Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure by Larry Forkner (dark books to read .txt) 📕

him go she said, “I don’t know what is going on with you today, but I think I like this new side of your personality. Honesty and generosity–who knew you had it in you?”

Sean sighed, while a frown crossed his face. “This is a weird day. I’m thinking one thing, but something entirely different comes out when I open my mouth.”

Jennie’s smile slowly disappeared when she saw that he was serious. “Actually, that sounds a little worrisome,” she said. “Maybe you’ve been working too hard lately.”

He started to say something sarcastic, but this crazy behavior did have him worried. “Maybe you’re right, Jen. It has been a long week. If you can handle things here, then I think I’ll take the rest of the day off and enjoy a long weekend out of town.”

“I think that’s a great idea, as long as your long weekend doesn’t entail searching for more property to buy. We’ve got more work than we can handle already, so go enjoy the weekend and do something fun.”

“Fair enough. I’ll find something to do beside work,” Sean said.

“My cousin’s best friend is single and looking. I could hook you up with a dinner date for tonight,” Jennie said with a mischievous grin. She knew how much he disliked blind dates.

Sean started to answer when the image of the beautiful auburn-haired woman crossed his mind. Her beautiful green eyes sparkled with humor and her soft, full lips were turned up in a half smile.

“She doesn’t have auburn hair and green eyes, does she?” he asked absentmindedly.

“Bleach blonde with brown eyes, but she’s very pretty,” Jennie said hopefully.

Sean shook off the dreamy image and said, “I think I’ll head for the coast for a few days by myself. It’ll give me a chance to clear my mind.”

“Okay, but where’d the auburn hair and green eyes come from? I’ve never heard you mention that before.”

“Just a silly dream I’ve had a few times lately. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something,” he said, smiling.

“Sounds romantic,” Jennie said, returning his smile. “Now get out of here and go see if you can find her this weekend.”

* * *

Sean arrived at the Salmonberry Inn and beach house about four on Friday afternoon. It wasn’t the trendiest or grandest place to stay on the Oregon coast, but it had always been his favorite. It was nestled into tall trees right across the street from the beach and just felt like home away from home.

The atmosphere was cozy and very friendly, and the food was simply the best. It was the perfect place for him to relax and get rid of whatever stress was causing his thoughts and words to be so jumbled. He couldn’t afford anymore lapses, or his next mistake might cost him a lot more than fifty-thousand dollars. He hoped a relaxing weekend would cure what ailed him.

Sean enjoyed a very fine meal in the restaurant and was happy to see that there wasn’t a big crowd at the inn tonight. He preferred a quieter atmosphere when he was in a reflective mood.

While he was finishing off an excellent bread pudding smothered in caramel sauce, a familiar, chubby hand rested on his shoulder. He looked up to see Chef Cesare smiling down at him.

“How are you, my friend? It’s been too long since your last visit,” Chef Cesare said.

Sean smiled broadly and patted the chubby hand on his shoulder. He truly liked Cesare very much. He was all Italian—full of warmth—and a four-star chef, in Sean’s opinion.

“It’s good to see you, Cesare,” Sean said sincerely. I see the New York and LA restaurants haven’t yet enticed you away from the Oregon coast.”

“You know me better than that, Sean. They couldn’t pay me enough to live in the big city. I’ll be cooking right here until I’m old and gray.”

“Good to know, Cesare. It’s comforting to see some things don’t change.”

“Was everything to your satisfaction, my friend?”

Sean started to respond with an exaggerated compliment, but then remembered what had happened at the office this morning. Truthfully, the chicken had been the slightest bit dry, but nothing to really detract from a delicious meal.

“Delicious as always, my friend. If I lived closer to the coast, I would have gained twenty pounds just eating your amazing bread pudding,” he finally said.

Cesare beamed from the honest praise and said, “You could use a few more pounds, Sean. You need to get married, so your sweetheart can fatten you up a little.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Sean said, as Cesare waved farewell and moved on to a table across the room.

Sean was relieved that he hadn’t blurted out something that would have hurt his friend’s feelings. He wondered if he would have to spend the rest of his life having to think carefully before he spoke.

As he took a last bite of the decadent dessert, Sean was surprised to see someone sit down across the small table from him. Without looking up, he knew it was a woman by the smell of her perfume. The scent seemed familiar somehow. When he looked at her beautiful face, Sean was shocked beyond words to see the woman of his dreams staring back at him.

“Hello Sean. It’s good to see you again,” the beautiful, auburn-haired woman said.

He furrowed his brow and stared at her for a moment before he asked, “Do I know you?”

“Better than you might think,” she said, smiling. Her bright green eyes sparkled, and a wave of feelings struck Sean. She was the beautiful woman who had haunted his dreams for months.

“I…I don’t…” was all he could manage to say.

“This is going to take a bit of time to explain, Sean. It’s not a conversation either of us wants to share with others. Let’s go for a stroll along the beach,” she said, as she stood and stepped away from the table.

He hesitated, realizing that her lovely Irish accent warmed his heart and seemed to fill an empty spot inside him that he