"Wonderfully," Diana smiled at the blonde-haired woman, finding herself still disbelieving Lorraine was the mother of two teen-age children.
If I can only hold my age as well! she thought, but said, "Where is everybody?"
Her mother-in-law smiled and offered a cup of coffee, which she accepted, as well as two pieces of toast and several slices of crisp fried bacon.
"Your Michael got up earlier this morning and drove in to the courthouse. Both the girls went along to do some shopping," Lorraine said, seating herself at the breakfast counter with Diana, nursing her own coffee. "Bryan and my Michael are around the house somewhere."
Diana listened as the woman talked, mostly idle conversation about her family and the Hightower estate. However, Diana couldn't help but wonder if Lorraine really knew what was going on with her family. Did she know that her son and daughter had shared anal intercourse last night, shared it and enjoyed? And did she know that they were both their stepsister's lovers?
She smiled to herself, remembering the lusty scene she had witnessed from behind the one-way mirror last night.
Then the memories of the man in the dark came to her again. Less distressing than last night, but still perplexing.
"Look, Diana," she heard her mother-in-law suggest. "It's a beautiful day. Why don't you go outside and see our place? It's really rather beautiful. Michael One did most of the work himself."
"I think I will," Diana agreed, mostly because she wanted to think.
"I'll be back shortly to see if I can help with lunch."
"Don't bother," the older woman answered. "I'm just going to throw some cold cuts together. Take your time. I might come out and join you in a little bit."
Nodding, Diana left her mother-in-law alone in the kitchen and left the immense plantation house via the back door.
It was a nice day, spring warm, but lacking the humidity that comes with Louisiana summers. A light breeze added to the fresh feel of the day. A mildly, sweet scent of the blossoming magnolia trees suffused through the air.
Moving idly and without any set purpose, Diana walked away from the house. She stopped once and reached down to remove her shoes. The St.
Augustine grass, with its broad flat blades, was a thick green carpet that felt cool and alive under her bare feet. It was almost a sin to walk on this grass with anything but bare feet. Beautifully manicured, the lawn of the Hightower estate was almost a work of art.
Who had it been?
Despite the marvelous feel of the day, her thoughts kept returning to the secret passage, the alcove with its sexy viewing arrangement, and the man who had fucked her so thoroughly, the man she hadn't seenonly felt!
"Good morning!" a voice called to her, her husband's voice.
She pivoted, glad that he had gotten the legal business out of the way so quickly. But it wasn't Michael that was coming toward her. At least, not her Michael. Rather, it was her husband's father.
"You look especially lovely this morning. The way all new brides should," he smiled at and received a smile in answer. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Yes," she replied. "Lorraine suggested I come out and see what you've done with the landscaping. I'm glad I took her up. It's beautiful."
His face beamed with pride, "Thank you. I won't be humble about it.
This took a hell of a lot of work and I did most of it by myself. I guess it's the New England farm boy I never was coming out in me.
There's something special about planting things and watching them come to life."
She smiled, then chided, "Don't tell me you're responsible for these magnolias!"
"No," he chuckled. "They were here when I bought the place. But they were in bad condition and I did nurse them back to health."
"A man with a green thumb," she laughed.
"Thumbs don't get green by working with the earth," he corrected. "They get dirty."
She laughed again. Last night, she had decided she liked her new father-in-law and those feelings were being confirmed now. "Is there anything special I should see? Any labor of love you're especially proud of?"
"Why of course," he smiled, offering her his arm, which she took. "The pond is just over there. If you'll kindly come with me."
The walk was farther than Diana anticipated. The mansion had disappeared behind them, hidden by the small forest of magnolias. But it was worth it. Michael One's pond was special.
Skirted by trees on all sides, the small pool of water was clear and calm looking. To one side was a small clearing, complete with a picnic table and benches.
"I had to call in the bulldozers to help me with this, her father-inlaw explained. "It's my design, though. The pond's spring fed and most of the year it's downright cold, which keeps the snakes away."