Verity sat in the kitchen in Fiddlers Grove, holding a letter. She’d written her family about her coming marriage to Matthew, and her sister Felicity had written right back.
Dearest Verity,
I’m so happy to hear about thy finding someone to love again. Matthew must be a very special man. Mercy and I still plan to remain spinsters. But we will take the train to Richmond and then hire a wagon to drive to Fiddlers Grove. We wouldn’t miss thy wedding.
I have news, too. Does thee remember my friend Mildred? She passed away a month ago in Illinois. And I never expected it, but she has left me a bequest—her house! I had been praying for a way to help all the orphans left by the terrible war. Now I will be able to start a home for them! And the location couldn’t be better, since her town is right on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River just north of St. Louis. It will make it so much easier for orphans to reach us. I am so excited.
We will see thee soon.
Love,
Felicity