Introduction

She’s embarking on a new life—but can the past truly be left behind? Luellen O’Connell is stunned when her husband of just one month tells her he is leaving—and his reason leaves her completely astonished. Deeply wounded by his betrayal, Luellen decides to finally follow her dream to become a teacher, a desire she had set aside when she married. But can she truly hide her past? Or will it destroy her ambitions forever?

A moving story of tenacity and perseverance in the face of opposition, The Dawn of a Dream will inspire you to discover and follow your own dreams.

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Excerpt

Beldon Grove, Illinois
August 14, 1857

Luellen O’Connell aligned the edge of a flower-bordered tablecloth
and stepped back to admire her handiwork. She wondered
if Brendan would remember what day it was.

Whether her husband remembered or not, she still had tasks
to complete before he came home. She hurried into their bedroom
and gathered an accumulation of papers from the top of a
bookshelf. For a moment, her eyes rested on an envelope from
Allenwood Normal School. Luellen shook her head. Life was
full of choices. She’d made hers. She dropped the papers behind
a row of books.

A breeze lifted the curtains. Luellen removed her glasses and
wiped perspiration that collected across the bridge of her nose.
The past week had been unbearably hot. She hoped the evening
would bring a cooling thundershower. Brendan returned home
after each day’s work out of sorts and silent. She could hardly
blame him—hauling freight in the blazing sun day after day would
tire anybody.

After sweeping dust out the front door, she returned to the
bedroom and opened her bridal chest. Her white dimity petticoat,
trimmed with blue tatting, lay folded inside. Luellen smiled and
slipped the garment on under her skirt. It was too hot to wear
petticoats, but the memory of Brendan removing it on their wedding
night sent an anticipatory tingle through her.

One more thing to do. In the kitchen she tested a cooling loaf
cake with her fingertip, checking whether it was ready for frosting.
The fragrance of cinnamon filled her senses while she beat sugar
into egg whites. Humming, she spread the sweetened mixture over
the cake and placed the decorated treat in the center of the table.
At the sound of jingling harnesses, she dashed to the door in
time to see Brendan drive his freight wagon toward the barn.
Luellen slipped her glasses into her apron pocket. She wanted to
look especially pretty for him this evening.

*

Brendan shoved the last bite of cake into his mouth. From the
time he stomped through the door, red-faced and sweating, he’d
said less than two words. Now he pushed his chair away from
the table and slapped the armrests. Thick cinnamon-colored hair
matting his forearms made him look bearlike.

Tears swam in Luellen’s eyes. She couldn’t read his expression,
but the tension of an unspoken message simmered between them.
“What is it?” She fought to keep her voice from trembling.
“Got something to tell you.” He leaned back and folded his arms.
Luellen took a breath and held it for a moment. “It must be
terrible. Did you lose your job?”

“Still got the job.” He took a swallow of tea. “I’m going to
Chicago. Tomorrow. Boss says he can use me there. More freight
coming in on the railroads. More business.”

Luellen’s jaw dropped. “Is that what’s bothering you? I’m sure
Papa will help me pack our household so I can join you.” She
moved behind him and slid her arms around his neck, kissing
the top of his head.

Brendan reached up and disengaged her hold. “Your father
won’t be helping you go no place. I already got a wife waiting there.”
The room turned gray, then red. Luellen pivoted to face him.
“You can’t be serious. You married me! A month ago today, in
case you’ve forgotten.” She yanked her glasses from her pocket
and put them on with shaking hands.

He stood, smirking. “’Twas no other way to get you into my
bed, lass. You and those glasses—you should be happy you had this
much time with a man.” He reached behind her head and jerked
the silk net from her hair, spilling the long dark waves over her
shoulders. “This hair is the only thing I’ll miss. ’Tis truly lovely.”

She slapped the net from his hands. Grabbing the rest of the
cake, she dumped it over his head. “Get out! Now!”

Brendan wiped frosting out of his beard and glared at her. “I’ll
get my things.” He turned toward the bedroom.

“You have two minutes. I want you out of this house, out of Beldon
Grove.” Her voice shook with anger. “You’re a filthy, lying—”
She sputtered to a stop, unable to think of a vile enough insult.
He banged into the bedroom, snatched his valise from under
the bed, and stuffed in handfuls of clothing. On his way out the
door, he picked up his razor and strop from the washstand and
dropped them into the open bag.

“Time’s up. Go on with you.” Luellen’s hands clenched into fists.

He sent her his easy grin. “With your hair blowing wild like
that and the roses in your cheeks, you’re a fetching sight. Maybe
the day will come you can find some other man.” Brendan turned
on his heel and strode toward the stable.

She grabbed his shaving mug and threw it after him. It shattered
on the ground. For the first time, she was glad their cottage sat far
from the center of town. No one would notice when he drove away.
... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the Author:

1. Early in the story, Luellen makes a decision to pursue a dream she’d discarded. Do you think she did the wise thing? What would you have done in her situation?

2. From what you learn of Brendan O’Connell, do you think he’s someone you’d be attracted to? How do you suppose he won Luellen’s heart? Would they have been happy together had their marriage endured?

3. In the two previous books in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, Luellen’s mother Molly has been a decisive character. Why do you think she hesitates now when Luellen presents her plans? Do you think you may have reacted similarly if Luellen were your daughter?

4. In The Dawn of a Dream, we see that Dr. Karl Spengler has become a father to Luellen, replacing her biological father, who died when she was three. Is there someone in your life who has loved and guided you, even though you weren’t related by blood?

5. As an adult, Franklin McGarvie, Luellen’s brother, serves as a scout for the Army. How much do you think his boyhood experiences influenced his career choice? Did you enjoy learning more about this character? Why do you think Luellen has a closer relationship with Franklin than she does with her other siblings?

6. Franklin brings Lt. Ward Calder home with him for a family celebration. What did you think of Ward’s actions toward Luellen during this difficult time in her life? Did you enjoy getting to know him better as the story progressed?

7. Uncle Arthur Newberry has a small role in The Dawn of a Dream. He’s a widower with a circle of friends in Beldon Grove. How do you feel this character added depth to the story? Do you have beloved older friends or relatives who are part of your childhood memories? Share something about them.

8. Luellen meets Belle Brownlee soon after they both arrive in Allenwood. On the surface, Belle and Luellen are opposites, yet they become close friends. Which qualities in their personalities make the other a better person? Which of Belle’s qualities most attracted you?

9. Dr. Alexander, the registrar at Allenwood Normal School, seems to bend the rules to help Luellen. What is it about her situation that especially appeals to him? Is there someone you know who has received special help in reaching a goal? Has this ever happened to you?


10. Luellen makes a difficult choice when she learns she’s pregnant. In going ahead with her education, she encounters unforeseen opposition as well as support. In the story, which character’s reaction surprised you the most? Why?

11. Were you as taken aback as Luellen was when she met Leah Holcomb? What did you think of Luellen’s reaction? In Leah’s place, how would you have felt about Luellen’s initial comments? Would you have been hurt? Resigned? Bitter? Did you enjoy Leah’s contribution to the story? What do you believe eventually happened to Leah?

12. Luellen struggles through many obstacles to reach her dream. Do you have a goal you’d like to pursue? Does her story inspire you to press forward in spite of unfavorable circumstances? What might your life be like if you reached that goal?

Weblinks

»	Author Ann Shorey's web site
»	Publisher's Book Info

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