Early the next morning, Francis turned on the coffee pot on the secret porch and went to wash her face while it brewed. The crisp, young, air nipped at her exposed skin, so she slipped on a robe over her negligee before pouring a cup of steaming coffee. She stood there for a moment, waiting for the perfect sip before sitting down. While she waited, she admired her secret view through the leaves of the two trees that protected her from being seen, but allowed her to still spy on the orchard in her backyard and the hundred acres that were now hers. It seemed unreal that she owned all of this land as far as the eye could see.

  Francis froze as she heard a deep voice speak from behind her, "What a delightful smell. It's been far too long since the smell of coffee filled this house. Madam, if it isn't too much trouble, I should like a cup of coffee while we continue our conversation from last night."

  Francis nearly dropped her cup, she recognized that voice, but she wished she hadn't. She gripped her mug tighter and squeezed her eyes shut. She repeated a mantra over and over, "You aren't there and I am not hearing anything."

  "Madam, you can repeat yourself as many times as you like, but I assure you that I am no mere illusion," The deep voice cut in, "I apologize for infringing on your own confidence in your sanity, but rest assured that you are sane, and I am real."

  Francis found her mantra fading away as she listened to the eloquent speech. Her eyes loosened ever so slightly, but remained closed, "you said you were a ghost. Ghosts aren't real."

  "If you cannot bring yourself to believe in the existence of ghosts, then call me what you must in order to accept my presence. For whether ghosts exist or not, I do."

  Francis opened her eyes and turned around. There in the pink cane chair was a handsome man with chiseled features. He had beautiful jet black hair, olive-toned skin, and green eyes that almost glowed with a gentle intensity. He was dressed in very old fashioned clothes, but he wore them with confidence, so they didn't seem out of place on him.

  He wore an expectant look on his face; hopeful, but not demanding as he nodded to the coffee, "If it's not too much trouble."

  Francis felt like she was in a daze as she poured a second cup and handed it to the man.

  He stood to a height of 6'2" and walked close to her, then graciously accepted it. His eyes never left hers while he pressed his tender lips to the mug, sipped the steaming brew and whispered, "too long."

  "How could you drink coffee or even hold the cup?" Of all the things she wanted to say, that was all that came out in that moment.

  He smiled, "I try not to question beneficial circumstances, lest they begin to question themselves."

  Francis' heart just about jumped out of her chest as she became suddenly aware of how thin her nightgown was. She quickly closed her robe tight around her and tried to be firm and calm, "What are you doing in my room?"

  The man backed away and sat back down on one of the chairs. He took another sip and wore a look of pure satisfaction, "Madam, I told you last night that I am a ghost, confined to this house. I am so very happy to be able to talk with someone again! Now, if you don't mind, I would like to enjoy some coffee along with our conversation," the handsome man said.

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  Francis warily sat in the other chair. Her heart was still pounding. Nobody knew where she was right now.

  "Are you afraid of me?" he asked.

  "How could I not be?" she said.

  The dark-haired man raised his arm to her, "Go on, try to touch me."

  Despite the circumstances, she reached her hand out and watched as it went right through his arm. She let out a gasp, "But, but, but, you held the cup...and drank, but my hand went right through you! What's going on?"

  "I prefer to reflect on my allowances, in order to keep from letting my inability consume me," he sighed and looked at his hand while turning it over. "With practice and concentration, and believe me, I have had many years to practice, I can do simple things as you have just seen. I am not yet, however, able to overcome the obstacles of being able to touch another person. I have a ghostly body and while I no longer require nourishment, I truly am enjoying this heavenly elixir. As I have said, I do not question the good things." He raised his cup and sipped again, "I thank you for sharing the good with me."

  Francis drank her coffee in silence, completely at a loss for words. For some time, they simply sat and enjoyed the view. For how strange this encounter was, she found that she was enjoying herself.

  When she recovered her speech, she asked him, "I understand there have been tenants in here over the years and you said you have not been able to be heard and or seen in a hundred years. Why didn't you communicate with them? Why me?"

  The ghost said, "I tried, believe me, I tried, but they could not hear me or see me. I moved things around, hoping to get through to them, but sadly, no one responded. A few of the tenants had the presence of mind to realize they were being haunted, but these did not stick around. It has been a very lonely existence." He continued talking, "I haven't been able to speak with another for so many years, I hope you will forgive me if my speech is a little old fashioned. I am so happy to be able to talk with you and have this wonderful coffee and enjoy the company of a beautiful woman and now we will be able to work together to get the ranch fixed up and ..."

  "Now wait right there," Francis interrupted. "If you think you are going to live right here in my house and tell me what to do, you have another think coming! I am not going to be bossed around, especially by someone who isn't there!"

  "Oh, I am here alright. No matter, we can come to terms about these things. I know you have your housework and cleaning and I would not think of intruding or stopping you from doing these necessary things. Oh, I can't wait for you to cook mutton stew! Are you a good cook?"

  "AAAAhh!" Francis exclaimed in a frustrated tone. "I can't live with a ghost and you want me to cook for you!!! What am I going to do? I've sunk our money into this place and have been fixing it up and now I can't stay here and the kids have their hearts set on a garden and fixing the orchard and getting a horse and..."

  "Madam, calm down. You are working yourself into a frenzy. Think about it this way. You have been here a few days and you have been alright and the kids have been alright; isn't that so?"

  "Yes, but a ghost! And I am sitting here having a conversation with a ghost, like you were a normal human being!"

  "Madam, I was a normal human being and am just missing my body, but have all of the thoughts and desires of a human, still. You will find I am not so different." The handsome captain reasoned. "Being a few years older than you, you may find I have something to offer and be able to be a help to you."

  Francis said, "Well, I need to go get the kids moving for the day. I've got a lot to think about today. I don't know how to handle this, but before I make any major decisions, I need to make sure I am in my right mind."

  At that moment, the doorbell rang and Francis ran to get dressed. By the time she got to the front door, the only hint there had been anyone there was a large oversized basket.