A Somers Dream by Patricia Isabel Page A

final piece and he had to be there to acquire it. Normally, he would bid over the phone but this particular auction house had a policy about phone bids. There were none. So, with bags packed, he kissed his fiancé good-bye with the promise he would return in a week’s time. He hadn’t expected to acquire the piece as quickly as he did so decided to surprise Lynesse and come home a day early, but what he walked into was a mind numbing blow he wasn’t expecting. While Shane had been overseas, Lynesse had gotten married, and what he had walked into was a wedding reception. Lynesse’s and his father’s.
    “Now Shane, can’t we be adults about this? It has been five years already. Let’s bury the hatchet” Lynesse called from the front hall, she didn’t like being ignored and she certainly didn’t like being ignored by him. She made her way towards the kitchen where Shane was and couldn’t help but notice how exquisite the house was. ‘ He has great taste, that’s for sure ’ she thought and she walked down the hall. Entering the kitchen she saw that Shane was pouring himself a glass of wine, “Perfect. I’ll have a glass as well” and she sat on the stool. He let out a sigh and poured one for her as well, he figured he wasn’t getting her out until she said what she came to say. As he pushed her glass towards her, Lynesse was marveling at the décor and grandeur of the kitchen “This place is beautiful. How come I never seen it before now?” She looked over at him with that pouty look she thought made her look irresistible. It made him want to vomit. “Could be because you were never invited, I guess. What do you want, Lynesse” he was feeling very tired all of a sudden. “What? No ‘how you been’ or ‘how’s the family’? Where are your manners?” she was going to drag this visit for as long as she can. She had a purpose for being here and she wasn’t going to leave until she got what she wanted. Shane rolled his eyes and combed his fingers through his hair letting her know he was getting agitated. “Fine, Lynesse. How’s old Holten doing? Still alive I take it?” he wasn’t in the mood for dealing with this. All he wanted to do was come home, eat, relax and then hook up with Penny online. This wasn’t part of the plan. “Well, you got one thing right. Actually two things, he is old and he is still alive. I don’t really see him all that much. He just locks himself away with all his antiques for hours on end. Life has become quite dull, to be honest”. Again, Lynesse gave that pouty look that made Shane want to slap off. “So why are you here, Lynesse? If he’s not dying or sick, there is no reason for you to be here” He wondered if it would be considered assault if he picked her up and threw her out. He knew the answer to that, cursed and began to drink. “I’m sorry, what did you say? Oh never mind. The reason I’m here is that I’ve been thinking. My ‘relationship’ with Holten has died out and he no longer pays any attention to me. So I thought what a brilliant time for us to pick up where we left off. We were a great pair before all this nonsense began. So I started thinking, why not? We had some good times together, Shane. And I know you’re not seeing anyone ‘exclusive’, I’ve asked around. It’s funny how you never became serious with another woman after me.” Lynesse’s smile was so wide, she could’ve inhaled the Titanic, ocean and all. Wine came spewing from his mouth as he heard what she had to say. He was starting to think something was wrong with his hearing because he knew she didn’t just say what she said. Gasping for air, Shane looked dumbfounded at her. “Excuse me? Did you just say, in relative terms, you wanted to get back together?” Oh he was feeling faint. There is no way that was what she said. “Of course. Why else would I come here to this godforsaken place? You know I hate the woods. Oh Shane! It would be like old times again.” For