The Cottage (Amor #4)

By the Lake

Amara watched the sky as she raised a chip to her mouth and crunched on it. They had bought classic fish and chips from the local restaurant. The heavens had grown half overcast since their time in town but it was a beautiful scene for their supper. They watched the slow transition of early evening.

Thor ran his hands through his free hair. Amara noticed his sculpted biceps. He caught her gaze and smirked.

"You need to put those away. Dangerous."

Thor chuckled as he put down his arms. "You're one to talk."

She grinned, turning away to the river. "You ever go swimming there?" She pointed to the river.

Thor looked over. "I've taken little dips. There are some lakes in the New Forest. Nice little swimming places. I can't wait to show you Stonehenge."

"I can't wait to see it. It's crazy that we believe we're so close. Did you ever join with the locals on the summer solstice there?"

Thor laughed as he shook his head. "Only watched. They don't get naked like they do in the movies."

"It's not Woodstock."

"It should be," Thor said as he rose up. He collected the empty wrappings and walked inside.

Amara took a gulp of water from her bottle. A gentle breeze arose carrying the scent of the Avon and the flora. She got up and stretched her body, her arms bumping into the umbrella.

She walked across the paved terrace, down the three steps, onto the grass. She kept a steady pace, mindful of the food digesting. She drew closer to her target destination, the dock at the river. Her footsteps echoed on the ancient wood beneath. Once she reached the edge, she sat down cross-legged. She admired the family of swans gliding down the river, the mother guiding her three children. She smiled as one of the new little swans looked up at her.

Thor came out to see the terrace empty. He looked around, a stumped look on his face as he looked around for Amara. He scouted her on the distant dock. Thor moved to the edge of the terrace and jumped onto the grass. He advanced towards the dock. His eyes noticed the growing ceiling of dark clouds hovering over.

Amara turned around, hearing the footfalls nearing her. She smiled at his approaching form.

"Storm's coming." Thor pointed to the sky.

Amara looked to where his finger pointed and saw the overcast. She whirled her head back, a playful scowl on her face.

"You know, you really live up to your namesake."

"I swear it's not me," Thor laughed.

Amara shook her head. "There was nothing on the forecast about clouds and rain. I'm so glad I wore my hair in twists," she said, running her hand through her mini twists.

He sank down next to her, his feet dabbling in the river's current. "How long does it take you to get your hair like that?"

"Hour and a half. I still wish I had two pairs of hands to help out the process."

Thor chuckled as he eyed her hair.

"Were you always natural?"

Amara nodded. "My family has always had good hair care. Simple hair care and simple styles. My grandmother's hair was butt length in her lifetime. It was a little hard growing up. Many of the girls had relaxed or naturally straight hair. I've straightened my hair a couple of times but it was so much maintenance to go against my nature so I stopped."

She turned at Thor, who studied her. She let out a chortle.

"I'm sorry."

"What?"

"It's just weird, talking about my hair history."

"I'm listening. I'm taking notes. I'm ready for the test," Thor smirked at the sound of Amara's laugh.

"Oh, the test would be you helping with my routine."

"I need a tutor."

Amara bellowed again. A zephyr flew in from the north. The leaden mass grew closer.

"It's gonna be a dark and stormy night."

"And I forgot to pack Mjolnir."

Amara snickered, the sound sparking an ear to ear grin on Thor's face.