Page 114 of Mountain Grump

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The trees are becoming more defined.

I look out the side window.

My heart stutters.

We’re below the mountaintops.

There’s nowhere to go but down.

“Relax.” Ethan sounds just as calm as he did before. “I need you to breathe and relax.”

I try.

I drag in a lungful of air.

We’re getting lower.

A sound of distress tangles in my chest.

“Repeat what I told you.”

I struggle with another breath.

I can see the stretch of grassy land next to the river below.

It’s mostly bare. Looks like smooth earth. But it looks too small.

It looks too short.

And too far away.

“Wife. Repeat what I told you.” Ethan’s voice is louder this time, pulling my attention to his profile.

I look at his jawline.

Look at the way his wavy hair curls around his headphones.

I glance at his tattooed forearms, the muscles shifting as he controls the plane.

I purse my lips, and my inhale doesn’t rattle as much this time. “You’re going to land us smoothly.”

Ethan turns his head toward me. “I’ll never let anything happen to you, Starlight.”

I bite my lip.

“Tell me.”

“You’ll never let anything happen to me.”

“Never.”

Heat stings the corner of my eyes, but Ethan can’t see it through my aviators. And I’m glad.

Because I can’t distract Ethan.

Not when he’s about to… land us smoothly.

Please, gods, let him land us smoothly.

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