Page 9 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

Fingers hovering over the keys, my mind blank as to what to say to him. Finally, after looking at the clock, surprised at how the minutes had faded away, I type the lamest nine words ever.

I look forward to conversing with you as well.

Kennedy

Clicking send, I close my laptop, and then cast a final look at the dark windows of the main house. Maybe tonight will be a night when Curtis fills Sabrina’s dreams and soothes her heart.

***

My eyes open long before my alarm is scheduled to wake me. Horses don't comprehend sleeping in on the weekends or having a day off. My mother would faint if she knew how deep in horseshit I spent most mornings, taking care of the animals before most of my needs were addressed. Sabrina joins me, her eyes are bright and the smile she is known for back in its rightful place.

“Morning, Kennedy.”

“Morning, Sabrina. You look well rested.” I offer, not wanting to assume anything. My father says I was born with the ability to read the truth in people's faces, making me an excellent candidate to become a Judge.

“Emotions get the best of me, robbing me of the calm I feel when I think of Curtis. Thank God for the invention of a good sleeping pill.” Sliding her hand up and down Loco’s nose, the greedy guy eats up the attention, nudging her chest when she attempts to take her hand away. “Although, I did notice you had your lights on for a long while last night. Everything all right?”

I war with myself if I should tell her of the inspiration her story stirred inside of me, but chicken out at the last second. “I did some research on the internet, found an article on the success rates of online dating sites.”

Her head turns in my direction, a questioning wrinkle in her brow. “Kennedy, you don't need a dating site to get a date. You have little Ethan tripping all over himself trying to get your attention.” The smile from earlier has multiplied, now involving teeth and jostling shoulders.

Being up this early gives me an opportunity to evaluate my thoughts from last night, one thing stands out most in what I need to do about Ethan. “Funny you mention him,” baiting her, I watch as she ignores Loco’s sucking up and comes to stand beside me. “I realized last night, how unfair I've been to him. Stringing him along with a sliver of hope in a future with me. I plan to call him today and set the record straight and give him the opportunity to find a girl who can return his feelings.”

Military Connections MESSAGE: 2

FROM: Zack Michels

Kennedy,

So glad to hear from you!! So you enjoy horses? We have several back home on the farm; I’d love to show them to you someday. You must love living in Colorado Springs, having all that beauty surrounding you. I must tell you, I'm calling you my good luck charm. After I got your letter, the Navy has issued me new orders back stateside. I will get to spend a week with my mother and siblings before heading off to Washington State. So if you don't hear from me for a few days, it’s just me traveling and definitely not me ignoring you. I have a feeling about us; something tells me you are going to be someone special in my life.

Yours, Zack

In calling Ethan, I assumed he would arrange to see me in a couple of days, turns out he was a few miles away taking photos of the mountains for a coffee table book he is creating. It's better this way, letting him find the girl he needs to be with. One who will appreciate the attention he wants to give, instead of wasting it on me.

Less than five minutes after I ended the call with him, the dust from his Jeep is swirling in the afternoon breeze. His face is bright with a smile as he raises his hand to wave at me. If he suspected what I was about to tell him, he hid his emotions well.

“Hey,” he greets me as he pulled his tall body from the cab of his car, leaning over to place a kiss on my right cheek. “You look beautiful as always.”

Looking over my shoulder, Sabrina staying at my request. “Sabrina, good to see you.” Where my mother would smile and addressing him with false salutations, Sabrina stands with her arms crossed, a watchful eye saved just for him.

Brushing off her lack of welcome, he wraps an arm around me in an attempt to make our conversation private. I have no desire to be alone with him, encouraging any of the ideas he may have about why I've called him here. Pulling his momentum to a stop, I separate his arm from my shoulders.

“Listen, you’re a great guy and one of these days you’re going to find a girl who can return your feelings. I'm sorry it can't be me.” Ethan turned his head to the left, wrinkling his eyes as he studied my face. “I'm leaving soon to go back home, which is half way across the country. My life there is complicated and full of obligations, things I would never wish on anyone.” Ethan continued to watch me, his arms crossed and face serious, “I've enjoyed our friendship, but—”

“You can't get rid of me this easily. I know you're scared when it comes to being around men, but don't worry,” he reaches out to run his finger along my face. “I can be patient.” Ethan jumps back into his Jeep, backing out of the driveway the same calm way he pulled in.

Sabrina joined me as I stood shocked in my boots, this conversation taking a detour I hadn't prepared for. “Kennedy, mark my words, you haven't seen the last of that young man.”

By the time the sun took its daily trek along the horizon, falling into the depths hidden from our eyes, I had finished all my work and settled in to check my email. Jason, my brother, let me know he would be picking me up from the airport instead of Simon. Apparently he had something he wanted to discuss with me, promising it would be life changing for our family. To my surprise, I also received additional emails from Zack.

Military Connections MESSAGE: 2

FROM: Zack Michels

Kennedy,

I wanted to let you know I am about to board a flight back to the states. In less than twenty-four hours I will be closer to you, so close we could travel by car to see one another. I've spoken with my mother about you; telling her Ive met a girl who is as pretty as a picture, with a heart I hope to one day win.

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