E M T

Hope Valley

November 14, 1918

My darling Lucas,

I know I didn't wait for your letter to arrive before sending off my thanks for the trip. I just wanted you to know right away how much Jack and I loved being with you on your special day. You truly do make us feel like treasures! This is perhaps your most endearing quality; the fact that your joy is giving pleasure or comfort to others. This was one of the first things that drew me to you. That generosity of spirit of always thinking about what you can do to give comfort, aid or happiness to another.

I was so happy to receive your post trip letter yesterday. J get so excited just seeing my name on the envelope in your handwriting. You say your words aren't eloquent but you are so wrong. Your writing speaks to me Lucas and I love that you came up with this idea.

You mentioned in your last letter about our first meeting that day on the street when I was curious about the goings on at the saloon. When you greeted me, I felt an unexpected flutter that has now become familiar when you are near. I knew that I wasn't ready yet to start a new relationship, but I did feel that special something that told me I was still a woman. Something I had thought I might never truly feel again. You know how handsome I find you; I have told you that often enough of late. But it was more than that, I just knew that we were destined to at least be friends down the road.

In hindsight I realize you must have thought me a bit too flirtatious for a married mother and schoolteacher. Fortunately, you found out quite soon that I was a widow so my behavior was slightly more acceptable. When you asked me at the opening where my husband was, I was a bit shaken. I guess I thought that by then you would have heard already about Jack's death. All I could do was run away but I didn't blame you for that. I still needed to assimilate that I would now be viewed as available. And how did I feel about that?

I guess our next real encounter was over Allie and her new gambling business. As I told Abigail soon after meeting you, I didn't know what to make of you. The Allie ordeal did not help my view at first. I know I came in a huff which is exactly how I felt. How dare you corrupt this young girl? But you quickly had me turning around that opinion as I saw that your intentions were nothing but good. I already knew that Allie's nature was to test boundaries a bit…. Obviously, you knew that too as she was skipping school. So, I was a bit hasty in my accusations. But I had to stay in schoolmarm mode. Then you pushed my buttons with that "how much did she win" statement. It was about all I could do to keep my huffy attitude up and not burst out laughing. I just loved your quick wit but couldn't let you know that then. After that meeting I felt even more sure that we were going to become good friends. I just needed to take it a bit at a time because the flutter was there and I wasn't ready to admit to it.

Lucas, Rosie just arrived for tea and I need to turn my attention to her. She will be relentless if I don't. She has Jack with her too so I need to say hello to my little man. Speaking of my little man, I would like to take a shopping trip to Benson Hills in the next few weeks to get ideas for his birthday and Christmas gifts. I know I still have over a month but it comes up so fast as we turn into the holiday season. Would you consider accompanying me one weekend soon? I could ask Rosie and she would be delighted, but I thought it might be a nice break for you to escape from work and a chance for us to enjoy having lunch and shopping together. Let me know if this is something you would be interested in doing. If so, select a day that works best for you; I have plenty of time left to accomplish my shopping mission.

With all my love,

Elizabeth