Before the Dawn (Truly Yours Digital Editions) Read Online Free Page B

like a saddle tramp. Served them right for rousting him out when he felt so poorly. If the family wanted a meeting, they’d take him like this or not at all. He dragged across the study and groped for the door.
    Their voices traveled across the foyer from the parlor—his father’s loud, Sam’s softer but just as insistent. Sam started again, but Mother interrupted him.
    He couldn’t hear Karen. She must’ve gone, then. Her absence made him ache, but a small part of him felt vindicated. She’d left him. That proved he’d done the right thing.
    He inched his way to the parlor doorway, noting that all the voices had stopped. They were watching him. Keeping an arm straight out in front of him, he groped for the doorjamb. Fabric swished, telling him his mother’s location at the same time his hand hit the fringe decorating the doorway. A boot scuffed and coins jingled in a pocket. Father, by the fireplace.
    “Good morning, David.” Mother’s voice was as bland as cream. “Please, sit down.” She must be in her favorite chair near the hearth. “There is an empty chair just a few steps in front of you.” Her voice reminded him of a crisp winter morning. He grasped the back of the chair and directed himself into it, determined to hear what they had to say then retreat back to the study.
    Father said nothing, but the poker clattered against the grate. The mine collapse, their argument of yesterday, his refusal to marry Karen—these things stood between him and his father, and the gap appeared to be widening.
    “Morning, Dave.” Sam, off to the left by the bay window.
    His mother cleared her throat. “We have much to discuss, and I don’t want to get sidetracked. David, I feel that we owe you an apology.”
    He lifted his head and raised his brows.
    She continued. “We’ve done you a grave disservice. As a family, we have coddled you, catered to you, and cloistered you. That was an error on our part. We’ve allowed you to become so self-centered as to be harmful to yourself. For that I apologize, and believe me, we will rectify this situation.”
    He gripped the arms of the chair, and his back straightened. Every muscle in his face tensed as he bit back a hot protest. If they’d dragged him in here just to chastise him, then he was leaving. He braced his hands on the arms of the chair to rise.
    “Sit still. I’m not finished.” His mother’s dagger-like tone froze him. “No longer will you shut yourself away in the study like a coward. I have always enjoyed that room and see no reason why I should be deprived of its use so you can flee from your problems. You will sleep in your bedroom from now on. You will also eat your meals with us in the dining room. I know it makes you uncomfortable, but if you can’t feel safe learning and making mistakes here with the people who love you, you’ll never go out that front door again.”
    David flinched at her tone. He had no desire to go out the front door. He only desired to be left alone. Cotton dryness spread through his mouth, and his arm ached anew.
    Mother continued, and his stomach clenched. “You will learn to dress yourself properly, to care for your personal hygiene, and to be responsible for yourself. You will learn to face your life as it is now and show some courage. We will procure whatever outside help we need to assist you. Rest assured, we will not leave you alone in this.”
    The words David forced out through tight lips tasted like ashes. “You ask too much.”
    “You are still a very valued member of this family, and the problem has been we’ve not asked enough of you,” Mother shot back, her words peppering him like buckshot. “We are all agreed on this. Buckford will spend the morning cleaning the study so we may have use of it again. You will stay here and keep Karen company for the time being. Her guest should arrive before too long.”
    His face heated, and his teeth ground together. Karen was here? And she’d heard every word of his