The day she graduated from radiology school, she packed her things and headed south.Not to Nebraska, but to a new beginning.A place where, hopefully, her parents would never dare to come.A place where her Aunt Nell and Uncle Sor said no one would ever find her or dare to come onto the property.
She was going to be independent, have a great job, and according to her Aunt Nell she would have the kind of family she desperately needed.
CHAPTER THREE
Saylor didn’t really know the couple that was getting married but she’d learned that everyone at Belle Fleur was family.Although it was a compound of sorts, it was completely different from where she grew up.
This was a place where people could come and go freely.They were smart, protective, wonderful people who didn’t hold secrets in bunkers.Yes, they carried weapons, and yes, they had them stored but it was known to everyone on the property why.
“You look beautiful, Saylor,” smiled Sor.“You look more like your Aunt Nell every day.”Her hair was in big waves down her back, the plum-colored dress complimenting her coloring perfectly.
“I’ll take that.I love being here.Have mom and dad called?” she asked.
“They have,” nodded Nell.“We will never lie to you about that.I told them that you and I kept in touch via email and they seemed surprised by that.Your mother said I wasn’t supposed to speak to you without her permission.”
“What did you say?” she frowned.
“I told her that you were an adult and could decide for yourself who you spoke to and when.I also told them that I believed you’d taken a job in your old home town in California.”
“Thank you, Aunt Nell.I hate that you have to lie to them but I just know if they could get to me, they’d force me to return to Nebraska.”Before Sor or Nell could respond, someone walked up to the table and nodded at them.
“Hello,” smiled a handsome man standing by their table.
“Remington!Great to see you, brother.How are you?” asked Sor.He stood, shaking his hand with a brotherly hug and back slap.
“I’m well, sir.And you?”
“We’re great.”Sor noticed Remington looking at Saylor and grinned.“Sorry, this is Nell’s niece, Saylor.”
“Sailor?” frowned Remington.“Like a Navy Sailor?”
“No,” she laughed.“Saylor with a ‘y’, not an ‘i’.It’s nice to meet you, Remington.”
“Nice to meet you.Would you like to dance?” he asked holding out his hand.
Saylor noticed the long, lean fingers and beautifully tanned skin.His eyes looked like the same color as her dress and his hair was in a dark top-knot on his head.But it was the uniform, heavy with ribbons and medals that made her swallow.
“I don’t have a lot of experience with dancing.I’m not very good,” she said standing, “but if you’re willing to risk your toes, I’d love to.”
“I think my toes will be just fine,” he said with what appeared to be a small grin.
Standing beside him, Saylor noticed he was much taller than she expected.He pulled her close, his hand gently placed at her lower back, the other holding her hand securely in his own, much larger one.
“How do you like Belle Fleur?” he asked.His voice was so deep and low, she felt the rumbling from his breast to her own.
“It’s wonderful.I’ve never been anywhere so magical in all my life.I’ve loved being closer to Aunt Nell and Uncle Sor.Did you grow up here?”
“I did.My entire family is here,” he said. “Parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, cousins, and those I consider siblings and cousins.Everyone here is considered family.Are you visiting Nell and Sor?”
“Oh, no.I’m actually the new radiology tech.I’m working at the hospital here.It’s been wonderful.The doctors and nurses are simply some of the best I’ve ever seen.”
“So, you’ll be here for a while?” he asked.
“I will,” she whispered staring up at him.
“Good,” he said.She didn’t know why that have her chills but suddenly she was feeling chilled in a tent that was easily seventy-five degrees.
Saylor and Remington danced until the wee hours of the morning.He walked her back to her cottage and promised to pick her up for breakfast.And he did.Breakfast led to lunch and lunch led to walks in the garden and walks in the garden led to intimate passionate love making.
