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Chapter 3
Sheridan awoke with a start at the sound of her doorbell
ringing. She tried hard to ignore it, but the person on the other side of the door was quite insistent. "I’m
coming!" Sheridan yelled as she climbed out of bed and slipped into a pair of slippers.
Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Sheridan arrived at the door and asked "Who is it?"
"Delivery" The voice on the other side of the door announced.
Sheridan opened the door and a floral delivery boy was standing there holding a bouquet of a dozen red roses. Sheridan
excused herself and retrieved her purse to get a tip for the boy. Sheridan thanked him, handed him a generous tip
and took the flowers into the kitchen. "I was right about this one" she said out loud. "This is
exactly what he did the last time." Without thinking Sheridan pulled a vase down from her cupboard and arranged
the flowers in it and then added water. She put the card aside until she was ready to read it. She wasn’t the least
bit affected by Jean Luc’s gesture one way or another. She was strangely indifferent and she wasn’t sure why.
After a few minutes, Sheridan had placed the flowers on a coffee table and returned to the kitchen to make a pot
of coffee. Once she’d finished making the coffee, poured herself a cup and taken a few sips to wake herself up
did she actually attempt to read Jean Luc’s apology.
My dearest Sheridan,
Please accept these roses in sincerest apology for my inconsiderate blunder last night. I know this excuse is growing
thin, but my business has had me crazy the last few weeks. It will soon be over and we can spend loads of time
together. I want to take you out to dinner tonight in apology, ma Cherie. Please say you will do me the honor of
joining me? I will call you around ten for your answer.
All my love,
Jean Luc
Sheridan sighed not knowing what to feel. She was still
angry for the humiliation she was put through by being stood up, but other than that, she didn’t seem to be feeling
anything. Not love, not hate, just total indifference and she had no idea why. "What is with me today?"
she asked herself. "This is the man I love, I should at least be angry at him for doing this to me. I know,
when I see him again I’ll feel differently. That’s got to be it. I just miss him so terribly much, that’s all."
As she stood there in her kitchen staring blankly at her card from Jean Luc trying to convince herself she missed
him, Sheridan couldn’t help but think there was something she wanted to do first thing this morning. "What
was it I wanted to do?" She asked herself. She walked into the living room and glanced around hoping to jar
the memory. Her eyes scanned by the computer and immediately darted back. "Email!" She shouted as she
nearly bounded over to the antique desk.
Luis walked into the station house whistling to himself as he immediately logged on to the computer. He was a half
hour early for work and had arrived at least this early every day for two week. Marty looked up from his desk and
watched Luis curiously, but said nothing. Sam heard Luis whistling all the way in his office and looked up from
his desk also watching him in curiosity.
Luis immediately signed on to the internet to check his mail. A smile crept onto his face when he saw the name
KC Girl. He didn’t even realize his heart began pounding in his chest as he opened it, or if he did he wouldn’t
admit it.
Dear PezzMan,
You’re certainly not making this easy on me are you? LOL. I never dreamed what a challenge this would be trying
to figure out what small town you hail from. I must admit I am having loads of fun trying to figure it out. So
far all I know is it’s in the US and is coastal. Whew! That really narrows down the field! That picture you sent
me of an old colonial makes me think of New England, but then again I can’t be too sure. Areas in Maryland and
Virginia also have houses just like it. And fishing boats? Come on Pezz, be real! What kind of a clue was that
when I already know it’s coastal?
Just out of curiosity, have you ever read anything on Ireland? Or do you have any desire to go there? I’ve drafted
a post on it that I will probably have ready tonight sometime. I’m looking forward to your reaction. Next to Spain,
it’s probably my favorite country.
Can’t wait for your next clue. I really look forward to your emails every day. I’m glad you took the time to respond
to my post a few weeks ago. I’d forgotten there were people like you out there! LOL.
Take care,
KC
Luis devoured every word KC had written. Each morning he
couldn’t wait to get to work just to read the mail he received from her. He didn’t have a computer at home, so
the only chance he had was at work. He didn’t even realize the extra hours he spent at the station these days.
Leaning back in his chair, Luis grinned as he tried to think up another elusive clue for KC. He too was enjoying
the torture he was causing her. This was the most fun he’s had in a very long time. "What kind of a clue can
I give for a sleepy little New England town?" He wondered.
"That’s it" he said as he began typing. "Sleepy! It’ll drive her mad!"
Luis spent a few minutes composing his email to KC. He reread it to check for typos and then hit send. After he
sent it, satisfied, he got up from his desk to get a cup of coffee.
"What’s up buddy?" Sam asked. He was pouring himself a cup of java when Luis arrived with his mug.
"Good morning Sam" Luis said as he dumped cream and sugar in his cup. He was hoping Sam wouldn’t ask
him about his early morning arrivals. He knew Sam was aware of his new habit and had yet to call him on it. It
was just a matter of time.
"How are things with Beth these days? The last time we talked she wanted you to fill out applications for
the Big Apple."
"Beth’s fine" Luis answered without thinking. Truthfully, Luis hadn’t even spoken to her for three days
now. It was the longest he’d gone since they met in high school without speaking to her. He suddenly felt a pang
of guilt for it. His guilt wasn’t for not speaking to her so much as the fact that he really didn’t miss her in
their time apart.
"Hank told me Beth thinks you’re avoiding her. She hasn’t heard from you in a few days."
"What else has Hank told you?" Luis asked, anger building in his voice. He hated it when Hank told other
people his business. He made a mental note to talk to him about this annoying habit the next time he saw him.
"Nothing really" Sam answered. "He’s just concerned something is wrong with you."
"Sam, there is nothing wrong with me" Luis defended himself. "I was in a great mood when I came
in this morning. That is until I heard this."
Sam scrutinized his friend. "Luis if I didn’t know you better, I’d say.... No, there’s no way."
"What? There’s no way what? Out with it Sam!" Luis demanded. This conversation was really beginning to
grate on him.
"It’s silly, really Luis. I know you are a one woman kind of guy. You’d never go out with two girls at the
same time."
"You think I have another girl on the side? Sam are you crazy?" Luis asked incredulously.
"I told you it was a silly idea. It’s just that you’ve been so distant lately. I know things haven’t been
the best with you and Beth and I thought maybe..."
"Forget it Sam" Luis answered irritably. "I don’t have another girl. I’d never do that to Beth or
anyone for that matter. Just because things between Beth and me aren’t going well right now doesn’t mean I’m cheating
on her. I told you, our problems are based on her wanting to move and my wanting to stay right here."
"I believe you Luis" Sam said backing off. Not saying another word, Sam walked back into his office and
Luis walked back to his desk. He was angry that Sam would even insinuate such a thing. Feeling overwhelmed, Luis
decided to write to Jay who always seemed to know the right thing to say to him to make him feel better. She’d
been a great friend to him while they were on the force together in Harmony and was glad they could still keep
in touch via the internet.
Hi Jay,
What did I tell you? Did you watch that game last night? I told you the Celts would mop up the courts with the
Lakers and I was right! 121-106! Did you see Walker? He was awesome!
KC Girl is going to post a recap of Ireland sometime tonight. I can’t wait to read it. She hasn’t posted anything
since her amazing description of Spain. She has such a way with words and she seems to key in on the places I want
to visit. It’s weird, really. I’ve read numerous posts from other people on the same places, yet it’s like they
are completely different places they’re writing about. Does that make sense?
Did I tell you about the game KC and I are playing? She asked me where I lived and I wouldn’t tell her. I told
her she had to guess. Anyway, we’ve made kind of a game out of it. I supply very vague clues and she gets to guess.
So far all she knows it it’s a small coastal town. If I play this right I can keep this up for months! She’ll never
get it! LOL.
Sam really pissed me off this morning. Can you believe he actually had the nerve to accuse me of two timing Beth?
I thought Sam knew me better than that. Looks like Hank has been reporting to Sam about the trouble Beth and I
are having. Why the hell is Beth talking to Hank in the first place and why is Hank reporting to Sam my every move!
Hell, with the hours I’ve been keeping at the station lately when have I had time to cheat on Beth. No matter what
I may feel right now about my relationship with her, I would never sleep with anyone else or even go out with them
for that matter.
Sorry for the rant, but this whole thing set me off this morning. I think I’ll go think up some more clues to torture
KC with. It usually makes me laugh just imagining the look on her face trying to figure it out. Funny thing is,
I have no idea what she looks like.
Take it easy,
Luis
"I knew it was too good to be true" Sheridan said irritably. "Well, at least this time he had the
decency to call me and cancel instead of leaving me stranded in a restaurant." Sheridan went into her room
to change out of her clothes into something more comfortable. After she’d hung her Versaci original back on it’s
hanger and put on a sweat shirt Ethan had sent her with "Harmony" written across the front and a picture
of a lighthouse underneath, she decided to make herself a salad for dinner. In a way she was glad she wasn’t going
out for dinner. Sometimes the French meals were too much for her if she wanted to keep her trim figure.
After she’d eaten she decided t read her email. She really wanted there to be mail from Pezz, but told herself
there wouldn’t be. After all, she’d just sent her last note to him before Jean Luc called breaking their dinner
engagement. That didn’t stop the wave of disappointment however that she felt when there was no mail from him.
She find one from Godis who had been gone for nearly two weeks, so all was not bad. She opened the mail and read.
Hey guys,
I just got back from London this morning. What a trip! It was my first trip abroad and I loved every minute of
it. See, I knew taking that job with the Travel Agency would come in handy! Can’t beat free trips!
Anyway, I’d love to talk to you guys about it tonight. Care to meet in the Travel Chat room around midnight EST?
Baby, that’ll be around 9 for you and if I’m right that’s a good time for you and it should be around 6 am for
you KC. Is that too early? If it is, let me know and we’ll work something else out. It’s tough trying to schedule
a chat for the three of us. LOL. Who knows, maybe there will be some interesting people in there and we can get
the scoop on other places. I’m ready to become a world traveler.
I also want to catch up on all the gossip I’ve missed in the last two weeks. :)
Godis
Sheridan shook her head and laughed. Godis was always so
excited about everything. That was one of the reasons she loved chatting with her.
Godis,
Welcome home! I’ve missed you! Actually that will be a great time for me. Jean Luc cancelled dinner tonight so
I’ll just go to bed early tonight and get up for the chat. It beats 3 am!
KC
"That sounds like fun" Sheridan said to herself.
"It’s been a long time since we’ve had a chat." Just as she was about to sign off she saw she had another
incoming email. It was from Pezz. For no apparent reason, Sheridan suddenly found her palms were sweaty as she
clicked on the email from Pezz. She had a silly grin plastered to her face as she read his message.
Good afternoon KC,
How is my little detective today? I’m glad you’re having fun with this, because I am too. Truthfully, I spend my
spare time thinking up these little clues for you. Keeps my mind sharp! LOL. Now, don’t hurt me, but my clue of
the afternoon is....... Drum roll please...........
Sleepy!
How’s that for a clue! I knew you’d like it. Now I’m sure you are wondering what kind of a clue sleepy is, but
write it down in your little book of clues and soon it will all become clear to you. I think starting next week
I’ll let you start asking a few questions if you haven’t made any progress. I don’t want to be accused of making
this impossible!
I can’t wait to read your post later tonight. I’m sure I’ll want to talk to you about it after I read it. I’ve
been amazed by everything you’ve written and this should be no exception. I’ve always had a fascination for Ireland
as well as Spain.
I’m going home early today as my boss wants me to come back and work the midnight shift. Seems one of the guys
wives just went into labor and he’s going to be off for a few days. If my emails seem to come at strange times
now you’ll know why. It’s been awhile since I worked split shifts like this. I think I’ll use some of the extra
money I make to buy a computer for home. I can’t remember the last time I splurged on anything for myself. I’ll
probably change my mind after I get my paycheck. Still have to pay the bills you know and I’m trying to build up
my savings account.
Well, I’d love to chat some more but I do have work to do before I go home to get some sleep. I’ll write when I
get back to work.
Have a great evening :)
Pezz
Sheridan sighed happily. She knew exactly what she’d be
doing before she went to bed tonight. She’d be posting her latest travel recap and answering Pezz’s email, not
necessarily in that order.
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