Alone

By Alexander D. Banyan

A dramatic story of rags to riches. Jackson is reduced to hitchhiking as he is picked up by Jade. She changes his life, and he absorbs himself into wealth, sailing, and the insatiable love of a woman.

Jackson sails for pleasure, and he sails to survive.
Love, prosperity, and murder surface as they explore the underworld history of Jades mysterious father.

Their story carries us from Southern Florida, to the Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico, and down the island chain to their ocean hideaway in St. Vincent. There is even a little surprise on a horse ranch in Spain.

The book gets a bit erotic, so be warned that it is not a childrens book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Sep 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466958647

Alexander D. Banyan

Born in Southern Ohio, migrated to the Virgin Islands at 19, and presently living on the ICW of Eastern Florida. I am a experienced sailor and island hopper. Check out my MAP at facebook.com/adbanyan, or adbanyan.wordpress.com That experience along with all the interesting friends I have made, usually finds its way into my books. Writing came to me suddenly while recently unemployed. I have three books ready to go and five more that are still being....tweaked! I have unintentionally found that my style leans toward romance/adventure, spiced by a bit of... adult behavior. At present,The Glow, The Last Twenty-Two Feet,The Wa-Bak Machine, Antoinette LeBeau, and Amaretto with Coffee, are ready for an agent! Hint! I love writing and often wake up in the middle of the night and and return to the keyboard.

Book preview

ALONE

Alexander D. Banyan

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© Copyright 2012 Alexander D. Banyan.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-5866-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-5865-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-5864-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012917126

Trafford rev. 09/12/2012

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 1

Somewhere down this road, I am going to have to find some new shoes. The heat from the road is burning my feet. I walked in the grass, and the temperature was better, but it still hurts.

The grass is stiff here in Florida, and the soles of my tennis shoes are getting thin. After my business going bankrupt and my surviving a bad divorce, I left what money I had in the bank and just started walking. I decided to take some time to let my mind heal and search for my next life.

My backpack started feeling heavier on my back. It could be that I haven’t eaten since yesterday. I stopped and put my hands on my knees and let my head hang, as the sweat dripped off my nose.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. A car downshifted. Hey! You need a ride? came a young female voice.

Yeah… Sure! I answered.

How do you know where I’m going? she said smartly.

Anywhere cooler than here is OK with me, and I hopped in the yellow VW convertible.

How old are you? I asked as she shifted through the gears.

I’m almost eighteen! she said proudly.

Her long sun-lightened brown hair blew in the wind as the VW zoomed along.

I hope the wind doesn’t bother you. The top will not go up! Ha-ha!

I smiled with her and laid my head back against the seat.

What is your name? I asked.

Jade… My eyes are green.

Oh yeah… beautiful.

So… Jade… Where are we going?

Well, judging from the backpack you threw in the back, I would guess that you are homeless?

Unemployed! I snapped back… Ha-ha! Practicing for homeless, and we laughed together. I used to be a homebuilder and a cabinet maker, but when Obama pulled the plug on NASA, it killed us all on the Space Coast!

Well, maybe I can help you out! My daddy is a big horse dealer. We have been on the ranch now for the past ten minutes.

Shit! as I looked all around. Palm trees and horses… what a life!

She pulled up to the front door of the big house and shut off the bug.

Come on! I’ll make you something to eat, said Jade as we walked onto the porch.

Good lord! Jade… What the hell is this… you bringing home another stray dog?

Come on! said Jade as she walked past her mother and took me into the kitchen.

She fixed me an omelet and toast as we talked.

Here! as she handed me a glass of cold orange juice.

Do you know horses? . . . What’s your name?

Jackson… from the East Coast. I know sailboats, cabinets, and construction.

This is going to be rough, as she left me in the kitchen eating my omelet. She reappeared in a thin T-shirt with a black bikini under it.

Jackson… when you are done, would you like to swim?

Oh yeah! as I stuffed the last crumbs into my mouth. "Thanks, Jade, I was really hungry. I have some trunks in my pack."

Cool! Change in there, as she pointed down the hall to a bathroom.

Floating in the cool water almost made me forget my situation. The Hispanic maid brought iced tea and served Jade and me at an in-pool table.

Jade, what’s the deal with your mother? She hated me instantly when we pulled in.

Ohhh! She hates everyone when she drinks. She’s been drinking! She gives orders like the queen of the ranch, but if you just get past it, she’ll forget in another ten minutes.

She is beautiful! I said carefully.

Oh yeah! She knows it! She’s Daddy’s little-black-dress trophy girl.

I haven’t seen your dad? Where is he?

He’s at an equestrian trade show in Spain. He travels all over the world marketing our breed. Some of our bloodline brings $300,000 to $700,000.

Damn!

Daddy is gone most of the time. When he is here, they fight the whole time, and then he leaves again. I wish he would just stay gone!

I reached out and took her hand across the tiled table and said, I grew up without my real father. As many times as I tried to fix it, it just couldn’t be fixed.

She looked up into my eyes with that hormone-spike look, and I pulled my hand back and pushed off into the deep end.

You said you know about sailboats. Do you have a boat? she asked.

Yeah! I keep it in Titusville, near NASA. My buddy works at the marina, and for letting him use it occasionally, he moves it around to the unrented docks so I don’t have to pay.

Cool! as her eyes got bigger. Can you take me sailing if I drive?

You’re getting ahead of things! Your momma’s probably going to boot my ass off the property in about an hour.

Oh no! Mother likes you! I can tell.

Come, as she slowly climbed out of the water, making sure I saw her young tight body. I will introduce you to Jesus. He runs the crews.

I was right behind her as the maid handed us both towels.

Gracias, señorita! I said as she smiled at me and nodded.

So… Jackson… what can you do? asked Jesus.

I’m a finish carpenter and cabinet maker if you need any woodworking.

"I think I might have some… woodworking! Be here… in the morning… six o’clock sharp!"

Fortunately, I still had my TAG Heuer wristwatch that had an alarm. Jade found me a place to sleep in Barn G, and I built myself a nice dry nest from the straw. They had showers and restrooms for the crews that were no less than state park quality. I took a shower and washed out some of my dirty clothes with the shampoo. I shaved, trimmed up my hair, and headed back to Barn G. When I got there, Jade was lying on my sleeping bag with some food and a beer from the big house.

Oohhhhhhh! Thank you! as I sat down beside her and dug in. This has been such a long day, as I leaned against the stall.

Jade threw her smooth leg across mine, and I put my hand on her thigh. She smiled at me. I pulled my hand away quickly and stood up.

Thanks for the food, Jade! You better go back into the house, as I pushed the plate at her.

She smiled at me again and said, Just call me if you need anything? My bedroom is right up there, as she pointed to a window on the second floor.

I stood and watched her walk to the house, Jailbait, I said quietly.

Morning, Jesus! What do you have for me to do?

Jackson the woodworker! Here’s your tools for today! as he handed me a post-hole digger and two leather gloves. See that pickup truck full of fence posts?

Yes!

When you get back, I want them allll to be gone! as he threw me the keys and pointed to a field.

I started the truck and went to work.

After the first twenty-three fence posts, I wished I had stayed on the road. The sun was cooking my skull, and my clothes were saturated. I hadn’t done any serious labor in a long time, and my body was reminding me. I watched as a new Cadillac Escalade sat down the road with the motor running. It stayed down there for an hour and then made a U-turn and disappeared. I put in my last post as the sun was setting. I drove back to the barn and parked the truck where I got it. Jesus was nowhere around, so I tucked the keys under the mat and left the door unlocked.

I stood in the shower with my shirt and pants still on. I hung them on a safety rail and lathered up my sore body. I let the cool water just pound on my head and run down my chest. I could feel the pain from my sunburn on my previously white back and shoulders.

You did well today! came a female voice from the darkness.

I grabbed a towel quickly and wrapped my lower body, straining to see into the shadows.

You work well by yourself. You don’t need supervision.

Jade’s mother walked into the light in a short gray dress that fit her like skin. She had black hose and heels, and her hair fell down across her moderately exposed breasts.

I have always been a boss or worked by myself, I answered, as I looked into her green eyes.

Have you been in here very long? I asked.

Long enough, giggle… giggle… and she walked over to the doorway. Come to the house when you get dressed, and I will have Rosa serve you some food.

Thank you, I said.

I sat at a big dining room table with settings for one. It was very uncomfortable. Rosa brought me a great dinner and two beers. I could not convince her to sit with me.

No! No! No! No! No! No! as she ran for the kitchen.

I finished my food and walked down the hallway to the front door.

Jackson! There she was again!

I turned and walked into a dark office on the left, and she was leaning against her husband’s desk. Come here… Come closer!

I could smell wine on her breath and expensive perfume on her body.

She put her fingers through my belt loops and pulled me against her as she scooted onto the desk and wrapped her legs around me. Her dress had slid up her legs, and her thigh-high stockings showed on her perfect legs and hips. I grabbed her hips and pulled her tight against me. We stared into each other’s eyes. She fell back onto the desk as her arms pushed things off into the floor. I rubbed her legs as my face fell between her breasts. I pushed one shoulder string over the side and exposed her erect nipple with no bra. I bit it gently and then pulled the other side off and moved to that side.

Mom! came an angry voice.

I looked back in time to see Jade with her hands on her hips, leaving loudly through the front door. I stood, and so did her mom. I pulled her straps back up on her shoulders. We looked at each other completely sober now. I walked to the office double doorway and turned. She was still standing against the desk.

So what’s your name? I asked.

Monica… Monica Southers.

The next morning, there was another load of fence posts in the truck.

Keys are where you left them, said Jesus.

I tipped my STX hat and threw my cooler and towel into the cab. Jesus just smiled as I started the truck and left. I finished that side of the field and had a few left.

I had been working until I was done. I learned that the crews work until three thirty and eat by five o’clock. Today I took a shower, ate with the crews, and made a few friends.

Hey man, stay away from Monica. The last guy that fucked her is out there in a pasture someplace. This family has a lot of money and owns the sheriff here. You understand?

Yeah thanks! I hope I’m not in too deep already.

I didn’t see Monica for the next few days, and now I was hammering boards and electric wires onto the posts I installed. Jesus would come around during the day and bring me a cold beer and talk to me while I worked. He particularly liked talking about the life I had as a builder and how it all went to shit. One day while we talked, he said he wanted to build the upper level of Barn B into offices.

We only have one office, and we have things piled up the walls. We need three nice offices and a conference room for sales meetings. Can you do some calculations on price and some rough blueprints?

I would love to! I will need an office area to work in. Where can I work? I asked.

My office is too messy. That’s the problem! Ask Monica if you can use her husband’s office? If you go in the front door… it’s the double doors…

I know where it is! I’ll check it out, and I went back to pulling wire.

After supper, I returned to Barn G. I turned on the light and walked to the back where my area was. I talked Jesus out of a twin bed and put it in my stall a few weeks ago. As I slid the door to the side, I saw Jade in my bed under the covers.

Jade!

I know… just tonight, she begged.

No! I need this job. Things are just now starting to go good for me here.

She stuck her bottom lip out and made a pouty face at me. I smiled at her and sat on the edge of the bed. I leaned toward her and started raising the top of the blankets.

What you hidin’ under there? I said.

I raised the covers up a bit higher and…

You’re naked!

She smiled.

Get out a here! as she started to climb out flashing her body and smiling at me.

I quickly grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her.

You’re going to get me in so much trouble, I said as I pushed her toward the doorway. I stopped and shoved her behind the wall as I looked outside.

OK… It’s clear! as I pushed her out of the door.

She turned and came back to me, smiled again, handed me the blanket, and slowly walked back to the house as she glanced back over her shoulder to see me freaking out.

Jailbait, I repeated.

The next morning, instead of reporting to Jesus, I went into the big house looking for Monica.

I found her sitting at the table with a few bills and a checkbook in front of her and a cup of coffee. She was wearing a long robe that tied at her waist. Rosa saw me come in and sat a cup of coffee at the table at the same time that Monica saw me. I sat and tipped up my coffee.

So what gives me the honor of your presence? as she looked me up and down.

Thank you, Rosa! I said loudly.

"De nada, Captain."

Captain? said Monica.

I guess she has been talking to Jade. I told her I was a sailor and owned a sailboat.

Oh… I hate boats. I get seasick easy, she confessed. Did Jesus talk to you about designing the offices in Barn B?

Yes. That is why I am here. How do you feel about me using your husband’s office?

You already did! as she smiled.

Not really! . . . I need a place to do the prints and a price.

Oh! Yes… that will be fine. If you have any questions, I will be close to get you answers.

When will your husband be back? I don’t want to be in there when he returns.

"Not for a while. He has a little whore in Spain that he doesn’t think I know about. The trade show, according to him, goes on for two more weeks."

OK. Can I pick up paper and some drafting tools in town?

Sure! Here’s my credit card and take my Escalade. Fill it up when you’re in town… please.

Thanks! I said.

Jackson! While you’re in town, cash your fucking checks or I’m going to stop payment! You’re screwing up my checkbook!

OK, Monica!

I backed the Escalade out of the garage and went down the dusty driveway headed for town.

It was about an hour drive to an area where I could get drafting supplies. I looked at the dash and found a good radio station that had some electric guitar blues. I looked into the rearview mirror and noticed all the windows were tinted dark. I looked again in the rearview window, and…

Jade! You scared me to death! What are you doing back there?

Hiding! She will never miss me. She will think I am out riding or in my room. She never comes to my room.

Shit, Jade! You are determined to get me killed! Get up here!

She climbed over the seat as I inspected her body. Hip-hugger Levi’s with cowboy boots and a sexy white blouse. Her long hair was braided with a black bow at the bottom of the braid. She leaned against the door and put her feet against my leg.

We have a long trip into Monticello. You may as well get rid of those boots. My leg will be grateful.

She pulled off her boots and socks and stretched her legs out. She scooted her heel against my crotch and tried to aggravate me. I picked up her foot and put it against my leg.

Keep it there, I ordered. NOW! We have a few things we need to talk about. I am going to get stuff to plan the offices for Barn B, but while I am there, I want to find a good bank that has branches in other places and deposit my checks. I like to always have an escape plan in place.

OK! I can get serious, if I have to. Don’t worry, said Jade.

Ten minutes later, she had turned around and had her head on my lap. She lay on her side with her legs bent. She complained that the Levi’s were too tight and unsnapped them and pulled the zipper down. Her shirt was unbuttoned down to her tummy and tied to display her tight waist.

I inspected her body as she slept. My right arm had been resting on her shoulder and my hand on her hip.

Jade… have you ever been with a man?

No… never all the way. Every guy I know has heard stories about Daddy and was always afraid to touch me, she confessed.

I took another look at her body. Against my carnal instincts, I put my hands on the wheel.

Jailbait! I thought silently.

I had directions to a drafting supply shop/art store, and I found it easily. Jade went in with me and was fascinated with all the cool things I was buying. We put it all in the backseat and cruised for a good bank.

Wells Fargo! They have branches all over. That will work! and we pulled into the parking lot, grabbed my satchel from under the seat, and went inside.

Yes, ma’am, I want to set up a checking account and use all of these for my first deposit.

OK. Sir, your checks total out to $12,975. If you will see that woman at the desk over there, she will set you up for check ordering and give you some temporarily, as she pointed across the room.

Can I set one up too Jade asked the teller.

Sure, but you need a deposit to open it, and there will be a check fee.

That’s OK, as she pulled a couple hundred dollars cash out of her pants.

Ma’am, I have to have online checking ability with cash transfers. Do we get those options with this account? she asked.

Yes, just fill this out and write in your deposit amount here.

We both went to the check lady and picked out our checks. Mine were plain blue with a sailboat in the corner. Hers was pink with a horse in the corner. What can I say? We both paid our check fees, and she printed us up some temporary checks until the real ones arrived. We both had them sent to Jesus so that Monica didn’t get spaced out. He had a separate mailbox on the barn.

"We left with our documents and very little cash and headed back up #19-N.

You want to drive for a while? I asked.

Yeah! Mom never lets me drive her Cadillac!

I figured if I let her drive, she would leave me alone.

She turned into the driveway at about seven thirty. I let Jade out at the last field gate, and she would show up at the house in about ten or fifteen minutes. Rosa had supper on standby, and Monica wanted to see all the stuff I bought. Jade came in after we had already started eating.

Jade! About time! Sit down and eat! You’re holding up the show! said Monica.

Jade sat across from me at the table and ran her foot up and parked it between my legs. I was very quiet for the rest of my meal.

The next day, I cleared off the desk and went to work on the design. I measured the interior and roof heights and did coordinates of the column locations. It was a strong structure, and no additional strengthening would be required. I calculated the material right down to the hurricane clips and the drywall and sent it in an e-mail to 89 Lumber in Monticello. The bid came back the next day, and I showed it to Monica.

Can you build all of this yourself? she asked.

Most of it! I will need a helper for anything that is heavy… which is most of it?

Tell Jesus to get you a good helper, and he will work for you only, until you send him back.

OK. Thanks.

The inspector showed up two days later and brought my permit with him.

I looked you up, Mr. Curtis. With your experience, we probably won’t check it again until you call us for a final. Where are you running your septic?

Oh… sand filtration over here, as we walked into the field.

The offices were finished and approved about two months later. I put the drywall into the rooms before I closed up the walls. I would have never got the twelve-foot sheets up the stairway if I hadn’t.

I was still painting the walls as Monica was bringing in office furniture and getting the computer systems hooked up.

Monica! What’s the big rush?

Jade turns eighteen next week, and I’m going to have a big surprise party in the conference room for her.

"OK, I will, make it so!" as