Page 167 of Mountain Grump

Loved the feeling of being intertwined.

Loved sharing a pillow.

Loved falling asleep with his lips against my forehead.

I… I remind myself to enjoy the memory. That there’s no need to feel sad.

Just because we’re leaving today doesn’t mean I’ll never sleep in the same bed as Ethan again.

We are married after all.

Married.

Which is just another reminder of how good Ethan is.

Like just…good.

When I told him about the money and the will, he didn’t judge me. Didn’t want anything. Just told me he understood.

Ethan might act like a grump, but he’s a good man.

My Good Boy.

Heat creeps up my chest as more memories from last night come to mind. And that lightness from before returns.

No, last night was not the last time I’ll share a bed with Ethan.

This might be complicated. Absurd even. But the chemistry between us is real. And the scent of coffee reminds me that today is only just beginning.

Chapter 86

Ethan

My eyes trackTilda as she emerges from my cabin, and tightness fills my chest.

She’s mine.

Her purple braid is frizzy.

Her pajama outfit, which she’s been wearing for over twenty-four hours, is wrinkled.

And she’s wearing my way-too-big-for-her spare pair of tennis shoes.

I take a sip of my coffee, memorizing the moment.

She looks perfect.

Tilda covers her yawn as she sits on the stump across from me. A small fire crackles in the pit between us.

I’m back in my flannel and jeans. And I’ve folded all the laundry we had hanging from the trees and set it on the stump farthest from the fire, so they won’t smell like smoke.

“Coffee?”

“Yes, please.” Tilda’s voice is still sleepy. Adorable.

I use a cloth to grip the handle of the tea kettle and pour hot water into the mug I set out for Tilda, instant coffee and sugar already in the bottom.

After giving it a stir, I hold it out for her.