To Dream Anew Read Online Free PDF Page A

age.
    “Mercy positively insisted on sleeping out under the stars with her papa,” Faith chuckled. “There was no convincing her otherwise.”
    “She never fails to amaze me,” Dianne said, grinning. “She’s so ladylike sometimes, and other times she’s like a prairie storm.”
    “That’s for sure. Still, I’m real pleased with the way both of them handled the trip.” Faith looked away, shaking her head. “Those babies have traveled farther in their short lives than I ever hoped to in my growing up years. I was an adult in full before I set out more than five miles from the plantation.”
    “Did your owner never take you anywhere with him? I thought slaves often traveled with the family.”
    “My master never traveled much at all. Never saw any need in it,” Faith replied. “If something had to be done, he usually sent one of his men to do it. I used to dream of traveling to faraway places and seeing the world, but I never figured it’d come to pass. Sure never figured to be in Montana Territory like this.”
    Dianne reached over and patted Faith’s hand. “It’s wondrous, this life God has brought us to. There are times when it feels like just yesterday we were struggling across the plains—worrying about sickness and having enough water.” She felt a pang of sorrow at the memory. Dianne always avoided thinking about the wagon train trip that had brought them west—the images were so bittersweet. Ardith was lost to the river, and Betsy had died from a mule kick to the head. They hadn’t been long in the territory at all when Dianne’s pregnant mother, Susannah, had died as well.
    “You’re thinking about your family, aren’t you?” Faith asked softly.
    “I can’t help myself. There are times when I still expect them to come through the door. Sometimes when I’m alone I swear I can hear Mama calling me. I know it’s not her, but it seems so real that it makes me miss her all the more.”
    Dianne shifted and shook her head. “She wasn’t always … disturbed, like you saw her on the wagon train. Her dependence on laudanum no doubt affected her mind. She was a good mother, though I sometimes longed for more affection from her. It was just her way.”
    Dianne pushed the sorrow from her mind and forced a smile.
    “I know I’ll feel better when I see Zane—or at least hear from him. Morgan sent a letter last week, but I’ve not had any word from Zane in so long. The rumors about the Indian wars leave me worrying something fierce over him.”
    “You’re bound to hear something soon. Just be patient and enjoy the holiday. Freedom is such a precious thing.”
    “Indeed,” Dianne agreed. She glanced up to see Faith grimace. “Are you all right? Are you sure the trip wasn’t too hard on you?”
    Faith laughed. “I feel just fine. A little ride to town didn’t hurt us any.”
    Dianne shook her head. “It was more than a little ride.” She eyed Faith to detect any action that might contradict her statement.
    “I’m fine, Dianne. Stop worrying over me like a mother hen. I’m tired—I’ll admit to that. Baby’s kicking hard too, but nothing more. I’m too excited about the celebration.”
    Cole returned about that time, looking somber. She couldn’t imagine what had happened to dampen his spirits.
    “Dianne Selby, isn’t it?” a feminine voice called from the boardwalk.
    Looking down, Dianne met the smiling face of Portia McGuire. No, she’d married Ned Langford. She was Portia Langford now. Portia and Ned had accompanied Trenton when he first arrived in Montana. “Why, Mrs. Langford, it’s nice to see you again. Is your husband nearby?” Dianne looked past the woman to see if Ned was anywhere in sight. Her brother Trenton often spoke fondly of Ned; the two had been friends long before the man had married Portia McGuire. Trenton would be thrilled to know Ned was in town. Dianne turned to Cole. “Look, Cole, Portia Langford is in town. I was just asking her about her