Page 277 of Mountain Grump

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Morning sunlight cuts through the window, and tiny rainbows dance around the room.

My breath catches.

What…

Then I see it.

And that pressure in my eyes becomes unbearable.

My boots are quiet on the floor as I cross to the dining table.

My fingers tremble as I pick up the suncatcher.

The purple beads make a quiet clinking sound as they bump into each other.

It’s like the one I saw her working on before. But even better.

There’s a loop of fishing line to hang it from. And the top of the suncatcher is a horizontal circle of beads. But it’s stiff. Like she found wire to use. Then, hanging from the circle are half a dozen strands of beads of different lengths.

It’s delicate.

Beautiful.

Made from Tilda’s birthday beads.

I hold it carefully as I walk outside.

I didn’t park in the garage last night. Couldn’t find the energy.

So I cross the driveway to my truck, holding my gift up to the sunlight, watching it sparkle.

And I know she must’ve set this down before she found the letter.

But it’s still mine.

And I’m going to keep it.

Just like Matilda Iris Grant is still mine.

And I’m going to keep her.

Chapter 159

Tilda

The screen doorslams shut behind me as I carry my coffee to my chair.

I want to ignore it.The screen door.

The way it reminds me of Ethan.

I want to rip the screen out.

Want to turn it back to the way it was before.

But I don’t.

If he can use me, I can use him.

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