And the cruel nights when I blamed her for disappearing because blaming her hurt less than admitting I couldn't save her.
Now I learned she'd fought to protect people.
Survived the fire.
And spent her last days trying to send me a message.
Josephine reached for my shoulder.
I didn't pull away.
She rested her hand there.
For a long time, we said nothing.
Then she whispered.
"Hiram, she didn't stop loving you."
I looked toward her.
Her eyes were wet.
"That's what the letter says."
I held up the envelope.
"It's sealed."
Josephine nodded.
"I never opened it."
I stared.
"Then how do you know?"
She explained that her mother kept a journal describing Eliza's final days. The journal recorded the words Eliza spoke while recovering and the request that the letter be delivered if she didn't survive.
Josephine had read those notes after inheriting her aunt's trunk.
She knew Eliza wanted me to receive the envelope.
But she didn't know the exact words inside.
I looked down at the paper.
For twenty years, I had wondered what Eliza might have said if we'd been given one more conversation.
Now that conversation rested in my hand.
And I was frightened to open it.
Josephine watched me carefully.
"You don't have to read it tonight."
I shook my head.
"I've waited twenty years."
My fingers trembled.
For a moment, I couldn't find the edge of the seal.
Then I carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a folded sheet of paper.
The ink had faded.
But the handwriting was unmistakable.
I unfolded it.
And began reading.
My dearest Hiram,
If this letter finds you, it means I could not come home to explain what happened.
I stopped.
My eyes filled.
Josephine remained silent.
I continued.
Please know first that I did not leave you willingly. I was trying to return, and every hour I have been away from you has felt longer than I believed possible.
I pressed my lips together.
For several seconds, I couldn't breathe.
Then I read on.
Eliza described the fire.
She explained that Thomas Wren discovered alterations in the water-rights records used by Roland Calder's company. Several settlers stood to lose land if the false claims were accepted, and Thomas planned to deliver evidence to the district authorities.
Eliza helped him organize copies because she could read and write more clearly than many people in the settlement.
Someone learned about the records.
Threats followed.
Then the schoolhouse burned.