Page 120 of Mountain Grump
Transporting. Hot zones. I thought this guy seemed a little shady. And I was right.
“I’m not transporting anything.”
“Okay.” He says it like he absolutely doesn’t believe me.
Tilda’s humming changes to singing, just loud enough for me to hear.
“My wife is with me.” The words taste good as I say them.
Tilda’s off-key note falters.
An unexpected urge to smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.
I can’t believe I had to put my plane down.
Can’t believe my wing got fucked up.
Can’t believe that the first time Tilda put her safety in my hands, I failed spectacularly.
And yet… If I’m going to be stranded in the woods, headed to a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere, there’s no one I’d rather be with.
And not just that there’s no one else I’d prefer. I’m glad she’s with me. Being with Tilda is better than being alone.
I swallow. The urge to smile fades.
I like her.
I like the way I feel when I’m around her.
Tilda starts humming again.
It’s still off-key. And it’s perfect.
I like her a fucking lot.
“So…” Stoleman sounds legitimately confused. “You’re not being shot at. And you got nothing but your lady with you. You just need, what, a ride home?”
“Pretty much.”
He huffs out a laugh. “This is gonna be an expensive ride.”
I shrug. “Figured as much.”
“There a reason you’re willing to pay top dollar for a private ride out rather than calling theproper authorities?”
It’s a fair question. So I answer him. “I believe I’m on national land. And the place I’m heading to definitely is.”
“Oh?” Stoleman’s interest is piqued. “And where are you heading?”
“To my cabin.” I tip my head to the side. “One of them.”
“And this cabin you own, it’s in a national forest?”
“Yep.”
“Youarea park ranger, right?”
“Yep.”
