“I do. Do you want to find out?”
More emotions caught in my throat. What had Annabelle turned out like? What had she thought after reading her mother’s journals? What had come of the relationship of Daniel and Devlin?
It was almost too much as a few more tears escaped. I snuggled back into Gael’s chest and stared up at the words. “Yes.”
With delicate fingers, Gael opened the envelope and began to read.
My Dearest Mother,
I sit at my desk, as a young woman about to embark on a life changing experience. I find myself longing for you in these types of moments. You are with me, though. I feel it in the very depths of my soul.
Uncle Daniel gave me your journal on my sixteenth birthday along with the painting of the two of you. I sat for hours staring at it. The love captured in your portrait moved me beyond anything I had ever experienced. I felt as if I were looking into your soul. We look so much alike, Mother. I have your hair and the color of your eyes. Father and Uncle Daniel often tell me how much I look like you. There are times I also see the sadness in their eyes, for I know I remind them of you so.
Father and Uncle Daniel have filled my heart with stories of you. Your caring heart, which they both profess I have inherited from you entirely. The fighting spirit to which you captured both of their love is one of Uncle Daniel’s favorite traits of mine. Father and Margaret always made sure you are somehow there for me. Whether it was a story of you, or a picture Margaret would set on my drawing table. She never tried to take your place, but she was indeed a wonderful stepmother. She has done her best and I’m so happy that she has made father such a happy man. They have given me three younger siblings. Ruth, MaryAnne, and Eli. Our house is always filled with such glee.
I see the sadness in Uncle Daniel’s eyes when he speaks of you, though. I worry sometimes when he drifts away from us. Aunt Colette says he is spending time with you. I love that she so freely shares his heart with you. Still, even with Aunt Colette and their two children, Gael and Robert, I see the missing part of him. He truly loved you with his heart and soul. There isn’t a day that goes by that he is not speaking of you in some manner. It is the most romantic thing ever.
Oh, I should share my news! Aunt Colette suggested taking me abroad, to Paris. Uncle Daniel and father were unsure at first, but after I begged them both, they agreed it would be a good experience for me. Aunt Colette, Uncle Daniel, and I leave in three days. Gael and Robert will stay with father and Margaret at their request. The idea of shopping was not pleasing to them. I’m terribly excited. So much so, I fear I will talk Uncle Daniel’s ear off before we leave!
One of the main reasons Aunt Colette suggested we go is for me to look for a wedding dress. Yes. I’m getting married! I find it hard to believe even as I write this. His name is Benjamin and his father owns a cotton plantation. Father is very happy with the pairing and says that I will be well taken care of. Uncle Daniel, on the other hand, has said that no man will ever be good enough for me. I do believe he secretly likes my Ben, though.
Oh how I love him, Mother. He makes me so happy. My prayer is to have a love like you and Uncle Daniel had. To be so blessed as the two of you … it is all I ask for. When I gaze at my reflection I see the same look in my eyes as I see in the painting of you and Uncle Daniel. The way he makes my body feel … well it’s almost too wicked for me to even think it, let alone share it in a letter! Goodness, my cheeks heat as I write this. I have no doubt this is what you felt for Uncle Daniel. The day my Ben makes me his is the day I know I’ll feel almost complete. For I could never truly feel totally complete. A part of me is missing, the part you took with you the day you passed on. I wish I could have known you, Mother. To have been able to see how truly beautiful you were. Aunt Colette tells me I can see it, I only need to look at my reflection for you are me and I you.
Uncle Daniel suggested I write you a letter. He has written many times to you and holds them in a special place that he says is close to you. I shall place my letter behind the painting of you and Uncle Daniel. For there I know you will keep it against your heart. I have your last journal pages there as well. Tucked away safely.
The sadness I feel closing out my letter to you is almost more than I can take. I will close my eyes and stand under the trees in the park. Uncle Daniel said when I’m lonely and missing you, this is where I will find you.
Under the trees with the wind blowing.
I love you my darling mother.
Until one day….
Annabelle
I STOOD IN front of Daniel and Sophia’s picture. Last night, after Gael read the letter again, we put it back behind the picture. Annabelle wanted her letter behind Sophia’s heart. The words from Annabelle resonated within me. She had the gift of writing also. If only she had journals we were able to find.
My eyes drifted over to the shadow box with their journals, which changed my life.
Their journey.
Our journey.
They were so closely intertwined. Gael wrapped his arms around my waist. “Sophia is on her way back. I figured we could go down to the beach this afternoon to collect shells.”
Turning in his arms, I gazed into his eyes and treasured the love I saw there. “I think that sounds like the perfect afternoon. We can take sandwiches for a picnic.”
“I’ll whip up some chicken salad in a bit.”
I pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “A man after my heart.”
He kissed me back. “You’ve been craving it lately. I’ll add some extra cranberries.”
I would never tire of his love. “I’m thankful each and every day for you. I want you to know that.”
“I do, sweetheart. With each smile and glance you tell me. And I will never take them for granted. Every breath I take is for you. You are my everything, Ashlin.”
My dreams of the life I always wanted had come true. I would not have to wait until one day like so many in the past had.
This was a moment like Sophia wrote about—a moment to never lose sight of. It was how we found our forever.
Books By Kelly Elliott
Coming Soon
Blind Love (Book five in the Cowboys and Angels Series) coming July 2018
This Love (Book six in the Cowboys and Angels Series) coming October 2018
Coming 2018
Blind Love (Book five in the Cowboys and Angels Series) coming July 2018
This Love (Book six in the Cowboys and Angels series) coming October 2018
Seduce Me (Book one in the Austin Singles Series)
Entice Me (Standalone book) coming fall 2018
Guarded Hearts (Historical) coming 2018
Stand Alones
The Journey Home
Predestined Hearts (co-written with Kristin Mayer)
Who We Were (Available on audio book)
The Playbook (Available on audio book)
Made for You (Available on audio book)
Cowboys and Angels Series
Lost Love
Love Profound
Tempting Love
Love Again
Blind Love (July 2018)
This Love (October 2018)
Reckless Love (Early 2019)
Wanted Series
Wanted
Saved
Faithful
Believe
Cherished
A Forever Love
The Wanted Short Stories
All They Wanted
Entire series available on audio book except Believe, The Wanted Short Stories and All They Wanted
Desired (Spring 2018)
Love Wanted in Texas Series
Spin-off series to the WANTED Series
Without You
Saving You
Holding You
Finding You
Chasing You
Loving You
Entire series available on audio book
Please note Loving You combines the last book
of the Broken and Lo
ve Wanted in Texas series.
Broken Series
Broken
Broken Dreams
Broken Promises
Broken Love
Book 1-3 available on audio book
The Journey of Love Series
Unconditional Love
Undeniable Love
Unforgettable Love
Entire series available on audio book
With Me Series
Stay With Me
Only With Me
Entire series on audiobook
Speed Series
Ignite
Adrenaline
Boston Love Series
(Available on audio book)
Searching for Harmony
Fighting for Love
YA Novels written under the pen name Ella Bordeaux
Beautiful
Forever Beautiful
Historical
Predestined Hearts by Kelly Elliott and Kristin Mayer
Guarded Hearts – Coming 2018
Books By Kristin Mayer
Available Now
The Trust Series
Trust Me
Love Me
Promise Me
Full-length novels in the TRUST series are also available in audio from Tantor Media.
The Effect Series
Ripple Effect
Domino Effect
The Twisted Fate Series
White Lies
Black Truth
Timeless Love Series
Untouched Perfection
Flawless Perfection
Tempting Perfection
An Exposed Heart Series
Intoxicated by You
Wrecked for You
Changed by You
Full-length novels in the Exposed Hearts Series are also available in audio.
Stand Alone Novels
Innocence
Bane
Whispered Promises
Predestined Hearts (co-written with Kelly Elliott)
Coming Soon
Changed by You – An exposed Hearts Novel
Predestined Hearts Page 37