“Wait.” Dread crept up her belly and squashed any excitement she felt.
Roger.
She swallowed hard. What if this buyer was one of Roger’s cronies? She squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed her temple with her free hand. “This guy asked for my work specifically?”
“Hey,” he whined. “Are you going to let me tell you the story or what?”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes and prayed for patience. Gunther’s stories could go on for days. “I’m sorry. Go on.”
“Thank you,” he sang. “So, he asked for any work done by you. Naturally, I was only too happy to accommodate him. Well, he didn’t even look at them. When I brought him over to the stack against the back wall, he didn’t even ask me to open them up. He just handed me his credit card and told me he’d be back first thing in the morning to pick them all up. He didn’t haggle or even ask the prices.” He shrieked. “Can you believe it?”
“No,” she said quietly. “It sounds too good to be true.”
“Yeah, well, I know what you mean.” He stopped himself and quickly added, “Don’t get me wrong. I love your work, but let’s be honest babe. Your stuff hasn’t exactly been flying off the walls.”
“I know. It’s okay Gunther.” Sam let out a loud sigh and laughed softly. “What was the name on the credit card?”
“Ummm. Hold on a sec. I have to get the slip.”
Sam held her breath as Gunther hummed tunelessly while he searched for the paper.
“Here it is. Ugh. I swear, when Milton comes in here and watches the counter for me everything gets all topsy-turvy.” He huffed and then added quickly, “It’s a good thing he’s so damn cute.” He giggled. “Barkley Jameson. Ring any bells?”
“No it doesn’t.”
“Hey! I can’t believe you’re not excited about this. Come on girl! You just sold all ten of your paintings in one fell swoop and cleared a bundle of cash.” He hooted loudly but then quickly shifted into his business voice. “Minus my commission of course.”
Sam leaned her elbow on the open window of the car and looked out the window at the passing traffic. “Did he actually come and pick them all up?”
“Yup. First thing this morning. In fact I had to open up at eight just to accommodate this guy,” he snorted. “But hey, he paid a bundle, so I wasn’t gonna complain sister. He showed up with two big hulking brutes and a large black van. They packed up all of your pieces and hauled them away.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “I have to admit. I am pretty curious.”
“Me too, Gunther.” Sam could hear the door of the gallery being shoved open loudly and smiled. “Sounds like you’ve got a customer.”
He scoffed loudly. “Honey please. After that mamajamma sale, I closed for the day. It’s just Milton. So listen, should I send the check to you at your place in Rhode Island?”
“Yeah, that would be great.”
“Okay. And listen. Cheer up woman! You are officially a success. Bye baby.”
“Bye.”
The line clicked off quietly, and Sam tossed the cell phone into her bag on the passenger seat. She gripped the steering wheel tightly and leaned her forehead on her fingers before blowing out a strong breath and starting up the car. Gunther was right. She should be excited. In fact, she should be bloody ecstatic, but she couldn’t stop the feeling of dread that nagged at her. What if Roger was the one who bought her paintings? She shook her head and made a small sound of defiance. So what if he did? It shouldn’t matter. Right? After all, money is money.
However, no matter how many times she told herself it shouldn’t matter—it did. It mattered a lot. The truth was that she hated the idea of her mother’s image, or any of the deeply personal images she painted, hanging in Roger’s home. Her skin crawled at the very thought of it. No amount of money was worth that. Maybe she’d call Gunther and see if he could get them back and give the guy a refund. She scoffed out loud and rolled her eyes. Right, after everything Gunther had done, she was going to deny him this sale? Not likely.
She threw the car into first gear and pulled out of the gas station. As she drove the last bit of the way back home she went through the laundry list of oddities that had become her life.
Moved back into childhood bedroom at the age of thirty. Check.
Crazy stalker ex-boyfriend. Check.
Miraculously sold all artwork in one fell swoop. Check.
Hot neighbor who can kiss like the devil and use telepathy. Check.
Sam smiled.
Butterflies in stomach when looking at hot neighbor. Double check.
When Sam finally dragged herself into the house, she didn’t have the energy to go right out to her studio. She was mentally and physically drained. Working on the portrait would probably help take her mind off everything, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it yet. Instead, she made herself a cup of coffee and took it out to the deck. Nonie was already out there, as she was most afternoons, reading the local paper and sipping her tea. They exchanged a familiar greeting with a kiss on the cheek. Sam settled into her chair and blew on her coffee.
Her thoughts immediately went to Malcolm. She replayed the unusual events that occurred over the past several hours. She had seen his eyes change into eagle eyes, and this morning her own eyes had turned into the eyes of a wolf. They were the same ones as the wolf in her dreams. How was this all possible? She felt like she was losing her mind. Maybe he slipped something into my drink. She half expected to hear Malcolm’s scoffing voice in her head.
“Ridiculous,” she said.
“I’m sorry, dear. What’s ridiculous?”
She sent Nonie a startled look and blushed for blurting that out. “Oh. Nothing. I was just…it’s nothing really.” Sam looked back out at the ocean, hoping Nonie wouldn’t see right through her. Somehow Nonie always had the uncanny ability to know exactly what was going on with Sam.
“I lost my necklace last night.” Sam was unable to look at Nonie, afraid she’d be scolded like a child. She wouldn’t blame her. That necklace was an irreplaceable heirloom. When Nonie didn’t immediately respond, Sam forced herself to look at her. She was met by a sweet, sympathetic look in her blue eyes.
“I’m sure it will turn up. I wouldn’t worry on it too much. These things have a way of working themselves out.” Nonie turned her attention back to the paper.
“Wow. You’re much calmer about it than I expected. I was up half the night, tearing apart my room and searching the driveway in my nightgown with a flashlight. In fact, I am going to go out and look again before I head out to the studio.” Sam rose from her chair. “You’re really not upset with me for losing it?”
“I’m not upset because I don’t think it’s lost,” Nonie said with a small smile. “It’s just…misplaced. Believe me. You’ll have your necklace back.”
“I hope you’re right, Nonie, and somehow you always are.”
They were interrupted by the chirp of Sam’s cell phone. She went inside and dug through her purse, which she fondly referred to as the black hole. It had the ability to swallow up her cell phone or anything else she was searching for. Finally, she found it, at the bottom of course. She smiled when she saw Kerry’s name in the caller ID.
“Hey there, Hollywood.” Sam walked back out to the deck.
“Back at ya, Picasso. So listen, want to grab a bite to eat and catch up today?”
“Oh, Kerry, I would love to,” Sam said with genuine disappointment. “But I’m not in the city. I’m at Nonie’s.”
With that acknowledgement, Nonie waved her greetings.
“Nonie says hi by the way.”
“Hi, back. Hey, are you out on the deck?” Kerry asked.
“Of course, with the afternoon coffee and paper as usual. Why?”
“Do me a favor. Look over at my parents’ house, will ya?”
“Sure. What am I looking for?” Sam asked. She looked over at the Smithson’s house and saw Kerry standing there on her cell phone and waving. Sam shrieked her delight, and
jumping up and down, gave an excited wave back. “Oh my God! You have no idea how glad I am that you’re here.” The beginnings of tears stung her eyes and threatened to spill over. “How did you know I was here?”
“Well, Nonie of course. She called me a few weeks ago right after you called her. It was a conspiratorial surprise, and avoiding your calls has been killing me. Get your sweet ass in a bathing suit, and get over here stat!”
Sam had a grin that went from ear to ear. She hung up and instantly came up behind Nonie’s chair. She wrapped her up in a huge hug of gratitude. “Thank you, Nonie. Once again, you know exactly what to do.”
“It’s true,” she said with a small sigh. “Having such insight is a blessing…most of the time.” She gently patted Sam’s arms. “Now run along and have fun!”
Sam gave her a quick kiss and ran upstairs to change. She realized that they really hadn’t spoken directly in a while. Kerry had been overseas on a shoot so there had been a lot of voice mail and text messages, but it didn’t matter how much time passed between conversations. Whether it was a month, a day, or a year, they could always pick up right where they left off. It was always like no time had passed. They were still the giggling little girls from all those years ago.
Sam and Kerry were complete opposites in every way. Still they managed to be as close as sisters, which worked out nicely since they were both only children. Neither of them made friends very easily. Sam felt disconnected from most people. Kerry had a major phobia about touching people. When they were little, she called it the spookies, but now she admitted to having a germ phobia. Sam was the only person Kerry would hug or touch at all.
Sam changed quickly, donned her aviators, and grabbed a towel. It was much quicker to go down and cut across the beach to Kerry’s place. The driveways were so long out to the road it was practically necessary to drive over. She couldn’t cut across between the houses because it was just dunes and sea grass with all kinds of creepy critters who called it home. Not only would she break her neck, but she’d probably get eaten alive by a variety of insects.
Sam climbed the beach stairs to Kerry’s place and found her friend waiting with a big smile and a huge glass that likely contained a margarita.
She marveled at how strikingly beautiful Kerry was. Her long jet black hair gleamed thick and shiny. Somehow, it never frizzed, no matter what the humidity was. Sam, on the other hand, ended up looking like a Chia Pet at the smallest hint of humidity. Kerry’s large eyes were chocolate brown with flecks of gold in certain lights. She had high cheekbones and full lips that many women paid thousands to try and attain. Her creamy white skin was unmarred by the sun, and the woman didn’t have a wrinkle in sight. Kerry’s bright red swimsuit showed off her long curvy body. Bam baby. Once you met her in person, it was blindingly clear how she had become the hottest plus-size model since Emme. She and Sam couldn’t have been more different physically if they tried.
“So…am I still huggable? Or do I give you the spookies like the rest of the world?”
“Shut up and hug me,” Kerry teased.
The two friends hugged each other and giggled like schoolgirls. Sam broke the embrace first, knowing a short hug was all Kerry could take. She stepped back to get a good look at her. “You know, it should be illegal to look as good as you do. You make us regular girls look bad,” Sam said teasingly with a shake of her head.
“Oh please. I’m an amazon who dwarfs most men on the planet. Besides, you’re one to talk with that amazing tan. I would kill for color like that! I look like a damned ghost. Not exactly a sexy look. Here.” She handed Sam the frosty beverage.
Sam glanced down and smiled. Yup. Margaritas.
They laid their towels out on the lounge chairs, with Sam maneuvering for the best angle of the morning sun, and Kerry under the umbrella to avoid it. Within seconds, Kerry began the inevitable best friend inquisition.
“Okay. So let’s go. Spill it.” She slid on her supersize sunglasses as she settled into her chair. “What’s going on, and why have you moved out of the coolest city in the world to live…here?”
“Don’t hold back, babe. What do you really think about it?” Sam smiled as she got comfortable and welcomed the warm summer sun.
“I’m not judging. I’m just perplexed. I mean really! How many times did we stay up until all hours of the night talking about the ways you wanted to get out of here? You can’t blame me for being a little bit surprised.”
“I know, I know. To be honest, I can’t believe I did it either.” Sam gave a small groan.
“Okay, so what prompted this move? Money?”
“No. I mean, I wasn’t rolling in it, but I wasn’t starving either. I…jeez, you’re going to think I’m nuts.” Frustrated, Sam sighed.
“No I won’t.” She shook her head. “I’m the one who can’t stand touching other people, remember? I promise I won’t laugh or think you’re crazy.” She held up her hand as if she was swearing in a court of law.
Sam took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut. After a dramatic pause, she finally spit it out. “It was a dream.”
“A dream? “Kerry emitted a stifled laughter. “Ooookay.”
“Hey, you said you wouldn’t laugh spookie girl.” Sam unleashed a giggle of her own.
“Right.” Kerry cleared her throat and regained her composure. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Go ahead.”
“If you’re going to laugh about the dream, then you’re going to get absolutely hysterical when I tell you about the other dreams…and Malcolm.”
“Malcolm? Yummy, who’s that? Now we’re getting somewhere. I was hoping a guy would be involved. You’ve been single for far too long! Now this is getting good.” She clapped her hands excitedly. “Okay, I’m all ears. I won’t interrupt, and I swear I won’t laugh. Cross my heart.” She made the sign across her heart.
Sam knew that if she could tell anyone in the entire world about what had been happening over the last couple of days, it was Kerry. She thought that if she told the story out loud it wouldn’t sound crazy, but she also knew that she wasn’t ready to tell her everything.
She took a deep breath.
“Okay. Remember those dreams I used to have when we were kids?”
“You mean the one with your mom and the wolf, or the one where some guy is calling you?” Kerry licked the salt off the edge of her glass.
“The wolf ones. Well, the night of my thirtieth birthday I dreamed about the wolf again. Except this time, I was the wolf.”
Kerry narrowed her eyes. “Huh? You mean you were actually a wolf?”
Sam nodded and swirled the ice in her glass. “Yup. A giant gray wolf.”
“What on earth were you doing?”
“I was running. Here at the beach. I ran with complete and total abandon. I was free, completely unencumbered…and it felt delicious. When I woke up the next morning, I had a longing for Nonie and the beach house. In that moment, I had total clarity. I was sick and tired of waiting.”
“Waiting? Waiting for what?” Kerry asked.
“Everything.” Sam shrugged. “Lately, it felt like my life was on hold somehow. So, I decided the only way to jumpstart things was to make a drastic change. I figured the dream was a sign.”
“That’s all very fascinating, but I want to hear about the date.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Who’s Malcolm?”
Sam laughed and sat back in her lounge chair. “How did I know that you’d want to get right to the good stuff?”
“Because you’re my best friend, and you know I’m a dirty girl at heart.”
Sam laughed loudly at her friend’s remark and took a sip of her drink. Looking out over the familiar shoreline her thoughts wandered to Malcolm. “He’s…special.”
She told her about Malcolm and their date and of course about the mind-bending make out sessions. She also told her about the practically pornographic dreams.
However, she held back on the truly bizarre things. She left out the part about the eyes, the eag
le that visited her room, the vanishing guy, and of course, about hearing his voice in her head. If she told her any of that, Kerry might put her in a psych ward. She wouldn’t blame her. She was starting to think she should check herself in.
She knew it sounded crazy, but she also knew it was real. Malcolm confirmed that this afternoon with his parting message. When his voice slid into her mind, she’d just about fainted right there on the diner floor. Thank God Millie had been there and anchored her to reality.
Kerry sat in rapt attention. By the end she was sitting up cross-legged on the lounge, her sunglasses on her head, and her mouth hanging open. “Wow. I can’t remember the last time I got that hot over a guy.” Kerry whistled and shook her head in amazement. She went over to the bar on the other side of the deck to collect the pitcher of margaritas. “He sounds a lot better than that other guy you were dating. What was his name,” she called over her shoulder. “Van Douche?”
Sam giggled and sipped the last bit of her margarita. “Van Dousen, but I think your version suits him better.” She wiped at the condensation on her glass with her thumb and avoided looking at Kerry. Her voice dropped low. “He’s become a bit of a problem.”
Kerry sashayed over with the pitcher and refilled Sam’s glass. “What does that mean,” she asked, her voice laced with concern. She put the jug down on the table and made herself comfortable on the edge of Sam’s chaise.
“Well, apparently he hadn’t gotten the memo that I broke up with him.” She took another sip and relished the sweet and salty bite that a good margarita always had. “He even showed up at the diner today.”
“Hello? Stalk much?”
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