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An Unexpected Turn

I wasn’t sure what I was feeling and thought maybe my year of abstinence and loss of my husband was getting to me, but I felt I knew this man or had met him before. I asked, “Have I met you before, I know that is probably an odd question, but you seem so familiar to me?” He said, “I think I would remember someone as beautiful as you are.” I know I turned several shades of red. The way he looked at me I knew he knew what he was doing, and he seemed to enjoy my expressions. “He said did you know your tire is low?” I said “Oh… I can’t place it but feel for sure I have met you before, I’m so sorry, I probably sound like an idiot.” He shook his head no and I turned to close my trunk but tripped totally falling on my ass, and he caught me and lifted me back on my feet. He said, “You smell so sweet.” I said “What?” He laughed and said “You smell so sweet and I can’t place it.” I replied, “I drink a lot of Jasmine and orange tea, I guess, thank you. What is your name?” He said, “Oh yes, where are my manners! My name is Lucian, but everyone called me Luke, Luke Ambros.” I reached out to shake his hand, feeling very embarrassed by now and I felt electricity go up my arm, I dismissed it like it didn't happen and said, “My name is Karina Adalwolf-Scott.” He seemed surprised and said “Oh really, is Adalwolf your maiden name?”, I said yes, it meant a lot to my father the name not die with him.” I could see Luke looking at my necklace and noticing it was a man’s ring and my ring together. I get this reaction a lot as the necklace is my husband’s wedding ring and mine soldered together to form a heart. I had it specially made a few months ago. My husband didn’t wear his ring but when we went out or he wasn’t working he did, so I wanted something I could wear and have that with me. It has his ashes in the middle of the heart.

When I saw Luke noticed my necklace, I instantly became guarded and hurriedly said “Well nice to meet you and thanks again!” I quickly went back to my Jeep and got in. I could tell he was aware of what happened. He stood there a second and watched me get in the vehicle. I felt guilty but I really struggle with talking about it to others yet, especially to someone who obviously had chemistry with me. I couldn’t help but glance back up at him driving the truck. He was a beautiful man. A ton of memories and over analyzing my conversation took up the next hour as traffic started back up and started moving. Conversations with Grant about what he wanted for me if something happened to him and then reverting to Luke… no Lucian, I like that better, his eyes and the fact he said I smelled sweet. Grant would say that but only during very intimate times. Grant and I had an awesome sex life, and he would always say I tasted so sweet. God what is wrong with me! I met this man just briefly and I’m thinking nothing but dirty thoughts!

I was driving along, and I felt a large thud, thud, thud, damn it, shit! I recalled Lucian said I had a low tire. Being from a farm background I was comfortable and capable of changing a tire so I pulled over carefully and got out my crow bar, spare tire, and jack. I started taking the bolts off and then jacked my van up. As I’m putting my spare on, I hear a low roar and I see Lucian pull up behind me. Oh my God its him…I have to pee, shit… I was only 20 minutes away from my destination to stop for the night. As I replace the bolts and started tightening them up, Lucian and two other men came walking up to me. Lucian helped me up as the others finished the job. They were all taller than me and very dark like Lucian. They didn’t look me in the eye or introduce themselves, they just told me “We got it from here” and then said “well she almost has it done already.” I was slightly flattered but its more that I’m capable and my father taught me how to be self-reliant. Grant always appreciated that about me as we worked well as a team together and raised our children to be independent and self-reliant as well. I wasn’t used to someone helping me or finishing something I was doing. Lucian looked at me very slyly and said “You ran off before I got to finish our conversation. I sincerely apologize I didn’t mean to offend you in any way.” I said, “You didn’t at all, I’m sorry I ran off. As soon as my tire went flat, I remembered you said it was low.”

He said, “Where are you traveling too?” I said, “Well, I’m going to a town called Effingham, my father’s side lives close.” He said, “Effing…ham?” and I got the joke quickly and laughed and said “Yes I will stop there to stay the night and get effing’ gas!” He chuckled and said, “Well we are on our way across the state as well and we are planning to stay there also.” He said, “Do you mind if I give you my number if you would like to connect some time?” I said “Uh, yeah” …too long of a pause.. “I think so.” He started laughing and then the men with him did as well. I know I turned a very bright red and said “Well I’m not used to this!” Lucian grabbed my hand, as the other men put my tools in my trunk and shut it. Lucian said “How about you call or text me if you want to, I’m a widower and I understand more than you know. I don’t date really but I would like to see you again but no pressure.” I could hear the men walking back to the truck talking and making comments how they had never seen Luke so into someone. I felt the same but here we are on the side of the road. I gave in and gave Lucian my number and he texted me so I would have his number. He touched my arm to say goodbye and it made me tingle all through my body, like an electric charge. God I must be desperate, but the man is so attractive. As I was getting back to my Jeep, I turned around and yelled “I have four kids!” He said, “Good, I have four boys and I'm a grand dad!” I laughed and so did he and we both got in our vehicles. Lucian’s build made me feel small and his skin was so dark, almost black that it made my skin look even paler in comparison. I noticed he had black edges around his beard. He was very well groomed and smelled so good as well, a mix of oil, gasoline, and the woods. I couldn’t place it either, but he smelled like a forest. His eyes were unbelievable, they were yellow with light sparkly gold flecks. I have never seen eyes like his. When he looked at me it felt like he was looking at my body with x-ray vision.

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