The Fall - Book 2

222. Ehss she?

JUNE 4, 2020 — LOUGHGALL, IRELAND — RÉA

"Could we go for a walk after we eat?" I ask Bucky at breakfast.

"Sure, doll. Whatever you want to do."

I nod, then return my attention to the delicious vegetable omelette Bucky made me. After a few more bites, I speak again.

"I'd like to get in touch with Maeve, I just...I think I'm going to wait until later today, at least." I pause. "Thank you. Again. For knowing that I'd have questions; for inviting her to supper so I could have an opportunity to ask them."

I stand and move around the table, settling onto Bucky's lap.

"Thank you for always knowing just what to do. Thank you for knowing me like you do...thank you for loving me like you do."

"Like I've told you before, Réa, you never have to thank me for any of that."

"I know. I want to. I don't ever want you to feel like I take you for granted. I know you don't," I hurriedly add, "I just want to make sure."

Bucky lifts his right hand and gently tucks my hair behind my ear, then cups my face before pressing his lips to mine. Though it's a chaste kiss, heat fills my veins.

"I have a surprise for you, after our walk," I say as Bucky rests his forehead against mine.

"A surprise?"

I nod; pressing another brief kiss to his lips, I rise and begin carrying my dishes to the counter.

"Do I get a hint?"

"Nope," I pop the 'p', grinning as I shake my head. "Now. Before you go all 'no housework for my pregnant wife' on me, I'm washing the dishes. No arguments."

I turn away from Bucky to begin filling the sink with hot water and dish soap; a few moments later, I hear the scrape of his chair and the familiar cadence of his footsteps. He steps up behind me and sets his dishes on the counter with mine, then wraps his arms around me. As has become the norm, his hands settle on my hips before moving to my stomach.

"I think you're starting to get a bump...I swear I feel the tiniest hint of one. Of course, I'd be happy to do a very thorough inspection," he says with his lips against my ear as he slides his hands beneath the hem of my sweater.

"Dishes. Walk. Surprise," I say, even as my breath catches and liquid heat pools between my legs.

"Okay." He presses kisses along the column of my neck, causing the heat in my veins to grow and my pulse to spike...then takes a step back. "You wash, I'll dry."

It takes me a moment to respond, my mind hazy with desire. "Right. Dishes. I wash, you dry."

My husband chuckles softly. "You okay, doll?" he asks innocently, though there's a lopsided smile on his face, and a look in his eyes that's a mixture of carnal and mischievously playful.

"Oh, hush, and grab a towel," I retort, even as I grin in response.

Bucky and I make quick work of the dishes, then head out on our walk. We decide to make the short journey—less than half a mile—to the Museum of Orange Heritage on Main Street. We hold hands on our jaunt, simply taking our time strolling and enjoying the scenery. Loughgall really is quite picturesque, and as we walk, I voice aloud the idea that's been rattling around in my head since I woke up this morning.

"Is it crazy that I want to make an offer on the cottage?"

I can tell Bucky's thinking it over before he replies. "No, I don't think that's crazy. Technically, it should have been yours anyway."