Dreamlike State (The Magic of Black Forest Book 1) (3 page)

No response. Nothing.

I threw my truck into park and smiled. Before me I saw a cozy log cabin with a fire pit, grill and a picnic table. On the porch, a bench swing. As soon as I walked into the cabin, I realized I wouldn’t be roughing it at all, which is how I think a vacation should be. It offered all the accommodations a hotel would offer. The only difference was the décor. The rooms in the cabin were painted either beige or white with paintings of wildlife: bear, deer and such, hanging on the walls. The place was perfect.

After a quick walk through, I brought in all my bags and unpacked my clothes into dresser drawers and the closet. I brought a few pictures of my parents and placed them all over the cabin. They seemed to add a cozy feeling to the décor. Having only a week’s worth of clothes, it didn’t take me long to unpack. I’d have to remember to find a Laundromat.

I tackled the food and other kitchen goodies next. The kitchen had actually been painted yellow. A bright yellow. The only thing missing was a centerpiece on the table. I’d need to pick some flowers.

After putting my own sheets on the bed, I headed back outside to unload the ATV.

To ensure no one stole my happiness away, I tied it to a tree with a tow chain and large master lock. For ultimate protection, I also used a security cable. Finished, I smirked, beaming with confidence. “Seager, I think it’ll be secure enough.” He thumped his tail a couple times but said nothing.

“I’m just going to keep talking to you. Eventually, you’re going to break down, screaming for me to shut up.” I giggled. I cracked myself up.

We needed a few supplies so we got back into the truck and headed to the market in a town called Renovo. Papa Smurf, Sam, said it would be the closest and cheapest place to go for food supplies.

Driving to Renovo, I realized that the roads up here were really narrow. I could easily spot the locals by how fast they drove by. A couple of times, I nearly hit the opposing traffic. With nothing but a thin guardrail to prevent me from rolling my truck down the mountainside, I had nowhere to pull over. So a few times, to avoid hitting the other vehicle or the guardrail, I just slammed on my brakes and stopped dead in my tracks. My body became tense from anxiety. The horrible realization that I had to drive on this road again to get back to the cabin increased my anxiety. Crap, this is scary.

Thankfully, we made it to the market in one piece. After regrouping from the drive, I left Seager in the truck and headed inside. For such a small store, I was surprised by how hard it was to find what I was looking for. Everything seemed to be crammed onto the shelves and floors. Oh and the prices… they were ridiculous. A bottle of Pepsi was two dollars and fifty cents. At home, it cost a little over a dollar. Having no other choices available to me and not wanting to return unless I had to, I proceeded to fill my cart.

The floors were wildly cluttered. I tripped, almost falling on my face. Luckily, I had the cart to grab onto. I was laughing at myself when
BAM
! I banged into this woman. Literally…I about near knocked her off her feet.

“Pardon me, I wasn’t looking where I was going,” I said very embarrassed, I could feel my face burning and turning red.

She laughed. “That’s okay. I wasn’t looking either.” Her face was now turning red. We stood there and laughed at each other’s blunder.

“Hello, my name is Colleen.” She had blonde straight hair and blue eyes with a warm smile. Very pretty.

“Hi, my name is Natalia.” Wanting to be normal for once, I did not offer my hand during my introduction.

“Are you here on vacation or just passing through?”

“Am I that obvious?” I laughed. “I’m staying at the Black Forest Campgrounds.”

“Oh, the cabins there are gorgeous aren’t they? Are you here with family or friends?” The second she says family my smile was wiped away.

“Yes, the cabins are beautiful. I’m here with my dog Seager. It’s our first vacation together.” I avoided giving her a more detailed answer. If I even mentioned my parents the tear gates would burst open and flood the store. She would think that I’m a freak.

“Well since you’re new to our neighborhood, how about we meet up for dinner later? There’s a restaurant right across the street from where you’re staying. The food is okay but they make really good drinks. We can talk about what sights you're seeing, your plans.”

I hesitated to answer then decided what the heck. “S-sure.” To be positive that her offer was sincere, and that I wouldn’t end up being a pawn in a prank played against tourists, I reached out to shake her hand.

She’s a good person. I saw her with her friends or family, they are all very kind. Some things appeared out of focus but I did not feel anything negative about her. Since she didn’t look like an axe murderer I figured, why not? “What time do you want to meet?”

“Let’s say about 7 pm? Would that be enough time for you to get back and unload your groceries?”

“Yep, I’ll meet you then, Colleen.” I was a little nervous. She seemed like someone I could become good friends with and reminded me of Melissa. It should be interesting to say the very least.

***

When we got back to the cabin, I hadn’t noticed the black bear searching for his dinner in the dumpster. But, luckily, Seager did. As soon as the truck door opened, he jumped out and stood protectively between the bear and me. My body froze with fear. Growling furiously, Seager seemingly gave the bear a warning not to take one step closer. The bear didn’t even acknowledge his threat or our being there. At this point, I came to the conclusion that he was probably used to seeing humans. Unfortunately, my conclusion didn’t put my fear to rest. 

Thankfully, Seager didn’t charge at the bear. Things would have turned out horribly if he had. Instead, he stood rooted, prepared to attack.

When the bear turned to leave, I started to breathe again. As for Seager, once it disappeared into the trees his posture relaxed.

Seager stayed at my side as I carried the groceries into the cabin.

“Good dog, Seager!” I patted him on his side. “Thanks for not leaving me. That would have freaked me out. I would have panicked and chased after you. We both know that wouldn’t be good for either of us. Thanks boy!” His chest was sticking out, and I could see the pride and excitement in his eyes as he pranced back and forth. Still he said nothing.

Every now and then, I’d looked out the windows to see if the bear had come back. I’m going to have to take a flashlight with me for later tonight. No drinking for me. I needed to be very alert for the walk back to the cabin. It really stunk that I couldn’t take Seager with me. He made me feel safe.

After I finished unpacking my groceries I changed into my favorite jeans and t-shirt. When it was time for me to leave, I told Seager if I wasn’t back by 10 pm that he needed to jump through the screened window and come find me.

Chapter 3

It was still light out when it had been time for me to leave, but it wouldn’t be when I walked back later tonight, so I put a little flashlight in my purse and headed off to the restaurant.

The restaurant was a little rustic place with a bar, a dining room and a games room. When I walked in the first thing I noticed was a narrow, u-shaped bar. The front wall, to the left of the entrance, had a wall sized window. It was the dining area. On the far side of the bar was a cozy sitting area that ran along half of the length of the bar. It had a sofa, two lounge chairs and a fireplace. To the left of the fireplace was an archway that led to the game room. There were two pool tables, a dart board, pinball machine and two arcade games. To the right of the fireplace was an open area with a video jukebox, dance floor and a stage. The wooden beams on the ceiling had money, all different denominations, nailed to them. Customers wrote their name on the bills and the barmaids hung them up at the end of the night. There must be thousands of dollars up there!

I found a seat at the opposite side of the bar and made myself comfortable as I waited for Colleen to join me. From my seat, I could see as the patrons entered the bar. To help me relax, I ordered the only mixed drink that wouldn’t make me sick, a vodka and ginger ale. I don’t usually meet someone and go out to dinner with them, so a drink should help to calm my nerves. Heaven knows that between the narrow winding roads and my first encounter with a bear, I was definitely on edge. There was also the fact that it typically took me weeks, even months after I met someone to go out with them. When I finally did agree to meet with them, I’d take Melissa. She has always been my partner in crime and my savior.

While I waited for Colleen to show up, I saw the most handsome man I had ever seen seated across the bar from me. He had bluish-green eyes with long lashes, eyebrows thick and perfectly shaped. His hair was reddish-brown and slicked back on the sides, while the top was spiked wildly. He had a scruffy but well-groomed beard and mustache, that was trimmed short along his strong square jaw, close to his perfect porcelain skin.

He smiled at something the bartender said. The corners of his flawless lips curled upward before they formed into a crooked smile. With one side higher than the other, his lips parted slightly so that I could see some of his pearly whites. Even though I was sitting down, his smile made me weak at the knees.

When I drifted back up to his eyes, I noticed that he was looking at me while I checked him out. I gasped, my face flushed with embarrassment and quickly I turned away. I mean I was really staring at him. I had never seen anyone look as good as he did. He was mouth watering.

I tried hard not to look and see if he was still looking my way but I couldn’t stop myself. With my heart racing a mile a minute, I stealthily glanced over at him and thankfully, he was talking to the bartender again. Whew.

I wondered if he frequented this bar much. Formulating a plan, I pondered as to whether I should get to know the bartender so that I’d have a reason to come in every evening. I smirked to myself at my own machinations.

Just as I started to stare at him again, a man came and sat down in the empty stool beside me. He rather smelled of… Well… He stunk. I couldn’t even begin to describe the odor, but it made me grimace.

He leaned towards me as if he had something to say and all I could think was, “
Oh no. Please don’t…
” Couldn’t he see my nose crinkled with disgust? And that would be a perfect example of why I always brought Melissa with me…

“How are you doing stranger? You smell really pretty.” His words were slurred and his breath smelled just as bad as his body odor.

Are you kidding me? When was the last time you showered or brushed your teeth? Do I look so desperate that you had to come and sit by me?
As I looked him in the eye, these were the questions that flew through my mind. I just wanted to blurt them out but that would be rude. I didn’t know this guy and I had no right to judge him. I didn’t know what he’d been through. For all I knew, he could have had a painful past that caused him to be this way. I could have just touched him to find out, but I feared he might get the wrong idea.

As politely as possible I said, “I’m doing well and thank you
.” It’s called deodorant and cologne, maybe you should try some. A toothbrush with a little toothpaste couldn’t hurt.

Annoyed, I began to wonder where Colleen was. I didn’t think to get her number. What if she couldn’t make it? My shoulders slumped at that thought. How am I expected to eat with this guy sitting beside me staring, possibly even drooling? This was why I didn’t go out with strangers.

I searched frantically, and looked around the bar in hopes that Colleen was observing from a distance. Maybe she was getting a kick out of my predicament. When I get to the man of my dreams, I found him staring right at me. He had a strange look on his face, I couldn’t understand his expression. Quickly, I turned away and began to wonder if he thought I was with this guy. Could he have misinterpreted my reaction to this stranger? I nervously nibbled on my fingernails. I looked back over to where he
was
sitting, only to find him gone, so was his drink. Within seconds…gone. Darn! Now I’m stuck with Mr. BO over here.

While I talked to myself and tried to figure out a way to escape, I heard a deep, sexy, very masculine voice coming from behind me. My body trembled and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. He tapped my shoulder and said, “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t see you over here.”

My heart skipped a beat as I thought to myself,
“
Could it be him?
”
Slowly, I turned and there he stood, the handsome stranger from across the bar.

When our eyes met, my heart went into overdrive. Electricity surged between us. It was incredible, and like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Could this be love at first sight, ‘cause it sure felt like it.

I’m a hopeless romantic. I’m also a believer in fate and that fate will guide us to our destiny. There were no doubts in my mind that destiny brought me to this bar, on this very night, to meet this gorgeous man.

I tried to speak intelligently, but failed miserably when he flashed a beautiful crooked smile. Instead, I stuttered, “Its o-o-okay. I-I didn’t see you either.” A giggle escaped my lips from trying to put on a convincing charade.

He found real estate in the empty stool on my other side, opposite of Mr. BO. I smiled, leaned towards him and whispered a sincere, “Thank you.”

I stopped breathing as he leaned even closer to me with smoldering eyes. He whispered softly, “You’re very welcome.” His breath smelled wonderful and drew me in. I wanted to wrap my arms around him -- to kiss him.

He extended his hand, “My name is Brad… Bradley.”

I bit my lower lip, and recalled the first time he touched me… I didn’t
see
him… I just had the feeling of home but I didn’t
see
anything. How strange? That has never happened to me. My gift forced me to see things about people with just one touch. It is not something I enjoyed but it was helpful when I met strangers. It would have been nice to see what he was thinking.

I shook my head as if to clear the cobwebs, and then reached out for his hand. By that time, he started to pull it away from me and looked confused.

“My apologies, I don’t mean to be rude. Did you say your name was Bradley?” He nodded. “I’m Natalia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I took his hand and concentrated. Still, I
saw
nothing. I finally gave him his hand back. “Err, sorry,” I was such an idiot! Now he had that ‘she’s a freak’ look on his face. I’d seen it a million times. What usually happened next was they would find an excuse to leave and I never saw them again.

Just as Bradley was about to say something, Mr. BO cuts in, “Yo buddy, she’s with me.” Wobbling, he jabbed his thumb into his own chest. It looked like it probably would have hurt, if he hadn’t been so drunk. I was pretty sure he wouldn’t feel it if someone hit him in the head with a baseball bat. I’d never seen anyone that drunk before.

Bradley narrowed his eyes with a warning glare.

The stranger put his other arm around me. I panicked and tried to pull away. Ewww! The odor, I wrinkled my nose then… Crap! I
saw
him.

I no longer struggled to escape, I felt his sorrow as the images of a house burnt to the ground, a funeral, and four caskets flitted by. His entire family was killed in a house fire; their home. He was the only one that survived. Now he walks around aimlessly, heartbroken and lost. He sleeps in his shed, the only structure remaining. In his drunken state, he thought I looked like his deceased wife. I didn’t look anything like her though; it’s just that the alcohol had blurred his vision. I fought back tears as his children’s faces appeared in my mind. The oldest was only six. Devastating. No parent should ever outlive his or her children.

I looked at Bradley. My eyes filled with grief for this man, and guilt for thinking the things I thought.

As if he knew how I felt, he smiled, laughed quietly and replied, “No Joe, Natalia’s with me. How about I get you a beer and a ride back to your place?” As I heard him say my name, the sorrow disappeared and I was immediately dazzled.

“Do I know you,” he slurred. “Sure I’ll take a beer,” followed by a burp. He was standing too close to me, making me feel extremely uncomfortable with his unfortunate memories and nauseous from his putrid odor. I looked at Bradley and pleaded with my eyes.
Please help me, get him away from me.

“Joe, it’s me Bradley Jenkins. Don’t you remember me?” He reached out and took Joe’s hand in his, as if greeting him. Then he pulled him away from me.

I sighed with relief. He smiled at me, possibly even laughed quietly. He was extremely close to Joe. How could he stand there without reacting to the odor? His face showed no expression. He was probably a good poker player. I laughed at that thought.

The bartender saw the commotion and came over. Bradley said something to him. Then the bartender offered Joe a hot meal and room for the night. His eyes bulged “Sure!”

“I’ll be right back, try not to talk to any strangers while I’m gone.” Bradley was still laughing as he walked out of the bar, escorting Joe to his room.

While he was gone, I scanned the room again hoping to see Colleen, but she clearly wasn't here. It was almost eight. I hoped she was okay.

Bradley didn't return right away. I noticed his drink was empty and began to wonder if he was coming back at all. I hoped so. But like I mentioned earlier, typically when I meet men and they get that ‘she’s a freak’ look on their faces, they’ll find any excuse to leave and not return.

When fifteen minutes passed by, I concluded that he wouldn't be coming back and that I’d been stood up for the second time tonight. I’m on a roll. I chuckled.

It was getting late anyway. I decided to get my dinner to go. It wasn't pitch black out yet. I should be able to see the bears before they maul me. My random thought had me chuckling again.

The bartender then handed me a piece of paper. It was a message from Colleen.

Natalia,

I am so sorry. I got stuck at work with an emergency and this is the first moment I had to call you. Please forgive me. I’ll stop by tomorrow…

Colleen

Before the bartender turned to leave, I thanked him and asked for a menu.

I shrugged my shoulders, thinking,
“Well at least Colleen is okay.”
This night wasn’t a total waste. I got to meet Bradley. Even though he stood me up as well, I didn’t regret meeting him.

Sulking to myself, I read the menu, and was startled when I heard his sexy voice ask, “Do you always eat so late?” I spun around so fast I almost fell off my stool. Bradley stood right next to me, again. He actually came back.

“I didn’t think you were coming back.” I smiled from ear to ear. My cheeks warmed as they turned bright red with embarrassment. He returned his crooked, gorgeous smile.

“I wanted to make sure Joe was settled in so that he didn’t attempt to walk home in the dark. He’s going through some tough times.” His words were sincere. He didn’t say anything else about Joe. I didn’t want to pry, plus I already knew all I needed to about the stranger. Actually, I knew too much.

“So, do you always eat so late?” He repeated his original question. The one he asked before I started rejoicing about the fact that he came back.

“No. I was supposed to meet someone for dinner but
she
didn’t show.” I emphasized the word
she
. I didn't want him to think I was supposed to have dinner with a guy. I think he got my meaning because he laughed aloud. Almost everyone at the bar turned around and looked at him, especially the women. Like with everything else about him, his laugh was perfect, musical.

“So why don’t you join me for dinner?” He didn't wait for my answer. “Would you like to get a table or eat here at the bar? That table in the corner would be more private. Then you can explain to me why
she
bailed on you,” he said wittily.

“You’re a real funny guy, Bradley,” I tittered. “I think I’ll get my dinner to go. Maybe we can do dinner some other time?” Fidgeting, I added in angst, “I kind of want to get back to the cabin before dark. Earlier today a bear was scavenging for his dinner in a dumpster not too far from my cabin. If it wasn’t for my dog, Seager -- well I didn’t even see the bear, I kind of startled it -- who knows what would have happened. I really don’t want to push my luck.” I tend to ramble when I’m nervous… obviously.