With Love; Now & Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

by eight foot cobblestone walls on either side. After pausing for only a moment, the huge gates opened and the car proceeded up the drive. The foliage and trees were so thick that she couldn’t see where the walls led, seeming to be devoured by nature. A few moments later, the trees and brush thinned and she saw acres of lush green lawn and beautiful flowers. She could tell that everything was painstakingly cared for but in such a manner as to allow the natural beauty to be enjoyed.
    She couldn’t resist the urge to roll down the car window and when she did, beautiful aromas filled her senses and the car. Not knowing her flowers as well as she wanted to, she thought she was smelling the sweet smell of honeysuckle. She turned her attention to the driver to ask him the origin of the wonderful fragrance but one look at his face told her that he was displeased at having the windows down, counteracting the car’s air conditioning. She decided not to try and engage him in conversation but refused to roll up the window that would cut off the beautiful smells.
    She had been so entranced with the landscaping that they were pulling up into a large circular drive before she finally noticed the manor. Castle was the first impression that came to her mind; it was made of the huge stones that she had seen castles made of but the fact it was all on one level told her that it was not truly a castle. They pulled up under a large stone awning that allowed the guests to enter the home without getting wet, even in the worst of storms. A beautiful fountain was opposite the home.
    The door of the car opened and when Ana turned to get out of the car, she found the driver already getting her bags out of the trunk, obviously eager to be rid of his passenger. It was when she was out of the car that she noticed the gigantic crystal chandelier hanging over the car and the exquisite marble that lined the ceiling of the awning. Struck by the beauty, she didn’t notice the driver was already at the door with her bags.
    “Madame” was all he said as he opened the doors to the manor and deposited her bags inside the entryway. She quickly followed him inside and turned to thank him but he was already walking back to the car. So much for hospitality.
    She twirled back inside and stood in awe. Large stone walls were covered with expensive tapestries made of priceless threads, silks and velvets mostly. Ana barely gave them a second look as her attention was focused on the paintings, strategically placed in the spaces between the tapestries. They were breathtaking and mesmerizing and Ana moved slowly through the entryway, taking in every color, every brushstroke and minute detail. She moved along the large hall and having every intention of stopping at the end of the hall when a painting inside a large room caught her eye. She went inside what appeared to be a large sitting room and stood in front of the painting. Even though she had never seen this painting before, she knew it was of the meadow back home where she and Austin had gone for dozens of picnics. The field was filled with sweet grass, wild daisies and poppies and was surrounded by towering pine trees and oaks. The painting brought back memories of their first kiss on one such picnic. She was reclining on the plaid blanket Austin had laid out for them. They had spent the late morning eating cheese, crackers and summer sausage then decided to relax and sun themselves on the soft blanket. Ana was feeling full and warm, bathing in the bright June sun and in Austin’s love. She was almost asleep when Austin leaned down and put a daisy in her hair, she looked up at him and was in wonder at how she had convinced this beautiful man, who treated her like a princess, to spend his time with her, to love her. With the sun behind him, casting an unearthly glow around his head, he leaned down and kissed her. It was so soft, tentative and innocent that she thought for a moment that this was what it must feel