The Cottage in the Douro – Part 2: Harvest Light

They walked the terraces at dusk, barefoot, wine glasses in hand. The vines were heavy with small green grapes, and the stone walls still held the day's warmth. Far below, the Douro turned from silver to rose.

"We should do this every month," said Beatriz.

"The shop—"

"Henrique."

"Every month," he agreed, at once, and she laughed at his meekness.

They climbed to the highest terrace and sat on the dry earth under an old almond tree. It was quiet. Somewhere a bell rang, thin and far.

"Can I ask you something?" said Henrique.

"Yes."

"Do you still like me?"

"What a question!"

"I'm serious. I'm boring now. I talk about invoices."

She turned his face towards her with a gentle hand. "You talk about invoices because you care about every person who works for us," she said. "That's why I married you. And you still make me laugh. Also you have lovely hands."

"My hands?"

"Terrible at DIY. Excellent otherwise."

He went red. "May I kiss my wife?"

"Yes," said Beatriz. "And if I say stop, you must open the shop an hour late on Monday."

"That would be a revolution," said Henrique, and kissed her.

It was warm and slow, tasting of wine and honey, her fingers in his hair. He kissed her as if there were nothing else to do all evening, which, for the first time in two years, was true. The sky went violet above the vines.

When they parted, both of them were smiling.

"Green?" he asked.

"Green," said Beatriz. "Very green."

On Monday, the shop opened an hour late. A handwritten sign on the door read: Back soon. We are in love.

More married couple romance: The Cruise · Couples Retreat · The Second Honeymoon