A Somers Dream

by Patricia Isabel

  A Somers Dream

  By Patricia Isabel

  CHAPTER 1

  I can’t believe I’m doing this, she thought as she watched the landscape pass by the window. I hope I know what I’m doing, she added while reminiscing about the events leading up to today. Up until two weeks ago, her life was simple and planned and dull. No-one would believe that she, Penelope Dawson, would ever conceive of doing something as spontaneous as this. Anybody who knew her would describe Penny as a ‘planner’ kind of girl. She always had her days worked out weeks in advance and always followed her schedule. Not once deviating from it and never making exceptions. But for the past two weeks, she was anything but her old self. At this moment, she felt reckless and wild, and she couldn’t help but smile to herself while feeling the way she did. Her whole life was all about scheduling and planning. She had everything she wanted. Well, almost everything. Because of her determination to put her career in front, her social life suffered greatly like it suffered when she was young. She had a few select friends but only one where she spent “girl time” with. Penny had been Cathy’s roommate in college and they have been inseparable ever since. Now married, Cathy had a family of her own and there wasn’t really much time besides the occasional phone call but she was loyal to her friend. Penny never made a move in life without discussing it with Cathy first. She was her soundboard. But even with Cathy and her family in her life, she was still lonely. She didn’t have problems meeting men. In her business, she was always meeting with someone whether they be authors or C.O’s. She just had problems meeting the ‘right’ men. Penny had heard about on-line dating but disregarded it quickly thinking it absurd and lewd. She believed that only desperate people and hermits were into that and there wouldn’t be anyone she would be interested in. That’s when curiosity got the better of her. All she wanted to do was check it out, scan the allure that on-line dating had become for millions of people. She figured she wouldn’t be on long, just a few minutes to see what the hype was all about. Not until she quickly scanned the time did she realize how addictive it was. Two o’clock in the morning! She had been scanning for three hours and she still was enthralled by it all. So many profiles. So many people looking for someone. So many like her just searching for that one in particular. Not that she was seriously thinking that any were likely prospects, it was more like research. She wasn’t desperate, just busy. At least that’s what she was telling herself. Until she came across his profile.

  The taxi turned and she noticed the street name, Harbor Grove Circle. She was nearly there and the butterflies in her stomach were beginning to feel like they were trying to fly out. All she had was a name and pictures to go by. She had heard the stories, about people lying about who they really were and that they posted fake profiles to attract the best possible singles. They’re reasoning, she supposed, was if they got to know who they were they wouldn’t care what they looked like. She guessed it was a good way to meet people but, it was a harsh truth once someone went to actually meet them. The disappointment and betrayal. She hoped she wouldn’t be in that category today. But after speaking to him for hours and weeks, he seemed on the level and truthful about who he was. He was witty and charming with a hint of sarcasm to make her laugh. He had many qualities that she admired and found herself wanting to know more about him. That’s when his offer of meeting came to pass. He offered to pay for the flight but she declined. She would rather have matters in her hands than in someone else’s. She decided to visit Cathy to discuss her plans and to get her viewpoint about what she had decided. It was exactly what she had thought.

  “Are you insane? Colorado?!” said Cathy, “You can’t go flying off to Colorado! He could be some serial killer or… or some type of freak or something.” Cathy made her way to the fridge and pulled out a couple of beers. Finding the opener, she popped the cap off of one, took a sip and looked seriously at Penny. “You can’t be serious? Going out to some stranger’s place that you have only been chatting with for a couple of weeks is like teasing a snake, you’re gonna get bit. It’s dangerous! And it’s Colorado! That’s like six or seven hours away by plane! Couldn’t you find a nice New Yorker who lives in Manhattan?!” Cathy popped open the other beer and handed it to Penny while seating herself at the table. “It’s actually more like five hours away and I’m more likely to meet a serial killer here in New York than I am in Colorado. Besides, there was no one I found online who lives in the vicinity that interests me. This one does. Yea, it’s a long trip but you always said I needed to spread my wings” Penny gave her a grin and a wink. She knew her friend would have a hard time swallowing this bit of news. “Why not have him come out here if you are so intent on meeting him? It would be a lot safer for you and a lot less grey hairs for me. I can have Greg set himself up in the backyard with a sniper rifle in case the guy gets a bit too serial like, if you know what I mean.” Penny took a sip from the bottle and looked at her friend’s worried face. She and Cathy have been the best of friends for so many years, they were more like sisters. Cathy has always been by her side through every aspect of her ups and downs, and then some. She was so happy when Cathy met Greg. They were perfect for each other. “As much as I would love to have Greg play Commando in my yard, I want to be alone with him, especially if he’s who he says he is. If I stay here, work will hound me. I need the peace to get to know him. To see if, you know, if he’s the one.” Cathy took a hold of her hand and let out a long sigh, “There is no such thing as the one, Pen.” “I beg to differ”, said Penny, “you found Greg and you’re happy. I just want the same. I want someone I can share things with and do things with. Have someone who can be there when I need that shoulder to lean on. Is that so bad?” Cathy took a sip of her beer and without looking at her said, “What am I? Chopped liver?” “You know what I mean” said Penny, “You can’t travel with me because of the kids and you’re life here. Just trying to take a vacation is like getting a tooth pulled, it’s a painful and long process. By the time you are ready to leave, you need an extra vacation just to relax from the process of starting one.” Cathy sighed, “You’re right. It is difficult to get away on the spot. Okay then” condition.” Penny had a feeling that there would be; she smiled at her best friend and said “Alright, what condition is that? Finger prints before leaving? Tracking chip under my skin?” Cathy gave Penny the look she only reserves for her children when she’s serious and said “I want every piece of information about this guy. Where he lives, address, phone number, picture, Social Security Number…etc…etc…etc. If I don’t hear from you in three days, I’m calling the National Guards.” Penny started to laugh and agreed to give her the information she wanted before she left, minus the Social Security Number and that she would be sure to call in three days’ time to let her know she was still alive. Once that was all said and done, she hugged her best friend and left for home. She was leaving tomorrow afternoon and still needed to pack.

  The taxi turned onto a long drive with oak trees lining the way on each side to an old colonial house. It was beautiful. The house was nestled far away from the world it seemed and it took her breath away. She had never seen anything so extraordinary. “I hope he’s as amazing as this house”, she whispered to herself. Nerves had started to take over and she was mentally trying to calm herself down. Breathe, girl. Just breathe. How bad can he be? That’s when she realized she was praying. Not that she was a religious person but a little help never did hurt. As the taxi pulled up to the front, she stared at the door, her anxiety was beginning to surface. Before pulling the handle, she asked the driver if he wouldn’t mind waiting for a bit, just in case she had the wrong address was the excuse she gave him, was a comfort factor for her to settle her anxiety. If he wasn’t what he portrayed himself to be she can
easily jump back into the cab and never look back. Penny got out of the cab and slowly started to make her way up the stairs to the front door. Then, like a bolt, apprehension started kicking in. The “what-ifs” were beginning to enter her mind and once she got to a good point on one of them and was about to turn around to run…the front door opened.

  CHAPTER 2

  Just one more hour, he thought as he put the final touches on a floral arrangement he bought. Normally, he would have someone come in to clean and make the house shine and arrange everything but this was special. He wanted to do this himself because it was a special occasion. He spent all week making sure things were properly in their place and putting small touches here and there to make it more inviting. He was proud of his house, had bought it a couple years back in run down condition but he had seen the potential. Although there was a lot of aggravation and, at times, despair during the process of renovating, it was worth every penny he paid for it and worth the year long wait to see it finished. The best features of the house were the vaulted ceilings in every room, the kitchen and the backyard. Especially the backyard. It was like a private oasis away from everything but so close to civilization. Since he had no neighbours for at least five miles in all directions, it didn’t matter that the trees and foliage gave privacy. It was more for the aesthetic pleasure for the eye and other senses than anything else. He had added a few extra features like the waterfall and pool to have the feel of being on a secluded island. He worked very close with the landscapers on how everything should be and where things should go. What plants would look best and where they should go, what stones were more appealing and which trees to plant. Although he had an apartment in the city, Evergreen was his home away from home. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, this was his getaway from everyday city life. And now, his private rendezvous place with, here’s hoping, a perfect woman. He realized at that moment that Penny will be the first woman to ever see his private domain. “She must be special”, he said because he never brought anyone here before. Not even the ones he had dated for more than a month just to show off what he’s been doing. The only person who had ever laid eyes on it was his brother, Gabriel, to which Shane looked too for ideas and suggestions.

  He had been at the ‘online dating scene’ for several months now. He wasn’t much into the club scene anymore and the whole ‘meeting someone at the deli counter’ in the local supermarket just wasn’t what it was cracked up to be. It was easier to just sit at home in front of his computer and just search from there. ‘Everyone does it, why not me?’ he would say to himself. It did seem pathetic in an odd sort of way to find a woman whom he could get along with inside a screen. There were many to choose from, that was for sure, but to find the right one was the challenge. He had been on several dates and a couple lasted no longer than a month or so. They were either not what they portrayed themselves to be or they were just plain crazy. He may seem desperate being online but hell; he wasn’t that desperate to deal with the drama queens and boxers of the female species. No one ever accused Shane Somers of ever being desperate. Women, to him, were a dime a dozen in his world. Coming from a wealthy family and creating his own stamp in the world financially, he had always gotten what he wanted and women were always at his disposal. Unfortunately, they were all vapid and plastic. He had them all but now it was time to find his intellectual equal. One who actually believes that the word ‘Hello’ is not a phrase and could actually keep up on a conscious level. When he first came across her profile, he was hooked. There was something different about her, about the way she looked and what she had written in her profile. It wasn’t like the others he read. They were either over confident, too dependent, too girly or too masculine…tough girls who would rather cross-check you instead of hug you. No, she had a bit of something of everything in one package. She was…real. He sent her a message and was excited when she had responded. She had humour and sarcasm in her writing with a hint of vulnerability and strength. So far, she was perfect. When it would come time to move it over to Instant Messaging, he would find out if this witty person was what she made herself out to be online. To Shane’s surprise, she was. She was quick with the responses and her sharp wit shone through. They started to chat for a while until he found it tedious and long. He suggested calling her so that they could talk properly. She refused at first, saying that she never gave out her number but after a bit of coaxing, she relented. He called her immediately and when she answered the phone, it seemed like an angel answered the other end. At least to him anyway and if she looked the way she sounded, he would definitely be in heaven. They exchanged photos while online but one can never be too careful as he found out the hard way several times in the past. They had talked for hours and hours. Then the hours turned into days and the days into weeks. He had to admit, he was curious about this woman…about Penny. He knew they had to meet and soon.

  Shane looked at his watch and realized the time, ‘Shit! She’ll be here in 10 minutes’. He quickly scanned the area and was content at how it looked. ‘Perfect’, he said to himself, ‘now to wait and see if she shows up’. He sat by the window and waited. When he saw the taxi come up the drive, he didn’t realize he was holding his breath. ‘I can’t believe I’m nervous! Get a grip, man!’ he said to himself as the car pulled up to the door. Standing aside so as not to be seen, he waited for her to get out. He was anxious; he will admit that but only to himself. Hoping beyond hope that the pictures she had sent him were really her and not some woman from a magazine or some office co-worker. “Please let her be who she said she is”, he mumbled, “It would really suck if it wasn’t”. As he peeked around to look outside, he was mesmerized. He couldn’t believe his eyes when she got out of the car, she was beautiful. Every photo that he saw of her was true, there was no denying that. He noticed that she seemed hesitant also and he prayed that she wouldn’t run because if she did, he would run after her. Shane suddenly realized at what he thought and it shook him down to his stomach… he never ran after a woman before. ‘Well’, he said, ‘there’s a first time for everything’. Smiling to himself, he made his way to the door.

  CHAPTER 3

  Penny hadn’t realized she was holding her breath as the door opened. “Please let him not be a troll” she thought to herself. The last thing she wanted was to be completely disappointed and have to turn around for another four hour flight after she just got off one. She looked back to make sure her taxi was still there where she left it and when she turned back around to face the man she had so diligently conversed with for so many weeks, it certainly wasn’t a troll that was standing in the doorway, only a God. He was so amazing to look at that Penny realized she was staring. How could she not! At six feet with blonde hair, green eyes and a very healthy looking body, he was something to behold. Even his feet looked amazing! His pictures certainly did not do him justice. For there he was, standing in the doorway, barefoot, arms crossed at the chest and smiling. Penny was about to walk up the stairs when she remembered the taxi. There was definitely no reason for him to stay. As she started to turn around, she heard a voice that she could recognize anywhere. “How was the flight? Wasn’t too rough, I hope?” That voice was getting closer and as she turned around, he was right in front of her. Smiling. All she could do was nod. “Is everything alright? Did you forget something in the cab?” He looked towards the taxi then looked at her, those gorgeous green eyes seemed to say ‘don’t leave’. Penny finally got her wits back, gave him her brightest smile and said “No. Not at all. I just wanted to give him a tip and thank him. He wanted to wait to be sure someone was home” wasn’t a big lie, only a little white one. “Driver’s like him are hard to come by” she said laughing. When she reached the taxi, she gave him a large tip and thanked him. As she walked back towards the house, Shane stood there holding her bags and gave a slight bow. “Ladies first” he said and she preceded him towards the door.

  When Shane opened the door and saw her standing there, he felt like the wind was knocked out of
him. Trying to remain calm and casual, he stood there for about a minute just soaking her all in. “She is beautiful” he thought to himself. She certainly looked like her pictures and more. When he noticed she was hesitating and looked back towards the cab, a surge of panic came over him. He moved with lightning speed to span the distance before she bolted. When he reached her, he noticed how small and delicate she was. At five feet six inches, with chocolate brown hair and red highlights that shone in the sun like beacons at night and the deepest, bluest pair of eyes that the oceans would be jealous for…a linebacker she certainly wasn’t. Calm and smiling, he asked her how her flight was and if she had forgotten anything but he knew, his eyes said what he was feeling. She assured him she only wanted to tip the man but deep down, he knew it was something else. As he watched her walk away, he picked up her bags and waited. He noticed how she walked, with a lilt and sway of her hips. He was getting hard just thinking about those hips and what they would do…”Hold on there buddy, one step atta time” he thought and fought to gain control over his growing libido. He watched her bend over to talk to the driver and he inwardly groaned. He knew if he didn’t get control over himself, he was going to take her right here on the steps so he began to recite the chorus of Henry the VIII and envision the king in a thong. That helped. By the time Penny reached him, he was once again calm, cool and collected and ready for anything. He let her take the lead and followed her up the stairs, knowing that this was the beginning of something wonderful.

  As Penny walked into the foyer, she was greeted by the staircase which was made of a deep, dark wood that added to the charm and richness of the rest of the hall which had wainscoting all the way around. To the right she could see into the living room which held larger than ordinary pieces of furniture that, she was sure, if you were to sit on any piece it would suck you in. And to the left was the formal dining area where more of the dark wood and wainscoting could be seen which enhanced the twelve seating dining table and buffet. She was taken aback by how cozy a large place can be. It all looked so warm and inviting, Penny felt herself instantly relax. Even with the high ceilings, she didn’t feel like she was in a museum. It all seemed to come together to create a tranquil atmosphere. She felt Shane sidle up next to her and heard him put her bags down. “Would you like a glass of wine? I have red, white or rosé” he said as he began to make his way down the hall, she believed, towards the kitchen. She decided to follow him “White would be nice” and once again, she was pleasantly surprised. The kitchen was huge but not in a hollow way. He had herbs drying on an overhang above the peninsula, plants tucked in corners, stainless steel appliances, granite counter-tops, hanging pot rack, French doors opening up towards a backyard and a little nook where a table and chairs were. All the cabinets were of the deep, dark wood like the rest of the house. Like the living space, it was….cozy. “Wow. This is an amazing kitchen. If you tell me you can cook as amazing as this kitchen is, we are getting married” she laughed as she reached for the wine Shane handed to her. “Well, start writing your vows and prepare for a feast” Shane responded and took a sip while giving her his best smile. “Ready for a tour or do you just want to relax for a bit? The house is going nowhere so it’s up to you” All Shane wanted to do was take her straight up to the bedroom and amaze her there. “I would like to see the backyard you so feverishly discussed with me. I have it under good authority it’s the highlight of the place” He was just so comfortable, she thought, or it’s the wine. Either way, Penny was already enjoying herself and she hadn’t left the kitchen. Shane began to walk towards the French doors with Penny in his wake, he turned his head and said with a grin “Feverishly, huh? Was I that boorish?” Penny began to laugh. ‘What a sweet laugh’, he thought. He can so get used to hearing that sound. As they reached the doors, Shane stood aside once he opened them and ushered her through. Penny took in a site beyond sites, he wasn’t kidding when he said this was his pièce de rèsistance. He had the right to be boorish, that’s for sure. “It’s absolutely beautiful. I have never seen anyplace so wondrous, it’s amazing” Penny was just floored by how pleasing it all was. The foliage, the trees, the waterfall, it was like an oasis tucked away in a magical land. “It’s my favorite part of the whole house” he said as he began walking towards the falls “I wanted a place to escape without being encumbered by today’s technology unless otherwise invited. The waterfall drowns out any ringing or knocking but it’s not so loud that you can’t carry a conversation close by. I patted myself on the back when it was finally done” Shane offered Penny one of the chairs he had pulled out and sat down next to her. “Well, you have certainly outdone yourself, Mr. Somers. This place is magnificent!” She looked around the yard and tried to take it all in. He had Blue Junipers, Light Green Boxwoods, Burgundy Barberrys, Hosta Empresses and Crimson Burning Bushes just to name a few. She turned to Shane and smiled “I may just have to throw myself upon your good graces and beg never to leave”. As she took a sip of wine, she began to wonder ‘what the hell am I saying?! He must think I’m insane or something!’ When she heard him laugh, she eased up on herself. “I’m sorry” she said “I didn’t mean for it to sound the way it did. It’s just so beautiful” Penny was going to continue with her apology but Shane interrupted her “No worries. I know what effect this place has. I had to haul my landscaper out because he didn’t want to leave. He’s a big man, you know. Almost threw my back out trying to get him out the door” Shane had a pained expression on his face and Penny had to laugh. He looked so much in discomfort that she just couldn’t help it. “Laughing at my pained misery, are we? Well, no more wine for you then. That should teach you to enjoy another’s discomfort at having to toss out a large, overweight man” Shane reached for Penny’s glass at the same time she lunged for it. They were both laughing as they met in the middle, each with a hand on the glass. As they looked into each other’s eyes, their laughing turned into small chuckling which turned into labored breathing and before Penny knew what was happening, his lips were on hers.