Cougar

By Sally A Allen

Becky is a recent widow who lives with her beloved dog, Tawny. She falls in love with a man thirty years younger than her.

Buddy is a handyman who seduces Becky.

Follow their relationship to it's shocking end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483656748

Sally A Allen

Sally A. Allen is originally from Wisconsin and currently lives in West Central Florida with her schnauzer, Sibby. While her novels are fiction, she draws from the many experiences she’s had in her life. Visit her website at www.sally-allen.webs.com.

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Copyright © 2013 by Sally A. Allen.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 07/05/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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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 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Chapter 73

Chapter 74

Chapter 75

Chapter 76

Chapter 77

Chapter 78

About the Author

Chapter 1

Since her husband died, Becky’s world was turned upside down. She didn’t have any idea what she should do. Mark took care of everything, even as far as filling the car up with gasoline. She didn’t even know where the opening to the fuel tank was. However; she did handle the finances for the family, so that aspect didn’t bother her. Becky and Mark had two boys, but they were married with families of their own. She never gave them any advice and tried to stay out of their business. After all, they had their own lives to live. They would make mistakes and have to deal with them themselves.

Becky had a lot of friends, but most of them were married and when she went out with them she felt like a fifth wheel and didn’t really enjoy herself. She had to get over the feeling of being overwhelmed by her loss and the weight it put on her shoulders. The phone pealed and she stopped her ruminations and picked it up.

Hello?

Hi Rebecca, a man’s voice replied. How’s my girl today?

Becky smiled when she heard Greg’s voice. He was an old friend of Mark’s. She answered, I’m fine, and you? Fair to middlen, he answered laughing. My mom used to say that." Greg was a jokester and you never knew what would come out of his mouth next.

How’s your love life? she asked, not expecting an answer. Greg had gotten married at the age of thirty five and it had only lasted six years. He had been divorced for forty years.

The gals are just flocking around me, he joked, And guess what? They’re all beautiful and twenty years younger than me!

You’re a lucky old man.

Who says I’m old? All my fixtures still work! Greg replied.

Marry a young gal and she’ll wear you out.

Don’t you watch the ads on TV? There are many cures for that problem. Changing the subject, Greg asked, By the way, do you have someone to take care of your pool?

Becky hadn’t thought of that and she should have. She didn’t use it and it was already turning a light shade of green. It must need chemicals, but she had no idea where to get them or how much of them to put in. No, but I desperately need someone, she replied.

Just as I thought. I’ve got just the guy for you. He’s about thirty-five and currently unemployed. I’m sure he’d be a great pool keeper and all around handyman.

Give me his phone number and I’ll give him a call. What did you say his name was?

I didn’t, but it’s Buddy Jones.

Oh, one of the Jones’, huh?

I doubt it. He doesn’t appear to have any material possessions at all. Anyway, here’s his cell number, you should be able to catch him any time.

After he recited the number, Becky replied, You’re a honey. Thanks for thinking of me.

Anytime, babe. Call me if you need anything.

Will do. Thanks again, kind sir.

Bye.

Bye, Becky echoed, hanging up the phone.

Now in a better mood, she tackled the pile of clothes that needed to be laundered. She set up the ironing board and smoothed out the wrinkles in the clothes that she washed earlier. At least I’m motivating myself, she said wryly to herself.

At that time, her cocker spaniel, Tawny, came sliding across the kitchen floor on the rug in front of the sink.

Whoa, Tawny, what’s your rush? she asked as she bent down and scratched the dog behind her ears. The dog practically swooned, her large brown eyes closing.

Wake up, Becky ordered. It’s time for you to go outside.

When she heard the word outside, Tawny’s tail began wagging furiously and she headed for the door.

After Becky threw the clothes in the dryer and let Tawny in, she decided to call Buddy Jones. The phone rang and rang and finally a sleepy voice answered, Buddy here.

Hello Buddy, I’m Becky Hanson. Greg told me to call you.

Good old Greg. What has he gotten me into now?

Becky, taken aback, replied, I need someone to take care of my pool and do some odd jobs around the house.

You have a nice voice. How old are you?

Sixty-five, Becky replied without thinking. What business was it of his? she thought.

Oh rats, I thought I’d end up working for a young gal who would look great lounging by the pool in a string bikini.

No such luck. When can you start? My pool’s turning green.

I can be there at eight thirty tomorrow morning. Where do you live?

Becky gave him directions to her house.

Got it. I’ll see you tomorrow then.

Thanks, Becky replied, a little worried that she had made a mistake hiring someone sight unseen. Then again, she trusted Greg’s judgment.

Buddy arrived the next morning and gave Becky a huge smile, revealing straight white teeth.

I’m Becky, she said, extending her hand.

Buddy grabbed her hand in his large one and squeezed. Nice to meet you, he said.

Warm hands, warm heart, she quipped. Becky looked him over and decided he was handsome, but overweight. Who cares? she thought. He’s only a handyman.

I’d like you to run to the store and get some chemicals for my pool. As you can see, it’s turning green.

Some chlorine will do the trick, he said confidently. But I haven’t got enough gas to get there and back.

Oh, Becky said, heading to the house to get him some money.

When she returned, Tawny was already enamored with him. He was cooing to her while he scratched her stomach and she was eating it up.

Sweet dog, he said, extending his hand for the twenty dollars Becky was giving him. Animals like me. I’ll be right back.

Becky hoped he would return. Mark’s insurance money hadn’t arrived yet and she was a little short on cash.

True to his word, Buddy was back in fifteen minutes, his arms filled with pool chemicals. I’ll get started, he said, and quickly went to work.

Becky went into the house and poured him a large glass of lemonade as she had noticed the sweat dripping off his forehead.

As she approached the pool, she saw Tawny trying to bite the skimmer Buddy was using. The dog missed her target and tumbled head first into the pool. Tawny can’t swim! Becky screamed.

Without hesitation, Buddy stripped off his t-shirt and dove in after the dog. He came up with a soaked, shaking dog in his arms. Bad girl, he scolded her.

Relieved that Tawny was okay, Becky set down the lemonade, rushed to Buddy’s side and grabbed the dog.

Come on, she crooned to her, "I’ll take you inside and dry you off. She noticed that Buddy was looking at her soaked t-shirt and realized her breasts were pressed against the fabric.

Small, but nice, Buddy commented.

Drink your lemonade, she said shortly. She wondered if she had made a mistake. She chastised herself for being a prude because he was young and still had his raging hormones.

Chapter 2

When Buddy didn’t show up the next day, Becky wondered if her attitude offended him. When he didn’t show up the second day, she reluctantly called and left a message that she had more work for him to do the next day.

Hi there, he called cheerily when he arrived. I would have been here sooner, but I had too many beers and had one hell of a hangover!

Next time I’ll tell you before you leave if I have more work for you. I need you to trim all of the hedges; they’re way too tall. I’ll open the garage door for you, the trimmer is in there.

Buddy saluted her and joked, Anything you say, boss lady.

Becky made a bee line for the house, thinking she was letting him get to her. Since when was she so fragile?

Later, she told him to come back the next day and mow the lawn and use the weed eater. Before he left, he asked her for another twenty dollars.

I just gave you twenty dollars the other day. Don’t tell me you need more gas for that wreck you call a car.

He grinned at her, The junker still runs, although it uses a lot of oil. I’d get another one, but I can’t afford it on unemployment. By the way, to keep my benefits, I have to be paid in cash. Is that okay?

Becky was taken aback, but answered, If that’s the way you want it. By the way, the forty dollars I’m advancing you will be taken out of your wages. She handed him the twenty and said, I’ll see you tomorrow.

His face fell as he took the cash, but he said, Okay boss lady, I’ll see you tomorrow.

This advance business had to stop. She didn’t want to be a damned fool, she thought. Tomorrow she would calculate what she owed him and deduct the forty dollars. After all, fair is fair.

Buddy was picking grapefruit off her tree the next day when the doorbell rang.

It was Carol, her friend. As usual, she was dressed in a tight sweater with a mini skirt that barely covered her rear. Her bleached hair was perfectly coiffed and she wore heavy make-up. Hey there, she smiled. I thought I’d stop over and take a look at that new handyman of yours. I hear he’s a hunk.

Becky resented the reason she was there and said coldly, He’s busy working. I don’t want him to be disturbed. Besides, he’s thirty years younger than you. What’s the deal?

You know I never tire of seeing a gorgeous specimen of the opposite sex.

Begrudgingly, Becky led her to the backyard where Buddy was hard at work.

Carol saw him and hollered, Hello, handsome. Come and say hi.

Buddy turned around, Hey there, he called smiling, I’ll be right there. He put some grapefruit in a bucket and loped toward them. Who is this lovely lady? he questioned Becky.

This is Carol, a friend of mine, she replied.

Pleased to meet you, he said with a slight bow.

What a crock, Becky thought, looking at him with distaste.

Carol sashayed up to Buddy and looked him in the eye. Honey, you’re the best specimen of a man I’ve seen in a long time, she said, batting her eyelashes.

Buddy was obviously enthralled by Carol’s remark.

Oh, I’ve just got to touch you, Carol squealed. Come here, baby.

To Becky’s chagrin, Buddy moved forward.

Carol wrapped her arms around him, being sure to rub her ample breasts on his chest. I’d like to get to know you better, she cooed.

Becky, watching the scene, felt sick to her stomach. To her horror, Buddy replied, I’m free tonight. Why don’t you meet me at the Cleopatra?

Oh, I’d love to, Carol exclaimed, What time?

Nine o’clock, things should be rockin’ by then!

Oh, you devil you, Carol exclaimed. I’ll bet you’re hot in bed!

Becky gasped at Carol’s boldness.

Ignoring her remark, Buddy said, See you then, babe.

Get out of here, Carol, Becky said curtly, You will not disrupt my employee while he’s working.

Jealousy will get you nowhere, darling. Just look at you in those dowdy clothes. You haven’t got an ounce of sex appeal in your body.

That’s enough, Becky cried, shoving Carol in the direction of her car. See you around, she called as Carol backed out of the driveway.

She stormed into the house and kicked the door. Tawny came running, wondering what was wrong with her mistress. Come here, little one. We’ll lie down on the bed and Mommy will calm down.

The dog followed Becky and they snuggled on the bed. Tawny’s soft fur calmed her and she drifted off to sleep.

She never heard Buddy pounding on the door when he was leaving.

Chapter 3

Did you enjoy yourself last night? Becky asked Buddy when he came in the next day.

Ha, he laughed. I never went to Cleopatra’s. I had a couple of beers at Murphy’s and was home by ten o’clock.

Home, Becky knew, was a trailer at a low rent mobile home park that he shared with another man. His roommate was quite a rounder and it was no secret Buddy hated living there, but he didn’t have the money to leave. Good for you, Becky said, You need Carol like a hole in your head.

"You’ve got that right. There’re all kinds of women like her out there. I don’t want or need any dumb blonde.

Becky didn’t know why, but she felt relieved. Do your work and go home early today. You’ve helped me enough this week.

Okay, boss lady, he said grinning. See you next week.

Becky found herself wracking her brain for something she could have him do next week and wondered why she wanted him around. Maybe she was blind and he was a gold digger. She forced the thought out of her mind.

Buddy didn’t ask her for money the next week, but when he was leaving one day he wanted to know if she had a pack of cigarettes.

What makes you think I have any? she asked.

I see you smoking on your porch when you think nobody’s looking and I can smell it on your clothes.

I’m not getting away with anything, am I?

Nope, you aren’t, but the fact that you smoke makes you human. I didn’t think you were.

I’m human because I smoke?

I just mean you’re not as infallible as I thought.

Well, I’ve been meaning to quit. I’ll start tomorrow.

Sure you will, but tomorrow never comes.

Fuck you, she thought.

Buddy brought a young redhead to work with him the next day. She was about five foot two and had blue eyes. When Buddy saw Becky, he introduced her to Julie. This is a very good friend. She’s a whiz when it comes to flowers and those barrels should be wild with colors this time of year.

Becky looked where Buddy was pointing and realized he was right. The barrels didn’t look right without flowers. They’d brighten up her front yard.

Julie ran to Buddy’s car and came back with two trays of impatience. Won’t they look glorious in those barrels? she asked enthusiastically.

Her enthusiasm was catching and Becky clapped her hands in delight.

The finished project was more than she had hoped for. Thank you, Julie, she said sincerely, But if you want to get paid for your efforts, it will have to come out of Buddy’s wages.

Julie put her arm around Buddy’s waist. I get enough payment as it is, she said, looking up into Buddy’s eyes.

Buddy gently removed Julie’s arm from his waist and told Becky he would be back in the morning with fertilizer for her fruit trees.

Bye then, she said and waved as Buddy’s car pulled out of the driveway.

The next day Buddy told Becky in confidence, You know, Julie is basically a good woman, but she has four kids with four different fathers. Her mother and father take care of them.

Are you nuts? Becky cried.

They just love her, Buddy said quietly. She tried to rope me in too, saying she wanted a child with me, but I’m too smart for that. I double bag it when it comes to her.

Becky backed away from him, So you’re intimate with her?

Of course I am, Buddy replied, A man is a man and a man needs release. He takes it where he can find it, especially when it’s thrown at him.

I can’t believe you, Becky declared, I’ve never been with a man other than Mark and I don’t want it any other way.

Buddy laughed and she flinched at the sound. You haven’t had the right teacher or you’d be begging for sex, he said knowingly.

Becky flounced into the house and didn’t look back. The nerve of him, she complained out loud.

That night she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. In the back of her mind, she wondered if Buddy was as well-endowed as the characters in the books she liked to read. The thought made her excited, so she got up and brewed herself a cup of tea.

Intrigued by Buddy, Becky decided to look him up on her computer. She punched in her password and typed in his name. There were three Buddy Jones in the county. Now what? She then remembered his middle name was Ray, after his father. She added that to the search.

Buddy R. Jones had a long list of criminal records. She read them with dismay. Who was this man she thought she knew? Obviously, Greg didn’t know his background, or he wouldn’t have recommended him. She looked over his violations with disgust. She should let him go, but maybe he’s turned over a new leaf. She’d keep him on for a while and see what happened. Wasn’t it just her luck to get involved with an unsavory character?

The next day, she confronted Buddy. Sit down, she demanded when he showed up for work. He took off his cap and sat down in one of the wicker chairs on the porch. It groaned with his weight.

I looked you up on my computer and found you aren’t what you seem. You come off as a good samaritan, but you’re actually a convicted felon with a long criminal record.

Buddy looked shocked. There are several Buddy Jones in the area.

None that have the middle name Ray, she replied.

All of this is untrue, he insisted.

What about the DUIs? There’re three on your record and I know you still drink. You got drunk last week.

The DUIs are mine. I lost my license for a few years because of them.

That I believe. What about the domestic violence charges?

Buddy set his jaw. I would never hit a woman, he shouted. I admit to having a short fuse when it comes to men, but I never touched a woman. He dropped his head and stared at the floor.

Becky wasn’t done with him. What about the drug charges? Heroin was involved for God’s sake.

I spent two years in prison for that. I took the fall for another guy.

Oh, really? Becky said sarcastically.

Really. I don’t care if you believe me. I’ve been trying to make a fresh start.

You got a woman knocked up. You have a son, don’t you?

Buddy nodded his head yes. I have a son who is now twenty one years old. I owe about ten thousand in back child support, which I pay when I can.

Wonderful. You can sure pay it off when you get paid in cash, can’t you?

Listen, I don’t want to screw this job up. Think about it, I need you and you need me. All I ask is that you keep the past in the past and don’t tell anyone what you’ve found out.

What Buddy said was true, she did need help. I’ll think it over and let you know, she said.

Dejectedly, Buddy left the porch with his shoulders slumped. Becky felt sorry for him. She heard his car start and drive away. She put her hands

Reviews for Cougar

[juliebj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has everything. Romance, sex, crime and suspense.