Page 2 of Letters From Home

May 30, 1944

Dear Jimmy,

I’ve missed you while you’re gone. Are you staying safe? I pray for you constantly.

I sit by the radio at night, hoping to hear news that the war is over. My friends say this is foolish. That when you marry a man before he goes to war, you know you’ll be separated. But I can’t help feeling that my heart is with you, wherever you are.

Please keep my heart safe. I look forward to the day you come home. Your parents miss you too, and this house doesn’t feel like home with you gone.

Yours forever,

Barbara

Nick's eyes widened with surprise. These were clearly love letters, written between two newlyweds torn apart by war.

He flipped through the pages, skimming over the words. Jimmy had replied a few times, assuring his wife that he was doing his best to stay out of danger. His wife had shared little updates on life at home. But one letter held big news for her husband overseas.

July 28, 1944

Dear Jimmy,

I have a wonderful surprise! The doctor says our baby will be here around Christmastime. I continue to pray that you come home safely, and soon.

I am setting up a nursery in our little house surrounded by trees. I hope the baby is a boy, with your bright blue eyes and easy smile.

Father says the war will be over soon. He says it’s time for our boys to come home. I hope he is right.

Sending my love, and your child’s love, too. Please keep yourself safe.

Barbara

Nick glanced through the final papers, touched by the woman’s long-ago news. A little house surrounded by trees. Had they lived in this very house? Their child might still live in Sunset Cove. He or she would be about eighty years old, though. Nick would need to ask the homeowner if she wanted to do some research.

He turned to the last sheet, wondering what this note would hold. More good news and a healthy baby? Nick didn’t have a strong memory for dates, but knew World War II ended in the mid-forties.

The smile fell off from his face as he read the final letter. War wasn’t easy for families, and this couple had faced tough times.

August 28, 1944

Dear Barbara,

A baby is wonderful news! I will be home soon, although not because the war is over. The doctors have removed twobullets from my leg. They tell me I will walk again, but I hope you will not judge me too harshly. I tried to stay safe.

People are celebrating in the streets of Paris this week, or so I’ve been told. I wish I could see them. At least some good has come from this fight.

I will be home as soon as travel is possible. Please continue to pray for the friends I am leaving behind.

All my love,

Jimmy

Nick folded the letters and went to find Grant. He’d need to tell his boss about his findings—and the damage in the kitchen.

He wondered if Jimmy and Barbara’s marriage had survived the soldier’s injuries, or if Jimmy had come home in time to see their child being born. The couple had clearly loved each other. Marriages back then had seemed stronger. More likely to endure the test of time.

It made Nick wish he’d worked harder to find the right woman for himself. Maybe things would be different if Jessica Moore hadn’t moved away.

But before Nick could give that idea more thought, the front door crashed open with a burst of cold air. A young woman and child hurried inside, both bundled from head to toe.

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