Page 17 of And Then Came You

“I’ve dated ladies.”

“You’ve dated women claiming to be ladies. Lexi is an actual, bonafide lady. A rarity in today’s world. But, as you said, she’s not your type. She’ll be someone’s type, though. That’s a guarantee.” He falls silent as we crest the hill, and all I can hear is the sounds of nature basking in the sun’s glow.

We reach the row of newly planted saplings, their spring green leaves rustling in the breeze. I take a moment to breathe in the familiar scent of home. This farm is my birthright. A hundred acres of woods, ponds and orchards, with a huge rambling house built in the mid-1800s.

But although I love the land, I’ve never felt the pull to settle down in the area. And farming? I can’t imagine making it my full-time gig, although I know how to run every part of this land. I’ve plowed my fair share of fields and run entire greenhouses of crops.

Yet another thing the world chooses not to know about me.

Why would they? Farming isn’t sexy. Unless I’m doing it naked, and I’m definitely not stupid enough to attempt that fiasco.

As my grandfather chatters on about expanding the orchard, my thoughts drift to my new friend, who has spent more time on this farm in recent weeks than I have.

If any other woman showed up at my family farm, I’d be calling the cops for a restraining order.

But it’s not any woman. It’s Lexi, making good on her promise to visit my Granddad and learn his stories.

There’s no ulterior motive. She never mentioned the visits, no text message detailing how she buttered up my relatives.

No text at all. Not once in a month.

She isn’t looking for an in with me, and that knowledge spurs my curiosity.

My original plan was to return to the City later today, camping out at The Plaza in my usual suite until my flight to Paris.

Now, I have a new destination for the evening.

* * *

Long Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, along with some of the worst traffic. The jokes about it being the largest parking lot in the world? Not far off. It’s smooth sailing, provided there’s no roadwork or accident, but if you think that ever happens, you’ve obviously never been to New York.

Lexi’s condo complex is in East Hampton and by the time I park my car, I’m having serious buyer’s remorse about this spur-of-the-moment idea.

What if she’s not home? I just drove four hours for what? A walk along the beach? A jaunt to a Hamptons hotspot? Or an equally long return drive to the City?

I check my appearance in the rearview mirror, smoothing back my hair.

Here goes nothing.

I have to hand it to her; the location is beautiful. I see a path winding down to the ocean and she’s only a stone’s throw from Main Street. Lexi must sell her fair share of romance novels to afford a place this pricey.

Knocking on her door, I wait, forcing a smile for the elderly woman who’s eyeing me with a great deal of interest.

Yeah, I blend.

The door opens and I’m face to face, once again, with Lexi. Her brow scrunches in confusion as she adjusts her glasses. “Sam? What are you doing here?”

“I just came from my Granddad’s farm.”

She huffs out a breath, allowing me entrance into the condo. “Are you mad I visited him? I know it seems odd, but we had such great times together.”

“I’m not mad. It surprised me at first, but then I realized I was more jealous than anything.”

Her eyes widen as she chews her lower lip, her hands crossed across her chest but doing nothing to hide her full breasts underneath the thin t-shirt. Someone doesn’t have implants. “Jealous of what?”

“He got to spend all this time with you, while I was off flitting around the globe. So, I decided to even the score. Am I interrupting?”

Lexi laughs, motioning to herself. “I look like I just crawled out of bed, but to be honest, I’ve been working. Arguing with my characters, who refuse to cooperate. You’re a welcome reprieve. Are you hungry?”

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