Love in Country (De La Fuente Family 4)

Matthew Scott along with his sister, Kris, run the farm. Gossip around town says Greg is having an affair with Kris, except the truth is he’s having an affair with Matthew and has been since before he met me.

Matthew is a nice guy and has always been respectful toward me, even though I’m sure he resents the fact that I live with Greg when that’s what he wants.

Greg has already invested so much time into his company and hopes to retire early so he can finally have a life with Matthew. It’s a shame the company he works for is so close minded. They’d fire him before his backside hit the chair if he revealed he was gay. Of course they’d find a difference excuse so as to not open themselves up to a lawsuit. Just a few more years then Greg can walk away with a nice sum.

I really hope it all works out for them, and I’m sure Matthew is counting down the remaining time. I just wish Greg would say enough is enough and agree to let me leave him since he knows about Aiden and me.

I shake my head and pay more attention to my surroundings as I pull through the Scott’s gate at the entrance to their property.

We had some rain overnight so as I roll my window down and inhale the fresh morning scent, I admire the well-kept paddocks and rolling hills in the background.

Pulling up in front of the large house, I smile when I see Kris walking toward me. She’s around my age with cropped dark blonde hair, a slim figure, and there’s always a smile on her flawless face. It’s no wonder that no one bothers to consider that Greg is having an affair with anyone but Kris.

Climbing from the car, I catch Greg dashing toward the barn where I’m guessing Matthew is.

“Sarah, Greg said he’d get you to come out today but I wasn’t sure if you would.” Kris looks around as though she’s nervous.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t it be?” She smiles and turns back toward the house. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” she asks over her shoulder.

I don’t think I’ve ever taken her up on the offer before, but I’m tempted to after her response. There is something off with her and I bet it has something to do with her supposed affair with Greg. “I’d love to.”

The only sign of surprise from Kris is a slight hitch to her step before she hurriedly disappears inside. I follow, and find her in the kitchen setting two steaming mugs on the table.

“I want this to stop,” she says, and I recognize the misery in her eyes.

This whole situation must affect her more than it does me. After all I’m the betrayed wife, and Kris is the home wrecker, or so everyone thinks.

“Have you talked to your brother?” I ask and take a sip of the warm coffee.

“My brother isn’t the problem.” She sighs. “I’ve met someone. I really like him, Sarah…and he liked me, until he listened to the gossip and now he won’t even talk to me.”

“Greg is the one who won’t let it end, right? No, you don’t really need to answer that because I know what Greg is like. He?

?s stubborn and thinks he’s doing all this for the right reasons when in fact he’s ruining other people’s lives.”

“I’ve told my brother that I’m not going to do this anymore, which is what he’s about to tell Greg. I wanted to let you know so that you’re warned.”

I don’t know what to say to her, because I want my freedom just as much as she does. Her brother never should have pressured her into going along with it. “I’ll talk to Greg later, but if you don’t need me to check on a filly then I’ll be going.” Standing, I wash my cup and leave it on the drainer. “You have my number if you need to talk?”

Kris nods.

“It’s time for us both to start living, Kris…Stay positive and now that I know, I can work on Greg.”

I know just how to do that as well.

Climbing back into my car after the very quick visit, I drive back the way I came, but instead of heading back into town, I veer off to the right. Taking this turning not too long ago, I got lost and I’m so glad that I did because I found a group of six cabins, two of which are up for sale. It’s the one by the stream that caught my attention and ever since I’ll drive by once in a while and dream.

Today though, I’m not just going to drive by. I shut the engine off and just sit and stare out of the car window at the small place.

I imagine it’s only one bedroom, but I don’t need much. I’d want this property for the view alone and the peace and quiet that surrounds the area.

Leaving my car, I walk toward the small cabin, with its wooden porch and overrun flowers. There’s a missing step up, and striding over it, I smile when I see the carved heart on the front door. I wonder who used to live here? My fingers trace the heart and I wonder if I’ll ever have the love that the couple that used to live here obviously had for each other.

Aiden always comes to mind when I think about love and how much I want a life to be able to spend it with him. I have a habit of when we’re apart of not believing anything will ever come of my feelings for him. He has strong feelings for me, but I’m not sure how much longer he’s willing to wait. As I move around to the back of the house, my insecurity keeps playing havoc with my thoughts.

Regardless of our outcome, I’ve made the decision to finally have my own place. And I’m determined to not let Greg talk me out of it.