Loyal Lies

Silas gathered our things from the car and lead me through the front door of the house.

"Come in. I'll show you around," he opened the door and let me entered first.

The living room instantly made me feel at home. Warm sunlight streamed through large windows, illuminating comfortable beige sofas adorned with soft throw pillows and knitted blankets. A stone fireplace dominated one wall with well-worn books lined up on built-in shelves on either side. The wooden floors had a pleasant lived-in patina, and the potted plants brought life to every corner.

The kitchen was equally charming. There are white cabinets with brass handles, a farmhouse sink, and a rustic wooden island with bar stools. Copper pots hung from a rack above, and bundles of dried herbs added both decoration and fragrance. The space felt both practical and cozy.

"And this," Silas gestured as we climbed the stairs, "will be your room."

He opened a door to reveal a beautiful space. A queen-sized bed with crisp white linens faced a window seat that looked out over the magnolia trees. Their pink and white blooms were so close I could almost touch them. The sunlight created dancing shadows on the pale blue walls. There's also a small writing desk sat in one corner. It's perfect for studying or writing letters.

"I hope it's comfortable enough," Silas sat down my luggage.

"It's perfect," I replied honestly while running my hand along the soft quilt on the bed.

"I'll start preparing lunch. Take your time unpacking and settling in."

Something about the way he said it made my heart flutter. For a moment, I could pretend we were just a regular couple moving into our first home together. The thought made me blush, and I quickly busied myself with my luggage to hide my reddening cheeks.

"Okay," I managed to say. "I'll be down soon."

As his footsteps retreated down the stairs, I could already hear him moving around in the kitchen below, the sound of pots and pans creating a homey atmosphere that seemed amusingly at odds with his usual serious demeanor. The thought of Silas with his intense presence and formal suits, cooking in that cozy kitchen made me smile.

I turned back to the window to watch the magnolia petals dance in the breeze. Despite everything that had led to this moment, despite all the uncertainty ahead, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of peace settling over me. Maybe it was the house, maybe it was the quiet countryside, or maybe it was knowing that even in hiding, I wasn't alone.

After unpacking, I decided to go downstairs. When I entered the kitchen, I found Silas preparing what looked like a hearty pasta dish. His suit jacket was discarded and sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The sight of him moving confidently around the kitchen, stirring sauces and checking seasonings was oddly captivating.

Lunch was simple but perfect. He prepared pasta with a creamy mushroom sauce, fresh bread, and a colorful salad. We ate at the kitchen island, the comfortable silence broken only by the distant sounds of birds and horses.

"Would you like to see the rest of the property?" Silas asked. We just finished eating and he's gathering our plates. "There's quite a bit of land to explore."

"I'd love to!"

We stepped out onto the wooden porch, and I found myself once again stunned by the view. The lake sparkled in the afternoon sun, swans creating elegant ripples across its surface. The mountains provided a majestic backdrop, and the mix of pine and magnolia trees created the perfect frame for this picturesque scene. It was surreal how closely it matched the picture I'd always carried in my mind of my dream home.

Silas suddenly let out a sharp whistle. To my surprise, a beautiful chestnut horse trotted over to us.

"The property is too large to explore on foot," he explained. "This is a gentler way to see everything."

Before I could respond, he was helping me onto the horse. Then in one fluid motion, he swung himself up behind me. I felt my breath catch as his broad chest pressed against my back. His rolled-up blue shirt revealed strong forearms, and the three undone buttons at his collar gave him an unexpectedly casual air that made my heart race.

The horse moved at a leisurely pace, carrying us past the lake and through meadows dotted with wildflowers. The air was fresh and clean, carrying the scent of pine and grass. We passed through groves of trees where sunlight filtered through the leaves.

Then I saw a white fence appearing through the trees. I gasped as we passed through the gate. Before us stretched an enormous garden filled with hydrangeas in every shade imaginable. Purple, blue, pink, and white blooms created a magical carpet of color. The flowers stretched as far as I could see, some bushes reaching above my head even on horseback.

"This is incredible," I breathed, taking in the sea of colors. "We have hydrangeas at home, but nothing like this."

I could feel Silas smile behind me. "The soil here creates perfect conditions for them. Different areas produce different colors naturally."

The horse walked slowly through the paths between the hydrangea bushes, giving me time to admire each variety. Everything felt dreamlike. The flowers, the setting sun casting golden light through the blooms, and Silas's calming presence behind me. I almost forgot why we were really here.