To Dream Anew Read Online Free Page B

his shoulders, he never blinked. “She’s my sister, and that baby is my niece or nephew.”
    “Yes, but where can she live? Who would take her in now, knowing that she’s lived among the savages? Civilized people aren’t going to think much of what she’s been through. They’ll worry that her experiences will somehow taint them. Where can you possibly hope to find refuge for her—for this child who will so clearly be of Indian ancestry?”
    Zane knew the answer immediately. “Our sister, Dianne, will take her with open arms. She lives on a ranch in the western part of this territory. I’ll put in for a leave immediately and take Ardith and the baby to her.”
    The older man put his hand on Zane’s shoulder. “Do you know what you’re doing? Are you certain your sister won’t be horrified?”
    “I’m certain. She’ll only see that the lost has been found. She’ll only know that her sister has come back from the dead.”

CHAPTER 3
    T HE STREETS OF B OZEMAN SEEMED STRANGELY VOID OF activity that Fourth of July. Dianne felt rather let down, and had it not been for her excitement at seeing all the stores and knowing the possibility of a wide selection of goods, she might have lost interest in their arrival altogether. Gazing down the street, Dianne wondered at the contents of each building. Many had chosen to replace earlier wooden structures with brick. It reminded her of towns back East.
    “Bozeman has certainly grown,” she said under her breath.
    Having lived in the territory for nearly twelve years, Dianne had missed the bustle of the city. She’d almost forgotten what it was like to be in a big town, and she’d definitely forgotten what it was to have a multitude of choices in supplies and goods. Bozeman City wasn’t all that large, but it was by far and away the biggest town in this part of the territory, and the shopping looked promising.
    “My, but it is exciting,” Faith declared as they maneuvered the wagons on Main Street.
    Dianne and Faith had chosen to ride together so Faith could help with the children. “Cole said there were very nearly ten general stores and a variety of specialty shops. There’s even a milliner, and I definitely intend to take advantage of that. My hats are all so old. Why, this bonnet I’m wearing is near to bare threads,” Dianne said, pulling her team to a stop as Cole motioned her to the side of the dirt street.
    He rode up and smiled. “I doubt there’s a single shop open today, but tomorrow we’ll purchase everything we need. I’m going to go ask where we might camp for the night. We don’t want to get ourselves in trouble on our first night.”
    Dianne nodded and took the reins he handed her after dismounting. “You should probably let Malachi know what you’re doing since he’s driving the other wagon.”
    “I’ll let him know, Dianne,” Cole replied, his tone clipped. “I had already thought of that. Just figured to tell you first.”
    She bit her tongue. It seemed nothing she said was ever quite right. On the other hand, why did she doubt that he’d think to tell Malachi? She’d once again proved she lacked faith in his ability. Yet she honestly didn’t feel that way. Did she?
    “I can’t believe the children all fell asleep. They were so excited about coming to the big city,” Faith said with a chuckle. She rubbed her rounding abdomen. “ ’Course, this one didn’t sleep much.”
    “I hope the long ride wasn’t too much for you,” Dianne said, unable to hide her concern. “I slept well enough last night. The sound of the river rippling along soothed me. Were you comfortable?”
    “We were fine. Mercy was a bit frightened sleeping outside and all. I might have her sleep in the wagon with Daniel and me tonight.”
    At ages five and two—Daniel’s second birthday was today, in fact—Faith’s children wavered between absolute daring and total fear. Faith had told Dianne that it was simply the way children were at that