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Jo shrugs. “The villagers are nosy. I’m trying to shield you from their questions. I don’t know about you, but I’m still quite an introvert. I love everyone here, but they can be a lot. I’d like to enjoy what we have without a lot of questions.”
I can’t help but point out, “You’re still an introvert, like me.”
“You remember a lot for a guy who never got a letter in return from me. I’m sorry for that.”
She needn’t apologize for that, but she already knows that, and so I don’t point it out.
I let go of her hand and hook my arm around her shoulders. Her arm naturally circles my middle as we walk. I remember to keep my stride shorter so she doesn’t struggle to keep up.
“So. We both turn 30 soon. Do we let them know the truth before or after we fulfill our marriage pact?” I ask.
Josephine groans, and I laugh, pulling her tighter to my side as we approach a dense thicket of trees.
“I can’t believe you remembered!”
“Of course I remembered,” I say.
“We’re both spring babies, so we have several months to decide.” Josephine, still the practical planner.
What I don’t say is I would marry her today if I could. Just to feel some stability in my life. But is that the right reason to get married? I don’t yet know. All I know is how I feel here and now.
“By the way, where are you taking me? Are you taking me to the woods to kill me?” I joke as we round the bend and head into the trees along a narrow lane.
“No, silly! This is my house,” she says.
Of course she lives in a cottage blocked by trees from the bustling street but close enough to give her access to all the activities.
I don’t yet see a house, but I’m enjoying the walk. The air is crisp here. Earthy. Away from the street, the only sound is the rustle of the leaves underfoot and the birds in the trees.
As we walk, the trees gradually part to reveal a charming cottage nestled among the woods.
The house is cozy. Welcoming. Charming. All things that remind me of Jo. The exterior is adorned with climbing ivy and flower boxes bursting with colorful blooms. A small porch greets us, complete with a painted yellow swing and a matching weathered wooden furniture and planters.
Pushing open the cottage door, Josie gestures inside with a smile. “Welcome to my little hideaway.”
I step into the cottage, my gaze sweeping over the inviting interior. The air is scented with the faint aroma of wood and herbs. The living area features comfortable furniture laden with knitted throws and cushions. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with books and trinkets. Lace curtains glow in the afternoon sun.
“It’s very you,” I say. “I love everything about it.”
She grins up at me, her eyes sparkling. “Glad you like it.”
I lean down and press a soft kiss to her mouth, sweeping my tongue over her lips. She returns a small lick against mine, and she shivers in my arms.
I pull back, fully ready to hoist her into my arms and ask where the bedroom is.
But alas, she has other ideas.
“Let’s get started on dinner, shall we?”
Come to think of it, I am pretty hungry, since we skipped lunch altogether due to the spontaneous bus trip.
Together, we enter the kitchen, working side by side while chopping vegetables and simmering sauces. Everything about her and her place feels natural and comfortable. We laugh, we talk, and we flirt as we cook.
We sit at the small table by the window, the light through the woods turning amber while we eat.
After dinner, Josephine and I step outside, the woods laid out before us. A well-worn path stretches from the back door into the thick trees, disappearing in the underbrush. Josie gestures toward the woods. “Care for a walk?”
“Is it safe?”
