Page 192 of Mountain Grump
“You can shower here if you want. I’ll make us some coffee.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. But I won’t fall back asleep anyway. And we can drink it on the back deck.” I probably could fall back asleep, but I’d rather start my day now with Ethan than alone in two hours.
“As long as your damn guard duck stays on the ground.”
My grin is less sleepy this time. “I can’t believe you caught her.”
Ethan rolls his eyes. “That little demon weighs all of two pounds.”
“Two pounds of flapping wings with a beak.”
The doorto the house opens, and I watch from my chair as Ethan opens the screen door and steps out onto the deck.
And I keep watching as he holds the doorframe open and sticks his other hand through the big empty spot where a screen should be.
He lifts a brow.
I shrug. “It was like that when I moved in. I usually just step through it.”
He lets the door shut and grabs the mug of black coffee sitting on my armrest. “I’ll fix it.”
Rather than replying, I take a sip, enjoying my sweetened creamer but thinking about the instant coffee with sugar I had at the cabin in the woods.
Ethan is dressed in jeans and one of his tan short-sleeved ranger shirts—which he fetched from his truck this morning.
I tuck one leg under me and shift in my chair, so I can look at Ethan as he sits in the one on the other side of the doorway.
His hair is still damp, combed back from his face. And he looks sexy as always with his tattoos on display.
“Did you always want to be a park ranger?”
Steam trails up from his mug as he lifts it to his mouth.
I’m in my matching blue sweatpants and sweatshirt, good for the cool morning air. But Ethan looks perfectly comfortable in his short sleeves.
He lifts a shoulder. “I always liked the outdoors. But hadn’t really thought about it as a career when I was growing up.”
“What did you want to do?” Being a ranger seems so right for Ethan that I can hardly imagine him doing anything else.
“Firefighter.”
I nod as I consider it. “Still a service to your community. A sexy uniform. I guess I can see that.” He shakes his head at my uniform comment. “So what stopped your firefighter dream?”
He hesitates, and I get the feeling that I shouldn’t have asked. “I was in the process of applying for a position down in the Springs when my parents passed away.”
The sour taste of regret coats my tongue, and I drop my eyes to my lap.
I can’t believe I brought this up.
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t’ve asked.” My voice comes out weak.
“Tilda.”
My heart aches for Ethan. “I really didn’t mean?—”
“Matilda.” He uses his serious tone, and I finally meet his gaze. And… he doesn’t look upset. Not at all. “I’m okay talking about this. I swear.”
