Page 103 of Mountain Grump
Ralph tries to take another step back, but bumps into his father. “W-what’s the point of this story?”
Ethan leans a little closer. “You remind me of that weekend.”
Ralph makes a squawking sound.
Holy. Crap.
I run my damp palms down my skirt.
Did I just get turned on by watching Ethan threaten Ralph?
Ethan turns back to me. “Your mom and one other person can come as witness.”
My aunt steps forward. “I’ll go.”
She says it like it’s a sacrifice. And not something she’s volunteering to do.
“Fine.” Ethan holds his hand out to me.
I wrap my fingers around his. And I let him lead me down the hall, back the way we came, to the main entrance of the building.
My family members clamber behind us, running back into the office, gathering the items they left strewn around.
“Ethan.” I keep my voice low as I give his hand a tug. “I can?—”
“We’ll talk on the plane.” His voice is just as low.
I want to tell him about the letter.
Explain myself.
Ask him why the heck he’d agree to marry a practical stranger, no questions asked.
But I keep my lips pressed together because I can hear footsteps approaching, and I know there’s no time.
Ethan looks over my head, back down the hall. “They really are awful. No wonder Jack only ever talked about you.”
Warmth spreads through my chest.
That isn’t exactly a compliment, since it’d be hard to be worse than them. But it’s still a nice thing to say. And a good reminderthat Uncle Jack might’ve been out of line with this marriage request. But he still loved me.
I almost smile.
Then I remember I’m forcing an innocent man to marry a girl he doesn’t really know.
A girl who comes with horrible in-laws.
The almost smile disappears.
Ethan pulls his phone out of his pocket with his free hand. Then he flexes his fingers around mine. “Move your hand to my elbow.”
I glance up at him. “Huh?”
He lets go of my hand, then bends his arm. “Hold my elbow. I need both hands.”
I shift closer to Ethan. Then I reach up and hook my hand into the crook of his bent elbow.
I lean against his arm and watch him search for achapel, then select walking directions for the closest option.
