Chapter 1

A breeze was blowing the salty sea air in towards the coast. Palm trees swayed gently and the mist, that so often accompanied the early morning, was dissipating rapidly.

To most, it would seem a wonderful day was in the offing. I, myself would have traded it to have my parents back, alive and well. It was to be a pleasure and business trip, combined. Some trip! Their plane crashed! A water landing should be safer, you would think, than the hard ground. Experts class the ocean just about the same as trees and mountains. All three offer very little hope of survival.

The ocean has the thing with sea creatures and the depths that make the body hard to recover. In a way, that may afford some hope, but I doubt it. The insurance companies tend to want to delay things, so my attorney says. The plane's carrier wanted to settle right away. The house was paid for, I had access to the money in the banks, a good stock fund, and a trust my grandparents had left me.

On the advice of my attorney, we would file a missing persons report and wait the 7 years to have them declared dead. Unless of course, the plane's insurance and my folks insurance finally agreed on the settlements and double indemnity. I could wait. The stocks, income and any real wealth were all in joint accounts or covered in my POA for them both.

The cars and several perks were owned by the investment firm my dad owned. Seeing I was already an officer in it, there was not too much of a problem keeping things pretty much the way they were. The golf club, timeshare and health spa were some of the things I did not want or need.

Let me tell you a few things about my life first. You be the judge. As we go on with this, if you have some advice or see a better alternative, tell me or write to my lawyer.

I will be 26, 15 August, the Ides of August, or was that another month; Oh well, no matter. School was not what Dad or I intended it to be. I quit in my senior year of College. Got almost married to a wonderful woman. Problem was she was 'out of my league, or so I thought. She also had been married a few times and had a step-son, from the last one, who was older than I was. The real problem though, I just felt so inferior to her, that I let her go. I 'ran around' free and miserable for a while, than got married.

Bliss you say. Silly! Within one month I knew I had made a huge mistake. It became evident when I found her in bed, our bed, with another. If it was another man, or even another girl it would have less impact than the dog she was mating with. That pretty much took about a year to end everything. That and a few hundred thousand in bills and a settlement. Expensive month of bliss though. Taught a good lesson too.

Mark is my name. Outside of the home, three cars, expensive clubs(Some going Bye-Bye) and the timeshare now, I led a modest life style. Like I said earlier, I would trade everything in an instant to have my parents back.

Where was I? Oh yeah,! It was a nice house, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths and a large family room off to the side opening to the deck.; inside the house itself, was a small garden. retreat area. By California standards, pretty upper middle class, maybe $1 - 1.3 million back 20 years ago. It had a pool, sauna, hot tub. patio, deck and 4 car garage. Mom and Dad had lived in it near 20 years, they bought it before the boom, bust, boom, bust, et al. It had some land, was by the water and not in a sub.

I did not draw a salary from the company. Once a year, dividends, stock or monies could accrue, as directed. I had enough cash coming in from the trust and most of the big stuff was paid by the company, like 'business' trips or 'social' memberships.

The company pretty much ran by itself. The employees that were financial services, got a salary and bonus based on net profit. Other employees, got an annual review and bonus, as the officers approved. I held the majority votes as I was my parent's agent if they were not available. Nothing was to change much, just those few 'perks' I did not need.

I had pretty much decided to go back to school, not full-time, but to take some courses that would help with the business. I could take up golf though. No. Hell no! Boring!

My first night alone in the house was an eye-opener for me. I did not sleep very well and when I woke up, no breakfast. This was bullshit I thought. I liked either a breakfast, brunch or lunch. I usually had just two meals a day. The idea of going out each morning in California was not a real appealing idea to me. Perhaps when I started school and if I had a morning class it would work. Then I thought of that dreaded housework and maintenance around the house. The pool and landscaping could be hired service, but maybe not.

I called the PA that was at the company and asked her. "Hire a housekeeper" was the answer from her. "In fact, my niece, just wanted to start college here and is going to be part-time. Her classes might be at various times and not too many jobs are that flexible. Do you want to interview her?"

"Why not? I decided to go back to school part-time myself, and I don't care when the work gets done. What should I pay her?"

"Don't know? Depends on how many hours you need and any benefits. If she is fulltime, we might be able to have her be on our payroll here, with benefits. I'm not sure. When can you see her? I'll give her a call."

"Here is my cell number, 213-999-9999, it is usually on."

"OK! Oh! I should warn you; this is her first job and she has a lot to learn. I have spoken to her and told her that with just a high school education, things would be difficult. I know that the idea of having flexible hours even days, is just what she needs. If you could help her to learn what is needed here, I know this place could use her, in a few years. She is only 17 but wants to learn everything, it seems."

"No problem! I think I know someone like that! By the way, where does she live? Is it far from here?"

"I'll let her tell you. Right now though, she is with me. Her parents don't like the idea of her working with me in California. But!"

"Yep! I know kids and parents don't always see things the same way. Until you loose them!"

I got of the phone, somewhat encouraged at having help with the house, maybe. I got into the shower, figuring to go out for some breakfast this morning. Ahh, warm water is soooo good to wake you up. Of course having someone there to share it with was even better.

Oh well. I had just been getting out when the phone rang The house phone. The machine got it before I could. It was saying that there was nothing wrong with my credit card, but they had an important message for me. Yep, sure they did! It was to the bedroom to get dressed when I got another call. This time it was my cell. I answered it and heard.

"Hi, Mark, my Aunt Gwen told me you might have some work for me with flexible hours so I could go to school. Oh, my name is Sam, short for Samantha.(She should change her name to 'Chatty Cathy') I just finished high school, but I used to help my Mom out. We sort of, well, she did not like the idea of me moving here and trying to get a job with my Aunt. She told me to work with her I would need some college. She told me that the best courses varied each semester so getting and keeping a job with the same hours was not always possible. Will you give me a job? I'll work real hard? I'll do a god job? Will you, please?"

"Hello, you have reached Mark's home for wayward girls, are you picking up or dropping off?"

Sam was a typical 17 year old girl. She, however, was smart.

"I am dropping myself off! What 'services' would you require, Master!"

I said she was smart, she was really smart.

"Well, just the 'regular slave stuff', you know, sex, sex. sex and food. Hi Sam, I guess you could use the job, huh?"

"Well, gee, let me check my appointment book, mmm, I might be available next month, err, wait a second something just opened up, I can see you in 5 minutes, your place or mine?"

'Very funny, Sam! I just got out of the shower, can we meet for breakfast, I'm starving. That's one reason I need help. Wait a minute, you won't always be here in time for breakfast? Oh well, we probably shouldn't bother than?"

"Mark, I can offer you more than food, to live on Darling.

"Sam, I was just kidding, can you meet me at... ? Where are you near? Where could meet?"

"I am at Aunt Gwen's. I can see what there is here, or can you stop for eggs and stuff and come here. I don't have a car, yet!"

"Sure, I know where Gwen lives! It is not far from here. I'll be there in 30 minutes or so, OK?"

"Yes, but you better put on some clothes first, I have heard a lot about California but I'm not sure if this place is clothing optional?"

"Cute!"

"Yes I am, thank you very much!"

Polo shirt, Dockers and loafers completed my wardrobe today. Everyday, for that matter. I had my Mom's or Dad's cars plus mine. I took the Lexus convertible. The convenience deli mart was my first stop, gas the second, then on to eat Sam, I meant eat food and greet Sam. She had already gotten to me on the phone.

I got near her parking lot, and called the number she had called my cell on. She answered. "Sam, it's Mark. Are you decent? Can you come out and give me a hand?"

"Mark! I may be inexperienced but no one has ever complained! If you play your cards right and give me that job, you may get more than a 'hand'"

"Ok Sam, I give. You win! Can you help me bring in some stuff for breakfast?"

"Sure, where are you at?"

"Just pulling in, the white convert, Thanks!"

When I parked, she came up.

"Nice wheels 'stud', does my job get me one of these?"

"Hey, Cutie, play you cards right and you may get a lot more than you bargained for!"

Man, she was cute, she was not kidding. Tall, blond, blue/grey eyes and built for endurance. She had my vote for a job. Hell, it was only my vote she needed. What would Sam think though, if I just drooled with an open mouth. "Hey, you, I got everything, you want to cook here, eat out or go see my place before you decide on the job?"

"You sure know how to 'sweet talk a little old farm girl' don't you fella?"

"Naw, missy, now lookie in the trunk, food!"

"Wait a second, let me lock the door. You better be good, ya'll hear, a girl has to be sure her man is 'well... !' Oh yeah, well feed!"

I liked this girl on the phone, now that I met her, I liked what I saw and who she was. It was 9:45 am already, so it was more like brunch. No matter, I bought a ton of food. "Let's take the perishables up to Gwen's, we can get more on the way back." She agreed.

"Wow, you sure got a lot of stuff, Aunt Gwen will be surprised with it all."

As we drove back to the house(Top down of course) I found out a little about her, saying she could ask me questions about the job and when while we made breakfast.

She was a 3.7 GPA in high school. College prep and spoke French and Spanish as well as English. She never had a job, but did a lot of things on the farm back home. She rode horses well, competing in the local rodeo events and baked often at the State Fair. She knew about tractors, lawn care, gardens, canning and some livestock. Not a real good match for many businesses in California, but great for me and what I needed. We talked a little about what she wanted and why she felt she had to leave home.

"If I lived the life, they wanted, I would have married 'Bubba' down the way, worked his parents or our farm and eventually inherited one. Boring! No life! Nothing! I want to be something someday! Have a lot of things other people have. A home, 2.5 kids and teach them swimming, soccer, football and how to cook. Is that so wrong Mark?"

I had to think. That was exactly what I thought my ex-wife wanted. "Nope, Sam, I think you got it in one! What does Gwen think about it?"

"A little different, she never wanted kids or all that stuff, to her the business is where it is at!"

I made a decision right then. I asked Sam to change places with me and pulled over. In California, unless you want to have a CHPD or tow truck haul you away, you never pull over and stop. I got her driving, we had 15 minutes or so to go on the freeway, and I called Gwen.

"Gwen, I am taking Sam and running away with her, she is beautiful. Is that OK?" I had her on speakerphone.

Sam blushed.

"I don't know Mark, I was going to sell her body to get more money to live the life I could grow accustomed to, now you pretty much put that option to bed, not her I hope. Yet anyway. But for the right price... ?"

Now I knew where Sam got that really smart streak from. "Gwen we are heading back to my house, could you leave and join us there for food, and I need to discuss some things with both of you? If anyone asks, you are going to a business lunch and won't be back today. Give them a 'Wink, Wink' then smile!"

"OK! But I hope I don't get in trouble? Oh that's right, you will have two of us to keep busy, won't you Master!" That got a giggle from her and from Sam. "You turn off in about 4 miles, then follow the road to 1223 Orchard Lane, I told Sam.

That got me a look and smile, followed by, "Yes Master! Is there anything I need to do to you. I mean for you?"

Now there was no doubt these two were related. "Just do you duty, Slave, and I'll try not to spank you too much!" We stopped and got more food, this time from Sam's(Nice name I thought), a discount store chain.

A lot of breakfast, lunch and dinner stuff. Most larger sized that I ever though we would use. I had not told her, but, I had never gone shopping before. Then I had another brilliant idea, the extra I would give to her and Gwen to take back. The car was full up plus the floor in front of me and anything that we could stuff behind the seats.

As we pulled near the house and into the driveway to the garage, she saw the house, Sam stopped. "Oh my GOD! You live here?"

"Well. yeah Missy. a man's gotta have a place you know!"

As we pulled in, I hit the garage door opener. It raised up and she saw the BMW and Mercedes inside. She started to cry.

"What's wrong Sam? Why are you crying?"

"I, I, I was not sure if you could afford to pay me, I was just going to ask for room and board while I went to school. You're rich, aren't you?"

"Has your Aunt not said anything about me?'

"No, she just said you were alone and needed help doing chores around the house, That the hours were flexible. You sounded nice on the phone, and I just kidded around with you. I thought you were like a college kid and had a small apartment. I hoped it would have a spare room for me too.'

There is always something about a crying woman that makes a man want to hug her and tell her everything will be all right. In this case, I thought that it would. "Well, although I have so many other candidates to 'interview' if you can at least cook besides being gorgeous, you got the job!"

I don't know if it was the gorgeous comment, if she could cook or that she had the job, but she got that million dollar smile on her face."

"I'll have you know my Peach Cobbler, got a 'Blue Ribbon' last year at the State Fair. So, you think I'm gorgeous?"

Women! "Nice!" Not answering anything specific. "Now let's get all this stuff in and start cooking, BBQ even; since, you are so slow, maybe we can get it ready for dinner?:

"Umpff." I heard

We had another 'Magic Moment' when she first saw the kitchen. Mom had had it all re-done, and it was every woman's dream kitchen.

"You want me to cook here?"

"Well here or on the patio! Bring the stuff in and I'll show you the house. When Gwen gets here we can decide what to do."

Our third stare was showing her around the house. The garden, patio, deck, pool, hot tub seemed unreal to her. When I told her there were 4 empty bedrooms she could choose from and that if it was done at a reasonable cost, she could redecorate hers. Why is it that when we men look at things just as things, that a woman looks at the same stuff and says, "You have a real home?"

The ringing doorbell was a welcomed reprieve. "I'll get it!"

I answered the front door. It was Gwen. "Hi Gwen!"

"Hi Mark. Where is Sam?"

"She's in the bedroom, Gwen, come in."

"My, my, my, you are a fast worker Master! Shall I remove my clothes or would you rather do that?"

"Well, let's see, can both of you use the same bedroom?"

"Honey, if you put us in one or two, I am not complaining, just as long as you keep us both happy?" She walked in. Rather she swayed in and started to undo her blouse.

Sam walked in and saw her Aunt starting to undress.

"Whoa there! Is this what I think it is? I heard about California life styles, but take it slow, I'm just a little farm girl.

"OK you two! Knock it off! I'm hungry and unless I get food, I'll eat both you up!"

"That sounds like fun, Master!" from both girls.

I smacked my head. Took a deep breath and said, 'Gwen, know I know where Sam gets it from, how do you ever get any work done?'

"Work, who works Master, you father never said anything about work, work!" Then with a huge smile on her face, she hugged Sam, telling me that they would be in the pool for a bit, then we could decide what to do?"