1945

Cora paced the train platform eating a scoop of butter pecan ice cream and clutching a wrinkled envelope. Two years and countless love letters led to this moment—the war was over and her Ollie was returning home.

Her heart fluttered as she recalled the last time they held hands and whispered declarations of love. She thought she couldn't love him more than she did the day she kissed him goodbye and he was shipped to the battlefield, but she was wrong. Every letter, every stroke of his pen had nurtured her devotion and expanded her love for him. Oliver Brown was still her one and only.

Removing Ollie's latest letter from the envelope, she unfolded it and read:

My Darling Cora,

Today makes 738 days since I last saw your beautiful face. That is 738 days too many, as I never want to be away from you again. It's been Hell over here, and I know the only thing that will bring me back to a place of joy is your touch. But until then, your letters have been the only thing keeping me sane.

Being away from you has made me love you even more than I thought I could. Every day, I wake up thinking of you, all the way across the Atlantic, and my heart swells with sadness but more than that, pure love. Every day my love for you multiplies, and there is no containing it.

And there is no containing the happiness I feel when I write these words: Cora, my angel, I'm coming home. Within the month, I'll be on a plane back to the States.

I cannot wait to wrap you in my arms and hold you so tight. I will never want to let you go. Meet me on the platform in town on June 23.

I love you with all of my heart.

Your Sweetheart,

OIlie

Cora held the letter to her heart and smiled. Ollie was right; their written correspondence was the only thing that tethered them together, and each loving word sparked the hope of being reunited. She missed him so dearly, and soon, her long days of loneliness would come to an end. But would he feel the same?

The trials of war had claimed so many and left the others damaged beyond repair. Cora couldn't help but wonder if her sweetheart was returning to her a different man. Would he still smile at her silly jokes? Would his laughter still resound over everyone else's and his eyes sparkle with mischief? Did the boy she loved with all of her heart survive the terrors he'd seen, or was he devoured by a war-torn soldier? The thought brought tears to her eyes.

With a deep breath and squared shoulders, Cora brushed away the tears. No, her Ollie was returning to her. The changes in him were inconsequential; her love was unwavering.

Her ice cream was melting in the hot June sun, and she gathered the sweetness on her tongue, savoring the buttery flavor. She and Ollie had loved sharing ice cream cones on a scorching summer day, and she could not wait to buy him one as soon as he returned.

Taking the last bite of the cone, she wiped her lips delicately with her handkerchief, and before she folded it back into her pocket, the blue embroidery caught her eye.

In my absence, let this wipe away your tears.

And it had. This handkerchief had seen many salty tears on many lonely nights, but the knowledge that those nights were gone filled her heart with delight.

The distant wail of a train whistle echoed through the open platform, and her heart sped up. The station clock mounted on the brick wall read 4:56.

Four more minutes.

Four more minutes until her sweetheart was in her arms. Until she would feel his skin against hers.

Time slowed, mimicking the drizzle of thick molasses. Cora's palms dampened with sweat and her heart pounded like a bass drum. The crowd around her buzzed with elation, drowning out every other sound. The train came to a screeching halt and Cora scanned each car's exit.

Ollie was here.

The passengers trickled out carrying luggage and greeting their loved ones. Cora stood on her toes and pushed through the crowd, struggling to see over their heads. Her breath hitched as a familiar set of dark chocolate eyes met hers.

A moment passed and neither her nor Ollie moved... until he dropped his rucksack and held out his arms.