Chapter 1

On Phoebe's fourteenth birthday her father bought her canvases and new brushes.

"Thank you daddy!" Phoebe said as she unwrapped the fine ribbon and cloth.

"Your mother said you needed some new material for your masterpieces" He father said winking at her.

Dallas smiled and sat down by Will. Will put his arm around her and kissed her forehead. For a moment Phoebe felt like she was part of a real family again. She watched her mother as her father put his arm around her. When her father left her mother watched him from their bedroom window as he drove away. She watched like a small helpless child as her whole life drove away. That was the last time Phoebe saw her father. Then came the shield, the drinking and the men. It was like she could turn her heart on and off just like that. Phoebe told herself she would never let a man rule her life. "Never marry for love Phoebe, you will always be disappointed." Her mother always said. Phoebe watched how her mother was and she never wanted to be that way. She learned how to close her heart and use what she had to get what she wanted.

Phoebe started to grow into a beautiful woman and at seventeen she was turning all the men's heads. They did not know she was sixteen of course. She always looked and acted older. And when Phoebe was seventeen, she met a man named Johnny Patric. She didn't realize how much he would affect her life.

One night her mother and she were getting ready for one of Dallas's many parties. This is when Dallas and Phoebe would parade through the crowd and Dallas would introduce herself and Phoebe and make small talk with the returning guests. They shared their make-up and powders and perfumes, clothes and shoes. They each sat at their vanities and primped in the mirror. Their vanities sat back to back.

"shit!"

"What is it" Phoebe asked looking in the mirror at the reflection of Dallas sitting at her vanity.

"I can't seem to calm these shakes enough to even paint my nails." Her mother said as she poured another shot of rum into her ice tea.

Phoebe looked at her mother over her shoulder. Her mother's hands were shaking and the red nail polish was on her fingers. Phoebe felt sad at her mother's helplessness and she sighed. She got up and sat down by her mother. Phoebe put her hand on her mother's taking the polish from her. Her mother looked at her and smiled unsurely. Phoebe reached for the remover and a few cotton balls. Her mother sipped her ice tea as Phoebe cleaned her fingers up.

"Take it easy on the drinking tonight ok mother?" Phoebe said as she stroked the brush in the bottle of polish.

"Phoebe, I want you to make an impression tonight, I need you and I am counting on you." Dallas said as Phoebe finished one hand and started on the next.

"Well what if I am going to retire early tonight mother?" Phoebe said smiling.

"What are you talking about babe?" Her mother said as she inspected her finished nails.

"Well Mother, maybe I have a date?" Phoebe said as she walked to their closet.

"With whom Phoebe?" Her mother asked looking up at her.

"Not that you care, but Mr. Patric has been asking me to have a drink with him for quite some time, and he said he has something he wanted to talk to me about." She said sharply.

"Phoebe….I think you should be careful..." Her mother paused "Mr. Patric is very…well you know with the ladies, and he runs a hard business..."

"What? What do you mean mother, you are the one who got me into this in the first place, and now you are trying to be a concerned parent?" Phoebe shouted angrily.

Dallas just looked down at the floor and didn't say anything she just walked over to her dressing screen and started to dress. Phoebe could see the pain in her mother's eyes when she said that to her, but Phoebe felt justified in what she said. Never the less her mother had done it again to her. She made her feel guilty.

"Mother, I meant…" Phoebe sighed

"I know what you meant, I was only trying to help and you just spit in my face. Well fine, do it your way. I'm sorry Phoebe that your father left me to raise you alone, and I'm sorry I'm not perfect. But I suppose you still blame me for that son of a bitch leaving us too…I just am asking for a little respect!" Dallas began to cry as she shouted over her dressing screen.

Phoebe was speechless. She had no words for her mother's out break. It only made Phoebe mad. It was so uncalled for and childish that Phoebe did not know how to respond.

"Well you said it! You're not perfect and maybe if you were respectable, I would respect you!" Phoebe finished as she dressed as well.

No one said anything for a while and the girls finished dressing and walked to the door. Dallas stopped and reached for Phoebe's hand.

"Sweetie, I only want you to be careful and I am saying this because you are only sixteen. Believe it or not Phoebe, I do not want anything to happen to you, after all, you are all I have left. Just be careful." Dallas said as she kissed Phoebe on the forehead and walked out to greet the guests.

Phoebe just stood in the door way and sighed. Her mother was so good at manipulating her and making her feel guilty for it all. But then on the other hand she sometimes did seem like she really cared. It was so odd to Phoebe how her mother could be so hard and selfish and then the next moment she could change. Phoebe's whole life had been filled with ups and downs and when it was down it was rock bottom.

Phoebe took a deep breath rolling her eyes and trying to brush it off. She sucked in her stomach, adjusted her breasts and fluffed her hair. She blew into her eyes to clear the tears that filled them and put on her most charming smile. She walked out of the room and down the stairs.

"I will never be like her!" She said to herself as she scanned the crowded dance floor.

"Miss Halliwell, you look stunning!" A sexy deep voice said in Phoebe's ear from behind.

She turned slightly to feel him leaning against her and grabbing her buttocks. Phoebe felt a lump in her throat and her stomach dropped. His hands felt good and he knew how to use them. He was very experienced with women and he had that special sex appeal about him that drove women mad.

"Why Mr. Patric, what a pleasant surprise" Phoebe taunted as she walked around him and leaned in his ear from behind.

"My dear you tease me this way and I don't know what to do with myself" He said looking at her up and down as she walked in front of him.

"Oh? How so" Phoebe said as she arched herself on the edge of the table and picked up a strawberry.

Mr. Patric just stood there soaking her in with his heavy dark eyes and devilishly handsome smile. Phoebe was dressed in a long red satin gown with a slit that ran from her toes to her upper thigh. Her red strapped shoes laced around her small dainty feet and her blood red toe nails. One strap from her dress slid down her shoulder and the other still hanging on. Her hair was pulled back with a red rose in it and her full red lips wrapped around the strawberry invitingly.

"Your turn" Phoebe said as she dipped the strawberry in cream and held it to his lips.

He took a bite and Phoebe smiled. Then she wiped the cream from the corner of his mouth and licked it off her finger.

"You do not know what you are doing to me do you?" He hoarsely whispered in her ear.

Phoebe felt herself melt at his warm breath on her neck and his deep voice in her ear. He took her hand and lead her around the corner. He pushed her against the wall and kissed her passionately and she gave him the response he was after. Phoebe began to breath heavily and her breasts pressed up against his chest. Phoebe closed her eyes and she felt herself pull away.

"I… have to go…please" Phoebe said as she opened her eyes.

"Why do you tease me this way love?" He said breathlessly.

She was trained to not feel with her heart only her body. He pulled her back to him and she did not fight. She could never tell him no. It was as if he owned her.

"You want me darling, I can feel it" He said hoarsely.

"I have to get back to my mother's party" She said pulling away.

Phoebe smirked and walked off. Mr. Patric stood there with his cane and adjusted his top hat smirking back at her.

"Phoebe! I have been looking everywhere for you " Her mother said holding a glass of champagne.

Phoebe was startled and she tried to adjust her dress. She reached up to her mouth and wiped under her bottom lip. She felt like her lipstick was everywhere.

"What? What is it?" Phoebe said annoyed.

"I have to leave early in the morning and I need you to meet with the new gardener and his son." Dallas said as she finished the last drink in her glass and grabbed another off the try that went by.

Phoebe took the glass and sighed. "Mother, I can't I am leaving tonight for the art show, remember?" Phoebe said as she downed the champagne like a shot.

"Oh, yeah" Dallas said giggling.

It was obvious she was drunk and Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"Common Dallas, you have had enough for tonight, you are going to bed." Phoebe said as she put her arm around her mother's waist and walked her to her room.

"How will you get to the airport and what about my guests?" Her mother said confused.

"I will tend to the guests and then I will have Fredrick drive me. Now good night mother and I will see you after the weekend." Phoebe said sitting Dallas on the bed and taking off her mother's shoes.

"Sweetheart, I am sorry, I love you" Dallas said sadly as Phoebe started to walk out.

Phoebe looked at her mother sadly. She was so pitiful, and weak. The drinking was worse.

"I know mother….I love you too. Go to sleep." Phoebe said with a disappointed sigh and shut the door.

Mr. Patric watched as Phoebe walked down the stairs. She looked down to spot him and he was looking at her from under his hat. He was devastatingly handsome and his sexy smirk made her smile. His dark hair hung down to his shoulders and his deep brown eyes burned into her. The patch of hair on his chin hung down like a Count and his charm was irresistible. She smiled at him and then walked out onto the balcony that faced out over the property. Mr. Patric twitched his head and then went back to mingling. He always kept an eye on Phoebe.

"Miss Phoebe?" Fredrick said in his French accent.

"Yes Freddie?" Phoebe said turning to him.

"Is everything alright dear?"

"Freddie, my mother is asleep and I need a ride to the airport, can you give me a lift?" Phoebe asked avoiding the question.

"Of course dear, I'll load your bags in the car as soon as the guests leave" He said and then walked back into the party.

Fredrick had been their butler ever since Phoebe was a child. Phoebe could always talk to him and he always would say something to make her feel better.

Phoebe stood there a moment longer. She wanted to go but on the other hand she didn't want to leave her mother. Her mother depended on her for everything. She walked back into the party and mingled until everyone had gone to their rooms. Then she changed and they drove to the airport.

*******

The next morning, Dallas woke up with a headache. She woke up to Fredrick at her door.

"Mrs. Halliwell? The gardeners are here to see you dear" Fredrick said through her door.

"Tell them I will be right down Fredrick" She said slowly moving to dress.

"Mrs. Halliwell will be right with you gentleman, please have a seat in the parlor" Fredrick said.

A few moments later Dallas came walking down the stairs in her robe and an ice pack on her forehead..

"Good morning gentlemen!" She said in a quiet voice.

"Good morning Mrs. Halliwell" The older man said.

"I am sorry, I was.….It was a long night. Do you have references?" She said with out making eye contact.

"My name is Abe Turner and this is my son Cole."

"Hello miss." Cole nodded his head at her shaking her hand.

"Dallas… well, do you have references Mr. Turner?" She said impatiently.

"Oh, yes mam, here" Abe said handing her the papers.

"Good enough gentlemen, you are hired"

"Fredrickson will show you around and he'll take you to your bunk. If you need anything from the house, please don't hesitate to ask." And then she turned to walk away.

"Oh, Mrs. Halliwell?" Abe called.

"Yes?" Dallas said in a high voice through another toothy smile.

"Thank you!" Abe said softly nodding at her.

"You're welcome" She said and then walked back to her room.

*********

"Well, she's a real winner" Cole said as he laid his stuff on the bed in the bunk room.

"Son…be careful. We need this work" Abe said firmly.

"I know dad, don't worry, I won't get us fired. I just meant rich people are all the same" He said laying on the bed.

"Well, just remember, those rich people put food on the table" Abe said smiling at Cole.

********

Phoebe returned on Monday. "Miss. Phoebe, over here!" Fredrick said waving to her as she came out of the terminal.

Phoebe spotted him and smiled. She walked over to him and gave him a hug. "Hello Freddie" She said softly giving him a small hug.

"Welcome home Miss Phoebe!" He said and picked up her bags.

********

In the car Phoebe was quiet. And she just stared out of the window.

"Did you have a nice flight dear?" He asked looking in the rearview mirror at her.

"Oh…yes…the weather was great and I had a good time. There was much to see!"

"Well I'm glad Phoebe" Fredrick said encouragingly.

"How is mother Freddie?"

"She is good, and she is excited to see you" He said kindly.

"Yeah, I bet" Phoebe said sarcastically.

They reached the property and Phoebe was looking at the workers in the garden as she drove up the long driveway to the house. As they passed the Hotel, something caught her eye. A young man working in the roses with his shirt off. He had just poured water over his head and muscular back. Phoebe had to do a double take. He looked at the car as it drove by and Phoebe quickly sat back in the seat so he didn't see her face smashed against the window.

They pulled up to the house and Dallas came running to the car.

"Hey, welcome home Pheebs! I've missed you!" Dallas said hugging her.

"Missed you too mom!" Phoebe said trying to have some enthusiasm.

Dallas looked at her and her smile faded. "How was the art show?" she asked calmly.

"It was good mom, some of my paintings got first place" Phoebe said.

"Oh…that's good…Are you hungry?" she said changing the subject.

Phoebe didn't expect a pat on the back, but she thought her mother would at least be proud of her.

"Starved!" Phoebe said smiling at her mother.

The next morning, Phoebe was getting dressed up in her room. She looked out her window and Cole was working out side the house. "Hey, that's him?" Phoebe said to herself. She finished dressing and went down stairs to the breakfast table with her mother. Dallas was sipping coffee at the end of the table.

"Good morning Phoebe!" her mother said picking up the paper.

"Morning, mom, who is that guy out side?" Phoebe asked calmly.

"What guy? Oh….you mean the handsome one don't you?" Dallas said teasingly.

Phoebe rolled her eyes and looked out the window to see if she could see him. She didn't think her mother noticed.

"He came with his father and they are the new gardeners" Dallas said trying not to laugh at Phoebe acting like she didn't care.

Phoebe was still looking out of the window at Cole. She saw the old man walk up to him and pat him on the back. Phoebe smiled. She picked up a piece of toast from her mother's plate and ran out the back door. Dallas sipped her coffee again and then smiled at Phoebe's curiosity.

"She reminds me of me at that age" Dallas said to herself.

*********

"Father, I will be back" Cole said as he watched Phoebe run across the field to the vineyard.

His father nodded and kept to his work. Cole wiped his forehead and went after her. He wandered through the vineyard looking for Phoebe. He saw Phoebe painting and walked up to her.

"Hey…I was just…" Cole stopped when he saw Phoebe.

She had on short jean cutoffs and a pink silk tank top. She didn't have any shoes on and her hair hung curly in the middle of her back. The sun hit the blond streaks in her hair and made her dark skin glow, and her fresh face and full lips were flawless.

"Shhh…Don't move!" She stopped him and continued with the brush.

Cole stood there and he tried not to move. He smiled and felt funny standing there while Phoebe stared at him intensely while she painted.

"There! What do you think?" She said as she relaxed and motioned for him to come look.

Cole smiled at her and released his breath like someone was holding him under water. He looked at the painting and his smile faded. Phoebe became nervous and she watched him intensely. Finally he looked at her.

"That's amazing" He said softly.

"Thank you" She said in a small voice, "It is just something I do. I can't help myself." She said looking at the painting of Cole and his father.

"What are you doing out here any way?" Phoebe said realizing he came for something.

"Oh, I wanted to see you…." Cole lost his train of thought as she looked up at him with her big brown eyes.

"You wanted to see me?" Phoebe said with a lump in her throat.

"Yes, ahh, see you about this place, it is beautiful" He said trying to recover.

"Oh…well, it is all I know. " Phoebe tried not to sound disappointed.

"So you grew up here?" He said trying to make conversation.

"Yes, it belonged to my aunt. She died and left everything to my Mother and Father."

"Oh, I am sorry…" Cole said looking at the ground.

"Don't be sorry, I never knew her, anyway I hate her" Phoebe said sharply.

"Oh?" Cole couldn't help the smile.

"If the old bitch wouldn't have died, my parents might still be together!" She said looking at the house.

"You've lost me" Cole said frowning.

"It was the money that drove them apart" Phoebe said looking back at Cole.

"Mmm sounds rough" he said sarcastically.

"Excuse me?" Phoebe said frowning.

"Girls like you don't even know what a hard life is" Cole said irritated.

"Girls like me? Do you think you know me?" Phoebe shot back

"No, I meant…" Cole tried to recover.

"Listen boy, I don't know who you think you are but, you don't know anything about me! You think you can just sit back and judge me?"

"Hey, I didn't mean…." Cole struggled.

"Well, let me fill you in on a secret, money isn't everything to me!" Phoebe said as her eyes filled up with tears and she started to walk off.

Cole saw the hurt in her eyes and he felt bad for what he said.

"Wait" he said grabbing her arm.

"Get your hands off of me!" Phoebe said sadly and she ran off.

"That's not what I meant" Cole said to himself as he sadly watched her run off.

********

Dallas was going over some business with the accountant in the office. She looked up from the small glasses that sat on her nose and she could see Phoebe walking up to the house through the back French doors. When Phoebe came in she slammed the doors behind her and walked past Dallas without looking at her.

"Phoebe, wait" Dallas called to her.

Phoebe stopped but didn't turn around.

"What?" She said irritated.

"Phoebe, we are having a party Friday night and I need you to help me, I can't do it all around here." Dallas said as she typed away at the computer.

"Shocking!" Phoebe snapped quietly to herself and walked off.

Phoebe went up to her room and slammed the door. She flopped herself on her bed and grabbed the stuffed dog that her father gave her years ago and laid her head on it. Besides Cole, now her mother was on her back too. Phoebe was almost seventeen and she felt like a small child confused and left to grow up by herself. It was true that she had everything money could buy, but that was not what she wanted. She needed to feel wanted and belonging. "What does he know anyway? He doesn't know me! How dare he judge me! And her, when does it end? I am so sick of her manipulating me, and making me feel guilty for her own stupid mistakes!" Phoebe was lost in her thoughts and she slowly relaxed on the soft bed.

*********

Phoebe jumped at a tap on her window, and looked around her room. It was dark and she had fallen asleep. She had slept through dinner and it was almost one o'clock in the morning. She waited silently for a moment and then laid her head back on the stuffed dog. She was starring at her window and she saw a rock hit her window again. She frowned and strained her eyes at the window. "What?" she said aloud as she walked to the window and looked down. She saw Cole standing on the ground and he was looking around like he didn't want anyone to see him. Phoebe felt mad again and opened the window to motion him away, but as she opened the window and stuck her head out to tell him off, he threw another rock and hit her on the forehead. Phoebe fell back into the bedroom and she felt dizzy. Cole flinched as he saw what he did.

"Shit! Sorry!" He whispered loudly.

Phoebe started to laugh to herself as the dizziness started to fade. She imagined she looked pretty funny from his view. She tried to smooth out her smile as she went to the window again.

"Is it safe to look out?" she whispered loudly down to Cole.

He smiled at her as she looked out holding her forehead.

"I'm sorry! Come on, we're going swimming" Cole said as he waved for her to come down.

"Swimming?" Phoebe looked at her clock on the wall, "It is one o'clock in the morning!" She whispered still holding her head.

"If you are not coming down, then I will come up and get you!" Cole said walking to the lattice that was under her window.

"What makes you think I want to go with you anyway?" Phoebe got her back up.

"Please?" Cole pleaded sincerely.

Phoebe wanted to jump down as soon as she saw him but she had to keep up appearances, and the little bit of pride she had left. She didn't want him to see through her.

"Fine! Hold on!" Phoebe said trying to sound put out.

She climbed down the lattice and Cole held her waist to help her as she reached him. She turned to him on the ground and he was so tall and muscular. She hadn't been this close to him and he was staring down at her. She had a lump in her throat and her heart was racing.

"I can get down myself thank you" She snapped once again trying to hide her true emotions.

Cole just gave her a sexy grin and took her hand forcefully almost yanking it as he took off running to where ever he was taking her. They ran through some trees and past the vineyard. Phoebe didn't say anything because it was all she could do to keep up with him dragging her by the hand. He gripped her hand tightly and Phoebe could feel his strength. His warm hand wrapped around hers and Phoebe liked the way it felt. She remembered her mother saying "You can always judge a man by his hands."

They reached a small lake with a small waterfall trickling down a large bolder at the edge of the lake. In all the years Phoebe lived there, she had never found this spot.

"Beautiful spot huh?" He whispered.

She looked at him and he had small beads of sweat on his forehead, and he was breathing heavily from the run. He had on a white cotton shirt that was unbuttoned to the middle of his stomach, and loose white shorts with a draw string through them. She looked down and saw he was barefoot too. She looked at his face again and he was smiling at her.

"What are you waiting for?" He said as he started to unbutton the rest of his shirt.

Phoebe became nervous. She didn't know what he wanted from her. She didn't have anything on under the tank top and cutoffs. Before Phoebe could catch her breath Cole had dropped his shorts and jumped off the rock into the water. Phoebe was shocked at his boldness, as she saw his fairly white buttocks flash in the moonlight before he hit the water. She waited and he didn't come up. She got on her hands and knees and looked around the water.

"Hey…where are you?" She said just above a whisper looking around the water.

She cautiously unzipped her shorts and took off her shirt. She was still watching the water closely and wanted to hurry and slip in before he saw her. She reached down to test the water with her hand and Cole jolted out of the water and grabbed her arm pulling her in. She only had time to scream before she was under water. She franticly swam to the top and Cole was already at the top treading water.

"What the hell? Are you crazy?" Phoebe said as she came to the top and gasped for air.

Cole started to laugh and Phoebe couldn't help but laugh too. She thought of what her face might have looked like as she came up for air. As their laughing faded, Phoebe started to remember that she didn't have anything on and neither did he. Normally nothing shocked or embarrassed her but something about Cole made her nervous.

"You never even told me your name today?" Phoebe said

"You never gave me a chance" Cole said smiling at her and swimming to an edge. Phoebe followed.

His white teeth glowed and his skin shined from the water in the moonlight. Small drops of water dripped from his hair onto his shoulders and ran into the water. Phoebe could only see his face down to his broad chest. The rest was dark from the water. She could only see what the moonlight allowed. His dark brows were defined and the water reflected a small light into his eyes. He stood while she still could not touch and had to tread water.

"So, is this your way of saying you are sorry?" Phoebe asked jokingly as she treaded the water.

Cole reached for her arm and pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight. Phoebe was shocked and also embarrassed by the fact that they were both naked. She could feel his warmth through the water and his muscular body form to hers as she became motionless in his arms.

"No, but this is" He said as he leaned in and brushed her wet lips softly with his.

At first she was paralyzed and couldn't move her lips. Then he kissed her softly this time and looked at her. By now, Phoebe had her eyes closed and leaned to kiss him back. He smiled and kissed her lips more passionately this time. She was over taken by his kiss and the warmth from the inside of his mouth. She brushed her tongue along his and he kissed her more intensely.

"I think I am falling in love with you?" she whispered

"I have been in love with you from the moment I saw you" he said hoarsely against her mouth. "I want to make love to you Phoebe" he whispered breathlessly as he kissed her.

"I…I don't know?" She said breaking away from his lips.

"If you are not ready…" He started to say before she kissed him again.

"No, it's not that I just have never made love to someone I was in love with, I am afraid" She said looking into his eyes.

"Don't be afraid, I will take care of you" He said and kissed her again.

Phoebe loved hearing those words. He made her feel so whole and complete.

"I promise, tomorrow, I will make it up to you" Phoebe said slowing down his advances.

"You don't know how much I want you right now" He said putting his forehead to hers.

"Oh but I really do" She moaned as they smiled at each other.

*******

"Phoebe, are you in there?" Mr. Patric whispered loudly from the ground.

He was looking up at Phoebe's window. He stood there for a moment then he heard someone coming and he jumped into the bushes along the house. He heard the giggling coming closer. He looked through the bushes and saw it was Phoebe. She was kissing a man at the bottom of her window. He didn't know who the man was, but he looked familiar.

*******

"I don't want to leave you" Cole whispered to Phoebe as he kissed her neck.

"I don't want you to" Phoebe whispered back.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" Cole asked passionately.

"I hope so" Phoebe whispered into his ear as he held her tight.

He pressed her against the house and kissed her intensely. It was all he could do to let her go. He had fallen for her, and he didn't want to be away from her.

Phoebe had never felt so much emotion and her heart raced as he touched her and wrapped himself around her.

"I have to go, the sun is coming up" Phoebe whispered breathlessly prying Cole from her.

"I will wait for you tomorrow at noon in the vineyard" Cole said as he helped her start up the lattice.

Phoebe reached down for Cole's hand as she started to climb up.

"I will be there" She said looking down giving him a satisfied smile.

"I love you" Cole said as he watched her disappear through the open window.

He started to jog back to the bunk and he turned to look at the window again. Phoebe was watching him. All of the sudden the sprinklers came on and Cole was in the middle of them. Phoebe laughed.

"I guess I needed that" He shouted.

"I love you too!" she giggled waving her arm at him.

She smiled at the sight of him standing in the middle of the sprinklers soaking wet. His adorable smile and beautiful face stared back at her. She gave him a pitied wave and shut the window quietly. He was soaked and he didn't care. He smiled and ran to his room.

Phoebe laid on her bed and sighed. She had never felt so alive and wonderful in her whole life. This man who came to her from nowhere was now her every thought and feeling. Her stomach dropped when she thought about her midnight swim and his hands on her bare skin. Her insides were filled with new excitement and desire. She had never gave herself to Cole because she had never made love to someone she truly cared for. It scared her and she didn't want him to think bad of her. Tomorrow she would make love to him in the vineyard. She had fallen for him but she knew no one would approve of the gardener's son, and she was afraid of what her mother might do if she found out. They must keep their love a secret.

"Cole" she said to herself as she drifted to sleep.

*******

Patric walked out of the bushes and smiled a devilish smile. "We'll see darlin'… you belong to me" He said aloud looking up at her window and walked back to his room at the Hotel.