Page 109 of Mountain Grump

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I bite my lip, a grin of absurdity fighting to break through.

The volume lowers, but the song keeps playing.

Dolly smiles at us, her hands extended toward us, palms up. “Did you come with your own vows?”

“No.” Ethan’s tone is serious. “We prefer a traditional ceremony.”

I bite my lip harder as laughter vibrates through my body.

Dolly dips her chin and lowers her arms. “Completely understandable.” Then she opens the cookbook.

Chapter 66

Ethan

“I do.”Tilda’s voice is steady as she promises to always love me.

And I know it’s fake.

Know it’s not real.

But having this Mountain Fairy promise to be mine forever…

My chest expands on a deep inhale.

As Dolly lists off my requirements, I focus on the feeling of Tilda beside me.

Focus on the warmth of her arm against mine.

Focus on the way she leans into me.

And it might be a setup. Some elaborate game laid out by a dead man.

But, as I focus on the way I feel, I decide I don’t care.

I don’t care if it’s fake.

I want it.

I want Matilda Iris Wright.

“And do you, Ethan Ford Grant, promise?—”

“I do.”

It doesn’t matter what the rest of that sentence was going to be.

I’ll do it.

Dolly makes a sound of appreciation. “Then I command you to be husband and wife, for the rest of this ever after. You may kiss your bride.”

I slide my arm free, face Tilda, grip her shoulders, and turn her to me.

My wife’s eyes are wide.

A little startled.

I slide one hand up the back of her neck and into her hair.

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