Once Lost

by Brenda Dugas

  Once Lost

  By Brenda Dugas & Brandi Smith

  Published by Twin Gables, L.L.C.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2013 by Brenda Dugas & Brandi Smith

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without author(s) written permission. Author(s) may be contacted via email: twingablesllc@gmail.com.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter 1

  Leah was terrified. The knuckles of her delicate hands were white from the strength of her grip on the steering wheel. Her eyes were red and aching from the exhaustion of a long, lonely drive in unfamiliar countryside. Sheets of white, blinding rain slashed relentlessly across the windshield, while the wipers on her old Chevy Blazer protested with a continual moan. Long fingers of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by deafening rumbles of thunder. She drove along at a snail’s pace, steering carefully to keep the worn tires from sliding. Her eyes were fixed intently on the road in front of her because nothing else was visible.

  “Calm down, Leah…you have to reach Rockport soon!” She tried speaking to herself; hoping the sound of any voice, even her own, would calm her frayed nerves. But a glance at the gas gauge told her that she would be stopping soon whether she reached the village or not. She searched in vain for a place on the roadside to park the car and wait out the storm.

  She had climbed still another of the steep, seemingly endless hills and rounded a long narrow curve when she hit an object in the road. There was a loud POP, as one of the old tires burst. Leah screamed at the inevitable impact, as the screeching car careened out of control, spinning sideways, and finally sliding into the embankment on the side of the road. Now powerless and confused, she was on the verge of hysteria.

  Taking a deep breath, she continued in a shaky voice, “I’m ok … I’m ok…” she reached for her cell phone, dialing 9-1-1 with trembling hands. “Hello, Hello...” but there was only silence on the other end. Great! No signal…looks like I’ll just have to sit here and wait for help!

  She waited and prayed as the storm raged for what felt like hours, but help never came. Since there appeared to be nothing else she could do, Leah decided to rest her eyes and try to clear her mind. She released the seat to a reclining position, and reached for a pillow.

  The next thing Leah knew, she was being awakened by insistent tapping on the window above her head. She looked up into the concerned eyes of a handsome stranger who was asking, “Hello…Are you ok?”

  “Yes, thank you,” she assured him, rolling down the window and returning the seat to an upright position.

  Leah blinked her eyes in disbelief as her realization returned. She noticed the rain had stopped and the sun was shining innocently on a charming New England village that was partially revealed below the hill she had literally come to rest on. A nearby road sign revealed the name of the village to beROCKPORT.

  “Thanks for stopping! I hit something in the road, and lost control in the rain…and I think my tire…”

  “I’m Dustin Brannon.” He opened the door. “And yes, looks like you’ve blown a tire. Are you sure you’re ok?” he still seemed a little unconvinced, “I can radio for an ambulance if you need one.”

  Leah again reassured him, “No, really, I’m fine”.

  “How long have you been here? This is hardly the spot I’d pick for a nap!”

  Leah couldn’t help but smile as his face seemed to light up with a mischievous grin.

  “When I fell asleep, it was raining so hard I couldn’t see…it must have been a while ago,” she confessed. “I might need a tow truck though. I tried to call 9-1-1, but couldn’t get a signal.”

  “Cell phone reception is spotty in this area,” he confirmed, “but you’re in a dangerous place for a tow truck to hook-up. It would have to turn sideways, blocking the whole highway. A driver coming uphill around that curve (he gestured in the direction from which Leah had come), may not see it in time to stop. Do you have a spare tire?”

  She nodded and handed the keys out the window. “Yes, there’s one in the back.” He got about the business of changing the tire. Leah stepped out and walked ahead a few feet where the steep hill dropped off sharply, opening up to a breathtaking view of the peaceful looking little New England village that was to be her new home. It was built along the side of the mountain she was standing almost on top of. Further in the distance the land dropped off again and the sea appeared, a brilliant blue, dotted with scores of colorful fishing boats above which the gulls circled and dove. It was even more beautiful than she’d imagined.

  Leah was so enchanted with the scene laid out before her that she was startled when the silence was broken. "Quite a view, isn’t it? But I'm afraid it's still a little early for the tourist season?"

  “Oh, I’m not a tourist; I'm moving here!”

  “Oh really?” he questioned, more curious now. “Are you related to some of the locals?”

  “No, why do you ask?”

  “Well, we don’t get many newcomers here… I mean, with the lack of housing and jobs.”

  “No work?” Leah was disappointed. She had hoped to find a job close to home.

  “Nah, the nearest town large enough to find work right now is about ten miles away. Where will you be staying?”

  “I’ll be living in the house left to me by Marjorie Mullen.” Leah stopped short at the look of disbelief that passed over the handsome face.

  “Is something wrong?”

  To her surprise, he burst into laughter. “Oh yes, the old Mullen house. When’s the last time you saw it?”

  “I never have,” she confessed. “I’ve never even been to this part of the country.”

  “Who do you have lined up to help you with repairs?”

  “How bad is it?” she was afraid to hear the answer. He just smiled.

  “Follow me.” He handed back her keys. “Your vehicle seems to be in pretty good shape now, maybe a few minor dents and scratches, but nothing major.”

  That, at least, is something to be thankful for! She took a last hurried look at the spectacular view and slid behind the wheel of her car. As she followed what was obviously a company work truck down the winding mountain road, she couldn’t recall any mention of a return visit to Rockport. Mrs. Mullen had left more than twenty years ago after losing her husband, before settling next door to Leah’s home in northwest Florida. Mrs. Mullen’s health had been far too poor to leave town in recent years. Leah began to feel increasingly concerned at the condition in which she would find this beloved little home that held so many fond memories for her elderly neighbor.

  The first gas station came into view bringing her back to the present, as she remembered how dangerously thirsty the gas tank was. She honked and motioned frantically so her guide would wait as she filled the tank, and in minutes the two were back on the road.

  They were off the main highway now on winding country roads. Driving required all of Leah’s attention. Just as she was giving up hope of ever learning her way around the village, the white truck ahead turned onto a road with a neat little line of cottages. Exce
pt for one, that is. Leah smiled grimly as the guide confirmed her suspicions and turned into the last overgrown driveway on the dead-end road.

  "Shall we take a look?"

  “I hope the inside is more inviting than the outside.” Leah shuddered.

  "Be careful of this step." He indicated a loose board and then steered her safely around a hole in the porch, as she handed him a ring of keys Mrs. Mullen's attorney had given her. Leah watched as the muscular young man struggled to open the front door.

  Once inside, however, things looked up a bit. A tour of the rooms showed no real damage other than a few cracked windows, although the whole house was badly in need of repainting. The ceiling had water rings in several places, calling attention to the urgency of repairs to the roof.

  "I would advise you to have the wiring checked before the electricity is turned on…better to be safe, remember no one's lived here in years. The house isn't air conditioned or centrally heated; the yard needs to be cut with a tractor. Are you sure this is worth it to you?"

  "Yes, I'm sure.” Especially since I have nowhere else to go.

  “These repairs are going to add up." He looked doubtful at the figure Leah quoted that she had set aside for the home. "But where will you stay until the work's done?"

  She hadn’t even considered this problem. “Here," she stated simply.

  "You can't stay here!"

  "Where else would I stay?"

  "I guess you could rent an apartment in the city."

  "Nope, I'm staying here."

  "Really? There's no electricity or water!"

  “I'll be ok! I’m tough!" Leah tried to assure Dustin Brannon… and herself. Dustin smiled at the cute little grin she gave him. It almost made him believe her.

  "Where are you from?" He nodded that he had heard of the small Gulf Coast town Leah named. “Why are you here alone, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “It’s kind of a long story; it was time for a change. I’ll be fine, but with these repairs I can't afford to rent an apartment at the same time. Besides, I can do some of the painting and inside work myself, after everything's checked out, of course,” she added with a playful wink.

  "Well, you certainly don't lack will power, do you?" He really was very attractive, with rather longish wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. He broke into a wide good-natured smile putting Leah at ease.

  "I appreciate all of your help. I guess I need to go into town now for oil lamps and a few other things.”

  "When did you eat last?"

  Leah realized that she was already thinking of him as a friend. "Late yesterday evening, but it must be what… about noon by now?"

  “Just past,” he said, looking at his watch. “We’ll grab a bite.”

  Upon reaching his truck, Dustin opened the door, inviting her to slide in beside him, but after a slight hesitation, she remembered, "Oh, I guess I’ll have to take my car. I'll need to stay in town to buy supplies, and, of course, find an electrician.”

  As Leah turned to walk toward the car, her long, chestnut hair splayed over her shoulders, accentuating the slenderness of her own "slightly taller than average" figure.

  "Ok,” he agreed, "But can you remember the way back? I’d better draw you a map, just in case. Be sure to remind me.”

  "I'll try to memorize the turns on the way.” The drive into town didn't take long, but the winding little mountain roads were unpredictable, with hairpin turns and random trails branching off haphazardly.

  Leah hadn't realized how hungry she really was until the young waitress arrived with steaming platters. Dustin proudly informed her that all the seafood was caught by the village fleet. As she had suspected, fishing was a main source of income for this quaint little community. The meal passed pleasantly with Dustin relating interesting little bits of information about the history of the town and its inhabitants, and he pointed out the general store across the street where "you can buy just about anything you need." Leah was grateful to have found a friend so quickly. Maybe those prayers were heard after all!

  "Well, I’ve got a lot to do," she sighed, when suddenly the door swung open and a ruggedly striking man strode in wearing an expression that sent the waitress scurrying back behind the counter. Leah’s breath caught as he strode purposefully toward them, to glare at Dustin, who appeared to be caught completely off-guard.

  "Hello, Slade, is something wrong? Oh Man! I'm supposed to be…”

  "At the docks!” The irate stranger ground out. "But you’re not!” The words came through with the force of thunder, and Leah shrank inwardly as his eyes came to rest accusingly on her, as if noticing her for the first time.

  Dumbfounded, Leah looked up into amber eyes that looked as if they would shoot sparks. For a few embarrassing seconds that felt like hours, his eyes held hers in a challenging stare. Finally she was able to break this almost hypnotic gaze and her eyes sought the comfort of Dustin's presence across the table. Without realizing it she had taken in the wavy black hair and handsome features; the chiseled face, tanned and angry. His face remained etched in her mind even as she averted her eyes from his.

  "Look, Slade, I'm sorry,” Dustin apologized, “Is Jake still waiting? I'll go right now. I was on my way back into town when I found Leah. A tire had blown on her car and I couldn’t leave her where she was…and I forgot that Jake was supposed to meet with me today!” He picked up the ticket and moved across to the register to pay, motioning for the other two to wait for him outside.

  Leah reluctantly slid from her seat and followed the still unconvinced stranger to the door. Even though she was by no means short, his "easily six-foot" height put her at an extreme disadvantage. She realized that, although Dustin was not exactly dwarfed by the man either, he clearly wasn't comfortable to be the object of his anger.

  "You must be quite something to make my best man forget about his job!”

  The injustice of the statement shocked Leah into speech, "I don't think I like the implication of that statement Mister, Whoever You Are" she sputtered.

  "Coleman, Slade Coleman," he informed her. "And what am I supposed to think?” His eyes quickly glanced over her, for the first time noticing her sparkling green eyes. Her soft features and olive complexion were set off perfectly by her loose-fitting beige sweater.

  "I don't care what you think, Mr. Coleman!" she fumed. And I'm sorry I've had the misfortune to meet such a jerk my first day here!" The exhaustion of the long tiring trip was beginning to take its toll and her voice broke.

  As embarrassed as she was to shed tears in the presence of this man, they at least had a calming effect on him and his harsh expression softened somewhat as he looked down at her.

  "Your first day here?" He glanced at her license plate. "From Florida?" she nodded. “And you drove… this?"

  "Sure did!"

  Dustin came up alongside Leah, encouraged to see that his employer had cooled down a bit. “She had a blowout during the storm, and you'll never believe where I found her!” He then launched into a detailed rundown of the morning's events. She shuddered when she learned that the curve on which she had been stranded was called "Devil's Bend" by the locals because of past accidents in which the victims hadn't been as fortunate as she.

  "You traveled alone?”

  “You'll never guess where she's going to live either...the old Mullen house. She’s staying there tonight!"

  The same stunned expression crossed his face that Leah had earlier read on Dustin's. "Did you see that place? No one's lived there for years, it can't be safe. You can't stay there!”

  Leah had had enough. "I have a deed that says I can! I've looked out for myself for years now without a father!" Dustin let out a hoot of laughter that he quickly swallowed in gulps as the other man's expression spoke a warning that needed no words.

  "Dustin," he barked, "Jake is waiting!”

  "Wait just a minute, Boss," Dustin started, "Let me draw a map."

  "Jake… is waiting!” there was no mistaking the tone.
<
br />   "Ok." Dustin shrugged helplessly at Leah.

  "Father? Strange as it may seem to you, I have enough responsibility of my own. Sometimes people interfere out of concern! Good luck in your new home."

  "Goodbye, Mr. Coleman.” I can't say it’s been a pleasure!

  Chapter 2

  Walking across the street to the store, Leah noticed several people glancing at her curiously. A small, elderly man greeted her. "Hello, name’s Jack Lawrence." He waited for Leah to introduce herself, “What can I help you with?”

  “Well I have a rather long list here… let’s start with oil lamps.”

  When she finally left the general store with her list filled, Leah decided to explore a little and familiarize herself with the main roads. After all, she would have to learn her own way around before she could give directions to a repairman from the city. Tomorrow she would get down to the business of making the house livable. Today there was this intriguing little town that piqued her curiosity.

  A brief drive around the few short blocks revealed that the road in front of the store and restaurant was the main road. As she drove slowly from end to end, she found only a service station, doctor's office, school, and a small grocery store open. The smaller boutique shops and cafes were still closed for the season. A long curve at the end of the road revealed a scene that made Leah gasp with pleasure and park along the side of the road.

  The sea air assaulted her senses as she walked the short distance from her car to the iron railing. As she looked down, she had the feeling of stepping into a picture from a geography book. Here the huge hill on which the town was nestled began to slope steeply downward. At that vantage point, Leah could see the bay stretching for miles before opening into the Atlantic. Far below her, a long rocky wharf stretched across the waterfront, and life was added to the picture as boats danced at their moorings and fishermen sorted out the day's catch. The ever present gulls completed the picture soaring and calling against the background of the most beautiful waterscape Leah had ever seen. She took in every moment as the colors of the sunset streaked across the sky.