Waste Not, Want Not Chapter XVI

Waste Not, Want Not Chapter XVI

Paul was usually not given to dreaming. Or maybe he just didn’t remember them. He did recall a few strange dreams that were vividly real.
Such dreams entered his consciousness as if he was wide awake, all senses working, and in full color.
This night he dreamed. He found himself back in the ranch house at the De La Garza ranch. He was watching the news and enjoying some bourbon and there was knock at the door. He opened the door and there stood Maria, Juan’s widow. But she appeared much younger, maybe in her twenties. She was beautiful, with flashing black eyes, glowing, brown skin and long, scented black hair. She wore a flowing, light cotton skirt, embroidered with small flowers. Her white cotton peasant blouse was also embroidered with colorful flowers. The blouse was pulled low, exposing her bare shoulders and very attractive cleavage. She smiled at him as he stared.
“Senor Hewlett, can I come in?” She spoke in Spanish, in a soft, low voice.
“Uh…yes…of course…please come in…” he stammered.
She came in slowly. He offered a chair.
She didn’t take it. She stood, in front of Paul and gave him a look that left no doubt as to her desire.
Maria stepped forward and kissed Paul passionately on the mouth as she took his two hands in her own.
Paul responded with the fervor of a man much younger. She slowly placed his hands on her breasts. He squeezed and caressed them through the thin fabric of her blouse.
She moaned slowly, softly. He pulled the blouse down to her waist and he kissed her harder as he grabbed her breasts, squeezing them and then moving his fingers to her small but hard nipples.
She dropped her skirt and she moved his right hand down her smooth, brown body and placed it down, between her legs.
She then stepped back. She gave him a cold look. “Come back to the Rancho! I’ll be there,” she said as she faded into the background and vanished.
Paul suddenly awakened. He sat upright and blinked his eyes as he looked around his darkened bed room. Of course he was alone. He felt much as he had back at the ranch house his first night there.
“Damned odd,” he said to himself he fought his way to a fitful sleep.
The next day he decided it was time to return to the rancho.
“Nothing to do with that weird dream… “
When he got to his office that morning he made arrangements to be gone until further notice. Once again he found himself flying into South Texas.
Conrad had handled all the groundwork for his trip. This time, however, he flew down ahead and took a room in Kingsville and waited for Paul’s arrival.
As he did the last time, Paul picked up a Chevy Blazer at the airport and headed to Kingsville where he picked up some groceries at the HEB. He then stopped at the Palm Breeze Motel and knocked on the door at room 109.
Conrad opened the door. “Hey Mr. Hewlett,” he said with a smile “Welcome to Kingsville!”
“Hi Conrad.” Paul entered and sat down at the table. “Want a cold beer?”
“Sure,“ Conrad nodded and took a bottle from Paul.
Conrad was a God send for Paul. He often served as Paul’s shadow while traveling, sometimes as body guard, sometimes just tailing him and checking in electronically from time to time. He was expert at doing the front work, lodging, transportation, maps, directions, info and anything else to make Paul’s business and personal life go more smoothly.
They enjoyed a beer and watched some TV. Paul said he wanted Conrad to come out to the place around noon and they would look around together. Paul took his leave and soon was on the road.
It wasn’t long before Paul came to the gate and he let himself in. The sun was getting low on the horizon as he drove by the homes of the ranch workers. He noticed Maria’s lights were on as he passed. He continued on and parked in front of the ranch house.
Conrad had restocked the fridge and the pantry. The electricity was on and it was very comfortable inside the house. Paul picked out a TV dinner and popped it in the microwave.
After eating he had a drink, bourbon on the rocks, and relaxed.
His mind focused on Maria. He couldn’t forget the image of Maria as she had appeared in the dream.
“Get your mind on your business!” he told himself. He didn’t want to lose focus on why he had come here in the first place.
Paul had another fitful night’s sleep. He awoke in the morning feeling tired and out of sorts. “I sure haven’t been sleeping well lately,” he thought.