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

28, 1947.”
     
    My Dearest Gladys,
    It was with heavy heart that I read your last letter. I’d hoped we’d be getting married in December when I came home for Christmas. Hearing that you feel we should wait a little longer was a devastating disappointment. I don’t understand why you want to put it off.
    Let me reassure you of a few things. First, I hope you feel confident in my love for you. You’re my world and I won’t know true happiness until we’re together. Second, I’m doing my best to become established so you’ll feel confident in my position. I want my job to be secure and I want to buy you a beautiful home. I want to provide for you and our children. I don’t ever want you to have to worry about money. I want you to be a doctor’s wife who can go to lunch with friends and belong to the country club.
    If you have doubts about marrying so soon, please consider moving to Denver so we can spend more time together. We could rent a room for you and we’d be close to each other. That would make courting much easier, don’t you think? We could begin looking for a house to buy. In the spring, we could marry in Charlotte and return as husband and wife.
    Please say you’ll come.
    Yours always,
    Elliott
     
    The pizza had arrived while Blake was reading so when he finished the letter, they took a break and ate. Then Lydia opened the next letter and began reading.
     
    October 12, 1947
    Dear, Dear Gladys,
    I’ve been floating on air ever since I got your last letter. Even a little boy with a broken arm that wouldn’t stop screaming couldn’t dampen my spirits. He was crying and crying and it took two nurses and both his parents to hold him down so we could plaster it, but I just felt like whistling a tune. I had to work at making my face look solemn, and I’m afraid I wasn’t entirely successful because at one point his father said, ‘Why are you smiling? This is terrible for him.’ Of course I wasn’t smiling about his pain. I was smiling because you’re coming.
    You’re coming. You’re coming. We’ll be together soon. John says I’m turning his stomach with my endless crowing. His girl is in Gilbert, and he wishes she could come.
    It will be wonderful having you here. I looked in the paper and saw there was a job for a telephone operator for Mountain Bell and a file clerk at the Denver City Hall. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a position.
    I hope your parents are warming to the idea. I can certainly understand how they’ll miss you. I’ve been living without you for seven months now, and I don’t want it to go on a moment longer. Tell them I’m working hard so they’ll see what a good provider I’ll be for their daughter.
    I stopped by Chandler’s Boarding House on my last day off and spoke to a woman named Eloise. She said she’ll have an opening in November. I gave her a $25 deposit and $45 for November’s rent. I think you’ll like it there. It’s a lovely house, and it includes dinner. She said the décor in your room is pale green. I thought that was perfect for you.
    My beautiful Gladys will be here in just weeks.
    Soon I’ll be holding you in my arms, and we’ll be planning our wedding. I look forward to your arrival.
    I love you with all my heart,
    Elliott
     
    Blake reached for the next letter.
     
    December 6, 1947
    Dear Gladys,
    I still don’t know what happened. I went by Chandler’s to see you Friday afternoon and discovered you were gone. I called your house on Saturday, but your mother said you hadn’t arrived home yet. I’m trying to be understanding, but I’m hurt and angry.
     
    “Oh no,” Lydia said. “What happened?”
    Blake continued to read.
     
    I can’t believe you left with no goodbye and no explanation. I had to find out from Eloise Chandler. I’ve read your note again and again. As hard as I’m working for us, for you, I don’t understand how you could call me selfish. You say you’d rather have me work at a factory than see so little of