Chapter 1 Anne laid down and closed her eyes enjoying the feel of the sun on her face. She was finally at peace and could rest. Suddenly a voice asked softly if she wanted to go for a walk down to the beach. Startled she opened her eyes and looked into the most beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen. "Oh", she exclaimed in surprise. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I just thought since it was such a warm day you might want to go for a swim." Anne sat up and looked at the man and thought to herself what a handsome man he was. He was tall, she would guess about 5'10 with blonde hair and a engaging smile. Her eyes went further down and she appreciated the rest of what she saw. Broad shoulders, slim waist and muscular arms and legs. He stood there watching her take him in and his smile grew when her eyes finally came back up to meet his. Embarrassed at being caught appraising him Anne blurted out, "This is private property, what are you doing here and who are you?" "My name is Daniel McEwen, and I know this is private property. Now that you know my name, how about telling me yours?" "Anne Forest" she stammered. Reaching down Daniel took Anne's hand, she thought to shake so she was surprise when he leaned down and kissed it. Looking up with his eyes, he slowly whispered, "I am honored to meet you Anne. Now how about that swim?" Anne knew she should tell Daniel to leave after all she came up here to be alone to think but something about him made her agree. "I was going to go down to the beach anyway, so if you want to come you may." She hoped he would think that was the truth and she looked up to see his reaction. He was smiling and then started laughing. "What is so funny?" she demanded to know. "Nothing," he said but Anne could see the laughter in his eyes. Reaching down he held out his hand to her and before she knew it she put hers into his. Smiling she got up and they slowly started to walk down the path to the beach. Anne was enjoying herself more than she wanted to admit to herself. The only problem was this buzzing in her ear. She reached up thinking there was a bee flying by and felt a jarring pain. She jerk and found herself in her bed with the alarm clock buzzing. "Damn." she muttered as she shut off the alarm. "It was only a dream." Or was it? It seemed too real, she could still feel Daniel's hand and the smell of his cologne. Chapter 2 Anne couldn't get the dream off her mind. Even after showering and getting dressed she swore she could still smell Daniel's cologne. She thought it might have been Iron but wasn't quite sure. It was eerie but she didn't feel scared. She finally admitted to herself that it was kinda comforting and she needed that now. Taking her cup of tea out on the porch, she figured that she had to face up to what happened to bring her to this small cottage. Could it be only a week ago when Dr. Maddax told her that she was going to die? Anne couldn't believe that with all her money there was nothing to save her life. She never believe the saying "If you didn't have your health nothing else matters" Anne admitted to herself that she thought money could buy anything even her life. Replaying what was said in the doctor's office, Anne tried to think of something Dr. Maddax said that was encouraging, but all that kept going on in her head was Dr. Maddax saying, "I'm sorry Anne there isn't any treatment. You might have a year or even less to live." She screamed and cried, "It's not fair, I'm only 25 years old. I have a lot more I want to do with my life." Anne could feel her throat starting to tighten so she slammed the cup down and yelled, "NO! I will not cry anymore." She remembered jumping into her Chevy truck and speeding away from the doctor's office, getting on the freeway and just driving. She knew she was running away or trying to but it was hopeless. Something made her get off the freeway and start driving on back roads. Where she was going she didn't know. It was as if someone else had taken over the driving and they knew where she had to go. That is when she saw the For Sale sign on this quaint little cottage. Anne had the feeling that she was finally done running and was at home. "I have to think about what I want to do with the time I have left." Anne muttered to herself. But what that was she didn't know. Up until that time she liked to do what Scarlett did..."Think about that tomorrow but now she knew that her tomorrow might be her last. Chapter 3 Anne went inside and thought again how the little cottage felt like home. She had been surprised when she first saw the place how it looked like someone had just left to run an errand. The real estate agent told her that the house hadn't been lived in for five years so Anne thought there would be a lot of cleaning and fixing up to do, but there wasn't. "Well at least that is something I won't have to spend the remainder of my life doing." she laughed. She put her cup in the sink and thought she would do it later. Anne went into the living room and plopped down on the couch and looked around. She had to start doing something or she would go crazy. "This is stupid" she muttered, "I have to get out of this house and get some fresh air." Picking up her purse and keys she went out to her Chevy. As she started to put the key into the lock she stopped. She thought she heard some noise from the cottage. It sounded just like water running then it stopped. "First sign of insanity, hearing things" she giggled. "maybe I shouldn't drive, the walk will do me good." Inside the cottage kitchen Daniel smiled when he heard Anne giggle. He dried the cup and put it away. "I never realized how lonely I was until she came." Daniel said out loud. Watching Anne walk down the path towards town he thought she was the prettiest woman he had ever seen. With her shoulder length brown hair blowing in the breeze and just a little swing of her hips, Daniel thought he was falling in love. He turned away and hit his fist on the counter. "It's not fair, finding her now when I can't be with her!" Slowly he walked out of the kitchen and went back to his room. Chapter 4 By the time Anne made it to the little town of Hampton she was thirsty and exhausted. It was only three miles from her home and before her illness she could have made it without breaking a sweat. She felt like she hadn't had any sleep and thinking of that she remembered her dream and how it seem to have happened. But that was impossible wasn't it? Anne knew that she wouldn't be able to make it back by herself so she decided to see what the town had to offer. The town consisted of a post office, grocery store, a police station with one law officer, a small hospital and one small cafe. Looking around Anne mumbled to herself, "I bet they roll the sidewalks up at 8." Going into the cafe, she sat down and ordered a Diet Pepsi. When the waitress brought it over Anne asked, "Does this town have a taxi service?" The waitress laughed and shook her head. "That's just great." Anne muttered. "How am I suppose to get home?" The waitress smile and stated, "Well, I get off in an hour, I could give you a lift. Where do you live? Oh by the way, my name is Sally." Anne smiled back at the pretty young girl and said, "Thanks Sally. I'm Anne and I live about 3 miles up the road in the white cottage before the woods." The color drained from Sally's face and she stared at Anne like she had lost her mind. "That place is haunted" she whispered "haven't you noticed anything strange?" "No," said Anne laughing "I haven't." Then she stopped and thought about her dream and the sound of running water. "That is just silly." "Well," stated Sally "I wouldn't stay out there for all the money in the world. I will give you a ride out as far as the corner where the road turns." Sally hurried off to serve the police officer who came in every day for lunch. Anne could see Sally whispering to the man and he turned and looked at her with a puzzled look on his face. Anne finished her drink and told Sally, "I will wait for you outside." Chapter 5 The phone was ringing in the cottage and Daniel was wondering if he should answer it. After all, it was his home too. Making up his mind he picked up the phone and said, "Hello." There was silence on the other end then a male voice thundered, "Who are you?" Daniel didn't like the tone so he shouted back, "Who do you want?" "This is Craig, Anne's boyfriend and I want to talk to her right now!" Daniel frowned and said, "That's impossible." and then slammed the receiver down. A few minutes later the phone rang again and Daniel just let it ring. This can't be thought Daniel. Anne couldn't have a boyfriend. But then it hit him that of course, a beautiful woman like Anne would have one or many more boyfriends. This thought sadden him for he knew there was nothing in his power to change that. "But why," Daniel spoke out loud "is Anne here by herself?" "Maybe, she broke up with this Craig person and that is why she is upset and crying." Just then he heard Anne yelling to someone that she is fine and that she could go back to town. Daniel went back to his room, he didn't want to scare Anne. Anne came in the kitchen door thinking of what Sally had said. She put her purse on the counter and turned to wash her cup. That's strange she thought, did I already do it? She smelled a faint aroma of something but her mind couldn't figure out what it was. Something familiar but it was just out of her reach of knowing. Just then the phone rang startling her. Walking into the living room she smelled the same aroma but it was stronger out here. The phone kept on ringing so she put the smell out of her mind and pick up the phone. "Hello" "Who is that man you have out there with you?" "Craig, is that you?" "You're damn right it's me and you didn't answer my question!" "I don't know what you are talking about. There is no man here with me." Suddenly Anne remember where she had smelled that aroma before. Daniel was wearing that in her dream. But how could that be? "Anne, I know there is a man out there. He answered the phone and said it was impossible for me to speak with you. Now I have a right to know what is going on. You claim you need time to be alone and when I call to find out what is going on, there is a man there." "Craig," Anne said softly, "you do not have a right to know anything. I don't want to talk about what is going on. Please understand and don't call me I will call you." "But honey I want to know what is happening with you. You left town so sudden and then you buy some house in where is it again?" "Hampton" "Right, I never even heard of the place." "Goodbye Craig" Anne said softly and hung up the phone. A few seconds later the phone rang again. Anne just looked at it and turned around. "Anyone here?" Anne whispered. Daniel wanted to answer but was afraid of what she would do so he didn't say a word. Anne said a little louder, "Anyone here?" "What am I saying? Of course, there isn't anyone here." Anne walked out to the kitchen to get something to eat. She needed to get her strength up but it was hard eating. After she ate Anne went into the living room and laid on the couch. She felt so tired. The walk was too much for her and soon she was asleep. Daniel came out of his room and walked over to the couch. He stood there looking at her and finally the urge was too great to ignore. Daniel leaned down and gave Anne a gentle kiss. She sighed but didn't wake up. He reached out and gentle caressed her face. She stirred and seemed to push her cheek into his hand, but still didn't awaken. Daniel didn't want to chance waking her up so he went to the chair across from her and sat down just watching over her. At 10 he went over and gently picked her up, she snuggled into his arms, and Daniel carried her into her room and laid her on the bed. A wicked thought came to his mind but he quickly banished it. No, Daniel thought it wouldn't be right. He turned off the light and went to his room. Next page