Letters in Time by Reiss Susan (i love reading books .txt) 📕

didn’t like to wake him. I’ll try to remember to make noise so you know I’m around.”

And I had to remember that even though I’d lost my uncle, TJ had lost a friend. “That was considerate. I’m sure he appreciated it. I know I do.”

He glanced at the whirling icons on my computer screen.  “I thought you were working.”

“I’d like to, but I need internet access.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “You’ll be connected soon enough and I don’t mean with dial-up.”

"Thank goodness for that." We both laughed. He was easy-going and I liked that he treated me like a normal person. Not an invalid.

He went on to explain. “When the telephone guy comes to install your landline, he’ll hook you up.”

“I was beginning to think I’d have to use carrier pigeons.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s not that bad. Well, I'm done with the locks." He held out his hand. "And you need these." A collection of keys tumbled into my hand. "Those are the keys to all the locks." Slowly, he reached into his back pocket, pulled out a crammed key ring, and began to work one of them off the ring.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You said you wanted all the keys.” He kept working the key off the ring. “This is the key to the garage. Now, you’ll have all the keys. I’ll come to the front door so you can let me in.” He handed me the key. “Your Uncle Jack was a good man and a good friend. He wanted me to look out for you and I will, if you let me.”

Oh dear, did my face betray my concern?  “No, I didn’t mean I don’t trust you.  I’m used to being on my own, that’s all.”

“Yes, and being in control. I get that.  Out here in the country, it’s good to have friends looking out for you. Now that Jack isn’t here…” His voice trailed off.

"In a way, he's still here because of my happy memories," I said with a sigh.

“I know what you mean.” He looked away for a moment. “Well, anything you need, let me know.”

I followed him to the front door and leaned heavily against the wall. I felt like I’d moved around more this one morning than during my entire stay in rehab.

“Thank you, TJ, for doing this work. Don’t forget to give me the bill.”

“Mr. Saffire has things under control.” He opened the door and stepped outside. “The harvest starts next month, so if there’s something that needs doing, it would be better to let me know soon.”

He skipped down the steps and whistled. The white streak flashed through a forest of chestnut brown tree trunks then Ghost scampered to his master.  After a vigorous scratch behind the ears, they headed toward the truck. That’s when I had the feeling I was making a terrible mistake. Without thinking, I called out. “TJ! There’s one more thing.”

He came back to the bottom of the steps.

"I'm sorry, I…" I took a deep breath and started again. "A woman is entitled to change her mind. I just did. I'd like you to keep the key to the garage on your keyring," I looked into his hazel eyes and I was sure. "And a key to the Cottage." To lighten the moment, I held out the abundance of keys he'd handed me only moments ago. "Only you're going to have to figure out which ones they are."

He picked through the collection, pulled the padlock key, and one more. “I believe this is the one to the front door.” He tested it. “Yes, got it in one.”

“Now, put them on your keyring,” I said, trying to sound very serious, as if I’d never doubted him for an instant. “And use them whenever you need to.”

“Yes, ma’am.  Whatever you say,” he said with a wink.

A cloud of dust making its way down my gravel driveway caught my eye. “More visitors?” I groaned.

A sleek white Jaguar sedan stopped behind TJ's truck and a small woman wrapped in an ensemble of white silk emerged. Yes, it was an ensemble – a snowy-white tunic top and flirty skirt of the palest gray. She could go to lunch at any New York City restaurant, but it was more than expensive clothes that made her remarkable. Her flawless skin had the luminescence of the inside of an oyster shell. She paused, no, posed by the car for a moment, then waved.

“Hello!  I’m here, TJ,” she called out as she stepped gingerly over the gravel, careful of her white high heels.

“A friend of yours?” I said so softly only he could hear.

He took a deep breath and waved. "Hello, Catherine. Good to see you again."

She tiptoed to the steps and gave him an air kiss on the cheek then flashed a million-dollar smile at me. “You must be Emma. I’m Catherine Carmichael from the writing group. TJ told me you’re here working on a book and may be interested in some feedback. Our group is very good at that.”

I shot TJ a dirty look while she took a breath. But he missed my reaction by looking off in another direction.

"I thought I'd pop by, introduce myself and invite you to come to our next meeting." She reached into her white straw tote and pulled out a large envelope. "I took the liberty of printing two of the pieces we'll review soon so you'll be able to join right in." She handed me the envelope with the complete confidence that I'd want them.

“I suppose you’ll need a ride to the meeting.” She flung her hand in the air to bat away a fly. “I’ll be glad to pick you up.”

TJ added, “And I’ll give