Precious - Roe Horvat Page 0,60

was recovered enough to start running again.

The relief was tremendous. He did five miles on a trail in the National Park, meeting a couple of hikers, but otherwise, he was alone with only the trees and an elk for company. His whole body sang as he jogged the last mile back, his lungs filled with the fresh mountain air, his muscles warm. Invigorated, he returned to the chalet just in time to start making lunch. He took a quick shower and pottered in the kitchen. He would make a stew, a large pot so he could freeze the leftovers in plastic containers. They’d come in handy when they went hiking and came back late after a long day. He paused midthought. Was he planning to stay for the whole summer, then? He’d stopped thinking about leaving here. Ever since he’d made his decision the first day of his recovery, he’d never again considered what he’d do after. Not once.

There was no after Travis, was there?

His gaze blurred from the onion-induced tears, so he blinked a few times and squinted, just when Travis walked in. Eyes stinging, Micah turned to him.

For some mysterious reason, once his vision cleared, and he could take in the tall man standing braced in the kitchen door, Micah’s belly flooded with warmth.

Travis looked like he always did. Threadbare jeans, a simple blue T-shirt, strong arms and rough hands, warm brown eyes, and a kind smile, the short beard that tickled when they kissed.

I haven’t kissed him for more than a week.

The gray fog that had surrounded Micah after his heat had lifted. His heart beating faster, he was about to drop the knife, run to Travis, and kiss him all over.

“I need to go to the city for two days,” Travis said.

Micah hadn’t expected that. It took him a few seconds to regain his composure.

“You can stay here, or you can come with me. I’m sorry to spring it on you like this, but Jared has been quite insistent. I can’t put it off any longer.”

“Sure. Of course,” Micah stammered. Travis was leaving? It’s only two days.

“Do you want to come with me?”

Micah had just found his way back to himself. Literally this very moment. He wasn’t ready to face the city. Other people, memories… No.

Travis looked at him with infinite patience, ready to accept any decision Micah might make. Always so kind, so generous. I love you. He’d blurt the words any second now. Not yet. It’s just two days.

“I’d rather stay here if that’s okay?”

“Sure. I’ll give you Blake’s number just in case. And turn on the security system at night, please.”

“You never do that unless we both leave the chalet.”

Travis raised a teasing eyebrow. “Indulge me.”

Micah smiled. “Okay.” The small glimpse of Travis’s playful side calmed his hammering heart.

“When are you going?”

“In a couple of hours. The meeting is tomorrow morning. I’m staying at my parents’ house tonight, and I want to be there before dinner. I haven’t seen them for more than a month.”

“I’d better hurry up, then. We can have lunch before you leave.”

“Thank you. I’d love that.”

Their good-bye was awkward. Micah wanted to hug Travis but stopped himself at the last moment. Travis only nodded, gave a sad half smile, and got into the car.

Alone in the chalet, Micah grew restless. He did laundry, cleaned the living room, and went for a walk in the late afternoon. In the evening, he opened a beer and sat on the patio for a while.

He hadn’t had alcohol in weeks, and the single beer seemed to go straight to his head. The buzz was pleasant, though. He leaned back, all mellow, and pulled out his phone. He scrolled to Travis’s number and typed.

Message me when you arrive. I’d like to know you’re okay.

The traffic was hell, but I’m fine. I’m with my parents. My dad says hello.

Micah already regretted not going with him, but he kept telling himself that a couple of days alone would be good for them both. He’d just begun feeling like himself, and the first thing he’d wanted to do was to jump Travis and climb him like a tree. His feelings were giving him whiplash.

Send my regards. He’s my hero. I’d love to meet him one day.

I’d love that too.

Micah gulped the last of his beer and smiled. Closing his eyes, he listened to the hum of trees and took inventory of his body. A little tired from his run, stomach pleasantly full, no aches or tension. He