CH. 31: An unexpected twist

As she stepped back into the house, she knew she was ready to face whatever tomorrow brought, her heart full of hope and her mind open to the possibilities that lay ahead. The farm had become more than just a place to live; it was a sanctuary, a testament to her strength and resilience. And with Mike by her side, she felt like she could conquer the world. The evening grew darker, the moon casting a silver glow over the fields, and Renee couldn't help but feel that she had finally found her place. The animals were quiet, the only sound the occasional snort from the horses in the barn. She walked through the house, her bare feet whispering against the floorboards, feeling a sense of belonging that she hadn't felt since her early days with Jake. The kids' toys lay scattered, a reminder of the chaos that would soon return, but for now, she had the farm to herself. Renee decided to take a bath, the water steaming up the room as she sank into the tub. She lit the lavender candles she had bought at the market, their scent filling the air and soothing her soul. As she lay there, the warm water caressing her skin, she allowed herself to think about Jake. Would he understand? Could he forgive her for finding happiness without him? The guilt was a heavy burden, but she knew that she couldn't live her life waiting for him, not when she had a man like Mike who cherished her and the life they were building together. Her thoughts drifted to their future, the two of them growing old together, raising the kids, and watching the farm flourish. It was a future she hadn't allowed herself to dream of before, but now it felt like the only thing she wanted.

The warm water and the sweet scent of lavender lulled her into a peaceful state, each thought and memory passing like clouds across the sky. She let herself relax, the tension in her muscles melting away as the candles flickered. It was a rare moment of solitude, a chance to breathe and reflect on the tumultuous journey that had brought her here. The quiet was a balm to her soul, a gentle reminder of the strength that lay within her. As she lay there, her eyes drifted shut, and she allowed herself to drift into a dreamless sleep, the worries of tomorrow a distant memory. It was the shrill ring of her phone that jolted her awake, the sound piercing the stillness of the night. Renee sat up with a start, the water sloshing around her. She grabbed her phone from the side table, her heart racing as she saw Jake's name on the screen. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew would be a difficult conversation. Swiping to answer, she brought the phone to her ear, the sound of his voice like a punch to the gut. "Hello?" she whispered, the word barely audible over the thundering in her chest. "Hey, Renee," Jake's voice was a blend of weariness and excitement. "I've got some good news. I've sorted through a bunch of stuff back home and I'm going to be able to come visit in a few weeks." Renee's heart skipped a beat, the warm water suddenly feeling much cooler around her. She had tried to prepare herself for this moment, but hearing his voice, knowing he was on his way, shook her to the core. "Really?" she managed to croak out, her voice thick with emotion. "That's... that's amazing, Jake."

"Yeah," he said, his tone lifting slightly. "I've missed you all so much. Can't wait to see the kids, the farm... everything." There was a pause, and Renee could almost hear the smile in his voice. "And I've really missed you, Renee." Her mind raced, trying to form the words to explain everything, but she was paralyzed. She had hoped for this call, had prayed for it even, but now that it was happening, she was lost. "Jake, I... we need to talk" she began, the weight of their unspoken truths heavy on her tongue. But Jake, ever the optimist, didn't give her the chance to continue. "We'll talk about everything when I get there, okay?" he said, his voice a mix of excitement and exhaustion. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm coming, that I'm going to see you all soon." Panic clutched at Renee's heart as she realized the gravity of her situation. She had been living a double life, her heart torn between the love she still felt for Jake and the newfound happiness with Mike. Her hand trembled as she ended the call, the phone slipping from her fingers to splash into the now tepid water of the bathtub. She bolted upright, sending water cascading down her body, and leaped out of the tub. Her mind raced as she frantically wrapped herself in a towel, the cool air sending goosebumps prickling across her skin. The house felt too small, too confining, as she sprinted to her bedroom, searching for her house phone to call the one person who might be able to help her navigate this minefield: Beth.

Her friend's number was on speed dial, and she didn't even bother to dry herself before punching in the digits. The ringing seemed to echo through the empty house, taunting her with every unanswered beat. "Come on, pick up," she murmured to herself, pacing back and forth. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Beth's voice filled the line, a beacon of sanity in the chaos. "Renee? What's wrong?" she asked, the concern in her voice clear despite the static on the line. Renee took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. "Jake's coming," she blurted out. "In a few weeks. He's sorted his stuff and he's coming to visit." The line went quiet for a moment, the silence stretching out like a tightrope between them. "Okay," Beth said slowly, "and that's a problem because?" Renee squeezed her eyes shut, trying to contain the flood of emotions that threatened to spill out. "Because I've moved on, Beth. I've found someone else, someone who's here, who loves me, or I think he does, who's part of this life." Her voice was tight with unshed tears, the weight of her confession heavy in the air. Beth was silent for a moment, processing the revelation. "Renee, honey," she began, her tone gentle, "you've been through a lot. You've built this life, this beautiful, crazy life, and you deserve to be happy." Renee nodded, the phone pressed tightly to her ear. "But what do I do about Mike?" she whispered, her voice shaking. "What if he doesn't understand?"

Beth's response was firm but gentle. "You need to talk to him, Renee. He's a good man, he'll understand." There was a pause, filled with the sound of Renee's ragged breathing. "Look, I know it's not going to be easy, but if you don't tell him now, it's only going to get harder." Renee nodded again, feeling the gravity of the situation settle onto her shoulders. She knew her friend was right. The farm had been her sanctuary, her escape from the pain of Jake's absence. But now that he was coming back, she had to face the reality she had been avoiding. She had built a new life, one filled with joy and passion she hadn't felt in years. She couldn't just throw it all away without giving it a chance. Beth's words echoed in her mind. "Why don't you talk to them both, let them take you on dates, and see who truly has your heart?" It was an old-fashioned approach, but it made a strange kind of sense. Renee needed clarity, and maybe, just maybe, this was the way to get it. She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and dread swirl in her stomach. "Okay," she said, her voice steady. "I'll talk to Mike tonight." The house felt colder as she made her way to the kitchen, the warmth of the bathroom a distant memory. She still had the phone and dialed Mike's number, her thumb hovering over the button before she finally hit call. The phone rang once, twice, three times, and she was about to hang up when she heard his sleepy voice answer, "Hello?"

"Mike, I'm so sorry for waking you," she began, her voice thick with guilt. But before she could go on, he stopped her. "No love, I was not asleep. I was just getting ready to lay down though, what's up?" His voice was groggy, but the affectionate term of endearment sent a shiver down her spine. She took a deep breath, her heart racing. "I don't want to talk about it over the phone," she said, her voice shaking. "Can you come stay the night? I have something important I need to discuss with you, and I just don't want to be alone." Mike's voice grew more alert, his concern palpable through the receiver. "Of course, I'm on my way," he said without hesitation. Renee felt a wave of relief wash over her as she ended the call. She didn't have to face this alone; she had Mike, her rock, her confidant. She quickly dressed in her favorite pair of sweatpants and a worn-out T-shirt, her nerves a jittery mess as she waited for him to arrive.

******* MESSAGE FROM AUTHOR*******
**Who are you hoping Renee will choose?**
**How will she make her deciscion, is it based on their time together, the help,**
**the sex, or their personalities?**
**What activities with each charachter are you interested in seeing?**
**Should we change our characters personality, what traits are they missing?**

***I wanted to thank you all personally for reading 30 chapters!!!!! When I had started writing this, I did not think I would want to finish this, but then I saw that people were reading it, setting notifications, and for that I want to bring you all into the process of making the last 30 chapters!***
***I would love to end this novel on a high note, hopefully with enough suspense and drama for a second novel, and with your help, I believe we can make this happen! Your feedback, opinions, ideas, even wants are going to make this novel end on a note that is so spicy we will need another novel ( sneak peak into some ideas: the kids are grown and moved off to college, Renee is finally able to be open more with her free time *wink wink* )***
***Please leave your comments, or send emails to Missysmith.author.novelsnack@gmail.com***