The Taste of true love

hite substance adhering to the tree trunk. She rubbed it be

rd demanded.

smells slightly sulfuric, don't you thi

ard muttered, turning away

ear on the tree. Glancing over at Ric

credulous. "You'r

that you know any." She pulled out a small plastic bag and a knife, scra

ot some crackpot scientist," Richard remarked, standing up and scanning

to him. "That's a cabin?" she s

rd replied. "It's some old fam

e trees. The main building, constructed of logs, had timber-framed wings, suggesting addit

" Annie observed. "Not a

on the veranda. And not the sort you'd leave

? Let's go. It's going to rain anyway;

. "They might hav

re you out of your mind? For all we know, it was a h

owing one last look at the lodge crouching back amon

alked the rest of the way back to the cabin in silen

bench under the kitchen window. The rain Richard had predicted splattered against the pine needles, and the trees took on a deeper shade of green. Leaning back against the rough boards of the cabin, she listened to t

fantastic view if the shrubs were trimmed a little. How high over the lake had the ghost light been for them to see it from the cab

sh, a thesis to sit down and write. But she couldn't help it; the paranormal fascinated her. Ever since she

ved since she was twelve, she woke suddenly and completely. Scanning the room, she could find no apparent reason for her abrup

om. His legs disappeared into nothing. However, she could see his face plainly, his head topped with an old-fashioned black hat. He was looking down the length of the room, but to her horror, he b

n of the man lingered, and ever since then, odd and strange occurrences had occasionally crossed her path. Not enough to thoroughly disturb her, but sufficient to spark her int

wanted to understand what had brought him her way and why he persistently called her Stephanie. As she entered the room, she found him fast asleep, snor

de table. She didn't want to pry, but something urged her to take a look. Annie opened the lock on the pendant and wa

he lights. "Good night," she greeted, leaving the roo