Page 110 of All We Thought We Knew

“Ava, it’s no secret how I feel about you,” he said, his gaze fixed on me. “I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. We survived a war together. Now it’s time to live happily ever after.”

When I started to speak, he put his finger to my lips. “Let me finish before you give an answer. I know you don’t love me the way I love you. But I also believe if you’ll give me a chance, I can make you happy.” He took a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to me. It was a real estate brochure for a house in Richmond, Virginia. “My sister and her family live in Richmond. They tell me it’s a great place to raise a family. I’ve decided to open my private practice there.”

I stared at the black-and-white drawing of a lovely, two-story brick house. Trees, flowers, and a sidewalk completed the idyllic scene. I envisioned Hew and myself there, with two children running around the yard. Maybe a dog. His sister would become my best friend, and we’d host bridge parties for Hew’s doctor friends. It sounded perfect, and I knew instinctively it would be a good life.

My heart thrummed.

I should say yes. I should jump into his arms and ride off into the sunset to live the comfortable, happy life I knew Hew would give me. I’d done that before. Richard had promised me the world, too.

But I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be fair to me or to Hew.

I handed the paper back to him. “I can’t,” I whispered, regret mingling with relief as I finally said the words out loud. I should have told him the truth months ago.

He accepted the paper. We sat in awkward silence before he stood.

I looked up and met his gaze. “I’m sorry.”

He pulled me to my feet, and we embraced. When we parted, he caressed my face for the last time. “I understand, Ava. I really do.”

I watched him drive away.

“He’s leaving already?” Gertrude asked from the other side of the screen door.

I suspected she’d eavesdropped on our conversation, but it didn’t matter. “Yes, he’s gone. He won’t be back.”

After a moment, she gave a single nod and left me alone.

I stayed where I was, staring at nothing.

My future, it seemed, was here with Gertrude. Now that the war was over and Camp Forrest was scheduled to close, I’d throw myself into raising horses and turn Delaney Farm into a thriving business. I didn’t know how we’d manage without help or extra income, but somehow we’d make it work.

I sat on the porch the rest of the afternoon. Dust from an approaching vehicle drew my attention. When it came over the hill, I saw it was the mailman.

The older man climbed from the sedan and held up a package. “For you, Mrs. Delaney. Figured I’d bring it up to the house instead of leaving it in the box. You don’t get many packages, so I guessed it might be important.”

I descended the porch steps and accepted the parcel.

I nearly dropped it when I saw the return address from North Dakota.

“You all right?” he asked. “I hope it’s not bad news.”

I shook my head, unable to speak.

I stood in the yard after he drove away, staring at the brown paper-wrapped package with Gunther’s name scrawled in the left corner.

So many questions poured into my mind.

Why hadn’t he responded to my letters? Had he been released? I prayed the answers were hidden in the parcel.

I tore off the paper to reveal an old book.Die Bibel.An envelope poked out between the pages, and I ripped it open.

My Dearest Ava...

Tears poured down my cheeks and dropped onto the paper as I read the tender, brief message.

I love you. I have from the moment we first met. When I am once again a free man, will you marry me?

I clutched the book and the letter to my heart and wept.