Page 41 of Solid Foundation
“Don’t forget to report back now, okay?”
“I won’t,” Lydia promised, and led the way outside.
Less than fifteen minutes later we were bumping down her dusty driveway before parking in the grass next to an ancient two-story farmhouse. Lydia had us follow her upstairs and then into the attic where it was sweltering hot. Immediately, sweat beaded on my brow and the back of my neck. As it rolled down my back, Lydia pointed us to the trunk.
“I haven’t looked in there since I was a little girl. There are some Army uniforms, a wedding gown, and some pictures. Maybe your letters will be there, too.”
I was practically holding my breath as we gingerly pulled out the aging garments. When we’d reached the bottom of the trunk, all that was left were a stack of photos and a small bundle of papers, all tied together with twine. My breath hitched as Lydia pulled them out.
“Well, let’s see.” She untied the twine, slipped the photos out of the bundle, and started looking at the papers beneath. After a few moments, she passed the top one to us, hands shaking.
May 23, 1922
My Nathan,
With summer on the horizon, I am nearly beside myself with excitement. To hold you and be held by you, spending the long days together, I can hardly bear it. I am looking forward to splashing in the river with you, lying in the tall grass as we dry off, and of course your tender touch. I hope and pray our summer will be filled with the joy of each other’s company, despite the hardships of working throughout the days on the farms we will be tending to.
Life here is terribly dull without you, and only the thought of your lips on mine has given me the strength to go on through the endless winter nights. I will see you in scarcely a week. I have already packed my belongings and Mother accuses me of wanting to leave her behind. She believes I have a girl waiting for me. The thought makes me heartsick, though more so because I grieve the impossibility of our future relationship.
That is no matter for now and I do not want to dwell on it. Mother is calling me for dinner, and I must finish this letter and post it before the night ends if it is to arrive before I do.
Lovingly yours,
Freddie
After Lydia handed us the stack of letters, we headed back to the diner to inform Mabel, who had been delighted to know they’d been recovered.
“I want you boys to keep them,” she said with a smile. “Now, what are you fellas going to do with them?”
I cleared my throat. “Well, I have an idea.” I described how I wanted to approach the historical society in Port Grandlin with the letters and ask them to curate an exhibit about them. “I wanted to get your permission first, though. How would you feel about your grandfather’s love story being displayed for people to see? For them to learn about how times have changed, even right here in our area?”
She gave us a warm smile. “I reckon that would be alright.”
Chapter Nineteen
Jake
It wasn’t long before the project wrapped up entirely and we were prepping to film the final walk-through and interviews. Max had brought Jared and Matthias back for a blind reveal, and that’s how I found myself standing proudly on the sidewalk in front of the Collins house, along with about half of the construction crew, watching Sterling lead out the blindfolded couple. Jared and Matty held hands as Sterling spoke to them, nodding in eager anticipation.
“Ready? Three… two… one… go!” Sterling called out.
Matty and Jared yanked their blindfolds off simultaneously and both gasped as they took in the house. I had to admit, I was pleased with the work we’d accomplished. The old house stood proud, gleaming with new life. From the exterior, the trim, roof, and siding were all perfectly placed. Inside, I knew they’d find more of the same. It was one of the best projects I’d ever had the privilege of working on, and I couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face if I’d tried.
After the filming wrapped, Jared and Matty hosted a party for the production and construction crews, which Max and I attended.
Jared approached me shortly after the party started. “Hey there. I just want to say, you did an awesome job. Seriously, our minds are blown. I had no idea this place would look so great when you were done with it.”
I smirked. “Didn’t trust me?”
He gave me a sheepish smile. “It’s not that. I just didn’t know it was possible. We just wanted to thank you for everything you did.”
I nodded. “Of course. It was my pleasure.”
As Max and I meandered around the property, socializing with everyone we’d worked so closely with over the past months, the knots in my stomach grew. Max would be leaving in about a week and I wasn’t ready to face that.
“Hey,” he murmured after we’d circulated the party a few times. “Ready to get out of here?”
I let out a relieved breath. “You have no idea.” And a half hour later, when I pulled the truck to the curb in front of his rental, I hesitated before turning to him. “Now what?”
