I bit my lip as the anonymous letter came to mind. Was Paul Forever Yours?
Did I want Paul to be my secret admirer?
“I’m going to get settled,” I said, leaving him with a small shake of my head.
Daisy leaned her shoulder against mine and grinned the moment I took the seat beside hers. “What was that about?”
I shook my head, baffled at the direction my thoughts had taken, and a little embarrassed she’d caught me. “Nothing.”
“Oh, yeah? Then why are you blushing?”
I bit my lip and laughed. “You caught me lost in thought, that’s all. Hey, do you know if Michael has a girlfriend?”
She looked over her shoulder, then back to me. “How many men do you need?” she teased. “There must be something in the water at Hearthstone. How soon can I visit?”
Grace took her place at the head of the table, a warm expression on her pretty face.
I wondered if she knew what her brother-in-law was up to, and that she might lose the store. I also wondered, hopelessly, if I could do anything to help Davis make sure that didn’t happen.
“Hey,” Daisy whispered. “I don’t know about the girlfriend, but I can find out if you want. I was only teasing earlier.”
I shook my head. “It’s okay. I’ll figure it out.”
“Welcome, class,” Grace began. “Today’s letter for inspiration was written by a local favorite, Emily Dickinson. Our classmate, Daisy Macnamara, kindly suggested it. She’s become quite an expert on Ms. Dickinson’s life and is finishing her MFA at UMass this semester. She’lldefend her dissertation next month at the Emily Dickinson Museum, and I’d love to see many of you there. Thank you, Daisy.”
Beside me, Daisy beamed.
She turned her cheery expression on me. “I thought you’d like hearing something from her vast collection. Maybe it will even inspire you in your quest here.”
“In 1862,” Grace began, “Emily responded to an article inThe Atlantic, written by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. He was calling for young writers to submit work for publication in the paper. Emily responded to that call. She was eager to know if her verse was alive. An interesting and powerful choice of words, I think. Also quite right. Any fan of her work would say her words were very much alive.
“Emily sent several poems for his review, and he responded with his advice. Together, they shared correspondence over many years and became rather good friends. Many historians and Emily enthusiasts believe this particular letter changed her life. She was brave, and she put herself out there by sending this query and her work. She gained the advice she sought and a longtime friend for her efforts. As you think about who to write today and what to say, consider writing to someone who might not expect it, and see if this is the letter that changes your life.”
I put my pen to paper before Grace finished her commentary.
I had a new friend to write as well.
Forever Yours,
I’ve read your lovely letter at least a dozen times. Your words touched my heart, and I want to thank you for them, but I don’t know who you are. Am I meant to refer to you as Forever Yours? Please allow me to return your kindness. Tell me something about yourself. Maybe your name?
Emma
When class ended, I carried my letters to the cubbies for distribution. I paused at the spot with my name, the letter for Forever Yours in one hand. I planned to leave it there, hoping he’d find it if he tried to leave another message for me. But he’d already been there. A single envelope with my name in perfect calligraphy waited inside.
I exchanged my letter to him with the new letter for me, then turned to find Grace and Daisy waiting.
“Emma,” Grace said sweetly. “I wanted to thank you for having lunch with Davis when I had to bow out. I hear the two of you had a lovely time, as always. And a few friends noticed you out dancing last night as well.” She hung her folded hands before her. “I guess things just work out sometimes.”
Daisy’s jaw nearly unhinged.
“We were celebrating Davis’s win with the historic properties you told me about,” I said, directing my words to Daisy.
She closed her mouth and pumped a silent fist.
“And,” I added, moving my eyes back to Grace, “Architectural Digestis sending a photographer to Hearthstone for an upcoming article about the restoration process.”
Grace slid a knowing look to Daisy, and the younger woman’s mouth fell open again. “Well, I’ll leave you to it,” she said, having planted all her seeds.
