“Well you can stay here then.” He smiles down at his sister, and she swats him.
Hazel’s hand is squeezing mine so hard I’m scared she’s going to break it, but I don’t say anything.
Oliver looks down at me. “I think we should get on now. It was nice meeting you, Lawrence. And Hazel.”
Pa stands up and shakes Oliver’s hand. “You too, Oliver. I’m very pleased my daughter had you looking out for her in Northwood.”
Hazel hugs Ada and Ophelia and then turns to me. She wraps her arms around me and begins to cry which gets me going as well.
“Be safe.” She sniffs.
“I will, Hazel. I love you.”
She sniffs. “I love you too. Thank you for helping me this past few weeks.”
“You’re welcome. Come and visit. Promise me.”
She nods, blinking rapidly, swiping at her eyes.
I move to hug Pa, and he begins to cry too.
“I’m just so proud of you, Lydia. You seem so much happier now.”
“They say that some places change people, Pa.”
He chuckles, wiping at his eyes. “I’m glad you found that place, dear.”
I give Hazel one last heartfelt hug and wave to my family before taking Oliver’s hand. Ophelia links her arm in mine and Ada grabs onto her brother’s other hand.
I look back at my family a few times. Hazel is sobbing while hugging Pa and watching us leave.
I feel terrible leaving her when she’s struggling so much, but I know she’s surrounded by people who love her and are there for her.
We climb aboard the train, and I sit beside Oliver. Once the train begins rolling forward, I begin to cry, and he pulls me close to him. Ada and Ophelia sit quietly across from us.
I cry for the family and friends I’m leaving behind, and for all the memories I’m leaving here too. I cry for the pain Hazel is going through. And funnily enough, I cry at the thought of how happy I’m going to be in Northwood with my husband Oliver, and also my new friends and family, Ophelia and Ada.
And as the train continues in the direction of my new home, I know I’m going to be just fine.
Epilogue
I’ve been living in Northwood with Oliver, Ophelia, and Ada for about two months now. My time here so far has proven to be the happiest I’ve been in a while.
I’ve gone to Mrs. Taylor’s bakery a lot, and she now says I’m her favorite customer. I also visit my family who live here too and have gotten to know my aunt Beatrice a lot more.
And the other day I went to see Abigale at her aunt’s house for the first time since our first train journey. It was really nice to see her again.
It’s easy to say I’m happy.
Ada, Ophelia, and I have gone on many adventures during the day when Oliver’s working at the blacksmith.
And when he’s home, we go on picnics and he’s still showing me some of his favorite places in Northwood.
I write to my family as soon as their letters come. Hazel always says she misses me and talks about how she doesn’t know where her life is going to go. And I always offer sympathy and reassure her it will work out because I just have a strong feeling it will.
Thinking back to how I was before getting on the train to Northwood, amazes me. I’ve changed and grown so much.
I was scared to come here, because it was unfamiliar. And I was used to Hazel being the talker and me being the listener. It feels nice, though, to finally be able to talk to people without fumbling over my words all the time.
And while I’m still, undeniably nervous around large crowds of people, and need some time just alone with my new family each day, I know I’ve come a long way. I also realize that there’s nothing wrong with being a listener, as long as I don’t lose my voice in the process.
I used to always imagine I’d find my happy place, just like my older sisters all had done, and now I’ve finally found it.
I hope I’ve made my ma proud. And I also realize now, she always knew what was best for me.
“Hello? Lydia?” Oliver’s voice brings me out of my thoughts. He’s sitting on the opposite side of the table staring at me.
“Oh. Sorry. I was just lost in thought. What were you saying?”
He smiles, reaching across the table for my hand. “I was just saying, I’d finished Mr. Carswall’s order. What were you thinking about?”
I look up at him, my eyes meeting his. “About how happy I am. And about how scared I first was when coming out here.”
“I’m happy too, Lydia. And I’m glad you’re happy here. I know it’s hard being away from your family. How’s Hazel doing anyway?”
I let out a long breath. “She seems a little lost in her letters, like she doesn’t know who she is anymore. I can’t imagine the way she’s feeling about everything right now.”
“It will just take some time.”
I nod, looking down.
“I’ve watched you and your sisters go through your father’s death, and I know this is true. It’s painful, though, to feel like I can’t really do anything to help.”
“You help by being here. By listening and being loving.”
I smile.
“Lydia?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
I smile. “I love you too.”
And I know that Oliver has truly helped me, and I suppose I’ve also helped him. And I’m so glad that when I got off the train, I was chased by a man from the saloon. Because without him, I wouldn’t have met Oliver.
I can’t wait to see where the rest of my life will lead me. And as long as I’m with Oliver, I know it will be a happy one.
About the Author
Morgan Dawson is a fourteen-year old author of historical western romance.
She has always loved to read, saying some day she would write a book of her own. She wrote her first book, The Wagon, when she was just thirteen years old.
To find out more about Morgan and the books she has written, you can find her at
https://www. kaypdawson.com/morgandawson/
morgandawsonauthor
The Letter (Carter Sisters Series Book 4) Page 17
