Goodness, that sounded strange but deliciously so.
Focus, Anna.
Three dresses later, she decided on a boho style teal dress with yellow and orange flowers. A thick brown fabric belt accented the outfit, and she finished the look with a pair of strappy sandals. Barely done getting ready, she heard a knock on her door.
“It’s me,” Jack called.
“Coming.” Putting gold filigree feather earrings in as she walked, she went to answer the door.
Jack stared at her with appreciation. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.”
His voice lowered. “I’ve been blind.”
Warm shivers coursed through her. “Is the dress too much?”
He shook his head slowly. “It’s perfect.”
“I’m nervous.”
“You shouldn’t be. My family already adores you.”
She squirmed. “This is different.”
“Better.”
His declaration boosted her confidence. “Let’s go before I lose my nerve.”
“I brought the message and bottle with me,” he told her when they approached his parents’ house. “I figure they’ll all want to see it.”
“Who wouldn’t want to? It’s fascinating, even to people who aren’t history fanatics like me.”
“History has always been about dates and events to me. I never gave much thought to the stories behind the events until now. It adds a whole new dimension.”
The teacher in her beamed at his admission. “That’s what I love about history. There are countless stories, and each one can teach us a lesson.”
“I’ve been thinking about D and what brought her to make the decisions she did, which we still don’t know. Was it the cultural norms of the day? Or were there situations that dictated what she had to do? Maybe it was simply a matter of the heart. What did Edwin think of it?”
That he’d thought so deeply about the people behind the letter didn’t surprise her. She’d come to know Jack in a new light these last few weeks. “Hopefully we’ll find answers and know why.”
He shifted into park and looked at her with solemn eyes. “As ridiculous as it sounds, I want their lives to have a happy ending. Crazy isn’t it, considering D wrote the letter over a century ago and what’s done is done.”
“It’s not ridiculous.” She touched her hand to his chest. “You have a good heart and don’t want the pain in that letter to be in vain.”
His gaze shifted to the door. “Ready?”
She’d rather sit and discuss the note with him then face his family with their announcement. “I think.”
“It’s not too late to leave if you need more time.” He brushed a hair from her face.
“I’ll be fine once the initial nerves wear off.” She forced a smile through her butterflies. “If we’re doing this, we may as well jump right in.”
Inhaling deeply, she let the breath bring her calm. Jack walked her to the door with his palm pressing gently against the small of her back, a sweet touch that stilled her nerves. She had no reason to be afraid or nervous. This was a change, but for the good. A change she’d once hoped for but never imagined would come true.
More importantly, she trusted Jack. If he didn’t believe this was a good idea, he wouldn’t have brought her here.
Surprise flashed in Elise’s gorgeous silver eyes when her gaze landed on Anna after answering the door. “Good afternoon, dear. I didn’t know Kelly invited you, but it’s always a pleasure to have you visit. I’ll add another plate.”
