    Smoke from the locomotive rose in the distance. The tracks next to the platform hummed with the vibration of the approaching train. Luellen looked down to be sure her trunk waited at her side.
    Papa laughed. “It hasn’t moved since you checked last time.”
    After years of dreaming, the moment had arrived. Nervous perspiration moistened her palms. What if she couldn’t find a place to live? She’d finished her formal schooling four years ago—could she study at Normal School level? She sucked in a deep breath and held it until her lungs ached. Most frightening of all, what if Brendan responded to her suit and delayed the decree? Representing herself as Luellen McGarvie before her divorce was granted could get her dismissed from school. Her heart pounded at the thought.
    The locomotive roared into the station, bell clanging, steam pouring from beneath the engine. The cars clashed together as the train stopped. A worker hopped down from the baggage car and approached them. “This your trunk, miss?”
    Luellen nodded.
    He hefted it onto his shoulder and dropped it in the car, then walked to the next passengers to collect their luggage.
    Luellen kissed her parents. Good-byes had already been said, over and over. There was nothing left to do but board the train. Chin uplifted, she entered the passenger carriage.