Page 25 of Trees Take the Long View

When he got back to the hotel, he dropped his messenger bag on the carpet with a thump, and stared at me. "You didn't have to cook...again. It smells wonderful."

I walked up to him, and wrapped my arms around him, and gave him a kiss. "Welcome home."

"Hm. You give nice kisses." He tried to move past me to the tiny cooking area. "What smells so amazing?"

"You." I pressed my face against his neck, and laughed a little. He really did.

"Are you kidding, I need a shower." His laugh was awkward but flattered, too.

"Hm, I could probably help with that..."

"You could help by letting me eat. What is it? How did you make something that smells that good on a stove like this?"

"You're just lucky, I guess, that I've always been a bit of a nomad. It's a lot easier cooking here than over a fire. Practically a five star kitchen here. There's fresh berries too, wanna see? They're good." I popped one in my mouth.

He gave me an warm look, as if he wanted to say something, then just nodded, and went to the stove to get himself some stew.