Page 147 of Mountain Grump

Ethan mentioned needing to charge it tomorrow, that it should be brighter, but I’m grateful for it as I carry the lantern into the tiny building.

Before I close the door, I eye him, standing feet away. “Ethan?”

“Yeah.”

“Please don’t stand there.”

He looks down, then looks back up at me. “Why?”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t meanthat exact location. I mean, don’t stand so close you can… listen.”

Ethan drops his chin and looks at me like I’m being absurd.

I lift the hand not holding the lantern and point at him. “I’m serious. Go pee in the woods or something.”

Ethan sighs but doesn’t argue. And he doesn’t go back to the cabin for his flashlight. He just walks off into the dark woods.

Oh, to be a man with no sense of fear.

With the lantern on the floor, the outhouse is filled with a cozy glow as I do my business.

I was wondering about the lack of fireplace in the cabin, thinking the winters must be pretty cold out here. But the moreI consider it, I figure Ethan just doesn’t come out here in the winter.

The trek alone would be nearly impossible with a couple feet of snow on the ground.

And since the toilet seat is chilly right now, I can’t even imagine what it would feel like in freezing temperatures.

When I exit, Ethan is standing a few feet farther away than he’d been before, next to the well.

“Here.” He holds out a bar of soap.

I happily take it and use the water as he pumps it out to give my hands a proper wash. Then I soap up my hands again and scrub them over my face.

It’s harsher than my usual face wash, but I need the refresh.

Ethan hands me a paper towel, and I smile at him as I use it to dry my face.

Then I gasp, because the next thing he hands me is a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. “You’re like Mary Poppins with those damn cabinets.”

When I’m done, I turn my back to Ethan, ignoring his sigh over my attempt at modesty as I rinse my mouth and spit onto the ground.

I use the damp paper towel still in my hand to wipe my mouth, then I give him back the toothbrush.

He applies more toothpaste and puts it into his mouth.

And I have to clench my thighs.

That should be gross.

But it’s not.

It’s not gross at all.

Ethan holds eye contact as he brushes his teeth.

The sun has officially moved below the horizon, and the heavy tree cover means we’re in full darkness.

But the lantern is sitting on the stump beside me, and it’s just enough light to watch Ethan watch me.