Dearest cousin,

So much as happened since your last letter, and I'm sorry for not attending to my writing desk sooner. I am writing to you from the train heading north towards England. I have married again. It happened so quickly. My only regret is that none of you could have been there to celebrate with me. My new husband and I had to return to his home country for he was only in Italia for a business trip. 

I know you must think me wild and crazy to do something so foolish and childish but my heart is so full. I haven't been this happy since Manfredo was alive. I feel like I have meaning and purpose again. I care for Thomas and hope that I can help his ambitions come true. His sister is quiet but I hope she will warm to me soon. I will write to you the moment I settle into my new home, and I will send gifts to the little ones. Maybe sometime next year, you can all visit me here.

With all my love,

Enola Sharpe

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I can't believe that you smuggled that in your suitcase," Thomas laughed as I held the tan textured melon. "I was wondering why it weighed so much."

I shrugged at him, giggling as I looked around the kitchen for a large knife. I feel 10 years younger when I'm with Thomas. I flinched as I almost touched the crimson clay that was leaking from the wall by the fire. I've been here for almost a week but I am still having a hard time becoming comfortable with this place, especially with the clay that seems to be everywhere I go. The only comfort I have is Thomas and the sunlight, even though it struggles to shine from behind the clouds.

"It's in the last drawer, below where your right hand is. What is that anyway?"

I pulled out the drawer and chose the knife that looked like a small machete.

"You've never seen a cantaloupe?"

Thomas shook his head and sat at the kitchen table, watching as I cut the melon and removed the fruit from the skin in thick slices.

"Did you get the prosciutto?"

"Uhhh," Thomas reached into his bag and pulled out the wrapped meat. "I hope I got the right one."

I took the package from him, my hand lightly grazing his. He smiled as I unwrapped it.

"Yes, you did."

I gently picked up the thin slices, almost transparent, and placed it over the melon crescents. 

"Wait, you don't cook it?" Thomas asked, his voice slightly amused and surprised.

"It's safe. I promise."

I placed the plate between us and took a bite of ham covered melon. Thomas mirrored me and his eyes widened. "This is incredible! The melon...it's so sweet and juicy. And the meat! It's unlike anything I've had before! Sweet but also salty and chewy."

His eyes closed as he lightly moaned. My cheeks warmed. I turned away and washed the knife in the sink. We haven't been intimate yet since the wedding and my anticipation has been building. When will he do it? How will he do it? It's been a long time for me. I can barely remember how it felt to be in a man's arms.

 My chest tightened and I coughed into my hand. How did I get clay on my hand? Wait...it's warm. I touched my lip and blood coated my fingertips. I quickly rinsed my mouth and washed my hands.

"Are you okay, Enola?"

"Yes, I'm fine," I said quickly, my heart racing. It's just the air. It's the damp and cold. I dried the knife and put it back in the drawer. 

Arms enveloped my waist from behind and gave me a squeeze. 

"Thank you for the treat, Enola," Thomas murmured in my hair. Now it was my turn to close my eyes and enjoy this brief moment before he returned to his machine.

A/N: Please don't forget to vote if you liked the chapter and comment with any suggestions of what you might like to read next!