Modern Magic 7

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A couple hours later the black SUV was moving up I-95 for Warner, New Hampshire where Mt. Kaesarge national park was. Samantha was in the back seat and Ryan was driving, Bors was discussing what they would do when they arrived. Sireen had gotten them a nice house close to the park and town, so after settling in they would check out the town for anything out of place then head into the park the next morning.

Samantha saw the house as they pulled up, her mind seemed in a fog from all that was going on but she remained unfazed for the most part. As the SUV came to a stop at the home she took a look around. “Let’s get settled in then go on a look see.” Samantha told them.

When they entered the house using the lock code Sireen sent them Ryan set down his and Samantha's bags. "Emrys gets the master." he announced to Bors grumble, "I will crash on the couch if needs be."

Samantha looked to Ryan in surprise, “Thank you for being so kind.” She told him. Next, she found her room and began to check it out. She ran her hand over the bed and sat down on it. It was very comfortable and then she noted the room also had its own full bathroom. She stood and went back to the living room and waited on the others to get ready to go for a look around.

A little while later Ryan and Samantha were at one of the local bars, it was nice enough place. There were lots of people hanging around and Ryan kept his eyes on anyone who was watching Samantha.

Samantha ordered a crown and coke and sipped on it slowly. “Do you dance?” She asked out if the blue.

"Not very often." Ryan replied looking at a small group of park workers at a far table. "I'll be back in a little bit, I'm gonna go see if they know anything." he said heading to the bar for a pitcher of beer, then heading to the table.

She sat there alittle upset he didn’t pursue her question more but she watched him go to the table of men. She watched Ryan closely and listened as hard as she could.

A new crown and coke replaced the one she finished while watching Ryan, the group were talking to him some rather quietly. The barmaid smiled, "Anything else you might need Sweetie?"

“A shot of brandy would be nice.” Sam told her with a smile.

The barmaid looked down at the crown and coke, "Should I tell the gentleman you'd rather brandy?" Her eyes moved right, Sam's left down the bar. Where a solitary man sat with a pint of beer, who nodded her way.

Sam nodded back, “No just add the shot next to it.” She told the barmaid. Once her shot was there she drank it first and her eyes trailed back to the man who ordered her a drink. She could hear Ryan talking softly to the men still so she knew he was still with her. She stood from her chair and went down to the man who sat alone, “May I join you?” She asked kindly.

"Got an empty chair available and I'd enjoy a little company." he replied.

Taking a seat next to him she offered a warm smile, “How’s your day been going?” She asked him then took a drink of her crown and coke.

"Got here a couple hours ago and had to switch rooms at my motel. But, it seems to be getting better now." he replied. "How about you?" he asked after a sip of his beer.

Sam nodded, “I just got here too, for business of course.” She took a drink of her beverage of choice and looked to the man. “So far a good day so far. What brings you here?”

"Passing through, taking a break from the road for a couple days then heading onto Boston." he said taking a sip and smiling at Samantha.

Samantha took another drink, “Sounds like you got a journey ahead of you.” She told him. As she sat there she turned to him. “So do you dance?”

"I do, when I have someone to dance with." he replied.

“Well I like to dance and I hear some good music and the dance floor is pretty open.” She took a sip of her drink and finished it off and sat the glass down.

He followed suit and before they made the floor he asked, "So, fast or slow? Maybe a little country two step?"

“I like some two step and I love me some slow.” Sam replied. As they made it to the floor she turned to him with a smile, her hand went out and waited him to take her hand to begin their two step dancing.

He had made a couple steps and spoke to the DJ then returned to take her hand, "Hope I didn't ask for anything too tough." The first song the DJ played was Streets of Bakersfield by Buck Owens, and they moved all about the dance floor with smiles and some laughter.

Samantha was having so much fun she lost sight and where exactly Ryan was but this new fella had her attention in a good way. “So where you from?” She asked as they danced.

"Chicago." he said as he spun her about, "You?"

She told him her original hometown of Texas. “I was moved around as a kid.” She said as he spun her. Her long blonde hair flowed like a flag in the wind. “But I moved to New York recently.” She added as he spun her again.

"So, Texas gal turned city girl?" he teased as the song changed to Good Run of Bad Luck by George Strait.

“Yes sir.” Sam smiled at him. “It’s actually not too bad.” She gave a laugh. Her hand slipped into his and they began to dance closer. “So you’re not a murderer or serial killer are ya?” She teased.

"Nope. Unemployed laborer." he said with a smile.

Samantha gathered close to him her drinks earlier catching up. “Want to do some shots with me?” She gave him a warm smile and wink.

He smiled back, "Shots? Are you trying to get me drunk Miss Sam?"

“Absolutely….not.” Sam giggled. She took his hand and led him to the bar and ordered a few shots of tequila. Three shots later she felt it all come crashing down on her but she was having fun.

After the shots he pulled her back to the dance floor for several more dances, "Can't say I remember ever having this much fun."

“I’m a fun gal what can I say?!” She giggled. A slow song from Lee Brice called I Don’t Dance began to play. “Omg! My favorite song!” She went into his arms and locked her arm around him and the other in his hand. They were now close enough Sam could see the color of his eyes. “You have very pretty eyes mister.” She grinned.

"Says the lady with the sexiest smile I've seen in some time." he replied to her as one arm wrapped around her waist.

“Ahhh, that’s the tequila talking.” She said to him with a bright smile. She felt herself blush but didn’t hide it.

He was about to say something else when she saw Ryan motioning to her from near where the park employees had been.

Sam gave a wave of her hand to Ryan and continued to dance with the new visitor. “What’s your name?” She asked him.

"Friends call me Beck." he replied catching her hand and twirling her about. "Who is he? Boyfriend?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ryan looked impatient and again motioned to Samantha to come talk to him.

“Well Beck I’m Samantha. And no he isn’t.” Samantha ignored the motion from Ryan and continued to dance with Beck.

Ryan had enough and walked across the floor and tapped Sam on the shoulder, "Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"

Beck looked annoyed for a moment then smiled, "How about I get us a couple drinks while you two talk?"

“Sure. I’ll be back in a few!” Sam said to Beck and followed Ryan away so they could talk. “Can I help you?” She asked with a rather annoyed expression.

Ryan gave her one right back, "The park employees told me four hikers have went missing in the last two weeks and are willing to show me the general area where they vanished. Or did you forget why we are here? Emrys."

Rolling her eyes she shook her head, but realized how drunk she actually was. “You handle that since that’s all you’re good at.” She hissed but slurred slightly. She gave a stumble forward and caught herself against Ryan. “I need another drink.” She turned to leave him but was unsure if he would stop her.

Ryan stopped her for a second, "Fine, but I will have Bors come and pick you up." He released her and went to follow the park employee to go check out where the hikers disappeared.

Sam watched him go for a moment, her heart tore. She liked Ryan and he wasn’t catching the hints. She wanted to stop him, “Ryan!” She called out to him.

He turned and held up a hand, "Be careful, I understand you've had a lot dropped on you. Cut loose and relax. Just don't give Bors a hard time when he picks you up." he added with his usual smile. Ryan passed Beck who was coming back from the bar with the drinks and said something, to which Beck nodded and smiled back at Sam.

Sam smiled back at Beck, something drew her to this man and she didn’t know why. She watched Ryan leave and then approached Beck and took her drink. “What did he say to you? Nothing mean I hope.”

"Nope, just let me know in about a hour or two a grumpy looking guy will be coming to pick you up. So, I guess our evening is now on the clock." Beck replied.

“Well it don’t have to be.” Sam gave a wink to Beck. She took a drink of her crown and coke that Beck had brought her.

"Why Miss Sam, whatever do you have in mind?" he asked after taking a liberal sip of his drink.

“Oh maybe some rough and rowdy sex along with more drinking.” Sam smiled and gave his arm tap.

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Modern Magic 9