Page 36 of Married in Misty Mountain

“Sixth degree. Funny story. After I was bullied in school, my mom signed me up for classes, and I never looked back.”

“Ever had to use it?” I ask.

“Every day. It’s about self-control and discipline,” Jack says.

Shenna bounces up and down on her feet. “Mind teaching me?”

I’d love to watch my wife become a total martial arts badass.

Jack thinks about this. “I never thought about it, but that sounds like a good idea. I might have time to teach classes now and then, especially now that I have a reliable assistant manager.”

“Let me know if I can help,” I say.

Both Jack and Shenna look at me in awe.

“What?” I ask.

Shenna nudges me. “Are you actually thinking about getting involved in the local community?”

I grumble, “Don’t get too excited. It’s just a martial arts class.”

“Oh, everyone’s going to sign up if you’ll be there, Hurley,” Shenna says.

“Stop.”

Jack turns away to help some customers with a question, and Shenna walks with me to my truck as I load the day’s supplies.

“You can groan and grumble all you want. But people like you,” she tells me.

I haul my backpack into the bed of my truck, then the cooler, and then the first-aid kit.

“Are you listening to me?”

After tying down the supplies, I turn to Shenna, claiming her mouth with a heated kiss. “As long as you like me and care about me, that’s all that matters,” I say.

Shenna rolls up onto her toes and kisses me back. “Always and forever, my weird, clean-shaven, vegan mountain man. You’re stuck with Misty Mountain, and you’re stuck with me.”

I lift her off her feet into a giant bear hug.

The sun is shining, the weather is perfect, and Evergreen Way is bustling with friendly faces.

“And you’re stuck with me, my little giraffe on roller skates.”

This gets me a sharp bite on the neck.

“Ow!” I shout with a laugh. “You’re vicious!”

“You said it yourself, I still have issues to work through,” she teases.

I set her down and plant a kiss on her forehead.

“I love you, Mrs. Mountain Man. Just try not to kill me with canned goods.”

“No promises. And I love you too.”

Epilogue

FIVE YEARS LATER

---