Page 100 of Mountain Grump
Matilda is nervous.
And I don’t like that.
The need to be near her takes over, and I step forward.
Tilda’s mother moves to stand right beside her daughter.
Matilda still looks worried. And stressed. But my Firecracker shoots a glare at her mother before taking a step to the side, so their shoulders are no longer touching.
But then Tilda’s mother puts her hands on her hips, flaring her elbows out so she’s once again touching her daughter.
Before she can lose it, I reach out and grip Tilda’s wrist, causing her to let go of her skirt.
I tug her to me, and Tilda moves so she’s standing at my side.
Close enough that our arms touch.
Her mother flits her gaze down to where I’m still holding Tilda’s wrist. Then she narrows her eyes at me. “Are you really here to marry Matilda?”
Under my hold, Tilda’s muscles twitch.
But I continue to stare at her mother.
Am I really here to marry Matilda?
She’s not saying it like some wild guess.
She’s saying it like an allegation.
Like Matilda told her that’s what I’m here for.
Am I here to marry Matilda?
Her skin is warm against mine, and I can feel her pulse thumping under my touch.
I remember the feel of her under me.
I remember the sounds she made against my mouth.
I remember the way she reached for me when she was scared on the plane.
And I remember Jack asking me to keep an eye on his Matty.
Remember his letter.
So, if Tilda is claiming that we’re here to get married…
I slide my grip lower, so our hands are palm to palm. “What business is it of yours?”
Tilda reaches across her body and grips our combined hands with her free one. “Mother, I already told you. We’re getting married this weekend.”
“Where?” The older woman glares at us.
“Again,” I say slowly, like she didn’t understand the words last time. “What business is it of yours?”
Mother Wright presses a hand to her chest. “If you think I’m going to allow you to marry my daughter?—”
“Allow me?” I give my head a slow shake as the side of my mouth pulls up into a smirk. “That’s not how this works.”
