Page 13 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

Jason questioned why I felt the need to contact such a website, taking such drastic measures to find a person of the opposite sex. If I'm being honest, and trust me Lieutenant Michaels, honesty is extremely important to me, I just wanted something, someone...different. I wanted to talk with someone who has done something they enjoy, not out of obligation or social advantage, but something that makes them truly happy.

When I first began conversing with Mr. Michels, or Miss Greyson, as it now seems, he/she presented themselves as a small town farm boy. His tales of adventure had him joining the Navy in order to see the world, along with finding cultures he had only read about. He was real, he was simple, and he was exactly the type of person I wanted to befriend. He sent me a picture of a sandy-haired young man sitting atop a tractor, complete with a cowboy hat and flannel shirt. I now know it was an image from a Google search. He attempted to lure me further into his trap as he told me he was falling in love with me, asking for my cell number so we could talk. Where I'm certain words such as this may have other women swooning, to me it seemed too Jane Austen to be real. How in the world can you fall in love with a man you've never conversed with outside of email?

My suspicions started when he told me he was shipping out on a secret mission. Three days later, I received an email informing me his mother had been in an accident and the State was stepping in to take his younger siblings into foster care. With his current mission in full progress, he wasn't in the position to come home to take care of them. He needed to get his aunt a plane ticket, but his credit card was expired. He swore he would get the money to me in a few days. I asked for a phone number for the county his family was in, telling him I would go to my father and have him intercede on his behalf. That was the last email I ever received from him. I was worried something had happened, so as you know, I sent a handwritten letter instead.

I told Jason everything, feeling like such an idiot. But you know what? He told me he understood why I did it. He didn't like it of course, but he understood. Jason is being pressured to join my father's firm, but being a lawyer isn't something he wants to do. His real career choice, his dream job, well let's just say it would give our parents massive heart attacks. When he confessed what he wanted to be, and I'm sorry, but I swore to him I wouldn't tell a soul, he also reminded me Hannah, his girlfriend, wouldn't be happy either. Hannah is the daughter of one of my father's partners at the firm. Where Jason is a calm and patient man, Hannah is a brash and, dare I say, bitchy girl? Her parents have given her everything she has ever demanded and now, it seems, she expects the same from Jason.

My sister, Caroline, a woman forged from the shadow of our mother, has always done everything asked of her. When she finished college, she was told to apply for a job in the Governor's office, not to give her a steady income or excellent benefits. No, it was to gain access to Richard Caldwell, her now husband and new contender for State Senate. With my mother and Caroline, there is always an agenda behind everything they do. Which is probably the reason Jason and I are so close.

He confessed Hannah has started to, not so subtly, hint that she is ready for him to propose. I questioned whether this was something he wanted to do. When he failed to respond, I had my answer. Hannah may have my parents believing she is the perfect wife for Jason, but I know my brother doesn't love her. Now, maybe that isn't an issue for her, perhaps I should have introduced Hannah to Virginia, they both seem to have a common goal.

Lieutenant Michaels, this letter has given you more information than I think you bargained for, I apologize, but I do tend to ramble which is another personality trait my mother frowns upon. I will understand if you find me a complete lunatic and want no further contact, or if you are happily married, engaged, or in a relationship of any sort—I don't judge— please send my praises to your significant other as you are truly a kind man. They are lucky to have you in their life.

With best wishes and gratitude,

Kennedy Forrester

I smiled sitting back against my chair, my hands tucked behind my neck, reading and re-reading her words. In my mind I pictured this young girl with a plaid skirt, knee socks, black-rimmed glasses, and braces. I had no idea how old she was, but by the maturity of her words and the fact her mother was trying desperately to couple her off, she had to be of at least college age. As I clicked the button to reply to her email, I couldn't help but feel relief that this Steven Hawthorn had been of no interest to her.

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