Something Old, Something New

Monday came unwelcome for Carmen. It meant Alex would go back to work and she would be at home alone. He woke before the alarm went off and took his shower. Apparently he was eager to get back to the clinic. She made the bed and went into the kitchen to fix breakfast. By the time he arrived, she had the table set and his plate filled with food. Marriage was exactly what she expected and thought she would want – and yet there was something missing. She pushed the thought away, focusing on Alex.

He came into the kitchen freshly shaved and looking handsome in indigo jeans and a western shirt. He winked at her and dropped into his chair.

“Looks delicious,” he said.

“So do you,” she said instantly, and then felt a blush working its way up her neck again.

His expression was first surprised and then amused.

“Thanks.”

She pulled out a chair. “I’m going to miss you today.”

“Good,” he replied as he picked up his fork. “That will make tonight even more special.” He jabbed the fork into a clump of scrambled eggs and started eating.

She sat down and reached for her coffee cup. Even more special? What was special about today. Was she supposed to remember something? His birthday wasn’t until the end of September, so it wasn’t that. She sipped her coffee a few times and finally gave up.

“What is special about today?”

He stared at her blankly for a second and then smiled with comprehension.

“Nothing, I guess. But every night is special when we’re together. Don’t you think?”

The flush grew warmer. “Of course. So are the days.” She held her coffee cup with both hands and sipped the hot brew.

He swallowed a bite and chuckled. “Two weeks of love making and suddenly you’re embarrassed.”

Actually, there was nothing sudden about her embarrassment. What was different was his casual reference to their intimate moments. He was right, though. The nights were special. Only a person who had spent many of them alone would realize how special it was to have a partner next to them. But then, Alex had spent a lot of nights alone. She tucked the exceptions to the back of her mind. Those days were gone for him. He had a permanent partner now, and he thought these nights together were special.

With Alex gone all day, she turned her attention to deep cleaning the house. She made a list of things she would need and a separate list of things she wanted to retrieve from the old house. Her mother’s dishes were on that list. Alex had some nice ironstone dishes, but only a set of four. That was enough for the two of them, but they would likely have guests. He might not appreciate the china the way she did, but he would understand and support her desire to make use of it.

Bedding was another issue. In a few months, cold weather would be moving in again. Most of her bedding was worn and made for a double bed. The bed in their room was king sized – overkill, since they usually slept cuddled together. It was a beautiful bed, though, and the bedroom was spacious. Weather in Houston must not get too cold, because he didn’t have many blankets.

Several times during the day, that empty feeling returned. Each time she pushed it away. Surely it was normal to miss him. She’d get over it.

By the time Alex got home from work, the house was sparkling and she had a list for shopping the following day. Supper was on the table and she had showered and put on a dress.

He walked through the door and stopped, sniffing.

“Is that peach cobbler?”

Not exactly the reaction she had expected, but certainly not a negative one. She sighed and affirmed.

His gaze came to rest on her and his eyebrows lifted. Whistling appreciatively, he took a step toward her and captured her by the waist, drawing her into his arms.

Now that was more like it. She tumbled into his arms, surrendering her lips to his. Sliding her hand inside his shirt collar, she worked it around to the back of his neck, pulling his lips down hard on hers.

He released her and chuckled.

“Who would have guessed I’d be coming home to this after being married this long?”

A hot flush shot up her neck. She turned away from him quickly – too quickly, and stumbled.

He caught her, drawing her back into his arms.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. It’s just that you’ve always been so reserved.”

His fingers lifted her chin so that she was forced to look at his face.

“I wasn’t laughing at you.”

Her face still hot, she met his sober gaze.

“I didn’t mean to attack you the minute you came home.”

His eyes were warm when he smiled.

“Attack me all you want.”

He punctuated it with a quick kiss and then released her again.

“I don’t mean to be insensitive, but I was so busy today that I didn’t eat lunch.”

“Oh!” she gasped. “Supper is on the table. You should have said something. I would have brought you something – or packed a lunch.”

“I’ll go wash up,” he said, rolling up his sleeves as he headed for the wash room.

Minutes later he was back and settling down at the table opposite her.

“I thought about getting something on the way home, but I figured you’d have supper ready.”

Alex ate the same way he approached any task – with enthusiasm, efficiency and a certain amount of style. Some things, like not eating too fast or taking large bites, not talking with the mouth full, might be assumed, but it was surprising how many people did them – in public, even. Yet even at home, Alex always minded his manners. He kept his mouth wiped and never belched at the table. It was a pleasure simply watching him eat. There were so many simple, yet delightful things about him. Marriage was so much more than she could have imagined – and yet . . . She focused on her food. Only in her dreams had she ever considered such a life possible for her. In fact, sometimes it seemed a dream now. Other times reality took over. This was still the honeymoon stage of their marriage.

After supper she put leftovers away and washed dishes while Alex browsed through the paper.

When she came into the living room, he put the paper aside and stood. Taking her hand, he led her to the window seat and kicked off his boots. Sitting down with his back to the wall, he motioned for her to sit with her back against his chest. They sat that way for a long time, silently watching the evening shadows grow long and then consume the sky.

Sitting like that with the warmth of his chest on her back was sensual and soothing at the same time. She lifted his hand from her waist and kissed it. Leaning to the side, she gazed up at his profile as he watched the fading horizon.

“I missed you today,” she said softly.

His head turned and he gazed down at her. It was hard to read his expression in the waning light. Finally he lifted her head with his arm, guiding her lips to his. It wasn’t a real kiss – more like a light brush.

Quelling the desire to repeat her earlier response, she lay still in his arms, waiting for him to make the next move. When his other hand moved up her arm in a caress, her pulse quickened. He lifted her chin and cupped it in his hand. Leaning down, his next kiss was soft and lingering. Slowly his warm fingers left her chin and worked their way down her neck, caressing and exciting her further. His lips followed, softly pressing against the curve of her neck. Surely he could feel her throbbing heartbeat. She moaned involuntarily and his lips returned to hers. This time his kiss was more urgent. When she could resist no longer, she gripped his neck and forced her lips against his passionately.

He pushed her away gently and stood. She gazed up at him, silently questioning his response, but he merely reached down and lifted her into his arms. She put her arms around his neck and smiled as he carried her to their bedroom.

Life couldn’t get any better than this.

The next morning she was up before the alarm went off. She fixed breakfast and packed him a lunch – then went to see what was taking him so long. He was standing in front of the mirror in his jeans and an athletic undershirt, shaving with a disposable razor.

“What happened to your electric razor?” she asked as she watched him shave.

He glanced at her in the mirror and stopped shaving long enough to answer.

“It doesn’t give a good clean shave, so I use one of these a couple times a week.”

“Oh, I never noticed.” She watched him for a few more minutes. “I wonder if that’s what inspired the new stubble look – because it is so hard to get a close shave.”

“I suppose so,” he said, “and the full beard, no doubt.”

His bronzed features were always so smooth. “I can’t imagine you with a beard,” she finally said.

His short laugh was more a snort. “Can’t . . . or don’t want to?”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Neither, I suppose.”

He rinsed the razor. “I guess that’s why the old mountain men all wore beards. They didn’t have women to please.” He glanced up and winked at her in the mirror.

“Well, women have to shave too, you know. I don’t think men would think it looked distinguished if we left stubble on our legs – or let it grow long enough to trim.”

He turned to look at her directly, his eyes flashing with humor.

“But you can wear slacks to a meeting if you don’t want to shave. I don’t think it would be fashionable if I wore a ski mask.”

She giggled. “Well, just be glad you don’t have to shave under your arms.”

He turned back to the mirror. “Or around my briefs.”

She slapped his backside playfully. “Breakfast is ready,” she said as she turned to leave.

“I’ll be there in a minute,” he answered.

Marriage was blissful right now. Would it always be? If it stayed this good, would they become bored with it?

After Alex left, she fed and watered the animals. With the chores completed, she checked to make sure her phone was on and grabbed the list she had prepared.

Josh was in his field digging fence post holes when she passed. She returned his wave without slowing down. If she had married Josh, she would probably have been out there in the hot sun working with him. That wasn’t fair. She would be more than happy to work out in the hot sun with Alex. Still, having the luxuries Alex provided was delightful. In all fairness, Lori wasn’t out there in the field working with Josh either.

Shopping was another experience that reminded her how simple life had become. Simply purchasing needs without the stress of budgeting was a relief. Of course, she still shopped around for bargains, but this way it was fun – something she had not previously associated with shopping. Whether that was good or bad was still up for debate.

Along with the other items, she purchased a phone holster that clipped to her waistband. It had a strap over the top to keep the cell phone from falling out. Now if he called, she wouldn’t miss it.

Another item she purchased was a catalog with instructions on cake decorating. It wasn’t as though she had time for it, but it was something that interested her. It might be something handy to know next time the church had a bake sale. In the past she wouldn’t have had the money for equipment, but maybe now she could buy the basics. If Alex wanted her to stay at home, at least she should have something to keep her mind and hands busy.

The last thing she did before leaving town was go to the library. The subject was something she didn’t want Alex to know she was researching. When she was studying animal husbandry, there was a chapter about increasing fertility. Diet was one method, but it had been long enough that she had forgotten specifics. Alex might not be the only one with a problem. Her mother and father had tried for years and finally had been successful.

In one book she found a list of things that could decrease fertility. One caught her attention immediately – irregular menstrual cycle. Regular was considered 24-35 days. Hers had never been on time – never the same and sometimes even skipped. Other things included smoking, using drugs or alcohol. None were an issue with either of them, nor were exercise or body weight – too much or too little. Another factor was caffeine. Did she drink too much coffee? Thinking back, it seemed her mother always had a cup of coffee close by. The last thing was stress. What did she have to be stressed about – other than not being able to get pregnant? As for diet, the suggestion was to avoid refined carbohydrates and increase intake of antioxidant foods. She could simply tell him she decided to eat healthier.

But what about Alex? He exercised enough and his weight was perfect. The next entry brought a blush to her cheeks. She glanced around to see if anyone was looking and then read the rest of the sentence. Only once every 3 days? Fat chance. Right now he might accept the idea of 3 times a day. Okay, so what else might help? Vitamins and minerals – zinc and vitamin C were high on the list, and some herbs. Some Chinese sounding herbs were supposed to increase testosterone. His deep voice indicated he had enough of that stuff. The next hormone brought the blood back to her face. Increasing blood flow for the purpose of expansion and maintaining . . . She shut the book, her face burning. That certainly wasn’t an issue either. Diet looked like the best choice. She certainly wasn’t going to slip him any herbs.

Back at the house, she put all her purchases away and then started on the laundry. It wouldn’t have occurred to her to check his pockets, but as she picked up his shirt, it crackled. In the front pocket was a piece of paper. Checking all the other pockets, she came up with what she would have expected – nothing. Sorting the clothes, she put a load in the washer and started it. Picking up the paper, she glanced at it to see if it was something that he needed to keep.

The note was handwritten in Spanish.

Miel,

usted quire algunos café?

Azucar

She frowned at it. Something about coffee, but what? She shrugged and started to put it down. Alex would know. She paused, an idea forming. Why not try that web site bablefish.com? Smiling, she went to his office and turned on the computer. When she got to the site, she typed in the words and clicked on Spanish-to-English. Instantly the translation came back.

Honey,

Do you want some coffee?

Sugar

Carmen stared at it for a few minutes. Who was honey and who was sugar – and what was the note doing in Alex’s pocket? It wasn’t his handwriting. She sighed and dropped it on the table. There was probably a funny story behind it. No one would write a love note to someone asking them if they wanted coffee. Shutting the computer down, she left the office.

Supper was on the table when Alex arrived, but she remained in the kitchen. She glanced up when he came in.

“Hi. How was your day?” She asked.

“Long,” he said, walking around and coming up behind her. His hands found her waist, drawing her to him. He kissed the nape of her neck softly. “I missed you.”

She turned and put her arms around his neck.

“I missed you too.” She leaned back, gazing up into his face. “Supper is ready. Are you hungry?”

For a moment longer he held her in his arms, and then released her.

“Not as hungry as I was yesterday. Thanks for the lunch. It was delicious.”

Mealtime talk was a mixture of his day at the clinic and hers shopping. Surprising enough, they both proved to be interesting topics. Alex worked hard all day, but it was obvious that he enjoyed it. It must be nice to have such a rewarding career. It required only a fraction of a second to be reminded that her original career goal would never be achieved. In that amount of time she shoved it to the back of her mind again. It wasn’t too late to start a different career.

Later that evening the phone in his office rang and he left the room to answer it.