Free Crazy Love by Nicola Marsh

hung it on a giant copper hook over the range.
    “That’s the idea, love.” He winked and crossed the kitchen to drop a kiss on her lips. “I kinda like the idea of you walking around naked.”
    She slapped him away, loving every minute of the attention. “We’re too old for this sort of thing.”
    His lips drifted across her cheek towards her ear. “You’re only as old as the fella you feel.”
    “Your point, old-timer?”
    Her breath caught as he nibbled on the tender spot beneath her earlobe.
    “I may be old, sweetheart, but I ain’t dead. And as long as you’re doing the feeling I reckon my age registers around twenty-one.”
    He knelt next to her and she snuggled into his arms, content to stay there for the rest of her life.
    His hands smoothed her smoothed her back, strumming with infinite tenderness. “Care to do some feeling now?”
    “You’re a dirty old man.” Her head lolled back as his magical fingers drifted upward to knead her shoulders. “And I love you for it. Feel away.”
    Before they could retire to the bedroom a loud pounding on the backdoor jolted them apart.
    “Think we can make a run for it?” Hank whispered, tugging on her arm.
    “Doubt it.”
    She smiled as Flo’s weatherworn face peered through the kitchen window. “We have company.”
    Following the direction of her gaze, Hank groaned. “So much for a little morning loving. That sight is enough to turn any man’s stomach.”
    She whacked his arm. “Be nice.”
    “Stop canoodling you two and open this damn door.” Flo put both hands up to the glass and pressed her face against it, trying to get a better view. “Don’t you know what you’re doing is sick at your age?”
    “Crazy old bat,” Hank muttered, dropping a light kiss on Olivia’s head as they crossed the kitchen to open the door. “How fast do you think we can get rid of her?”
    “She’s lonely and the only person who truly welcomed me when I first arrived in this town so you get those uncharitable thoughts right out of your head.”
    With one hand on the doorknob, Hank’s other patted her behind. “My thoughts aren’t uncharitable, sweetheart.”
    She swatted his hand away. “No, they’re in the gutter. Now open that door before dear Flo has a coronary.”
    “Dear Flo? Lord help us.”
    He opened the back door with a flourish. “Dear Flo, how lovely to see you.”
    Flo bustled into the kitchen, the pungent odor of stale cigarette smoke wafting behind her.
    “Save it, Hank. I gotta have a heart to heart with your missus. Hey, Liv. How you doing?”
    Hank wrinkled his nose and waved a hand in front of it as if trying to get rid of a bad smell behind Flo’s back and Olivia struggled not to laugh.
    “I’m fine. What brings you out here?”
    Flo tapped the side of her nose. “Secret women’s business.”
    Hank’s smile vanished. “That’s my cue to leave you delightful ladies. I’ll be in the tractor barn if you need me.”
    Hank kissed Olivia before scurrying out the door.
    “Don’t know what you see in that old reprobate,” Flo said, smiling fondly at his retreating back. “But I’m glad to see you looking so happy.”
    “Thanks. Tea?”
    “Don’t mind if I do.” Flo’s gaze darted around the kitchen. “You wouldn’t happen to have a few ciggies stashed away somewhere?”
    Olivia shook her head, thankful she’d shed that nasty habit along with her old life when she left LA. “Those things will kill you. Why don’t you try those newfangled patches? They worked for me.”
    “Reformed smokers are the worst.” Flo opened her bag and popped gum into her mouth. “Now, hurry up with that cuppa so I can tell you my news.”
    “I’ve got some news of my own.”
    Olivia boiled the kettle, tipped leaves into a pot and arranged lavender cookies on a plate. Not content to let Hank do all the cooking, she’d started baking for the first time in her life and amazingly wasn’t half bad. At least they both hadn’t keeled over from food