Chapter 1

I wanted nothing more than a relaxing vacation. What I got was nothing short of a fairy tale.

I stood on the side of the road, cursing the car rental company under my breath. This was the first time in seven years that I had been in Washington. I had been here to see my brother. But now getting to Graham, seemed like the least of my problems. I would be happy to get a taxi to well, let face it, anywhere. I did not think that I would need a map, since my wonderful rental had the most sophisticated navigation system available. But at this point, I was realizing how unprepared I was. The battery was dead, no power, no navigation. To make matters worse, it was a convertible with the roof down, and it was beginning to rain. I had not seen a car go by in the past half an hour. Damn the scenic route.

In the distance a car. A beautiful car. At this point it could have been a '72' Buick, and I would have been happy. But coming down the road, was a cinnamon colored Lincoln MKS. A luxury car. I was wet and cold, and probably reeked of the wet leather in my cursed convertible. Surely they would not want me in their precious vehicle.

As it slowed I prepared myself for the worst. Pulling off the side of the road, I saw that it was lone man in the car. Maybe he would take pity on the wet shivering damsel.

"Are you alright?" His voice was kind. "Have you been out here long?" He climbed from his car and opened the passenger door. Now, there are things in this world that you just don't do if you want to live to see the next day. One of them, as I am sure your parents have told you, is 'don't accept rides form strangers'. At this moment, being murdered and hacked into small pieces, was a welcome change from dying with pneumonia on the side of the road. Obviously my senses were not with me.

"I can't" I sobbed, embarrassed to have to admit I was not good enough to sit in his car. "I'm soaked, and I smell like and old wet car."

Laughing, he took my hand. "Its OK. We will have you warm and dry shortly." After explaining that he lived nearby, he gathered my luggage from the trunk (the only dry spot in the car), and led me back to his place.

The house was not a mansion, but large. The wrap around front porch reminded me of my dream home. Horses played in the rain in a nearby pasture. I was impressed as I stepped into the foyer. It was a modest home, clean well kept. He led me to the guest room and brought in my bags. "you can shower and change in here" His voice was soothing, shy and unsure of what I must be thinking. "It's ok. I will wait in the family room. You will be safe. I promise."

Looking into those eyes, I was curiously calmed by his words. "Alright," I gave in, still shivering from the cold. He handed me towels and a robe.

I showered and thought about those eyes looking at me. I had to admit to myself, he was very attractive. Maybe it was the night in shining armor theory, but he definitely had my attention. Coming out of the shower, the naughty part of my mind wanted to find him waiting naked on the bed, so I could pay him for his kindness. Alas, he had been true to his word. He was quietly waiting in the family room. He had lit a fire and had a cup of warm tea waiting for me.

"Do you feel better?" He seemed genuinely concerned. I wondered what his story was. As we began to talk, I found out. We spent hours getting to know one another and finding out that he was a widower, tugged at my heart. He had not been with a woman in more than five years. He for the most part had avoided any chance of romance. He buried himself in work and then came home to his solitude. "It's been just me and the horses" he said shyly. "I never really looked for more," He paused. "But you are here now..." his voice trailed. "Never mind, it's stupid of me to ask."