Wanted: Handsome Alien Abductor (2 page)

Derek had looked even more uncomfortable, and suddenly seemed very interested in his beer, sipping it down. She knew he'd never call her again. Good!

Later, when he walked Amber to her front door, she wasn't surprised he didn't attempt a kiss. He was probably embarrassed by his own inaction.

Much later that night, while she flipped the TV channels endlessly, trying to distract herself, Amber felt bad. She had acted trashy. That wasn't her.
He is not Richard. Exactly, he was not a warrior.

Throwing the remote down, she poured a glass of wine. Though not much of a drinker, she could see where her thoughts were headed. Richard. Maybe drowning her sorrow would work. Certainly, she knew nice beta men wouldn't work for her. She had drunk too much, finally passing out on the couch.

Well, tonight Jack had not been a beta male, yet he wasn't what she was looking for either. Amber thumbed the stack of books she always kept on her coffee table. A few were new interests, but more were old favorites she planned on rereading when there was time. Nothing with magical elements grabbed her attention. Darn. There was one somewhere in this house, about a genie and a playboy.

Her hand passed over one of her favorites, by the same author who had written the genie story. She began to read, becoming lost in the imaginary world of large, handsome warriors. The heroine had been kidnapped and later became the Queen.

Amber bit her lower lip. Why am I so interested in the captive/captor theme? Might as well ask why so many other women found it exciting as well. For her, there was something about being held in a strong man's arms, as if he were the rope that bound them together. Sometimes she had titillating dreams where the man had her tightly confined with ropes, while she kneeled at his feet.

She gazed up at him, enthralled by his male beauty. Then he pulled her into his arms, ravaging her lips with savage kisses. All the while her tied arms remained. It made her knees weak and her body flush with heat.

The dog next door barked, snapping her out of the dream state. Darn pooch. Amber laid the book back down. Man of her dreams. Sure. She had her pick between soft beta men, or roughens too hard-edged for her liking.

Amber stared into space.
Am I being too picky?
She shook her head at herself. She didn't think so. Somewhere, out there, another Richard existed. Or at least someone within the realm of his physical looks and charisma.

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Later that week she met with Sarah for lunch. When she stated her feelings, her friend said, “I think you are setting the bar too high. There aren't too many Richard's in this world."

Amber snorted. “Well, maybe I should be looking elsewhere than Earth."

"Sure. So beam me up,” Sarah giggled. They both were huge Star Trek fans.

"Oh, better,” Amber laughed. “Hang out a sign in front of my house—
Wanted: Handsome Alien Abductor.
"

Now Sarah laughed loudly. The waiter brought their drinks and stared at them. Amber wiped at the laughter tears at the corner of her eyes.

After they finished eating, Sarah wanted to stroll in the nearby park. They found a secluded bench, surrounded by low hanging branches of the trees around it.

"No nosy neighbors here,” her friend smiled.

"Or waiters,” she added.

"Amber, going back to the discussion of a perfect man for you-"

She interrupted with a wave of one hand. “I thought we established there is no Enterprise coming to my rescue."

Sarah smiled, and then her face turned serious. “I hoped you would find someone, but I've seen you struggle."

"Maybe I'm meant to be an old maid.” Amber didn't even believe that statement as it left her mouth. She admired Sarah and Will's relationship, and she had once had that special someone. She wanted it again.

As if to refute her thoughts, she blurted out, “I don't need a man to complete

me."

"Don't be silly,” her friend dismissed her words. “I just hoped you would find him so I wouldn't have to share my big secret with you."

"What?” Amber had no idea what she was talking about.

"The secret of the magic that brought Will and I together."

"Oh,” she shrugged. “Another sharing on the magic of that chance meeting."

"Not exactly.” Sarah eyed her thoughtfully. “Will you promise to listen to the whole story?"

She nodded, too overwhelmed with curiosity to do else wise.

Sarah started slow, then her words picked up speed. She told a crazy, wonderful tale of a Goddess granting her wish. Then the fulfillment of her wish captured in a handsome pirate and adventure on the high seas.

"Where did you read this one, sounds worth picking up?"

"Amber, you aren't listening. This really happened to me."

"Uhuh. And I suppose since you are here, in the twenty first century, only you returned from this time travel voyage? Wait, wait,” Amber waved both arms, chuckling. “Let me guess, Will is the pirate and you brought him back with you."

Sarah frowned, clearly annoyed at her. She leaned toward Amber. “In a way he did return and in a way he did not."

"What are you talking about?” Her friend was starting to sound a little nutty. Had she drank too much wine at lunch? She couldn't remember.

Sarah proceeded to tell her of meeting her dream lover, the pirate captain, at the museum. When she stopped, Amber simply stared at her. Had she lost her mind?

"I know what you are thinking.” Sarah sighed.

"Really, now you are psychic?” She couldn't keep the fear from her voice, although she had meant it to be sarcastic.

"I'm not crazy. Every word is true."

"Then prove it to me.” Maybe challenging her delusion would cause a total break with reality. Or, she hoped it would jar some sense into Sarah.

Her friend knitted her brow, then it smoothed out. “Simple, come home with me."

"And then what?"

"My husband will tell you the same story."

"This I have to hear.” Were the two of them in on some colossal joke at her expense?

Amber followed Sarah to her lovely Colonial house. Will met them at the door, sweeping Sarah into his arms. He seemed surprised to see her, but was as pleasant and charming as always.

After some chit chat, Sarah abruptly said, “Will, I want you to tell Amber how we met."

He stared at them both, and then shrugged. He started telling the same story she'd heard many times of the chance encounter at the museum.

Sarah interrupted. “No. Tell her how we really met."

Will's blue eyes widened and then he turned those breathtaking blue orbs on her. The tale he spun was the same as Sarah's, except it was from his point of view.

After he finished, she stared at them. “Why are you doing this to me?"

"Oh, Amber,” Sarah grabbed her hands. “We're not lying to you, or playing some kind of sick joke.” She turned toward Will. “I thought maybe the Goddess could help Amber find her soulmate."

He nodded.

She felt numb. The world suddenly was turned on its ear. Were her friends crazy? Or were there magical elements in this world she never had a clue existed?

Sarah brought her a glass of wine and then talked her into spending the night.

"I don't want you to drive like this.” She had only drunk one glass of wine, so Sarah was speaking of her state of mind.

Later, in bed, she questioned her own sanity. How could she have let them talk her into staying when she was wondering about their minds? Well, it was done now and she felt too exhausted to get up and leave. She had locked the door, something prior to this, that never would have entered her thoughts. Still a bit anxious, she had cocked a chair beneath the door knob.

She slept fitfully. Images of Will and Sarah engulfed by strait jackets filled her mind.

The next morning Sarah served a full breakfast; eggs, biscuits and sausage. Everything seemed normal, and her friends acted the same loving couple as always.

Will suggested they drink their coffee on the deck. The sun was gently warming their bodies, and the birds chirped. Yet, Amber's world felt out of synch.

"Do you still think we're crazy,” Sarah asked softly.

"I don't know what to think. I am confused."

"I understand.” Sarah placed one hand over her hand that lay on the table. It was comforting. She remembered how Sarah had been there for her after Richard's death. Tears formed in her eyes, sorrow and confusion making a disorderly mix.

"Why don't you take a few days to think about it, and then we'll talk again when you are ready."

Amber nodded, not sure if that would help. While she and Sarah finished a second cup of coffee, Will disappeared into the house. He returned with a museum book, and laid it in the center of the table. It fell open, indicating these two pages had been examined often.

Amber pulled the large book toward her. One side depicted two pictures of ships, while the opposite page was filled with a painting of a pirate. She stared at the familiar face and then up at Will.

"It could be a relative."

"I guess,” Will shrugged, his blue eyes challenging her to refute the evidence in front of her.

She glanced back down at the handsome captain and a shiver shot through her. It was him. How, she didn't know. But no doubt remained as she looked back up at her friends.

The conversation that flowed between them was lively, and she felt like she'd been swept up in the middle of a romance novel. Amber left later, after having promised Sarah they would meet for lunch again the next day. Her dreams that night were filled with pirates, ships, and Will was at the center of it all.

They met at the same cafe for lunch. Sarah was happy to see her, but Amber wasn't sure how she felt.

With no preamble, Sarah asked, “I told you Will and I have been discussing vacation plans?"

She nodded. At least Sarah didn't hit her with their magical relationship first thing.

"We've decided to go to South America."

"Why?” Suddenly her radar was up.

Sarah chuckled. “Honestly, I didn't explore the region like I wanted to last time I was there. And Will has some contacts."

Contacts usually meant local fisherman who knew the possible location of sunken ships. Will salvaged treasures from the ocean's depths. What her friend said made sense, yet she still thought their choice probably centered around the River Goddess and her. Sarah had found Will, or so she believed, by petitioning the Goddess for the perfect man.

Sarah chatted on. “We are going for two weeks, the last two days will be at Manaus, Brazil."

Oh no, just as she thought, Manaus was the city that had been the starting point for Sarah's journey to the Goddess.

"We want you to come along."

Sarah knew she didn't have the funds for such a trip. Of course her friend offered to pay her way, but she kept refusing. She wasn't a charity case.

"You know how bored I get while Will is gone on his business trips."

"Sure.” Her friend had complained enough about them.

"I need some company. How much fun will it be if I hunt for treasures all alone?"

Sarah's treasure hunts were in bazaars, where she scoured through local craftsmen's wares. Her friend referred to jewelry made by local craftsmen, exotic colorful scarves, and interestingly woven purses.

"You talked me into it,” she laughed. “But I pay my own expenses."

"Done.” Sarah waved a hand. “You buy your plane ticket and food, and we'll pay for a two-bedroom suite."

"I don't know.” Amber said. “I thought I'd sleep on a pullout sofa."

"Nonsense,” Sarah laughed. A two bedroom suite will give us more space anyway.” Her eyes gleamed. “Or perhaps we'll rent a little villa with several bedrooms."

Amber was sold. Time passed quickly, and they were soon embarked on their adventure. True to what Sarah had predicted, they had a blast while Will made business trips to local spots.

"I'm pooped.” Sarah flung her floppy straw hat on the bright green couch.

"Me too.” Amber sat on a coral colored woven chair, and put her feet on the invitingly plump ottoman. “At this point, I don't care if we visit the River Goddess or not.” She waved at the pile of newly acquired items they had placed on the breakfast table.

Pieces of finely wrought silver jewelry were on one side, while purses, belts, scarves, and shoes sat beside them. Topping them all in beauty were swatches of silky fabric in a rainbow of colors.

"Do you think you'll ever make anything with that material?” Sarah yawned.

"Yes,” Amber eyed the fabrics, which had been her purchases. “You know how

handy I am with a needle. The question is, will I ever find enough interesting places to wear my new jewelry? I don't think such exotic pieces will go well with my schoolmarm attire."

Sarah giggled. “You do not dress like a schoolmarm, but I see what you mean."

"While you will have wonderful places to wear yours.” Amber wasn't jealous, just

stating a fact. She could picture Sarah decked out in all her finery lounging aboard a yacht.

"Then you will just have to go exciting places more often with us."

"Oh, as an excuse to wear my necklace and earrings?"

"Exactly.” They both erupted into laughter.

The next day they prepared for the trip down the Amazon river. They took a large boat to a tiny village, where Will had made prior arrangements for them to meet a guide.

Amber was nervous, Sarah looked calm, while her husband paced restlessly. Will was upset he could not make the final leg of the journey with them.

"Only women or locals.” Sarah had made it clear to him when it had first been discussed.

"What about the Goddess?” Will cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Apparently the Goddess overlooks natives, but once you reach her, only women petitioners are allowed in her presence."

"Sounds like a load of bull to me."

Will had only agreed to make the arrangements by paying the guide well. Only when the women were brought back safely would the man receive a large sum of money for such a journey, The tiny, dark skinned man arrived, grinning and chatting in broken English. He seemed very pleased with the job. After quick introductions, Joao was ready to go.