LGB
Hope Valley
November 22, 1918
Dearest Elizabeth,
The day in Benson Hills was so enjoyable. Just being with you was enough, but we did get a lot accomplished towards the gift giving fun or challenge whichever the case may be. And more importantly we had a chance to discuss the invitations for our families. I know you sent a letter off to yours and I have mailed mine as well, although I didn't mention an invitation in it, just the latest updates on the comings and goings here. But I did speak to my father by phone this morning and he was delighted with the invitation to Hope Valley and is excited to be able to meet you and Jack. He is going to make the detour to come see us a surprise to my mother. They weren't planning anything special in San Francisco except some quiet time together which they still can do after stopping here for Christmas first.
Elizabeth, my mother has already shared so much about you with my father. Just the fact that you played a large role in their reconciliation is enough to earn his undying gratitude. Whatever bumps they had in their relationship were just that; but had you not encouraged my mother to make the first move, who knows, they may have lost each other forever. And you know how my father waited for her. He loves her so, but she had gotten a bit lost along the way and so he was too. They have found their way back to where they belong. He will love you because of this alone, but the fact that I have found my perfect woman will have him forever loving you too. He could not be happier for me and is so excited to meet you in person. He can hear the love in my voice and will know from my letter too. My mother already knows my heart from her last visit so she will be overjoyed that you and I are together now.
I am so excited at the prospect of having our families together this Christmas. I will be truly blessed to have you and Jack and our families all together and for us to have the community joining in on many of the holiday events. I went from feeling so lonely to having this big extended family and I am so very happy. Elizabeth, you fill me with love and where my soul ends yours begins. I treasure each and every day that I am with you, and I am overjoyed to be a part of this growing family.
Now remember I love you, take a deep breath and please try to be calm… this next topic I haven't sprung on you as yet. Some of my men in the oil business are from across the border. Next week is their Thanksgiving and most cannot make the journey home. So, I have invited them to a special dinner at the saloon next Thursday in honor of their holiday. Gustave already has had his tantrum, but all the same I can tell is very happy to prepare a feast. He just has to put on the show so he can keep his reputation as the tempestuous chef. I would love to have you and Jack join us. We will be serving dinner a bit early so as to accommodate Jack's schedule. This will not be a formal affair, most of the men don't have that sort of dress; so, the invitation says that it is a casual gathering. Which for me of course means I will dispense of a jacket and wear my most modest vest and tie. You my darling will look ravishing no matter what you wear, but I am letting you know that you and Jack don't have to put on your Sunday best. The menu will be a typical Thanksgiving as described by the men. Gustave has agreed to most everything, but he finds pumpkin pie to be peasant food and is in a huff about that part. I have a feeling that pumpkin pie is likely to turn into something elaborate that can be translated into French.
Please say you will join us. The men are really looking forward to sharing a special meal together. I have offered for each of them the use of my office and phone to call home if they are able to make a telephone connection with family. I am hoping to ease the loneliness that some of them will feel from being away from their loved ones. I don't expect that you and I and Jack can take their place, but I know how the men are so fond of Jack and you both that I think it will ease the loneliness rather than add to it. We will have music on the Victrola and I plan to have each man join in and share a Thanksgiving holiday memory, if they would like, while we have our dessert. Anything else that you can think of that might add to the festivity is welcome. Other than that, if you will come, then I will pick you up at 5:00 and bring you to the saloon where dinner will be served promptly at 6:00 or Gustave will indeed explode. And that is a sight that no one wants to hear or see.
Your last letter had my heart racing as you wrote about our interlude at our bridge on the way back from Benson Hills. No matter how many days I will be given in this life, I will never forget the moment of our first kiss there. The look on your face so full of emotion as we rushed to each other mirrored my feelings and the desperate need to reach you. I was swept away and consumed by so many feelings and the moment our lips met if became all the kisses that we had almost had, all the longing and desire all wrapped up into that moment. And I wanted to tell you so many things at once but I got out the one that needed to be said….. You are all that matters…. You are all that's important. And when I saw that you had taken off your ring a sudden peace descended on me; because I knew that the long and winding road was over and that we had finally arrived to where we belonged. That was the sweetest moment of my life.
So to return to our special place was on my mind before we made the journey to Benson Hills. I was glad that the weather, while cool, held up so that we could get out and take a walk to the very place….. It brought back my memories too, but in the end, it is the here and now that matters most. Touching your cheek and watching those beautiful blue eyes look at me with love and then feeling you step into my embrace as I touched my lips to yours…. I haven't the words. So, if I might borrow yours, it is a living dream and I too never wish to wake up.
I will close now as I profess my undying love.
Yours,
Lucas
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