“I hadn’t thought that far,” I admit and he laughs.
“Well, I know a great little cafe, which is open. . .” He reaches over to the bedside table and picks up his phone. “In an hour, so we have plenty of time to get ready.”
“Sounds good. Which cafe is it?”
“My aunt and uncle’s bookstore in the village.”
“You want me to meet your family?” I ask, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.
“Of course I do, honey.” He snuggles into me and I put my arm around him, loving the name he’s given me. “I didn’t like the job in Aspen, I only took it because I needed to. Then you walked into my kitchen and brightened up my life. You made it so bright I didn’t want to let that light go. I certainly wasn’t looking foranyone, and I’m going to be honest and say the timing wasn’t great. I thought once I’d managed to get back on my feet, I eventually might start dating, but we don’t get to choose that, do we? All we can do is recognise it when it hits and hold on tight. Knowing you were here, a bright spot in the darkness, is what got me through the last month. I want to be with you, Andrés. I don’t know my future yet, but I know it has you in it.”
I shift slightly and put my other arm round him, encircling him. I touch a kiss on his forehead. All of it to give me time to try and talk around the lump in my throat. His words echo my thoughts, but I don’t know what to say. Perhaps I’ll try the truth.
“I honestly don’t think I can say this as eloquently as you, but I’ve known you were special from the start. I tried to resist it, not understanding what I was feeling, except I couldn’t stay away from you. The indescribable pull only got stronger the further away I was. I can barely explain the joy I feel that you’re here now and want to be with me.”
I roll over, covering him with my body. I brace myself, my arms either side of his head, and gaze down at him. Beautiful Simon, my Simon.
“I’ve never said this to anyone before,” I whisper. “I love you, Simon.”
“I love you too.” His voice is thick with emotion. He reaches his arms up and winds them round my neck. “Let’s make the most of that hour.” He pulls me down to him and steals my breath for the second time this morning.
We make out lazily and then shower slowly, luxuriating in washing each other. I’m looking forward to spending more time learning every inch of his body.
“Do you want a coffee first? I can’t drive unless I’ve caffeinated,” I ask when we reach the kitchen.
“Of course,” he laughs. “I’d love a coffee, we’re in no rush.”
I set about making drinks for us. I haven’t managed to get organised enough to buy a coffee machine yet, so I boil the kettle and fill the cafetière. Simon starts opening the cupboards, having a good look.
“I doubt it’s up to your standards,” I say as I place a mug on the counter next to him. He gives me a grin that makes me believe that was exactly what he was thinking, even though he was never going to say it.
“I want to go and see my horse first. I can’t go without taking her something. What will she think of me?”
“There are some carrots in the fridge,” I say, trying to hide my smile. He opens the fridge and holds up a couple of limp specimens.
“These won’t do. You’d just about be able to use these to make a stock.”
“I’ve never made a stock in my life,” I reply and he chuckles. He could probably make one in his sleep. Chef skills 101 or something.
“Well, what else do you have to feed your horse?”
“Oh, so I’m allowed to have her now, am I?”
“Yes, when you need to have food in stock so I can give it to her. But I suppose we can share her. I can give her carrots and you can do all the. . . you know. . . cleaning up after her.”
“Oh no, if you want to share her, you’re going to have to get your hands dirty.” I can’t help laughing as he wrinkles his nose at the thought.
“There must be something else she can eat. Don’t tell me, I’ll look it up.” He pulls out his phone and starts searching. “Look at this cool graphic.” He waves his phone at me and I take a couple of steps across the kitchen to stand by his side. The picture shows a list of good foods and also what to avoid.
“I didn’t know they could eat grapes, strawberries, even bananas and citrus fruit. Did you know that?” He looks up at me, his eyes shining with excitement. I don’t know about everything listed on the graphic, I’ve never needed to, and the list is definitely British so not all of the foods are readily available in Argentina. I check the website it comes from. It specialises in equine enrichment, so I’m confident it’s not giving him false information. It seems he doesn’t need me to answer as he starts bustling around collecting a few items on the list. I retreat back to the corner of the kitchen and sip my coffee while he works. He sorts everything out neatly in front of him and starts chopping with amazing precision. It’s almost hypnotic to watch. I can just see him creating recipes for her, not that I’m going to suggest it. He doesn’t need any more ideas.
Eventually he declares himself ready and I look at the box he’s holding.
“What have you made?”
“It’s just a quick fruit and veg salad. Look, I chopped everything lengthways like you said.” He brandishes the box at me.
“Are you going to let the others have some?” I ask as we get in the car. It’ll be easier to drive over to the fields where they are rightnow, enjoying a couple more weeks of rest before I start getting them fit again for the season.
