Page 26 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

"I couldn't be better, Zach. I just got a call from a client who has been approved to come to the center. He’s a motorcycle accident victim and hasn't walked in nearly a year. Based on his medical records, he is the perfect candidate for our services. I also hired a new tech. She comes from Colorado Springs with a glowing review from Sabrina Moore, a colleague I went to school with. She has such a way with the horses, almost like she can communicate with them."

I couldn't help but smile, I had my suspicions about who her new girl was. My aunt's voice was full of joy. Aunt Ella had been in my corner more times than I could count. I knew she was excited for the girl more than what it would mean for her in the end.

"So, you're impressed with your new hire?"Finally, the picture went from black to reveal the beautiful woman that was my mother's sister. My mother, Emma, was four years older than aunt Ella, but you would swear they were much closer. Ella chose to go to school and never marry, while my mother chose to be a wife and mother, yet both were really great at what they did.

"Kennedy is a breath of fresh air. She’s here before the sun gets up in the morning and is always going nonstop with her ideas. Hell, she even has Hercules following her around like a lost puppy."This surprised me, Hercules was a rescue horse. It had taken Ella and her staff months to get him to settle down enough to put a saddle on. He had even bitten his handlers, and I knew several grown men who wouldn't go anywhere near him.

"Kennedy, you say?"

"Oh, Zach...she is just the prettiest thing and so sweet and caring. Your sister likes her, which, as you know, is a big thing. Not only that, but her brother Jason...wait, why am I telling you this? You already know. Savannah said you and Jason are partners. Savannah said she was helping put your shop together."

"Ms. Hart, I can't find the—Oh, I'm sorry, you're on a call."

I heard the feminine voice of whom, I was confident, was the woman I had called my aunt about. Her voice dropped to nearly a whisper as she discovered the situation my aunt was in.

"Oh, Sweetheart, please come in. I have someone I want you to meet."I could see the caring expression on my aunt's face, her heart full and it radiated to her beautiful features. Her smile could warm the coldest heart and make the devil himself feel bad about the evil he did. Many men have tried to get her attention, however my aunt has remained single. I watched her face while she motioned for Kennedy to come around her desk. I waited with anticipation for my first glimpse of the girl who had changed my world. Ella's smile grew and, as the seconds passed, mine did too.

"Kennedy, this is my nephew, Zach Michaels. He's calling me from somewhere in the God-forsaken desert."There was no mistaking the gasp, it was quick and quiet, but I heard it loud and clear. Slowly and carefully, I could see the shadow on the wall shift and change to indicate her enclosing presence. I held my breath as her face came into view. Her eyes looked sad and the memory of her letter was fresh in my mind. Ella didn't know about our history, unless Kennedy had confessed it, however I was certain she wasn't the gossipy type.

"Zach, this is my new horse whisperer, Kennedy Forrester."Kennedy's face took on a smile as fake as the people she had described in her letters. I didn't like it, just like the wrong in what Virginia Greyson had done; I was about to correct it.

"Actually, Aunt Ella, I do know Kennedy. Although this is the first time I'm laying eyes on her beautiful face. She has been faithfully writing to me and until about a week ago, I was responding to them. However, due to recent enemy activity, my lines of communication were severed. I just got communication back and was about to respond to her email, although given the situation I like this much better." I gave Kennedy the smile and wink combo my mother has made me swear to use sparingly.

"Kennedy, you deserve an apology as I neglected to inform you of situations that happen all too frequently here in the— as my aunt so poetically puts it— God-forsaken desert. There are times, and sadly there are many, where we have no way of contacting the outside world."

Color started to spread across the beautiful face of the woman who is decorating the screen. She isn't a runway model, as she admitted in her letters, but she isn't the monster she painted herself to be either. She's what writers describe as the girl next door. The one you take home to your mother and pray she says yes to your proposal. She is the girl my father told me to look and search for. The one I will find my sanctuary in.

“How about I let the two of you catch up?” My aunt winked as she pushed her chair back, closing the door to give us privacy. Kennedy moved to her left, taking the vacant seat, scooting closer to the screen.

“Kennedy, you lied to me.”

“How?” Her eyes growing large in disbelief, shock in her reply.

“You said you weren't beautiful. Which, from where I'm setting, is a boldface lie.” I watched as a myriad of emotions crossed her face, sadness the one remaining. “Hey, I’m teasing you. It was meant to be a compliment, not make you sad.”

Kennedy shook her head as she looked down, “No, you're fine, I’m distracted today.” she filled her cheeks with air, and then released it in a rush.

“With?” I prodded, feeling the need to know everything about her. Crossing her arms on the desk, she takes a few deep breaths as she begins. “When I lived back in Colorado, we had a reporter who wanted to do a piece on the horses and how the program worked. When he arrived, he brought with him a freelance photographer, Ethan Porter. After the article was finished, Ethan asked me out on a date. I didn't really have a reason not to, so I went out with him. One date was all it took for me to realize there was no spark, not even a blip between us. He continued to pursue me, by sending flowers and calling. I finally had to invite him over and remind him I was moving back home.”

Patiently, I watched and waited, knowing there had to be more to this story. Keeping my face neutral, even as the jealousy crept up my spine. “I take it by the look on your face, he didn't take the news well.”

“He said I couldn't get rid of him that easily.” I didn't like the way her voice sounded as if she had given up. She had no idea what I was capable of, what lengths I would go to in order to keep her safe.

“I’d forgotten about him since leaving Colorado, until today, when I got a bouquet of flowers.” Her eyes locked with mine on the screen, a new emotion I couldn't label colored her face. “I sent them back, but I have a feeling this won't be the end of him.”

“Good, I hope he calls you.” I leaned forward, not giving her time enough to question me. “When he does, tell him to move along, before your SEAL boyfriend has a conversation with him.”

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