Dreams to Ashes by Doris Staton English

Author:Doris Staton English [Doris Staton English]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: -
Publisher: Maplewood Publishers
Published: 2016-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

The warm days of May gave way to the warmer days of June. With the advantage of youth along with proper rest and nourishment, Laura made a rapid recovery. Soon she regained the weight she had lost and a rosy bloom returned to her cheeks, but the physical recovery did nothing to extinguish the sad lights in her eyes. She had yet to mention the young man about whom she had written to them. When Andrew and Rachel were alone, they speculated aloud to each other about him, but neither wanted to broach the subject with her, feeling it would be best if she volunteered the information that they were so anxious to hear. They felt that with Laura home, it would be an invasion of her privacy to ask Elizabeth so they waited and watched as the sadness dampened her usual effervescent personality.

Elizabeth, too, flourished under the tender care she received from Sweetwater. “I have not lived in the country since I was a child and quite forgot how wonderful roaming the fields and pastures can be. What a glorious feeling to have good horseflesh beneath me and to ride like the wind across the land!” She exclaimed to Rachel as she and Philip entered the drawing room one afternoon after her daily ride with Philip.

He smiled down at her, delight illuminating his countenance. “So you like the plantation life, my dear?”

“It’s wonderful. I’ve hardly missed my home at all. How could I? I have never been so well treated or been made to feel so welcome. Truly, Sweetwater is the essence of Southern hospitality. I couldn’t be more grateful. When I think of all those women who were displaced in Winchester with no place to go, I almost feel guilty. Who am I to have been blessed so graciously?”

“It’s not as if you haven’t suffered. You endured much hardship to get here,” Rachel reminded.

Elizabeth nodded, pain dimming her joy for a moment, “I wish with all my heart this terrible war would end. The loss of property is negligible when compared to the loss of loved ones.”

Philip’s eyes scanned her face, as he looked for an answer that would solve the mystery that kept him at arm’s length. He clamored for the key that would give him access into an area that she had sealed off from him. His frown deepened when he observed the tear that escaped and trickled down her cheek. Would she ever let him in? Yes, she would because he would not give up until she did. His heart had found the one with whom he wanted to spend a lifetime. This time he would not be denied.

She quickly wiped the tear away, her embarrassment obvious at revealing her emotions. “Perhaps soon it will all be over.”

“I’m sure of it,” Rachel announced with determination.

“Ever the optimist, dear Rachel,” Philip chortled.

“Or ostrich?” Andrew observed dryly from his favorite chair, a book bound in fine leather held lightly in his hands.

An uneasy silence rested in the

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