Duncan Cove was at first a century-old plantation whose property had spread for many acres. It has over the years been plotted and sold to various families that have allowed for changes that caused it to now be a quiet though active town that boasted history and culture along with its modernized civility.

It was nestled in the vast countryside of North East New Jersey. It offered a wide variety of vineyards, orchards, and crop farming. Here friends are family and each one helps the other thus causing a grapevine that brings about all the current happenings in every household.

Wendy knew she was the topic on the grapevine. The majority of Duncan Cove's should-be busy housewives were awaiting her arrival but she took respite in the fact they were civil enough to hold off until they got to satiate their curiosity at the wedding on Sunday. However, her heart did a little dip as they approached the now-modernized Preston Manor.

She tried to calm her nerves as they drove over the stone bridge that led to the curved driveway that had the wide wrought iron gate that she and her cousins as children used to ride as they awaited their fathers' return from the fields.

The gate was promptly open as the car approached and Wilfred still strong and willowy as he did when she was a child smiled beamingly at her as he peered through the driver's window.

She waved gayly at him as he took off his hat clutched it to his overall-clad chest and grinned his greeting.

They continued up a gravelled path. On one side were larch and pine trees along the other rose shrubs dotted with rhododendrons that bordered the well-manicured lawn which glistened a rich green.

In a matter of minutes, the red brick three-story Manor was sprawled in all its glory. Wraparound upstairs balconies with white-rimmed wooden bay windows lined the middle and upper floor, and thick wooden doors some just plain oak others panelled with designed stain glass add it's an appealing touch.

The lower floor had a wide porch with a wooden stylish baluster of dark wood to offer security that led down to border a set of semicircular brick steps which had an evergreen on either side cut in a low dome shape design. On one side of the porch was a table with comfortable lounge chairs while the other had a matching set of lawn chairs of padded square whicker.

As they parked a woman clad in a white floral flowing dress clinched at a small waist by a wide plaited leather belt with a stylish buckle came carrying a pitcher and glasses on a tray to place on the table. Her hair was a startling red of cropped short curls teased to offer volume.

She was followed by a tall and regal woman with salt and pepper hair in a pixie cut that was less dramatically styled dress in a breezy chiffon Pancho dress that she styled with a yellow rope-like belting.

They both grinned as they watched Wendy and Deacon alight from the vehicle. In seconds the younger woman was engulfed by the two who gave delightful squeals as they pushed her slightly away and scrutinized her.

The woman with the salt and pepper hair and a dark face similar in appearance to Wendy's gleamed as she pulled the younger woman back into her embrace and kissed her cheek affectionately as she hugged her again.

"Mother," Wendy giggled as she made much of the two women in return "Aunty Precilla you both have beau's I know nothing about?"

"You know your Uncle John was the only man for me," her aunt said smiling as her mother just shook her head and moved away to go down the stairs to Deacon who stood smiling at them.

This was it, here it was.

This was the moment when she would pass out with anxiety. Her mother was not a harsh woman she was caring, supportive, and very open-minded but when it came to her only child she could be a force to reckon with and she found herself hugging her aunt close to her for support.

"Mrs. Preston," he said moving from where he stood to meet her where she paused on the third set of steps and reached out her hands to him. "You're sure looking lovely."

"Flattery will get you somewhere dear boy," she giggled and patted her hair self-consciously before taking his strong hands in her soft warm ones.

"I was just being honest," he said as they made it back to where Prescilla and Wendy stood.

"He sure is gorgeous Wen," Prescilla preened as she nudged her niece and grinned. "You both will make some darn pretty bi-racial babies."

Scratch dying of anxiety, make it dying with embarrassment. She should have known these two devil may care, ladies, we're going to add their outspoken opinion.

She feared to think what was going to happen when family and friends started piling in as the big day commenced.

"Deacon I would like you to meet my sister-in-law and dearest friend Precilla Preston Knight," her mother said yugging him gently up the steps.

She was utterly grateful her mother was dealing with the introductions she was not sure how to handle her mom and aunt mixed with Deacon's whim. However, she realized was loving their jovial banter and warm acceptance of the man they thought she was head over heels in love with.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Knight," he told Precilla reaching out to grasp her bejeweled fingers before taking them to his lips.

Did he have to such a damn good charmer?

"Nooo, darling call me Precilla," she said dismissing his formality as she smiled broadly. "You're family darling and here family cast aside all proprietary."

He was about to speak when Wendy's hand was grasped by her mother's and a surprised gasp rushed from between lips that formed a perfect O. She gave a delightful whoop when she thrust her daughter's hand to Precilla.

"Is that what I think it is?"

Wendy felt the earth shift beneath her as she turned pleading eyes to Deacon. She could not find it in herself to tell her mother and aunt that she was engaged, white lies were one thing to outright lies were another.

"You're engaged?!"

Deacon was not going to come to her rescue anytime soon. He was enjoying seeing her caught on the spot. Her discomfort at having to admit to the false engagement had her glaring at him in irritation. He only grinned and watched as they fingered the ring and made comments of appreciation.

"Why did you not tell us you got engaged?" Precilla queried as her mother stared questioningly at her.

"This is Georgia's moment I did not want to take a---"

"Nonsense!" both women snapped cutting her off. "You know your cousin is going to be over the moon with excitement."

"What am I going to be over the moon about?" a sultry female voice said from the side of the house. All four turned to see Georgia approaching with a corgi dancing and yipping excitedly at her feet with a rather tall good-looking man that she had an arm wrap around his waist.

The slender woman draped in a peacon-coloured maxi dress with a plunging neckline had her bleached blonde hair in an untidy knot on top of her head. Her charming oval face lightly made up had a beaming smile as she detached herself from her companion. open a concealed gate in the side of the porch railing and made it to the other excited women.

"Georgia darling our Wen is engaged!"
Precilla exclaimed.

Excited shrieks filled the little circle of women and Adam grinned as he approached a bemused Deacon.

"Hi I am Adam, why don't I take you inside and play host," he said with a friendly smile, "As from experience this little affair is very much going to take a while."

"Let me get our bags," he returned not the least bit perturbed about watching the group of women in front of him.

Something was refreshing about their genuine happiness and excitement. He felt a tinge of guilt that his and Wendy's engagement was only a farce, and it was a long time since he felt guilty about anything.

"No leave them, someone will take both you and Wen's bags up to your room," he said leading the way to the front door.

Wendy looked away from an excitedly chattering Georgia to stare in shock at the departing men.

Did Adam say your room and not rooms? Room as in one?

𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷

So Deacon is finally at Duncan Cove and Wendy better get into her element if she's to put on her best show, it's however, not going to be easy knowing she is going to be sharing a room with Deacon.

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