Never Again Goodbye

By Dacia Harrt

Anne has spent years raising her family seeing only what was inside her four walls. When she loses her husband of twenty-five years and her children have grown, she knows it is time to move on. After the wedding of her youngest daughter, she begins a journey that will open her heart and mind to a world and a love she never could have imagined.
While visiting a friend, she literally runs into a man. She is not aware that she was the only person in the restaurant to see the man. The only one who touched him, spoke to him. She feels a physical attraction from the beginning but quickly runs away to continue her journey.
As she continues her adventure, the man follows her. When she stops along her journeys for a coffee, he is there to open her door, trying to get her to see him. Ben wants Anne to move on with her life, let go of what was and learn to love again.
Ben is an incredible man with a love that transcends time and space. He takes Anne on a journey she never could have imagined. Taking her to the Old West and showing her the world is bigger than her back door. He is an amazing race she has never seen or ever imagined existing. He has traveled alone through time and space looking for the one who calls his heart.
Ben found that in Anne and offers her a life and world beyond the natural. He can give her the opportunity to begin again, not from infancy but from love. He creates a world for them a place her heart loves and longs for then journeys with her to the end of her life. Sharing her world watching her grandchildren grow as they age together.
Ben is heart broken that he is going to lose the woman he loves. He knows he can save her, she only has to ask. On her death bed, he asks her again if she loves him. Anne replies for eternity. As she draws her final breath, Ben takes her in his arms and leans over and kisses her. He takes her with him through eternity and beyond. Never again to say goodbye.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dacia Harrt
• Release date: Aug 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465815033

Dacia Harrt

Hi, My name is Dacia Harrt. I have a wonderful husband and three beautiful children.I have been writing off and on for many years and finally decided to sit still and finish one book.I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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Never Again Goodbye

BY: Dacia Harrt

Smashwords Edition

*****

PUBLISHED BY

Dacia Harrt on Smashwords

Never Again Goodbye

Copyright © 2011 by Dacia Harrt

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Anne wiped tears as they rolled down her face. She wished more than anything that her husband could be here for this day. His little girl was getting married. Tom had been gone for three years now. It was still hard to believe and impossible to accept. Anne quickly pushed the thoughts from her mind. Today was a day of laughter and joy not of sorrow and pain. Anne looked up at her son and smiled then leaned in for a hug from her oldest daughter.

I can't believe my little sister is getting married, Grace said shaking her head.

I can't believe anyone would want to marry her, John said with a laugh.

Now don't be mean. Anne stated. They watched Ellen walk down the aisle on the arm of her high school love. The day passed in a blur of smiles and tears.

Anne returned home to an empty house. She looked around and said, now what? She walked over turned on the water pot went and checked her emails. She picked up a cloth and started to dust. I cannot do this every day for the rest of my life. I need something more, she mumbled in frustration. Maybe I should take an Alaskan cruise. Tom and I always said we would and never got to it. Maybe I should travel. Hit all the States just to say I did. She gave a quick laugh her laughter breaking the silence in the room. That is what I will do. I will travel. She said with conviction and threw down the dust cloth.

Anne pulled into the parking lot at exactly 11:45. She had driven From Virginia to New Hampshire to have lunch with an old friend. Then travel around the State, spend some time reconnecting with a place she loved. Climbing out of the car, she looked around. Remembering the years and years, she and her husband had lived in this small City. Pain caught in her throat as she stood there.

They had loved this State. Both she and Tom had lived here all their lives. Their children were born in this City two of them graduated from the local high school. The same one their father had so many years ago.

Moving had been such a tough decision leaving with a mix of sadness and excitement. They were ready to start an adventure. There was a new job for Tom and different school for their youngest daughter.

Part of the excitement came from the fact that their oldest daughter had moved to Virginia for college and had stayed and made a life there for herself. The joy of being closer to Grace and her growing family added to their decision to take the job.

Though the joy in moving was short lived. Less than a year after they had moved Anne lost Tom in a car accident. Going from day to day without him had been difficult on both her and Ellen. He had been a constant in the house and the love of her life.

She stood tears in her eyes looking at a place so filled with him. His smile and laughter echoing at every turn memories of him and the life they had shared filled her heart with laughter and pain. Her eyes closed breathing in the scents and hearing the sounds that were unique to this area. She could almost see him. It felt like she could reach out and touch him again.

They had been married for twenty-five years. It was gone taken away in an instant. She got the phone call early one morning that changed her life and world forever. Tom died in an accident on his way to work. A distracted driver had crossed the yellow line. There was no time to react or avoid the collision.

Standing silent in this place, she could feel him. Hear the memories echoing in her mind, she took comfort and strength from that. Closing her eyes, she smiled knowing no one could ever take away the memories. In a way, Tom would always be close and that lightened her heavy heart.

Anne smiled thinking how much had changed since she lost Tom. Grace had two children now and John and his wife were expecting their first. She wished again that Tom was here. She knew he would have loved being a grandfather. It was hard to accept how fast life can change and how much of an impact the loss of a loved on could have on everyday life. Even now, traveling without him so was difficult. The drive up to New Hampshire had been exhausting to Anne. Beyond that she had no one to share things with. She now walked alone in this world, and that was hard to take.

Anne wiped her tears and gathered her thoughts. She took one last look around and shook her head. She had to stop feeling sorry for herself. She had a great life and had the chance to love a wonderful man if only for a short time. That man had also blessed her with three children. She smiled to herself and turned to see Kelly coming across the parking lot toward her. Hi, she called out. She put a bright smile on her face and embraced Kelly.

How was your drive? Kelly asked studying her, you look tired.

Anne laughed, tired. I went from the house to the New York, New Jersey border and stopped for the night. Anne shook her head, you know you are getting old when a trip you used to make in one day takes two.

Kelly laughed with her, yes, but it was a safe trip. That is all that matters. She and Anne walked arm and arm into the restaurant. So how have you been? Kelly asked as they slid into the booth.

Good I have been keeping busy. Anne told her as she briefly looked out the window. We had Ellen’s wedding last week. I am sorry you could not join us.

So was I. Work has been very busy. I have reached my boiling point and am taking the next two weeks off. We are going to take a much-needed trip. I am not sure yet where we are going. I don’t care as long as I don’t have to work, Kelly said as she looked at the menu.

I can understand that one, Anne said as a waiter appeared.

Where are Ellen and Matt going on their honeymoon?

Matt has family in California, he has not seen in a while. Matt’s uncle is going to let them use his place by the ocean for two weeks.

The waiter appeared with their drinks and took their order. As the waiter left, Kelly's phone rang, she excused herself and went outside.

Anne looked around the restaurant again lost in the past of sights and sounds. Remembering the days when she and her family would come here and eat. As she slowly looked around the room, she froze when she found herself looking into the eyes of another.

She was held mesmerized by the deepest bluest eyes she had ever seen. To her mind, the eyes seemed timeless, ageless. It felt like those eyes could see into her soul read her heart and mind. That they knew and understood all too well the passage of time and how quickly fleeting it was.

She looked without seeing the person just felt the understanding the compassion. There was another message in the eyes one she felt she should know. A look she had seen before but in the eyes of a Stranger, she could not read it.

She sat just looking into the eyes. She was unaware of anything around her felt no one moving did not feel the passage of time. Anne was so absorbed in the deep eyes the world around her ceased to exist.

She was jolted out of her dazed state when she heard Kelly's voice, sorry that was work.

That is fine, Anne said, as she turned away from the eyes that had held her. She did not know how long she had sat there and just looked, feeling a connection to someone. A feeling she had not felt in a long time.

She and Kelly caught up on old memories and everyday life. Almost forgetting to eat as they talked away the afternoon.

My goodness, said Kelly, as she looked at her watch. It is Three O’clock.

Oh, Anne exclaimed as she dug for her wallet. I need to get going. I still have over an hour drive to get up to my hotel. I am going to spend a few weeks traveling up north. I should come back through this way. We could meet again when you get back from vacation. I could give you a call.

Sure, Kelly said as she stood up.

I am going to go wash my hands before I leave so I will say bye now so you can go. Anne said as she hugged her friend.

Anne rushed to the bathroom and quickly washed and rushed out. She did not look where she was going and crashed into a solid body. An arm suddenly shot out and wrapped around her to ensure she did not fall over. Her heart was pounding as she looked up and again found herself looking into blue eyes. After a moment, she tried to step back but the arm wrapped around her held her in place.

She could feel panic starting to rise as she realized the man held her tightly to him. It did not bother her for the first moment when she thought she would fall from the impact. Now she could feel him. She was standing pressed very intimately into him. A position she had not been in for quite some time. One she had never been in with a stranger.

Anne did not know how long she stood in front of the big man. The position they were in would have caught the attention of half the restaurant by now. He had one of his legs between her thighs. His arms around her while she held onto him leaning back looking up at him. She could feel the sexual tension between them. A connection that went beyond the physical one that she was sure sizzled in the air.

Anne looked down at the chest in front of her and tried to calm her racing mind. They were in a public place with several people eating around them. Here they stood looking like they were about ready to make love.

I am sorry, she said breathless as she looked up at him.

No problem, the man said smiling down at her. Actually I was hoping to run into you. I guess my timing is better than I thought.

Anne pushed ineffectively at the male chest in front of her. The words he had spoken not registering as she struggled against him.

Do you mind, she finally asked him.

Not at all, he replied. As I said I was hoping to run into you.

What, Anne asked and looked again into his eyes. Please let me go. I have a long drive and need to go. I am sorry for running into you. I promise next time to watch where I am going. Now please let go. Anne pushed at his chest again and this time he dropped his arm and took a step back.

Apology accepted, he said as he looked down at her.

Thank you, Anne said as she walked around him, goodbye.

Anne rushed toward the door in a hurry to get back on the road. She did not hear the voice behind her that said, not goodbye never again goodbye.

Anne drove north on Route 16 for another hour before stopping to get a coffee. She pulled into the lot and leaned over to grab her purse off the floor. She jumped when her car door suddenly opened.

Allow me, said the same voice she heard only an hour earlier.

Panic crept into Anne as she leaned back and looked up at the big man holding the door. Anne sat unmoving looking at the stranger. She would guess he was six four about two twenty five. He was wearing a gray tee shirt that made his muscles stand out. She briefly wondered why she did not realize when he was holding her how well muscled he was. His hair was dark brown mixed with a little gray. She guessed he was in his early fifties. His features were rugged and handsome. His blue eyes seemed bottomless and drew her in.

He had stepped back away from the open door, as if he suddenly realized he scared her. She thought he was trying to appear less intimidating as if that were possible. Anne sat a moment longer knowing she could not just pull the door shut and leave. She did not have a rude bone in her body. To Anne slamming the door in even a stranger’s face would be wrong.

Clutching her purse, she got out of the car. With the help of her heels straightened to an intimidating, five foot four. Looking way up into his eyes, she spoke with a firm voice. Are you following me? she questioned him.

Yes, ma'am I certainly am, he stated plainly.

Anne was taken aback, you can't be that bored, she blurted.

No, you are that beautiful.

She looked at him, as if he were crazy for but a moment. Anne scoffed rolled her eyes and walked off leaving him holding her open door. She marched toward the coffee shop without looking back. She did not care if he closed the stupid door or not. What is wrong with that man? Beautiful what a laugh I am just a Plain Jane can blend into any crowd. The man must be drunk. I will have to avoid him.

Hi, Anne said to the worker behind the counter,