Page 196 of Mountain Grump

Chapter 104

Ethan

“Uncle Jack…”Tilda’s voice cracks, and I hold her tighter. “He had a terminal illness. And he… In one of his letters, he told me that he chose to end his life through the death with dignity program.”

I stare over Tilda’s head at the trees.

I…

I was not expecting that.

“And I get it.” Tilda’s fingers are back to gripping my shirt. “I do. And I’m glad he was able to leave this world on his terms. But I… I feel like such a jerk even thinking this.”

“No.” I run a palm up and down her back. “You’re anything but that, Matilda Wright.”

Her back rises as she inhales, and her voice is steadier when she continues. “I just don’t understand why he did allthiswith letters and lawyers and… It was all a surprise to me. I didn’t even know he was sick. And instead of…this, he could’ve just told me.”

I press a kiss to the top of Tilda’s head.

Then I do it again.

“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for?—”

“Stop right there.” I can’t stand to listen to her justify the absolute chaos Jack has caused. “I know you’re not ungrateful. And I know you’re glad he didn’t have to suffer through whatever pain awaited him. But that doesn’t make all of this any less fucked up.”

A laugh pops out of Tilda, just as I’d hoped.

“Jack clearly had enough free time to arrange this whole board game of surprises. And he could’ve just as easily called you on the phone. In fact, it would’ve been way fucking easier to just call you on the phone.” I press my lips to her hair again, hating that she’s thought about this all on her own. “But Jack was a man. And we’re not always good at confronting our emotions. And maybe this was the only way he knew how to give youthiswithout having to hear your voice when he told you he was dying. Or see your face when he said there was no other way. Or listen to you argue—because I’m sure you would—that he should give everything to someone else.”

Tilda sniffs, but I feel her nod against my chest.

“Doesn’t mean you can’t be a little mad at him for it.”

She sniffs again.

And I kiss her hair again.

“Doesn’t make it right, but Jack always was about the drama. And as out of line as the whole plan might’ve been, he orchestrated it admirably well. Down to the Dolly Parton wedding.”

Tilda’s sniff sounds a bit like a laugh this time. “He really did, didn’t he?”

“The more I think on it, the more I wonder if he didn’t manage to get his ghost ass into my plane. Still can’t figure out what happened to my computers before we?—”

“Crashed.”

“—had to execute a controlled emergency landing.”

Tilda hums. “I wouldn’t put it past him. Maybe I’ll find a stash of airplane books next.”

We stand for a moment, absorbing each other’s heat.

Then I decide that since Tilda gave me a truth, I can give her one in return.

“I don’t know why Jack did things this way. But I do know that I’m grateful to him for bringing you here.”

“Thank you.” Tilda sniffs. “I’m glad he did too.”

I hug her tighter.