“Oh, don’t stand! Here.” I grab the cushion that has fallen and prop it up against his back as he gives up and sits back in his seat.
“Nina, I’m sorry, I must have nodded off. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I didn’t tell anyone I was coming. Sorry, I should have called.”
“No, you’re always welcome here. Scarlet is here somewhere. You will have to give her a call; as you know, it’s a big house—she could be anywhere.”
“That’s okay. Can I get you a drink?” I ask, feeling a little awkward.
“No, no. I’m grand love.” He waves his hand around.
He doesn’t look grand. His skin looks off colour and frail—even more so than before.
“How have you been?” I ask, unsure of my words.
I feel bad for disturbing him.
“Good, it’s been beautiful weather the last couple of days. I’ve been out on the meadow for the most part.”
“The meadow?”
“Yeah, it’s on the other side of the estate. Mase has never mentioned it?” he asks, sounding slightly gutted as his brows draw in.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Hmm,” he sniggers. “Do you want to see it?”
His eyes light up in excitement.
“I’d love to!”
I go to help him from the chair, but he shrugs me off. It’s as if speaking of the meadow has bought him a new lease of life. It makes me smile.
“I may need a new liver, but my legs still work, young lady.”
“Sorry,” I mutter as he chuckles.
“Come on.”
I follow him out of the house and down to a garage. He lifts the door and smiles over at me.
“I thought you said your legs work fine.” I laugh, climbing up into the golf-style buggy.
He doesn’t say anything as he sits in the driving seat and pulls out of the garage.
It is a bumpy ride down to the meadow, but it’s worth it. Sat two fields away from the estate, the most beautiful meadow lies covered in an array of wildflowers. The grass is greener than any grass I’ve ever seen. It’s bright and vibrant, and seems full of life.
Trees line the boundary but open up at the bottom of the hillside. Anthony comes to a stop at the gate, and I jump out to open it.
He speeds in past me, his eyes sparkling in delight.
I can tell he is loving this.
“It’s beautiful,” I beam, slipping back into the buggy beside him.
He shakes his head, smirking at me, and I see so much of my beautiful man in that look, it makes my chest constrict.
They are so alike.
