Chapter 4

The ink on Kate's letter was still damp in places when Rick held it in his hands. His eyes scanned her handwriting with ever increasing speed.

"Thank you for delivering this," he said sincerely. "Just wait a moment and I'll write a reply to her."

"My dearest Kate," he wrote, "I wish I had time to pen another poem for you. I will never give up on you or us. You are everything to me, as well. Don't be afraid, my Kate. We'll make it out of this mess stronger than ever. I love you.

Rick."

Rick took a small sheet containing his verse from the garden and folded it up in the letter. He sealed it with a drop of wax and gave it Roy, along with a small coin. "For your trouble," he explained.

Roy stared at it for a minute, then placed it back in Rick's palm. "'Tis no trouble. I am pleased to help you and the lady. You make her very happy, the happiest I've seen her since her mother's untimely passing."

"She makes me happy, too," Rick whispered.

"I will be sure to tell her," Roy smiled, then left.


Kate paced impatiently for Roy to return. Then, there was a knock at her door.

She yanked it open and Roy looked slightly startled. "Sorry," she whispered contritely. "Did he read my letter? Did he like it? What did he say?" Kate begged.

"He said that you make him happy," Roy reported. Kate looked a little downcast at the vague message. "And he asked me to deliver this," Roy produced Rick's letter with a flourish.

Kate snatched it from his hands and gave Roy an enthusiastic hug. "Thank you!"

Roy smiled at his little princess, so grown up now and obviously in love. He bowed and withdrew gracefully. Kate shut the door behind him, then opened Rick's letter with a crack. His poem fluttered to the floor, but she didn't notice it.

She read his short, but sweet letter several times, then she tucked it under her pillow for safekeeping.

As she turned back, she noticed a little square of white on the floor. She bent over and picked it up. Immediately, she recognized it as Rick's poem from last night. Kate sighed wistfully remembering it. She placed it under her pillow alongside the letter.