Page 43 of Fall for You
This was it. She hadn’t been imagining it—there really was a buried treasure here. Part of her knew she should take it home and open it there, but she couldn’t wait that long.
Her fingers trembled in the glow of the flashlight as she tugged at the old dusty string that cinched it shut. It gave easily, and Willow found herself staring at…paper.
Squinting, she tugged at the corner of one yellowed sheet, moving the flashlight so she could get a better view, and?—
She gasped.
This wasn’t just paper.
These were letters!
She pulled the first one out all the way and carefully unfolded it. Her pulse raced as she realized what it was…
A love letter.
From Rose.
To Charlie.
Willow clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a sound that was half sob, half laugh. It took several tries before she could calm her excitement long enough to read it all the way through.
Dear Charlie,
Thank you for your letter. I know what a risk it must have been for you to write it. What if you got caught?
And then you made the effort to leave it in the forest for me. The moment I spotted that little flag that marked the spot, my heart skipped a beat. And then I saw the leather pouch you left for me. My stomach fluttered with anticipation as I unfolded the pages within. What did you have to tell me? What new words were you going to share that would make me feel like I could fly?
And you did.
Your words made my heart soar.
I was not alone as I read your letter. You were right there with me. Your voice inside my head.
That day we met in the woods was magical for me also, and I thank you for it.
I know I shouldn’t be writing to you, but…I had to respond. The way you felt when you saw me singing between the tree trunks, as you put it. Your words are so kind, so sweet. Charlie King, you have captured my heart too. You fill my thoughts and dreams. Every time I sing now, I think of you, sitting among the trees and telling me your dreams. The places you want to see. It’s all so big and grand and…
I want to see them too.
You made me believe that day. You made me think that there’s more to this life than simply being a lady and doing what my mother asks of me.
It hurts my heart to know we can never be together. A Spencer and a King is an impossibility.
But I’ll dream with you anytime, and those dreams will fuel my soul.
So you never forget me, I’m leaving you this small gift. My grandmother gave me this music box ten Christmases ago. It is very precious, and I want you to have it. When you open the lid and listen to the music, please picture me humming you this tune. I would spend hours on my bed listening to this, and I know it by heart now. I want this music to settle in your heart too. It’s a small way of keeping me with you.
Thank you for making me smile, Charlie King.
Thank you for letting me dream with you.
Sincerely yours,
Rosemary (Rose) Spencer
Willow fell back on her bottom, staring into the dark space before her. “The music box.” She knew it well, and now she knew who’d put it there…and why.
Tears lined her lashes, quickly spilling onto her cheeks. She didn’t bother to swipe them away. She was smiling despite the tears, because…
