I've always been there

Mystery Man

This book is dedicated to the love of my life, my best friend, my everything.

Without you, none of this would be possible.  I never would have even attempted to write a book.

Thank you for all of your love and support, and never giving up on me.

    Have you ever had a dream that was so good, and felt so real you wanted to cry when you woke up?

    I have.  A few times actually.  And lately there has been a gorgeous stranger who has been appearing in them.  The first time he appeared in my dream I was only able to see half of his face through the crowd.  His black hair, and dark eyes surrounded by thick long lashes caught my attention like two magnets being pulled towards each other.  His thick brows pinched together.  When I tried to push through the crowd to get closer to him he would vanish as someone passed by me blocking my view with a bunch of balloons.  I don't know why, but the disappointment I felt when he was gone felt heavy on my chest.

    By the third dream I was able to see him completely.  Tall, with an olive complexion, his beard was a little thicker than a five o'clock shadow.  His tight black shirt that fit like a glove, hid nothing of his muscular body, even under his gray peacoat.  He was wearing black slacks, with a silver wallet chain attached to his belt loop.

    Again, I walk to him.  Pushing through the crowd of people.  He doesn't make a move to leave. He would  just stand there watching me.  When I'm closer than I have ever gotten I smile at him. Arching a brow he sends me a smirk.  Only a few feet from him, I need to know,  "Who are you?"  Just as he  seems like he'll speak, I'm forced awake.

To say I was frustrated would be a major understatement. 

    The fourth night was when everything changed.  I didn't just appear in a crowd.  I look around and see that I am at a carnival.  Children run around laughing, filled with excitement.  I could hear people screaming as they rode the roller coaster.  The scent of popcorn and cotton candy is thick in the air as I close my eyes and take  a deep breath..  I open my eyes, and bring my hand up to brush my hair out of my face to see tickets in my hand for the rides.  I look around seeing different carnival games to play and food stands.   When I look to the spot where he usually stands, there's no one there.   I release the breath I was holding, with a sigh. "Maybe this isn't one of those dreams."  I say to myself.

Strolling past different stalls, I decide to check out the rides.  I pass the swings, and the Gravitron; coming to a stop in front of the big ferris wheel.  As I watch it turn, seeing the smiles on the faces of those that fill its seats, like magic it comes alive with colorful lights.  Looking up in awe at the brightly lit up wheel, I fail to notice the big pink cloud-like puff of cotton candy being held in front of me.  That is until a deep masculine voice speaks close to my ear.  "Cotton candy gorgeous?"  His warm breath touches my skin and brings goose bumps in its wake.

I turn my head in the direction of the voice to see my mystery man.   Our faces are so close to one another, I freeze for a moment before taking a step away to put some space between us.  He waves the cotton candy a bit to get my attention before handing it to me.  I look down to it and back up, craning my neck as I take it from his hand.  "Are you going to disappear again?"  He laughs looking down at the ground, his hands in his pockets, before looking up at me through his thick long lashes.

"Sorry about that.  No, I won't disappear again Princess."  He extends his hand gesturing towards the line for the ferris wheel.  I nod and walk towards the entrance. Making sure he doesn't vanish again, I back at him a few times.

"How many?"  The carnival worker asks.

"Two."  My mystery man says handing the guy tickets.  The worker removes the chain, allowing us to walk through.  I climb in and Mystery man slides in next to me.  I turn to look at him, he's already watching me.