“Do you want to bike down there and back?”
“You have bikes? Plural?” She frowned. “Why?”
I laughed. “I don’t even have a bike singular. But we can rent some. I found a place not far from here.”
She was quiet a moment as she studied me. “You’ve been thinking about this a while, I guess?”
“While the coffee brewed.” Maybe it was a dumb idea. “We can just drive.”
“No. I didn’t say that. The bike idea is intriguing. What sparked it? I don’t remember you being a big bike rider when we were teens.”
I shifted, trying to find a comfortable place for my head against the headboard. I didn’t do a lot of sitting in bed, and this was why. “I rode as much as the next kid, I think. At least until I could drive.”
A small smile played at the corners of her mouth and it was all I could do not to lean over and kiss her again. “You did love your car.”
“Still do. To be honest.”
“I know.”
I set my coffee aside and crossed my arms. “How? How do you know?”
“It’s pristine. And the one time I even thought about asking to drink something not water in it, I could feel your disapproval before the words came out.” She tipped her mug up before setting it on the night stand.
“I’m not that bad.” I scowled. “Since when is wanting a car that’s not full of trash a bad thing?”
“It isn’t.” Faith leaned over and kissed me quickly, then moved out of reach before I could respond. “But you’re fussy about your car. Just like you were in high school.”
“I object to the term fussy.”
“Overruled.”
“Oh, ha ha. Look who’s so clever.”
Faith bounced out of bed. “I do my best. If we’re going to Mount Vernon, I want a shower.” She paused halfway to the bathroom. “Do you really want to ride bikes?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. It sounded fun. But we could do that another time. Just ride along the river.”
She nodded. “I like that idea better. I’m not sure the last time I was on a bicycle. And I’m not convinced I want to walk around a historical home after rigorous exercise.”
People did it all the time. But I could also see her point. And if we did go ahead and tour all the gardens and grounds, we’d be doing a lot of walking. Getting on bikes for a thirteen mile or so trek home after was probably not the best plan. “Fair enough. Go get ready. I’ll shower when you’re done.”
She disappeared into the bathroom. I grabbed my empty coffee mug, slid out of bed and went around to her side to grab that one, then headed back out to the kitchen. I rinsed the mugs and set them in the dishwasher, then walked over to the windows that looked out over the river.
For the first time in a long time, everything in my life felt like it was right.
Neither of us hurried to get ready, so it was well after ten when we made our way out of the condo and down to my car.
My car.
I frowned as I held open the passenger door for Faith.
“What’s that look for?” She paused as she was sliding into the seat. “Did you remember you had something else planned? It’s okay if we can’t do brunch.”
“No. Nothing like that. I just realized, we should get you a car.”
“I have a car.” Faith gestured to the beat-up death trap she’d driven here.
I scoffed. “That hardly qualifies.”