Free A Dream to Call My Own by Tracie Peterson

said. “I could probably get Cubby to watch the store. We could take the wagon and pick up anything else that’s needed.”
    Lacy shook her head vehemently. “I figured I’d just have Hank order in some material when the time came.”
    “Well, the time has come,” Beth said in a teasing voice. “You don’t want to let this get away from you. We should get the gown started right away. After all, I’ll be having the baby in June and—”
    “I don’t imagine Dave intends to wait that long to tie the knot,” Nick interjected.
    Lacy pushed back from the table in frustration. “Just stop. We haven’t set a date, and frankly, I don’t even know what kind of dress I want. I do know that I wish you would all stop trying to plan out my life.”
    She left everyone gape-mouthed at the table and hurried into the kitchen. Grabbing her coat and hat, Lacy decided some fresh air would do her good. Chopping wood had always been an effective way to spend her anger.
    Pulling on her gloves, Lacy drew a deep breath and let it out again. She picked up the axe and went to work as if it were her personal job to provide firewood for the entire valley. After splitting about ten logs, she was startled to look up and find Cubby watching her.
    “What do you want?”
    “You looked pretty upset. I thought maybe you’d want to talk,” he offered.
    “Talking won’t fix anything.”
    “Why not?”
    She put the axe down and only then realized she’d worked herself into a sweat. She wiped her forehead and looked back at Cubby. “Talking got me into this mess to begin with. I’m tired of people trying to make me see and do things their way.”
    “I feel the same way. Pa’s always trying to tell me what to do and what’s best for my future. Like he’s set a good example himself.”
    “Exactly!” Lacy’s eyes were bright. “You are exactly right. People who can’t figure out their own messes shouldn’t be dictating to others how they can solve theirs. Sometimes I think I should just leave.”
    “Funny you should say that, Lacy. I’ve been thinkin’ the same thing. I am sixteen now, you know.”
    “I remember.”
    He grinned. “I figured you would. Anyway, I’ve been ponderin’ the idea of making my own way. You could come with me.”
    “Well . . . things are complicated right now,” Lacy said.
    Cubby closed the distance between them and took hold of Lacy’s gloved hand. “I’d take good care of you. We could go anywhere you wanted to go.”
    Pulling her hand from his, Lacy shook her head. “It isn’t that simple, Cubby.”
    “Call me Quennell. Cubby sounds like a boy’s name. I’m a man now, and I want folks to respect me.”
    “But I like Cubby. Cubby sounds friendly and comfortable. Still, if you really aren’t happy with it, I suppose I can learn to call you Quennell.”
    The young man pushed back his dirty blond hair and smiled. “You can call me Cubby if it’s that important.”
    “It isn’t that.” She heaved a sigh. “I really can’t explain. I should probably just gather some of this wood and get back to my chores.”
    “I hate seeing you sad, Lacy. I know things are hard, but I want to take you away from here. I want to get us a place of our own. I want to marry you.”
    Lacy couldn’t keep from rolling her eyes. “So you’re just one more person who wants to dictate my life to me.”
    “No, it’s not that. I love you. I care about you.”
    “So does everyone else, apparently. And because of that, they believe they have the right to impose their will upon me. No, Cubby, I’m not leaving with you, and I’m not marrying you.”
    He frowned and then his expression turned hard. “It’s because of Dave Shepard, isn’t it?”
    “If it were, it wouldn’t be any of your business.” She turned to leave, but he grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to face him. “Let me go, Cubby.”
    “No. You’re no better than my father’s women. You talk nice to a fella and make him think