“That’s probably true, isn’t it? I’m learning about you too. And there are some things I’ve been thinking about—I think they would make a nice afternoon of conversation. Do you have things you need to do today?”
“I have to unpack us, mostly. Make sure everything is nice. I was thinking soup for supper.” Something easy.
“That sounds perfect. Comfort food. We’re on the same page, no surprise there.” Mister Charlie gave him a warm smile. He loved the way Charles looked at him, always with care and affection in his eyes.
“No surprise at all.” He cupped Mister Charlie’s cheek, loving on him.
“Oh, look at the trees. All those red and yellow leaves. The sun makes them look like they’re on fire. I love this time of year up here. Chilly, but beautiful.”
“I’m so excited to spend my first fall up here. I want to buy a neat sweater to wear around the house.”
“You’re going to need more than one. It gets cold and, as much as I love all the windows, they can feel a little drafty. Sweaters and wool socks and toasty slippers.”
“That sounds like heaven.” He rolled his eyes at himself. “Maybe not cowboy, but pure damn heaven.”
Charles laughed. “Does that bother you? I could build you a little barn with some hay and a wood stove to wear your hat and boots around in if you’d like.”
“Only if there’s a horse to go with it.” He snorted, but just a little.
Charles shrugged. “You could have a horse. You could have two horses.”
“We can talk about that, absolutely. Maybe in the spring. I want to focus on us, your schedule.”
Charles chuckled. “I was mostly being silly because you were lamenting that slippers weren’t cowboy.”
“No. They’re…hygge?” Was that how he was supposed to say that?
Charles barked out a laugh. “Did you just say hygge? I’ve been told I’m pretentious, and even I have never managed to use hygge in actual conversation.” Charles’s shoulders shook. “Bravo.”
He did a weird half-bow in the car seat. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”
“Oh, look. Our lake.” Charles took his hand. “It’s good to be home.”
“Our lake.” How good was that? Their lake.
Charles tangled their fingers. “Well, we have to share it with a few people and some boats, but it’s ours.”
“That’s more than fine. I like boats.” And Charles. A lot.
The car pulled into the looping driveway and stopped right in front of the house.
“All right. We made it.” He kissed Charles’s cheek. “Welcome home, Sir.”
They got their luggage into the house and Charles took his bag toward the stairs. “I’m going to change. Would you start tea?”
“Of course, Sir. I’ll be up in two shakes to unpack us. Earl Grey?”
“Yes, please. With lemon.” Charles headed up the stairs. “Hello, house!”
Ryder chuckled and set the kettle up. As it heated, he put out mugs, cut a lemon, found the honey, and pulled out some stew beef.
By the time he got upstairs, Charles was in soft, dark pants and was bare-chested under a lush smoking jacket. The suitcase was sitting untouched on the bed. “I could smell you coming. That lemon is fresh, hm?”
“Yes, Sir. I put some honey in too.” He handed the tea over, then started unpacking their cases.
Charles took a sip, slurping a little because it was still pretty hot. “Oh, that’s nice. Thank you.” Charles settled in the little sitting area in the corner of the bedroom. “I’d offer to help, but I know how you are.”
“I’m fine, love. I just need to get us put back to rights. You look comfy.” He started sorting. The laundry room was up here, and it made things much easier.