“This house is pretty nice too,” she murmured, taking a sip of the steamy brew in the cup she held in her hands.
“What would you like to do today?” he asked.
“That run felt pretty great yesterday.”
“There were many things that felt great to me yesterday, and none of them were that run.”
Malin put her hand on his stomach. “Stick with me, old man, and I’ll get you back in shape.”
He laughe
d, but she was right. It had been a long time since he remembered struggling with a workout as much as he had yesterday. “How’s the weather look?”
“Perfect. Sunny, but not too warm.”
“I hate to ask, but what time is it?”
“Does it matter?”
Dutch smiled. “Sure doesn’t.”
“We’re pretending this is our life, remember? We don’t live by a clock.”
“I like this life, Malin.”
“I do too.”
7
“Look,” Malin said, pointing to something in the trees near the shore after their run.
Dutch followed her over and saw two kayaks, flipped upside down.
“Think they’re seaworthy?”
They looked almost brand new to him. “One way to find out.”
He flipped the first over and saw there was a paddle and life vest on the ground underneath it. He lifted it over his head and carried it near the water’s edge before going back to get the second one.
“I can help,” Malin said, but didn’t make a move to.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. I mean I can, but I’d rather watch you do it.”
Dutch walked over to her with the second kayak hoisted over his head, leaned forward, and planted a kiss on her lips. “There are things I like watching you do too.”
She smiled. “Like what?”
“Let’s see…everything. Preferably without clothes on.”
“I’m down with that.”
Dutch set the kayak on the sand. “You are?”
“Sure. I’d prefer you without clothes on too.”
He looked over at the kayaks and then back at her.