At

The House of Four Seasons
 

By Layne Richards

(Toni has rented the House to a new woman, who is being written by another author.)



Adjusting her glasses, Sarah Lincoln gave another look around the bus station.  Someone was supposed to be meeting her--someone named Andy--but it was ten minutes past the time he should be there.  Sighing, she took out her laptop and turned it on, taking another look at the pictures of the house she'd rented for the next year.  It was rather average as houses went, the outside giving no hint of all that was supposed to lie within.

Sarah had become acquainted with Toni Thorne at the library.  Sometimes it seemed to Sarah that she had spent the majority of her life in libraries.  At college there'd been many days when she had been the first to arrive in the university library and the last to leave.  Since then, she'd spent a lot of time there, too, preferring losing herself in books to the harsh realities of life.  And, of course, during her childhood there'd been all the times when the library had been the place she'd run away to when things got too bad at home, which had been often.

"Stop that!" she told herself firmly.  This was no time to be thinking about her childhood and how bad things had been. She was twenty-four now, even though it seemed she ought to be at least forty.  She was taking this year to try and become a new person, someone different from the shy and timid girl she'd been since childhood.

Toni Thorne.  She'd met her at the library when Toni had sat down in the chair next to hers, exclaiming, "I've never seen this place so crowded!"

Sarah had smiled politely and made an offhand remark about the book Toni was holding.  That had started a long conversation and an invitation from Toni to have lunch.  During that lunch, she'd found out that Toni was a writer and her husband, Terry, in some sort of security business, which Sarah couldn't remember very well.  She'd told Toni about her job as a social worker, most of it dealing with abused children and how depressing it could get, even though she'd only been at it for three years. 

Somewhere in the conversation Toni had told her about the house she had for rent, the magical house where one could be with a companion for each of the four seasons--could find love with those companions.  She'd told Sarah about those special companions. 

Anyone else might have laughed at that, but Sarah took it all to heart.  She'd never felt loved or that she had loved anyone in return.  This had to be fate. It had to be her chance.  As a social worker she was not rich.  It would take all the money she had in the world--even if she sold most of her things.  She would end that year broke and with no job to return to.  But she had to do it.  So she'd made the arrangements with Toni.

Being Guided

By Atonia & Layne (Atonia writing Andy, Layne writing Sarah)




There was nothing for it. He’d made a dog's breakfast of it. He magically had a car but had gone to the coffee shop and only upon entering did he realize he was supposed to pick the woman up at the bus station. He’d had to ask for directions, no magic helping him now. He was on his own.

He parked the car and ran inside, his eyes scanning faces left and right as he walked through the waiting area. He spotted her with her laptop open and wondered how long she’d been waiting for him. Taking a breath, he casually walked up to her and smiled. “Hi, Sarah Lincoln, I’m Andy and I’m your guide. Sorry I’m late. I went to the wrong place.”

Standing up and almost dropping her laptop, Sarah managed to juggle the computer awkwardly as she held out her hand.  "Hello, Andy..."  She spoke somewhat formally, despite her awkwardness.  After all, he was a stranger, even if he was a cute stranger.

 "That's okay.  It hasn't been more than thirty minutes.  I've just-  just been looking at pictures of the house."  She pushed her glasses up on her nose, feeling nervous and shy.

He shook her hand. “These your things?” He picked up her bag. “Oh, the house, yeah, the pictures don’t do it justice. It’s waiting for you. Are you ready to go?”

"Very ready.  Yes, that's my bag."  She followed Andy, wondering about him.

"So-," she asked as they put her bags in the car.  "Are you supposed to be my- my companion?"

Andy laughed, “No, I’m just a guide.” He got behind the wheel. “I’ll stay with you for a few days just until you get used to the House and its ways. I understand you have the house for a year, so I’ll be explaining what takes place. Since Toni Thorne has let it to you I assume you already know it’s a magical place.”

Sarah felt a little embarrassed at his laughter.  Well, how was she supposed to know these things?  "Yes..."  She glanced out the car window away from Andy.  "That's what Toni said...  She told me something about how the 'magic' is supposed to work."

Leaning back, she sighed somewhat with relief.  "A whole year.  I'm so looking forward to it.  I don't have any idea what I'm going to do when the year is up, though."  Ever since she'd sent her check, she'd already been a bit worried about how she would survive when that twelve months was over.

“You’ve got plenty of time to figure that out. You never know, your life could take a completely different turn by the end of the year. Did you take a leave of absence or quit your job? I can’t remember if that was with the information packet I got. Anyway, no worries, Sarah, for a whole year.” He smiled over at her, taking the turn off the interstate.

She looked at him sympathetically.  Didn't he know?  "There's always something to worry about, Andy.  Even in a magical place, you can't escape it entirely."  Her expression was sad.

Andy turned onto the road that led up to the house. He knew as much as she’d told Toni Thorne and a bit more. She’d still had to fill out the application and a few things had been overridden by Toni, such as her age. The house did have a limit of twenty-five years. He knew of her financial situation and longed to tell her the check she’d written Toni would never be cashed. He paused at the gates and waited for them to open. “Sarah, leave your worries here outside the gates, luv. You won’t be needing them for awhile.” He smiled and patted her hand that lay on the seat.

 
Sighing, she told him, "You never need them, Andy.  They just come anyway."  Withdrawing her hand, she looked up at the house.  It looked like the sort of quiet, comfortable home she'd always dreamed of having. Huge trees and beautiful flowers adorning the yard, a long porch with a swing and rocking chairs.  She supposed that made her somewhat dull and boring.  Sarah had always felt older than her years--a typical feeling in the kind of household she'd grown up in--always forced to take care of herself and, most of the time, her mother as well.

 
But now, despite herself, she felt a touch of excitement.  No one to take care of for an entire year.  The house would even take care of HER.  She didn't quite know if she believed that yet.  No one had ever taken care of her before.

 
"There's a porch swing," she told Andy with delight in her eyes.  "And even a tire swing in the yard!"


Andy turned and smiled at her. The house, of course, had accommodated her. It had been different when Toni was here, and he was curious to see what other changes had been made. “That’s just the front of the house, too. I think you’re expected, Sarah.” Indeed the door was open and flanked by potted plants. “Ready to go in?”


The House waited for her to enter to send it’s warm welcoming feeling around her. She would be safe here, safe from her worries and she would be taken care of with love. This was the first time the owner had sent someone to the House and it wanted to make sure everything was perfect.

As Sarah stepped hesitantly over the threshold, something came over her.  No, that wasn't quite right.  Something came around her--some kind of new feeling--something that felt kindly and soft.  It felt almost smothery for a moment.  She wasn't used to such feelings.

A little startled, she looked over at Andy.  "Does it always feel like this?"

“I think you just got a welcome home hug from the House. Don’t be alarmed. It does what it can with atmosphere and air. Can you feel it? The house loves you.” He watched her carefully. Love was something she clearly was not used to. He set her bag down by the stairs, pointing out, “Living room to the left, dining room to the right.” He led her down the hall, adding, “Study here on the right and back here is the kitchen.”

Trying to relax and accept the atmosphere in the house, Sarah followed him.  She peeked in at the living room. The sofa was a comfortable-looking brown leather with tall wrought-iron floor lamps at either end of it, and matching chairs off to one side.  A large flat-screen TV and stereo system took up one whole end wall.  The drapes at the windows were a deep, rich blue.  A small bar filled one corner of the room, well-stocked with bottles.  At one end of the bar, a tall vase contained long-stemmed calla lilies.

By-passing the other rooms, she stepped into the kitchen after Andy.  Here the cabinets were a dark, glowing wood.  The curtains and decorations were a pale yellow.  Just the kind of kitchen she'd longed to step into and bake cookies with her mother when she was a child.  "How does the house know all this?" she asked Andy.

“It’s all part of the magic, Sarah. The House knows you inside and out, what you like and how to make you feel comfortable and at home. I think you’ll find the pantry stocked with your favorite foods and the fridge the same. You know you don’t have to cook if you don’t want to. The house will provide meals for you and snacks when it knows you’re hungry. But you can make use of anything here. It’s yours for as long as you stay.”

The rest of the day Sarah spent unpacking and exploring.  She felt rather uncomfortable with Andy there.  She wasn't used to having anyone else around when she was at home.  That was her alone time and she had always guarded it fiercely.  Right now, she almost jumped every time Andy came into a room unexpectedly.

Knowing her love of books, the house had supplied her with a small library, full of childhood and recent favorites, as well as many she'd never read.  It was her favorite room.  Her own room was a little nondescript.  She'd never thought about what her ideal room would look like.  Her life had been full of just accepting whatever she could have.  The house knew her favorite color was blue, and had supplied her with blue ruffled curtains, a blue and white patchwork quilt and her favorite part of the room, a vase filled with blue iris.

At dinnertime, she met Andy in the kitchen.  He seemed to be a little puzzled that the house didn't have dinner ready.  "Is there a problem?" she asked him.

“I’m not sure. Did you want to cook or go out for dinner?” Perhaps she had given no indication what she wanted to do. She’d been skittish all afternoon and he’d given her a little space. He was there if she had a question or needed him for anything. “I can cook if you’d like. I do work in a restaurant when I’m not here.”

Now, she looked as puzzled as Andy. "I don't mind cooking, but I thought the house was supposed to cook?"

“I think it was waiting for you to give it some indication as to what you wanted. Some people want to cook all the time and some don’t. All you have to do is tell the House to prepare meals and it will. Sometimes after you’re here for awhile it can figure it out for itself. Now then, what have we got?” He opened the fridge. “Anything in particular you’d like to have? I can guarantee it will be here,” he smiled, tying on an apron he found on the pantry door. “I promise you I can cook.”

Sarah's expression was blank.  "I don't know.  I never really think about it much.  I just eat whatever's on hand.  What do you want?"

Andy tilted his head and looked at her a moment. “Comfort food, I think.” He went into the pantry and came back with a basket of vegetables. “Now my idea of comfort food and yours might be different. I’m going to try American so if you could help me by peeling a few potatoes.”

Get her involved, he thought, that might be the thing to do. “And if you could make some iced tea? I make a good pot of tea but not much call for iced tea in Australia.” He racked his brain for something American for dessert and all of a sudden the oven came on and soon there was the smell of a pineapple upside down cake baking.

"I'm good at iced tea," she told him, rummaging in the cupboards.  They worked together in silence for awhile, but it was a strained silence, not a comfortable one.  Sarah didn't like it, but she was unsure how to change it.  She'd never been good at polite conversation.  At work, she could do or say anything she needed to to get her job done, but in a more social situation, it was different.

Finally, she glanced over at him and broke the silence.  "When will my companion be here?"

“I usually stay two or three days, Sarah, just to show you over the place. There’s a pond, a pool, tennis courts, stables and lots of trails and pathways. I want you to be familiar with the place before I go. He’ll be here on Friday. That’s the first day of spring. I don’t think he’s been here before so the more you know about the place the easier it will be for both of you. Since you didn’t bring a car I will leave mine so you’ll have transportation. Are you okay with this, Sarah? I know you understand about the seasons because you’ve chosen a Spring.”

"Yes, I did choose."  Rather than smiling and looking happy, she seemed apprehensive.  She'd chosen, but the idea of his arrival scared her a little.  Would they get along?  Would they be able to live in the house together?  Most importantly, would he love her?

"I'm glad I have a couple more days before he gets here.  You said he's never been here before?  You mean he won't know anything about this place either?"

“He’ll know all about you and he’ll be aware of the magic here. He won’t know what’s here that’s why I want to show you around, so you’ll be able to show him around. This is your home while you’re here. It will be his, too, you know.” Noticing the look on her face, he added, “You’ll be fine with him, Sarah. The house would not have allowed your choice if it didn’t think you would be compatible.”

Privately, Sarah wondered for the millionth time if she were actually compatible with anyone.  Then she thought about what Andy had just said--that it would be her companion's home, too.

"Will the house make changes that suit him, too?  I want him to be happy here, to have everything he needs or wants--"  She stopped, realizing that he wasn't even here yet and, already, she was trying to take care of him.  Would it always be that way for her?  Would she never stop feeling like it was her responsibility to care for the whole world?

“The house will take care of him, too. You’ll notice things beginning to happen the day before he comes. A bedroom will be prepared for him and maybe little things around the house or grounds, whatever he will require will be added for his comfort. I’ve known rose gardens to be planted for certain seasons, rooms added. It’s amazing what happens here. If you want it or need it, it will appear. You don’t have to do anything but enjoy, relax, and fall in love.” Andy smiled and filled their dinner plates. “And that will happen.”

"I wish I could be as sure of that as you seem to be," Sarah said as they sat down to eat.  "And I wish I could be sure that he'll fall in love with me."

And suddenly, a new worry crossed her mind.  "How will I know, Andy?  How will I know if I really love him?  How will I know if he loves me?  If you know my background, you know that love, even being loved in childhood, is not something I have a lot of experience with.  What if I don't recognize it?"  She had worked herself into the beginnings of  a panic.

Andy reached across the table and touched her hand. “You’ll know, believe me, you’ll know and it will be the most wonderful thing, Sarah. It’s gonna happen. The House will help if you need it to,” he lifted his chin, “but I don’t think you’re going to need any help. Love’s coming your way as sure as Friday is coming this week,” he winked at her, picking up his knife and fork.

Over the next few days, as Andy showed her around the grounds that went with the house and explained more about how the magic worked, Sarah tried hard to relax and calm her fears.  It was funny, she thought to herself, how you could be trained to help others with relaxing, but the same things didn't seem to work for you.

She still didn't feel totally comfortable with Andy, but she'd grown to accept his presence.  Sarah still wasn't sure she believed everything he said the house could do, but he seemed to believe it himself and he'd been here before, so she tried to take comfort in that.

She thought a lot about the companion who'd be joining her on Friday.  He was of her own choosing and she felt they had things in common, but would it really work out, as Andy seemed to be confident it would?  The time seemed to pass all too quickly and, before she knew it, it was time for Andy to leave.

As he prepared to go, Sarah suddenly wished that they had more time, that she could hear more of his reassurances about how things would work.  "Couldn't you stay another day?" she asked nervously.  "Be here when I meet him?"

“I wish I could, Sarah, but my time here is over. You’ll do fine, luv.” He gave her a friendly hug. “Let me see that pretty smile you’ve got. Come on now…there! You’re a pretty sheila, no worries,” he winked and turned to leave, waving as he walked down the drive toward the gates.

Sarah took a long, deep breath, attempting to steady herself.  Andy was gone and her new companion would arrive tomorrow morning.  "No worries" Andy had said.  That particular Australian expression did not fit her and probably never would.

As Andy disappeared through the gates, she walked over and sat down on the front steps of the house.  Chin in hand, she wondered how he would arrive tomorrow.  Through the gates?  Out of the woods?  Would he simply appear in the house with no warning?  She was still sitting on the steps, contemplating that when dark arrived.

Too nervous to be hungry, she went upstairs, lay across her bed and read until she fell asleep.  Her dreams were full of the man who'd arrive the next day--some bad ones, some good.  She woke to find that it was daylight already.  She'd slept on top of the covers in her clothes all night!  Oh no!  He could be here any moment!

Surprises

At

The House of Four Seasons

By Layne Richards

As she pushed herself upright, intending to jump off the bed and head for the shower, Sarah heard a deep voice come from the direction of her bedroom door.

"Mornin', Sleepin' Beauty."  Ben Wade's tone was filled with amusement.  "I was startin' to think I'd have to wake you with a kiss.  Matter of fact, I was lookin' forward to it." 

Moving from his leaning position against the closed bedroom door, Wade removed his black hat and hung it on one of the four posts of Sarah's bed.  "Take mornin' naps a lot, do you?" 

Sarah was so startled by his sudden appearance that she almost leapt back.  Instead, moving to the middle of the bed, she drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them defensively.  Despite his amused tone, the intensity in his eyes was searing.

"Uh, no...  I don't take morning naps.  I fell asleep reading last night."  She was aware that she both looked and sounded defensive, but she couldn't seem to help it. 

Wade smiled a friendly smile, although the piercing nature of his gaze never wavered.  "Do that m'self sometimes."  He was casually unbuckling his gun-belt--his empty gun-belt, she noticed.

"I'm sorry the House wouldn't let you bring the Hand of God.  Part of it's safety measures, I guess."  Her voice had strengthened a little. 

Sarah saw his eyes narrow at mention of his pistol, but she went on.  "So, this is your first time here, too?"

"Yeah."  His voice had become curt.  "Guess the place never figgered I was right for anybody."  Then his grin returned as he looked her up and down.  "Gotta say, though, I'm a little surprised by its choice." 

Taking a deep breath, Sarah told him, "The House didn't choose you, Ben.  I did."  She waited for his reaction to that. 

The grin on Wade's face broadened.  "Did you, now?" 

Standing right beside her bed, he reached out a hand and brushed a lock of brown hair away from her face, allowing his fingers to linger against her temple. The blue of his eyes deepened as he looked into hers.  "Glad you did., Sarah..."  Her name was almost whispered, as much of a caress as his hand on her skin.

Sarah couldn't help herself.  She shivered and drew back.  She'd known this would be difficult, but she hadn't expected to be drawn in by him so quickly, had thought that her past and the things that had happened to her would have given her a little more immunity to his charm. 

Instead, the opposite seemed to be true.  Though she'd drawn away from him, she'd had to force herself to do so.  What she'd really wanted to do was move to the side of the bed and have him kiss her.

Mentally shaking herself, Sarah said, "You'd probably like to see the house and the grounds.  Have a chance to get used to things." 

Puzzled by her withdrawal when he'd sensed something entirely different, Wade turned and began removing his black coat.  "Well, I saw the stables when I put Ribbon away, and part of the rest on the walk up here.  Saw the downstairs, too."   

Sarah lowered her head slightly.  "I'm sorry I wasn't there to meet you." 

"Oh, I'm not, darlin'."  He smiled at her.  "Got a better view in this room than anywhere else." 

Unbuttoning his vest, he went on, "What I'd really like now is a good, hot bath."  His eye had been caught by the large tub through the door to Sarah's bathroom and now he walked toward it.  "So, if you wouldn't mind showin' me how to work this contraption in here..."  Wade's voice trailed off, as he looked at her expectantly.

Feeling thoroughly out of her depth, Sarah scrambled quickly off the bed.  "Oh!  You do have your own room and bathroom.  It's just across the hall."  She'd heard the house working on it the last couple of days, had intended to look at it this morning before he arrived, but... 

"Oh, this is fine, darlin'."  He'd stepped into her bathroom and, having finished with his vest, was now working on the buttons of his blue shirt.  "Kinda like this one."  His eyes were challenging her now, waiting for her to tell him that she'd rather he not be in here. 

Taking another deep breath, Sarah managed to move around him without trembling too much.  She showed him how the hot and cold water taps and the stopper in the tub worked.  Then, she went back to the door.  "There's plenty of towels in there.  I'll just leave you to take your bath now..." 

In one long stride Ben Wade had moved to her side.  His nearness unnerved her, but Sarah stood her ground.  Leaning in even closer, he whispered directly into her ear, "You're welcome to stay if you want."  His lips just brushed her earlobe as he spoke. 

Sarah didn't know which she wanted to do most--move into his arms or bolt out the door as fast as she could.  Torn between the two, she settled for answering him in the steadiest voice she could manage.  "That's okay.  I-  I'll just go downstairs and put together some breakfast for you." 

Grinning, Wade took a step back.  "That'll work, too.  We'll have plenty of time for this after breakfast."  Those intense blue eyes had captured hers again.  "I like my eggs over-easy." 

Sarah backed toward her bedroom door and closed it behind her as she went out.  In the hallway, she leaned against the door, breathing hard.  What had made her think she could handle this?!  He didn't even have to touch her.  Every word, every look was a caress in itself! 

Starting downstairs on trembling legs, she thought to herself.  "He's here now.  For three months.  There's no going back."

TO BE CONTINUED...

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