Free The Promise of Morning by Ann Shorey Page A

sooner or later.”
    After the boys bolted down slices of bread and honey and finished their water, they loped off to the cornfield with more eagerness than they might normally show. Ellie returned to the stove, wondering what could have motivated Molly and Karl to allow Franklin to become a part of a production that Matthew so vehemently opposed.
    When he came inside for supper, his eyes snapped with anger. “The twins told me about Franklin. How could Karl and Molly do that to me?”
    Ellie turned. “To you? I doubt you entered into it. This must be something Franklin wanted. They have to consider their children first.”
    “Since when do we do what our children want? We’re the parents.” His damp hair stood out from his scalp.
    “Matthew, calm down.”
    “I am calm.” He combed his hair back with his fingertips, then slid his chair away from the table and sat.
    The children took their seats, eyeing their parents. Ellie placed a bowl of rabbit stew on the table, then thumped a pan of cornbread in front of Matthew.
    “Will you say grace?”

    While Ellie cleared the plates, Spenglers’ buggy rolled to a stop behind the house.
    Maria ran to the door and flung it open. “Did you bring Lily?”
    Molly and Karl climbed the steps to the porch. “Not this time,” Karl said. He poked his head inside the door and looked at Matthew. “I expect I need to throw my hat in first.”
    “Won’t be necessary. You’re welcome.” His voice sounded gruff.
    Ellie glanced from one man to the other. Matthew’s jaw was set in a tight line and Karl looked equally determined.
    “Bedtime, Maria.” She watched while her daughter dawdled her way up the stairs and then turned back to their guests. “Do sit down, please. There’s coffee left from supper if you want some.”
    Karl shook his head. “Not now. Thanks.”
    Matthew waited in silence until they were settled, then focused an outraged glare on Molly. “Of all people in Beldon Grove, how could you, my own sister, allow your son to be a part of this . . .” He grappled for a word. “This offense in God’s sight.”
    Karl sat beside his wife, silent but obviously ready to speak up if she wanted him to.
    Molly leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. “First of all, I don’t agree with you about this play being an offense. I’ve listened to you, and I’ve listened to Mr. Wolcott, and find I agree with him.” She clasped her hands together. “Shakespeare is educational. They teach his works in colleges, Mr. Wolcott says.”
    A muscle twitched at the corner of Matthew’s mouth. “By the time a young man is in college, he knows right from wrong. Franklin is, what? Fourteen? Hardly old enough—”
    “We had to do something. He’s been talking of running off to fight alongside James.”
    Ellie gasped. “Franklin going to war! God forbid.”
    “I agree,” Karl said. “That’s why we said yes when he asked if he could take this stagehand job.” He tucked an arm around Molly’s waist. “He’ll unload wagons and drag props around until he’s worn out, and maybe it will help him settle down.”
    Molly reached across the table and grasped Matthew’s hand. “I’m sorry. I know how strongly you feel about this, but we’re talking about my son. I’ll do anything to keep him at home.”
    “We hoped you wouldn’t take it too hard,” Karl said, “seeing as Aunt Ruby is already involved.”
    Matthew jerked as though he’d been struck. “Ruby?” He turned to Ellie. “Did you know about this?”
    Hand to her throat, Ellie shook her head. “She hasn’t said a word to me.” She frowned, recalling. “But I haven’t seen much of her lately, either.”
    “How involved?” Matthew asked Karl.
    “She’s the seamstress. Ben says she’s been at the hotel every afternoon since the notice went up.”

9
    After Molly and Karl left, Matthew strode to the edge of the cornfield. He leaned on the top rail of the fence and inhaled the earthy fragrance of