Lost and Found: (A Ripple Effect Romance Novella) by Karey White

Elliott,
    I don’t know how to tell you this without it breaking your heart, but I’ve met someone. It’s still pretty new, and I don’t know where it will lead, but I don’t want to keep secrets from you. He’s not as handsome as you, although he is pleasant enough, and he’ll never be as successful as you will be. I know if I marry him, I’ll be giving up many of the things you wanted to give me, but I think I’m fine with that. He works at an insurance company. It isn’t fancy work, but he leaves it behind at the end of the day and is home every night before six. It’s a stable job, and a family with him would be more like my family was, more like the family I’ve always wanted.
    My heart breaks when I think of you. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel like I did when we were together. You’ll probably say I’m settling for less than I should, and maybe I am, but I feel comfortable and peaceful, and I’m not lonely.
    I do hope you’re well. You’re in my thoughts every day.
    I’m sorry, Elliott.
    Gladys.
     
    “Just two left. This one is from Elliott. June 19, 1948.”
     
    Dear Gladys,
    I haven’t heard from you for a while, so I decided to give myself a birthday present and call you on June 17. Your mother said you were on your honeymoon.
    I don’t know what to say. I didn’t know things had progressed to that point. I know it has been a long time since I’ve heard from you, but I still had hopes that eventually you’d come back to Denver. I still pictured a happily ever after for us, but I guess that’s not to be.
    I still don’t understand why you didn’t want what I had to offer, but I’ll do my best to accept things as they are. I don’t know if I’ll ever love someone the way I love you. I fear I’ll love you and miss you every day of my life.
    Be happy and have a good life.
    Elliott
     
    “This is the last letter,” Lydia said. “It’s from Gladys. It’s dated July 9, 1948.”
     
    Dear Elliott,
    Mother didn’t tell me you called on your birthday until after I received your last letter. I’m sorry you found out I was married that way. That was very unkind of me. I just didn’t know how to tell you.
    Elliott, please try to understand. I wanted to be someone’s world, and I think your world is your hospital.
    I hope you find someone wonderful and that you have a happy life. I pray you don’t hate me.
    Gladys
     
    Lydia folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. Blake’s eyes were closed, his head propped up on pillows against the headboard, and his fingers laced across his stomach. She’d thought he was attractive when she’d first met him at the airport, but tonight he looked even better. He still looked like a movie-star, but there was more to him now. His long legs stretched the length of the bed. If she reached out her hand, she could touch them. He had good hands, long and lean, but strong. They’d encouraged her on their sky dive, they’d comforted her after they left Shady Days.
    Right now there was no dimple. Worry lines etched his forehead. Lydia wished she could wipe them away. Tonight hadn’t been easy for him. The message from his grandfather, a man he loved and admired, was pretty clear, and it cast a shadow over Blake and his entire life. That had to have been hard to hear. She wanted to offer him comfort but there wasn’t much she could say. She could only hope these letters would help Blake avoid the heartbreak his grandfather had endured.
    Lydia moved to the end of the bed, careful not to bounce the mattress. “I’m not asleep,” Blake said, opening his eyes. “Just thinking.”
    Lydia looked at him, and his eyes held hers. An ache started deep inside her and wrapped itself around her heart. Maybe he felt it too, or maybe they were just too tired to drag their eyes somewhere else, but even though the look lasted longer than should have been comfortable, neither of them looked away.
    “Are you okay?” Lydia whispered.
    Blake gave a small nod.