“Home.”
17
JIMMY
We spend a lazy day together on Saturday, then communicate by phone and text for the next few days.
On Wednesday, I get a taxi to the farm bright and early, so we can go hiking. Flynn offered to pick me up, which was sweet, but a lot of driving for him.
He’s waiting for me in the yard in front of the farmhouse, a waterproof jacket tied around his waist and a rucksack at his feet. Like me, he’s attached his baseball cap to the rucksack handle. His is red, mine is blue.
“You look prepared.” I give him a hug and a slow kiss.
He blushes. “I planned a route.” He rolls his eyes. “Three. I didn't know how long a hike you want to do.”
“We’ve got all day.”
“And I guess you are pretty fit.”
I flex my biceps to prove his point.
The pink in his cheeks blooms into a deep red. “You're fitter than me.”
“I doubt that. We’re fit in different ways. I’m game for whatever length of hike you want to take. Long. Short. Medium. You choose.”
He smiles. “There’s a waterfall I thought might be nice to hike to. Maybe we could have our picnic there.”
“Sounds good. Have you packed towels?”
He frowns. “Towels?”
“In case we want to go skinny dipping.”
He widens his eyes, his pupils shrinking. “I don’t think we should— I mean, what if—” He clamps his lips together and shakes his head.
“Relax, I’m kidding. But we might want to soak our feet in the water, or go paddling. It’s a nice day.” I gesture to the cloudless blue sky. “I brought sunblock, plenty of water, and one or two things for the picnic.”
“Great. We’re ready to go.”
“Except for a towel.”
“Oh, right. I’ll be right back.” He slips inside, abandoning his rucksack.
I set mine on the ground beside it, pull out my sunblock, and apply a generous amount, paying particular attention to the back of my neck. I’ve just about finished when Flynn returns with a couple of small towels, rolled up. He hands one to me and puts the other in his rucksack.
“Do you need help with sunblock?” I ask.
“I already did mine.”
I pout. “Shame.”
“We’ll need to put more on later.”
I hook my fingers through his belt loops and pull him close. “That’s very true. I’ll help you then.”
“Only if I can help you with yours.”
“It’s a deal.” I smother his lips with mine. “Let’s go.”
