Free Love Jones For Him by Mia Loveless Page B

colors would work with this area, what kind of décor would suit that segment. Before she knew it, she was brimming with ideas, filled with the sense of how much more beauty the place could hold given the chance. Gordon listened and watched with a pleased grin, nodding at everything she said.
    “I knew you’d “get” the place,” he said approvingly at last. “Something told me, once you saw it; you’d be as captivated as I was when I first walked inside these walls. It just feels like a place one could be happy in, away from the city’s hassles.”
    “You’re right, Gordon; it is a happy place,” Victoria said in a quiet voice, suddenly wondering if he’d bought it so he could settle here with a family. Perhaps marriage was in the cards for him soon. An English woman like himself, someone who’d best understand and appreciate everything life here stood for. She’d said the truth: she envied him, and also envied the lucky woman who’d be a part of this world of tranquil beauty.
    “For now I only intend to live here a few weeks in the year; like a holiday home,” he explained. Then he confirmed her inner musings when he added. “But soon, I can just imagine myself settling down in a place like this, with the town just a few miles away and the city even further. There’s plenty of room for a family, and I can easily make it to London if I have business to do.”
    “Yes,” she agreed, biting on her lip and looking away quickly. “I’ll prepare a kind of report for you once I get home. And I’ll like to take some pictures, too, so I can use these to draw up a proper plan for how you could decorate.”
    He was looking down at her, and she turned to find his gaze reflective, searching. “Thank you, Victoria. That sounds great.”
    “Don’t thank me, geez,” she said, prodding a finger in his chest as she began to walk away. “I think it’s great that you gave me a chance to see this beautiful place. It makes me feel like just leaving everything behind and moving into a home like this, away from the hustle and bustle. I’ll be rethinking my priorities from now on – work on getting out of the rat race and being closer to nature, and peace.” She glanced back at him with a smile, to find him standing in the middle of the room, watching her. “I’ll go get my camera,” she said.
    Returning from the car where she’d retrieved her camera, she took several shots of the house. Finally, when she was done, they went out to take a walk on the hillside. Gordon grabbed the picnic basket from the car, took hold of her hand and off they went.
    There was the sense of another time, another place as she walked hand in hand with Gordon through the countryside. Up the hill and down to the wooded valley, they explored the natural beauty that was free from even the sound of passing cars or even footsteps. There was no other house for miles and the only company they had for that period were the birds.
    “Perfect,” Victoria sighed as they chose a spot just underneath the shadow of a large, spreading tree. They simply spread a picnic cloth and settled on the ground, immediately reaching for the basket of food.  
    The long drive, the house tour, and of course the exciting company was enough to work up Victoria’s appetite. She “oohed” and “aahed” as Gordon unearthed his promised gourmet feast. The cold poached salmon and cucumber-yoghurt dill sauce, coupled with an orzo salad provided the wonderful start for the picnic. There were fresh English peas, halved grape tomatoes, chopped red peppers and halved kalamata olives. In the mix were chopped mint and flat leaf parsley, olive oil and some white vinegar. Not to be missed was the cold roast chicken and thinly sliced black forest ham with herbed chevre. It was indeed a feast, fit for royalty.
    A loaf of good bread, two bottles of Sauvignon Blanc, and they were set. It all looked so good, and she loved it.
    Conversation was light and breezy while they ate and