Letters in Time, Reiss Susan [read me a book TXT] 📗

Relieved, I thought of something else dear to me. “Is something wrong with the Cottage?”

He shrugged and handed me a letter.

My Dearest Emma,

I am suffering. The loneliness I feel sitting here at my father's desk is draining me of life. I don't understand why I never see my father. Why can't I go out and find you? You know that I'm here, but you do not come. Have I offended you in some way? Did you find what your father left for you in our special place? Have you slipped the hold that I thought Waterwood had on you? Please, tell me.

Perhaps I should break the invisible chain that keeps me here and find you. I cannot survive much longer. Tell me what to do. I must relieve this pain.

Now and ever yours,

Daniel

We huddled in the corner of the sunroom and spoke in riddles in case someone overheard our conversation. We tried to persuade ourselves that Daniel could be appeased by a letter to buy us a little more time. After the nurse delivered my one pill, I suggested we walk outside.

“It’s a little chilly.” TJ was always thinking about my comfort and well-being.

"This is a heavy sweater. I'll talk fast." I zipped up the white cable-knit sweater, grabbed my cane, and headed for the door. Outside and out of earshot, I summarized the situation. “The way I see it, we have only three choices. Two of them involve dealing with Daniel by letter.”

“What do you mean, deal with him?”

"The first way is to placate him. Tell him not to do anything yet."

“Okay, we’ve discussed that,” TJ said. “But after reading this letter, I’m not sure that will work.”

"That's why there's option two. Tell him that I, I mean, Emma has found someone else."

TJ drew in a quick breath. “That’s risky.”

“I know.” I waited because TJ took off his cap, ran his fingers through his hair. When he replaced his cap, he said, “Or we could tell him the truth.”

“What?” The word came out in a whispered scream. “Are you crazy?”

He shrugged. “Or we just ignore this letter and take away the stack of paper from the desk. If he doesn’t have paper, he can’t write to you. Then we put the desk back under a tarp in the garage and forget all about this.”

My breath caught in my throat. That was probably the easiest solution. But, somehow, I couldn’t see myself doing that to a man I’d come to know and admire, even though he was dead. I searched TJ’s face, but there was no comfort or resolution there. His furrowed brow told me that he wasn’t happy with any of the options.

A shiver ran through me. It was either from the chilled breeze that had picked up or the thought of possible consequences of our decision. I was about to tell TJ we could wait no longer when I touched my neck and remembered the miniature Emma wore in the portrait.

“There is one other alternative, TJ.” He gave me a hopeful look. “We could try to reunite them.”

“Let’s go inside. You’re shivering. But first, will you tell me how we’re going to do that?”

I laid out my plan. When we went back to the sunroom, he was smiling and I was shivering with excitement and a little anxiety.

TJ must have been a Boy Scout because he came prepared, just in case. We found a quiet spot with a desk in the rehab facility where I could use the inkwell and write a letter to Daniel.

Dearest Daniel,

I read your letter and my heart broke. I cry, knowing how lonely and confused you must feel. Many things here at Waterwood have changed since you and my father rode south. There is only one thing you must know. I believe you know it in your heart. You must have faith in my constancy of affection.

My dear Daniel, I beg that you be patient only a little while longer. I beg that you stay at the desk of your father. It is the key to our happiness. It is the way I can come to you. Trust me in this.

Think also of the miniature I painted to capture your dear face so I’d have you with me always. I know it is no great artistic work as I was a fledgling painter. To me, it is the dearest portrait ever created. As you sit at the desk, think of it and remember the wonderful times we spent by the water.

Be patient, my love. I’m coming.

Sincerely and entirely yours,

Emma

TJ read the letter over my shoulder as we waited for the ink to dry. I heard him clear his throat.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, worried.

"No. It's just that…are you promising Daniel that Emma will join him? I mean…"

I gazed at the letter again. “Yes, I guess I am.” I felt a shiver go down my spine.

"Isn't that a big leap? What if… What if this doesn't work?" he said with great reluctance.

“You’re right. What we’re doing requires a great leap of faith. I think we have to give him hope so, he'll give us time to put our plan into action. If we don't, he could go on a rampage now while I'm still in rehab. I wouldn't want you to deal with that alone. I'll be out of here soon. In the meantime, you have some renovation work to do."

“And what if our plan doesn’t work?”

TJ spoke so softly I barely heard him. But his concern was clear. I had to calm the unease of both