Page 61 of The Dravenhearst Brides

My dearest Margaret,

Will you come home?

Forever Yours,

Pa

The letter came by morning post. Margot recognized her father’s shaky handwriting.

“What does it say?” Merrick asked. His lips posed the question, but his eyes knew the answer. He hadn’t left her side since they’d watched the rickhouse burn the night before. He reached for her hand now, offering all he could give. All that he was, all of himself. For her.

Margot knew too. She didn’t need to open the letter, though she did anyway. She knew it in her soul. She knew, and she was ready.

Finally.

“He’s gone home to Greenbrier.”

Home to die.