Summer Love in the Country (Summer Instalove)

Placing the slim blue rope around my neck, the keys landed against my t-shirt right between

my breasts. “We’ve also had too many people losing their keys out in the fields,” he

continued, “So it’s just easier if everyone wears them.”

I nodded. “That makes sense.”

“Your room is private,” he said, gesturing to the fairly small but spotless space. “Bed, desk, washroom. I can’t imagine you need more than that.”

He looked at me, holding my eyes for a moment. “Miriam said that you’re a writer?”

“Yes. I mean, I’m just starting. But I’m finishing a book of poetry while I’m here.”

His grin made my pulse quicken. “Feel free to write at your desk here, or go up on the

porch of the farmhouse anytime you like. It goes all the way around the house, and there

are benches and tables, so you could watch the sunrise or sunset. Just in case you need

some inspiration.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “That’s a great idea.”

“Since it’s your first day, you’ll be on supper duty.” He glanced at the little clock on the bedside table. “Supper is at six o’clock every night. So you’re due in the kitchen at five,

which gives you twenty minutes to settle in.”

“Wow,” I said, shaking my head. “I didn’t realize that farmers were on such a strict

schedule.”

His deep laugh filled the tiny room. He seemed to take up most of the space just by

standing still. “We’ve got four farmhands, plus several guests at any time,” he said. “The

only way to keep the herd under control is to have a system so that everyone knows what’s

going on.”

Setting my laptop bag down on the bed, I nodded. “Yeah, I guess it’s pretty hard to call

people in for dinner if they’re a mile away.”

“Exactly.” Dean gave me a nod and headed for the door. “I’ll see you at dinner, Joanna. Just

walk into the house at five, and listen for Miriam. Trust me, you can’t miss her.”

The second he shut the door, I laid across the bed and took a few slow breaths while

looking around the room that was my home for the next little while. Everything was very

neutral, sort of like a nice hotel. But there were sweet homey touches like the antique clock, and the brass bedside lamp with a hand-painted shade.

It was very comfortable, and having a space of my own was going to be a treat. Not that I

didn’t enjoy spending time with my roommate, but once in a while it was nice to be

completely alone.