Love at Twin Oaks Pt. 6
#7 of Love at Twin Oaks
The two bucks stared at each other as long silent minutes dragged past. Finally Dirk spoke in a soft, growling voice, "Give me one good reason not to remove you from this property."
Florien, who had been studying with great intent a spider that was making its way across the barn floor, tore his gaze up and met the larger male's eyes. "I beg of you, please know that I only did what was best for Therese, and I would never willingly hurt her. I care very much for her, which is why I must leave before she gets too... attached."
"I am having a hard time seeing how tossing her aside like last year's fashions is being kind." Dirk asked, stepping toward the judge's son. "She was heartbroken!"
Florien smiled, "I can see that you, too, care for her more than you should. I think that I can trust you with the real reason that I am leaving town because you will never reveal it to her. While it is true that I am interested in pursuing a career in national politics, that is not why I must go. I have tried so hard in the last year to love Therese, after all, it should be easy to love the most beautiful, kind and wealthy girl in the county."
"I have discovered that I am not..." he paused, pulling in a ragged breath, "...attracted to women."
Dirk stepped back, shocked at the admission, but understanding everything. It was far better for Therese to believe that Florien still loved her but must go away to fulfill his dreams than for him to stay here and tell her the truth.
"All right," he finally said, "but that doesn't explain why you are here in front of me tonight."
The small buck resumed his investigation of the barn floor and murmured, "I think you'll find it does."
TO BE CONTINUED