Page 62 of Counterfeit Connection

“What? I’m not sixteen anymore, Griffin.”

“It’s a respect thing, darling.”

I consider the fact that I’ve not brought anyone home since Martin. That was nearly five years ago. I wouldn’t have dreamed of staying with him in the same room under my father’s roof. So, now why does it bother me when Griffin says it?

“Kaitlyn? Why does your face read like I’ve just pulled Marilyn’s tail?”

“It’s nothing.”

“We’re lying to pretty much everyone else. Can we keep the lies out between us at least?”

“I guess that’s part of it. Griffin, it’s going to be really hard lying to him for now. I might need that time with someone at night where the veil can come off and I can’t do that alone. Fine, no sex,” I roll my eyes, “but at least stay with me in my room so we can talk before we go to bed.”

“If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do, but I do have to say, you look sexy when you pout.”

Griffin

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not typically the type of man you bring home to meet the parents. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I usually avoid anything this serious. It’s easier that way.

So why the hell am I actually nervous to meet Kaitlyn’s father when our relationship isn’t even real? It’s supposed to be a ruse, but you couldn’t convince my heart of that.

“If I turn GPS off, can you show me the way?” I ask her. “I want to be shown around from your perspective.”

That finally makes her smile. “Absolutely.” She reaches forward and presses the large X on the screen that takes up mostof the dashboard. “We’ll stay on this road a bit longer before we make a left by a huge red barn.”

There are so many things that seem familiar about this drive. I’ve spent many an afternoon, or overnight, just driving through the English countryside. It has that feel to it, yet something better, more full of awe. Just as I’m about to ask how much longer until the red barn, it comes into view. Then it dawns on me. The countryside of England and Scotland are filled with stone. The countryside here is filled with old wood. That wood holds the stories of people who left England for their freedom. Maybe that’s how I need to look at my time here.

I’m free. We’re free.

People know I’m here, but they won’t stake out the farm. I won’t have to have an eye roaming for the lenses and what those lenses might see. This is just about me being me with a lovely lady and her family.Look at it as a gift, Griffin. You’ve not had this in forever, if ever.

“Okay, you’ll see a huge lake on your right. Once we pass that, you’ll take the next left and you’ll see a super-long driveway and my father’s house and barn in the distance.”

“You grew up here? It’s beautiful.”

“I think I took it for granted. When I was a teenager, I wanted out of here so badly. In fact, I want to say the words ‘backwood, redneck shithole’ came out of my mouth once or twice.” She scrunches her nose. “Not my finest hour.”

“We all said stupid things when we were young and hormonal. We were always right, remember? Our parents didn’t know a thing.”

I take the turn as directed and I immediately see the large white farmhouse up on the hill and a faded, blue barn settled off to the right. I’m thrust with images in my head of Kaitlyn riding her horse all over these grounds, with her blond hairflowing in the breeze and that million-dollar smile sparkling in the sunshine.

Shit, when did I become a romantic?

What I can only assume is her father’s truck is in a spot in front of the white picket fence alongside a dueling Range Rover, only in white. “Looks like Hilary is here too.”

“Remind me who Hilary is again?”

“She’s my father’s girlfriend. She’s an obstetrician at Roanoke General. She loves my father so much. Gilly and I really like her.” As I pull around the far side of the truck, I see an imposing figure, and a stunning petite blonde, both rising from a porch swing on the far side of the wraparound.

“How did I know he’d be out front?” Kaitlyn giggles, before she’s out of the car with Marilyn’s carrier in her hand. Her door is left wide open as she jogs up the path into her father’s waiting arms. For a fraction of a second, a pang of jealousy waves through my core as I watch them.

I allow them a moment of privacy before I climb from the car and wait patiently for her to finish her reunion with her father. I can’t hear what they are saying, but it doesn’t take long for his gaze to pass over her shoulder, landing straight on me.

Kaitlyn leaves Marilyn’s carrier on the porch, locking her arm through her father’s as they head down the steps toward me. She smiles and squints her eyes, letting me know I don’t need to be nervous.

“Dad, this is my boyfriend, Griffin Shaw,” she says, introducing us.

I extend my hand his way. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

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