Page 60 of Sweet Somethings

"I wonder what really happened. It sounds like she was being urged or forced to marry someone for money and at the last minute she bailed out, but it was too late. Her real love was gone."

"That's what I got from it, too."

"I wonder who she is." She sat back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. "I want to find out."

He laughed and shook his head. "Of course you do, but how?"

"I don't know. She must have lived here. And there must be a record somewhere of everyone who lived here."

"Maybe in the county records, but you don't know that she lived here. Maybe he did. Maybe she sent the letters to him in the end, but he was married to someone else by then. He could have hidden them in the box under the floorboards so his wife would never see them."

"That's true. He would have a reason to hide them if he had married another woman. But she could have also hidden them away from her family—her father. I really want to know who she is—who he is. And what happened to both of them. Did he pine for her? Or did he find happiness with someone else? Did she fall in love again? Did she ever marry? Did they ever see each other?"

Roman smiled. "You are so caught up in this."

"I can't help it. Her love speaks to me. Her words are filled with so much emotion. I can feel her longing, her pain. I want to do something about it."

"This could have all happened a long time ago, Juliette."

"Or not that long ago," she countered. "Are you going to help me figure it out?"

"You mean, am I going to delve into someone else's life and maybe cause them more pain and turmoil? Sure. That sounds like a plan."

She made a face at him. "You always look at the glass half-full. We could be returning the letters to someone who really wants them. Or we could be telling someone about a love he never thought he really had."

"Which could break up a marriage or two, hurt someone's children…"

He did have a point. "It could turn out that way, but that's the pessimistic point of view," she said. "We could just take it far enough to see what we're dealing with, then make a decision."

"That's exactly what you said when you asked me to go with you to Cameron's house."

"Well, that didn't work out so bad. At least we know his father lives there, so it's not just his batty grandmother watching him. And I dropped it after that."

"His father who I never wanted to see again and who never wanted to see me," he reminded her.

"You both came through the encounter without any mortal wounds."

"You're going to do this whether I help you or not, aren't you?"

"I am," she agreed. "But I'd rather have your help. I know you're curious, despite your cynicism. You want to know what happened to them, too."

He stared back at her. "You're very persuasive."

She smiled. "Is that a yes?"

"I have to go down to the county offices tomorrow to check on some permits. I could possibly go by the Hall of Records and see if I can get a list of the previous owners of this house."

"Would you? That would be perfect. I'd love to go with you, but I am swamped with baking this week, and I only have Susan's help for a few hours tomorrow. I might be able to do it later in the day, but I can't commit."

"Don't worry about it. I'll see what I can find out and let you know."

"You're being very nice, Roman."

He laughed. "Just saving myself time trying to argue you out of this idea."

"Smart man."

"Am I?" He gave her a bemused look. "When I left your apartment last night, I told myself I probably shouldn't see you for a while."

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