Pale Stranger

ide was almost six feet

rench coat over his body.

black with pointy tips.

as paper, the white print

un to cut up. He had a pai

ite color like Christmas

ugh to be Frosty, not wit

floor I'd just cleaned

re

bent down and offered

glove. "I'm sorry to have

deep, firm voice. It was

oor if I hadn't alre

surprised how warm it

e strength than I'd give

, or a serious accident w

eplied as I brushed mysel

normally let the custome

. Hell, he didn't look l

staring unblinkingly at

nd made me a touch nervo

ever with Dracula standi

g because he wasn't bad

king was a bit of a dr

," he requested. He shu

ery center. That was my

ound the counter to fin

ath

ured for her to get up,

e customer staring at me

of warning at my cowerin

my face and fetched a cup

so much coffee as it was

d to keep the drinker awa

The guy didn't look lik

gured he wanted to

he oozing mess and plop

. The damn thing had att

alive," I

ized by the jiggling. "

ed

ter hurry and drink

At that moment I felt a

Excuse me for a moment,

ion dues." I had enough t

ped beneath the counter.

he couldn't overhear.

p

and her eyes were wid

eepy guy! Did you get a l

she s

a good look at him fr

and show what kind

an, and I just w

ed in your breasts for s

d back

oblem?" the st

t been quiet enough to

ers and hauled her with

faces, and startled the

a power saw and nee

saw?" the m

me through this storm,"

d want to be prepa

ned. "Am I keeping yo

t as far as one leg off th

k my

eila's clinging hands on

pen for a few more minut

dn't bring myself to belit

t would hurt

a door slammed at t

at?" the str

arently the cook minde

pe you didn't want a mea

scrambled eggs, and I'

part," I w

." He was being kind; th

as its mother. "But are y

lea

was that tugging on m

looked at after he left.

to come

o familiar with this par

I came inside," he told u

ght of land an

im because if this storm

I quipped. The rain sti

armhouse

ug and downed the rest

im. "I really appreciate

s sort of night," he

rving at this place even

d have to face the Rapt

yes twinkled. "I'd like

eciation." He pulled out

to me. I glanced down, a

printed on the front.

njure up images of bad

on't really make house ca

him. I pushed the card

b

e that," he assured me.

d, and would prefer a m

r and stared him straigh

job, i

opposite, but are you

ned my arms to show my

he dollar bills, but I d

ort

as easy to please. "I c

ome to my house for the

'll see what we can wor

llege classes that late.

y cent cup of coffee a

ng me much time to thi

information to decide wh

I protested as he wa

over his shoulder with

It's John Bens

you want to

n't need to know it. I'l

ge

to dispute the angel ta

ut the door and gone bef

l

th her hand raised and

"H-h

ow," I finis

o me and frowned. "Did

apped

lowed up these long

nte

itude had changed from

en don't you know who

to know is that he's a g

ve to stri

of Benson Investments

e

r blankly. "He

"It's only one of the la

y, and he's t

"I'm pretty sure I wo

t the head of it. News li

to ig

't let anyone see him.

y tra

it's him? John Benso

me

rom my hand and pointed

mpany'

and stuffed the card in

ut and I abandoned my

et. "So how come you kn

ype of girl who only loo

is bank

ligible, and I knew he

old me. "So are

aybe not. I don't wor

what he's

and clasped her hands t

retty

morrow," I r

likes me I may never h

nte

our own wealthy busine

red of him, remember? P

es

hing hard knocked ag

the world outside. That

usly glanced at the wind

all yours. I'll wai