to be addressed to a post office box in town. The return addresses were in Cade’s name, most addressed to a ranch in a small community almost five hours away. The first letter was dated just days after Sterling and Trent ran Cade off the ranch. Amanda opened the first and began to read.
Mr. Jennings,
I am writing to apologize for not approaching you properly to ask permission to see Amanda. I know that I broke your trust and that trust once broken is not easily mended. I am also aware that I have nothing to offer your daughter and that I am not the kind of man you likely want for Amanda. What I do have is a deep love for her. I also have a good work ethic; you taught me that, sir. I want to date Amanda, with the intention of marrying her when I can provide a proper home. I have already set aside a fair amount of money toward buying my own spread and believe that I can earn the remainder quickly. I want your permission to see her; your blessing. I want to do this right as I should have in the first place. Please, sir, I ask you to consider my request.
Sincerely,
Cade Winston
Amanda felt like screaming, railing at someone even; she had believed that he had disappeared, uncaring of her feelings and her father had let her! Amanda wiped at her tears and reached for the next.
Mr. Jennings,
I understand and respect your concern for your daughter’s welfare and happiness; they are close to my heart as well. I love her deeply, Mr. Jennings; I have for years. I am more than willing to continue to write to you at the address you gave me and to give you updates. I already have a lead on a job and travel tomorrow to speak with the ranch owner. I will also respect your wishes that I not contact Amanda at this time and your belief that we both need time to think clearly and not make a rash decision based on emotions and hormones. Will you at least tell her I love her?
Respectfully,
Cade Winston
Mr. Jennings,
I am now working for a man named Lewis Carter at the Lazy Lou Ranch and am enclosing my new address. I will continue to respect your wishes that I not contact Amanda and get her hopes up until I know I can make something work. Is she doing okay? I know she must be upset that I haven’t contacted her; will you please let her know I care?
Respectfully,
Cade Winston
Amanda felt her anger rising; how could her father have watched her cry while he wrote to Cade and asked him not to contact her? She skimmed several more letters; all updates that his work was going well, could he please, write, call, or see Amanda? At times all but begging for Sterling’s forgiveness and blessing. She skimmed several from the time just after she moved home and announced she was pregnant. Not a single mention of her pregnancy; she suspected her father had not told him. Everything she was reading on these pages suggested that had he, Cade would have come regardless of her father’s wishes. She kept skimming coming up to her father’s stroke.
Mr. Jennings,
I have not heard from you in a few weeks and hope that you are all okay there. My work continues to go well. I have taken a second job and am putting away as much of each check as I can. I respectfully ask, yet again, that you grant me permission to call or write Amanda. I cannot tell you how much I miss her or how deeply I love her. I am trying hard to prove to you my sincerity and the depth of my respect for your family. Enclosed is another payment for my schooling. I know you dismissed my offer to repay you but I feel it is a matter of principal as I did not fulfill my term of employment following school.
Respectfully,
Cade Winston
Trent,
I am so sorry to hear of your father had a stroke; I hope he recovers soon. I’m glad to hear from you. I would like to apologize for hurting you and for any feelings of having disregarded our friendship in pursuing your sister. I love her, Trent. I love Amanda very deeply and it was never my intent to cause anyone any pain. Is she doing okay? Please tell me? Will you tell her I love her and I