CHAPTER 1
Paul Watson driving on Route #1 in Florida glanced at a sign on the shoulder of the highway. “Entering New Smyrna Beach so it says. That’s where my house will be. It’s brand new; sold mine in Michigan and hope I’m doing the right thing by moving here. Saw the house three weeks ago. Have a key for the front door. Oh. There’s a Shell station. Better get the tank filled. Probably be stopping here many times during the year. Like the gas.
He paid cash for the gas. “Will use my credit card later. Let’s see. Have to get to the South Causeway to the beach side. There’s the hospital to my right. Entering the causeway. Moving van should be here tomorrow. Will make reservations at the Islander Motel on the beach side. Will stay there tonight. There’s condos on my left. Sign at the entrance says it’s Bouchelle Drive. There’s Norwood’s Restaurant. Want to check the house first. There’s a Publix Grocery to my right. Will buy stuff after furniture moved in. Hope nobody recognizes me for a while. I won last month’s lottery in Michigan worth eight million dollars. Still have the huge check. Tomorrow after van leaves will go to a Wells Fargo Bank.
“There’s the house. Gosh! Glad the lawns are mowed. The real estate man said he’d get somebody signed up to cut the grass. Have to get a door opener for the garage. Wonder if there’s one in the garage? Unlocking front door. Stuffy inside. Better turn air-conditioning on. Gee. Imagine three bedrooms. I’ll use small one for my painting. Think I have twenty some pictures on the van. Hope I can sell them here. Big house for just one person. Oh well. Got a good purchase price since selling new homes is bad. Nothing in rooms yet. Water works in sink in kitchen, toilets flush okay.
“It’s nearing six, better get to the Islander. Only block from here. There was a garage door opener in the garage. Will put it in the car.”
Paul heard the sound of machines in the back yard. He walked around the garage to look at the machines.
“The steam shovel’s at work scooping out the small hill. Two trucks hauling the dirt away. It’s the start of building a hurricane home in the ground. I had the plans drawn up in Michigan. Since I’ve money I’m going to try building a home including space for one car. Estimated cost about two million dollars; which would include furnishing the inside of the home once it’s built. Contractor stated the home would be built in four months. Heard all about hurricanes in Florida when in Michigan. Sure glad I won the Michigan State lottery. Can pay for the construction.”
Later Paul entered the dining room of the Islander. He sat at a table where he could see the ocean. He also could see the entrance to the dining room. He read the menu and decided to get a fish dinner. He also asked for a glass of wine. While glancing round the room not many people were here yet. He then had to glance at a good-looking woman who had the menu near her face. He had to look at her again.
“Lordy! That woman looks like Stella, my twin sister from Michigan. It is her. Well. I’ll be. Going to ask what she’s doing here?
“Stella! What are you doing here in Florida?”
His sister laid the menu upon the table and then looked up at Paul. She then yelped and practically leaped from her chair, embracing Paul and then looked at him. “What are you doing in Florida? I’m using the Time Share for a week here.”
She looked at him again. “Have some bad news for you. Dan and I are divorced. Never knew he was so rough when having a love affair. I put up with him for two weeks and then said no more. Lawyers said I could have the Time Share but not much more.”
“Gosh!” Paul exclaimed. “You two were only married a couple months. Didn’t you know Dan was rough before?”
“How could I?” She replied. “We didn’t have any love affairs until married. He was really rough. Even my lips were bitten some times. But how come you’re here? I remember you said you won a Michigan State lottery. You still painting those beautiful pictures aren’t you?”
Paul nodded. “Sold my home in Michigan and bought a new house here on the beach side. Only a block from here. Van should be here tomorrow with my furniture. Have to buy another bedroom set, as have three bedrooms, but will use a smaller one for my painting.” He looked at his sister. “You were renting. You still going to remain in the cold north? We two always got along, would you want to live with me until you get somebody else? Glad to have you in the big house. And I know you’re a great cook. It’s up to you. If you want to dispose of your furniture up north. I have a house suitable for both of us. Just keep what you need down here. By the way. I’m spending a fortune by building an underground home to escape potential hurricanes. In four months house should be finished. There will be room for a car, too.”
Stella nodded. “Gosh. An underground home. Sounds interesting. We were renting a furnished apartment so there isn’t any furniture to be hipped here. Okay. I’ll fly back after this week, and pack what I need and ship it – ah – what’s the address of your new house?”