In Her Wildest Dreams

Chapter One-2

To Zachary Abrams, I bequeath the property in Puffin Cove, Maine. Nine acres, including house and all outbuildings...

What the hell? Zach felt his blood run icy in his veins. He stared at the letter and other materials the courier had dropped in his hands just moments before.

Outside his office, the sounds of his mechanics working, and the radio blaring classic rock, went on, but he was oblivious. He picked up the photograph he’d pulled out of the envelope and examined it again. It was a picture of a beautiful old rambling farmhouse with a huge lawn, complete with a sprawling elm tree from which hung a child’s swing. Judging from the architecture, the gables and chimneys, the place dated back at least to the mid 1800s.

And it was now his.

He set down the picture and picked up a key, the tag of which, read “Front Door.” He ran a callused fingertip along the cut edge, as if it were some ancient relic instead of a simple house key. I own a farmhouse in Maine. He mouthed the words. It couldn’t be possible, inheriting a house out of the blue from a stranger who’s just passed away.

But, apparently, it was, thanks to someone named Ellis Morgan.

“You okay, Boss?”

Zach looked up. Donald, one of his mechanics, stood in the doorway, two mugs of steaming coffee in his hands.

“Is one of those for me, Donny? I could use it.”

“Yeah, of course. I brought it for you.”

“Thanks.”

Donald set the mug down. “I don’t mean to pry, or nothin’, Boss, but you got a real weird look on your face.”

Zach sipped his coffee and leaned back in his chair. “Yeah, well, that’s because something really weird is happening.” He handed the photograph to Donald. Donald had worked for him for the last twelve years, and Zach didn’t feel funny at all about telling him the situation. He knew if he asked Donald to keep it in the office, that’s where it would stay. “What do you make of that?”

“It don’t look so weird, I suppose. It’s just a house.” He handed the photograph back.

Zach set it back down on his desk, next to the lawyer’s letter. “Well, I’ve just inherited this house from someone named Ellis Morgan.” He looked up at Donald. “Here’s the weird part: I don’t know an Ellis Morgan.”

Donald’s watery blue eyes widened. “Okay. You got me there. That’s really weird.”

Zach nodded, looking back down at the letter. “Don’t tell anyone else, all right? I need to get this all sorted out before I share my “good” news.”

“No worries here, Boss. My lips are sealed. Tighter than a crab’s ass.”

Zach looked up at him, grinning. “Thanks.”

Donald went back out to the garage and Zach sat quietly, sipping his coffee, his attention absorbed in the photograph, letter and key. Doubt began to nag at him. This had to be some sort of hoax, a scam. Rope someone into thinking they have a house, then nail them with all kinds of “hidden” expenses. Had to be. The world was full of that kind of thing.

He picked up the letter. The law firm was in Boston, and the phone number was right there in the letterhead. Of course, he’d check everything out and make sure it was kosher. If it did check out, then he could begin to consider that maybe his prayers had been answered.

He sighed and swiveled his chair to look out his office window. The late January day was bleak and freezing cold. The few trees lining the sidewalk were like bare twigs, and the traffic passed in a steady, noisy stream. New York had been a cool place to grow up, but he was ready for a change. Since entering his late thirties, he’d begun to crave quiet and peace. The country sounded great, and Maine was beautiful. He remembered family vacations there as a kid. If I’m going to be freezing cold, I might as well do it in a beautiful place.

The thought made him chuckle as he stared at the fast food joint across the street. Then his musings grew more solemn. Leaving New York meant leaving a lifetime of memories, including Cass. He’d thought his heart had died when she asked for a divorce.

But thankfully, it hadn’t, and he had never stopped aching to love and be loved. During that time, however, his heart drew him to the wrong women, to those who treasured their independence too much to have a “we,” or someone who just wanted him for stud because of his looks. And then there were those who ran from the relationship when she began to find out he had his foibles and problems just like everybody else. So, he’d used the experiences to examine himself and his own motives, until he had learned to put aside his own fears and find the love he craved.

Deep in his heart, he knew there would be someone out there who was willing to do the same.

Who knows? Maybe if I’m settled and happy, it’ll happen then … He shook himself out of his reverie. Here he was, already planning on making a place for the woman he would spend his life with, and he hadn’t even made sure this house was for real.

Get real, Zach. Something that precious doesn’t happen overnight. He sat up, drained his coffee mug and set it on his desk. Then he picked up the phone and the letter and dialed the number to the lawyer’s office in Boston.