Dreaming of a Hero (Heroes Series Book 2)

by Lyssa Layne

  “Wow! That was a full scale of contradictions in one sentence!”

  “I know, I know! It’s just that, before these dreams, I never thought about Stavros in that way, he was just the guru of the art appraisal world that Austin hired, who turned out to be my friend, nothing more. Then these dreams started happening and now when he is around, I get all flushed because I would remember what he did to me in the dreams and they were so real. I started noticing how soft and gentle he is with me, he treats me different than he does other associates and even other women, which would make me wonder what it would be like to really be with him. Would reality be as good as the dream?”

  “Have you flirted with him? Let him know you were interested?”

  “God no. What if he got offended or thought I was insane? Plus I just lost Austin, I can‘t control my dreams but I can control my actions. I loved Austin. ”

  Ana smiled, “I don’t think he would ever be offended. I think you need to take some time to gain your composure and then ask him out for dinner, or coffee as a friend, start out slow and see how it goes. You already told me that he is one of your best friends, you do everything together, that’s the biggest thing that happy marriages boast about and you two already have it. Trust me he’s not going to think you’re insane. It doesn‘t sound like he‘s going anywhere, you‘re allowed to take time to grieve.”

  “I hope so.” Jennifer sighed. “I think about Austin so much but I can’t ignore that the past few years it was Stavros who was my everyday friend, my confidant.”

  “You’ll be fine, promise. Now, I have to go, I promised Rick I’d go up to my room in fifteen minutes to get ready for tonight.”

  Both women stood and embraced. “Thanks so much, Jennifer, for everything. You are such a wonderful friend and I don’t know how to ever repay you.”

  “I do! Have your wedding to Rick here! Promise?”

  “Boy, you are just like a dog with a bone, you keep gnawing and gnawing.” Ana blew out her breath and dropped her shoulders in resignation. “Yes, if and when Rick and I get married, I would be honored to have it here!”

  “Let’s get through tonight alive then we’ll talk about it, K?” Ana teased but reluctantly admitted to herself that she had eyed the gazebo in the rose garden as the perfect setting for her and Rick’s nuptials.

  “Deal.” Jennifer laughed then sobered quickly. “You don’t think it’s going to be that serious, do you?”

  “I hope not but it got pretty scary there for awhile. I don’t know what ghosts or the afterlife is capable of, this is all so new to me but I know that I trust Rick and Lissa and if anyone can stop this, they can.” Ana felt a little start as she realized that she truly did believe in Rick and Lissa, two psychics she has only know for a short time in her life and one of them she happened to be in love with. Life was truly amazing and she shook her head and chuckled to herself.

  “Can I ask what you find so amusing?” Jennifer grinned finding Ana's smile contagious.

  “I was just thinking how fast my life has turned around and changed in a heartbeat. One minute I’m a logical, cold business woman and the next my head is spinning in the clouds with ghosts, physics and soul mates swirling around my head and I’m learning the meaning of true love and true friendship.” Ana laughed again. “And I don’t regret a single minute. I truly am blessed and I am so glad that I met you and that you are becoming my best friend.”

  “Well the feeling is mutual. For someone that I have despised for so long to turn out to be one of my best mates, well, it’s crazy how life throws twists into your experience!”

  “Yes, it is. Now if you’ll excuse me I had better go rest up before I have a certain male psychic come down and chastise me for not getting enough rest. I’m going to go lay down for just a little bit, I hope you have a good rest of the afternoon and I will see you at dinner. Maybe you and Stavros could go for a stroll and enjoy your lovely gardens.” Ana teased and was thrilled to see Jennifer blush.

  “Oh you are just evil, aren’t you?” Jennifer laughed back.

  “Always gotta keep you on your toes.” Ana bantered. “See ya tonight.”

  “Rest well, my sweet friend. Sweet dreams!” Jennifer called as she watched her friend slip through the doorway and down the hall.

  TWENTY-ONE

  The sensation was light, tentative along her hip. Under any other circumstances, she would just blow it off and fall back to sleep but memories of her last encounter with an invisible visitor caused her to become instantly awake and wary. She didn’t have to wait long, another caress, this one along her side, caused her to jerk her eyes open and look at the area she’d been touched, but all she saw was blackness.

  That was strange. Even with the heavy drapes drawn she should be able to see something. Even in the darkest of night she was able to make out shapes and objects in the room, mid-afternoon she should be able to see even more but she saw nothing, as if she had fallen into a void, a black hole.

  She cried out as pain shot through her arm, the contact no longer caressing, the unseen visitor now punching and pinching her and the panic welled up into her chest as she tried to move but couldn’t. It was if she were encased in an unseen coffin or tunnel, her arms pinned to her sides by a hard, unseen tube. As she began to pant with terror, she felt her breath bounce off of the invisible wall and tickle back across her face. Trying to calm down, she leaned her head back to look up towards the head of the bed and saw what appeared to be a hole with light flowing in and she could see the headboard of her bed. Her first impression was that she was stuck in a black, metal straw, she could see the top and when she looked down, she saw the end of her bed but she couldn’t up or down, or side to side. Claustrophobia kicked in and she began to hyper-ventilate, believing she was trapped, unable to move or save herself, that she would slowly suffocate or be squeezed to death before someone would find her.

  She tried to focus her thoughts, this can’t be real, this can’t be real, but the transient abusing her would unexpectedly touch or punch her and she would get distracted, losing her focus. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and began her words of protection. She felt a calm wash over her body and she began to feel stronger, more sure of herself. She felt the abuse lessen.

  “I know this is you, Barry. Trying to scare me, are you? Well it’s not going to work! After tonight, everyone is going to know what you did to me, to Austin and you will have to go! I don’t want you and I don’t want you here! This is my life, you leave me alone now!”

  She laid still for a minute, keeping her eyes closed and concentrated on her breathing but nothing stirred and she wasn’t touched again. She slowly opened her eyes and saw her prison had disappeared, a trick of her imagination. Some trick. She thought. Had me pretty convinced.

  She got up, intending to go tell Rick what had happened but stopped herself. He was trying to focus his energy so that they could get rid of Barry, once and for all, so that they could be together. Nothing really bad had happened and she was able to take care of it. It would only distract him if she told him, so she decided to keep it to herself. When this was all over with, she would tell him then. For now, she would just rest and prepare for tonight. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again, she picked up a book and curled up on the bed with a quilted throw over her lap. She started to read Rick’s first book. My future husband. She thought with a smile.

  The afternoon seemed to fly by and although she was nervous about tonight, it was more about seeing Georgia for the first time since that night when she was sixteen than she was about the impending confrontation with Barry. A part of her still sought acceptance from Austin’s mother whom at one time, she had hoped would have been her mother-in-law.

  She sighed, “Silly, Ana, silly. You’re a grown woman with a successful business and your net worth is over a hundred million dollars, you don’t need acceptance from her or anyone else!”

  “Giving yourself a pep talk, honey?”

  She let out a
startled scream as she whirled around to confront Rick. “That was totally unfair and mean, given the circumstances! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

  “Sorry, but I did knock. I heard you talking and just assumed you were talking to me. I’ll know better next time, maybe I’ll wear a bell around my neck.” he teased as he drew her up in his arms.

  She was wearing a soft baby blue cashmere sweater with a pair of black cotton slacks that fit her curves in a snug and flattering way. Her hair was gathered up softly at the nape of her neck and held there with a silver clip. Simple pearl studs adorned her ears. And, he noted pleasantly, she smelled of fall, the floral woodsy smell that always reminded him of home and comfort.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. “I’ve missed you so much! Every time I’m away from you it feels like an eternity.”

  He was too busy nuzzling her neck and nipping lightly at her velvety skin to answer.

  “You keep that up and we are going to miss our own shindig.” she purred.

  “Tempting, very tempting, but we are too close to the prize to pass up the brass ring.” He grinned as he pulled away.

  “Brass ring? Prize? What in the world are you talking about?” she murmured, unable to focus on his words and trying to entice him back into another kiss.

  “Never mind, it’s just a saying, I think.” He tried to focus on his own thoughts as she licked his bottom lip. “Let’s concentrate on you, did you get any rest? Do you feel ready for tonight?”

  She controlled the knot that emerged in her stomach and smiled. “I really couldn’t sleep but I feel pretty good. A little nervous about seeing Georgia again but looking forward to getting this over with, concerning Barry. I want to get on with my life.”

  “Don’t worry about Georgia. We’ll be there to support you. To be honest, I think she’s mellowed out over the years, the few times I have met her, she was very friendly and affable.

  “God, I hope your right. Let me get some shoes on and let’s go down for dinner, I’m starved!”

  TWENTY-TWO

  “Stavros!” Ana squealed when she walked into the dining room and saw the tall, dark presence already sitting at the table. She raced towards him and threw her arms around him as he was beginning to stand.

  “Anastasia. Good to see you again! I trust you are well? Things got a little out of control, I hear and I hope that this evening finds you peace that you deserve.” he hugged her back, squeezing tight before releasing her.

  “I hope so too, will you be joining us this evening?” she asked, hoping that his strong presence would help ease the discomfort she knew Jennifer would experience with her mother-in-law.

  “Yes, I have been asked to join.” his eyes flicked over to where Jennifer stood talking animatedly with Lissa, before meeting Ana’s eyes again. “I wish to be her support tonight.”

  “I am so glad. She is starting to realize that she needs you possibly even more than a friend. I don’t think you will have to wait too much longer.” Ana giggled, looking over at her friend.

  “Is there something you wish to tell me, Anastasia?” he gave her his half smile, raising his eyebrows.

  “No, just some words of advice, if she asks you out for dinner or coffee, cancel whatever you have scheduled, even if it’s meeting with Royalty. It’s important.” She squeezed his forearm as if in warning that he better heed her words.

  “I would cancel flying to the moon for her. She is my life…” his eyes rested on Jennifer again, desire and love filling them for a moment before he regained his composure. “But let us focus on the now, may I escort you to your seat?”

  “Not this time, Stavros. I’d like the pleasure.” Rick came over from where he had been talking with Jennifer and Lissa and took Ana’s elbow, guiding her away. Both men nodded at the other, affection and respect filled both sets of eyes.

  “Then please excuse me, I see two ladies I would like to visit with before dinner is served.”

  “You’re not cooking tonight?” Ana asked as Rick pulled out her chair.

  “No, I decided I needed to be out here tonight, to offer support to my friends.”

  “Thank you, it’s appreciated very much.” she smiled and nodded.

  “If you’ll excuse me…” Stavros bowed, and then moved towards where Lissa and Jennifer stood in the corner.

  “He is a good guy, I am glad there is someone here to help Jennifer. They’ll make a good couple.” Rick commented, his eyes watching the interaction between Stavros, Lissa and Jennifer.

  “What do you mean, ‘They’ll make a good couple’? Did you find out something?” Ana stared at Rick hoping that she hadn’t been too obvious earlier.

  “Yeah, I talked with Austin while I was preparing for tonight. He was worried about you and Jennifer and wanted me to know that his mother knew more than what she is probably going to let on tonight. He also wanted me to know that there is a connection there between Stavros and Jennifer, that they are destined to be together, her second chance. He wants me to help her when those feelings of guilt stop her from moving on, to let her know that Austin gives her his blessing.”

  “He’s an amazing man, isn’t he?” Ana whispered.

  ‘Yes, he is. I’m sorry that you went through what you went through but selfishly, I’m glad too, we would have never met if you two had gotten married.” Rick admitted softly.

  “Rick, I’ve learned not to focus on what used to be or what could have been. I don’t know what would have happened between Austin and me, it is what it is. All I know is that I loved him, once, a very long time ago and now I am in love with you. I want to be with you. I am saddened at the thought that Austin’s life was cut short and that Jennifer had to become a widow and I could focus on the losses and be miserable and sad. But I choose to focus on the positive. I learned at an early age what true love feels like with Austin, now I have met a beautiful person who is quickly becoming my best girlfriend and I have met the man of my adult dreams, a man that I fell in love with when I didn’t believe it was possible to fall in love, I’ve learned it is possible to have more than one soul mate. You are someone who gave me hope for my future.” Ana’s eyes welled up with tears as she grasped for Rick’s hand, clamping on tightly.

  “I love you, Ana.” he whispered.

  “I know, and I love you too, Rick.”

  “UHHMM!” Lissa cleared her throat as Stavros seated her across from Ana and Rick. “Am I interrupting something?”

  “No, just two people telling each other that they love one another.” Rick smiled.

  “Good. Not enough of that going around in this world, in my opinion. Don’t let me interrupt.”

  “Actually,” Jennifer cut in, “we should begin with supper. Georgia will be here in an hour and we really should have this wrapped up.”

  “Shall we then?” Stavros asked, poised above Jennifer’s chair, waiting for her to take her seat. Jennifer smiled, sat down and picked up her wine glass.

  “To a successful, interesting night. Here’s to Ana being able to exorcise her demons! Oops, I mean Barry! No disrespect, Dad!” she giggled.

  Ana, relieved at Jennifer’s acceptance of the situation, raised her own glass. “To new, old and now lifelong friends. May we always stay in touch, even when ghosts aren’t involved.”

  “Here, here!” Lissa said, everyone raising their glasses as feelings of love and compassion filled the room.

  ***

  Georgia showed up precisely at seven. She was in her late fifties, short with bleached blonde hair. She was as round as she was tall, a face that appeared pink and jolly, flushed from the shots of whiskey she had drunk thirty minutes before.

  She knew that she was going to be seeing Anastasia Cassadine again, the trollop that stole her son’s heart. She knew back then that Ana wasn’t going to be good for her son but she never dreamed that she would be sitting with her in the same room while a psychic talked with her husband. Trouble, she always knew that Ana was going to be trouble.<
br />
  “Mom.” Jennifer smiled and gave a tentative hug to her mother-in-law, smelling the whiskey on her breath. “Mom, you weren’t supposed to drink, remember?”

  “You call me up, tell me that my dead husband isn’t feeling right about how things ended between my darling Austin and that…harlot, that I am to come to a séance tonight and I’m not supposed to have a little drink? Pshaw! I just needed something to calm my nerves, it’ll be fine. So tell me, is she here?” Georgia peered over Jennifer’s shoulder, looking around the manor for Ana.

  “Yes, she is here. She’s staying here as my guest.” Jennifer took her coat and hung it up in the foyer. “So is Rick and Lissa Perry, the other psychic that’s involved. Mom, I really appreciate you doing this and I know you dislike Ana but this is for everyone’s benefit.” she tried to explain but seeing the disgust in Georgia’s eyes at the mention of Ana made her angry. “And whether you like it or not, she’s my friend. She will be here as much as her work allows her to be and I’ll be visiting her in the States.”

  Georgia visibly bristled. “You would socialize with that trailer trash?”

  “She’s not trailer trash. She’s worth millions of dollars! Besides, Austin told me that you lived in an old trailer, in a park, when he was in high school. I won’t ask you again to behave. She’s my friend and my guest.”

  “Humph! It’s all on how you present yourself and they didn’t present themselves with any respect, that mother of hers was a loud-mouth-drunk. She never knew when she was out of line.” Georgia mumbled, “But because I love you, I will keep my comments to myself.”

  She raised her eyes and searched Jennifer’s face, tears quickly forming. “Although my, um, our beloved Austin is gone, I still consider you family. You’re still my daughter, if you’ll have me.”

  Jennifer slid her arms around her mother-in-law’s broad shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Of course I will, Mom, you’re still my family.” Jennifer guided Georgia down the hall towards the den where the others were waiting.