To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander Read Free Book Online Page A

herself. She’d been fine one moment, then complaining of a severe headache the next. Then she’d collapsed. When she finally came to, she’d been unable to move or speak, and within hours, even to breathe.
    She’d been gone by the next morning.
    Her throat tightening, Savannah didn’t reread the last paragraph of the letter, her father’s parting thoughts especially painful tonight for some reason. She slipped the folded stationery back into the envelope, then reached for the Bible. She laid her hand atop the worn black leather, much as her father had done, and wished she felt as confident about God’s providence as he and her mother had.
    She opened the Bible and took care turning the pages yellowed with time and dog-eared with a thirst for understanding and comfort. Contrary to the front and back of the book that contained the scribbled history of the Darby family, the pages themselves were clean and unmarked.
    Every night she read to her siblings and silently to herself. But that habit had slipped in recent years as work grew busier and time shrank by half. Some days the words spoke to her more than others. Though she realized this had more to do with her heart than anything to do with the Lord.
    The lamp oil burning low and the hour growing late, she returned the Bible to the drawer, then snuggled into the bed, weary from the long day. But apparently her body hadn’t informed her thoughts because they turned with startling clarity to Aidan Bedford. She could see his face. And how he’d looked at her yesterday. For a moment, her imagination almost convinced her she hadn’t been the only one doing the looking.
    Then her saner side resumed function. Why would a man like him look at a woman like her? On the other hand, how could a woman like her take a second look at a man like him? From two different worlds, they were.
    But she had to admit, even though the sensations she’d experienced had been one-sided, it gave her hope that maybe someday she’d find someone. A solid Southern man who would not only love her, but who would love Carolyne and Andrew too.
    As she willed sleep to come, the last paragraph of her father’s letter returned, insistent. But instead of seeing the words on the page, she heard the memory of her father’s resonant voice across time.
    When last you wrote, Melna, you told me you believed without fail that it was God’s design for me to see home again. I cling to that hope and your faith in it, for my own grows less day by day. I pray to God that I am wrong. But if I am not, and heaven is soon within my sight, know that with my last breath I will be thinking of you and thanking God for the gift of your love and for all of our children. Jake and Adam are doing well, fighting bravely, as you would imagine. Though I know they are frightened. As are all brave men, from time to time. I am attempting to keep them safe and am so proud of them both. They send their love.
    We all look forward to being home soon.
    With deepest affection,
    Merle
    She hugged her pillow close, her tears dampening the smooth cotton beneath her cheek. “I love you all,” she whispered aloud, hoping the hushed stillness might somehow cause her words to be heard in eternity, even as she prayed Eternity would answer.

CHAPTER SIX
    F OUR DAYS LATER, THE FABRICS FOR ALL WINDOWS RECEIVING new treatments had been chosen, and Savannah had measured each of the windows numerous times, both for new shades and draperies. Then she’d measured them again to confirm her calculations. Save for one room she’d particularly avoided.
    As she stood outside of her old bedroom, Miss Sinclair’s current quarters, she felt much like the girl depicted in a novel by Lewis Carroll she’d recently read to Carolyne. Only there was no White Rabbit racing by with his pocket watch, and she knew with certainty she wasn’t about to tumble down into a curious hall full of locked doors