was said in a joking manner, but Sara could hear the sad undertones in her cousin’s voice. She wasn’t even close to getting over the jerk who had broken her heart. But Sara also knew that Chloe shared in bits and pieces, most of them unexpected. If Sara tried to pry, she’d shut down fairly quickly.
“I thought Gabriel made my night, but you may have topped him,” Sara said sincerely. “Thank you for what you said, that means a lot to me. I’m not normally one to joke around so easily with a stranger, but there’s something about the anonymity of e-mail that feels freeing. We’ve never met in person, nor will we ever. So I can be whomever I want, you know?” Sara the spinster has left the building, folks. At least where Gabriel is concerned. “Oh crap, I’ve gotta go. Kaylee is calling.” Sara sighed, already on her feet and crossing the room. Regardless of what she was doing, she could always hear the little girl. Just like a mother should.
“Well, far be it from Nicole to actually get off her butt and check on her daughter. Gotta have her rest so she can deliver that one hour of work tomorrow.” Even though she didn’t respond to the insult, Sara couldn’t help agreeing. She was in no way paid enough to essentially be Kaylee’s primary caregiver. Luckily, she did it out of love and not for the money.
Sara said a quick good night and laid her phone on Kaylee’s nightstand as she lowered herself to the bed next to her. Oddly enough, as she rubbed her niece’s back and whispered soothing words to lull her back to sleep, she thought of Gabriel. She’d looked up Iraq and knew there was a seven-hour time difference. Was he having breakfast now? Was he one of those wretched morning people who woke up cheerful? As she continued to ponder the mystery that was Gabriel Randall, she wondered if he had any idea how much one brief e-mail from him meant to a stranger in North Carolina. A woman who was lonelier than she’d ever admit—even to herself.
Chapter Three
This is damned ridiculous. You’re a seasoned soldier. You’ve been shot at, dodged bombs, and shaken hands with four sitting presidents. You bow to no one, remember? Even as he ran through the reasons why he shouldn’t be excited as he stared at his in-box, it didn’t change the fact that he was. The notification had come through on his phone as he was finishing breakfast in the chow hall. The last cup of coffee he chugged was now burning like acid in his stomach. He’d rather take a bullet than have any of his troops ever find out about this. The fact that she’d even written back was nothing short of a miracle. Pity e-mail? Remembering the letter he’d sent her, he feared it might be a brush-off. Dear Soldier: E-mail me when you remove the stick from your ass. Kind regards, Bored in North Carolina. She’d word it a little better, but he was half expecting that when he finally opened her e-mail.
Dear Gabriel:
It’s great to hear from you! It sounds like we have a lot in common with the whole age thing. Although I’m not sure men are considered spinsters. Assuming you’re single, of course. I think you’d just be called a bachelor. That hardly seems fair, does it? My nickname brings to mind the little old lady in the deck of Old Maid cards. While yours makes me think of that reality television show where the men get to pick from women who look like supermodels. You lucky thing. Plus, the whole uniform thing clearly gives you the advantage. From my experience, it seems to make even unattractive men appear sexy. Camouflage is a real miracle worker. Kinda like a Wonderbra. Not that I’m saying you need it. (The uniform, not the bra.) I’m sure you’re handsome. Heck, everyone has something that works for them, right? At least one feature that others notice. Not sure what mine is. I can touch my nose with the tip of my tongue. Wait, I don’t think that counts.
What is your dog’s name?
Be safe,
Sara
Gabe felt a smile once again tugging at the corners of his mouth. She was so adorable. He’d read her first letter so many times he knew it by heart now. Sara was quirky, and that appealed to him. It was only a letter, and he had no idea if she’d