RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

Chapter 4

Listen to the music: Haevn - Other Side of the Sea. 

Thursday.

 Canton's Cottage. Drakensberg.

Edward wanted flowers in the house so Julia placed wild mountain flowers in all the vases. Raw wanted the cottage and bungalows aired; she turned on the freestanding fans and let them run for several hours. Cutlery – clean and shining. Linen in the three surrounding bungalows washed and smelling spring fresh. Jacob mowed the front lawn and raked the white, pebble pathway. By early afternoon everything was set. Edward offered Raw a coffee liqueur on the front patio and made a toast. "Here's to a successful couple of days, my love." They linked hands and gulped the brown liquid down in one go, then kissed.

"I'm excited to meet your dad," Raw said.

"I can't wait. I'm sure he'll be here soon," Edward said, checking his watch. "Wouldn't it be co-incidental if both Shane and dad arrived at the same time?" Edward said, laughing.

"I doubt that would happen."

"Just thinking out loud." Edward was quirky that way.

"Can I ask you something without you taking it up the wrong way?" Raw asked.

"Sure."

"Is your dad bi?"

"As far as I know, he isn't. Maybe he was back when he met my mom. I don't actually know. I remember having a chat with him when I was a kid and he told me he was gay."

"Do you remember how it felt to know your dad is gay?"

"It didn't bug me at all. I was happy for him. We have tons to catch up on. I still can't believe that he reached out for me."

"He sounds like an awesome man. When he gets here I'll leave you two to catch up on all those years," Raw said, swallowing another tot of liqueur.

"I'd prefer it if you stuck around while we spoke."

"You sure?"

"Of course. At least then I don't have to repeat our conversations to you." Edward said, giggling.

Edward's cell phone rang and he answered quickly. James, the owner of the general dealer, announced their first guest.

Shane had arrived.

"James, before you go, there's another, older guy who will stop by and ask directions. Let me know as soon as he arrives, won't you?"

"No problem, Ed. I'll keep you informed."

Edward turned to Raw. "It's Shane. He's on his way."

***

Shane's right arm had tanned red while driving. His blue short pants looked rumpled as though it needed urgent ironing out. Edward and Raw hugged and welcomed him into the cottage where they offered him an end-of-the-road liqueur.

"Where's your better half? I thought he'd tag along." Edward asked.

"Old Brown Sherry. Love the stuff," Shane said taking the small glass from Raw. "Joe's going to Bloemfontein on a business trip."

Raw said, "Harsh. It must be hell for you."

"How was the journey?" Edward asked.

"The traffic bottlenecked as I left Johannesburg this morning around ten. A road block on the M1."

"We don't miss that at all," Raw said, laughing.

Shane laughed and the dimple on his chin stretched.