Page 27 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

CHAPTER TEN

Kennedy

"Kennedy, you don't want to live like me."

Jason and I had been up late trying to get the shop in some state of order. The dust was thick and the old owner had left behind some questionable items. Nothing sexual or anything, just nothing you could identify.

"I have no money, Kennedy. I can't even take Savannah out on a proper date. Hell, I would completely starve if it wasn't for you."

Since the afternoon in Ella's office, Zach and I had been Skyping nearly every day. He was always so excited with what I would tell him about the shop and working for Ella. We had arranged for him to be able to see the inside of the shop. I had taken my computer down there one evening and let him look around. He and Jason began to solidify plans for what they wanted. Which included the naming of the place, Second Skin. I then took Zach upstairs and showed him the apartment located there. It was decided Jason and I would occupy it, making sure someone was around to discourage looters and such.

"I happen to like living here where no one is telling me to sit up straight or that my skirt isn't short enough."

It was a silent agreement life for both of us had gotten so much better. I went to a local dealership where the salesman asked me several times if I was certain I wanted to trade in my Porsche. I walked away with a used full size truck, something my mother would gasp and clutch her chest about, and a little change in my pocket.

Savannah had been another change for us as she stayed over most nights with Jason. If she was bothered by his lack of fortune, you would never know it. When Jason and Zach asked for my design ideas, so much came to mind. I got lost in my own world when I walked around and told the two of them what I thought.

So for the past two months, we have cleaned, painted, and gone to meeting after meeting to obtain a business license. They had to deal with tax ID-numbers, credit card machines and permits. Opening a business is quite the undertaking. Zach also announced his time in Afghanistan was nearly up and he would be heading home at the end of this week. The grand opening was scheduled for the next Monday.

My friendship with Zach had blossomed; he was a funny guy who could turn any situation into a joke. We avoided talking about what he does when he has to go out in the field. He had gone out on, what he said, was his final mission three days ago. Savannah and Emma, their mother, had begun planning a huge welcome home party. I got the impression it would be a family event, so I never assumed I was included.

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"My sister tells me my mother has this huge party planned for me the Saturday after I return." His eyes were devilish, with an air of charm about him, making it hard to concentrate when he spoke. I wouldn't delude myself into thinking his feelings for me went anything beyond friendship. However, sometimes the things he said confused me and made me think things I shouldn't.

"You know if the other Zack would have been real, I don't think he could have tried to scam you when he saw how pretty you are.” I was stunned by his words. "Come on, Kennedy, you have to know how pretty you are." His voice and face implied he was speaking from his heart.

"Well, Mr. Michaels, if that were true, I wouldn't have been on that website looking for a date now would I?"

Zach shook his head looking at me straight in the eyes. "Guys are just as intimidated as girls when it comes to approaching the opposite sex. Trust me, if I were sitting there with you, I probably wouldn't have the courage to say anything to you." His admission caught me off guard, he seemed so sure of himself, not shy and reserved like he was admitting to.

“Well, I should have known Zack was full of it, he put those electronic roses across the top of his email.”

“What, no real flowers showing up at your door? Total cheap skate. So, are you coming to my party?" His quick subject change was a relief for me. I wasn't comfortable with the path we were headed down.

"I was under the impression it was for family only, and I wasn't actually invited." His grin, which had made me melt from the beginning, was there as he spoke the words that would change everything.

"Well, it's my party and I'm inviting you."

“Zach,” I started, my eyes drifting down briefly. “I don't know if attending a family function is such a good idea, considering who my mother is. Wouldn't you agree?”

“Sorry, Kennedy, but I beg to differ. You are more than welcome, your mother, not so much. Please say you’ll come. I know my mom will be fine with you there.”With a ton of reluctance, I agreed to attend his welcome home party. Zach had to cut our session short as his CO needed to speak with him.

Just after lunch, Ella came into the stables holding a massive bouquet of yellow roses. I felt the need to hit Ethan with the pitchfork I had in my hand. Ella, noticing my frustration, halted my nefarious thoughts. “Hold on. Before you plot his murder, read the card.”

Trading the wooden handle for the attached card, I slid the flap open and pulled out the thick card.

Kennedy,

I may not be able to scribe roses across the top of an email. But I can put a dozen in your hand, where you can enjoy the beauty and fragrance as you think of me.

Yours, Zach

I didn't want to read anything into Zach’s flowers or the words he said, especially as I had no one to talk to about this. My mother was out, as she only wanted one thing, Zach's mother. Emma Michaels was the queen bee of charity work and to be in her inner circle was a huge honor. No one dared say no to one of the chosen. If my mother knew who Jason was seeing or that I had been talking to Zach, she would try to weasel her way into having Emma over to her home. My sister would run to my mother and Savannah would head straight to Zach and tell him anything I confessed to her.

Jason, while on my side, remained a guy and therefore clueless. His head floated high above the clouds around Savannah. Which brings me back to my confusion. I knew Zach could be a huge flirt, I’d witnessed it too many times. He called every woman he knew beautiful, something more than likely his parents taught him.

Isolation from social life is bound to cause some backup. What if his invitation and flower delivery, were more of his natural flirtatious personality and not from any deep seated feelings he harbored for me? This explanation made the most sense, and therefore was the most logical. Zach Michaels was being a nice guy.

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