From Croatia With Love

Chapter One

I want to meet you.

Caroline Silver settled onto the couch and stared at the last line of the email message that had been on her laptop’s screen for a half hour. Her pulse had flown into overdrive when she’d first gotten it. Her heart had slammed into her ribcage while blood had throbbed past her ears in a deafening rush.

Impossible. She couldn’t meet him. She shook her head and pressed a cold hand to her forehead. Obviously, this cyber-relationship had gone too far. Resolute in her conviction, she clicked the note closed.

A dulcet chime announced an instant message from Alekman57 as it popped onto the screen.

Caro??

She closed the text box, jumped up and paced away. Of course, he knew she was online. For the last few months, they talked every night around this time.

Another tone announced his return. Caro, what is the matter?

Her stuttered breath broke the silence of her living room, and she sat back down. What was the matter? All this time, she’d thought meeting Aleksandr Lebedev was impossible, with him being from the Dubrovnik, Croatia and her being from United States. Even if he traveled to her country, he wouldn’t come to Northern Michigan.

She’d felt safe talking to him. She could tell him only what she wanted to. She never needed to tell him her mother thought Caro past her prime, a spinster with no marital hopes. Not that she supposed Alek would care. She got the impression he was older than her thirty-five years. Still, it was a sore spot she avoided.

She also refused to share details about her figure, not that he’d asked for much past “what do you look like?” once in an early conversation. Her description had been more Angelina Jolie than Caro Silver, but he didn’t need to know she wasn’t Hollywood or supermodel thin. She was a typical Midwest woman with curves that were slightly cushioned by her career as a professional caterer. They’d never meet, so if her supposed image fueled a few wet dreams, all the better.

I’m fine, she lied. No, she wasn’t freaking out at all. I’m busy. I have a big booking I need to get ready for tonight.

It was almost true. She had a large booking and she needed to do some work on it, but the actual party wasn’t until Friday.

I have a ticket for the States, he typed. I have a commitment in Grand Rapids. Will you see me?

Um…well, crap.

Panic set in again. The allure of this relationship was that he was a stranger. A man across the world who would never threaten her personal space—her personal peace!

Let’s talk about it when I get back online, she told him.

Caro! he responded, and she almost heard a note of panic despite it being a textual exchange.

With a deep sigh, she quickly logged off the email address she used for talking to Alekman57.

What a mess. She should have known better than to strike up an online relationship with any guy, let alone one she’d met by accident through a misdirected email. Ironically, she’d been emailing a man she’d seen on a dating site but had mistyped one digit. Alek had written her back to politely tell her she’s reached the wrong man. He was afraid she probably didn’t want to date a man who’d have to commute from Croatia, but he’d certainly like to get to know her better.

Admittedly, she’d been at a low spot. She’d been lonely enough to try out personal ads. They’d worked well for other people, so why not her. It hadn’t felt right for her, even when she’d sent the initial email, and she’d taken Alek’s note as a sign. But he’d intrigued her enough that she’d written back.

After six months, they knew everything and nothing about each other. They’d both shied away from addresses, photos and personal information like career specifics and their families. They’d both signed their initial emails so he knew her full name. She didn’t worry. Her name wasn’t uncommon. Secure in the safety of thousands of miles separating them, they’d shared hopes, dreams, beliefs, likes and dislikes. They’d even engaged in several naughty emails.

Alek excited her, and she suspected she’d fallen a little in love with him. It had to end. She suddenly felt hollow inside, but things couldn’t get anymore personal than they already had.