Seeing her silent, Wendel grew impatient and snapped at her. "I know you really want to study, but Esther is the daughter of my dad’s fallen comrade. Her father sacrificed his life to protect our Dad. We can’t turn our backs on her. You understand that, don't you?"
A numb, suffocating feeling spread through Iris’ chest, but she only responded softly, “Alright.”
Satisfied, Wendel's voice softened. "Where did you go? Are you coming home for dinner tonight?"
Iris knew he hated the idea of her contacting her birth parents. If he found out she was writing to them, he would never allow it.
So she lied. "I just went to the town market to buy some groceries. I’ll be back soon."
Wendel didn’t suspect a thing and hung up the phone.
Without wasting another second, Iris stepped into the post office and borrowed a pen and a fresh sheet of paper from the front desk.
The original letter she had planned to send contained only polite inquiries about her biological family’s well-being.
But now, she was going to write something entirely different.
[Dad, Mom, I’ve made up my mind. I don’t want to marry Wendel Lancaster. Take me with you—I’m willing to go to Nashville.]