********
Maggie walked down the road that abutted the Roberts one hundred
acre estate in Sumner, New York. Though only an hour and a half north of the
City, Maggie found peace walking the rural paths and streets. It reminded her
of home. She missed the fresh air and unhurried attitude.
They had been encamped
there since the first of July. The rambling Victorian house was quite
comfortable. The kitchen was well equipped, the garden bursting with ripe
vegetables and the market stocked with fresh local eggs and meat. Cooking there
had been a joy.
John drove Mr. Roberts
up every evening and back again in the morning.
He was devoted to his wife and son and refused to spend a night without
them. Watching the couple hold hands, take long walks and get lost in
conversation over cocktails made Maggie sigh. They were the love story she had always
dreamed of.
The only sour note was
that pesky driver, John. She sensed that he was always watching her. One lazy
afternoon, she stole outside for a stroll down Bear Camp Road. When she heard
footsteps behind her, she stopped.
“You walk this road
often,” John said, coming up behind her.
“What’s it to you where
I walk?” Maggie turned a hard eye on him.
“It’s not safe alone.”
“One minute you think I’m
nippin’ the silver, now you’re worried about my safety?”
Before she could go
on, the tall man leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Maggie jumped back and slapped him hard across
the face.
“You’ve some nerve!
Get away from me.”
She headed back to the
house with John beside her. He rubbed his cheek.
“You had it coming.
Hope it was worth it,” she mumbled, eyes straight ahead.
“It certainly was,” he
chuckled.
