The Impossible Texan

On the estate, Sarah Sommers lay in wait for her to come home after invading her dreams night after night. When Sara did go home, the ghost showed Sara where some of the treasure and a journal could be found. Trouble hit Sara right after moving to Austin. Finding herself pregnant, she didn't know what to do. Jackie's parents came to Sara's rescue then and all though her life in Austin. There was mystery and murder in Sara's life. Would she ever find out about the attempts on her life? After her quadruplets were born, she found herself bringing them up by herself only to have them turn against her. Did Sara ever find out that Steven was keeping up two households. She thought he gone so much because of all of those overseas flights. Little by little, her daughter Crystal was turning against her. The kids' grandmother was behind all the misery Sara had, and finally her other children left to go to England, where Marcie and her children were. Whatever happened to her husband and children? Sara finds herself back on the estate without them.

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The Impossible TexanBy Muriel DeBuqueAuthorHouseCopyright © 2013 Muriel DeBuque as LuciAll rights reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4817-6022-5 CHAPTER 11969The air was still, thick, and muggy when Sara North stood infront of the apartment building at Middletown College, Pennsylvania.At eighteen, she had never been away from home before. Now shewondered if she wanted to be so far away. Her mother told her shewould adjust—but would she? She was lonesome.Middletown College, the best in the state, was on the applicationshe had filled out. It had caught her eye and made her pick it. Shewanted the best when she applied for psychology studies.She pushed her light, honey-blond hair back from her face and startedto study the crisscross pattern on the walkway leading to her apartment.She drew in a breath, drinking in the scent of flowers lining the walk.She had stepped into adulthood—a grown-up. Moreover, the nextfour years would shape her for her future, teach her to be on her own.Here I go, she thought.Sara Jane was a spoiled girl from the foothills of the AdirondackMountains; at least that is what her grandfather told her. Leaving herhome in Gooseneck, New York, made her wonder how she would dothis year. She had left home to study, not to find a boyfriend.All summer, Sara and her cousin Lori would tease each other aboutfinding boyfriends."Maybe you'll find one who will make your heart pound and bloodpressure rise," they said in unison. "Like Uncle Arthur—no thanks,"Sara stammered, with Lori echoing the same. He was abusive to hisfamily. He had stored drugs in the old barn by the stables, sold themuntil he went to jail, and died at the hands of another.Sara remembered what her mother and her aunt Sally had toldthem—"Always keep someone close for protection." As if I need one,Sara had thought. She had her granny. However, Lori didn't.She knew Sarah Sommers's entity wouldn't follow; she stayedbehind the walls or walked the estate grounds after dark. However,there was no way Sara was going to reveal this to her classmates.The squeal of tires brought her thoughts rushing back to earth. Amattress flipped out of a truck and landed on the road. She turned andlooked at the truck; it was worse than her great-grandpa's.A kid with carrot-red hair flowing down to his shoulders jumpedout and threw the mattress back in the truck. When he noticed Sara,her ran over to her. "Ohmigod, you're like me. I'm sorry. I'm JustinO'Reilly, and you are?""I'm Sara North going in my first year. See you around."She thought she'd call him Irish; he looked Irish. His bright, greeneyes showed excitement as he stared at her. She shook her head andgrinned. Oh, what a beautiful smile. As he walked backward to the truck,Sara whooped, "What do you mean I'm like you? Hey, Irish, is thiswhat college is like—meeting crazy kids?"His answer was a quick salute as he climbed back into the truck.A limo pulled alongside Sara, and a girl with curly, black hair jumpedout. "Is this 5 Cedar Street?" Sara nodded, and the girl motioned to theman who was with her and turned back to Sara. She held her hand out."I'm Jacqueline Alexandra Betterly. Call me Jackie. And you are ...?"Oh goodness, Sara thought. What an accent. However, she probablythinks I have one too. She's as small as a New York minute. "I'm Sara JaneNorth. I think we're roommates."Fifteen minutes into all the chatter, all of Jackie's luggage and boxeswere next to Sara's in the living room."When Dad leaves, we'll get busy," Jackie said as she sat on a boxnext to Sara. "Oh, by way, this is my dad, Jacques Edward Betterly." Shewatched him open the refrigerator door. "Good God, Jackie. The ice boxonly holds two trays. I believe you need another ice box." He laughedwith a deep voice."Ice box, huh?" Sara said as she grinned. "He sounds like mygrandpa.""Mort will deliver you a new one." Jacques tipped his big hat and left,and then he stuck his head back in. "Jackie, when I get to Mort's, I'll callyour mother. Do you have anything to tell her?" Jackie shook her head."Mort will deliver you a nicer one than this," he added, motioningto the refrigerator. He tipped his hat again and left.As if Jackie could read Sara's thoughts, she reached over and heldSara's hand.Sara was sitting on a box in the small living area and looking at thekitchen. The table was blue; four chairs were pushed up to it. A chainhung from a naked light in the ceiling putting a glare on everything."Need to get a shade!" Sara mumbled, her hands flying towardeverything in the room. Sara pointed at the floor. "Ugh, black-and-whitecheckered floor will make us dizzy."A full-sized window caught Sara's eye. "Nice," she said. "So far theonly thing I like is the window. Now, will that radiator keep us warm?"Jackie stared at her. "You know what? You are as bad as my father.""Well, maybe. Does he help your mother around the house?"Jackie laughed. "No! He wouldn't keep furniture like this though."She pointed at the apartment-sized stove. "If I complained, he'd changeall this, but then he'd have bragging rights. So I'm not complaining."All Sara could say was "Eeeuw," a crappy kitchen. A door to the leftof the stove went to a storage area for luggage and boxes they'd keep.She shook her head as if to clear it. "Thank you for this, Mommy dear."She sighed. "We have things to do now," she mumbled. Somehow, theplace wasn't as bad as it had when first looked at it. She wasn't used toliving in a place like this. Did her mother get this to teach her how tokeep a home? She didn't have to do anything at home besides keep herroom clean.Jackie picked up a two-piece green-and-yellow curtain set. "All I cansay is, eww.""Bedroom first," she added. "After doing the kitchen, we'll make aplace to lay our heads down." She heard rain and gazed at the window."Boy, we got my things in just in time." She sat on a box next to Sara."Let's change the subject. We'll feel better. What about family? Do youhave any brothers and sisters?""Yeah, an extended family, one roof. I have one brother and manycousins, aunts, and uncles. It will take me four years to tell you. So Iwill a little at a time.""It must be a large home then."Sara nodded. "There are forty rooms, three stories, a tower, and acouple of attics. One is for storage and the other—well, it tells a story.When we have time, I'll tell you about it."Jackie stared at her and didn't say anything at the time, but sheknew."Do you have a big family?" Sara asked. "Tell me about yours.""Ohmigod, let's see—one sister, Janice; my mom and dad. Theyhave a horse and cattle ranch, though. That's a lot of work." Herhand went up as if pushing air. "Well, where do we start—kitchen orbedroom and bath?"Sara started to laugh and then rattled off the names of her familymembers: "Lisa, Lori, Rose Marie, Andy, Sam, Wendell, and me. Thenthere is Aunt Sherri, Uncle Joe, my aunt Sally, and Uncle Arthur isdead. My grandpa Harold and grandma Barbara." She sighed. "My auntSally, Uncle Arthur, Great-Grandma, and Great-Grandpa Sam havewalked the stairway to heaven."CHAPTER 2Sara held a coin in her hand. "Let's toss a coin. Heads, the largerroom, right?" She giggled like she had when she was ten. "Here goes," shesaid as she flipped the coin into the air and watched it swirl to the floor."I get the bigger one," Sara said. "Hee-haw.""Good, my room in Austin is big," said Jackie as a laugh bubbled upher throat.The kitchen walls were done, the yellow stove hanged honey bearholders, and the pots and pans were in a cupboard by the sink. Thedishes were in a separate cupboard. "I think tomorrow we'd better gofood shopping," Jackie said. She glanced at the frown on Sara's face."Well, that's what we call food shopping. What do you call it?"A laugh crept up her throat. "While Mom shops for food," Saraanswered, "I shop for clothes.""You're kidding, aren't you?" Jackie said and paused. "Wow, youreally mean it.""Show me how to do it. I don't mind." Sara chuckled. Should I tellher I know how to cook? she thought."Oh my God, Sara. You are going to learn."Five hours later, tired and hungry, they sat on the couch. "You doknow how to cook, don't you?" Jackie asked.Sara lowered her head and laughed. "Some.""Oh, do you have a lot to learn, and I'm going to love to teach you."A loud laugh came from Jackie. She set a pan of homemade macaroniand tomato soup on the burner and turned it on. "It looks good, Sara.Did you make this?""No, Anna, our cook, did. When I go home, I'll bring someback. Anna canned three quarts for me, and Mom put them into therefrigerator when we got here. I had them in a cooler. When I go home,I'll get more," she repeated as she put bowls and condiments on thetable.While they ate, Jackie said a couple of times how good it was. "I'llsend Anna a note."After the dishes were washed and put away, they pulled out theirpicture albums. "You first," Sara said."See my first-grade picture?" Jackie began. "I look like an old womanin that dress. Mom loved it, but I cried. It was that bad! That was yearsago, and look at me now—all grown up." She let out a whoop.She pointed to a picture of Sara's dog. "Look at that beautifuldog—a collie, isn't it?""Boozer sounds as if he talks, and he even smiles."Jackie lifted her hand as if she was waving. "Get out of here!Really?""We got Boozer as a puppy," Sara answered. "The boys taught himto seek and find and how to talk, and he really sounds like he does. Heprotects us, too. When someone broke into our shed and destroyed allseven bikes, Boozer barked until we paid attention. My mom's store andAunt Sherri's beauty shop were destroyed. Grandpa got us new bikes,though."Jackie asked Sara if she wanted a Pepsi, and Sara nodded. Jackie gottwo drinks, returned, handed Sara one, and sat down."Thanks," Sara said and then continued. "The first night we hadBoozer, he went missing. Granny had gone to the office and taken himto her room because of his yipping. Grandpa Sam laughed at Grannyand then at us. Boozer always followed Granny to her room after that."She reached over and turned on the radio; "Nights in White Satin"played. "Oh, I love this song," she said. "In fact, I love any Moody Bluessong."Jackie pointed to a picture of a girl with Mary Jane shoes. "I had apair once and loved them."Sara grinned. "School pictures are the only time to wear them. Thenext year I couldn't wear them—too small. So to the attic they went,and probably still are."As the girls looked at the albums, a knock sounded at the door. Amale voice called out, "Welcoming committee. May we come in?"The two girls looked at each other and scowled. Jackie whispered,"Who is it?""We'll never know if we don't answer the door," Sara answered. Sheopened the door, and four students walked in.While they became comfortable, she took the albums to her room."And you are?" she asked as she returned to the couch. She knew Momwouldn't like her having boys in the room. But then, Mom wasn'tthere.A girl answered first. "I'm Marcie Randall," she stated as she saton the floor in front of the TV. She pointed to the others. "This is ...ah ...," she said as she glanced up."I think we can speak for ourselves, Marcie," the boy with darkhair and eyes said as he sat down next to her. "I'm Steven Rogers, fromTexas, here to study aeronautics." He pointed to another boy standingby the door and said, "This is Justin O'Reilly."Justin glanced at Sara and smiled. "How come you called me 'Irish'this afternoon?"Sara laughed. "It fits you." She turned to the remaining new arrival."Now who is the last one here?""Jody Outwater, a doctor to be." He smiled and bowed to the girls.Sara watched the boy with freckles and red hair. His grin wasinfectious. He walked over to the table and pointed to a chair. "May I?"he asked. Jackie nodded and gave him a big smile."I'm ...""Yes, I know," Jody interrupted. "I heard you say—Jackie Betterly,from Austin, Texas." He laughed. "Hey, so are the two crazies sitting onthe floor. I'm in my third year, studying to be a pediatrician. It's a dropin the bucket in years—so many more to go."Sara grinned and glanced at Jackie, thinking, I don't care for thatMarcie.As if the messages had transmitted over waves, Jackie thought,Yeah, I know. How do you like my redhead sitting with me?Watching Jackie, Sara repeated, My—really?Justin raised an eyebrow as he glanced from Sara to Jackie.A crease began to form between Jackie's eyes as she glanced atJustin. You heard.He winked and smiled.Suddenly, Steven moved from his spot by Marcie to the couch nextto Sara. "What is this gal studying to be?""I want to be a school psychologist. Did I hear you say somethingabout being a pilot?""Yeah, that's my goal. After my two years here are up, I'm going toFlorida to finish training. Someday I'm going to build my own plane."A smile started to curl the corners of her mouth. She glanced atJustin and thought, "Justin, Steven is a good talker." She then averted hereyes to Marcie and said, "And she will be ...?""Nothing, if she—well, never mind." Justin's voice was cool.Marcie looked as if she could shoot nails out of her eyes. Wow,Sara thought, a couple. But if so, why did he move over here? Not good.She looked at Justin, who was watching Marcie watch Steven. The girllooked angry. Daggers again, Sara thought as she gave Steven a ghost ofa smile.An hour later, after the students had gotten to know one anotherbetter, the door suddenly flew open and a boy with dirty brown hairstaggered in. Looking confused, he blurted, "Hi! I'm Seamus Chapman.Anyone want a joint?" He needed a haircut, a shower, and a hot meal.He pulled a bag of weed from his pocket. "I have enough for all."Marcie snapped, "Don't bring that stuff in here, Seamus. You'remaking a scene.""What's the matter, Marc? You smoked one with me yesterday." Hepaused. "Okay, no one wants one. I'm going." He laughed, opened thedoor, and tipped an imaginary hat. "See y'all later.""Oh my God," Marcie said with a laugh, looking at Sara and Jackie."If we could drink here, I'd give both of you one."Justin smiled as he sat down on the other side of Sara, looking as ifhe were in grade school and brain dead.CHAPTER 3At ten o'clock, Marcie stood up. "Time for us to leave," sheannounced. She wore a frown as she glanced over at Sara. Daggerscould shoot out of her eyes once again.Steven looked around and smiled. "See you around." He winked atSara as the group filed out the door."Ohmigod, Jackie! Did you see him?" Sara began. "He thinks hehas such a dashing personality. He is arrogant and thinks he's a ladiesman—not my kind. He said 'I' ten times." She sighed as she picked upthe soda bottles. "I'm here to study for my future, not find a boyfriend.But ... he is handsome.""First impressions mean a lot, huh?" Jackie asked. "Well, what's yourimpression of Jody, the doctor to be?"He's nice. He'll be a great doctor. And he's handsome too."As Sara and Jackie were straightening up the apartment, theirdeparted company was walking to their respective dorm rooms. At thebridge, the group told Marcie good night.The smell of night was in the air—crisp, fresh, awaking the sensesas moths fluttered around streetlights. Steven didn't hear Justin ask hima question or hear Marcie say good night. His thoughts were on the girlwith the angelic face and golden blond hair. He drew his hand throughhis hair as he turned to Justin. "Remember the dream I told you about?Well, that's her. Wow!"Justin laughed. "I've never seen you in a state like this, but I have toadmit that she affected me the same way. Something about her makesyou want to know her better.""Tell me about her!" Steven said. "Pick her mind. I've seen you dothat before."Justin shrugged. "Sorry, not this time. Can't read her." There werethings he wanted to keep to himself. He glanced up. "What aboutMarcie? I figured the two of you would be together forever."I thought so, too, but now ... oh, I think this girl is perfect," Stevenreplied."Harrumph. No one is—you know that."Justin turned to Jody, who had been quiet for the last few minutes,and watched him throw his hands into the air."Here we go again," Jody said. "Are you ready for Marcie to dumpon us when she can't find him?"There was a catch in Steven's voice as he mumbled, "Time for achange, guys." He went to his room, kicked off his shoes, and slid hischair under his desk. He hated a messy room, and Justin was messy.Steven picked up Justin's jacket and hung it in the closet. "God, Justin,don't you ever hang up your things?" (Continues...)Excerpted from The Impossible Texan by Muriel DeBuque. Copyright © 2013 Muriel DeBuque as Luci. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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