Page 38 of Spilling the Tea

I love you, too! I knew when we met that you were special. Getting to know you through your letters has been extra special, and I can’t wait to see you again. Victoria is happy for us and thinks it’s wonderful that two best friends love two best friends.

Victoria and I have been assigned to supervise two ten-year-olds this month. Yvonne and Isabelle keep us busy and are fun to be around, although they are younger than us. We enjoy our leadership roles and can see bright futures for them.

How is your family? Victoria often gets letters from your parents and a lot of letters from Waylon, too. I love getting all my letters from you and writing you back. I hope you are taking care of yourself.

I think of you all the time, morning, night, and in those hours in between. I will prepare my father for your meeting with him. I am praying it goes well and that he sees you as the wonderful young man that you are.

With all my love,

Felicia Laverne

Chapter Eleven

Waylon Satterfield glanced over at Milton and grinned as they rode their horses along the dusty path to the horseshoe shop. “So, you’ve fallen in love, Milt?”

Milton chuckled, knowing where he’d gotten his information, but had no problem answering truthfully. “Yes, I have. I guess Victoria told you that in her letters.”

“Yep. Are you sure about her? You only saw her that one time?”

“I’m just as certain about my feelings for Felicia Laverne as you are about yours for Victoria.”

Waylon threw his head back and laughed. “In that case, you are definitely sure about her. Victoria said she’s pretty.”

“She certainly is that.”

They continued riding for a while, and then Milton said, “I knew the first time I saw her that she was the one. Now I fully understand what you meant when you said Victoria is the only girl who will ever have your heart. I feel the same way about Felicia Laverne.”

“I can hear it in your voice just how much you love her.”

“We’ve been sharing letters all summer. Just like you and Victoria have been. I got it so bad that I can’t wait to check the mailbox every day. It’s a great feeling to care deeply for someone.”

Waylon nodded. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t plan to wait three years to get married like you, that’s for sure,” Milton said, laughing. “Like Victoria, Felicia Laverne has another year in school. Then I hope we can marry right after that, so she can move here. I’m certain Pa will give me a parcel of land on Whispering Pines to build us a place like your folks did for you and Victoria.”

They brought their horses to a stop in front of Mr. Wood’s horseshoe shop. Dismounting, they tied them to the hitching post. Waylon then asked, “Are you going to tell your folks about her? What about her father, the preacher? It was hard for me to talk to your father about my feelings for Victoria, and I’ve known Mr. Jantz all my life. I can’t imagine you facing a preacher about his daughter.”

“Felicia Laverne is a little worried about it and has said so in her letters. However, I want to believe things will work out, and one day, she will be Felicia Laverne Madaris. I think I’ll talk to my parents tonight. They will pick Victoria up from summer camp in two weeks. Usually, I don’t go with them, but I want to do so this time. I’m dying to see Felicia Laverne again.”

“I know the feeling. I’m dying to see Victoria as well.”

Milton studied his best friend and then offered a suggestion. “Why don’t you ask Pa if you can ride to Tennessee with us? Don’t worry about space because I plan to drive my truck.”

“Do you think he’ll allow it?”

“I don’t see why not. After all, you are Victoria’s intended, even if the two of you won’t be getting married for another three years.”

That evening, at the supper table, Milton decided it was the perfect time to tell his parents about Felicia Laverne. He spokeup when there was a lull in their conversation. “I met this girl, and she’s the one.”

Jantz’s fork froze in midair, giving his son his total attention. “What did you say, Milton?”

Milton didn’t have a problem repeating it. “I said I met this girl, and she’s the one.”

Jantz placed his fork down, deciding what his son had said was more important than the juicy steak on his plate. “Who is she?”

“Not anyone from around here. She’s from Atlanta.”

“Atlanta?” Jantz asked in surprise. “How the heck did you meet a girl from Atlanta?”

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