Chapter 32

Mildred and Leon convinced the West sisters to stay the night after the welcome home party. Peter made it possible by promising

to take care of their animals until they returned. With all the guests gone and the three younger Wests visiting with Mildred,

Otis took Sadie's hand and led her to the music room.

"I have a note to read," he said. "Want to read it with me?"

"I'll blush." When she'd written it, she imagined him reading it to himself, not aloud in her presence. But she'd been away

so many days that she wanted nothing more than to be by his side, so she followed.

"Ah, there it is." He picked it up and held it to his heart.

"It's right where I left it."

He made a great show of opening it, and then he read it aloud. First he read her words about needing to leave to tell Nina and Peter about Bessy. She apologized for her dishonesty and vowed to trust him and others with the truth from then on. Then she wrote of her decision to return home because she was not sure if it was best for her to be at the mansion while he got settled with Bessy, which of course was no longer relevant. She told him to send word if and when he was ready for her to return to the mansion.

... When I first came to Monticello, I dreamed of my little farm and my family. I wanted to go home. I thought about it

all the time. But now, though I will always have a fondness for the blowing wheat fields of my childhood, I feel at home here

in your presence and in this house.

Ours has been an unusual path riddled with ups and downs, turns and ruts. But it brought us together, and like a traveler

on a long road, I opened my eyes and realized the view was worth it. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me for keeping

Bessy's whereabouts to myself, come and tell me so. Take my hand and let us keep walking together. With you beside me I believe

there is no mountain we cannot climb.

I should wait and tell you in person, but I don't want to leave without you knowing how I feel. I care for you like I have

never cared for anyone before.

Yours,

Sadie West

"You do know what this is, don't you?" Otis smirked playfully.

"It's a letter that you should have read days ago. You kept me waiting, looking at the horizon for you."

He winced. "I'm so sorry. But this letter is more than that."

She waited.

"This, Sadie West, is a love letter."

"Where does it say love?" She matched his playful tone.

"So you're saying it's not a love letter?" He frowned. "I had hoped..."

"You're a tease. And I suppose I am too. It is a love letter." She fell into his blue eyes. "It is the first love letter I

have ever written."

He took her hand, his thumb crawling over the ridges of her knuckles. "If I had paper, I would write one in return."

"What would it say?" Her voice was airy and hopeful.

"Dear Sadie." He paused, and she swallowed. His lips brushed her cheek. "You fill my thoughts." He kissed her other cheek.

"You fill my heart." He kissed the tip of her nose. "You make me believe in love." He kissed her forehead, and his lips lingered

against her skin, sending warmth and happiness in every direction. "You remind me what goodness is." His lips grazed her jaw.

"Sadie, there is nothing to forgive. I know your heart, and now I want to tell you what is in mine." He pulled back just enough

so they could look in each other's eyes. "I love you."

"Rule number eleven: after confessing love, kiss."

He followed her command. His lips found hers. Their time apart, the questions between them, and the struggles they faced all

came together in a great crescendo. When their lips parted, he mumbled, "Sincerely, Otis."

"Sincerely?" She raised a brow.

"That won't do, will it?" He paused. "How does ‘Forever, Otis' suit you?"

"Do you mean it?"

"If you'll have me, I'll be yours this very day."

She grinned, tightening her arms around his shoulders, and let out a shriek of delight. "Yes, I'll have you."

He lifted her into the air and whooped. He was finally home.