LGB
Hope Valley
November 16, 1918
My Darling Elizabeth,
Just like you, I get so excited when I see a letter with Lucas Bouchard in your handwriting. I can barely wait to get somewhere private where I can tear open the envelope and read your words. Sometimes they amuse me and sometimes they touch my heart, but always they make me feel your warm and loving spirit that unites us.
I will start with the last of your letter. I will be delighted to escort you to Benson Hills. I can't think of anything better than to slip away and enjoy being with each other. Perhaps you will be giving me some hints for gifts while we browse in the shops? A long leisurely lunch and a chance to talk to you without our friends and neighbors around to observe will be a delight. I will let you know when I can be free. I will check in with Gustave and the others and come up with the best day in the next couple of weeks.
It was so wonderful to hear your thoughts about our first meeting. As I mentioned, I was totally enchanted and tried my best to come off as very casual and friendly. I knew after the second meeting that I wanted to get to know you and by the third I was smitten and falling quickly. Every time you called me "Mr. Bouchard", I wanted to kiss that prim and proper look right off your face. But I do try my very best to be a gentleman and had to keep that to myself.
That third encounter in the saloon after Allie took the card trick too far was one that I will never forget. I was sitting with the guys and wiping them out at cards and really feeling lucky when in you marched and I knew I was in trouble somehow. Oh my, you were so outraged, and I had a hard time keeping a straight face especially after I saw that you were beginning to understand the situation. I couldn't help but add a bit of levity with my comment about her winnings. And when you turned back and handed me those cards and flounced out; I was melting like butter. I am sure I looked like a lovesick schoolboy and had to get back in form so I could rejoin the card game.
Any and all encounters with you after that just had me falling deeper and deeper. I knew in my heart even then that you were the woman of my dreams and that I had to try my best to be patient and be your friend. Slowly gaining your friendship was so important to me especially as I learned that we had a lot in common both in our backgrounds and in our interests. Your friendship has meant everything to me. Without it we would never have the kind of love I've always dreamed of. I have been a bit of a loner most of my life especially as a young man. To have a best friend was my first secret wish and as I reached adulthood, I wanted to find a wonderful woman to start a family with. I am ever grateful that I have found both. Someone who shares many of my interests and with whom I can share my dreams. And as a man, a woman that makes my heart pound with the slightest flirtatious smile or touch.
I keep saying it but can't help it… how did I get so lucky?
Je t'aime ma cherie,
Lucas