Chapter 1

The moon was bright as the car traveled the dirt road, its occupant not caring its direction or destination. His already susceptible mind saw the darkened trees lining the path swaying and taking life as the shadows that the headlights created danced and leapt out as if in a child's nightmare. After miles of travel the road began to curve, and abruptly ended.

The man behind the wheel began to talk to the car freshener hanging and twirling from the rearview mirror "The story of my flipping life. Driving down a road only to have it turn out to be the wrong one. Now, all I need is for the rain to start falling" As if gifted with command of the elements, the first fat drops of rain began to beat on the hood and roof. "FUCK!" He screamed, as if the force of the word would dry the sky and grant him clairvoyance to find his way again, yet no flashes of wisdom, nor any further weather command provided assistance.

Cursing his luck and banging his head against the steering wheel, he tried to think of what to do now, yet his mind kept replaying over and over the scenes that he had transpired in just the last few hours. The failed job in Portland due to clients not listening to the advice given, him returning home for her comfort, walking in to hear her screaming out her lover's name, seeing her lover with that smug look on his face, him screaming at her, her telling him to leave, and that damn bastard still with the smug look. Over and over it replayed and when he felt the tears and shame, he didn't bother to hold back anymore. Gratefully, welcomed the sleep induced oblivion as a respite from the pain.

He woke up, disoriented and disheveled, to the taping on his window. He shook his head as he looked up and saw his alarm clock. She was 5'9", brown hair that glistened like it was oiled, grey eyes that somehow spoke of age and distinction, a trim figure that he had to figure was 110 lbs give or take 5 lbs with what looked like to him orange sized breasts.

She asked again "Are you alright?"

"Huh?" came out his intelligent reply.

She giggled. It sounded like wind chimes on a breezy afternoon. "I asked if you were alright. How did you get stuck out here?"

"Last night, I guess I made a wrong turn somewhere, I guess I just fell asleep. I am sorry if I am trespassing." He stated still caught in the land of nod.

She looked him over carefully, and noted the tearstained cheeks, the red eyes, and the feel of depression on him. He was 6'2", about 200 lbs, brown hair that was cut short, fairly well dressed (Dockers and a Polo shirt), but what captured her attention were his bluish/purple eyes. She could see herself getting lost in them.

She sagely replied "Oh. I understand that, sometimes when I go riding I completely forget where I am and where I am going and just let the moment take me." She immediately had picked up on the undercurrent of pain that radiated from him, yet would not allow himself to show a stranger.

He shook his head again "Wow. I really must have really got myself lost. Could you tell me where I am and how to get back to the highway?"

'Carefully' she thought to herself 'I wonder what had him so upset that caused him to drive to this remote corner of the world. Oh well, I guess if I want to know, I just have to ask him to come up to the house for breakfast' she mentally grinned.

"Listen mister, I will gladly give you directions back to where you need to go. However, you seem to look pretty tired and hungry. Do you think I could offer you a cup of coffee and some breakfast? "She asked "I seem to be a tad lonely today and you seem to be in need of food. Let's combine the two and have ourselves a breakfast. Sound good?" and gave him a grin to sooth his doubts.

"Uhh sure" he mumbled "That is, if it isn't an inconvenience." He belatedly thought 'I hope I don't stink. Damn, what the hell is going on? Where the hell am I?'

"Oh no trouble at all" she replied, and as if she were responding to the unspoken question "You are about 50 miles from Sacramento. The nearest town is Auburn, but that is about 15 miles back down the road."

As he climbed out of the car, he looked over the top of the car and saw a beautiful ranch style home behind a couple of bushes that also seemed to conceal the driveway. Still shaking off the sleep, he asked "By the way, my name is Dave Wilson. Is the car alright here?"

"Your car is fine. It isn't in the way of anything, and my name is Sam Taylor."

As she took him inside he noticed the hills in the background and was tempted to find a chair and to stare at them for the rest of the day. 'Damn' he thought 'I wish my camera was in the car. These hills would make an awesome exhibit.' He had stopped to gaze at his surroundings. She turned back to him and saw the rapture and amazement on his face. She grinned and thought 'Damn, I do the same thing every time I make it up here.'

He caught her grin out of the corner of his eye and realized some amount of time had passed since he had stopped. Sheepishly, he said "Um, sorry. The view of those hills just caught me by surprise and made me wish for my camera gear." She smiled at him and said "No problem. I get the same way every time. It is breathtaking isn't it?" and then turned back towards the house.

He followed her inside, whistled softly and thought 'WHOA! This woman or her husband has MONEY!' and studied the kitchen with interest. The place was spotless, and had every newer appliance known to man and then a few that were unknown. It was done in white and blue (his own personal favorite colors) and looked like it had just stepped off the cover of "Better Homes and Gardens". He could see down the hallway into the living room and saw that it looked comfortable and cozy. Off to the side was the laundry room and what looked like a wine cabinet. As she was busying herself around the kitchen he caught sight of a mirror and tried to quickly check and make sure he didn't look like something that the cat dragged in. Satisfied that he was still looking ok, if not like he slept in his clothes, he focused his attention on her just in time to catch that she was talking to him.

"Uhh sorry, I seem to still be slightly asleep. Could you repeat that?"

Sam giggled. "Well you looked like you were out of it in the car. Would you like a cup of coffee and maybe a trip to the bathroom?"

"Thank you. I would gladly die for either at this point." He chuckled as he answered.

"Well the bathroom is in the hall behind you, and when you come back out, the coffee will be ready."

Quickly stating his thanks, he hurried in to the bathroom to relieve the overnight plumbing pressure. Once finished, he used the sink to splash water on his face and to clean his hands.

"What would you like for breakfast?" She asked as he returned.

"Oh. I wouldn't want to be any trouble. A cup of coffee is my normal breakfast anyway."

"Now, don't give me that. Just sit down there. Would eggs, bacon, and some English muffins be alright for you?" she looked at him with reproach.

Dave grinned back at her, like a schoolboy caught in the teachers glare. "Sorry that would be great. So when did you and your husband buy this house? It is perfect." he began to ask.

She grinned over her shoulder as she began to cook and said "Well, I was divorced 3 years ago and bought this place when my folks died last year."

"Uhh oops. Sorry, I guess I shouldn't be so nosy. Please forgive me for being so incredibly rude."

"Don't be silly." Sam said "How could you know? And it was the perfect way to open a conversation." She smiled to comfort him and said "Besides. I had a few awkward questions to ask you too, this just gives me the opportunity without having to stick my foot in my mouth so much."

His face dropped. "You wanted to know why I was out on your road in the middle of the night, asleep at the wheel?" He asked.

She looked him directly in the eye and said "If it doesn't bother you too much, Yeah I would like to hear your story." And put his meal on the table in front of him and grabbed the finished plate of English muffins.