The Letter(46)

Josephine had put a silver tea service on the coffee table with delicate glass plates with slices of the peach cobbler. Madeline sat on the settee by the window, and Josephine poured some tea, then sat in a floral chair with carved mahogany wooden arms. The parlor was a mix of formal and comfortably inviting.

“Gilbert couldn’t leave the store today to come with you?”

“No, he was busy.” Too busy to spend any time with her.

“That’s too bad, but I’m so glad you came to visit.”

“I wanted to say goodbye before I head back home.”

“Oh, are you leaving?”

“I’m headed out in the morning.”

“It’s been so nice getting to know you. I’ll forever be in your debt for finding that letter and returning it to me.”

“I’m going to keep looking for Paul.”

Josephine sighed. “It would be so wonderful if you found him. If we could find out why I never got the letter.”

“I’ll do everything I can to track him down and I’ll be sure to keep you updated on what I find out.”

“You are a very sweet girl to do all this for an old lady like me.”

“I would give anything to find him for you. I’m glad I found the letter so I had this chance to get to know you, too.”

“Is Gilbert going to help you in your search?”

“I’m not sure. He’s pretty busy. He might do some searching on his own.”

“He’s a fine young man. I’m so glad you two hit it off.”

Right. Hit it off. As if. She might have thought that at one time, but he sure had burst her bubble on that one. She was ready to pack up and get back home. Ready to put that mistake behind her.

They spent an hour chatting and eating the delicious peach cobbler. Madeline was sorry when it was time to leave.

“I promise I’ll keep you posted on what I find out about Paul,” Madeline said as she was leaving.

“I’d appreciate that, dear. You have a safe drive back to St. Louis.”

~ * ~

Madeline was grateful to spend her last evening in Comfort Crossing eating dinner with Rebecca and Larry instead of dining alone. She was going to miss the couple so much after she left. Madeline helped Rebecca set the table and dish up the delicious-smelling pot roast dinner.

“Sit over there, Madeline.” Rebecca motioned to a chair across the table from Larry.

Madeline took her seat and Larry said a brief blessing over their meal.

“We’re going to miss you, Madeline. It’s so nice having you here with us for a while. You’ll have to come back and visit.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” But she couldn’t think of any reason that would bring her back to Comfort Crossing. Certainly not Gil.

“Did you go back and talk to Gil this afternoon and try and figure out what’s wrong?”

“No. He made it clear he was busy.”

“I don’t know what’s gotten into the man. I’m sure he’s crazy about you.”

“Not so much.” Madeline took another bite of the tender pot roast. “This is so good.” Time to change the subject.

“I do it in the crockpot with bacon and a splash of red wine.”

“I’ll have to try that.” Not that she did much cooking for herself in St. Louis. She worked long hours and skipped a lot of dinners. It was going to be quite an adjustment to go back to her busy lifestyle back home. But she was ready for it.

Probably.

Though, to be honest, she’d really liked the slower pace here in Comfort Crossing. The friendly people who helped each other out. Oh, and the lack of snow. She definitely loved the lack of snow. She’d just never be a winter person.

They finished the meal with Rebecca and Larry telling Madeline all about how they’d found this old house on Main Street and decided to open the inn. Funny stories of remodeling it to make it into a bed and breakfast. Frustrations with building codes. Larry joking about Rebecca’s constant redecorating.

“Oh, speaking of redecorating. Look what I found when I was cleaning one of the rooms. I finally figured out where I’d heard the name Lula Madison.” Rebecca got up and walked over to the sideboard and picked up a small wooden box. “I want you to have this, Madeline.”

Madeline took the intricately carved wooden box from Rebecca.

“Turn it over.”

Madeline did as she was told and gasped. Etched into the bottom of the wooden box was the name Lula Madison. “Oh.” The familiar tears that she thought had subsided in the last week or so clouded her eyes. Oh, she hoped she wasn’t going to start crying at every little memory again.

“It must have been your grandmother’s. I found it at Bella’s shop a bit ago.”