Chapter 1
It was mid afternoon and David was unloading the surfboards from his truck when she pulled up to the house next door. He couldn't help but stop and look, it was always interesting to check out the new weekly renters.
Owning in this small vacation town one never knew what might move in temporarily next door. You had wild young college kids looking to party; single families with three or six screaming bratty kids; multiple young or older retired couples just looking for a get away. It was luck of the draw either way.
This girl was young, and for the time, it seemed alone. She got out and looked around, looking down at her paper and then up at the house. Here it came again, why hadn't the rental agency hung the sign up yet. She looked over at him and smiled; he knew she wanted to ask, so he made it simple on her.
"If you are looking for 'Gone Fishin' then you found it." He started to walk over closer, to help his voice carry over the breeze and humming traffic.
"Oh, thank you. They really should put the name on it, or the number."
He rolled his eyes slightly, nodding; he heard it about twice a month.
He had his short board tucked under his arm. For some reason he took in a deep breath, pulling in his stomach and straightening his stance. It must have been the sweet look this younger attractive woman was giving him.
"How is the surf?"
"Choppy, been a waste of time for the past few days, sadly." He noticed the surf racks on her SUV, but they were empty.
She just shrugged, "I don't surf; its just kinda a force of habit to ask, seeing the board. My ex...." She looked down as her voice trailed off.
"Anyway, thank you." She started to turn away then turned back, smiling. "My name's Laura. I will be here for a month. You can relax about having multiple new neighbors."
Her smile was like bright rays of sun on an early morning. He took the moment to really drink her in, long copper and gold waves swayed around her shoulders, drifting down to her tiny waist and well formed rear. She was in shape, not the athletic build, but tiny and refined with proportionate toning to her muscles. The small tan tank top offered just a glimpse of her flat belly and the light caught off a jewel in her navel. His eyes travelled up and down, and his smile widened at her simple beauty. The way those short cut-offs stopped in just the right place on her thighs, and the cling of her top to perfectly shaped breasts; he assumed they were real, not small, but not overly done and huge hanging off her.
He set the board against his house and walked over, stepping across the small decorative rope separating the two properties, extending his hand.
"David....pleased to meet you."
Her grasp was strong, but feminine; he was impressed.
"How did you guess I was a local?'
"Well, I have vacationed here since I was a little girl. You kinda get to know these things." Again that warm ray of early sunshine.
Now, this close, he could see how bright green her eyes were, completely mesmerizing. They seemed to glow from with in, and her face was like fine porcelain, delicate, angelic. "Since a little girl," the phrase made him smile; she looked like she was barely twenty-one.
She looked down; there was a pause for a bit.
"This is my first time down here alone." Her tone was a bit sad; then she looked up with a shocked look, realizing she had just told a stranger she would be alone here.
"Mighty big house not to share" Trying to offer her a quick way to salvage herself,
She didn't miss a beat, "well, I have friends and my dad dropping in from time to time while here." Her smile returned.
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, ok Laura?
"Thank you, David, very kind of you."
He turned and walked off leaving her to check into the home and get settled in. Laura quickly fussed at herself. How stupid, Laura. He may seem like a dad, but he is a stranger.
She let herself in and wandered through the large home. On the first level there was a bed room, a theatre room, a pool table and wet bar. The rec room was done up in a bar motif, coke signs, a surf board with a bite missing from it labeled with "Landshark." She walked out to the pool and hot tub, dipping her foot into the water as she took a deep breath of the salt air, then headed back in.
Making her way to the second level there were three bedrooms and a laundry area. Each room was done in fish themes, the one kid's room had Nemo and all his friends painted on the walls. It was cute. Winding up the stairwell, she went to the top level with the living area and king sweet.
Her breath caught in her chest as she looked out over the view. The one wall looking out was nothing but windows. The house she was staying in was across the beach road from the ocean, and sat perfectly between two other houses. Her view of the rolling waves and foamy white caps was unobstructed. She sighed and smiled, for the first time in five months, she finally felt no stress and nothing but good vibes went through her.
She couldn't help but laugh at the huge Blue Marlin hanging on the wall across from the windows. The kitchen was huge and well stocked.
Laura pushed through the double doors into the master suite and was in awe. A large four posted king bed was dressed in lush satin coverings of a beautiful bright aqua. Picturesque scenes of sail boats and beaches hung on the walls. She stood there for a moment then felt like a school girl as she lunged into the big fluffy bed and thick pillows, giggling as she rolled around on it.
After laying there a moment, she sat up and headed into the bathroom, again laughing as she looked at the huge soaker tub with jets and large walk in shower. It even had a bench!
"My God! You could get four or five people in here!"
Walking back into the living area she decided to unload the car and then call her dad while unpacking.
She hurried down the stairs and out to her truck, bringing in bags and some of the groceries she had brought with her. She had made note of the nearest grocery store when she came through, deciding she could go this evening or tomorrow morning.
