Joe Bradley couldn't help but smile as he drove down the picturesque road. Finally, he'd gotten an assignment that he deserved! Instead of stuffy old New York City, he found himself on the north shore of Long Island, in the midst of beautiful homes and the deep blue seashore.
If only Mr. Hennessy could see him now! He could hardly wait to start exploring the area and write his article about the wealthy families that live there. He knew he could never aspire to such beautiful surroundings, but he sure wanted to try.
He glanced over at his notepad where he'd carefully written the address and directions, and then looked back at the road.
Just as he thought; in the course of his daydreaming, he'd managed to get himself completely lost!
It was a strange feeling, not knowing where he was. He always felt so at home in New York City and even Rome.
How he missed Italy... The home to friendly people, delicious food, beautiful scenery, gorgeous language...
But most of all, he missed Anya.
He shuddered, trying to get her out of his mind. He knew it could never have lasted. She was a princess, and he was just a reporter.
But still...
The love they shared during their brief day together in Rome was, to quote Princess Anne, a memory he could cherish as long as he would live.
Unexpectedly, the road curved sharply, startling him as he swerved to avoid hitting a parked car.
Now he was really lost!
He slowed the car and turned onto Dusoris Lane, stopping at the first house he saw.
Actually it wasn't a house; it was a mansion.
Look at the size of this place! His apartment in Rome could easily fit inside ten times over.
Feeling awkward, he pulled into the driveway (which was so huge it could have held an entire fleet of New York City taxicabs) and turned off the engine. Notepad in hand, he got out of the car and walked to the back of the house.
He was approached by an older man who eyed him suspiciously.
"Can I help you, Sir?"
"Um yes." Joe said nervously. He flipped through his notebook, looking for the directions. "I'm trying to find this address. I seem to have gotten myself lost."
"I'm not sure where this is." The man said, squinting at Joe's handwriting. "But surely Sabrina will. She's our chauffeur's daughter. After all, transportation is in her blood!"
Joe smiled, grateful that the man was friendly.
"Sabrina!" The man called toward the house. "Can I see you for a minute?"
"I'll be right there!" a woman's voice called back.
The man turned to Joe. "Sabrina is so much better at finding things than I am. After all, she's been to Paris while I'm lucky to get out of Long Island!"
A dark haired woman approached the man and he turned to show her the address. Joe tried to catch a glimpse of the woman, but the man had blocked his view.
He saw the woman's hand take the notebook. "Oh yes. I know exactly where this is!"
"I'm glad to hear it." Joe said. "It's my first time here and... well, I'm afraid that I've gotten myself lost."
"Well..." said the man. "I'll leave you two to your directions. "Have a good day, Sir."
"Thank you for your help." Joe said. "I sincerely appreciate it."
"It was my pleasure." The man said. He turned to walk back to the house, leaving Joe with the woman... Sabrina.
"Thank you, Mr. Larabee!" she called to him with a wave of her hand.
"Now... Let's see if we can get you headed in the right direction." She said turning around to face him.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, staring at his stunned expression.
"No... I..."
That face...
"Anya?"
She looked at him blankly. "Who?"
"I-I..." Suddenly he felt faint and to his surprise, she reached out to steady him. His face was warm and he could feel dryness creeping into his throat.
"Sir, are you quite sure that you're okay?"
He swallowed hard.
Well, no... actually. I'm not all right. Not when I appear to be looking at a carbon copy of the woman that I love.
"Come with me." Sabrina said, taking his hand.
"Wait! Where are we going?"
She led him into the house where a group of servants sat at the small kitchen table, along with the man he'd spoken to just moments before.
As soon as he entered the kitchen, the men and women stood.
"Who's this?" The cook asked.
Sabrina laughed. "Oh! How silly of me!" She extended her hand. "I'm Sabrina Fairchild. And you are...?"
Joe took her hand in his and shook it gently, trying to ignore the scent of her perfume.
"Joe. Joe Bradley."
Sabrina smiled. "Joe Bradley."
The cook looked annoyed. "Sabrina, what is this man doing here?"
"Margaret, Mr... Bradley was just asking for directions and now I'm afraid he's not feeling well."
"Oh you poor Dear!" the maid said. She rose from the table and led Joe to her empty chair, gesturing for him to sit down.
"Sabrina, get a wet cloth for me, will you?"
"Right away, Jenny!"
Joe watched as Sabrina pulled a cloth from a drawer and ran it under the faucet. "Here you go."
Jenny took the cloth and smiled. "Thank you, Darling." She glanced at Joe and then back at Sabrina.
"Why don't you do the honors?"
"Me?" Sabrina asked, her face turning a deep shade of pink.
"Go on..." Jenny said with a smile.
Sabrina wrung the excess water from the cloth and then refolded it carefully. She walked over to Joe and sat down in the seat next to him. He could see her hand trembling as she gently blotted his forehead and cheeks with the wet cloth.
"There. How does that feel?"
"It feels fine. Thank you, Sabrina."
"Just hold this against your forehead and I'll get you some water."
"Thank you." He said again. He glanced at the servants, surprised to find every one of them grinning in his direction.
Seconds later, Sabrina returned with a glass filled with ice water. "Drink this, Mr. Bradley. You'll feel better soon."
Joe did as instructed. He had to admit, the cool water was refreshing as it went down his throat. Almost immediately he could feel his face starting to cool.
With a smile, he handed the empty glass back to Sabrina. "I can't thank you enough for your kindness."
Sabrina smiled bashfully. "You're welcome, Mr. Bradley."
"Please... Call me Joe."
"All right... Joe."
He rose from the table. "Well, I should probably be going. I'm sure the participants of my next assignment are wondering where I've been." He glanced at his watch. "I'm late as it is."
"Oh! Are you a reporter?" Sabrina asked.
"Why yes. As a matter of fact, I am." Joe said.
"How nice! Jenny said. "It's not often that we get the news media in our home. Unless it has to do with David or Linus."
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Jenny." Joe said with a smile. He took her hand and kissed it, causing her to giggle like a schoolgirl.
"Oh... Thank you, Sir." She laughed.
Sabrina and Joe walked out to the driveway.
"It was lovely to meet you, Mr. Bradley." Sabrina said.
Joe smiled. "And it was a great pleasure meeting you, Sabrina."
Reluctantly, he opened his car door and slid into the driver's seat. "Have a good evening, Sabrina!" he said as he began to back the car out of the driveway.
"I will!"
When he was about to turn onto Dusoris Lane, he heard her calling him. "Oh! Mr. Bradley.
Oh! Wait! Mr. Bradley!" Sabrina cried.
The car came to a screeching halt.
"Something wrong?" Joe asked.
She ran toward the car. "Here's your notebook."
"Why thank you, very much! I don't know what I would have done without it!"
"The street you want is about a mile down the road, but when you come to the fork, make a left." Sabrina explained.
"Ah... So that's where I made my mistake." Joe said.
"I'm sorry you had so much trouble finding your way." Sabrina said.
Joe looked at her thoughtfully. "You know... I'm glad I found my way here."
As he turned onto Dusoris Lane, he could see her smiling at him in the distance.
Maybe he should get lost more often.