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“She does?” her mother exclaimed, laying a hand on her chest dramatically, causing Emily to roll her eyes again.
“She absolutely does,” Jace began, looking down at Karen. “She said she learned her grace and kindness from you – and I see where she gets her beauty…”
“Oh, he’s a smooth one,” her father chuckled, reaching out to shake Jace’s hand. “You watch that slippery tongue, Karen. He’s awfully good with the ladies.”
The man said something to her sister, causing her to blush right before she pinched him on the arm she was holding like the Queen of Sheba.
Emily knew this feeling taking hold inside of her – it was sheer jealously.
She was pea green with envy…
This guy, Jace, was downright handsome if you liked the stocky, buff, athletic type who bordered on a musclebound goon. He was clean-cut, intelligent looking, and honestly looked like he was a perfect fit for her sister.
She was glad for her – and seeing that smile on Karen’s face told her all she needed to know. The foolish girl was head-over-heels in love with the military man.
Every time her parents asked a question, the duo looked at each other and one of them rattled off an answer. This cross examination was part of the reason she never really pushed the issue with dating.
That - and because no one asked her out.
They would ask her to do their taxes… perhaps to have coffee, if they were wanting some free help… but a date?
Nope.
Never.
Emily knew she was a wallflower, a bluestocking, an old maid… it just didn’t have to be so darn obvious all the time. If Chase had found someone, for however short that marriage was, and now Karen had someone…
Then maybe there was someone out there for her?
“Ugh…” she groaned, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
She just needed a similar mysterious beefcake to crawl up out of whatever swamp he was hiding in and make himself known at some point.
If the right guy ever came along, she might actually deal with the volley of questions that this poor Air Force pilot was having to handle as they came quickly in succession.
“What does your mother think of you dating someone while you are active duty?” her mother asked candidly.
“My parents both are very excited to meet Karen eventually, and they don’t mind me dating in the slightest. They want me to be happy above all else, and it really doesn’t matter if I am active duty to them.”
“Karen, you aren’t moving away – are you?” her father asked openly – causing Karen and Jace to look at each other in surprise and confusion.
Obviously the two of them hadn’t touched on that particular question and it was awfully personal. Sheesh… they weredating, not engaged, or soon to be married, Emily thought wildly and hesitated.
“Do you have any siblings?” Emily blurted out – shocking everyone. She ignored the several sets of eyes that were focused on her like she’d just announced she was shaving her head and getting a tattoo.
The guy was kinda appealing in a weird way, but maybe a sibling would look different? More handsome or down to earth? The three of them looked completely different – so maybe it would be like that for Jace, too? There was something about him that just wasn’t ‘it’ – and it had nothing to do with the fact that her sister was talking with this guy.
Jace was just too… too ‘goody-two-shoes’for her – and again – perfect for Karen. Perhaps an older brother would be a little more approachable or down-to-earth…
“I do,” Jace replied. “I’m actually quite blessed. I have a younger sister of my own – along with an entire regiment of ‘brothers at arms’… most of which are single.”
Emily sat up and tried to keep her expression neutral.
A whole slew of military guys in uniform… that were single? Hmm…she thought, but before she could comment or say anything else, Karen shut the entire conversation down.
“Enough,” Karen said firmly, “Isn’t it Johnny’s birthday?”
“It is,” Jace said supporting her fully, taking Karen’s hand in his. “Beautiful, smart, and caring… thank you for reminding us all why we are here.”
